issues should be printed, instead of publishing an annual. As with all other first annuals of the Ultimate line, this annual has a self-contained story. The annual proved to be a success, becoming the third annual in the Ultimate Marvel line to sell out. Magnetic North Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #61-65 (September 2005 - January 2006) Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Stuart Immonen Plot outline: Emma Frost has assembled the Academy of Tomorrow, a second heroic mutant group consisting of Havok, Polaris, Northstar, Sunspot, Cypher and Cannonball. Lorna Dane (aka Polaris) is put into Magneto's plastic prison cell, because Forge and Mystique cause the AoT's first mission to go awry. The AoT frees her, and the X-Men are forced to fight the Ultimates when they try to stop the breakout. Professor X expels Angel for insubordination, only to send him to the AoT as a spy. Colossus reveals to Nightcrawler that he is dating Northstar, a hint that he is coming out. First appearances: Mystique, Cannonball, Cypher, Polaris Notes: Colossus comes out of the closet in Ultimate X-Men #65. In Ultimate Marvel, Mystique is reinvented as Magneto's right-hand woman (a parallel to the three X-Men movies). In the mainstream comics, Mystique and Magneto barely meet. Robert Kirkman Robert Kirkman took on the mantle of writer when Bryan Singer once again could not commit to writing for the title. His run was originally scheduled for only nine issues, but was extended. Kirkman believed the Ultimate Marvel universe had developed a strong enough footing in order to not have to rely on "who's getting Ultimatized this week." He also believed that the Ultimate universe should retain its differences from the mainstream universe. As a result, he planned to introduce one character unique to the Ultimate universe and one character who already existed in the mainstream universe. These characters became the Magician and Lilandra Neramani, respectively. Date Night Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #66-68 (March 2006 - May 2006) Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Tom Raney Plot outline: Kirkman explores the private lives of the X-Men as they finally have a night off for the first time since "The Tomorrow People" arc. Scott and Jean see a movie. Iceman and Rogue capitalize on her loss of powers, and make love. Wolverine and Storm go to a bar. Sabretooth attacks them in order to obtain a tissue sample from Logan to deliver