X-Men from the Beginning

[DDM]

I'm surprised how quickly CC's run goes into the Phoenix saga. I always thought it occurs further into his run. Also after reading these summaries, I'm surprised how closely X-Men:TAS followed the comic.

It was never a "Phoenix Saga." Chris Claremont introduces hints of the Shi'ar with Uncanny X-Men #96, Claremont's first full script was writer of the book. The storyline is concluded as of Uncanny X-Men #108 when Phoenix saves the universe. Interspersed are several unrelated stories such as the X-Men's encounter with the N'Garai [#96], Sentinels & the mysterious Council of the Chosen via Steven Lang [#98-100], vs Black Tom Cassidy & the Juggernaut [#101-103] & vs Magneto [#104]. The Shi'ar storyline does not pick up again until Uncanny X-Men #105 & Uncanny X-Men #107-108.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.105.GIF

X-Men #105

"Phoenix Unleashed"

1st appearance: Phoenix's Power Signature

As Worstblogever noted, this book is hitting it's stride. It seems to be maturing a bit, and several story threads are coming together. Jean Grey lets loose as Phoenix in #105, and we witness her beautiful "Phoenix effect" (for lack of a better term), when she uses her powers. It's the shape of a raging Phoenix, erupting into the air above her. Cyclops thinks how Jean used to be the *weakest* X-Man, and now she may be the strongest!! But are these her latent mutant-powers, or something......more???

#105 has a strong Star Trek vibe, as well. There are several obvious references to Classic 1960s Star Trek; we see a Sh'iar spaceship whose bridge is almost a replica of the Enterprise. The captain of the vessel says "Ship's Log" and sits in a captain's chair like James Kirk. There is a transporter, and so on. Somebody was a Marvel Trekkie, it seems! Eric the Red's identity is revealed---he is named Shakari and is a Sh'iar spy, sent to capture or kill Charles Xavier and Princess Lilandra. Eric sends Firelord, who is a former Galactus herald, to defeat the X-Men. Firelord is succesful in crushing the new X-Men.... within one minute!!

Firelord then assaults Jean Grey & Misty Knight's apartment in Greenwich Village. To protect Xavier and Jean's parents, she becomes Phoenix and begins a cosmic tour-de-force battle with Firelord in the New York skies. Phoenix power is intoxicating to Jean, as she's never felt anything like this before. She cleans the floor with Firelord!! Meanwhile, Lilandra Neramani (we learn her last name!) transports to Charles Xavier in Jean's apartment. Xavier finally meets his nightmare in the flesh. Eric arrives and zaps them; then builds a "Stargate" and transports himself and Lilandra through it. The X-Men arrive and Phoenix powers-up the Stargate, and the mutants enter it to parts unknown.......just as Firelord flies up saying he will destroy our world if Phoenix doesn't continue their deathmatch.

My thoughts: An amazing issue, filled with action. I like how Chris Claremont tied in the Eric the Red subplot, and Xavier's nightmares together. I wonder if he planned it all along. Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum have a cameo together, as they are brainstorming a new issue as Firelord crashes into a Manhattan park!! We see them flee and it's quite amusing.

Uncanny X-Men #105 is one my favorite stories since it shows a hint of where Phoenix is going as a character (i.e. her power hits her like a drug coupled with the infinite power she possesses this issue to beat Firelord to a pulp). It also finally explains Lilandra...

[worstblogever]

#105- Perhaps the one flaw I might find with this is... why is Firelord working for the Shi'ar? Is he slumming it? Mercenary work? Or just looking to screw with Earth in general?

How Eric the Red can get the better of two telepaths of the calibur of Charles & Lilandra is beyond me. He must just have immunity to that power, or his helm must do it. Otherwise... I don't get why he's a threat to them.

This build-up of the Phoenix is great, though... slowly but surely, you see Jean take out foes that best the entire X-Men alone. Foes that were powerful enough to be Galactus' Heralds... Then you see her... well... I'll let this thread's host tell us what she does next...

[DDM]

#105- Perhaps the one flaw I might find with this is... why is Firelord working for the Shi'ar? Is he slumming it? Mercenary work? Or just looking to screw with Earth in general?

Davan Shakari used Firelord's naiveté against him. He's not working for the Shi'ar. He's a pawn. Shakari explains everything in this issue.

How Eric the Red can get the better of two telepaths of the calibur of Charles & Lilandra is beyond me. He must just have immunity to that power, or his helm must do it. Otherwise... I don't get why he's a threat to them.

Xavier's seizures left him powerless. Lilandra was on the run from her mad brother & trying to find the X-Men.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.105.GIF

X-Men #105

"Phoenix Unleashed"

1st appearance: Phoenix's Power Signature

Although this is the first appearance of Phoenix's power signature, it is not named--the Phoenix Effect--until Uncanny X-Men #114 by Beast when he has to stop Jean from destroying the surrounding area. Beast uses the name again in Uncanny X-Men #135 when Dark Phoenix nearly runs into him before she leaves the Earth.

[Jimmy Starburst]

Anyone know why Banshee was so underrated outside of those works?

Banshee was always in the background but Claremont kept good track of him over the years, with Sean and Forge really coming to the X-Men's rescue in the late 80s/early 90s.

this book is picking up speed and about to go bananas...

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.106.GIF

X-Men #106

"Dark Shroud of the Past"

This issue seems strangely out of sorts with the ongoing story. Charles Xavier's anguish has returned, now that Princess Lilandra has left. Firelord is still out for blood, but shows some sympathy for Xavier's plight. Misty Knight rushes to his aid, on the rooftop of their apartment.

Next we enter a dream/hallucination of Charles Xavier. The new X-Men (Banshee, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Cyclops and Storm) are training in the Danger Room. Cyke & Logan have another confrontation. But before anymore can happen, members of the "Old X-Men" appear and begin mocking them. Soon, an all-out fight breaks out!! Angel rips off Cyclops' visor and sprays the beams against Scott's teammates! Suddenly, Charles Xavier crawls into the room, only it's not Our Xavier. He says he has more power than the X-Men could ever defeat. The Original 5 are only illusions and disappear.

The "Good Xavier" creates his own X-Men and they attack the evil one. At that moment, Charles awakens back in the real world. Charles now realizes his nightmarish hallucinations are caused by his rapport with Lilandra, and he is not losing his mind.

My thoughts: This felt like a filler issue. I'm glad Xavier finally conquered his hallucinations, which have been driving him crazy since #97. And the "evil Xavier" was creepy and menacing, but #106 felt a bit pointless.

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.106.GIF

X-Men #106


Professor X: Oh good... it was all just a dream. Or was it?

*BUM-BUM-BUUUUUUUUUUUM!*

Gimmicky issue. Did they really need Xavier overcoming his bad dreams to take a whole issue? Mind you, the old guard using Cyclops to blast the new X-Men could have been a red herring to readers at the time. It looked like it might happen... but...

Shutting up now.

[CJ Lentze]

X-Men #106
My thoughts: This felt like a filler issue. I'm glad Xavier finally conquered his hallucinations, which have been driving him crazy since #97. And the "evil Xavier" was creepy and menacing, but #106 felt a bit pointless.There is a bit more to it than that. The art on this issue came from two artists: Dave Cockrum and Bob Brown. You will find that the first two pages were drawn by Cockrum, as was the final panel of the final page. The rest is all Bob Brown. The story had already been written and drawn two years earlier; it was made as an emergency fill-in issue if 'X-Men's' creative team would ever fail to finish an issue in time (despite it being a bi-monthly book); which happened to the issue that was supposed to come after 'Phoenix Unleashed'. Tragically, Bob Brown had died earlier in 1977, after a long illness. Chris Claremont explains all this on the letters' page of this issue 106, also paying his respects to Brown.

[Jimmy Starburst]

gotta love Evil Xavier. (its all in the cape)

and i'm not to familiar with pre-Giant Size X-Men; is this the first manifestation of Xavier's dark side?

[DDM]

gotta love Evil Xavier. (its all in the cape)

and i'm not to familiar with pre-Giant Size X-Men; is this the first manifestation of Xavier's dark side?

Yes. A sequel to Uncanny X-Men #106 is the X-Men-Micronauts #1-4 limited series co-written by Micronauts author, Bill Mantlo.

[worstblogever]

There is a bit more to it than that. The art on this issue came from two artists: Dave Cockrum and Bob Brown. You will find that the first two pages were drawn by Cockrum, as was the final panel of the final page. The rest is all Bob Brown. The story had already been written and drawn two years earlier; it was made as an emergency fill-in issue if 'X-Men's' creative team would ever fail to finish an issue in time (despite it being a bi-monthly book); which happened to the issue that was supposed to come after 'Phoenix Unleashed'. Tragically, Bob Brown had died earlier in 1977, after a long illness. Chris Claremont explains all this on the letters' page of this issue 106, also paying his respects to Brown.

Thanks, Schuimend, for the backstory. That clears things up a bit. :o

[david r]

I was completely unaware of Bob Brown, or all of that. Very sad, indeed. Thanks, Schuimend. I know Marvel had problems with lateness in the '70s, and did create "fill-in" issues to help out with lateness. I guess Dave Cockrum just drew his pages to bridge the story along.

Does anyone know how Chris Claremont and Bill Mantlo worked? Who did plot? Who did script? And so on.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.107.GIF

X-Men #107

"Where No X-Man Has Gone Before"

1st appearance: M'Kraan Crystal, Imperial Guard, Gladiator, Hepzibah, Raza, Fang

This. Issue. Is. F***ing. Amazing!

#107 introduces the huge Imperial Guard, a *legion* <wink, wink> of super-heroes from outer space. Colorful doesn't describe the wide assortment of imaginative characters #107 showcases. This issue debuts more characters than most creators make in a lifetime. Kudos to Claremont & Cockrum for a major achievement here.

Our star-crossed X-Men arrive, via the Stargate, on a world in deepest space. Before them is a huge cast of characters, calling themselves the Imperial Guard. I count 15 on this page alone! Behind them is a large diamond-structure, called the M'Kraan Crystal. Princess Lilandra is being held by Eric the Red and her mad brother, D'Ken. Our mutants ask for Lilandra, but Gladiator, Praetor of the Guard, says she is a traitor and their prisoner. Our mutants waste no time in further discussion....a huge batle begins!! It takes up so many pages, I won't even try to describe it all. One cool sequence is Nightcrawler saving imprisoned Lilandra from the dreaded Soul-Drinker. Star Trek/Star Wars, eat your heart out!!

I like how they tie all of this into X-Men #65, when Professor Xavier marshalled the collective of humankind into stopping the Z'Nox. That monumental mental burst of power, in #65, alerted the Sh'iar to Charles Xavier's existence. And Lilandra began trying to make contact with Xavier. D'Ken sent an agent to kill Xavier...and this is Eric the Red's identity. Very clever. I still wonder if Claremont had this all worked out from the beginning? Anyway, the battle is going against the X-Men, when they are suddenly rescued by a group of brightly-costumed pirates called the Starjammers, who descend from the sky to save the day!!! The Imperial Guard are defeated, and introductions are made. Jean Grey mentally observes something...shocking about Corsair, the Starjammers' leader. But it may be too late, as the nine "Deathstars" have aligned, and as D'Ken looks on, they shoot light into the M'Kraan Crystal...it grows bright as a star and then explodes. In that instant, all existence goes... Blink!

My thoughts: #107 is a beauty to behold. I liked everything about it. A triumph and one of my favorite issues so far. I kind of wish the Starjammers had appeared more, as this is the "beginning of their incredible saga." I wish more had been done with them through the years.

[Joe Acro]

This isn't the first appearance the Starjammers as a whole? And Sikorsky appears? I thought that didn't happen until much later.

Still, though, from what I remember this was a great issue. Such great action sequences.

[DDM]

I was completely unaware of Bob Brown, or all of that. Very sad, indeed. Thanks, Schuimend. I know Marvel had problems with lateness in the '70s, and did create "fill-in" issues to help out with lateness. I guess Dave Cockrum just drew his pages to bridge the story along.

Does anyone know how Chris Claremont and Bill Mantlo worked? Who did plot? Who did script? And so on.

Uncanny X-Men #106 was scheduled to be a fill-in, but Uncanny X-Men #110 was not. John Byrne had to get settled-in as the X-Men penciler.

[DDM]

This isn't the first appearance the Starjammers as a whole? And Sikorsky appears? I thought that didn't happen until much later.

Still, though, from what I remember this was a great issue. Such great action sequences.

Uncanny X-Men #107 is the first full appearance of the Starjammers, although Corsair & Ch'od appeared in Uncanny X-Men #104. Sikorsky appears in Uncanny X-Men #156. I think Sikorsky is named after the Sikorsky helicopter given his appearance. Sikorsky makes a pre-dated appearance in Classic X-Men #15.

[CJ Lentze]

Cyclops was very rash to attack the Imperial Guard first without trying to negotiate with them concerning Princess Lilandra. It was very undiplomatic of him to start by practically demanding the Imperials hand Lilandra to them, which only could have made the X-Men look like a band of crooks in the eyes of the Guard. The battle between the X-Men and the Guard was great, though. And Cyclops is beginning to notice that Wolverine cares for Jean, too.

What's also very great, is Nightcrawler's awe at the things the X-Men encounter on their adventures; in this issue it's when he goes up against the shapeshifter Hobgoblin. Kurt is amazed at Hobgoblin's ability, and thinks to himself 'I wish I could do that!' Kurt expressed similar awe when he first went into space in Corbeau's shuttle, and when he met the Leprechauns. This trait makes Kurt very easy for readers to relate to.

[DDM]

Cyclops was very rash to attack the Imperial Guard first without trying to negotiate with them concerning Princess Lilandra. It was very undiplomatic of him to start by practically demanding the Imperials hand Lilandra to them, which only could have made the X-Men look like a band of crooks in the eyes of the Guard. The battle between the X-Men and the Guard was great, though. And Cyclops is beginning to notice that Wolverine cares for Jean, too.

"Eric the Red," D'Ken's Shi'ar spy has been trying for months to kill the X-Men. When Lilandra at last makes contact with Xavier, Shakari kidnaps Lilandra to take her to to the World (unnamed planet) which houses the M'Krann Crystal.

I think Cyclops is in the right to attack the Imperial Guard considering Davan Shakari's master--Emperor D'Ken--wants Princess Lilandra killed. Negotiating under these circumstances would show Cyclops as a weak, ineffectual leader.

[CJ Lentze]

"Eric the Red," D'Ken's Shi'ar spy has been trying for months to kill the X-Men. When Lilandra at last makes contact with Xavier, Shakari kidnaps Lilandra to take her to to the World (unnamed planet) which houses the M'Krann Crystal.

I think Cyclops is in the right to attack the Imperial Guard considering Davan Shakari's master--Emperor D'Ken--wants Princess Lilandra killed. Negotiating under these circumstances would show Cyclops as a weak, ineffectual leader.Although D'Ken and Eric the Red's plans for Lilandra are to kill her, and Gladiator didn't sound friendly when addressing the X-Men, Cyclops strikes first at an enemy who had not done anything yet. He hits Mentor before any of the Guard have even struck. I can understand that Cyclops and the X-Men were under stress, due to their previous battles with Magneto and Firelord, which Storm also mentions in this issue. But the Imperial Guard could have (eventually) been made to listen to reason; Gladiator expresses that he cared for Lilandra once, which implies that he is more compassionate than D'Ken and Eric the Red.

Sure, there had to be a battle, because the Guard was under D'Ken's authority and would keep the X-Men away from Lilandra and wouldn't listen to reason, (and it wouldn't have been a very exciting issue otherwise) but the way the battle started did not show Cyclops from his best side. Cyclops didn't even try to reason with a group of aliens he had never seen before, no matter that they were almost certainly hostile. And when he addressed the Guard, he was almost boorish in the way he expressed himself. We as readers know that tact would have failed, it's that Cyclops didn't try that bothers me.

[worstblogever]

107- While some argue the Imperial Guard are brilliant characters, and others kind of scoff because they're "lifted" from the Legion... they're still scary, either way. I mean, they're the entire "biggest of the bad" of a galactic empire AND they outnumber the X-Men AND Gladiator himself could probably take down the X-Men on most days. Great intro.

And likewise for the Starjammers, and the great tease with Jean figuring out who Corsair is, but it getting delayed until after the M'Kraan goes boom. Masterfully done.

Although, the legacy of Starjammers and Imperial Guard... really... wouldn't have been a tragedy if over the years they never, ever got fleshed out, and this was their first and only appearance as throw-away plot devices? I'm still hoping they get tied into the Annihilation saga...

[Hi-Fi]

This was indeed a fantastic issue and arc. Hepzibah stole the scene every time she opened her mouth.

[CJ Lentze]

This was indeed a fantastic issue and arc. Hepzibah stole the scene every time she opened her mouth.Yes! The debut of my favourite feline space pirate! 'I'm not your pet! And name isn't Hep-zi-bah! Remember that!' 'I can't pronounce your name, luv. Remember that?'

[Hi-Fi]

Yes! The debut of my favourite feline space pirate! 'I'm not your pet! And name isn't Hep-zi-bah! Remember that!' 'I can't pronounce your name, luv. Remember that?'
LOL. Oh the banter!

She was also pretty rude to Lilandra! :D

[CJ Lentze]

Yeah! She said she wouldn't shed a tear if Lilandra was chopped in half. That girl can be tough as a brick sometimes!

[DDM]

Although D'Ken and Eric the Red's plans for Lilandra are to kill her, and Gladiator didn't sound friendly when addressing the X-Men, Cyclops strikes first at an enemy who had not done anything yet. He hits Mentor before any of the Guard have even struck. I can understand that Cyclops and the X-Men were under stress, due to their previous battles with Magneto and Firelord, which Storm also mentions in this issue. But the Imperial Guard could have (eventually) been made to listen to reason; Gladiator expresses that he cared for Lilandra once, which implies that he is more compassionate than D'Ken and Eric the Red.

Sure, there had to be a battle, because the Guard was under D'Ken's authority and would keep the X-Men away from Lilandra and wouldn't listen to reason, (and it wouldn't have been a very exciting issue otherwise) but the way the battle started did not show Cyclops from his best side. Cyclops didn't even try to reason with a group of aliens he had never seen before, no matter that they were almost certainly hostile. And when he addressed the Guard, he was almost boorish in the way he expressed himself. We as readers know that tact would have failed, it's that Cyclops didn't try that bothers me.

D'ken was ready to sacrifice his sister to the Soul Drinker. Had not Nightcrawler teleported & save Lilandra, she would be dead. Negotiating with a mad leader is insane in itself. Cyclops could not have talked any common sense into D'Ken because D'Ken did not possess any common sense. Since the Imperial Guard serves the Shi'ar leader, they had to follow D'Ken's orders even if they disagreed with him.

Cyclops had no choice but to fight.

[DDM]

107- While some argue the Imperial Guard are brilliant characters, and others kind of scoff because they're "lifted" from the Legion... they're still scary, either way. I mean, they're the entire "biggest of the bad" of a galactic empire AND they outnumber the X-Men AND Gladiator himself could probably take down the X-Men on most days. Great intro.

And likewise for the Starjammers, and the great tease with Jean figuring out who Corsair is, but it getting delayed until after the M'Kraan goes boom. Masterfully done.



The Starjammers turned the tide as the X-Men were losing against the Imperial Guard. Unfortunately, the death-stars opened the M'Krann Crystal as all of reality literally blinks out of existence for a second...

The Starjammers are fleshed-out over the years when they reappear in various stories, but overall they are the personal guard to the Shi'ar majestrix or majestor. The Starjammers origin is in either Classic X-Men #14 or #15.

[CJ Lentze]

D'ken was ready to sacrifice his sister to the Soul Drinker. Had not Nightcrawler teleported & save Lilandra, she would be dead. Negotiating with a mad leader is insane in itself. Cyclops could not have talked any common sense into D'Ken because D'Ken did not possess any common sense. Since the Imperial Guard serves the Shi'ar leader, they had to follow D'Ken's orders even if they disagreed with him.

Cyclops had no choice but to fight.Fair. Though, at this point, the Imperial Guard had not yet been established as mindless drones who follow the most irrational of rulers without questioning why, as they have been portrayed in nearly every of there appearances since.

[DDM]

Fair. Though, at this point, the Imperial Guard had not yet been established as mindless drones who follow the most irrational of rulers without questioning why, as they have been portrayed in nearly every of there appearances since.

The Imperial Guard served D'Ken, Lilandra (she got to be majestrix after D'Ken went catatonicly insane after some political debate within the empire), Deathbird (after her successful coup), Lilandra (Deathbird gave leadership back to Lilandra), & now Vulcan. They serve whoever is the Shi'ar leader.

Before D'Ken, their parents ruled the empire before Deathbird murdered them for her own reasons, although D'Ken was made ruler & she was exiled to Earth. I'm sure D'Ken put out the propaganda Deathbird murdered their parents when it was more probable that D'Ken himself had his own parents murdered & framed Deathbird...

[david r]

All this talk of the Starjammers and the Imperial Guard REALLY make me wish an ongoing series with them could happen. Who doesn't like "pirates in space"? I think Dave Cockrum was planning to do a series with them in the 1970s, but it never happened.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.108.GIF

X-Men #108

"Armageddon Now!"

1st appearance: Jahf

The mind-blowing conclusion to this epic, as Phoenix saves the universe. This issue also debuts a new artist named John Byrne and I rather like his style. (Though I do wish Dave Cockrum had stayed to finish this story!)

The Starjammers and X-Men have defeated the Imperial Guard, but their triumph is short-lived. Something's wrong with the M'Kraan Crystal. All of existence blinked, and reality will collapse if this continues !! But our heroes cannot approach the crystal, as a Guardian to the gate appears, named Jahf, who is a very short grey/purple-skinned alien with white hair. None may pass, though our heroes valiantly try! Jahf punches Wolverine and sends him flying into outer space!!OUCH! Finally, Banshee shoots his sonic-scream straight into Jahf's face, and defeats him. Jahf appears to be a robot. But the victory is ruined by another Guardian...Modt appears, a huge robot who starts pounding the X-Men & Starjammers.

Raza, one of the Starjammers, gets around Modt and grabs insane D'Ken. Raza hurles D'Ken into the M'Kraan Crystal. Suddenly, the landscape changes...the heroes are inside the M'Kraan. Within a silent, dead city. Is the battle won? Phoenix sees a glowing ball of light there, Jean says it is the heart of it all. The ball shoots out lights into all the heroes, showing them their most terrifying nightmares! All succumb except Jean Grey. As the ball of light begins to crack, marking doom, Phoenix enters the light, trying to repair it. But Phoenix does not have enough power, so she asks for Storm and Corsair's help. They give her their life essence, so Jean will have enough power to repair the damaged M'Kraan Crystal. The Phoenix effect rises in glory, above the planet and dwarfs the entire solar system!! But still it is not enough power...so Jean's teammates, the X-Men, and Charles Xavier willingly give their own life forces to her, knowing the risks, so she can succeed in repairing the crystal. What follows is glorious:

The power sings within her--suddenly, miraculously, nothing seems beyond her grasp--and as she reenergizes the shield matrix, it's as if a door opens wide before her.
A new pattern forms--shaped like the mystic tree of life--with Xavier it's lofty crown and Colossus it's base. Each X-Man has a place. Each a purpose greater than him or herself.
Below Colossus, beneath the foundation, the DREAM that sustains them all--Xavier's Dream of a world where mutant and humans will live in peace.
And lastly, the heart of the tree--the catalyst that binds these wayward souls together--is PHOENIX! Tiphareth, child of the sun, child of life, the vision of the harmony of things.

Phoenix and the X-Men repair the M'Kraan Crystal, and save all existence. Perhaps this is why Jean Grey became Phoenix. Our heroes return home via the Stargate, following their incredible journey. Firelord awaits them, but has learned the truth about Eric the Red, and he is no longer a threat. Princess Lilandra returns to Earth as well, and says the Sh'iar High Council must decide what to do with her. Until then, Lilandra is exiled to Earth...and appears to be Charles' lover. What the future holds , no one may say. But for now, there is silence...and PEACE.

My thoughts: Words don't really do this issue justice. Just a fantastic X-Men adventure, one of the best so far...maybe the best one so far, period. Also, it's confirmed that Corsair is indeed Cyclops' father. And the issue is dedicated to Dave Cockrum. I just really, really, love #108.

[worstblogever]

#108- My actual thoughts will have to come at a later time. For now, I'm in awe of Storm's fine black *ss on the cover. Lovely.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.108.GIF

X-Men #108

"Armageddon Now!"

1st appearance: Jahf

The mind-blowing conclusion to this epic, as Phoenix saves the universe. This issue also debuts a new artist named John Byrne and I rather like his style. (Though I do wish Dave Cockrum had stayed to finish this story!)

The Starjammers and X-Men have defeated the Imperial Guard, but their triumph is short-lived. Something's wrong with the M'Kraan Crystal. All of existence blinked, and reality will collapse if this continues !! But our heroes cannot approach the crystal, as a Guardian to the gate appears, named Jahf, who is a very short grey/purple-skinned alien with white hair. None may pass, though our heroes valiantly try! Jahf punches Wolverine and sends him flying into outer space!!OUCH! Finally, Banshee shoots his sonic-scream straight into Jahf's face, and defeats him. Jahf appears to be a robot. But the victory is ruined by another Guardian...Modt appears, a huge robot who starts pounding the X-Men & Starjammers.

Raza, one of the Starjammers, gets around Modt and grabs insane D'Ken. Raza hurles D'Ken into the M'Kraan Crystal. Suddenly, the landscape changes...the heroes are inside the M'Kraan. Within a silent, dead city. Is the battle won? Phoenix sees a glowing ball of light there, Jean says it is the heart of it all. The ball shoots out lights into all the heroes, showing them their most terrifying nightmares! All succumb except Jean Grey. As the ball of light begins to crack, marking doom, Phoenix enters the light, trying to repair it. But Phoenix does not have enough power, so she asks for Storm and Corsair's help. They give her their life essence, so Jean will have enough power to repair the damaged M'Kraan Crystal. The Phoenix effect rises in glory, above the planet and dwarfs the entire solar system!! But still it is not enough power...so Jean's teammates, the X-Men, and Charles Xavier willingly give their own life forces to her, knowing the risks, so she can succeed in repairing the crystal. What follows is glorious:

The power sings within her--suddenly, miraculously, nothing seems beyond her grasp--and as she reenergizes the shield matrix, it's as if a door opens wide before her.
A new pattern forms--shaped like the mystic tree of life--with Xavier it's lofty crown and Colossus it's base. Each X-Man has a place. Each a purpose greater than him or herself.
Below Colossus, beneath the foundation, the DREAM that sustains them all--Xavier's Dream of a world where mutant and humans will live in peace.
And lastly, the heart of the tree--the catalyst that binds these wayward souls together--is PHOENIX! Tiphareth, child of the sun, child of life, the vision of the harmony of things.

Phoenix and the X-Men repair the M'Kraan Crystal, and save all existence. Perhaps this is why Jean Grey became Phoenix. Our heroes return home via the Stargate, following their incredible journey. Firelord awaits them, but has learned the truth about Eric the Red, and he is no longer a threat. Princess Lilandra returns to Earth as well, and says the Sh'iar High Council must decide what to do with her. Until then, Lilandra is exiled to Earth...and appears to be Charles' lover. What the future holds , no one may say. But for now, there is silence...and PEACE.

My thoughts: Words don't really do this issue justice. Just a fantastic X-Men adventure, one of the best so far...maybe the best one so far, period. Also, it's confirmed that Corsair is indeed Cyclops' father. And the issue is dedicated to Dave Cockrum. I just really, really, love #108.

Uncanny X-Men #108 has Phoenix take a central role in the storyline as her vast powers are at last full expressed--hinted at with her furious battle with Firelord in Uncanny X-Men #105--as the ominous tones of Jean's power is left unanswered.

After resting for several hours or minutes, Jean Grey literally saves the universe! What does Scott & Jean do now? As we'll see, Jean Grey will officially rejoin the X-Men & leave her fears to herself. Her fears being "absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Scott also withdraws into himself as a result of seeing his girlfriend become one of the most powerful X-Men, despite the fact Jean lets her parents know about her transformation into Phoenix.

I like the fact Chris Claremont has created such a powerful character in Phoenix & to see it play out over several months as she is corrupted by her powers with the help of the Hellfire Club & Jason Wyngarde, Mastermind.

Uncanny X-Men #108 is the exclamation point as Jean's power issues are left for later stories. Xavier also does not brief his X-Men after this important battle shown in Uncanny X-Men #107-108 until Uncanny X-Men #125 when he believes the X-Men are dead & Jean Grey is left by herself, alone, to become a pawn of the Hellfire Club...

Uncanny X-Men #108 is equally important for the debut of penciler, John Byrne, & inker, Terry Austin for the book.

I still reread this story seeing things I've missed over the years.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.109.GIF

X-Men #109

"Home Are The Heroes"

1st appearance: Weapon Alpha (James Hudson), Storm's attic hideaway

#109 sees the X-Men return from their space epic. Princess Lilandra is among them, and she & Charles Xavier are lovers. Ororo rushes to her attic, filled with plants and lush greenery; this is the first appearance of Storm's attic hideaway. Storm removes her clothes and unleashes a "storm" of water and wind as a form of relaxation. I always wonder: does Ororo clean up the mess that follows??

Okay, so I made a mistake. Amanda Sefton apparently first appeared back in X-Men #98, I didn't realize it was her. In this issue, Kurt Wagner has a picture of her on his desk, in his room. Kurt also calls Amanda and asks her out on a date. Kurt *bamfs* to Colossus' room and asks if he'd like to double date. (I'm getting a strong Iceman/Beast vibe from this? Will the Coffee A Go-Go be far behind?) Peter is instead going on a picnic with the others. Meanwhile, Jean Grey displays her Phoenix powers to her parents, who are deeply shocked. Scott Summers is quiet and contemplative, and as DDM notes, withdrawing into himself. Nightcrawler tries to pull him out of it.

The gist of #109 shows a Canadian friend of Wolverine-- James Hudson, attack our canucklehead in the forests near the School. Weapon Alpha's costume is the Canadian flag, turned into a uniform. Canada has no intention of allowing Weapon X (Logan) to stay away, and Weapon Alpha is sent to bring Logan in. Soon, the battle between them makes it to Sean, Moira, Peter and Ororo, who are picnicking at a lake. A stray shot hits Moira, and Banshee goes berserk and nearly takes Hudson's head off! Hudson realizes he's outnumbered, he promises to return with Alpha Flight and then blinks away in midair.

[david r]

Now that Dave Cockrum's first run (#94-107) is over, here are some of his thoughts on it:

1) Marvel's EIC at the time, Roy Thomas, gave Dave the gig on X-Men. It was still a horribly low-selling title, and Roy wanted to make it "Mutant Blackhawks", an international team.

2) Cockrum designed Storm, whose original name was the Black Cat. Dave had a huge scrapbook of characters he'd made, and used some of them for the new X-Men.
3) Colossus' inspiration was Mr. Steel, a character Dave designed in college.
4) Dave designed Nightcrawler while at DC Comics. He was to be a demon from Hell, and had screwed up a mission. So he would stay on the human plane to skip going back to Hell. Cockrum wanted to introduce him into the Legion of Super-Heroes, but the editor felt 'crawler was too creepy looking.

5) Cockrum says he did not know Thunderbird was going to die so early. He wishes John Proudstar had stayed on the X-Men longer. But the book didn't need 2 loudmouths.
6) Cockrum originally intended for Storm & Nightcrawler to join his book The Outsiders, a 1973 DC spinoff of the Legion. Storm's name would have been Typhoon. But this series never happen.
7) Giant-Size X-Men was originally going to be a quarterly title, publishing every 3 months. This is where the new X-Men stories were intended to happen. In part to give Dave Cockrum enough time to draw. But after GSXM #1, it rolled into the regular series with #94, on a bi-monthly schedule.

8) Len Wein was X-Men writer, but he became new editor-in-chief in 1974 and gave X-Men up. So 24-year-old Chris Claremont got the job instead. He stayed for 17 years.
9) Cockrum and Claremont worked as co-plotters on the book. Dave pushed Nightcrawler because Kurt was his favorite X-Man!!
10) Jean Grey returned in #97 because Dave wanted to use her and change her costume. His original Phoenix costume was to be white and gold, but EIC Archie Goodwin said no to that (You could read the words from the opposite page through the old newsprint.) Cockrum hated the name "Marvel Girl" so they changed her codename to Phoenix!

11) Jean Grey's death in X-Men #100 was exposure to cosmic rays. It was meant as a homage to the Fantastic Four's origin and cosmic rays, from FF #1. They very much wanted it to be a "new beginning" for Jean Grey.
12) Dave did not intend for the Phoenix to be a separate entity. Her new powers were just Jean multiplied, or Super-Jean. But early on, writer Chris Claremont felt Jean wouldn't be able to cope with the power, and become like a drug-addict.
13) EIC Jim Shooter disliked Phoenix, because he did not like strong female characters. Cockrum and Claremont had wanted Phoenix to battle Thor or the Silver Surfer, but Shooter wouldn't allow it. Shooter didn't want a male hero defeated by a female !! They snuck around this rule by having Phoenix battle Firelord in #105!

[david r]

14) When Claremont saw Cockrum's designs for Wolverine's look, minus yellow uniform, CC said "you just added 40 years to that one."
15) Dave conceived the Starjammers for their own comic book. But Marvel could never get the series off-the-ground. So Cockrum proposed it for X-Men! Starjammers was intended as a stand-alone space pirates series--swashbucklers in space!--but it got donated to the X-Men instead. (Ooh, how I wish that book had happened!)

16) One thing Cockrum had wanted to do with X-Men began with Dragonfly. When the X-Men went to Muir Island in #104, Wolverine sees that Dragonfly had escaped from confinement. Dave had planned a spin-off book called The Furies, featuring Dragonfly, Storm, Clea from Doctor Strange, Tigra, Namorita and an alien girl that he called Moon Fang, who rode a giant bat. He never got around to doing this book.
17) Cockrum never liked Wolverine. He felt he was obnoxious and not much use for anything. But Dave denies that they planned to kill Wolverine off in the 70s.
18) Cockrum's last issue was #107, and he designed a boatload of new characters, (Imperial Guard and Starjammers.) He felt burned out after that, and didn't finish the storyline, in #108. He left X-Men in 1977 to go on staff for Marvel, designing new characters and doing covers.

19) Dave followed the John Byrne issues, but he and Byrne had a rivalry going on then!! Byrne played down Nightcrawler, which Cockrum disliked. But Dave grew to enjoy Wolverine under the Byrne years.

[DDM]

2) Cockrum designed Storm, whose originally name was the Black Cat. Dave had a huge scrapbook of characters he'd made, and used some of them for the new X-Men.

Storm is a synthesis of the Black Cat & Typhoon, a male character who controls the weather. It's why Ororo has such unique features. I think Typhoon originally possessed the silver hair.

3) Colossus' inspiration was Mr. Steel, a character Dave designed in college.

Do you have any pictures of Mr. Steel?
10) Jean Grey returned in #97 because Dave wanted to use her and change her costume. His original Phoenix costume was to be white and gold, but EIC Archie Goodwin said no to that (You could read the words from the opposite page through the old newsprint.) Cockrum hated the name "Marvel Girl" so they changed her codename to Phoenix!

Chris Claremont also wanted Jean Grey back in the book as well. Dave Cockrum had designed a then updated costume for Jean Grey as Marvel Girl until they decided to transform her into Phoenix.

11) Jean Grey's death in X-Men #100 was exposure to cosmic rays. It was meant as a homage to the Fantastic Four's origin and cosmic rays, from FF #1. They very much wanted it to be a "new beginning" for Jean Grey.
12) Dave did not intend for the Phoenix to be a separate entity. Her new powers were just Jean multiplied, or Super-Jean. But early on, writer Chris Claremont felt Jean wouldn't be able to cope with the power, and become like a drug-addict.
13) EIC Jim Shooter disliked Phoenix, because he did not like strong female characters. Cockrum and Claremont had wanted Phoenix to battle Thor or the Silver Surfer, but Shooter wouldn't allow it. Shooter didn't want a male hero defeated by a female !! They snuck around this rule by having Phoenix battle Firelord in #105!

I think Chris Claremont had equal say about Phoenix. Like Cockrum, he never intended for Phoenix to be a separate entity. Jean Grey & Phoenix are one & same character as of Uncanny X-Men #101.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.109.GIF

X-Men #109

"Home Are The Heroes"

1st appearance: Weapon Alpha (James Hudson), Storm's attic hideaway

#109 sees the X-Men return from their space epic. Princess Lilandra is among them, and she & Charles Xavier are lovers. Ororo rushes to her attic, filled with plants and lush greenery; this is the first appearance of Storm's attic hideaway. Storm removes her clothes and unleashes a "storm" of water and wind as a form of relaxation. I always wonder: does Ororo clean up the mess that follows??

Okay, so I made a mistake. Amanda Sefton apparently first appeared back in X-Men #98, I didn't realize it was her. In this issue, Kurt Wagner has a picture of her on his desk, in his room. Kurt also calls Amanda and asks her out on a date. Kurt *bamfs* to Colossus' room and asks if he'd like to double date. (I'm getting a strong Iceman/Beast vibe from this? Will the Coffee A Go-Go be far behind?) Peter is instead going on a picnic with the others. Meanwhile, Jean Grey displays her Phoenix powers to her parents, who are deeply shocked. Scott Summers is quiet and contemplative, and as DDM notes, withdrawing into himself. Nightcrawler tries to pull him out of it.

The gist of #109 shows a Canadian friend of Wolverine-- James Hudson, attack our canucklehead in the forests near the School. Weapon Alpha's costume is the Canadian flag, turned into a uniform. Canada has no intention of allowing Weapon X (Logan) to stay away, and Weapon Alpha is sent to bring Logan in. Soon, the battle between them makes it to Sean, Moira, Peter and Ororo, who are picnicking at a lake. A stray shot hits Moira, and Banshee goes berserk and nearly takes Hudson's head off! Hudson realizes he's outnumbered, he promises to return with Alpha Flight and then blinks away in midair.

For a quiet issue, a lot sure does happen since this is the first appearance of Weapon Alpha who would later become Guardian of Alpha Flight. Storm's temper is also first shown when she turns a beautiful day into a dark, ominous thunderstorm in seconds to look for Weapon Alpha. And Sean's feelings come to surface when Moira MacTaggert is accidentally hurt by Weapon Alpha's energy beams.

My most favorite scene is the perspective of Scott looking at Jean tell her folks she become all powerful as Phoenix. It's subtle & quite breathtaking given Byrne's pencils...

[creaky]

4) Dave designed Nightcrawler while at DC Comics. He was to be a demon from Hell, and had screwed up a mission. So he would stay on the human plane to skip going back to Hell. Cockrum wanted to introduce him into the Legion of Super-Heroes, but the editor felt 'crawler was too creepy looking.

Here's two quotes from an old interview with Cockrum (if anyone wants the name of the magazine, I'll look it up, but I can't find it right now) regarding his plan for Nightcrawler's origin:

(...)By the time I actually got to use Nightcrawler, Jack Kirby had come up with Etrigan, The Demon, so I dropped Nightcrawler's demon aspect entirely. When I offered him to Murray Boltinoff as a Legionnaire, he was an alien from another dimension and his people were the source of the ancient legends of demons. His name then was Balshazaar. He was maybe slightly nicer than my demon version, but not by much.

and

"One thing I wanted to establish was that Nightmare - from Dr.Strange - was his father. They wouldn't let me go with that. They said, "no, he wouldn't be a mutant then". I said "So what?"

[david r]

Do you have any pictures of Mr. Steel?

Sorry, but no. I got that Dave Cockrum quote from Comics Creators on X-Men, and they did not supply any pictures of Mr. Steel.

Also, I agree about that shot of Scott Summers sitting in the chair, brooding. It's a well-crafted depiction, Scott looks older than his years. (Even in that turtle-neck!) It's also very interesting how Nightcrawler continually tries to reach Scott, and bond with him.

I especially liked Moira McTaggart's green suit, shown on the first few pages! :p

Creaky, sounds like Dave Cockrum's ideas for Kurt Wagner having a "demon-father" aren't too far off from what a later X-Men writer did to him.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.110.GIF

X-Men #110

"The X-Sanction"

1st appearance: Captain Delaney

#110 begins with a game of baseball, with Colossus up at-bat. And Nightcrawler pitching. It's a relaxing, sunny day, much needed by our mutants. Piotr slams the ball and dives into 1st base, slamming into Wolverine. Peter sits atop him, looking happy, and Logan is very upset. It's Moira McTaggart's last day at the School, and she heads inside to let in a telephone repairman. His face is badly scarred. Unfortunately, he is really Warhawk, and he knocks her out with a dart. He then starts messing around with the Mansion's computers. A mental projection reels Warhawk with pain. Someone is controlling this guy. Xavier and Jean Grey enter and are knocked out by Warhawk. (Can Phoenix really be knocked out by simple darts?)

The other X-Men enter the Danger Room for a training session. The doors slam shut, and Colossus is unable to open them. Warhawk has locked them in, and turns on the devices inside, the safety locks turned off!! Colosso, the giant robot last seen in #22, attacks the new X-Men! Wolverine makes his way to the control panel, but he's attacked from behind by Warhawk. Wolvie tries to slice up Warhawk, but his skin is made of some kind of metal. The doors to the Danger room are finally destroyed, and the other X-Men break out. Colossus punches Warhawk in the face, knocked him unconscious. Finally, the police arrive, lead by Captain Delaney, and take Warhawk away.

Jean Grey is worried that Warhawk took her down so easily. Maybe she isn't as powerful as she thought. Jean asks to rejoin the X-Men. Charles Xavier is troubled that Warhawk could easily take down the team's two telepaths. Who sent this guy? Xavier says he senses great and powerful forces gathering all around them.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed seeing the team playing baseball. They seem to be turning into a family. All, except Wolverine. Who still is set apart from the others, and I don't like his unnatural liking for Jean Grey. As for Jean, I'm glad she rejoined the team. Though her power fluctuations is worrying.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.110.GIF

X-Men #110

"The X-Sanction"

1st appearance: Warhawk, Captain Delaney


My thoughts: I really enjoyed seeing the team playing baseball. They seem to be turning into a family. All, except Wolverine. Who still is set apart from the others, and I don't like his unnatural liking for Jean Grey. As for Jean, I'm glad she rejoined the team. Though her power fluctuations is worrying.

Warhawk first appears in Marvel Premiere #23:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/51845482862.23.GIF

After fighting Iron Fist, Warhawk appears to die in this issue, but as revealed in Uncanny X-Men #110, Warhawk is saved by a mysterious benefactor. Marvel Premiere #23 is also written by Chris Claremont. This would lead to the short-lived Iron Fist #1-15 series after Marvel Premiere #25.

Chris Claremont & John Byrne are first pared together with Marvel Premiere #25 & the entire Iron Fist #1-15 series leading into Uncanny X-Men #108. They also did several issues of Marvel Team-Up around this period for several years.

[creaky]

It's also very interesting how Nightcrawler continually tries to reach Scott, and bond with him.

I miss friendly Scott/Kurt moments.

Creaky, sounds like Dave Cockrum's ideas for Kurt Wagner having a "demon-father" aren't too far off from what a later X-Men writer did to him.

That's what I thought as well. Interesting.

[david r]

Warhawk first appears in Marvel Premiere #23:


Oops. I even read that old Iron Fist comic, but forgot all about Warhawk. I corrected it.

[Jimmy Starburst]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.108.GIF

X-Men #108

"Armageddon Now!"

sorry top dredge up the past, but i just love the two panels of Raza attacking D'Ken:

I am the emperor!

THOU ART A MURDERER!

[david r]

sorry top dredge up the past, but i just love the two panels of Raza attacking D'Ken:

I am the emperor!

THOU ART A MURDERER!

Go Raza!! Glad to see a Starjammer played a major role in bringing down D'Ken's plans. Of course, HOW did D'Ken and Raza get past the Guardians to the Gate-- Jahf and Modt? I thought nobody could get past them?? :confused:

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.111.GIF

X-Men #111

"Mindgames"

Hur-ry! Hur-ry! HUR-RY! Come one, come all t' the GREATEST little show on Earth!! The X-Men as circus freaks ! We got t'rills an' chills, sights t'bedazzle the eye and freeze the heart! Just looky at that beaut of a cover! Yes ladies 'n gents...it's a classic!! Drawn by th' talented Dave Cockrum! I just couldn't stop lookin' at it!!

#111 also introduces the furry Beast to the pages of X-Men, as the new-an'-improved hirsute Beast has never really played a major role in the series so far. Our Hank McCoy is taking time off of the Avengers (remember, this is 1978!) to locate his former team, who have gone missing. (Unfortunately, writer Chris Claremont doesn't even attempt to pen Mr. McCoy with his trademark voluminous vocabular. Oh well) Beast locates them in Texas, the whole new X-Men turned into carnival freaks. The most impressive being Jean Grey, who is now a big-top act named Miz Destiny! After #108, that name seems highly appropriate!!

"Slim" Summers is her bodyguard it seems. Wolverine is chained to a wall, Banshee is the barker and poor Nightcrawler has been turned into a freak for audiences to stare & point at! Something is terribly wrong here! Hank confronts Miz Destiny in her circus wagon, who doesn't know who he is! Hank is chased around the circus back-lot, by carnys until Colossus, dressed in Egyptian garb, punches him from behind. Hank is taken to the mastermind of this place, Mesmero!! Our green-skinned nemesis has brainwashed the X-Men & done this to them. As he attempts to brainwash Beast, Wolverine painstakingly breaks free from his chains and sets out to free the other X-Men. (But...how does Wolvie gets his uniform back?!) The other X-Men are awoken from Mesmero's hypnotic power, and confront Mesmero in his wagon. Mesmero suddenly collapses to the floor! A menacing voice echoes from the dark of the wagon... I shouldn't worry about Mesmero, if I were you, Cyclops. I should instead worry about simply surviving to see tomorrow's sunrise! And from the shadows emerges...MAGNETO!!

My thoughts: #111 is another classic, with beauteous artwork by John Byrne and Terry Austin and superb scripting by Chris Claremont. It was very much fun seeing our mutants turned into barnyard carnival freaks, and they've been this way for weeks. I kind of wish we could have seen more of what they endured during that time. Sounds like Ororo was treated pretty shabbily by the carnys. And oh boy, what a cliffhanger!

[Brian M.]

Looking back on Claremont's Phoenix issues, I really lost interest after #108 and it really didn't pick up until about #129 for me. Those middle issues just seem...eh. #94-108 all are really great reads but it feels like the momentum he has coming outta #108 was lost. I mean that was a huge, huge adventure for the X-Men and it felt like they took it as another day, another dollar type situation.

[CJ Lentze]

I'm the exact opposite. When I read these stories for the first time -which was only two years ago- I felt I only really got into the feel of the series with #107/108.

About the Beast's changed speech pattern... Was that intentional? I haven't read a lot of mid-seventies Beast stories, but in the FEW seventies issues of 'The Avengers' I've read (and when he guests in 'Captain America' or 'Iron Man', the Beast speaks sort of like he does in this 'X-Men' issue. Does anyone know if maybe it's related to his transformation into a furry, blue beast? Like, a slight change of character?
Also, the Beast is able to resist Mesmero's most powerful hypnotism -not without considerable strain on his mind, though. I'm surprised that the Beast is capable of such a feat; Professor X may have trained his students to resist mind-control, but last time they met Mesmero, Iceman was easily rendered immobile by him.
It was good to see the focus shift to an old member of the team trying to rescue the new X-Men, instead of a band of imposter original X-Men fight the current team. But the part where Wolverine had to slap Jean to bring her to her senses was silly.

[DDM]

Also, the Beast is able to resist Mesmero's most powerful hypnotism -not without considerable strain on his mind, though. I'm surprised that the Beast is capable of such a feat; Professor X may have trained his students to resist mind-control, but last time they met Mesmero, Iceman was easily rendered immobile by him.

The explanation is found in Classic X-Men #17 as was mentioned by Mesmero in Uncanny X-Men #111: Mesmero nabs Jean in New York City since she had to shut off her telepathy due to hundreds of people in the vincinity, leaving her vulnerable to Mesmero. Mesmero attempts to have his way with Jean in a hotel, but she resists him, shimmering with the Phoenix Effect around her the moment Mesmero touches her. Mesmero throws a temper tantrum then takes Jean back to Xavier's school. With Jean's telepathy boosting Mesmero's own mutant hypnotic powers, almost all of the X-Men fall under Mesmero's influence, save Wolverine. Wolverine thinks he's won when he collapses like a puppet. After seeing Nightcrawler's picture of him at the circus, Mesmero decides to turn all of the X-Men into carnival freaks.

My point is, Phoenix supercharges Mesmero's hypnosis abilities & that's why the X-Men are taken out so easily. This is also explains why Mesmero could not break Beast since he is trained to deal with psychic attacks.

[CJ Lentze]

The explanation is found in Classic X-Men #17 as was mentioned by Mesmero in Uncanny X-Men #111: Mesmero nabs Jean in New York City since she had to shut off her telepathy due to hundreds of people in the vincinity, leaving her vulnerable to Mesmero. Mesmero attempts to have his way with Jean in a hotel, but she resists him, shimmering with the Phoenix Effect around her the moment Mesmero touches her. Mesmero throws a temper tantrum then takes Jean back to Xavier's school. With Jean's telepathy boosting Mesmero's own mutant hypnotic powers, almost all of the X-Men fall under Mesmero's influence, save Wolverine. Wolverine thinks he's won when he collapses like a puppet. After seeing Nightcrawler's picture of him at the circus, Mesmero decides to turn all of the X-Men into carnival freaks.

My point is, Phoenix supercharges Mesmero's hypnosis abilities & that's why the X-Men are taken out so easily. This is also explains why Mesmero could not break Beast since he is trained to deal with psychic attacks.Okay, so it was explained in a retcon. Then I guess Mesmero was unable to mind-control the Beast because Mesmero was no longer drawing from Phoenix' telepathy (as she was in her carriage at the time). And the retroactive supercharge explains how Scott, who had had the same training to defend himself against psychic attacks as the Beast, was hypnotised by Mesmero.

[DDM]

Okay, so it was explained in a retcon. Then I guess Mesmero was unable to mind-control the Beast because Mesmero was no longer drawing from Phoenix' telepathy (as she was in her carriage at the time). And the retroactive supercharge explains how Scott, who had had the same training to defend himself against psychic attacks as the Beast, was hypnotised by Mesmero.

It's not a retcon. You need to reread Uncanny X-Men #111 carefully, Mesmero says he nabbed Jean in New York City then took control of the X-Men. Classic X-Men #17 simply tells this story.

Mesmero uses his own powers without Phoenix's telepathic boost in an attempt to brainwash Beast. Jean said she had a date with Mesmero in the same issue. Jean was performing in the circus at the time Beast confronted Mesmero.

[CJ Lentze]

It's not a retcon. You need to reread Uncanny X-Men #111 carefully, Mesmero says he nabbed Jean in New York City then took control of the X-Men. Classic X-Men #17 simply tells this story.

Mesmero uses his own powers without Phoenix's telepathic boost in an attempt to brainwash Beast. Jean said she had a date with Mesmero in the same issue. Jean was performing in the circus at the time Beast confronted Mesmero.Yeah, I was getting Mesmero's hypnotism confused with Jean's telepathy he used.
Only thing I had an issue with, was that Prof X's training to protect against mental attacks was sufficient to keep out Mesmero, even if he's not as impressive a hypnotist as Sauron was.

And yeah, I realised that Jean was referring to Mesmero when she said she had a date with the manager (while she was under his mind-control). Talk about creepy...

[DDM]

Yeah, I was getting Mesmero's hypnotism confused with Jean's telepathy he used.
Only thing I had an issue with, was that Prof X's training to protect against mental attacks was sufficient to keep out Mesmero, even if he's not as impressive a hypnotist as Sauron was.

Phoenix's telepathy is the Trojan Horse; it left the other X-Men vulnerable since they believed their dear friend was simply contacting them until they learned otherwise.

The Hellfire Club's White Queen found ways around Xavier's mental training as well. So Professor Xavier's mental exercises are not a sure thing against all foes.

And yeah, I realised that Jean was referring to Mesmero when she said she had a date with the manager (while she was under his mind-control). Talk about creepy...

Uncanny X-Men #111 is a hint of things to come with Jean's subjugation into the Hellfire Club's Black Queen.

I also like how the X-Men--after being Mesmero's puppets for weeks--are completely caught off-guard by Magneto's return...

[DDM]

My favorite scene from Uncanny X-Men #111 is Wolverine--after he has broken Mesmero's conditioning--slaps Jean silly for a few minutes to get her to shake off Mesmero's brainwashing. He mentions that Mesmero cannot touch a part of each of anyone he brainwashes, despite his mutant hypnosis. Then Jean's face changes as she begins to glow with energy & turns into Phoenix! She zaps Wolverine with a telekinetic bolt as she comes to her senses.

With Phoenix's telepathy, she easily turns the tide as the X-Men return to their true personalities...

[david r]

I think my favorite scenes from #111 was the two-page shot of Banshee as the Barker, with the photographs of X-Men as carnival acts. And especially when Colossus slams Beast from behind with his fist, and Hank McCoy says Did anyone..get the number of...that uru hammer?

I also liked the Star Wars mention in #109. Kurt Wagner mentions he and Amanda Sefton are going to see it. It seems every comic book back in 1977 made a mention of George Lucas' space epic. Many were HIGHLY influenced by it. Interesting coincidence the X-Men went on that memorable space adventure in #107-108 right when Star Wars had come out.

[DDM]

I think my favorite scenes from #111 was the two-page shot of Banshee as the Barker, with the photographs of X-Men as carnival acts. And especially when Colossus slams Beast from behind with his fist, and Hank McCoy says Did anyone..get the number of...that uru hammer?

Chris Claremont liked Beast since he stayed from Uncanny X-Men #111-114, but I suspect The Avengers editors would not relinquish Beast from the book. Beast also makes a cameo in Uncanny X-Men #125 & wanted to go with the X-Men to Muir Island to personally see Scott & Jean's reunion, but they left him in New York.

I also liked the Star Wars mention in #109. Kurt Wagner mentions he and Amanda Sefton are going to see it. It seems every comic book back in 1977 made a mention of George Lucas' space epic. Many were HIGHLY influenced by it. Interesting coincidence the X-Men went on that memorable space adventure in #107-108 right when Star Wars had come out.

Wasn't Marvel publishing Star Wars at this time? It may be subliminal advertising.

Chris Claremont made constant comparisons with either Star Trek or Star Wars throughout Uncanny X-Men over the years.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.112.GIF

X-Men #112

"Magneto Triumphant"

NOW ON SALE MONTHLY!!

#112 quite possibly shows Magneto in his most evil, ruthless story ever. As the Master of Magnetism confronts the X-Men in a circus wagon, following #111. In fact, Mags has lifted the wagon hundreds of miles into the sky, hurtling them all to an unknown destination. Wolverine lunges to gut Magneto, but the others stop him. Nightcrawler bamfs outside, only to barely survive plunging to his death! (And I like Beast's look of surprise when Kurt teleports; Hank McCoy has never seen these new X-Men in action!)

An air force jet piloted by "Jorge Perez" (a nod to George Perez? Who draws #112's cover!!) The jet witnesses Magneto whisk the unconscious Mesmero back to Earth. Anyway, the wagon flies thousands of miles to Antarctica---and to the X-Men's horror, descends into a live, raging volcano! Magneto encases the wagon in a dome, protecting it. Mags has created a vast underground complex, directly below a volcano! A feat that Reed Richards or Tony Stark would be envious of! The wagon enters a chamber and then explodes! The battle is on!!!!

One by one, the X-Men take their shot at Magneto. Colossus proves the weakest member in this battle, his armored body easily controlled. Beast is taken down by a massive static charge to his blue fur! Storm launches a wind-storm against Magneto, but the cold turns him into a "super-conductor" for magnetic power, and he launches it straight back at Ororo, knocking her cold. Mags slams Nightcrawler & Colossus against each other, knocking them out. Mags warps Banshee's scream back at him, wiping him out. As Cyclops uses his eye beams, Magneto takes him by surprise with machinery to the back of Scott's head. But then Magneto falters... he is unaware of Phoenix and her enhanced power. He is momentarily taken aback by the sheer ferocity of Phoenix!! But in the end, Jean Grey's power reaches some limit, and Magneto takes advantage, knocking her cold! That leaves our wildman Wolverine, who nearly cuts his own face with his adamantium claws, under the control of Magneto's power (see cover!) But then Mags spares his life, and Logan punches himself out.

Magneto stands triumphant, and it's a long time before his laughter fades. For the first time, Magneto has completely defeated the X-Men. When they awaken, all are strapped into chairs. The chairs are their cells, the circuity connected to their central nervous system. None may speak or move. All are trapped, like babies, under the watchful eye of Nanny, a robot made by Magneto to feed and watch the X-Men. Magneto stands before them, basking in his victory, and promises here they will remain....until they die!!!

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.112.GIF

X-Men #112

"Magneto Triumphant"

NOW ON SALE MONTHLY!!

#112 quite possibly shows Magneto in his most evil, ruthless story ever. As the Master of Magnetism confronts the X-Men in a circus wagon, following #111. In fact, Mags has lifted the wagon hundreds of miles into the sky, hurtling them all to an unknown destination. Wolverine lunges to gut Magneto, but the others stop him. Nightcrawler bamfs outside, only to barely survive plunging to his death! (And I like Beast's look of surprise when Kurt teleports; Hank McCoy has never seen these new X-Men in action!)

An air force jet piloted by "Jorge Perez" (a nod to George Perez? Who draws #112's cover!!) The jet witnesses Magneto whisk the unconscious Mesmero back to Earth. Anyway, the wagon flies thousands of miles to Antarctica---and to the X-Men's horror, descends into a live, raging volcano! Magneto encases the wagon in a dome, protecting it. Mags has created a vast underground complex, directly below a volcano! A feat that Reed Richards or Tony Stark would be envious of! The wagon enters a chamber and then explodes! The battle is on!!!!

One by one, the X-Men take their shot at Magneto. Colossus proves the weakest member in this battle, his armored body easily controlled. Beast is taken down by a massive static charge to his blue fur! Storm launches a wind-storm against Magneto, but the cold turns him into a "super-conductor" for magnetic power, and he launches it straight back at Ororo, knocking her cold. Mags slams Nightcrawler & Colossus against each other, knocking them out. Mags warps Banshee's scream back at him, wiping him out. As Cyclops uses his eye beams, Magneto takes him by surprise with machinery to the back of Scott's head. But then Magneto falters... he is unaware of Phoenix and her enhanced power. He is momentarily taken aback by the sheer ferocity of Phoenix!! But in the end, Jean Grey's power reaches some limit, and Magneto takes advantage, knocking her cold! That leaves our wildman Wolverine, who nearly cuts his own face with his adamantium claws, under the control of Magneto's power (see cover!) But then Mags spares his life, and Logan punches himself out.

Magneto stands triumphant, and it's a long time before his laughter fades. For the first time, Magneto has completely defeated the X-Men. When they awaken, all are strapped into chairs. The chairs are their cells, the circuity connected to their central nervous system. None may speak or move. All are trapped, like babies, under the watchful eye of Nanny, a robot made by Magneto to feed and watch the X-Men. Magneto stands before them, basking in his victory, and promises here they will remain....until they die!!!

The new X-Men's second defeat against Magneto shows they are not ready to fight him. Worse, the X-Men attack Magneto as individuals instead of a team! I like how Ororo questions herself about killing Magneto with the cold weather, but she holds back & unknowingly makes Magneto stronger! Phoenix's attack is visually interesting; however, Jean discovers her powers now suddenly have a limit. What happened???

Oh, the other pilot "Tirador" is Spanish for Shooter. The other pilot is Marvel's Editor-in-Chief, Jim Shooter.

[Butters]

Interesting. I just want to point out that the cover to this issue is awesome.

[CJ Lentze]

One thing I've noticed in these 70s 'X-Men' stories, is that Claremont doesn't (or barely) have the X-Men go on missions themselves- as in, seek out evil mutants to stop them, or seek out threatened mutants to help them. From the beginning, it's been mostly about super villains targeting/ambushing the X-Men: Eric the Red, Black Tom, Firelord, Vindicator... now Magneto. Just a little something I didn't expect when I read these stories for the first time.

Phoenix' lust for battle is disconcerting, to be sure. The power boost they gave Jean was phenomenal; was it Jim Shooter's idea to have Phoenix experience her 'power short-outs'? Because that annoyingly takes away a chunk of her ability to go all out on the major villains.

The new X-Men's second defeat against Magneto shows they are not ready to fight him. Worse, the X-Men attack Magneto as individuals instead of a team! I like how Ororo questions herself about killing Magneto with the cold weather, but she holds back & unknowingly makes Magneto stronger!Echoed; I like that Storm keeps mentioning she has sworn never to kill, instead of the conventional 'not killing, because it's not right' that most superheroes have. You can tell it's deeper and more personal in Storm's case.

What's also great about the big fight scene is the versatility with which Magneto uses his powers; different strategems for each X-Man. I particularly liked when he commented that he could do two things at the same time - and then struck down Cyclops while protecting himself from Scott's optic blasts with his magnetism. Another nice bit was when Magneto was shocked that Wolverine was willing to slash him with his claws. He isn't used to fighting superheroes who have a killer instinct.

[DDM]

Phoenix' lust for battle is disconcerting, to be sure. The power boost they gave Jean was phenomenal; was it Jim Shooter's idea to have Phoenix experience her 'power short-outs'? Because that annoyingly takes away a chunk of her ability to go all out on the major villains.

Phoenix came from Chris Claremont & Dave Cockrum; likewise, Jean's power loss is a long term subplot that is explained in Uncanny X-Men #133: After Phoenix's encounter with the M'Krann Crystal, Jean subconsciously created psionic barriers to keep her from most of Phoenix's powers. In other words, Phoenix's limitless powers are now limited. Unfortuntely, Jason Wyngarde & the Hellfire Club's plot to subvert Jean Grey to become the Hellfire Club's new Black Queen release those same psionic breakers. You will note after Jean's become Phoenix--after long months being dormant--from Uncanny X-Men #125-131, the Phoenix symbol on Jean's costume get larger. It's subtle way of saying Jean's Phoenix's powers are growing. The Phoenix symbol takes over her whole chest as Dark Phoenix.

Most of this is Chris Claremont's idea. Then editor Roger Stern tells an irate reader that he is not going to give away a plot about Phoenix's power issues in the letter column around Uncanny X-Men #115 or so about Uncanny X-Men #112.

[jmc247]

I particularly liked when he commented that he could do two things at the same time - and then struck down Cyclops while protecting himself from Scott's optic blasts with his magnetism. Another nice bit was when Magneto was shocked that Wolverine was willing to slash him with his claws. He isn't used to fighting superheroes who have a killer instinct.

Magneto himself clearly doesn't believe in killing an foe outright otherwise Wolverine and the rest would have been dead. Even after Wolverine tried to kill him, he didn't kill Wolverine.

[david r]

DDM, I didn't know that about Jim Shooter and his "guest appearance". A nice little in-joke in #112. But damn, I never noticed that about Jean Grey's Phoenix symbol gets larger on her chest, as the stories go along. That was damn clever of them! Was the power consuming her slowly?

Butters, the cover is indeed stunning. By George Perez, no less. Too bad he never drew any issues.

Schuimend, you are correct about Chris Claremont's early tales. We see little of Charles Xavier's dream being fulfilled anywhere, or seeking out new mutants. It's mostly the X-Men being taken by surprise, fighting for their lives with villains who have intricate plans for domination. It's very well-done, I must admit so far.

Jmc247, Magneto didn't kill the X-Men in #112, when he easily could have. He had far more evil things planned for them!!

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.113.GIF

X-Men #113

"Showdown"

Magneto's twisted gambit to kill off the X-Men for good continues. Has he ever been so maniacal?? :evilsmile The X-Men are prisoners, trapped in chairs which are their cells. Connecting to their central nervous system, they cannot move. Cannot speak. Cannot escape...they are trapped Under a Volcano!!

A robot named Nanny watches over our imprisoned mutants, her voice "like a marshmallow soaked in honey," Cyclops thinks. Nanny has a robotic face, but with a nanny costume on. After several days, the X-Men are slowly going insane, with no chance of rescue. Charles Xavier, vacationing with Princess Lilandra on a island in the Mediterrean, has lost his telepathic rapport with his students. However, Storm remembers her thief-training growing in Egypt. Ororo knocks off her head-piece into her lap, and with her hands locked in arm-holds, uses her tongue to wrestle free some lock-picks, hidden in her head-piece. Carefully, sweating profusely, she uses her teeth and the lock-pick to unlock the complicated locks on her chair-prison. She is almost free, when the lock-pick slips out of her mouth and CLANGS to the floor. Nanny enters and repositions the head-piece back onto Ororo's head. All is lost. Ororo begins to weep...

Meanwhile, we see Magneto on his Asteroid M, floating in space above the Earth. Magneto hears an alarm saying there is a problem at his Antarctica base, and leaves Asteroid M, wearing his all-conquering colors. No way the X-Men could have escaped. Charles Xavier's brats would have triggered countless alarms. Magneto enters his volcano base and finds the lights all turned off. Nanny rolling at full speed in circles. What has happened?? The X-Men begin their assault, taking Mags by surprise!! We learn Ororo tried another lock-pick, and was succesful this time. She then freed her teammates. And now, one by one, the X-Men begin punching Magneto's lights out, this time working as a team. Phoenix lashes out with her powers, hurtling Magneto against a control center. Within minutes, hot molten lava begins seeping into the base! The action stops, as the X-Men look around them surrounded by lava everywhere. How do we escape this!?

The roof begins to cave in. The X-Men are trapped, as Magneto uses his powers to make his way thru the lava and to the air above. As he flies away from the volcano, the base explodes, causing massive destruction. Magneto is upset over the loss of his carefully orchestrated plans, but is glad the threat of the X-Men is at last over. No way they could have survived the massive blast. Minutes later, a beautiful Phoenix smahes thru snow, and we learn Jean Grey and Beast survived, protected by the Phoenix power. However, both veteran X-Men are trapped in a snowstorm in the middle of Antarctica. After miles of walking, both collapse in the desolate wastelands. To Be continued...?

My thoughts: This is easily the best Magneto story so far. Magneto is portrayed as ruthless, but perhaps a little more human than before. I absolutely loved the volcano-base and #112 and #113 have two of the best cliffhangers I've ever read in a comic book! Each issue left me genuinely wondering how the hell the X-Men were going to get out of this! More masterpiece stories in the making.

[Jimmy Starburst]

The sequence where Storm (unsuccesfully) tries to free herself is expertly drawn by Byrne... and (maybe its just my perverted mind) slightly erotic. Storm imo has the strongest sex appeal than any other character in Claremont's run, and I can't even remember the number of times she gets naked. But this is balanced by her strength of will, saving her from being just some TnA.

I first read these stories in ESSENTIAL X-MEN, which is in black-and-white, and I must say Bryne's pencils with Austin's inks are top-notch. crisp, intricate, emotive... one of my favorite comic teams ever. Admittedly, I'm not too familiar with Bryne's other work, but I've never liked him as much as with Terry Austin.

[DDM]

DDM, I didn't know that about Jim Shooter and his "guest appearance". A nice little in-joke in #112. But damn, I never noticed that about Jean Grey's Phoenix symbol gets larger on her chest, as the stories go along. That was damn clever of them! Was the power consuming her slowly?

The pilots rescue Phoenix & Beast in Uncanny X-Men #114. Although Phoenix's power kept growing, it did not consume her until she broke free of Mastermind's control in Uncanny X-Men #134 when Jean became Dark Phoenix.

Butters, the cover is indeed stunning. By George Perez, no less. Too bad he never drew any issues.

George Perez pencils Uncanny X-Men Annual #3 with Terry Austin inks. Storm plays a prominent role in saving Arkon's world with the other X-Men's help. This story occurs inbetween Uncanny X-Men #124 & Uncanny X-Men #125.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.113.GIF

X-Men #113

"Showdown"

Magneto's twisted gambit to kill off the X-Men for good continues. Has he ever been so maniacal?? :evilsmile The X-Men are prisoners, trapped in chairs which are their cells. Connecting to their central nervous system, they cannot move. Cannot speak. Cannot escape...they are trapped Under a Volcano!!

A robot named Nanny watches over our imprisoned mutants, her voice "like a marshmallow soaked in honey," Cyclops thinks. Nanny has a robotic face, but with a nanny costume on. After several days, the X-Men are slowly going insane, with no chance of rescue. Charles Xavier, vacationing with Princess Lilandra on a island in the Mediterrean, has lost his telepathic rapport with his students. However, Storm remembers her thief-training growing in Egypt. Ororo knocks off her head-piece into her lap, and with her hands locked in arm-holds, uses her tongue to wrestle free some lock-picks, hidden in her head-piece. Carefully, sweating profusely, she uses her teeth and the lock-pick to unlock the complicated locks on her chair-prison. She is almost free, when the lock-pick slips out of her mouth and CLANGS to the floor. Nanny enters and repositions the head-piece back onto Ororo's head. All is lost. Ororo begins to weep...

Meanwhile, we see Magneto on his Asteroid M, floating in space above the Earth. Magneto hears an alarm saying there is a problem at his Antarctica base, and leaves Asteroid M, wearing his all-conquering colors. No way the X-Men could have escaped. Charles Xavier's brats would have triggered countless alarms. Magneto enters his volcano base and finds the lights all turned off. Nanny rolling at full speed in circles. What has happened?? The X-Men begin their assault, taking Mags by surprise!! We learn Ororo tried another lock-pick, and was succesful this time. She then freed her teammates. And now, one by one, the X-Men begin punching Magneto's lights out, this time working as a team. Phoenix lashes out with her powers, hurtling Magneto against a control center. Within minutes, hot molten lava begins seeping into the base! The action stops, as the X-Men look around them surrounded by lava everywhere. How do we escape this!?

The roof begins to cave in. The X-Men are trapped, as Magneto uses his powers to make his way thru the lava and to the air above. As he flies away from the volcano, the base explodes, causing massive destruction. Magneto is upset over the loss of his carefully orchestrated plans, but is glad the threat of the X-Men is at last over. No way they could have survived the massive blast. Minutes later, a beautiful Phoenix smahes thru snow, and we learn Jean Grey and Beast survived, protected by the Phoenix power. However, both veteran X-Men are trapped in a snowstorm in the middle of Antarctica. After miles of walking, both collapse in the desolate wastelands. To Be continued...?

My thoughts: This is easily the best Magneto story so far. Magneto is portrayed as ruthless, but perhaps a little more human than before. I absolutely loved the volcano-base and #112 and #113 have two of the best cliffhangers I've ever read in a comic book! Each issue left me genuinely wondering how the hell the X-Men were going to get out of this! More masterpiece stories in the making.

Storm shows her own inner strength here as she is the key in releasing the other X-Men thanks to her past as a thief in Cairo. She's careful, yet when she fails, Storm does not give up, although we are lead to believe she gave up when she cries.

Uncanny X-Men #113 demonstrates them acting as a team: Cyclops's optic blast, Banshee's sonic scream, Storm's lightning, & Phoenix's telekinesis leave Magneto battered senseless, leaving him no time to recover for the X-Men's other hit-&-run tactics. Unfortunately, Phoenix's energy attack shatters the computer console & leaves Magneto's base vulnerable to the molten lava! Worse, Phoenix & Beast get separated from the other X-Men.

Phoenix & Beast's survival is in doubt given they are two people stuck in the middle of Antarctica; whereas, the other X-Men burrow deep into the volcano to escape the lava...

This issue is important because Jean believes her friends are dead. And--when she attempts to reach out to Xavier--he is not there for Jean. So she leaves the safety of Xavier's school for a vacation. A vacation where she encounters Mastermind...

[david r]

Jimmy Starburst, you should see the gorgeous shots of Storm in #114, she is nearly naked. I'm surprised it didn't cause a stir in 1978! (I agree with you about John Byrne & Terry Austin. I doubt the art's ever looked as good as this!)

DDM, you're right, as the X-Men finally defeat Magneto in #113, working as a unit. If it hadn't been for the molten lava, they would have beaten him. So they've improved since #104 and the last Magneto encounter. I give Cyclops tremendous credit for this accomplishment.

One thing I'm wondering is about the X-Men's eyes. I've noticed some times their eyes have no pupils. They are completely white. Especially in #113-114. Why is this?:confused:

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.114.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #114

"Desolation"

1st appearance: Nereel, the Fall People

Hey, this issue debuts the title The Uncanny X-Men, which we've all come to know this book as. They said this name numerous times in the stories, going all the way back to the Stan Lee/Kirby days. I guess they wanted the name to be like Amazing Spider-Man or Incredible Hulk. I like it. (And it's "Still only 35 cents"! Those were the days...)

THE DAY THE X-MEN DIED!! Pretty shocking statement there. Beast and Jean Grey are nearly dead, Hank McCoy carrying Phoenix in a wild snow storm in the middle of Antarctica. A helicopter appears, and Jean awakens and ignites her Phoenix signature. The helicopter sees it & are mutants are rescued. Meanwhile, our exhausted and beat-up X-Men have made their way to the Savage Land. Having dug through the earth for miles, barely escaping the exploding volcano from #113. The X-Men are lucky to be alive! Banshee takes flight, but is attacked by a flying pterasaurs. Colossus cooks up the Fastball special and throws Wolverine into the air, who makes mincemeat of the dinosaur! As usual, John Byrne outdoes himself drawing the exotic, lush jungles of the Savage Land.

Meanwhile, a week later, Beast and Jean Grey return to Charles Xavier's mansion. As Hank tells Princess Lilandra the horrible news, Jean enters Charles' office, and tells him the X-Men are dead. We see Charles covering his face, presumably in terrible distress. Back in the Savage Land, the group are staying with the Fall People, a tribe of friendly natives who all have mohawks. The mutants' clothes are torn and frayed, but they are recovering from the Magneto ordeal. Scott is confused, as he feels no remorse for Jean's death. (They believe Jean and Hank were killed.) A scantily-clad Ororo wonders if maybe Scott doesn't love Jean since she became Phoenix. At a nearby lake, Colossus invites Wolverine to join him and 2 female Fall People (one is Nereel ) at a special island. Logan calls him "Petey Pureheart" and says no thanks. Logan takes out a photo he has of Jean Grey, hidden in his costume. Wolverine too is emotionally devastated by Jean's "death". Ororo has made her way to a lake, and enjoys herself in the refreshing waters. When she emerges on the beach, a man grabs her and a huge energy explosion occurs. It is the Rebirth of Sauron!!

My thoughts: Another gorgeous issue, though I'm not entirely sure how plausible it is the X-Men tunneled their escape from the exploding volcano. The artwork here outdoes itself. Simply exquisite. These last few issues have a real aura of danger about them. The X-Men are in a world of hurt, but it's fun to read. What is going to happen next?

[Joe Acro]

#111-113 were the first X-Men comics I read, I believe. (They were collected as part of a "Best of Marvel" paperback, which includes other great stories from other titles.) I've read that multi-issue story again and again. It never gets old.

Storm's will to be free. Big battles. An actual sense of impending doom! I love it. The scene at the end with Beast and Jean is almost heart-breaking, but strangely touching.

#114 is a great complimentary story, but also does a great job of standing on its own (in terms of excitement and wonder, it's still fairly defined by the prior issues).

[Jimmy Starburst]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.114.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #114

"Desolation"

Scott is confused, as he feels no remorse for Jean's death. (They believe Jean and Hank were killed.)
Perhaps this is due to their psionic rapport (has it been established yet?) and on some subconcious level he knows she still lives.

At a nearby lake, Colossus invites Wolverine to join him and 2 female Fall People (one is Nereel ) at a special island. I always wondered what happened to Petey and those two fine young jungle bunnies... perhaps this is explored in Classic X-Men? :p

And is this the first time Xavier and others have believed the X-Men to be dead? I think we should start a counter... I sometimes find it hard to keep track.

Oh, and I love the opening splash page of a frosted Beast carrying Jean. I really worried abouyt the big guy when he face-planted into the snow. Good thing he grew all that fur.


One thing I'm wondering is about the X-Men's eyes. I've noticed some times their eyes have no pupils. They are completely white. Especially in #113-114. Why is this?:confused:

I've always known Storm's eyes (when she uses her powers) to be completely white... but the others?

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.114.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #114

"Desolation"

1st appearance: Nereel, the Fall People

Hey, this issue debuts the title The Uncanny X-Men, which we've all come to know this book as. They said this name numerous times in the stories, going all the way back to the Stan Lee/Kirby days. I guess they wanted the name to be like Amazing Spider-Man or Incredible Hulk. I like it. (And it's "Still only 35 cents"! Those were the days...)

THE DAY THE X-MEN DIED!! Pretty shocking statement there. Beast and Jean Grey are nearly dead, Hank McCoy carrying Phoenix in a wild snow storm in the middle of Antarctica. A helicopter appears, and Jean awakens and ignites her Phoenix signature. The helicopter sees it & are mutants are rescued. Meanwhile, our exhausted and beat-up X-Men have made their way to the Savage Land. Having dug through the earth for miles, barely escaping the exploding volcano from #113. The X-Men are lucky to be alive! Banshee takes flight, but is attacked by a flying pterasaurs. Colossus cooks up the Fastball special and throws Wolverine into the air, who makes mincemeat of the dinosaur! As usual, John Byrne outdoes himself drawing the exotic, lush jungles of the Savage Land.

Meanwhile, a week later, Beast and Jean Grey return to Charles Xavier's mansion. As Hank tells Princess Lilandra the horrible news, Jean enters Charles' office, and tells him the X-Men are dead. We see Charles covering his face, presumably in terrible distress. Back in the Savage Land, the group are staying with the Fall People, a tribe of friendly natives who all have mohawks. The mutants' clothes are torn and frayed, but they are recovering from the Magneto ordeal. Scott is confused, as he feels no remorse for Jean's death. (They believe Jean and Hank were killed.) A scantily-clad Ororo wonders if maybe Scott doesn't love Jean since she became Phoenix. At a nearby lake, Colossus invites Wolverine to join him and 2 female Fall People (one is Nereel ) at a special island. Logan calls him "Petey Pureheart" and says no thanks. Logan takes out a photo he has of Jean Grey, hidden in his costume. Wolverine too is emotionally devastated by Jean's "death". Ororo has made her way to a lake, and enjoys herself in the refreshing waters. When she emerges on the beach, a man grabs her and a huge energy explosion occurs. It is the Rebirth of Sauron!!

My thoughts: Another gorgeous issue, though I'm not entirely sure how plausible it is the X-Men tunneled their escape from the exploding volcano. The artwork here outdoes itself. Simply exquisite. These last few issues have a real aura of danger about them. The X-Men are in a world of hurt, but it's fun to read. What is going to happen next?

Uncanny X-Men #114 has a beautiful splash page of Beast holding an unconscious Phoenix (I read Jim Shooter made John Byrne redraw this page several times to get this shot since Byrne's initial page was not a close-up).

Beast is rightly disturbed by Phoenix's power levels as she automatically "heals" herself with the appearance of her Phoenix Effect. But Beast keeps his concerns to himself.

Beast also meets Princess Lilandra in this issue.

The X-Men are again taken by surprise by Sauron.

I love rereading this issue because the hints are all there about Phoenix possibly losing control of her powers...

[CJ Lentze]

Perhaps this is due to their psionic rapport (has it been established yet?) and on some subconcious level he knows she still lives.The psionic rapport hasn't been established yet. Scott not mourning Jean is an interesting slice of character development you'll have to read in its entirety. It was met with angry reactions from readers -after all, how could Scott not mourn the one girl he had loved ever since she first became an X-Man, yada yada... But the whys and wherefores of this are revealed bit by bit in the following issues. :)
I've always known Storm's eyes (when she uses her powers) to be completely white... but the others?I don't have the issues with me right now, I'll check later today, but Phoenix' eyes also go white when she uses her powers -at least, sometimes. And there's Nightcrawler and Colossus in armoured form, who do not have visible pupils and irises, but with them it's always been that way.



EDIT: Question: so (DDM) what is a 'telekinetic starburst'? Why would the ability to move objects enable someone to make a fancy flare? Could Uri Geller make a telekinetic starburst? At least a tiny one?

[DDM]

EDIT: Question: so (DDM) what is a 'telekinetic starburst'? Why would the ability to move objects enable someone to make a fancy flare? Could Uri Geller make a telekinetic starburst? At least a tiny one?

The telekinetic starburst is unique to Phoenix's power signature, the Phoenix Effect.

Uri Geller is a fraud. He couldn't move his own nose.

[david r]

Joe Acro, you and I have something in common. :) Another memorable panel is in X-Men #113 when Phoenix links all the X-Men together. An astonishing shot, Byrne doing Neal Adams again. And I totally agree about a feeling of impending doom in this epic. It feels like the series is building on itself.

Also interesting Magneto mentions he has several bases throughout the world. We only know of Asteroid M and the Antarctica base. I wonder where the others are hidden?

Jimmy Starburst, I too wonder about Peter Rasputin and those nubile female villagers. What happens on this special island they took him to. Peter couldn't have lost his......nah! :p

DDM, so Byrne and Shooter were already at blows? Interesting. Notice John Byrne is co-plotter with #113? I'm surprised EIC Jim Shooter allowed this. And Roger Stern is the book's editor. Who knew?

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.115.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #115

"Visions of Death"

1st X-MEN appearance: Zaladane, Garokk the Petrified Man

At the bottom of the world is a land like no other on Earth, a fantastic , savage realm where time has stood still and dinosaurs still roam. For the X-Men -fleeing the doomed self-destructing Antarctica complex of their arch-foe Magneto -it has proved a welcome sanctuary , providing opportunity and space for them to bind their wounds and mourn lost comrades (for they believe Jean Grey and Hank McCoy to be dead, as those two mistakenly believe of the X-Men). But such moments are as rare for our band of unsung outcast mutant heroes as they are fleeting-in this instance, shattered by a horror from their past: a man-creature of surpassing deadliness who has taken the name of Sauron!

#115 begins with a two-page shot of Wolverine launching himself at Sauron with claws a'blazing. Unfortunately, Wolverine peers into Sauron's hypnotic eyes---and he is transfixed into thinking the other X-Men are horrible monstrosities. Logan attacks them, and a wild jungle free-for-all breaks out. In the end, Sauron attempts to leech off of Colosuss, and Peter's power-surge is too much for Sauron to withstand. He transforms back into Karl Lykos. Right then, Ka-Zar and Zabu make their introduction. Halting the battle.

Karl Lykos tells our heroes at a campfire of his wanderings in this Savage Land. He eventually came across a priestess named Zaladane, who headed a strange procession. "Hear me, O Garokk! Hear the words of ZALADANE, your anointed priestess!" She sacrifices a human male, and out of the fire, is reborn Garokk the Petrified Man. Or the Sun-God. Some kind of war has been happening in the Savage Land, and Ka-Zar has been fighting this. The return of Garokk herald doom for this conflict. Wolverine and Banshee show enthusiasm to joy the fight, but Cyclops says NO. They need to return to the surface world as soon as possible, to stop Magneto!

At dawn of the next morning, the X-Men & Ka-Zar depart the Fall People's village. A female villager named Nereel says farewell to Colossus, and she will cherish him always. But their plans to leave our halted when snow begins to fall and the river to leave is frozen over. Ka-Zar says it has NEVER snowed in the Savage Land before. This may mean the end of the Savage Land!

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.116.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #116

"To Save the Savage Land"

The Savage Land is freezing with snow, threatening to destroy the primordial place forever. :( The X-Men and Ka-Zar have journeyed to the cause; a gigantic "city of the Sun-God". Built by Garokk, the Petrified Man and Zaladane, it is covering the heat-source for the Savage Land, thus causing a winter-snow. If the heat-source isn't reopened, the exotic jungle will die.

Ka-Zar is much more hospitable & friendly here than his earlier X-Men appearances. As the heroes overlook the giant city from a mountainside, they are attacked by men riding flying dinosaurs. Banshee, Cyclops, Colossus and Ka-Zar are all grabbed by these flying ravagers, and taken into the city below. This leaves Storm, Nightcrawler and Wolverine to sneak into the city to save them. They are the stars of #116. Wolverine shows a new trait, as he speaks to Zabu and tells him to return to the Fall People for help. Wolvie also reveals he "heals real fast", and his bones are unbreakable. (I think this is the 1st time this has been hinted to.) The 3 heroes sneak into the Sun-God's city, and we see Wolverine kill someone for the first time. Wolverine snikts a guard.

At last, the three X-Men spy a mammoth arena, dwarfing any stadium ever built, where Scott, Peter, Sean and Ka-Zar are tied to poles. With Garokk, Zaladane and guards watching them. They are to be burned at the stake (see cover.) Colossus is already red-hot from the fires, and worries he might melt! Nightcrawler teleports down and frees them, as a wild malaise begins! X-Men versus Savage Land guards. Garokk flees and Cyclops chases after him to the rooftop of this massive city. Garokk shoots out "rays" and Cyclops counters with his optic blasts. The ensuing energy shakes and rattles the city. It begins to collapse! Both Scott & Garokk plunge down an endless hole downward into darkness. Banshee rescues Cyclops, but Storm attempts but fails to rescue Garokk. The city collapses and the Savage Land is saved. A fortnight later, the X-Men say farewell to Ka-Zar and the Savage Land, and take off in a raft into the Drake Passage, leading back into the regular world. However, their skimpy boat enters the raging fury of the worst winter gale in 100 years!!

My thoughts: another classic issue, I think I'm in love with Claremont/Byrne! Though perhaps this story would have been better in two-parts. Wolverine showed strong tactical leadership skills, leading his X-squad into the Sun-God's domain. Is he maturing a bit? This series has been on a roll since #105, or so. It seems the X-Men are spending fewer issues at the Xavier Mansion, and more issues on one quest or journey after the next. And it's phantastisch (as Kurt would say)!!

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.115.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #115

"Visions of Death"

1st appearance: Zaladane, Garokk the Petrified Man



David R., Garrokk the Petrified Man first appears in Astonishing Tales #2:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/05326894972.2.GIF

Whereas, Zaladane first appears in Astonishing Tales #3:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/05326894972.3.GIF

Chris Claremont draws upon these stories for the Uncanny X-Men #115-116 storyline, although I think this storyline was cut off in Ka-Zar's book at the time since his book was cancelled.

[DDM]

DDM, so Byrne and Shooter were already at blows? Interesting. Notice John Byrne is co-plotter with #113? I'm surprised EIC Jim Shooter allowed this. And Roger Stern is the book's editor. Who knew?

Roger Stern stays with the book up until Uncanny X-Men #131. Jim Salicrup takes over from Uncanny X-Men #132-137, an interim position until Louise Jones took over the book with Uncanny X-Men #137.

[david r]

Well, I just can't get anything past DDM. ;)

Reading the letters page in a Classic X-Men issue, it says Ann Nocenti and Rick Leonardi were making a Colossus graphic novel. Rick Leonardo twice flew to Russia to do research for it. This issue came out in 1988, have you ever heard of this graphic novel before?

[Diablito]

Ka-Zar should've joined the X-Men. He's cool.

[DDM]

Well, I just can't get anything past DDM. ;)

Reading the letters page in a Classic X-Men issue, it says Ann Nocenti and Rick Leonardi were making a Colossus graphic novel. Rick Leonardo twice flew to Russia to do research for it. This issue came out in 1988, have you ever heard of this graphic novel before?

I don't think the Colossus Graphic Novel was ever released in any form, much like the then ongoing Longshot series by Ann Nocenti & Arthur Adams. Put these under the same file as the Phoenix #1-4 limited series by Chris Claremont & Rick Leonardi...:(

[Jimmy Starburst]

I don't think the Colossus Graphic Novel was ever released in any form, much like the then ongoing Longshot series by Ann Nocenti & Arthur Adams. Put these under the same file as the Phoenix #1-4 limited series by Chris Claremont & Rick Leonardi...:(

i believe what was to be the Pheonix limited turned into the Excalibur graphic novel which launched the ongoing series. not that it bothered me, i always found Rachel/Phoenix II to be a complete and utter nuisance.


btw, storm looks f'n hot unconcious and in the clutches of a giant lizard. don't judge me.

[david r]

i believe what was to be the Pheonix limited turned into the Excalibur graphic novel which launched the ongoing series. not that it bothered me, i always found Rachel/Phoenix II to be a complete and utter nuisance.

It seems when writer/editor Ann Nocenti quit as X-editor in 1988, all her writing projects were nixed.


btw, storm looks f'n hot unconcious and in the clutches of a giant lizard. don't judge me.

I don't disagree. Ororo in these issues looks like a female Tarzan. I approve of this... :p

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.117.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #117

"Psi War"

1st appearance: Shadow King (Amahl Farouk)

#117 debuts the Shadow King, a very menacing foe indeed. We meet him in as a younger Charles Xavier visits Cairo, and Xavier meets his first "evil mutant."

The only appearance by our ragtag band of mutant X-Men is within their lifeboat, desperately trying to stay afloat in the worst storm in 100 years!! Ororo is using her weather-powers to weaken the immediate storm effects, but she has her limits. The storm is still battering them mercilessly. Finally, a Japanese ship spots them and rescues the water-logged X-Men. The ship is manned by Captain Hama (I'm guessing a cameo by writer Larry Hama ?) Cyclops asks to make contact with the outside world, but Captain Hama says NO! They are on a delicate government mission, and are on their way to Japan.

Back at the Mansion, Princess Lilandra brings coffee to a worn-down and grief-stricken Charles Xavier. Charles is couched in his study, staring at a raging fire with photographs of the Original Five and the new X-Men beside him. (One picture is of the original X-Men's graduation day from X-Men #7. ) Xavier is depressed, thinking his new team dead. Charles begins to reminisce, the page shows a stunning John Byrne drawing of Charles' face, to the right of his face several images of Xavier's life. Including his meeting & falling in love with Moira McTaggart, his draft notice and subsequent soldiering in Korea. Charles soon gets a letter from Moira breaking off their wedding engagement. She wouldn't say why. (My guess is Moira got pregnant?!) Charles says he went a little crazy after that, and became a nomad.

Charles eventually makes his way to Cairo, Egypt. A young thief/pickpocket named Ororo Munroe first met Charles as a small child, we learn. She pickpockets Charles' wallet on the crowded Cairo streets. (Charles hears a bubbling telepathic laugh as she runs away. Cute.) He halts her with a psychic force bolt, but then Charles is smashed down by a powerful mental bolt. WHAT IS THIS? Xavier senses the power emanating from a cafe, as young Ororo runs off. Charles sits at a table, as a large rotund man enters, with dark glasses and a little red hat. He is followed by two attractive women. Enter: Amahl Farouk. Amahl is a mutant, with telepathic powers. Charles and Amahl communicate via the astral plane, and Amahl invites Charles to partake in the "pleasures" and power he can show him. Xavier declines, and thus begins an awesome psychic battle on the astral plane. Both individuals using their astral forms.

The Shadow King appears to be winning, as his form continually changes, becoming more grotesque. Finally Xavier calms himself, focusing his mutant power into a beam of incredible strength, and shooting straight into Farouk's brain. In the cafe, Amahl's head suddenly plops to the table. Dead. I like the shocked reaction of the cafe patrons. Charles stands and walks quietly out of the cafe. He realizes he had just encountered his first "evil mutant." Back in his study, Lilandra finally talks the distraught Xavier to leave his home & venture with her back to her Sh'iar homeland.

My thoughts: I like this issue's change-of-pace. Placing Charles Xavier center of the tale gives us a reader a chance to catch our breath. I'm glad they finally give us more backstory on Charles and Moira's relationship. She certainly is more than she seemed. And the Shadow King was a unique foe, far more cunning than the baddies from the 1960s stories. The Egyptian sequences have a wonderful exotic feel to them.

[DDM]

i believe what was to be the Pheonix limited turned into the Excalibur graphic novel which launched the ongoing series. not that it bothered me, i always found Rachel/Phoenix II to be a complete and utter nuisance.


btw, storm looks f'n hot unconcious and in the clutches of a giant lizard. don't judge me.

Nope. The Phoenix limited series is set in Mojoworld; as a result, the readers would see Rachel tormented by Spiral & Mojo while we would also see more of her past. Part of it includes flashbacks to the Shadow King & the Hellfire Club.

Excalibur Special Edition #1 happens after this proposed series.

Chris Claremont wrote Rachel out of Uncanny X-Men because it did not want the The Mutant Massacre to be compared to the Sentinel nightmare her world became. At this time, Nimrod was to merge with the Fury to kill the Morlocks.

[DDM]

It seems when writer/editor Ann Nocenti quit as X-editor in 1988, all her writing projects were nixed.

Not so. She had several stories published in Classic X-Men, one Inhumans Graphic Novel while she was the regular writer on Daredevil. Jim Shooter wanted many book editors to shift into full time freelance writers.

She also had previously work published with Spider-Woman & Beauty & the Beast #1-4.

[DDM]

The ship is manned by Captain Hama (I'm guessing a cameo by writer Larry Hama ?) Cyclops asks to make contact with the outside world, but Captain Hama says NO! They are on a delicate government mission, and are on their way to Japan.

Larry Hama was an editor at this point.

Charles begins to reminisce, the page shows a stunning John Byrne drawing of Charles' face, to the right of his face several images of Xavier's life. Including his meeting & falling in love with Moira McTaggart, his draft notice and subsequent soldiering in Korea. Charles soon gets a letter from Moira breaking off their wedding engagement. She wouldn't say why. (My guess is Moira got pregnant?!) Charles says he went a little crazy after that, and became a nomad.

With Uncanny X-Men #125-128 & UNcanny X-Men #389, I have figured Moira MacTaggert calls off Charles' engagement because she was raped by Joe MacTaggert. She marries him to her regret & eventually gives birth to her son, Kevin. Kevin MacTaggert would become Proteus.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.117.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #117

"Psi War"

1st appearance: Shadow King (Amahl Farouk)

#117 debuts the Shadow King, a very menacing foe indeed. We meet him in as a younger Charles Xavier visits Cairo, and Xavier meets his first "evil mutant."

The only appearance by our ragtag band of mutant X-Men is within their lifeboat, desperately trying to stay afloat in the worst storm in 100 years!! Ororo is using her weather-powers to weaken the immediate storm effects, but she has her limits. The storm is still battering them mercilessly. Finally, a Japanese ship spots them and rescues the water-logged X-Men. The ship is manned by Captain Hama (I'm guessing a cameo by writer Larry Hama ?) Cyclops asks to make contact with the outside world, but Captain Hama says NO! They are on a delicate government mission, and are on their way to Japan.

Back at the Mansion, Princess Lilandra brings coffee to a worn-down and grief-stricken Charles Xavier. Charles is couched in his study, staring at a raging fire with photographs of the Original Five and the new X-Men beside him. (One picture is of the original X-Men's graduation day from X-Men #7. ) Xavier is depressed, thinking his new team dead. Charles begins to reminisce, the page shows a stunning John Byrne drawing of Charles' face, to the right of his face several images of Xavier's life. Including his meeting & falling in love with Moira McTaggart, his draft notice and subsequent soldiering in Korea. Charles soon gets a letter from Moira breaking off their wedding engagement. She wouldn't say why. (My guess is Moira got pregnant?!) Charles says he went a little crazy after that, and became a nomad.

Charles eventually makes his way to Cairo, Egypt. A young thief/pickpocket named Ororo Munroe first met Charles as a small child, we learn. She pickpockets Charles' wallet on the crowded Cairo streets. (Charles hears a bubbling telepathic laugh as she runs away. Cute.) He halts her with a psychic force bolt, but then Charles is smashed down by a powerful mental bolt. WHAT IS THIS? Xavier senses the power emanating from a cafe, as young Ororo runs off. Charles sits at a table, as a large rotund man enters, with dark glasses and a little red hat. He is followed by two attractive women. Enter: Amahl Farouk. Amahl is a mutant, with telepathic powers. Charles and Amahl communicate via the astral plane, and Amahl invites Charles to partake in the "pleasures" and power he can show him. Xavier declines, and thus begins an awesome psychic battle on the astral plane. Both individuals using their astral forms.

The Shadow King appears to be winning, as his form continually changes, becoming more grotesque. Finally Xavier calms himself, focusing his mutant power into a beam of incredible strength, and shooting straight into Farouk's brain. In the cafe, Amahl's head suddenly plops to the table. Dead. I like the shocked reaction of the cafe patrons. Charles stands and walks quietly out of the cafe. He realizes he had just encountered his first "evil mutant." Back in his study, Lilandra finally talks the distraught Xavier to leave his home & venture with her back to her Sh'iar homeland.

My thoughts: I like this issue's change-of-pace. Placing Charles Xavier center of the tale gives us a reader a chance to catch our breath. I'm glad they finally give us more backstory on Charles and Moira's relationship. She certainly is more than she seemed. And the Shadow King was a unique foe, far more cunning than the baddies from the 1960s stories. The Egyptian sequences have a wonderful exotic feel to them.

Amahl Farouk is a great villain since he is the polar opposite of Charles Xavier, an evil telepath as much as Xavier is a good telepath. Although he appears to die in this story's flashback, I like how Chris Claremont uses Uncanny X-Men #117 as the source, the inspiration for founding the X-Men.

Of course, Chris Claremont would come back to Amahl Farouk in The New Mutants & eventually in Uncanny X-Men with the new name, the Shadow King...

[CJ Lentze]

In this issue, it is said that Moira MacTaggert broke off her relationship with Charles Xavier in a letter -and that Xavier doesn't fully comprehend the reasons of this-, but in previous issues Xavier keeps saying that he had no right to ask for Moira's help because HE had hurt HER. And in another issue, the narrative says that their relationship had become 'a nightmare'. So I guess things got a little bit turned around in this flashback.

Amahl Farouk is added to the list of important opponents of Xavier's past, next to Lucifer and the Juggernaut, like DDM said, another pivotal event that would move Prof X's life toward founding the X-Men. The telepathic battle itself had its moments (Xavier's comment that Farouk's thoughts felt like maggots; the burn on his back reflecting on the physical plane, a), but I guess it's difficult to translate a battle that's entirely fought on the mental plane, to concepts that the reader can follow- like the armour, and weapons, and the shape-changing of Farouk. In the end, Xavier won because he concentrated all his mental power and resolve, while Farouk was basically toying with him and didn't ever see the attack coming. That sends out a rather dubious message, as Xavier's 'brute force' overcame Farouk's 'skill'. :p

It is good that Claremont explores Xavier's human side, mourning his students who he thinks are dead (hey, nice turnaround from the late sixties, isn't? Now Xavier knows something about what he put the old team through!), and his interactions with Princess Lilandra. Good Xavier-centered character issue.

[david r]

In this issue, it is said that Moira MacTaggert broke off her relationship with Charles Xavier in a letter -and that Xavier doesn't fully comprehend the reasons of this-, but in previous issues Xavier keeps saying that he had no right to ask for Moira's help because HE had hurt HER. And in another issue, the narrative says that their relationship had become 'a nightmare'. So I guess things got a little bit turned around in this flashback.

Some of those recollections might just be Charles Xavier's take on their relationship. Why it had become a "nightmare" we may never know. Perhaps Joe McTaggart had gotten involved and they were having problems.

It is good that Claremont explores Xavier's human side, mourning his students who he thinks are dead (hey, nice turnaround from the late sixties, isn't? Now Xavier knows something about what he put the old team through!), and his interactions with Princess Lilandra. Good Xavier-centered character issue.

Charles Xavier never stopped to think his X-Men might be killed in battle? He sends teenagers out against foes like Magneto or the Sentinels. Does this show a callousness in his character?

I'm wondering if why Charles Xavier was so mean and "acting weird" in X-Men: The Hidden Years because he was starting to experience those dreams/nightmares sent by Princess Lilandra?

[david r]

Another thing of interest in Uncanny X-Men #117 is on the Shadow King's astral form, he has a bird on the front of his helmet. It looks suspiciously like the Phoenix emblem. Could that be coincidence? Or more.

Here's an example of it:
http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/17292128602.23.GIF

[Jimmy Starburst]

PSI WAR, BITCHES!!!

this issue is the bomb, although the astral battle isn't my favorite part. i agree with Schuimend Mormel, they can be a murky subject, with what consequences a victory or defeat fairly arbitrary. but i understand that Xavier's pure skill or force, as opposed to Farouk's theatrics, are what won the day.

i do however love the scenes in Farouk's cantina (his entrance and death, met first with shock then smiles by the patrons; the singing of Xavier's back), the fantastic splash page detailing Xavier's early travels. (could that be Cain Marko next to Charles fighting in Korea?) looking at it in black and white, the art is simply phenomenal, and i'm gonna say this again and again, Byrne and Austin sure can render a hot babe.


backtracking to #111, i believe attention should be brought to letterer Tom Orzechowski (his first issue?), who would soon become the book's sole letterer until the early 90s. his *koff koff*s, big words (sorry, i have difficulty discussing the intricacies of lettering) - to me, they round out what an X-Men comic is. when they started bringing in new guys with the X-Cutioner's Song it just felt wrong.. i'm sure some of you know what i'm talking about.

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.117.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #117

"Psi War"

1st appearance: Shadow King (Amahl Farouk)

#117 debuts the Shadow King, a very menacing foe indeed. We meet him in as a younger Charles Xavier visits Cairo, and Xavier meets his first "evil mutant."

The only appearance by our ragtag band of mutant X-Men is within their lifeboat, desperately trying to stay afloat in the worst storm in 100 years!! Ororo is using her weather-powers to weaken the immediate storm effects, but she has her limits. The storm is still battering them mercilessly. Finally, a Japanese ship spots them and rescues the water-logged X-Men. The ship is manned by Captain Hama (I'm guessing a cameo by writer Larry Hama ?) Cyclops asks to make contact with the outside world, but Captain Hama says NO! They are on a delicate government mission, and are on their way to Japan.

Back at the Mansion, Princess Lilandra brings coffee to a worn-down and grief-stricken Charles Xavier. Charles is couched in his study, staring at a raging fire with photographs of the Original Five and the new X-Men beside him. (One picture is of the original X-Men's graduation day from X-Men #7. ) Xavier is depressed, thinking his new team dead. Charles begins to reminisce, the page shows a stunning John Byrne drawing of Charles' face, to the right of his face several images of Xavier's life. Including his meeting & falling in love with Moira McTaggart, his draft notice and subsequent soldiering in Korea. Charles soon gets a letter from Moira breaking off their wedding engagement. She wouldn't say why. (My guess is Moira got pregnant?!) Charles says he went a little crazy after that, and became a nomad.

Charles eventually makes his way to Cairo, Egypt. A young thief/pickpocket named Ororo Munroe first met Charles as a small child, we learn. She pickpockets Charles' wallet on the crowded Cairo streets. (Charles hears a bubbling telepathic laugh as she runs away. Cute.) He halts her with a psychic force bolt, but then Charles is smashed down by a powerful mental bolt. WHAT IS THIS? Xavier senses the power emanating from a cafe, as young Ororo runs off. Charles sits at a table, as a large rotund man enters, with dark glasses and a little red hat. He is followed by two attractive women. Enter: Amahl Farouk. Amahl is a mutant, with telepathic powers. Charles and Amahl communicate via the astral plane, and Amahl invites Charles to partake in the "pleasures" and power he can show him. Xavier declines, and thus begins an awesome psychic battle on the astral plane. Both individuals using their astral forms.

The Shadow King appears to be winning, as his form continually changes, becoming more grotesque. Finally Xavier calms himself, focusing his mutant power into a beam of incredible strength, and shooting straight into Farouk's brain. In the cafe, Amahl's head suddenly plops to the table. Dead. I like the shocked reaction of the cafe patrons. Charles stands and walks quietly out of the cafe. He realizes he had just encountered his first "evil mutant." Back in his study, Lilandra finally talks the distraught Xavier to leave his home & venture with her back to her Sh'iar homeland.

My thoughts: I like this issue's change-of-pace. Placing Charles Xavier center of the tale gives us a reader a chance to catch our breath. I'm glad they finally give us more backstory on Charles and Moira's relationship. She certainly is more than she seemed. And the Shadow King was a unique foe, far more cunning than the baddies from the 1960s stories. The Egyptian sequences have a wonderful exotic feel to them.

I like the Shadow King as a villain, but even more importantly...

How awesome is it that Xavier just OWNS him, then walks out like it was another day at the office? Probably one of the most hardcore Professor X moments. Kills a guy, then walks out without paying his tab like an old West cowboy. Way to go, Chuck.

[Jimmy Starburst]

I like the Shadow King as a villain, but even more importantly...

How awesome is it that Xavier just OWNS him, then walks out like it was another day at the office? Probably one of the most hardcore Professor X moments. Kills a guy, then walks out without paying his tab like an old West cowboy. Way to go, Chuck.

no doubt. just fixes his hat and leaves..

hardcore chuck. hardcore.

[DDM]

Another thing of interest in Uncanny X-Men #117 is on the Shadow King's astral form, he has a bird on the front of his helmet. It looks suspiciously like the Phoenix emblem. Could that be coincidence? Or more.

Here's an example of it:
http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/17292128602.23.GIF


Arthur Adams is just interpreting John Byrne & Terry Austin's art from within the book. I just see a stylized helmet with no Phoenix emblem.

[DDM]

I like the Shadow King as a villain, but even more importantly...

How awesome is it that Xavier just OWNS him, then walks out like it was another day at the office? Probably one of the most hardcore Professor X moments. Kills a guy, then walks out without paying his tab like an old West cowboy. Way to go, Chuck.

Charles was exhausted from war. Had he survived only to die from an evil mutant? Charles had no choice but to kill Farouk. Likewise, the Hellfire Club's White Queen does exactly the same thing in her duel with Phoenix in Uncanny X-Men #131, but it causes the entire lab to explode since Emma Frost was fighting the cosmic powered Phoenix...

[DDM]

backtracking to #111, i believe attention should be brought to letterer Tom Orzechowski (his first issue?), who would soon become the book's sole letterer until the early 90s. his *koff koff*s, big words (sorry, i have difficulty discussing the intricacies of lettering) - to me, they round out what an X-Men comic is. when they started bringing in new guys with the X-Cutioner's Song it just felt wrong.. i'm sure some of you know what i'm talking about.

Chris Claremont took a paycut at some point in the mid-80s so he could retain letterer, Tom Orzechowski & colorist, Glynis Oliver (aka Glynis Wein) as part of "his" team. Claremont certainly favors Tom Orzechowski...

Tom Orzechowski has been lettering for Marvel since the early-1970's.

[david r]

i do however love the scenes in Farouk's cantina (his entrance and death, met first with shock then smiles by the patrons; the singing of Xavier's back),

Yes, that was a great scene. A battle going on, but nobody in that seedy dive knew it. Charles showed the Shadow King who's boss!

I have to wonder about Ororo though. If she was SO CLOSE to the Shadow King at a young age, wouldn't he have noticed her in the Cairo streets? Charles Xavier noticed her latent mutant power, wouldn't the SK have sensed her as well?

backtracking to #111, i believe attention should be brought to letterer Tom Orzechowski (his first issue?), who would soon become the book's sole letterer until the early 90s. his *koff koff*s, big words (sorry, i have difficulty discussing the intricacies of lettering) - to me, they round out what an X-Men comic is. when they started bringing in new guys with the X-Cutioner's Song it just felt wrong.. i'm sure some of you know what i'm talking about.

Tom Orzechowski is an amazing letterer. I think his first issue was X-Men #94, along with Chris Claremont. I always liked his work, he had an awesome long run. He still letters some of Claremont's books. I think he was editor for Spawn in the 90s, few people know that.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.118.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #118

"The Submergence of Japan"

1st appearance: Mariko Yoshida

After six weeks at sea on a Japanese ship (six weeks! :eek: ), the X-Men finally arrive off of Japan, only to see the city Agarashima completely burning, in a spectacular two-page shot!! An earthquake has hit Japan, and shaken the cities to their foundation. The X-Men make their way to the burning city and help with panicked Japanese. Wolverine reads a Japanese newspaper, and we learn Logan can read & speak Japanese. We just learn more and more of him lately, but he seems to be mellowing a little, as well.

Meanwhile, Charles Xavier has left Earth! With his beloved Lilandra, they have left orbit in a Sh'iar spacecraft, for distant Sh'iar. Xavier has left behind his X-Men and his School, for love. An interesting turn for the Professor. Back in Japan, the X-Men make their way to the Yoshida Ancestral Manor, home of Sunfire. They try to sneak in but Sunfire stops them, in full Sunfire fashion. Misty Knight and Colleen Wing are also there, of Iron Fist fame. Much to the X-Men's surprise, they only know Misty as Jean Grey's roommate. Colleen Wing finds Scott Summers quite the hunk. In the garden, Wolverine sees a young Japanese woman sitting alone, and approaches her. She is surprised by him, but Wolvie tries to calm her. He sits with her and she introduces herself as Mariko Yoshida, cousin to Sunfire. But then another earthquake slams the whole building.

To top it of, Mandroids attack. Giant yellow iron-men, last seen in the pages of Avengers. They begin blasting our heroes, so the X-Men strike back hard. And defeat all 3 Mandroids. But then a hologram of Moses Magnum appears!! Mose Magnum, Master of the Magnum Force!! (Oh boy, do I know I'm reading a 1970s comic!!) Moses demands to be made ruler of Japan, or he will SINK JAPAN!!

My thoughts: Our heroes are on another worldwide adventure! The best one yet. Six weeks onboard an ocean-ship they must have been climbing the walls with boredom! The debut of Mariko was interesting, she seems very innocent, almost meek. I think this is the first time the X-Men have been to Japan. I like the mixing of all these cultures and characters.

[Jimmy Starburst]

X-Men 118

First thing, I gotta give it up for Terry Austin - Byrne's pencils just don't look as good under Ric Villamonte's inks. Just compare the double splash page of Zaladane's fortress from #116 with this issue's two-pager of a burning Tokyo. Character's poses look stiff, expressions less natural... although Storm's hotness still shines through :rolleyes:

I love how Wolverine slowly gets fleshed out, with aspects of his character and powers revealed in bits and pieces. Keep in mind its another ten years before we learn the details of his time under the Weapon X program..

I also like Nightcrawler reflecting on the progression of his skill at teleportation; another aspect of the All-New, All-Different X-Men's development from a group of novices to a hard-forged team/family of superheroes. Similar is Collosus' worries over his lack of effective contribution to the team...

And I don't think there is a single instance Ororo's fog isn't described as "pea soup". Probably my least favorite 'Claremontism'.

Is it just me or does Lilandra look a bit like Charlize Theron? Way to go Chuck!

And who the fuck is Moses Magnum?

[DDM]

Yes, that was a great scene. A battle going on, but nobody in that seedy dive knew it. Charles showed the Shadow King who's boss!

I have to wonder about Ororo though. If she was SO CLOSE to the Shadow King at a young age, wouldn't he have noticed her in the Cairo streets? Charles Xavier noticed her latent mutant power, wouldn't the SK have sensed her as well?

At some point before his death, Amahl Farouk was promised Ororo to enslave. However, Amahl Farouk died in battle. Years later, in The New Mutants #29-34, Farouk--in Karma's body--finally subverts Storm. The Shadow King is still obsessed in breaking Storm's will when he reappears in Uncanny X-Men #253. The Shadow King is obsessed with Storm because she has such an indomitable, strong will perhaps linked to her mutant powers with the Earth giving her the strength to resist the Shadow King.

I have noticed most Earth elementals such as Magma also has equally strong will power to resist being subverted.

[DDM]

And who the fuck is Moses Magnum?

Moses Magnum is an obscure villain who first appears in Power Man Annual #1:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/63086428742.1.GIF


Chris Claremont & John Byrne turn Moses Magnum into a formidable villain willing to sink Japan for blackmail & Banshee loses his powers for several years as a result of saving Japan...

[jade_nova]

In regards to #117, does any notice that Xavier's psi-armor in this issue bears a resemblance to the psi-armor Cyclops is looking at in the Xavier files during the Onslaught storyline.

[david r]

Jimmy Starburst, I agree that Ric Villamonte's inks didn't blend as well with Byrne/Austen. I still like that two-page shot, but it might depend on the paper you're reading on.

As for Wolverine, he's getting more attention lately. Only he and Storm's backstory are being told in any significant way so far.

Jade Nova, Professor Xavier uses that psi-armor a few times after his Shadow King battle. I *think* it's also the armor Charles is wearing when he himself becomes "evil" in the forgotten X-Men/Micronauts mini-series. The psi-armor became synonomous with Xavier becoming bad.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.119.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #119

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

His name is Moses Magnum, and he's Master of the Magnum Force! Think of Moses as a younger Samuel L. Jackson. Only evil. Moses plans to sink parts of Japan in his bid to become Japanese ruler. Make me ruler, or Japan sinks!! :evilangry

The X-Men, with the help of Misty Knight and Colleen Wing--the Daughters of the Dragon-- locate Magnum's base, hidden inside a volcano off the shores of Nippon, Japan. Nightcrawler teleports inside, while Banshee & Storm assault the perimeter defenses. Tunneling underneath the oceanbed (in a decidedly risky maneuver) is Cyclops, Sunfire, Colossus and Wolverine. Finally, the foursome tunnel underneath Magnum's base, and smash thru the floor. Magnum is waiting and the battle begins. Moses Magnum is unbelievably strong, and smahes Colossus straight out of the building. As Jimmy Starburst has noticed, Colossus agains feels that he's letting his teammates down and is not helping out.

Mandroids show up, and as the fight intensifies, Moses Magnum flees to begin the sinking of Japan! Banshee figures out the source of Magnum's power. It is some kind of energy beam, launched from his volcanic tower. Banshee flies above the volcano and begins a massive sonic-scream to block the energy beam, and reflect it back on itself. Sean Cassidy's sonic scream is long and becomes agonizing. The scream lasts for an eternity, and at last, the volcano EXPLODES!! Moses Magnum's plans are crushed. The next day, the X-Men are discovered on the Pacific, but Sean is in a coma. Ten days later, after surviving his coma and being close to death, Sean Cassidy is released from hospital. Sean can barely talk, and his mutant power may be gone. As he enters Sunfire's house, he is greeted by smiling X-Men and a banner which reads Welcome Back, Sean. MERRY CHRISTMAS! A Xmas tree adorns the room, a typical Japanese room with Sunfire in the background. (Shiro isn't smiling, naturally!)

Wolverine takes off to speak to Mariko, while Ororo thinks to herself "So much as changed between we six since we became X-Men. We began as loners. And have grown into a family." Ororo kisses Kurt and says she loves him very much. Ororo then speaks to Peter Rasputin, on an outside balcony in the Japanese night. Peter is homesick for his family in Soviet Russia. Meanwhile, Jean Grey arrives in Scotland, greeted by Moira McTaggart, Alex Summers, Lorna Dane and Jamie Madrox. They are to sight-see in Edinburgh and then head to Muir Island. The issue ends with the door to Mutant X's cell opening on Muir Island...and Mutant X killing someone!!

My thoughts: My only problem with this story. How is it Christmas already? Even in Marvel time, we just had Christmas in #98, which must have just been 3-4 months ago. Otherwise, this was a nice story, though not as spectacular as the last few epics. The X-Men's world-tour of action continues!! I loved seeing Misty and Colleen!!

[Jimmy Starburst]

Marvel seemed alot more willing to aknowledge the passing of time in those days. For example, six months pass between issues 94 and 97, as Lorna reflects on the development of her and Alex's relationship since they left the X-Men. (BTW, does anyone know how long ago the All-New team supposedly formed?)

Also, when did Jamie Madrox enter the world of the X-Men? I know it was in some Fantastic Four Annual, but how long ago (in continuity) did this happen? Is this the first mention of Muir Island?

I love Nightcrawler's tail taking out of the guard, and the panels of the X-Men struggling to withstand Banshee's reverb (especially the picture of Colossus plugging his ears). And I salute Sean's valiant effort, but I know of a much easier way to stop the Magnum Force...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/MagnumCondom.gif

[Jimmy Starburst]

computer malfunction :D :D :D :D

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.119.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #119

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

His name is Moses Magnum, and he's Master of the Magnum Force! Think of Moses as a younger Samuel L. Jackson. Only evil. Moses plans to sink parts of Japan in his bid to become Japanese ruler. Make me ruler, or Japan sinks!! :evilangry

The X-Men, with the help of Misty Knight and Colleen Wing--the Daughters of the Dragon-- locate Magnum's base, hidden inside a volcano off the shores of Nippon, Japan. Nightcrawler teleports inside, while Banshee & Storm assault the perimeter defenses. Tunneling underneath the oceanbed (in a decidedly risky maneuver) is Cyclops, Sunfire, Colossus and Wolverine. Finally, the foursome tunnel underneath Magnum's base, and smash thru the floor. Magnum is waiting and the battle begins. Moses Magnum is unbelievably strong, and smahes Colossus straight out of the building. As Jimmy Starburst has noticed, Colossus agains feels that he's letting his teammates down and is not helping out.

Mandroids show up, and as the fight intensifies, Moses Magnum flees to begin the sinking of Japan! Banshee figures out the source of Magnum's power. It is some kind of energy beam, launched from his volcanic tower. Banshee flies above the volcano and begins a massive sonic-scream to block the energy beam, and reflect it back on itself. Sean Cassidy's sonic scream is long and becomes agonizing. The scream lasts for an eternity, and at last, the volcano EXPLODES!! Moses Magnum's plans are crushed. The next day, the X-Men are discovered on the Pacific, but Sean is in a coma. Ten days later, after surviving his coma and being close to death, Sean Cassidy is released from hospital. Sean can barely talk, and his mutant power may be gone. As he enters Sunfire's house, he is greeted by smiling X-Men and a banner which reads Welcome Back, Sean. MERRY CHRISTMAS! A Xmas tree adorns the room, a typical Japanese room with Sunfire in the background. (Shiro isn't smiling, naturally!)

Wolverine takes off to speak to Mariko, while Ororo thinks to herself "So much as changed between we six since we became X-Men. We began as loners. And have grown into a family." Ororo kisses Kurt and says she loves him very much. Ororo then speaks to Peter Rasputin, on an outside balcony in the Japanese night. Peter is homesick for his family in Soviet Russia. Meanwhile, Jean Grey arrives in Scotland, greeted by Moira McTaggart, Alex Summers, Lorna Dane and Jamie Madrox. They are to sight-see in Edinburgh and then head to Muir Island. The issue ends with the door to Mutant X's cell opening on Muir Island...and Mutant X killing someone!!

My thoughts: My only problem with this story. How is it Christmas already? Even in Marvel time, we just had Christmas in #98, which must have just been 3-4 months ago. Otherwise, this was a nice story, though not as spectacular as the last few epics. The X-Men's world-tour of action continues!! I loved seeing Misty and Colleen!!

After defeating Moses Magnum, I like the little touches of Misty Knight & Colleen Wing with Wing flirting with Cyclops & Misty unaware that Jean believes the X-Men are dead. Misty believes Colleen is flirting with a "taken" man in Scott Summers. I love it when Magnum's fortress explodes & Misty is thinking she does not want to tell Jean the X-Men died in battle.

Banshee's badly damaged vocal cords is not a good omen. In fact, he never recovers his mutant powers for several years hence.

The X-Men celebrating Christmas remind me they are a family of sorts. Chris Claremont always brought it back to the family aspect of the team no matter what happened to the group. I think this important element is missing in the current X-Men stories.

As for the timeline, the X-Men spent about 4-6 weeks in the Savage Land, they spent 6 weeks on the ship before reaching Japan, & now it's Christmas again. Jean spent about a month in Greece waiting for her paperwork to come in as Mastermind sunk his hooks into her fragile psyche laying the groundwork for Jean's transformation into the Hellfire Club's Black Queen. In fact, Mastermind stalked Jean Grey since she left Xavier's mansion (more or less as a result of Warhawk's bugging the mansion in Uncanny X-Men #110)

[DDM]

Also, when did Jamie Madrox enter the world of the X-Men? I know it was in some Fantastic Four Annual, but how long ago (in continuity) did this happen? Is this the first mention of Muir Island?

Jamie Madrox's only appearance before X-Men was Giant Size Fantastic Four #4:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/30958955586.4.GIF

Chris Claremont either plotted or scripted this story. It's not an annual.

Muir Island first appears in Uncanny X-Men #104 when Moira MacTaggert's true nature is revealed to be a doctor in mutant genetics & silent partner of Professor Xavier.

[david r]

I love Nightcrawler's tail taking out of the guard, and the panels of the X-Men struggling to withstand Banshee's reverb (especially the picture of Colossus plugging his ears). And I salute Sean's valiant effort, but I know of a much easier way to stop the Magnum Force...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/MagnumCondom.gif


HA! Very humorous. I would like to see the Magnum Force versus Giant-Size Man-Thing!

I too like'd Nightcrawler taking out the guard, and Kurt mentioning he just couldn't kill the guard, the way Wolverine surely would have. I also liked the scene of Ororo noticing these new X-Men have become a family.

DDM, I too liked the irony of Misty Knight knowing Jean isn't dead, and the X-Men believing Jean is. All it would have taken is ONE WORD by Misty Knight, and the X-Men would have learned Jean Grey was alive. But naturally, our poor mutants suffer still.

I wonder if the flirting with Scott and Colleen Wing ever lead anywhere? And Logan surely would have been angry at Scott for flirting so soon after Jean's "death". As for Mastermind following Jean, this all happens in issues of Classic X-Men? Because we haven't seen Mastermind yet in the new X-Men issues.

[worstblogever]

Moses Magnum definitely got an upgrade since being in Power Man.

Banshee FTW! Although, damn does it suck that this would be one of his many "downtime" moments. Sean's voice went out at least twice during his time in the X-books, that I can think of. Damned shame.

I like Misty and Colleen... but did including them in a whole Japanese battle where Banshee and Sunfire were already returning seem like it got a bit crowded in the book? I'm leaning in that direction.

[Jimmy Starburst]

I like Misty and Colleen... but did including them in a whole Japanese battle where Banshee and Sunfire were already returning seem like it got a bit crowded in the book? I'm leaning in that direction.

I don't know.. I'm not too familiar with these characters and what they can do, but I think they worked well as supporting characters, and their appearance didn't feel like a forced, "From the pages of POWER MAN - Misty Knight and Colleen Wing!!!" 1970s guest appearance. (Although it does seem a bit of a contrivance that one of the few Japanese characters in the MU happens to be the niece of the Japanese Prime Minister.) Anyway, X-Men at this time seems like a bit of sausage fest, so I take the hot women as they come.

One thing I really liked about Claremont's run was the rich supporting cast that he developed - the Muir Islanders, Lee Forrester, Tom Corsi, etc. - and it saddens me to think that most of them were quickly jettisoned after he left.

[DDM]

DDM, I too liked the irony of Misty Knight knowing Jean isn't dead, and the X-Men believing Jean is. All it would have taken is ONE WORD by Misty Knight, and the X-Men would have learned Jean Grey was alive. But naturally, our poor mutants suffer still.

Misty just believes she's on vacation & not a member of the team. I don't think Misty needs to tell Scott about Jean. Which made the scene that much more rich.

As for Mastermind following Jean, this all happens in issues of Classic X-Men? Because we haven't seen Mastermind yet in the new X-Men issues.


From this point, it's all behind the scenes. In the original stories, we see Mastermind explain in Uncanny X-Men #125 he's been with Jean since she left the mansion which is around Uncanny X-Men #117. After Wyngarde reveals Warhawk's benefactors are the Hellfire Club, Mastermind took action because of the bugging of Cerebro to listen in on everything. Simultaneously, the Hellfire Club learns every X-Man's strength & weaknesses.

Classic X-Men #24 reveals a little more of Mastermind's ambush of Jean Grey as he takes on the facade of Nikos. The White Queen's mindtap mechanism gives Mastermind artificial telepathy & the ability to project his illusions directly into Jean's mind; therefore, he learns her heart's desire & gives it to Jean while bringing Jean's dark side to the surface. The mindtap mechanism also prevents Jean's telepathy from spotting Mastermind's illusions.

At first, Mastermind believes Jean Grey to be Marvel Girl with a different name; however, even after he discovers he is wrong, he still continues to subvert Grey. Mastermind uses Jean's fears as Phoenix against her. To him, Phoenix is all the more important a pawn because--as Phoenix--she is so much more powerful than he expected. Unfortunately for Mastermind, Jean uses her powers against him after she breaks from his brainwashing in Uncanny X-Men #134....

I wonder if the flirting with Scott and Colleen Wing ever lead anywhere? And Logan surely would have been angry at Scott for flirting so soon after Jean's "death".

Colleen gives Scott her number, but he does nothing with it since Jean is discovered alive in Uncanny X-Men #125. Scott drops Colleen like a rock.

[Henry T.]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/newmsgt/35822474849.jpg

[david r]

Worstblogever, yes it's a shame Banshee has gotten hurt. It feels like they may write him out of the book. Which is too bad because he's one of my favorites.

Jimmy Starburst, I agree completely about Claremont's great supporting cast. I really miss a lot of those characters now.

DDM, Scott isn't always a caring person, apparently. He seems to have a track record of immediately finding new love when Jean Grey is dead. In this instance, I don't blame Logan for being angry with him over his non-reaction to Jean's "death".

Henry T, thanks for the cool Phoenix panel!!

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.120.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #120

"Wanted: Wolverine! Dead or Alive"

1st appearance: Alpha Flight (Sasquatch, Northstar, Aurora, Shaman, Snowbird)

The X-Men are departing Japan, after their Moses Magnum battle. Kind of awesome to think the X-Men just saved Japan from sinking. Pretty amazing achievement. Sunfire seems to have mellowed, as he shakes hands with Scott Summers. Sunfire actually says "Thank you" and he was proud to fight by their side. Will wonders never cease? Wolverine says farewell to Mariko and she says he is very beautiful. Wolvie tells her his name is Logan. Ain't love grand?

The mutants, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing all take-off in a jet, headed for home. But a weird weather pattern suddenly engulfs the plane, and changes course each time they do!! The two pilots (both women, which I doubt this being 1978) are worried, and one awakens Scott, sleeping blissfully with Colleen on a couch. (Oh, Scott is a sly devil.) The plane finally makes to Calgary, Canada and as it sets-down on the landing pad, James Hudson aka Vindicator stands on the tarmac, ordering Wolverine out of the plane. Suddenly, a huge hairy beast appears and halts the plane with powerfully hands. The creature ( Sasquatch ) lifts the airplane and smashes it into a hangar. Our heroes escape unscathed, using Ororo's storm powers.

The heroes head thru the Calgary airport (there is a person reading a newspaper which says Terry--ink this now! Byrne. Very amusing) . They split up, and poor Nightcrawler is taken down by two flying figures with black & white uniforms. Sean, Ororo and Colleen enter a Calgary mall so Ororo can get new clothing. Vindicator attacks the mall, locating them. Banshee tries to use his sonic scream, but collapses to the floor in agony. Ororo becomes enraged and lashes out at Vindicator with her elemental powers. Vindicator takes off, not wanting to endanger civilians in a protracted battle. Meanwhile, Wolverine is roaming the streets of Calgary (John Byrne seems to take delight in drawing many shops and dives in the artwork!) Sasquatch suddenly grabs Logan and throws him around roughly. Wolverine is knocked unconscious and Sasquatch carries him off to rejoin Alpha Flight!!

My thoughts: Alpha Flight make their amazing debut! But except for Vindicator, we never get a real good look at the other individual members. Hopefully, #121 will showcase the whole team more clearly. The idea of a Canadian super-team intrigues me. Plus, I enjoyed all the little touches John Byrne drew from Calgary. Byrne is Canadian, so I assume he was using real places. I'm wondering if "Johnny" Byrne makes a cameo in #120?

[Jimmy Starburst]

great issue, great cover! i'm sorry, but sometimes i just wish dave cockrum would go away, we need more of this Byrne gold.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.120.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #120

"Wanted: Wolverine! Dead or Alive"

1st appearance: Alpha Flight (Sasquatch, Northstar, Aurora, Shaman, Snowbird)

The X-Men are departing Japan, after their Moses Magnum battle. Kind of awesome to think the X-Men just saved Japan from sinking. Pretty amazing achievement. Sunfire seems to have mellowed, as he shakes hands with Scott Summers. Sunfire actually says "Thank you" and he was proud to fight by their side. Will wonders never cease? Wolverine says farewell to Mariko and she says he is very beautiful. Wolvie tells her his name is Logan. Ain't love grand?

The mutants, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing all take-off in a jet, headed for home. But a weird weather pattern suddenly engulfs the plane, and changes course each time they do!! The two pilots (both women, which I doubt this being 1978) are worried, and one awakens Scott, sleeping blissfully with Colleen on a couch. (Oh, Scott is a sly devil.) The plane finally makes to Calgary, Canada and as it sets-down on the landing pad, James Hudson aka Vindicator stands on the tarmac, ordering Wolverine out of the plane. Suddenly, a huge hairy beast appears and halts the plane with powerfully hands. The creature ( Sasquatch ) lifts the airplane and smashes it into a hangar. Our heroes escape unscathed, using Ororo's storm powers.

The heroes head thru the Calgary airport (there is a person reading a newspaper which says Terry--ink this now! Byrne. Very amusing) . They split up, and poor Nightcrawler is taken down by two flying figures with black & white uniforms. Sean, Ororo and Colleen enter a Calgary mall so Ororo can get new clothing. Vindicator attacks the mall, locating them. Banshee tries to use his sonic scream, but collapses to the floor in agony. Ororo becomes enraged and lashes out at Vindicator with her elemental powers. Vindicator takes off, not wanting to endanger civilians in a protracted battle. Meanwhile, Wolverine is roaming the streets of Calgary (John Byrne seems to take delight in drawing many shops and dives in the artwork!) Sasquatch suddenly grabs Logan and throws him around roughly. Wolverine is knocked unconscious and Sasquatch carries him off to rejoin Alpha Flight!!

My thoughts: Alpha Flight make their amazing debut! But except for Vindicator, we never get a real good look at the other individual members. Hopefully, #121 will showcase the whole team more clearly. The idea of a Canadian super-team intrigues me. Plus, I enjoyed all the little touches John Byrne drew from Calgary. Byrne is Canadian, so I assume he was using real places. I'm wondering if "Johnny" Byrne makes a cameo in #120?

While she is the "unreachable, untouchable goddess," Ororo rarely loses her temper, yet Storm cuts loose in a mall when she spots Weapon Alpha now calling himself Vindictator. This small display just shows Ororo is human. It's also a small slice of things to come after Storm returns from space being abducted by the Brood...

Chris Claremont & John Byrne teases the reader with the rest of Alpha Flight. The real fireworks don't start until next issue.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.121.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #121

"Shoot-Out at the Stampede"

Alpha Flight are finally shown in their full glory. Here is the team:

Sasquatch: Dr. Walter Langkowski, a Professor of BioPhysics, he can turn himself into a gargantuan furry beast, with orange fur. He has power equivalent to the Incredible Hulk, and his long arms remind one of the Beast.
Shaman: Michael Twoyoungmen, (which has to be the oddest name in comics!). He is a doctor and his mutant power is to work spells and magics.
Snowbird: Anne McKenzie, whose power is a shape-shifter. She turns into an owl this issue. Her look & costume reminds me of a Caucasian Storm for some reason.
Northstar: Jean-Paul Beaubier, a Olympic ski champion. He wears a black & white costume and has the power of speed, like Quicksilver.
Aurora: Jeannie-Marie Beaubier, a teacher. Didn't notice her power displayed.
Vindicator: formerly Weapon Alpha, James Hudson wears a costume similiar to the Canadian flag. Hudson is the team leader, and an associate of Wolverine from the past.

Nightcrawler & Wolverine have been captured by Alpha Flight and are being held in the Calgary Stampede, an outdoor-show arena. Colossus, Cyclops and Storm break in searching for their lost teammates. Banshee (still injured), Colleen Wing and Misty Knight hold back. The 2 hostage X-Men are found in a giant field, and as our mutants attempt to free them, Alpha Flight make their stand in all their Canadian glory. A massive battle breaks out between the two opposing teams, which takes up most of #121. The Alphans powers are very impressive, and they do well against the X-Men. John Byrne makes a cameo, as John and his wife/girlfriend (?) Darice are in a restaurant as the huge storm smashes into the place!!

The raging storm created by Shaman in #120 is growing in intensity, and has reached across nearly all of Canada and into the northern U.S. Storm flies above the hurricane, and uses her awesome weather-power to channel the storm upwards to her, funnelling it out across the continent. Ororo saves the day!! As she returns, Ororo is suckered-punched by that louse Northstar. The battle almost begins again, when Wolverine suddenly announces he quits and will reluctantly return to Canada and the Weapon X program. The X-Men cannot believe it, but respect his decision. Hours later, the team are onboard another plane headed back to the States, when they discover Wolverine onboard!! There's not a cell in the world that can keep the canucklehead trapped. He broke free & returned to the X-Men! They break out the "drinking' stuff" to celebrate!!

My thoughts: Alpha Flight were awesome. I hope we see more of them, and their colorful roster. As for Wolverine, his arrogant side seems to have lessened, as he made a decision in #121 which benefited his teammates and not himself. Likewise, at the conclusion of #121, Cyclops and the X-Men decide to turn around their plane and break Wolvie out of Canada, no matter what. This just shows what selfless heroes they are and count Wolverine as a friend and X-Man now. Logan has finally been accepted.

[david r]

Northstar and Aurora have more than a passing resemblance to another mutant brother & sister: Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. I don't mean in their appearance, but powers and relationship. Northstar even has the same power as Quicksilver: lightning-fast speed.

Going back to the Japan story, it seems sad that our X-Men saved Japan from sinking, and yet will get ZERO credit for it. The Avengers or Fantastic Four would get a parade, but the X-Men get nothing. It's sad to be a mutant. :(

[CJ Lentze]

I think it is a pity that Misty Knight isn't let in on any action. So far, she has guested in NINE issues of 'X-Men', and her role has been minimal. And especially now that the Banshee's power has given out, the X-Men could use the extra muscle. Though I could understand that the kinds of villains the X-Men usually fight are a little bit out of Misty's league, despite her bionic arm- it still would have been cool to see her take out a Mandroid.The raging storm created by Shaman in #120 is growing in intensity, and has reached across nearly all of Canada and into the northern U.S. Storm flies above the hurricane, and uses her awesome weather-power to channel the storm upwards to her, funnelling it out across the continent.That part of the issue was awesome, not only because of the scope of the forces Storm was dealing with, but also because this was the first time Storm's powers were explained; that she sees currents and such as energy patterns, and that she guides them through herself, instead of simply controlling them. Of all the X-Men's powers, Storm's used to be the least credible to me. That changed when I first read this issue.

As for Wolverine, his arrogant side seems to have lessened, as he made a decision in #121 which benefited his teammates and not himself. Likewise, at the conclusion of #121, Cyclops and the X-Men decide to turn around their plane and break Wolvie out of Canada, no matter what. This just shows what selfless heroes they are and count Wolverine as a friend and X-Man now. Logan has finally been accepted.Oh, yes, this was basically what the issue was about. The final page reveal with Wolverine sitting in the front seat of the plane was the funniest thing. Scott and Logan may not necessarily be the best of friends, but they certainly respect each other -having fought side by side for the same cause.

I think this aspect of the new X-Men is something that comes forward for the first time in these 'trek-from-the-Savage-Land-back-to-Westchester' issues. Many folks -including readers who sent in letters, are of the opinion that after 'Showdown' 'X-Men' slumped from 'excellence to mere quality'. I'm of the opposite opinion. With every issue, the new X-Men blend more fluidly as a team, both in battle and on a personal level. It is as Ororo noted in issue 119: they started as strangers, and have grown into a family.

I agree that Alpha Flight was awesome, and made a nice foil for the X-Men (it was about time they fought a super team again). What made the battle more interesting, was that Alpha Flight is a group of heroes, as opposed to villains. They are all concerned with the well-being of civilians, themselves- they also believe they are doing the right thing. (The parallels between Northstar and Quicksilver weren't lost on me, but more subtle was the similarity between Cyclops and the Vindicator, not only in the slim, cowled costume design, but also in the by-the-rules boyscout attitude both of them have.) The slightly exaggerated Canadian theme of the Flight caused reactions of praise as well as irritation from Canadian readers.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.121.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #121

"Shoot-Out at the Stampede"

Alpha Flight are finally shown in their full glory. Here is the team:

Sasquatch: Dr. Walter Langkowski, a Professor of BioPhysics, he can turn himself into a gargantuan furry beast, with orange fur. He has power equivalent to the Incredible Hulk, and his long arms remind one of the Beast.
Shaman: Michael Twoyoungmen, (which has to be the oddest name in comics!). He is a doctor and his mutant power is to work spells and magics.
Snowbird: Anne McKenzie, whose power is a shape-shifter. She turns into an owl this issue. Her look & costume reminds me of a Caucasian Storm for some reason.
Northstar: Jean-Paul Beaubier, a Olympic ski champion. He wears a black & white costume and has the power of speed, like Quicksilver.
Aurora: Jeannie-Marie Beaubier, a teacher. Didn't notice her power displayed.
Vindicator: formerly Weapon Alpha, James Hudson wears a costume similiar to the Canadian flag. Hudson is the team leader, and an associate of Wolverine from the past.

Nightcrawler & Wolverine have been captured by Alpha Flight and are being held in the Calgary Stampede, an outdoor-show arena. Colossus, Cyclops and Storm break in searching for their lost teammates. Banshee (still injured), Colleen Wing and Misty Knight hold back. The 2 hostage X-Men are found in a giant field, and as our mutants attempt to free them, Alpha Flight make their stand in all their Canadian glory. A massive battle breaks out between the two opposing teams, which takes up most of #121. The Alphans powers are very impressive, and they do well against the X-Men. John Byrne makes a cameo, as John and his wife/girlfriend (?) Darice are in a restaurant as the huge storm smashes into the place!!

The raging storm created by Shaman in #120 is growing in intensity, and has reached across nearly all of Canada and into the northern U.S. Storm flies above the hurricane, and uses her awesome weather-power to channel the storm upwards to her, funnelling it out across the continent. Ororo saves the day!! As she returns, Ororo is suckered-punched by that louse Northstar. The battle almost begins again, when Wolverine suddenly announces he quits and will reluctantly return to Canada and the Weapon X program. The X-Men cannot believe it, but respect his decision. Hours later, the team are onboard another plane headed back to the States, when they discover Wolverine onboard!! There's not a cell in the world that can keep the canucklehead trapped. He broke free & returned to the X-Men! They break out the "drinking' stuff" to celebrate!!

My thoughts: Alpha Flight were awesome. I hope we see more of them, and their colorful roster. As for Wolverine, his arrogant side seems to have lessened, as he made a decision in #121 which benefited his teammates and not himself. Likewise, at the conclusion of #121, Cyclops and the X-Men decide to turn around their plane and break Wolvie out of Canada, no matter what. This just shows what selfless heroes they are and count Wolverine as a friend and X-Man now. Logan has finally been accepted.

Alpha Flight finally make their debut & they prove themselves to be a match against the X-Men. However, the spotlight is really on Storm as she disrupts Shaman's mystical blizzard; a feat that almost kills Ororo! She literally spent HOURS disrupting the storm by tapping into the Earth's electrical potential. Afterwards, Storm is decked by Northstar, an action that shows Jean-Paul to be rather vindictive himself.

Although Snowbird is introduced an Ann McKenzie, she is actually the demi-goddess Narya. "Ann McKenzie" is as much a lie as her mortal form. Snowbird's true nature is hinted at in Uncanny X-Men #139-140 before it's completely revealed in Alpha Flight series.

[david r]

I think it is a pity that Misty Knight isn't let in on any action. So far, she has guested in NINE issues of 'X-Men', and her role has been minimal.

I agree, I liked seeing Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. They give the book a real "late 70s" feel, which I like. Misty has her bionic arm, and big gun. But as you say, I doubt she would be much help against Magneto or Sauron. As for the pretty Colleen, I had completely forgotten her and Scott Summers flirted so much.

Scott and Logan may not necessarily be the best of friends, but they certainly respect each other -having fought side by side for the same cause.

I have sensed reading these issues, that Wolverine has grown a begrudging respect for Cyclops. Wolvie stopping Cyclops from punching down Northstar in #121 showed how Wolverine is calming down a bit.

I think this aspect of the new X-Men is something that comes forward for the first time in these 'trek-from-the-Savage-Land-back-to-Westchester' issues. Many folks -including readers who sent in letters, are of the opinion that after 'Showdown' 'X-Men' slumped from 'excellence to mere quality'. I'm of the opposite opinion.

Is it just me, or has this book gotten better & better? I think with Uncanny X-Men #105 it's been a non-stop whirlwind of adventures, and I'm surprised those fan letters felt that way, as these issues were redefining superhero comics in 1977-78. But many comics fans still thumbed their nose at X-MEN in those days, so people still hadn't discovered it yet.

but more subtle was the similarity between Cyclops and the Vindicator, not only in the slim, cowled costume design, but also in the by-the-rules boyscout attitude both of them have.) The slightly exaggerated Canadian theme of the Flight caused reactions of praise as well as irritation from Canadian readers.

I too noticed similarities between Cyclops and Vindicator. Especially their costume design. I'm surprised those Canadian fans didn't like it, as John Byrne (a Canadian) seemed to take great care in drawing Calgary with detail. I even suspect this whole Canada tale was done thanks to Mr. Byrne.

DDM, I agree about Storm playing the major role in #121. It's becoming apparent she is the most powerful X-Man (second only to Phoenix.) I thought it was cute Ororo trying on clothes in the shopping mall in #120!!

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.122.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #122

"Cry for the Children"

1st appearance: Salem Center, Jason Wyngarde

At long last, our heroes return to the Xavier mansion, which they haven't been to since #110. Professor Xavier is gone, off to the Sh'iar homeworld titled Imperial Center, where Princess Lilandra is ascending to the throne. :) The Mansion has laid moth-balled, and the X-Men are in the process of cleaning things up. We see the Danger Room again, after a long absence. Thus begins The trial of Colossus!! Colossus has a difficult time holding back a hydraulic press (see cover) which should be easy for our metallic hunk. But his feelings of "not pulling his weight" are draining his powers. Wolverine figures out a way for Peter to smash the hydraulic press, but leaves Wolvie with the task of repairing the damge that is caused.

Meanwhile, in Northern Scotland, Jean Grey is shopping and runs into a well-dressed fellow named Jason Wyngarde. Jean continues on her merry way, but Jason stands watching her, lighting a cigarette and thinking how she will soon love him. And how Jean will soon belong to the Hellfire Club. His shadow on the wall looks eerily...familiar!! We are introduced to Salem Center, a small township in Westchester County. Scott and Colleen do some business there, and then Scott sees Colleen Wing off on a train, she leaves him a key to her apartment, if Scott should ever visit New York!!

The main crux of #122 is Ororo's tale, as Ororo arrives in Harlem. Dropped off by Logan in Charles Xavier's Rolls-Royce (last seen in the 1960s), Ororo finds the apartment building her parents lived in, and she was raised in. It is now a filthy, rat-infested slum, and as Ororo enters her old apartment, it is filled with druggies and lowlifes. (This room has much graffiti on the walls, and it is all "in-jokes" of Marvel creators at the time. You can find Chris '76, Stern High Society, Dave & Paty, Orz, Marc Gruenwald's name, etc. Very cute!) The druggies don't take kindly to this stranger, and begin attacking her with knives. Ororo stops them with her elemental powers--as well as Power Man and Misty Knight show up and smash down the troubled youths. Ororo is still deeply saddened to see her parents home defiled so. The last two pages bring back Black Tom Cassidy and Juggernaut, who are paying someone to "off" the X-Men. That someone turns out to be the wildman--- Arcade!! For next issue!

My thoughts: Storm's return to her Harlem roots was sad. Too bad Power Man didn't do more this issue. As for Scott and Colleen----what is SO ATTRACTIVE about Scott Summers? That so many gorgeous women fall for this guy? He's gloomy, moody, no sense of humor, and wears glasses all the time. What do women see in him??? I kid.

[CJ Lentze]

I too noticed similarities between Cyclops and Vindicator. Especially their costume design. I'm surprised those Canadian fans didn't like it, as John Byrne (a Canadian) seemed to take great care in drawing Calgary with detail. I even suspect this whole Canada tale was done thanks to Mr. Byrne.I did say both praise and irritation from Canadian readers. :D Checking the letters pages of a couple issues forward, I count three positive letters from Canadian readers (who were pleased with both the depiction of Calgary and the creation of a Canadian superhero team), and one negative letter, from one Laura Webb; among other things, she felt that the arctic weather was an exaggeration, and that Alpha Flight were written as a belligerent and clumsy group. But the editors -or was it Chris?- said the issue wasn't meant to ridicule Canada, and emphasised that the weather was a freak storm caused by Shaman.

[david r]

and that Alpha Flight were written as a belligerent and clumsy group.

It's always fun to read those old letters. I always wonder if any of those fans are still reading the books now.

Why would that negative letter have thought Alpha Flight clumsy? They were taking apart the X-Men in #121. Even Wolverine noticed the X-Men looked like amateurs, because the Alphans were using teamwork.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.122.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #122

"Cry for the Children"

1st appearance: Salem Center, Jason Wyngarde

At long last, our heroes return to the Xavier mansion, which they haven't been to since #110. Professor Xavier is gone, off to the Sh'iar homeworld titled Imperial Center, where Princess Lilandra is ascending to the throne. :) The Mansion has laid moth-balled, and the X-Men are in the process of cleaning things up. We see the Danger Room again, after a long absence. Thus begins The trial of Colossus!! Colossus has a difficult time holding back a hydraulic press (see cover) which should be easy for our metallic hunk. But his feelings of "not pulling his weight" are draining his powers. Wolverine figures out a way for Peter to smash the hydraulic press, but leaves Wolvie with the task of repairing the damge that is caused.

Meanwhile, in Northern Scotland, Jean Grey is shopping and runs into a well-dressed fellow named Jason Wyngarde. Jean continues on her merry way, but Jason stands watching her, lighting a cigarette and thinking how she will soon love him. And how Jean will soon belong to the Hellfire Club. His shadow on the wall looks eerily...familiar!! We are introduced to Salem Center, a small township in Westchester County. Scott and Colleen do some business there, and then Scott sees Colleen Wing off on a train, she leaves him a key to her apartment, if Scott should ever visit New York!!

The main crux of #122 is Ororo's tale, as Ororo arrives in Harlem. Dropped off by Logan in Charles Xavier's Rolls-Royce (last seen in the 1960s), Ororo finds the apartment building her parents lived in, and she was raised in. It is now a filthy, rat-infested slum, and as Ororo enters her old apartment, it is filled with druggies and lowlifes. (This room has much graffiti on the walls, and it is all "in-jokes" of Marvel creators at the time. You can find Chris '76, Stern High Society, Dave & Paty, Orz, Marc Gruenwald's name, etc. Very cute!) The druggies don't take kindly to this stranger, and begin attacking her with knives. Ororo stops them with her elemental powers--as well as Power Man and Misty Knight show up and smash down the troubled youths. Ororo is still deeply saddened to see her parents home defiled so. The last two pages bring back Black Tom Cassidy and Juggernaut, who are paying someone to "off" the X-Men. That someone turns out to be the wildman--- Arcade!! For next issue!

My thoughts: Storm's return to her Harlem roots was sad. Too bad Power Man didn't do more this issue. As for Scott and Colleen----what is SO ATTRACTIVE about Scott Summers? That so many gorgeous women fall for this guy? He's gloomy, moody, no sense of humor, and wears glasses all the time. What do women see in him??? I kid.

Like earlier issues, Uncanny X-Men #122 explores Ororo's past, but this is different since she sees what has happened to her home in present day. It's not good. Ororo's once grand, beautiful apartment is now a run-down drug infested den of addicts. Ororo again displays a rare moment of anger when she is cut by a knife by one of those same drug addicts strung out on dope. I also like the unexpected cameo of Misty Knight & Luke Cage!

Jason Wyngarde makes his "first" appearance, although, in truth, he's been with Jean Grey since she first left Xavier's mansion since Uncanny X-Men #117. Jason accidentally bumps into Jean, introducing himself. Jean naturally finds Jason attractive. Why not? Jason Wyngarde has molded himself into the image of Jean's ideal man. I like the dark undercurrents this seemingly innocent scene possesses. It's very powerful in its understatement.

[CJ Lentze]

It's always fun to read those old letters. I always wonder if any of those fans are still reading the books now.Ann Nichols still is. She even posts right here on CBR. She was there when Nightcrawler joined the team, and she's still a fan of Kurt.


So, 'Cry For The Children'. This is the first real downtime issue in 'X-Men', the first issue that isn't dedicated to a 'villain of the month'. Also, we finally see the Danger Room again, after the X-Men have finally returned to the mansion. Logan helps Colossus confronting his demons... but that doesn't mean he's excused from cleaning up the mess he helped make. :D Colossus' doubts came from out of the blue in the Japan two-parter (he did well against Magneto and in the Savage Land), but now they're at least explained a bit further. (and yes, his doubts would be touched upon again soon in a future issue, but I prefer holding on to the 'no mention of future events' rule in the brilliant build-up of these classic storylines.)
This was also the first time we see Peter's full name, with the patronymic 'Nikolaievitch' in the middle.

It is by no means a bad issue, but it was daring for its time, I guess. The pace of the previous action-packed issues is noticeably broken with this one. Nowadays, we are used to these downtime issues, though this early one is sort of all over the place, presenting a collage of the main characters and their feelings. Colossus is on the cover, although his part is not that important this issue. The 'Classic X-Men' reprint has Storm and the addicted youngsters on the cover, which I feel is as it should be. Luke Cage tells Storm that 'superheroes can save humanity from Doctor Doom or Galactus, but not from itself'. It sounds bitter, at first, but maybe Claremont was saying that there are problems that can't be solved with a wave of the arm, but instead can only be solved through a re-structuring of society, by the efforts of those members of society who have it (relatively) easy.

[david r]

DDM, calling Jason Wyngarde's meeting with Jean Grey "dark undercurrents" is a good way to put it. Though maybe the creative team here let the "cat out of the bag" too early with Jason's shadow.

Ann Nichols still is. She even posts right here on CBR. She was there when Nightcrawler joined the team, and she's still a fan of Kurt.

I know about Ann Nichols. She and I conversed for several months at Comix-Fan in 2004. Ann has the rare honor of having Chris Claremont create a character based on her in Excalibur (2004) called Book. Book was Ann Nichols.

There is another "in-joke" in Excalibur based on Ann Nichols' theories about Magneto at that time. ( Phil Hunn is also immortalized in a 2004 issue of Uncanny X-Men. ) Phil is the young dude about to throw a steel chair at Ororo in a club, around UXM #448 or 449. This was Phil Hunn. Claremont used to do this stuff.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.123.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #123

"Listen--Stop Me if You've Heard It--But This One will Kill You!"

1st appearance: Colonel Alexei Vazhin

That crazy Pinball Wizard of death named Arcade makes his X-MEN debut, sending our mutants into his MurderWorld! :eek: Before X-Box, PS3 or Wii there were arcades and pinball machines. For the X-Men, it spelled...DEATH!! :evilsmile

Spider-Man guest-stars, as he is nearby when Scott and new-girlfriend Colleen Wing are kidnapped by Arcade's baddies. (Right in front of Doctor Strange's home!) I think Bernard the Poet of Coffee A'Go-Go fame makes a cameo on Page Two, as well!! Meanwhile, Kurt Wagner and Peter Rasputin are on a date with Amanda Sefton and Betsy when they are also nabbed by the mysterious Ms. Locke. (Do we know anything about this lady?) Wolverine has had a dinner with Mariko Yashida, at the Japanese consulate when he's captured. And to round up the captures, Banshee & Ororo are zapped by Arcade himself within the Xavier Mansion.

As the X-Men awaken, groggy, they are within lucite spheres inside a huge pinball machine! Arcade draws back the giant hammer and the sphere-balls go bouncing all over this mammoth pinball machine. CLING-CLING-A-CLING CLING!! Ah, who doesn't like playing some pinball? Finally, each ball drops into a separate chute which takes them to different chambers. Each X-Man is faced with dangers and threats within this Murderworld. Colossus is in a darkened room, and enter Colonel Alexei Vazhin of the KBG. He wears odd glasses with one lens darker than the other one. He accuses poor Piotr of being a traitor to the working masses of Mother Russia. What would comrade Stalin say? As this is going on, each X-Man does battle with their assorted Murderworld threats, but Cyclops out-thinks his, and smashes through into the chamber holding Wolverine. As they are about to leave, Wolvie gets punched in the fan by Colossus---who now wears a suit sporting CCCP and Lenin's face and the hammer & sickle of the Soviet Union. Peter proclaims himself the Proletarian-- Workers' Hero of the Soviet Union. His first mission is to smash the X-Men!!

My thoughts: Bell-bottoms, pinball machines and Arcade. You know it's the superfly days of the 1970s in this issue. I LOVE IT!! As for Comrade Vazhin, it seems odd his first appearance. It cannot really be him, right? It must be a robot, because why would the KGB be helping a capitalist agent of the decadent West like Arcade?

[DDM]

DDM, calling Jason Wyngarde's meeting with Jean Grey "dark undercurrents" is a good way to put it. Though maybe the creative team here let the "cat out of the bag" too early with Jason's shadow.

I think most readers were thrown off about Jason Wyngarde given his handsome appearance in contrast to Mastermind. Jason's shadow is a hint of his true nature, but I don't think it revealed anything. Mastermind does not have telepathic powers, yet Jason Wyngarde does. However, Wyngarde seems to know an awful lot about the original X-Men.

Jason's shadow is seen once more in Uncanny X-Men #131 before he reveals himself to Cyclops in Uncanny X-Men #132.

[Dagger]

I think most readers were thrown off about Jason Wyngarde given his handsome appearance in contrast to Mastermind. Jason's shadow is a hint of his true nature, but I don't think it revealed anything. Mastermind does not have telepathic powers, yet Jason Wyngarde does. However, Wyngarde seems to know an awful lot about the original X-Men.

Jason's shadow is seen once more in Uncanny X-Men #131 before he reveals himself to Cyclops in Uncanny X-Men #132.
Wouldn't it make sense that all illusion casters have some low level telepathic powers? Plus, it was said in a later issue that the White Queen and he built a device to tap into Jean's consciousness, so you could say that the info he gleaned was from being tapped into Jean's mind, and access to her memories and/or her telepathic powers?

[DDM]

Wouldn't it make sense that all illusion casters have some low level telepathic powers? Plus, it was said in a later issue that the White Queen and he built a device to tap into Jean's consciousness, so you could say that the info he gleaned was from being tapped into Jean's mind, and access to her memories and/or her telepathic powers?

Mastermind is a mutant who creates real illusions; the victim will react to these illusions as if they are real, although they know otherwise. However, in Phoenix's case, the White Queen's mindtap mechanism gave Mastermind artificial telepathy he used for these reasons:


The mindtap mechanism hid Mastermind's illusions from Jean's telepathy; therefore, she would not be able to detect his illusions with her powers.
Wyngarde used the mindtap mechanism to shape himself into a man of Jean's ideal man. At the same time, Mastermind would slowly bring Jean's dark side to the surface.
Mastermind exploited Jean's fragile psyche with the loss of the X-Men & her fears about her powers as Phoenix. Originally, Mastermind believed Jean Grey to simply be Marvel Girl with a different name, but he learned otherwise that this is not the case. Yet he continued to subvert Jean because of the power she wields as Phoenix. Phoenix's corruption is a means to an end to become a member of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.


In Wyngarde's case, he never possessed telepathy at all. He cast sophisticated illusions. It's why Scott, at first, exclaims how can Mastermind possess telepathy? Then Jean--after she breaks free from his control--does the same thing, but Mastermind tells Jean everything since Mastermind is terrified of what the Hellfire Club & he has unwittingly unleashed by tampering with Phoenix's mind.

Without the mindtap mechanism, Mastermind would have NEVER seduced Jean Grey since her telepathy would have shattered Mastermind's illusions. The Hellfire Club plays a key role in transforming Jean Grey into the Black Queen.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.124.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #124

"He Only Laughs When I Hurt"

The Arcade arc ends here, as the X-Men outwit MurderWorld. I can't help but notice similiarites between Arcade and the Joker. The colorful clothes, the witty laughter, the homicidal yet amusing crime capers. We also learn Arcade's origin in #124, as he was your basic poor little rich kid, spoiled rotten. When he turned 21, Daddy said he was no good...and cut off his allowance. So Arcade cut off his life!! :p He then built his elaborate MurderWorld with Daddy's fortune, and became the most offbeat assassin in history.

Our various X-Men are fighting for their lives in MurderWorld. All except Peter Rasputin, who has been brainwashed into the Proletarian! Storm nearly drowns in a chamber filled with water. Wolverine & Banshee are trapped in a section titled BattleStarWars: 1999. Banshee is basically helpless in here, as his sonic scream is all but gone. Robotic Magneto and Hulk attack Wolvie and Sean. Our fuzzy elf Nightcrawler foils Arcade's plans by bamfing into his control center, grabbing a rifle and blowing up the control mechanisms.

In the end, everything becomes undone, all except the Proletarian, who corners our heroes and knocks several of them out. He grabs Cyclops and Storm by the neck and is suffocating them. Gasping for breath, they try to reason with him, to no avail. Until Ororo reminds Piotr of how close these new X-Men have become. How they've become like a family. He is even the brother she never had. This emotional crescendo breaks through to Colossus' and he suddenly realizes what he's doing. He lets go and hugs his friends! They saved him!! Arcade realizes he's lost, and sends all the X-Men out in a giant pinball straight through a "Tunnel of Love" into an abandoned Bronx amusement center (Coney Island?) The kidnapped Amanda Sefton, Betsy and Colleen Wing are delivered to our heroes in parachutes, wrapped up like Christmas packages!!

[Kid Icarus]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.124.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #124

"He Only Laughs When I Hurt"

The Arcade arc ends here, as the X-Men outwit MurderWorld. I can't help but notice similiarites between Arcade and the Joker. The clothes, the witty laughter, the homicidal yet amusing crime capers. We also learn Arcade's origin in #124, as he was your basic poor little rich kid, spoiled rotten. When he turned 21, Daddy said he was no good...and cut off his allowance. So Arcade cut off his life!! :p He then built his elaborate MurderWorld with Daddy's fortune, and became the most offbeat assassin in history.

I wish Colossus still wore that costume

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.124.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #124

"He Only Laughs When I Hurt"

The Arcade arc ends here, as the X-Men outwit MurderWorld. I can't help but notice similiarites between Arcade and the Joker. The clothes, the witty laughter, the homicidal yet amusing crime capers. We also learn Arcade's origin in #124, as he was your basic poor little rich kid, spoiled rotten. When he turned 21, Daddy said he was no good...and cut off his allowance. So Arcade cut off his life!! :p He then built his elaborate MurderWorld with Daddy's fortune, and became the most offbeat assassin in history.

Agreed on Colossus' outfit. Some have clamored for it to be a "skin" option for him in X-Men Legends or Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Arcade's a great change of pace villain. He's hokey, and his all time W/L record is certainly leaning towards losses. But he lets the heroes flex their muscles, and show him up every time. They often use Arcade as a mini-boss or Murderworld as a stage in video games.

If memory serves, they actually made a Spidey & the X-Men video game that revolved around him, solely for Sega Genesis back in the day...

[Butters]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.124.GIF


That cover rules. Definitely Piotr's best outfit.

[creaky]

Our fuzzy elf Nightcrawler foils Arcade's plans by bamfing into his control center, grabbing a rifle and blowing up the control mechanisms.

Ahhh, back when Kurt actually did stuff.

[Jimmy Starburst]

god i hate Arcade. but you know Claremont just loved him, the amount of times this shiteous character gets used. i know this is a 70s comic, but really.

things i liked about this storyline (like everyone else): Colossus as The Proletarian and Nightcrawler's sabotage of Arcade's machinery. And Miss Locke, Amanda Sefton and Betsy. But who is this Betsy? I originally thought she was Besty Braddock, but I know now this is not the case.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.124.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #124

"He Only Laughs When I Hurt"

The Arcade arc ends here, as the X-Men outwit MurderWorld. I can't help but notice similiarites between Arcade and the Joker. The colorful clothes, the witty laughter, the homicidal yet amusing crime capers. We also learn Arcade's origin in #124, as he was your basic poor little rich kid, spoiled rotten. When he turned 21, Daddy said he was no good...and cut off his allowance. So Arcade cut off his life!! :p He then built his elaborate MurderWorld with Daddy's fortune, and became the most offbeat assassin in history.

Our various X-Men are fighting for their lives in MurderWorld. All except Peter Rasputin, who has been brainwashed into the Proletarian! Storm nearly drowns in a chamber filled with water. Wolverine & Banshee are trapped in a section titled BattleStarWars: 1999. Banshee is basically helpless in here, as his sonic scream is all but gone. Robotic Magneto and Hulk attack Wolvie and Sean. Our fuzzy elf Nightcrawler foils Arcade's plans by bamfing into his control center, grabbing a rifle and blowing up the control mechanisms.

In the end, everything becomes undone, all except the Proletarian, who corners our heroes and knocks several of them out. He grabs Cyclops and Storm by the neck and is suffocating them. Gasping for breath, they try to reason with him, to no avail. Until Ororo reminds Piotr of how close these new X-Men have become. How they've become like a family. He is even the brother she never had. This emotional crescendo breaks through to Colossus' and he suddenly realizes what he's doing. He lets go and hugs his friends! They saved him!! Arcade realizes he's lost, and sends all the X-Men out in a giant pinball straight through a "Tunnel of Love" into an abandoned Bronx amusement center (Coney Island?) The kidnapped Amanda Sefton, Betsy and Colleen Wing are delivered to our heroes in parachutes, wrapped up like Christmas packages!!

I believe Uncanny X-Men #122-124 is Arcade's second appearance ever since his first appearance is Marvel Team-Up #65-66 (featuring the first American appearance of Captain Britain, Brian Braddock).

Arcade's MurderWorld is a frightening place. The victims are often disoriented then have to figure out the key to each game. What makes it difficult is each "game" is different & sometimes personal to the victim. Storm almost dies from drowning only to have her neck nearly snapped in two by a brainwashed Colossus!

Of course, the X-Men survive because they act as a team.

Arcade is a memorable villain because he does not look like one.

[worstblogever]

Of course, the X-Men survive because they act as a team.

Arcade is a memorable villain because he does not look like one.

And the X-Men usually survive because Arcade doesn't account for a teleporter like Kurt, or a phaser like Kitty to just head to the control booth to eff his bowtie-wearing *ss up. It's why I like Arcade. He's fun, and he makes the heroes look good by being easy to take down.

[DDM]

And the X-Men usually survive because Arcade doesn't account for a teleporter like Kurt, or a phaser like Kitty to just head to the control booth to eff his bowtie-wearing *ss up. It's why I like Arcade. He's fun, and he makes the heroes look good by being easy to take down.

I think Arcade is difficult to defeat since the hero has to be alive to make it to his computer center where he controls everything. Arcade never thinks of shielding his main computer center because so few people actually make it out alive. I love Excalibur #4-5 when Kitty turns the tables on Arcade by introducing a virus to Arcade's computer & he becomes a victim of his own games.

[david r]

god i hate Arcade. but you know Claremont just loved him, the amount of times this shiteous character gets used. i know this is a 70s comic, but really.

Scott Lobdell wanted to use Arcade in his 1990s run, but X-editor Bob Harras vetoed it. Bob thought Arcade was too cheesy. So I guess you're not alone with those thoughts. I can't help but wonder what comic madness Scott Lobdell would have done with Arcade.

But who is this Betsy? I originally thought she was Besty Braddock, but I know now this is not the case.

Betsy is a friend of Amanda Sefton. She and Amanda first met Colossus & Nightcrawler in #98, and they've been double-dating ever since.

One thing I'd like to say. There is a slight glitch here with these stories. The X-Men believe Beast and Jean Grey are dead. Once they returned to the Real World in Uncanny X-Men #122, they surely would have called Avengers Mansion to inform them Hank McCoy had been killed. And
would have learned Hank and Jean are both still alive. I'm positive they would have learned that Phoenix was among the living somehow.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97904389460.3.GIF

Uncanny X-Men Annual #3

"A Fire in the Sky"

This is the first Annual with an original story. And what a treasure it is. George Perez took time-off from his Avengers run to draw our mutants, and it was worth the wait!! Chris Claremont supplies the tale which is a mixture of Conan and Lord of the Rings. With the X-Men in the mix!!

Arkon, a warrior similiar to Conan the Barbarian, arrives in New York City via a lightning bolt. He marches to Avengers Mansion looking for Thor, God of Thunder. Barging in, poor Jarvis the Butler informs Arkon that Thor is no longer an Avenger. He then sets his sights on Storm. At X-Men headquarters, our team is in the Danger Room, practicing in a session. Unfortunately, Storm cuts loose during the fracas and the Control Center is smashed. What results is very spectacular!! Every single weapon and mechanism within the Danger Room becomes engaged all at once, with Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Cyclops and Nightcrawler trapped in the middle. THIS I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE!! Several pages of intense Danger Room follows...until Scott finally turns off the emergency switch with his eye-beams.

Ororo is upset, and leaves for her attic-room. Scott follows her and confronts her. Ororo is questioning whether this is the life she dreamed of for herself. She wants to help people, yet all the X-Men seem to do is fight. Finally, Ororo ascends to her beloved plants within the attic, but Arkon is watching her from the roof sun-light. Arkon smashes in and grabs Storm---but she blasts him away with her weather-powers. He falls through the floor to the room below, and Cyclops lets him have it with an optic blast. Arkon is blasted into the swimming pool, and the whole team start beating on him. Arkon has different colored arrows on his back, and during the exchance, he flies one at Storm. It hits her and she just....vanishes. Arkon is near impossible to defeat, until Colossus smashes him down by hitting him with a full-length tree!! Now that Arkon is defeated, the X-Men demand to know Storm's whereabouts. Arkon is silent. So Cyclops takes the other yellow arrows and drops them to the ground. The entire team vanish!!

Land of Shadow--Dawn of Death! The X-Men and Arkon appear in a large chamber, straight out of Conan. Warriors with swords and armor stand all around our heroes, they are encircled by them. Pillars adorn the room, with astonishing Beast-Heads looking down on all present. Cyclops demands their friend--Ororo! Arkon yells for the warriors to slay these intruders. And Attack they do!! The warrior masses assault our 4 desperate X-Men! Nightcrawler teleports away, leaving Wolverine, Colossus and Cyclops in the thick of a massive hand-to-hand battle! It is glorious to see! Finally, Cyclops blasts a pillar, collapsing the roof and separating the 3 X-Men from the warriors. Nightcrawler slips away, following an old man, who rides a weird purple-skinned beast, out of the temple and towards a mountain-top fortress. There, Nightcrawler discovers Storm. Storm is wearing a new savage outfit, and is ready to help these people. Vas??-she must be brainwashed? Kurt teleports in, and Ororo lets loose with lightning. This alerts the other X-Men, as Colossus droops down on a green dragon and carries the 3 of them up to this fortress. This is a beautiful drawing, with the dragon. Storm is going to use her powers to save this alien planet. Whose sunlight are derived from life-giving energy rings. However, the energy-rings have gone out. And the planet has been bathed in darkness. Only thunder power, from Thor or Storm, can save the planet from extinction. The X-Men must help.

And help they do. Storm calls down as much lightning as she can muster into her self, and Colossus holds her, grounding her. She then shoots the lightning into Cyclops!! He contains as much as he can, and then shoots out WHITE optic beams into a special device. The resultant power explodes the fortress and the Entire Mountain! Are all lost? But the power shoots into space and is able to re-ignite the energy rings. The planet is saved!! The warriors rush to the destroyed mountain, to find everyone lying unconscience. Luckily, no one was killed. And the X-Men are heroes once again...this time saving an entire planet from death. After the traditional round of feasts and celebrations, Arkon thanks our barbarian-garbed X-Men for all they have done. Arkon uses his yellow arrows to once again, send the X-Men back to Earth.

My thoughts: Conan, eat your heart out! A fantastic Bronze Age adventure, with so many of the savage, imaginative elements that made that era unique. A huge epic in one little comic. I think I'm going to like these Annuals.

[dademan]

you, my friend, are a god if you can pull this off.

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97904389460.3.GIF

Uncanny X-Men Annual #3

"A Fire in the Sky"

This is the first Annual with an original story. And what a treasure it is. George Perez took time-off from his Avengers run to draw our mutants, and it was worth the wait!! Chris Claremont supplies the tale which is a mixture of Conan and Lord of the Rings. With the X-Men in the mix!!

Arkon, a warrior similiar to Conan the Barbarian, arrives in New York City via a lightning bolt. He marches to Avengers Mansion looking for Thor, God of Thunder. Barging in, poor Jarvis the Butler informs Arkon that Thor is no longer an Avenger. He then sets his sights on Storm. At X-Men headquarters, our team is in the Danger Room, practicing in a session. Unfortunately, Storm cuts loose during the fracas and the Control Center is smashed. What results is very spectacular!! Every single weapon and mechanism within the Danger Room becomes engaged all at once, with Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Cyclops and Nightcrawler trapped in the middle. THIS I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE!! Several pages of intense Danger Room follows...until Scott finally turns off the emergency switch with his eye-beams.

Ororo is upset, and leaves for her attic-room. Scott follows her and confronts her. Ororo is questioning whether this is the life she dreamed of for herself. She wants to help people, yet all the X-Men seem to do is fight. Finally, Ororo ascends to her beloved plants within the attic, but Arkon is watching her from the roof sun-light. Arkon smashes in and grabs Storm---but she blasts him away with her weather-powers. He falls through the floor to the room below, and Cyclops lets him have it with an optic blast. Arkon is blasted into the swimming pool, and the whole team start beating on him. Arkon has different colored arrows on his back, and during the exchance, he flies one at Storm. It hits her and she just....vanishes. Arkon is near impossible to defeat, until Colossus smashes him down by hitting him with a full-length tree!! Now that Arkon is defeated, the X-Men demand to know Storm's whereabouts. Arkon is silent. So Cyclops takes the other yellow arrows and drops them to the ground. The entire team vanish!!

Land of Shadow--Dawn of Death! The X-Men and Arkon appear in a large chamber, straight out of Conan. Warriors with swords and armor stand all around our heroes, they are encircled by them. Pillars adorn the room, with astonishing Beast-Heads looking down on all present. Cyclops demands their friend--Ororo! Arkon yells for the warriors to slay these intruders. And Attack they do!! The warrior masses assault our 4 desperate X-Men! Nightcrawler teleports away, leaving Wolverine, Colossus and Cyclops in the thick of a massive hand-to-hand battle! It is glorious to see! Finally, Cyclops blasts a pillar, collapsing the roof and separating the 3 X-Men from the warriors. Nightcrawler slips away, following an old man, who rides a weird purple-skinned beast, out of the temple and towards a mountain-top fortress. There, Nightcrawler discovers Storm. Storm is wearing a new savage outfit, and is ready to help these people. Vas??-she must be brainwashed? Kurt teleports in, and Ororo lets loose with lightning. This alerts the other X-Men, as Colossus droops down on a green dragon and carries the 3 of them up to this fortress. This is a beautiful drawing, with the dragon. Storm is going to use her powers to save this alien planet. Whose sunlight are derived from life-giving energy rings. However, the energy-rings have gone out. And the planet has been bathed in darkness. Only thunder power, from Thor or Storm, can save the planet from extinction. The X-Men must help.

And help they do. Storm calls down as much lightning as she can muster into her self, and Colossus holds her, grounding her. She then shoots the lightning into Cyclops!! He contains as much as he can, and then shoots out WHITE optic beams into a special device. The resultant power explodes the fortress and the Entire Mountain! Are all lost? But the power shoots into space and is able to re-ignite the energy rings. The planet is saved!! The warriors rush to the destroyed mountain, to find everyone lying unconscience. Luckily, no one was killed. And the X-Men are heroes once again...this time saving an entire planet from death. After the traditional round of feasts and celebrations, Arkon thanks our barbarian-garbed X-Men for all they have done. Arkon uses his yellow arrows to once again, send the X-Men back to Earth.

My thoughts: Conan, eat your heart out! A fantastic Bronze Age adventure, with so many of the savage, imaginative elements that made that era unique. A huge epic in one little comic. I think I'm going to like these Annuals.

A cameo by Jarvis the Butler! Hot damn, that's great. Arkon was kind of weird, though. How did he go from Avengers Mansion, to knowing he'd find heroes at the Xavier Mansion? Couldn't he have dropped some cash and hired Electro or something?

Well, Electro wouldn't have looked good in Savage Girl Bikini, I guess.

[LiNo]

Scott Lobdell wanted to use Arcade in his 1990s run, but X-editor Bob Harras vetoed it. Bob thought Arcade was too cheesy. So I guess you're not alone with those thoughts. I can't help but wonder what comic madness Scott Lobdell would have done with Arcade.


But Harras didn't veto it when Arcade was used in 90s X-Force, written by Fabian, pencilled by Tony Daniel IIRC.

[worstblogever]

But Harras didn't veto it when Arcade was used in 90s X-Force, written by Fabian, pencilled by Tony Daniel IIRC.

Or in the Wolverine/Gambit miniseries when Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale wanted to use him. That was in '96.

[Jimmy Starburst]

bob harras good riddance to bad rubbish he was a nasty SOB

HA! i miss you al milgrom

i could never really dig these sword-and-sorcery tales in X-Men - thank god this was an annual.

[worstblogever]

I think Arcade is difficult to defeat since the hero has to be alive to make it to his computer center where he controls everything. Arcade never thinks of shielding his main computer center because so few people actually make it out alive. I love Excalibur #4-5 when Kitty turns the tables on Arcade by introducing a virus to Arcade's computer & he becomes a victim of his own games.

Word. That's exactly the Kitty/Arcade thing I was referring to. Which shortly brought about the epic pie fight with the Crazy Gang. Grand fun.

[DDM]

One thing I'd like to say. There is a slight glitch here with these stories. The X-Men believe Beast and Jean Grey are dead. Once they returned to the Real World in Uncanny X-Men #122, they surely would have called Avengers Mansion to inform them Hank McCoy had been killed. And
would have learned Hank and Jean are both still alive. I'm positive they would have learned that Phoenix was among the living somehow.

The X-Men had too much to do once they returned to Xavier's mansion: It was closed up, locked. Scott had to go through mounds of paperwork just to open the school again. The X-Men were gone from the mansion for the better part of a year (in their time);therefore, I don't see the X-Men contacting the Avengers given both heroes hectic schedules.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97904389460.3.GIF

Uncanny X-Men Annual #3

"A Fire in the Sky"

This is the first Annual with an original story. And what a treasure it is. George Perez took time-off from his Avengers run to draw our mutants, and it was worth the wait!! Chris Claremont supplies the tale which is a mixture of Conan and Lord of the Rings. With the X-Men in the mix!!

Arkon, a warrior similiar to Conan the Barbarian, arrives in New York City via a lightning bolt. He marches to Avengers Mansion looking for Thor, God of Thunder. Barging in, poor Jarvis the Butler informs Arkon that Thor is no longer an Avenger. He then sets his sights on Storm. At X-Men headquarters, our team is in the Danger Room, practicing in a session. Unfortunately, Storm cuts loose during the fracas and the Control Center is smashed. What results is very spectacular!! Every single weapon and mechanism within the Danger Room becomes engaged all at once, with Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Cyclops and Nightcrawler trapped in the middle. THIS I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE!! Several pages of intense Danger Room follows...until Scott finally turns off the emergency switch with his eye-beams.

Ororo is upset, and leaves for her attic-room. Scott follows her and confronts her. Ororo is questioning whether this is the life she dreamed of for herself. She wants to help people, yet all the X-Men seem to do is fight. Finally, Ororo ascends to her beloved plants within the attic, but Arkon is watching her from the roof sun-light. Arkon smashes in and grabs Storm---but she blasts him away with her weather-powers. He falls through the floor to the room below, and Cyclops lets him have it with an optic blast. Arkon is blasted into the swimming pool, and the whole team start beating on him. Arkon has different colored arrows on his back, and during the exchance, he flies one at Storm. It hits her and she just....vanishes. Arkon is near impossible to defeat, until Colossus smashes him down by hitting him with a full-length tree!! Now that Arkon is defeated, the X-Men demand to know Storm's whereabouts. Arkon is silent. So Cyclops takes the other yellow arrows and drops them to the ground. The entire team vanish!!

Land of Shadow--Dawn of Death! The X-Men and Arkon appear in a large chamber, straight out of Conan. Warriors with swords and armor stand all around our heroes, they are encircled by them. Pillars adorn the room, with astonishing Beast-Heads looking down on all present. Cyclops demands their friend--Ororo! Arkon yells for the warriors to slay these intruders. And Attack they do!! The warrior masses assault our 4 desperate X-Men! Nightcrawler teleports away, leaving Wolverine, Colossus and Cyclops in the thick of a massive hand-to-hand battle! It is glorious to see! Finally, Cyclops blasts a pillar, collapsing the roof and separating the 3 X-Men from the warriors. Nightcrawler slips away, following an old man, who rides a weird purple-skinned beast, out of the temple and towards a mountain-top fortress. There, Nightcrawler discovers Storm. Storm is wearing a new savage outfit, and is ready to help these people. Vas??-she must be brainwashed? Kurt teleports in, and Ororo lets loose with lightning. This alerts the other X-Men, as Colossus droops down on a green dragon and carries the 3 of them up to this fortress. This is a beautiful drawing, with the dragon. Storm is going to use her powers to save this alien planet. Whose sunlight are derived from life-giving energy rings. However, the energy-rings have gone out. And the planet has been bathed in darkness. Only thunder power, from Thor or Storm, can save the planet from extinction. The X-Men must help.

And help they do. Storm calls down as much lightning as she can muster into her self, and Colossus holds her, grounding her. She then shoots the lightning into Cyclops!! He contains as much as he can, and then shoots out WHITE optic beams into a special device. The resultant power explodes the fortress and the Entire Mountain! Are all lost? But the power shoots into space and is able to re-ignite the energy rings. The planet is saved!! The warriors rush to the destroyed mountain, to find everyone lying unconscience. Luckily, no one was killed. And the X-Men are heroes once again...this time saving an entire planet from death. After the traditional round of feasts and celebrations, Arkon thanks our barbarian-garbed X-Men for all they have done. Arkon uses his yellow arrows to once again, send the X-Men back to Earth.

My thoughts: Conan, eat your heart out! A fantastic Bronze Age adventure, with so many of the savage, imaginative elements that made that era unique. A huge epic in one little comic. I think I'm going to like these Annuals.

I would have liked to had this story after the team discovers Phoenix & Beast are alive & have Phoenix as part of the story. However, as it is, this story takes place before Uncanny X-Men #124...

[david r]

Arkon was kind of weird, though. How did he go from Avengers Mansion, to knowing he'd find heroes at the Xavier Mansion? Couldn't he have dropped some cash and hired Electro or something?


Someone from his other world, the Grand Vizier, telepathically contacted him (as Arkon is assaulting Jarvis the Butler) and informs Arkon there is someone else with lightning powers. This person is Storm, and the Grand Vizier will lead him to where she lives. Thus, the Mansion.

DDM, I thought Annual #3 takes place between Uncanny X-Men #124 & 125 ?

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.125.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #125

"There's Something Awful on Muir Island"

1st appearance: Mutant X (Proteus)

#125 touches on several of our ongoing characters in this book. First off, we see Moira MacTaggert analyzing Phoenix and her awe-inspiring power. They are still on Muir Island and the Mutant Research Center there. A freaky guy is watching them from the shadows. He is Mutant X and is escaping from his cell, after possessing the body of a fisherman. Several times in this issue, we hear how Jean Grey may lose control of herself with this Phoenix Force.

Next, we touchbase with Magneto, who is still recovering from wounds. Magneto is lying about on Asteroid M, encircling the Earth. As he watches his television screen, an image of his wife Magda appears by mistake. Magneto is shocked to see her, then comments on how beautiful she was. He then erases her image!! A real romantic he is. We next see another villain--a new one named Jason Wyngarde, who is staying at an inn on the coast near Muir Island. We learn Jason has been following Jean Grey since she left the Mansion following the X-Men's *death*. He has taken several disguises to get close to her. Jason plans to turn her into his "Black Queen". The next panel shows Jean herself staring into a mirror, with a VERY ODD look on her face. Lorna Dane makes an appearance, as we learn her and Alex Summers are making a life together on Muir Island.

Charles Xavier is still in outer space, on the Sh'iar homeworld called "Imperial Center". He floats around in a cool yellow hover-craft. The aliens treat him as the "Village Idiot." Charles enters a library and watches the events that lead to Phoenix saving the universe (in #106-108.) Charles realizes Jean Grey cannot possibly handle all that power on her own, and decides he must return to Earth! Back on Muir Isle, Moira MacTaggert notices a tooth, outside the Mutant X cell. Odd. So she opens the cell...and SCREAMS! Phoenix enters the facility and senses Moira's anguish. Suddenly, Jean is in an illusion...dressed in 18th century clothes in an 18th century mansion! But before she can make sense of any of it...Mutant X assaults her in the hallway.

The issue next brings back Hank McCoy-- the Beast--who returns to the Mansion, and is reunited with the X-Men!! Scott and Hank yell "YOU'RE ALIVE!" All are so glad, and filled with joy. Then Scott learns that Jean Grey is alive as well!! Scott calls Muir Island to speak to Jean. He gets Lorna Dane, who tells him all the weird stuff going on there. Suddenly, Lorna screams...and the line goes dead. Much to Scott and the X-Men's shock!!

[Butters]

Finally, the team is getting back together.

Who could this Muatant X person be? And why is Madrox wearing such a ridiculous outfit!? The suspense is killing me.

[Hi-Fi]

This is one of my favorite X-Men storyarcs ever.

[worstblogever]

This is a great build up. I mean, the "Who is Mutant X/Proteus" storyline is actually going on WHILE there's the buildup to the Dark Phoenix Saga. Name a time when a comic had such a well regarded story going on while setting the stage for another one.

And if you say Breakout/Civil War/WWH/Secret Invasion, I'll have to internet jackslap you. They don't even come close.

Mastermind is a real wild card, and I love how he strikes at the perfect time.

The only negative in this issue, is oddly, the Magneto fretting about Magda thing. Is that random, just a quick bit of character development for Mags... or a setup for some plot thread that is never truly explored?

[DDM]

DDM, I thought Annual #3 takes place between Uncanny X-Men #124 & 125 ?

Woops, you're right. I meant to write Uncanny X-Men #125.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.125.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #125

"There's Something Awful on Muir Island"

1st appearance: Mutant X (Proteus)

#125 touches on several of our ongoing characters in this book. First off, we see Moira MacTaggert analyzing Phoenix and her awe-inspiring power. They are still on Muir Island and the Mutant Research Center there. A freaky guy is watching them from the shadows. He is Mutant X and is escaping from his cell, after possessing the body of a fisherman. Several times in this issue, we hear how Jean Grey may lose control of herself with this Phoenix Force.

Next, we touchbase with Magneto, who is still recovering from wounds. Magneto is lying about on Asteroid M, encircling the Earth. As he watches his television screen, an image of his wife Magda appears by mistake. Magneto is shocked to see her, then comments on how beautiful she was. He then erases her image!! A real romantic he is. We next see another villain--a new one named Jason Wyngarde, who is staying at an inn on the coast near Muir Island. We learn Jason has been following Jean Grey since she left the Mansion following the X-Men's *death*. He has taken several disguises to get close to her. Jason plans to turn her into his "Black Queen". The next panel shows Jean herself staring into a mirror, with a VERY ODD look on her face. Lorna Dane makes an appearance, as we learn her and Alex Summers are making a life together on Muir Island.

Charles Xavier is still in outer space, on the Sh'iar homeworld called "Imperial Center". He floats around in a cool yellow hover-craft. The aliens treat him as the "Village Idiot." Charles enters a library and watches the events that lead to Phoenix saving the universe (in #106-108.) Charles realizes Jean Grey cannot possibly handle all that power on her own, and decides he must return to Earth! Back on Muir Isle, Moira MacTaggert notices a tooth, outside the Mutant X cell. Odd. So she opens the cell...and SCREAMS! Phoenix enters the facility and senses Moira's anguish. Suddenly, Jean is in an illusion...dressed in 18th century clothes in an 18th century mansion! But before she can make sense of any of it...Mutant X assaults her in the hallway.

The issue next brings back Hank McCoy-- the Beast--who returns to the Mansion, and is reunited with the X-Men!! Scott and Hank yell "YOU'RE ALIVE!" All are so glad, and filled with joy. Then Scott learns that Jean Grey is alive as well!! Scott calls Muir Island to speak to Jean. He gets Lorna Dane, who tells him all the weird stuff going on there. Suddenly, Lorna screams...and the line goes dead. Much to Scott and the X-Men's shock!!

I consider Uncanny X-Men #125 another "quiet" story since it brings several unresolved subplots such as the introduction of the Jason Wyngarde-Hellfire Club-Black Queen story, the Proteus subplot (begun in Uncanny X-Men #104), & Jean possibly losing control of her vast powers (hinted at since she became Phoenix). This issue is equally important because it reunites Phoenix with the other X-Men who believed them to be dead (& she thought the same of them).

Originally, Chris Claremont wanted Kevin MacTaggert to be the bastard son of Charles Xavier & Moira MacTaggert; however, John Byrne talked Chris Claremont out of that idea by making him the son of Joe MacTaggert. However, Claremont would use this same basic idea for Legion in The New Mutants with Gabrielle Haller.

It's one of my favorite stories. Love the splash page of Phoenix's Phoenix Effect with Moira actually scared of Jean...!

[DDM]

The only negative in this issue, is oddly, the Magneto fretting about Magda thing. Is that random, just a quick bit of character development for Mags... or a setup for some plot thread that is never truly explored?

Magneto's cameo is not random at all. At the same time of Uncanny X-Men #125, The Avengers #185-187 was published detailing the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's origin. This issue is an allusion to The Avengers. The irony is Magneto, Scarlet Witch, & Quicksilver do not know they are blood relatives...

Also this was a hint of the Magneto vs X-Men storyline in Uncanny X-Men #149-150.

[worstblogever]

Magneto's cameo is not random at all. At the same time of Uncanny X-Men #125, The Avengers #185-187 was published detailing the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's origin. This issue is an allusion to The Avengers. The irony is Magneto, Scarlet Witch, & Quicksilver do not know they are blood relatives...

Also this was a hint of the Magneto vs X-Men storyline in Uncanny X-Men #149-150.

Thanks for the Avengers/Magneto link. That clears its relevance up, greatly.

[david r]

DDM, I agree that is a great shot of Moira MacTaggert with a nervous look on her face---as Jean Grey lets loose with Phoenix. Jean seems to have really matured during this run. The emphasis has shifted to her now, and whether any human being can sustain so much raw power.

As for that Magda scene with Magneto, I found it worked on multiple levels. It showed us Magneto once had a wife, and was capable of love. Because the Magneto we've seen so far in this series seems incapable of love. And then when Magneto erases her image, it just shows how dark his soul has become. How far he's fallen from basic human feelings.

As for Magda, John Byrne drew her in the spitting image of the Scarlet Witch. Now, we know it's not by chance.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.126.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #126

"How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth"

The Proteus story hits high-gear, as our X-Men break the sound-barrier in their Blackbird, on their way to Muir Isle. Once they arrive, the team explore different parts of the island, to discover what's going on there. In the main house, Nightcrawler, Cyclops and Banshee discover the mummified remains of Angus MacWhirter. The first victim of Mutant X. The body is shriveled and disgusting. Lorna Dane is lying unconscience, but alive on the floor. Cyclops orders Nightcrawler to teleport to the Mutant Research Center itself, which Kurt does. Once inside, he wanders in the darkness. (All the power is mysteriously off.) Havok and Madrox, the Multiple Man see him and Havok orders the "stranger" to come out of the darkness. Colossus suddenly appears behind Havok and informs them that the new X-Men are indeed alive and well.

Cyclops & Storm enter the complex, and are reunited with Moira MacTaggert. Moira is shocked to find them, but all Scott wants to know is....where is Jean Grey?? Moira tells Scott and he runs in that direction. Then comes this interesting exchange: With each step, the emotions he's dammed up for so long threaten to bust wide open. He knows he must lock them down, or BREAK. He thought she was the woman he loved...But now? Hmmm...is Scott losing his love for Jean?? Anyway, he tries to awaken the shocked Jean, lying on the floor. But all Jean sees is the face of Jason Wyngarde! A day later, after scouting Muir Island looking for Mutant X, our heroes gather. Jamie Madrox informs them how he used one of his multiple-duplicates when the alarm sounded. One of those duplicates was "taken over" by Mutant X. And he got away. Cyclops now demands to learn the identity of this "Mutant X". Moira MacTaggert resists telling him. But then she says "He's...my SON."

Meanwhile, Mutant X has made his way to the town of Stornoway. As Jason Wyngarde leaves the Red Roof Inn, Mutant X attempts to possess him. But Jason's shields are too strong, and Mutant X fails. Later, the X-Men arrive and begin a massive search. As Phoenix flies through the air, she suddenly has another weird vision. Instantly, Jean Grey is on horseback, with other gentleman in a 18th Century horseride across a green countryside. What is going on? Lady Jean Grey is her name, and her stallion is named "Satan"! They chase some hounds, and the handsome Jason Wyngarde is at her side. They catch their prey, and Jason dismounts and extends a knife for Lady Jean to give the killing stroke. However, their "prey" is a human being, with antlers and horse-hide covering his upper body. Nothing is at it seems.

Finally, Wolverine and Nightcrawler are in fog, still searching for Mutant X. Logan has his scent, and they come upon a cop in the spooky mist. Unfortunately, the cop is possessed by Mutant X--who now announces his name as Proteus! Proteus tries to possess Wolverine, but the metal inside Wolverine's head saves him. Metal is death to Proteus!! Logan collapses in agony though, and as Kurt Wagner tries to help his friend--Proteus lets loose with his mutant power. He warps reality all around them, sending the two hapless mutants into a weird kaleidoscope of reality. Storm comes shooting out of the sky, sending lightning bolts to save her friends. But Proteus warps reality around her as well. Storm crashes to the earth, and begins a massive wind to stop Proteus. But even the wind does not stop him...and he marches slower, ever slower towards Ororo to possess her!!

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.126.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #126

"How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth"

The Proteus story hits high-gear, as our X-Men break the sound-barrier in their Blackbird, on their way to Muir Isle. Once they arrive, the team explore different parts of the island, to discover what's going on there. In the main house, Nightcrawler, Cyclops and Banshee discover the mummified remains of Angus MacWhirter. The first victim of Mutant X. The body is shriveled and disgusting. Lorna Dane is lying unconscience, but alive on the floor. Cyclops orders Nightcrawler to teleport to the Mutant Research Center itself, which Kurt does. Once inside, he wanders in the darkness. (All the power is mysteriously off.) Havok and Madrox, the Multiple Man see him and Havok orders the "stranger" to come out of the darkness. Colossus suddenly appears behind Havok and informs them that the new X-Men are indeed alive and well.

Cyclops & Storm enter the complex, and are reunited with Moira MacTaggert. Moira is shocked to find them, but all Scott wants to know is....where is Jean Grey?? Moira tells Scott and he runs in that direction. Then comes this interesting exchange: With each step, the emotions he's dammed up for so long threaten to bust wide open. He knows he must lock them down, or BREAK. He thought she was the woman he loved...But now? Hmmm...is Scott losing his love for Jean?? Anyway, he tries to awaken the shocked Jean, lying on the floor. But all Jean sees is the face of Jason Wyngarde! A day later, after scouting Muir Island looking for Mutant X, our heroes gather. Jamie Madrox informs them how he used one of his multiple-duplicates when the alarm sounded. One of those duplicates was "taken over" by Mutant X. And he got away. Cyclops now demands to learn the identity of this "Mutant X". Moira MacTaggert resists telling him. But then she says "He's...my SON."

Meanwhile, Mutant X has made his way to the town of Stornoway. As Jason Wyngarde leaves the Red Roof Inn, Mutant X attempts to possess him. But Jason's shields are too strong, and Mutant X fails. Later, the X-Men arrive and begin a massive search. As Phoenix flies through the air, she suddenly has another weird vision. Instantly, Jean Grey is on horseback, with other gentleman in a 18th Century horseride across a green countryside. What is going on? Lady Jean Grey is her name, and her stallion is named "Satan"! They chase some hounds, and the handsome Jason Wyngarde is at her side. They catch their prey, and Jason dismounts and extends a knife for Lady Jean to give the killing stroke. However, their "prey" is a human being, with antlers and horse-hide covering his upper body. Nothing is at it seems.

Finally, Wolverine and Nightcrawler are in fog, still searching for Mutant X. Logan has his scent, and they come upon a cop in the spooky mist. Unfortunately, the cop is possessed by Mutant X--who now announces his name as Proteus! Proteus tries to possess Wolverine, but the metal inside Wolverine's head saves him. Metal is death to Proteus!! Logan collapses in agony though, and as Kurt Wagner tries to help his friend--Proteus lets loose with his mutant power. He warps reality all around them, sending the two hapless mutants into a weird kaleidoscope of reality. Storm comes shooting out of the sky, sending lightning bolts to save her friends. But Proteus warps reality around her as well. Storm crashes to the earth, and begins a massive wind to stop Proteus. But even the wind does not stop him...and he marches slower, ever slower towards Ororo to possess her!!

Possessing Storm? In an X-Men comic? Dominating the sum of her will? The HELL YOU SAY!

All joking aside, the Proteus storyline is well executed, as is the use of one of Madrox's dupes to assure none of the mutants on Muir are killed by Proteus, just a dude named Angus. Proteus was fighting the wrong group of mutants to have the weakness of metal, between Kurt's swords, Colossus (being Colossus) and Wolverine. Would've been nice if Moira had told them he could warp reality before they started hunting him down. I'm still trying to understand how Mastermind escaped possession by Proteus, though. Illusion powers shielded him from becoming a victim? How's that work?

Although, the thing about this issue that jumps out at me is the imagery of Lady Grey, her horse Satan (don't call him Butter Rum) and Jason Wyndgarde. Was this actually what the Lady Grey who was in the Hellfire Club back in the day was like? Is Mastermind recreating a life of a woman long since dead? Or is he making this one all up? Because hunting down a man for sport on a horse named after the Biblical adversary... that's very Victorian gothic murderess of her, or any relative of Jean's. Which would be kind of a neat twist. And, if so, you have to wonder who the guy playing the role of the "buck" is.

Ah, it's probably just a bondage novel fantasy incorporated in. Intriguing, but hey, whatever.

[Jimmy Starburst]

whoa Satan!

this storyline is actually one of my favorites of the Claremont-Byrne run, with its strong focus on the X-Men as a team - and for some reason i really like seeing them driving around in a Jeep.

but i agree with worstbloggerever, the Lady Grey sequence is what stands out in my mind - and the reveal that their prey is actually a man - and that it was Jean's idea.

and is this the first time we learn Wolverine is "full of metal"?? (we do know already that his bones are unbreakable and that he "heal's real fast".)

[worstblogever]

whoa Satan!

this storyline is actually one of my favorites of the Claremont-Byrne run, with its strong focus on the X-Men as a team - and for some reason i really like seeing them driving around in a Jeep.

but i agree with worstblogever, the Lady Grey sequence is what stands out in my mind - and the reveal that their prey is actually a man - and that it was Jean's idea.

and is this the first time we learn Wolverine is "full of metal"?? (we do know already that his bones are unbreakable and that he "heal's real fast".)

Ironic, isn't it, that you bold both my name, and a horse named Satan in the 666th post in this thread.

Great. I'm the Antichrist. Sigh.

[DDM]

I'm still trying to understand how Mastermind escaped possession by Proteus, though. Illusion powers shielded him from becoming a victim? How's that work?

The White Queen's mindtap mechanism gives Jason Wyngarde artificial telepathy; therefore, he has psychic shields through this same device.

Although, the thing about this issue that jumps out at me is the imagery of Lady Grey, her horse Satan (don't call him Butter Rum) and Jason Wyndgarde. Was this actually what the Lady Grey who was in the Hellfire Club back in the day was like? Is Mastermind recreating a life of a woman long since dead? Or is he making this one all up? Because hunting down a man for sport on a horse named after the Biblical adversary... that's very Victorian gothic murderess of her, or any relative of Jean's. Which would be kind of a neat twist. And, if so, you have to wonder who the guy playing the role of the "buck" is.

Ah, it's probably just a bondage novel fantasy incorporated in. Intriguing, but hey, whatever.

Originally, Mastermind is using the Hellfire Club's own history as a backdrop to create the fantasy of Jean's timeslips; Jason Wyngarde is creating the Lady Jean Grey into his image of the Hellfire Club's Black Queen. None of it is true.

[worstblogever]

The White Queen's mindtap mechanism gives Jason Wyngarde artificial telepathy; therefore, he has psychic shields through this same device.



Originally, Mastermind is using the Hellfire Club's own history as a backdrop to create the fantasy of Jean's timeslips; Jason Wyngarde is creating the Lady Jean Grey into his image of the Hellfire Club's Black Queen. None of it is true.

And is the "prey" they bring down just a random guy? (I'm thinking yeah.) It's have been so much cooler if it was someone Jean had a history with, or a future the Hellfire Club wanted her to deal with...

[DDM]

And is the "prey" they bring down just a random guy? (I'm thinking yeah.) It's have been so much cooler if it was someone Jean had a history with, or a future the Hellfire Club wanted her to deal with...

Mastermind is using Jean's actions to create a "storyline" with his illusions. The man dressed in animal skins is fake, but the body Jean finds is real. Mastermind uses this same idea to torment Mystique as she is in the perspective of the man being hunted instead of from Jean's perspective in Uncanny X-Men #170.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.127.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #127

"The Quality of Hatred"

The Proteus story continues, as the monster that is Proteus comes down on Storm. Ororo tries to escape, only for Proteus to warp reality again. Nightcrawler hears the sound of FEAR in Wolverine's voice, for the first time ever. Proteus is about to possess Storm, when Moira MacTaggert begins firing rifle shots at him from a nearby hill. Fearing the metal, Proteus flees in a truck. After Storm's gale subsides, all our heroes come together. We've got the X-Men (Cyclops, Wolverine, Phoenix, Banshee, Colossus, Storm and Nightcrawler.) Plus, Havok and Polaris.

Cyclops realizes Wolverine is seriously shaken-up, after fighting Proteus. Cyclops knows he must snap Wolverine out of it. So Scott begins taunting Logan, and tosses his coffee in his face. Wolverine becomes enraged, and lunges towards Cyclops. The long-simmering dislike between the two men finally comes to a head---as Wolverine and Cyclops begin a one-on-one fight, with Wolvie not holding back!! However, years and years of training finally pay off for Cyclops, as he throws Wolverine around like an amateur. Scott then tosses around Kurt and Ororo as well, to snap them out of their doubts, too. Finally, the battle ends, and Scott announces this was a "session in the Danger Room". Wolverine realizes why Scott did this, and says "I ain't thought much o' you in the past, Cyke--as team leader, or as a man. I was wrong." Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, Moira MacTaggert arrives at her husband's flat. We meet Joe MacTaggert, a handsome man and member of Parliament. They haven't seen each other in years, and Joe turns on the charm. But Moira isn't having any of it.

Moira informs Joe they both have a son, which she conceived after Joe left her beaten up, twenty years ago. She says he's coming to kill Joe. They argue, and Moira storms out. Not long at all, Proteus arrives and possesses his father, Joe. However, it seems they both "merge" together. Proteus melts away his building, and warps reality around Moira, sitting in her jeep, crying. The X-Men squad arrives and land, ready for battle. But Proteus grabs poor Moira and says he'll crack her neck if they approach. He floats away with her. Cyclops says they must stop Proteus...NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO IT COSTS!!!

My thoughts: This is a classic in the making, using touches of horror to build dread and menace in Proteus. This is another X-Men tale with a real sense of danger to it. Also, We learn much of Moira's mysterious past, perhaps more than we ever wanted to know. This whole story is turning into a true tragedy, and I only hope all our X-Men survive to see another day.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.128.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #128

"The Action of the Tiger"

The X-Men's final showdown with Proteus hits in #128, as this action-packed issue comes to a head. It's a do-or-die moment, as the X-Men face one of the most dangerous mutants they've ever met. Will everyone survive?

The story begins as Proteus twists reality all around Edinburgh, Scotland. Buildings screech in agony, and cars melt away. It's a nauseating experience for us poor humans. Proteus' mother, Moira MacTaggert, is helpless as his captive. The X-Men rush into the fray, to help terrified civilians. Proteus turns a building into a swarm of bees, which assault many running people. Moira tries to reason with her power-hungry son, but Proteus laughs her off....then warps reality and turns Moira into a grotesque "elephant"-type monstrosity. Banshee and Cyclops have a quick argument as Cyclops orders his team to save civilians, instead of rescuing Moira. Sean vows if Moira dies, then he'll die rescuing him.

Banshee shoots Proteus with a gun, but the monster creates a hole in the earth, and Sean Cassidy plunges down it. Nightcrawler teleports down and grabs Sean, saving him from certain death. By now, Proteus & Moira have left the city and enter a park. Phoenix appears and begins a psychic-assault on Proteus, which sends him to his knees. The two powerful mutants begin a battle-of-wits, but finally Proteus sends an agonized shriek from Jean Grey, as his powers make her feel like she's buried alive. Wolverine comes to the rescue and slashes Proteus with his claws. Wolvie's metal claws send Proteus into agony!! Then Cyclops & Havok begin blasting Proteus with their powers, from opposite sides. Proteus changes his form and melts away. He then takes off to Edinburgh Castle, with Moira in tow. At the Castle, Moira again tries to reason with her son, but Proteus simply mocks her. He has always wanted to kill and rule.

Next attacks Colossus, who flings Proteus aside; Proteus hits the wall... and his decaying host body shatters! Proteus now stands as a being of pure white energy!! Proteus attempts to seize control of Colossus' mind, and at that very instant, Peter Rasputin transforms into his metal form. Metal is DEATH to Proteus...and being in Peter's head is agony for him. At that moment of weakness, Colossus smashes his steel fists in Proteus' form. This is enough to destroy Proteus, as his energy form explodes, sending every scrap of Proteus' consciousness to the four corners of the Earth. The battle is won!! The X-Men arrive at Edinburgh Castle to find Moira weeping in Colossus' arms. Sean Cassidy cuts through the crowd and the issue ends with Sean & Moira embracing, and the X-Men happy, but saddened by this "victory".

My thoughts: This epic built a great aura of suspense. I wasn't sure everyone was going to live through it. Proteus was pretty disgusting, as he possessed people, and their bodies decayed. With his glowing red eyes, Proteus reminded me of a horror-movie monster. This was a hard-fought victory, but one the X-Men had to win. Proteus was maybe the most lethal, disturbing mutant they've encountered so far. But the story is a masterwork.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.127.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #127

"The Quality of Hatred"

The Proteus story continues, as the monster that is Proteus comes down on Storm. Ororo tries to escape, only for Proteus to warp reality again. Nightcrawler hears the sound of FEAR in Wolverine's voice, for the first time ever. Proteus is about to possess Storm, when Moira MacTaggert begins firing rifle shots at him from a nearby hill. Fearing the metal, Proteus flees in a truck. After Storm's gale subsides, all our heroes come together. We've got the X-Men (Cyclops, Wolverine, Phoenix, Banshee, Colossus, Storm and Nightcrawler.) Plus, Havok and Polaris.

Cyclops realizes Wolverine is seriously shaken-up, after fighting Proteus. Cyclops knows he must snap Wolverine out of it. So Scott begins taunting Logan, and tosses his coffee in his face. Wolverine becomes enraged, and lunges towards Cyclops. The long-simmering dislike between the two men finally comes to a head---as Wolverine and Cyclops begin a one-on-one fight, with Wolvie not holding back!! However, years and years of training finally pay off for Cyclops, as he throws Wolverine around like an amateur. Scott then tosses around Kurt and Ororo as well, to snap them out of their doubts, too. Finally, the battle ends, and Scott announces this was a "session in the Danger Room". Wolverine realizes why Scott did this, and says "I ain't thought much o' you in the past, Cyke--as team leader, or as a man. I was wrong." Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, Moira MacTaggert arrives at her husband's flat. We meet Joe MacTaggert, a handsome man and member of Parliament. They haven't seen each other in years, and Joe turns on the charm. But Moira isn't having any of it.

Moira informs Joe they both have a son, which she conceived after Joe left her beaten up, twenty years ago. She says he's coming to kill Joe. They argue, and Moira storms out. Not long at all, Proteus arrives and possesses his father, Joe. However, it seems they both "merge" together. Proteus melts away his building, and warps reality around Moira, sitting in her jeep, crying. The X-Men squad arrives and land, ready for battle. But Proteus grabs poor Moira and says he'll crack her neck if they approach. He floats away with her. Cyclops says they must stop Proteus...NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO IT COSTS!!!

My thoughts: This is a classic in the making, using touches of horror to build dread and menace in Proteus. This is another X-Men tale with a real sense of danger to it. Also, We learn much of Moira's mysterious past, perhaps more than we ever wanted to know. This whole story is turning into a true tragedy, and I only hope all our X-Men survive to see another day.

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.128.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #128

"The Action of the Tiger"

The X-Men's final showdown with Proteus hits in #128, as this action-packed issue comes to a head. It's a do-or-die moment, as the X-Men face one of the most dangerous mutants they've ever met. Will everyone survive?

The story begins as Proteus twists reality all around Edinburgh, Scotland. Buildings screech in agony, and cars melt away. It's a nauseating experience for us poor humans. Proteus' mother, Moira MacTaggert, is helpless as his captive. The X-Men rush into the fray, to help terrified civilians. Proteus turns a building into a swarm of bees, which assault many running people. Moira tries to reason with her power-hungry son, but Proteus laughs her off....then warps reality and turns Moira into a grotesque "elephant"-type monstrosity. Banshee and Cyclops have a quick argument as Cyclops orders his team to save civilians, instead of rescuing Moira. Sean vows if Moira dies, then he'll die rescuing him.

Banshee shoots Proteus with a gun, but the monster creates a hole in the earth, and Sean Cassidy plunges down it. Nightcrawler teleports down and grabs Sean, saving him from certain death. By now, Proteus & Moira have left the city and enter a park. Phoenix appears and begins a psychic-assault on Proteus, which sends him to his knees. The two powerful mutants begin a battle-of-wits, but finally Proteus sends an agonized shriek from Jean Grey, as his powers make her feel like she's buried alive. Wolverine comes to the rescue and slashes Proteus with his claws. Wolvie's metal claws send Proteus into agony!! Then Cyclops & Havok begin blasting Proteus with their powers, from opposite sides. Proteus changes his form and melts away. He then takes off to Edinburgh Castle, with Moira in tow. At the Castle, Moira again tries to reason with her son, but Proteus simply mocks her. He has always wanted to kill and rule.

Next attacks Colossus, who flings Proteus aside; Proteus hits the wall... and his decaying host body shatters! Proteus now stands as a being of pure white energy!! Proteus attempts to seize control of Colossus' mind, and at that very instant, Peter Rasputin transforms into his metal form. Metal is DEATH to Proteus...and being in Peter's head is agony for him. At that moment of weakness, Colossus smashes his steel fists in Proteus' form. This is enough to destroy Proteus, as his energy form explodes, sending every scrap of Proteus' consciousness to the four corners of the Earth. The battle is won!! The X-Men arrive at Edinburgh Castle to find Moira weeping in Colossus' arms. Sean Cassidy cuts through the crowd and the issue ends with Sean & Moira embracing, and the X-Men happy, but saddened by this "victory".

My thoughts: This epic built a great aura of suspense. I wasn't sure everyone was going to live through it. Proteus was pretty disgusting, as he possessed people, and their bodies decayed. With his glowing red eyes, Proteus reminded me of a horror-movie monster. This was a hard-fought victory, but one the X-Men had to win. Proteus was maybe the most lethal, disturbing mutant they've encountered so far. But the story is a masterwork.

Uncanny X-Men #125-128 is indeed the X-Men's finest hour as they truly face an evil mutant predator corrupted by his own powers; in this case, Kevin MacTaggert has the ability to warp the very fabric of reality itself! Why does Moira his own mother refer to Kevin as "Mutant X?" Is it because she does not want to reveal she has essentially caged her own son for the better part of 10 years on Muir Island to find a "cure?" However, given Kevin's abilities & constant need for host bodies, Moira had no other choice. Unfortunately, the battle with Magneto releases Kevin on the island. And the mutant predator is free to kill at will.

Every X-Man has somewhere to shine in this storyline from Havok, Polaris, Jamie Madrox, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Phoenix, Sean Cassidy, & even Moira MacTaggert! The suspense is quite dynamic.

Proteus is a harbinger of things to come for the X-Men as the team will eventually have to face a corrupted Phoenix...

I understand Proteus had to die. However, another mutant predator, Selene roams freely to kill. Why? Isn't Selene as dangerous as Proteus? Selene also views humans a food. Or is she allowed to live because she kills more discretely? I have always wondered why the X-Men never killed Selene as they did Proteus...

[david r]

I understand Proteus had to die. However, another mutant predator, Selene roams freely to kill. Why? Isn't Selene as dangerous as Proteus? Selene also views humans a food. Or is she allowed to live because she kills more discretely? I have always wondered why the X-Men never killed Selene as they did Proteus...

Good question. Why let Selene exist, since her power is the same as Proteus. Perhaps its because she isn't a monster the way Proteus became.

Another interesting thing is we never SEE Proteus' real body. Just a burned out shell.

[DDM]

Good question. Why let Selene exist, since her power is the same as Proteus. Perhaps its because she isn't a monster the way Proteus became.

Another interesting thing is we never SEE Proteus' real body. Just a burned out shell.

Proteus has to consume more life energy the more power he uses; therefore, he's in a constant need for host bodies. Yet Selene only needs more life force when she uses a great expenditure of energy.

Proteus had to die because he would have literally destroyed the Earth with his powers. Selene just wants to rule discreetly in the shadows.

However, I still don't see why Proteus had to die, yet the X-Men allow Selene to live.

[david r]

It must have been hard for Moira MacTaggert to lock up her own child. Though I wonder: how could Mutant X have survived in a cell for 10 years? Wouldn't he need fresh bodies, as his natural body burned itself out?

And then there's Colossus. I believe #128 is the first time Piotr has killed. I wonder what effect this will have on Rasputin?

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.129.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #129

"God Spare the Child"

1st appearance: Kitty Pryde, Hellfire Club, Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost

I started reading X-Men much earlier than most people here, and as I've collected them and I by now had the chance to read many, many X-Men comics, which is well over hundreds of X-Men books. And, at their best, they tend to aspire to be this story. We begin...

On a rain-soaked tarmac, the X-Men bid farewell to Banshee. Sean Cassidy is quitting the team, mainly because his sonic-scream is damaged, and he cannot help them. But truly, Sean wants to remain on Muir Isle and help Moira MacTaggert recover from the loss of her son (Proteus) and husband. Cyclops asks if Jamie Madrox would like to join, but the Multiple Man would rather remain on Muir Island. Cyclops then says goodbye to his brother, Alex and Lorna Dane. Alex & Scott hug. The team take-off in the Blackbird. However, en route, Phoenix has another illusion/dream, as she finds herself onboard an 18th century ship, draped in classical clothes and calling herself Lady Jean Grey. Her loved one is the handsome Jason Wyngarde, and though Lady Jean is STRONGLY attracted to Jason, she senses something is amiss. Cyclops approaches Jean aboard the Blackboard and Jean snaps out of the illusion. We finally get the most intimate moment between Scott and Jean Grey since X-Men #1, as Scott tries to explain his new relationship with Colleen Wing. How Scott simply couldn't handle the shock of Jean's "death" in #113, and shut it out. They both say how much they love each other, and embrace deeply.

The Blackbird touches down at the Xavier Mansion, and the X-Men are reunited with Professor Charles Xavier, who has returned from Sh'iar space, and is moved to be reunited with his new X-Men. The next few days are lazy, relaxed days for our X-Men, until Wolverine storms out of a Danger Room session! Professor X gives him ten demerits for his brusque behavior. Scott Summers tries to talk to Xavier, but realizes Charles still considers Scott an untested X-Men. And Xavier treats the new X-Men as untried, untested members. He does not realize they have bonded as a team, different from the Original X-Men. They are their own unique, proud individuals, and no longer truly need the Danger Room, or Charles Xavier's stern discipline. But the conversation is ended as Cerebro beeps, and lists two new mutants discovered...one in Chicago, Illinois, and the other in New York City.

Switch now to a darkened chamber, with flame-torches as the only lighting. We are within the Hellfire Club, with 3 shadow-cloaked individuals sit in chairs, and before them is Jason Wyngarde. They are monitoring Cerebro, and we learn Warkhawk bugged Cerebro in #110. They know of these new-found mutants, and Shaw as Chairman of the Hellfire Club, decides to get these new mutants first. The White Queen, Emma Frost strides from the darkness and is dispatched to get the mutants. Next page, we find ourselves in a suburb of Chicago, called Deerfield, and meet Katherine Pryde, a 13-year-old teenager, going on 14. Katherine is on her way home from school, and having bad headaches. She enters her house to find her parents talking to a blonde woman named Ms. Frost. She is discussing sending Katherine to a very good school in Massachusetts. Katherine goes to her room, a typical female teenagers room from 1979, with a stereo, a teddy bear and play-clown, possibly a Superman poster on the wall, etc. Katherine lays on the bed, and starts crying due to her headaches. She suddenly opens her eyes to discover she's "materialized" on the floor of the living room, below her bedroom!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??

Soon, Ms. Frost departs, and Charles Xavier arrives at the Pryde home, in his wheelchair. Charles is escorted by Peter Rasputin, Logan and Ororo. As they are introduced to Katherine's parents, Kitty watches from a corner at these weeeeeird people. But she finds Peter neat-looking. Soon, Katherine and the 3 X-Men go to a malt shop, and Kitty and Ororo have a talk, while eating ice cream. Logan is reading a Penthouse magazine, with Peter looking over Logan's shoulder with a shocked expression on his face. Suddenly, 3 armored figures smash thru a window, and begin attacking the X-Men. Kitty is scared and "phases" through a wall to the alleyway. The X-Men defeat the armored attackers, but Emma Frost mind-blasts them and the 3 collapse. Frost orders the mutants carried aboard their hovercraft. And as they fly away, the malt shop explodes. However, Katherine Pryde has phased onboard the hovercraft....but what can she do to help the X-Men??

[DDM]

It must have been hard for Moira MacTaggert to lock up her own child. Though I wonder: how could Mutant X have survived in a cell for 10 years? Wouldn't he need fresh bodies, as his natural body burned itself out?

Mutant X's cell created the energy for him to live & it kept him from burning out his natural body. However, after Magneto fight with the X-Men, it damaged his cell & allowed him to escape.

And then there's Colossus. I believe #128 is the first time Piotr has killed. I wonder what effect this will have on Rasputin?

I don't think killing Proteus affected Peter as much because the X-Men are there as his family for support.

[david r]

Some more thoughts on #129:

-I suspect Charles Xavier is acting so stern again in #129 because of his pent-up guilt over the X-Men's *deaths* in #113. Xavier doesn't realize they are alive until he returns to the Mansion in #129 (unseen to us readers.) This revelation wouldn't hide the fact he sends these people into harm's way, under his name, his dream. Charles' harsh dismissal of Cyclops' leadership skills in #129 are Xavier's way of trying to make-up for the possible mistakes he perceives he's made with these new X-Men.

-It was nice to see a return to "looking for new mutants" in #129. This book began with that theme, but we really haven't seen much of this core premise since Giant-Size X-Men #1. I like the fact that now, there are TWO new mutants to uncover.

-It seems hard to believe that, until recently, only Moira MacTaggert and Jamie Madrox were running the Mutant Research Centre on Muir Island. A huge facility like that, with highly dangerous mutants present, would surely take a large staff to run. The security issues alone would take much thought and be very dangerous to run, yet how could Moira & Madrox alone run such a place safely?

[worstblogever]

Some more thoughts on #129:
-It seems hard to believe that, until recently, only Moira MacTaggert and Jamie Madrox were running the Mutant Research Centre on Muir Island. A huge facility like that, with highly dangerous mutants present, would surely take a large staff to run. The security issues alone would take much thought and be very dangerous to run, yet how could Moira & Madrox alone run such a place safely?

I think you answered your own question. Jamie could be a large staff, if they needed one.

And I'm wondering... Emma has a HOVERCRAFT? That's interesting low-key transportation around the city. It'd never attract undo attention. The "Hellfire Hovercraft" should be as famous as the Spider-Buggy.

And Xavier gives Logan 10 demerits. DEMERITS? A beer-swilling, hairy, chronically pissed off Canadian isn't gonna give two craps about demerits, Chuck. I thought you understood the inner workings of the human mind and its motivations? You're running an academy for mutants, not Hogwart's School of Wizardry. 10 points for Gryffindor is just not gonna cut it.

[Dizzy D]

And Xavier gives Logan 10 demerits. DEMERITS? A beer-swilling, hairy, chronically pissed off Canadian isn't gonna give two craps about demerits, Chuck. I thought you understood the inner workings of the human mind and its motivations? You're running an academy for mutants, not Hogwart's School of Wizardry. 10 points for Gryffindor is just not gonna cut it.

But Logan needed a good record so daddy would lent him his car. Now Jean will never go to the prom with him.

[Jimmy Starburst]

I don't think killing Proteus affected Peter as much because the X-Men are there as his family for support.

I don't know about that one. Peter is such a gentle soul, and I believe this taking of another life - justified, necessary, or not - will haunt him for the rest of his life.


And I'm wondering... Emma has a HOVERCRAFT? That's interesting low-key transportation around the city. It'd never attract undo attention.

At least not as much as her outfit.


And I need verification - is the Proteus story the first time we learn of Wolverine's metal skeleton?

[david r]

I think you answered your own question. Jamie could be a large staff, if they needed one.

Why didn't I think of that? I wonder why the creative team didn't want Jamie Madrox to join the X-Men at the time?

And Xavier gives Logan 10 demerits. DEMERITS? A beer-swilling, hairy, chronically pissed off Canadian isn't gonna give two craps about demerits, Chuck. I thought you understood the inner workings of the human mind and its motivations? You're running an academy for mutants, not Hogwart's School of Wizardry. 10 points for Gryffindor is just not gonna cut it.

I think that was the whole point. Professor Xavier doesn't understand this team really at all. Cyclops knows them far better. I think Xavier feels such guilt over nearly losing them, that now he's gotta "set things right" by treating them like the Original team.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.130.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #130

"Dazzler"

1st appearance: Dazzler

By an eerie coincidence, Dazzler makes her debut the same week as DAZZLER WEEK here at CBR. And who said disco was dead? I like those little lights around the famous X-MEN logo on the cover to #130!

Cyclops, Phoenix and Nightcrawler arrive in a seedy section of lower Manhattan in their Rolls-Royce. (The license plate reads CHAS-X-1. ) Cute. They are searching for the second new mutant Cerebro discovered. Kurt stays outside to watch over the car, as Scott and Jean enter the club, stashed away in an old building. The club is crowded with assorted New Yorkers of the late 70s club scene (similiar to Studio 54?) and Jean senses many vile thoughts within the crowd. But she's also strangely "attracted" to them.

We now switch to the Hellfire Club, which for 150 years has been one of the oldest gentleman's club in America. It's membership reads like a "who's who" of the nation's elite. But there is also an Inner Circle open to a select few--here we see Jason Wyngarde and Sebastian Shaw having another discussion in their dungeon-headquarters. The White Queen Emma Frost appears on a monitor-screen, and we learn that Charles Xavier, Wolverine, Colossus and Storm are all prisoners of her squad. Kitty Pryde is lurking in the shadows, and Kitty contacts Ororo in her prison. Ororo gives her a phone number to call, but then the Hellfire troopers spot Kitty and chase her into the back of the warehouse. She leaps into the floor and "falls though it". Back at the disco, Jason Wyngarde makes contact with Jean Grey in the crowd, and instantly she's in another of ther "illusions". Lady Jean Grey is wearing a wedding dress, in a moonlight courtyard of a church. She is marrying Jason Wyngarde. Sebastian Shaw is the priest.

Lady Jean enthusiastically weds Jason, and he rips off her cloak---revealing Jean Grey, the Black Queen! They passionately kiss, but then Jean finds herself back in the disco! With Scott glaring at her kissing Wyngarde. But before Scott can react, a new musical act hits the stage---a disco diva named Dazzler! Lights explode as she takes the microphone and begins singing. A small crystal ball hangs from her neck, and she has provocative blue markings over her eyes. Cyclops thinks he knows zilch about disco, but this lady is good. Meanwhile, back out in the street, the telephone rings in the Rolls-Royce, and Kurt Wagner answers it. It is Kitty Pryde, frantically informing him the other X-Men have been captured. Nightcrawler has no time to respond, as he himself is attacked by a robotic attacker, which rips off the door of the car. Within the club, more Hellfire Club attackers smash in, and Cyclops & Phoenix take to the battle. However, these attackers know EXACTLY how to defeat the X-Men. However, they've never fought Dazzler and she overwhelms them with her spectacular light explosions. Scott explains to Dazzler that she's a mutant, and there are evil forces out there who want to capture or kill her. She and the 3 X-Men run and depart the club in their Rolls-Royce. As they drive away, Jason Wyngarde stands in the darkened street, smoking and watching them, and LAUGHS!

My thoughts: Disco was bound to show up in X-MEN. This is the late 1970s, after all. I like how this issue captured the seedier side of New York. Dazzler was a creative new mutant, though she really didn't get to shine much in #130. The Hellfire Club are getting more spotlight and seem to be a serious force to be reckoned with. I especially like how their history is so long, there's much potential there. But another thought....this book seems to be getting darker.

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.130.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #130

"Dazzler"

1st appearance: Dazzler

By an eerie coincidence, Dazzler makes her debut the same week as DAZZLER WEEK here at CBR. And who said disco was dead? I like those little lights around the famous X-MEN logo on the cover to #130!

Cyclops, Phoenix and Nightcrawler arrive in a seedy section of lower Manhattan in their Rolls-Royce. (The license plate reads CHAS-X-1. ) Cute. They are searching for the second new mutant Cerebro discovered. Kurt stays outside to watch over the car, as Scott and Jean enter the club, stashed away in an old building. The club is crowded with assorted New Yorkers of the late 70s club scene (similiar to Studio 54?) and Jean senses many vile thoughts within the crowd. But she's also strangely "attracted" to them.

We now switch to the Hellfire Club, which for 150 years has been one of the oldest gentleman's club in America. It's membership reads like a "who's who" of the nation's elite. But there is also an Inner Circle open to a select few--here we see Jason Wyngarde and Sebastian Shaw having another discussion in their dungeon-headquarters. The White Queen Emma Frost appears on a monitor-screen, and we learn that Charles Xavier, Wolverine, Colossus and Storm are all prisoners of her squad. Kitty Pryde is lurking in the shadows, and Kitty contacts Ororo in her prison. Ororo gives her a phone number to call, but then the Hellfire troopers spot Kitty and chase her into the back of the warehouse. She leaps into the floor and "falls though it". Back at the disco, Jason Wyngarde makes contact with Jean Grey in the crowd, and instantly she's in another of ther "illusions". Lady Jean Grey is wearing a wedding dress, in a moonlight courtyard of a church. She is marrying Jason Wyngarde. Sebastian Shaw is the priest.

Lady Jean enthusiastically weds Jason, and he rips off her cloak---revealing Jean Grey, the Black Queen! They passionately kiss, but then Jean finds herself back in the disco! With Scott glaring at her kissing Wyngarde. But before Scott can react, a new musical act hits the stage---a disco diva named Dazzler! Lights explode as she takes the microphone and begins singing. A small crystal ball hangs from her neck, and she has provocative blue markings over her eyes. Cyclops thinks he knows zilch about disco, but this lady is good. Meanwhile, back out in the street, the telephone rings in the Rolls-Royce, and Kurt Wagner answers it. It is Kitty Pryde, frantically informing him the other X-Men have been captured. Nightcrawler has no time to respond, as he himself is attacked by a robotic attacker, which rips off the door of the car. Within the club, more Hellfire Club attackers smash in, and Cyclops & Phoenix take to the battle. However, these attackers know EXACTLY how to defeat the X-Men. However, they've never fought Dazzler and she overwhelms them with her spectacular light explosions. Scott explains to Dazzler that she's a mutant, and there are evil forces out there who want to capture or kill her. She and the 3 X-Men run and depart the club in their Rolls-Royce. As they drive away, Jason Wyngarde stands in the darkened street, smoking and watching them, and LAUGHS!

My thoughts: Disco was bound to show up in X-MEN. This is the late 1970s, after all. I like how this issue captured the seedier side of New York. Dazzler was a creative new mutant, though she really didn't get to shine much in #130. The Hellfire Club are getting more spotlight and seem to be a serious force to be reckoned with. I especially like how their history is so long, there's much potential there. But another thought....this book seems to be getting darker.

Kitty the X-Men's last hope to get help? Mastermind setting up Jean to be the new Black Queen? And Dazzler in the disco? Hmm... one of these things is not like the others. Dazzler's all good and fine, don't get me wrong, but her inclusion almost throws the entire mood of this issue from sinister to FABULOUS!

There should be an "Essential Hellfire Club" or "Essential Mastermind" graphic novel. Seriously, this story is intense fun. The seedy underbelly of the Hellfire Club made for great villains, and great stories.

[Dizzy D]

I have to applaud david r for managing to get to Dazzler's first issue during Dazzler week. It's like he planned it. I am now in fear of his, potentially evil, genius.

[david r]

I have to applaud david r for managing to get to Dazzler's first issue during Dazzler week. It's like he planned it. I am now in fear of his, potentially evil, genius.

:D That made me laugh! It was all purely by chance...or was it?? Could this display of power be the first signs of being.....a mutant!! :eek:

[worstblogever]

:D That made me laugh! It was all purely by chance...or was it?? Could this display of power be the first signs of being.....a mutant!! :eek:

Will you be a precog like...

Destiny?
Preview?
Blindfold?

or... (gasp!) Qwerty?

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.130.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #130

"Dazzler"

1st appearance: Dazzler

By an eerie coincidence, Dazzler makes her debut the same week as DAZZLER WEEK here at CBR. And who said disco was dead? I like those little lights around the famous X-MEN logo on the cover to #130!

Cyclops, Phoenix and Nightcrawler arrive in a seedy section of lower Manhattan in their Rolls-Royce. (The license plate reads CHAS-X-1. ) Cute. They are searching for the second new mutant Cerebro discovered. Kurt stays outside to watch over the car, as Scott and Jean enter the club, stashed away in an old building. The club is crowded with assorted New Yorkers of the late 70s club scene (similiar to Studio 54?) and Jean senses many vile thoughts within the crowd. But she's also strangely "attracted" to them.

We now switch to the Hellfire Club, which for 150 years has been one of the oldest gentleman's club in America. It's membership reads like a "who's who" of the nation's elite. But there is also an Inner Circle open to a select few--here we see Jason Wyngarde and Sebastian Shaw having another discussion in their dungeon-headquarters. The White Queen Emma Frost appears on a monitor-screen, and we learn that Charles Xavier, Wolverine, Colossus and Storm are all prisoners of her squad. Kitty Pryde is lurking in the shadows, and Kitty contacts Ororo in her prison. Ororo gives her a phone number to call, but then the Hellfire troopers spot Kitty and chase her into the back of the warehouse. She leaps into the floor and "falls though it". Back at the disco, Jason Wyngarde makes contact with Jean Grey in the crowd, and instantly she's in another of ther "illusions". Lady Jean Grey is wearing a wedding dress, in a moonlight courtyard of a church. She is marrying Jason Wyngarde. Sebastian Shaw is the priest.

Lady Jean enthusiastically weds Jason, and he rips off her cloak---revealing Jean Grey, the Black Queen! They passionately kiss, but then Jean finds herself back in the disco! With Scott glaring at her kissing Wyngarde. But before Scott can react, a new musical act hits the stage---a disco diva named Dazzler! Lights explode as she takes the microphone and begins singing. A small crystal ball hangs from her neck, and she has provocative blue markings over her eyes. Cyclops thinks he knows zilch about disco, but this lady is good. Meanwhile, back out in the street, the telephone rings in the Rolls-Royce, and Kurt Wagner answers it. It is Kitty Pryde, frantically informing him the other X-Men have been captured. Nightcrawler has no time to respond, as he himself is attacked by a robotic attacker, which rips off the door of the car. Within the club, more Hellfire Club attackers smash in, and Cyclops & Phoenix take to the battle. However, these attackers know EXACTLY how to defeat the X-Men. However, they've never fought Dazzler and she overwhelms them with her spectacular light explosions. Scott explains to Dazzler that she's a mutant, and there are evil forces out there who want to capture or kill her. She and the 3 X-Men run and depart the club in their Rolls-Royce. As they drive away, Jason Wyngarde stands in the darkened street, smoking and watching them, and LAUGHS!

My thoughts: Disco was bound to show up in X-MEN. This is the late 1970s, after all. I like how this issue captured the seedier side of New York. Dazzler was a creative new mutant, though she really didn't get to shine much in #130. The Hellfire Club are getting more spotlight and seem to be a serious force to be reckoned with. I especially like how their history is so long, there's much potential there. But another thought....this book seems to be getting darker.

I have noticed after Jean's experiences this particular "timeslip" & is married to Jason Wyngarde, her face changes when she becomes the Hellfire Club's Black Queen; Mastermind succeeds in subverting Jean Grey in the illusion. This is not good for the X-Men or Phoenix herself...

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.131.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #131

"Run For Your Life"

The first page shows young, dark-haired Kitty Pryde running down an alleyway, chased by a car. Hellfire Club goons are after her, but then Phoenix appears in all her glory, and smashes the car like a brickwall. Her power has grown incredible! And frightening. :eek: Dazzler and Cyclops appear on the scene, and Dazzler thinks "Compared to this, my mutant ability to create fancy lightshows is nothing!" Kitty Pryde is hiding in an old building, and Jean Grey turns her Phoenix costume into regular street clothes. Jean locates Kitty and they hug, Katherine Pryde terrified of how her world has turned inside-out.

An hour before dawn, Cyclops, Phoenix, Dazzler & Nightcrawler sneak onto Emma Frost's industrial complex, where the other X-Men (Storm, Colossus and Wolverine) and Professor Xavier are held prisoner. Phoenix uses her powers to sneak past the guard. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde phases through walls and finds the room the X-Men are being held. She lets Wolverine out of his cage, but then poor Kitty is zapped down by Hellfire guards. Wolverine smiles and *Snikt* goes his claws. He's been itching for a fight! Kurt, Scott and Dazzler storm the complex, and begin blasting the Hellfire guards.

Emma Frost is about ready to mindwipe captive Storm, turning her into a vegetable. However, Phoenix enters and mocks Frost's psychic powers. The two begin a massive psi-war, but the outcome is never in doubt. Storm watches with thankfulness...but also terror! Jean Grey's powers have grown awesome, and frightening! Phoenix grabs Emma Frost's form and begins draining Frost's life-force out of her. Emma lashes out with one final telepathic psi-bolt....and the entire building explodes!! The X-Men make it to this smashed building and begin going thru the wreckage. Phoenix & Storm appear unscathed; the White Queen wasn't so lucky. In conclusion, the mutants gather the next day, at Kitty Pryde's home outside Chicago. Professor Xavier offers Dazzler a slot in his X-Men team, but Dazzler says she'd rather stay with her life on the stage "singin' my heart out to an audience that really digs me." Kurt drives Dazzler to the airport, while Katherine Pryde's parents come outside and begin screaming at Charles Xavier at where their daughter has been?!?! But to the X-Men's surprise, Phoenix telepathically alters their memories, and their emotions. Now, Kitty's parents are overjoyed to see them, and welcome them into their homes. Scott and Ororo worry that Phoenix is becoming not human. The power of the Phoenix has changed her so much.

My thoughts: I was glad to see our X-Men have a victory against Emma Frost & her Hellfire Club goons. However, this felt more like Phoenix won the victory, and the team were just along for the ride. Jean Grey is becoming more powerful and impassioned with her powers, and they seem to be changing her personality. Jason Wyngarde has played a big role in that. But now even her fellow comrades are seeing these changes. I have to wonder why Charles Xavier isn't sensing this. Jean is the whole reason Charles came back to Earth. (OH, and how exactly did Charles escape from Emma Frost's complex?) But this was a great battle issue!

[Jimmy Starburst]

Looking at the cover, i'm, just noticing now Colossus' "new" costume.. when was this change? I always liked this look - despite the fact they're just a pair of red undies.

[worstblogever]

Jean alters the memories of innocents to cover up her shenanigans? Well, hey, she learned from the best, didn't she?

Why the Storm/Emma dynamic of current continuity never references how Emma once was a few moments away from turning Ororo into a vegetable via mind-wipe, I'll never know. It certainly explains why they don't go out partying together.

And anyone wonder if Nightcrawler may have "taken a scenic route" while driving Dazzler to the airport, if you get my meaning? Hey, it was the disco era, baby. And he's blue velvet. Just sayin'.

[Netley]

You guys are all so burly for doing this! I bet it's fun though. No X-Men comics in my collection pre Jim Lee, so I'll be checking this out more later down the line. Well enjoy, I think this is a really good idea!

[DDM]

Looking at the cover, i'm, just noticing now Colossus' "new" costume.. when was this change? I always liked this look - despite the fact they're just a pair of red undies.

It's not a new costume. The Hellfire Club--per Emma Frost's orders--stripped all of the X-Men of their costumes. Colossus & Wolverine is in their underwear!

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.131.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #131

"Run For Your Life"

The first page shows young, dark-haired Kitty Pryde running down an alleyway, chased by a car. Hellfire Club goons are after her, but then Phoenix appears in all her glory, and smashes the car like a brickwall. Her power has grown incredible! And frightening. :eek: Dazzler and Cyclops appear on the scene, and Dazzler thinks "Compared to this, my mutant ability to create fancy lightshows is nothing!" Kitty Pryde is hiding in an old building, and Jean Grey turns her Phoenix costume into regular street clothes. Jean locates Kitty and they hug, Katherine Pryde terrified of how her world has turned inside-out.

An hour before dawn, Cyclops, Phoenix, Dazzler & Nightcrawler sneak onto Emma Frost's industrial complex, where the other X-Men (Storm, Colossus and Wolverine) and Professor Xavier are held prisoner. Phoenix uses her powers to sneak past the guard. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde phases through walls and finds the room the X-Men are being held. She lets Wolverine out of his cage, but then poor Kitty is zapped down by Hellfire guards. Wolverine smiles and *Snikt* goes his claws. He's been itching for a fight! Kurt, Scott and Dazzler storm the complex, and begin blasting the Hellfire guards.

Emma Frost is about ready to mindwipe captive Storm, turning her into a vegetable. However, Phoenix enters and mocks Frost's psychic powers. The two begin a massive psi-war, but the outcome is never in doubt. Storm watches with thankfulness...but also terror! Jean Grey's powers have grown awesome, and frightening! Phoenix grabs Emma Frost's form and begins draining Frost's life-force out of her. Emma lashes out with one final telepathic psi-bolt....and the entire building explodes!! The X-Men make it to this smashed building and begin going thru the wreckage. Phoenix & Storm appear unscathed; the White Queen wasn't so lucky. In conclusion, the mutants gather the next day, at Kitty Pryde's home outside Chicago. Professor Xavier offers Dazzler a slot in his X-Men team, but Dazzler says she'd rather stay with her life on the stage "singin' my heart out to an audience that really digs me." Kurt drives Dazzler to the airport, while Katherine Pryde's parents come outside and begin screaming at Charles Xavier at where their daughter has been?!?! But to the X-Men's surprise, Phoenix telepathically alters their memories, and their emotions. Now, Kitty's parents are overjoyed to see them, and welcome them into their homes. Scott and Ororo worry that Phoenix is becoming not human. The power of the Phoenix has changed her so much.

My thoughts: I was glad to see our X-Men have a victory against Emma Frost & her Hellfire Club goons. However, this felt more like Phoenix won the victory, and the team were just along for the ride. Jean Grey is becoming more powerful and impassioned with her powers, and they seem to be changing her personality. Jason Wyngarde has played a big role in that. But now even her fellow comrades are seeing these changes. I have to wonder why Charles Xavier isn't sensing this. Jean is the whole reason Charles came back to Earth. (OH, and how exactly did Charles escape from Emma Frost's complex?) But this was a great battle issue!

How did the White Queen take out Xavier in the first place? I think this shows Emma Frost is a rival in power to Professor Xavier as a telepath. She kept Xavier in sleep sedation throughout his whole captivity; therefore, he was not a threat. Furthermore, since Magneto changed the magnetic field, Xavier can no longer keep psionic rapport with the X-Men. Xavier also feels guilty for not being the X-Men's teacher since he formed the new team. Mastermind's mindtap mechanism already has his telepathic hooks in Jean Grey's psyche & a strong rapport has been built between them over the past several months. All of these factors go in Jean's corruption as the Hellfire Club's Black Queen.

Phoenix's duel with the White Queen is one of the best scenes in Uncanny X-Men #131; however, even the all powerful Phoenix is fooled into believing Emma Frost committed suicide when she did not. The White Queen did not take into consideration Phoenix's cosmic powers. I believe, like Mastermind, the Hellfire Club believes Phoenix to be simply Marvel Girl with a different name.

[david r]

Worstblogever, Emma Frost is portrayed very evil in this story. She is seconds from mindwiping Ororo; no X-woman in the waiting here. And she looked at young Kitty Pryde like she was a treat to eat, in #129.

I'm trying to visualize the fuzzy elf and the FABULOUS one in the backseat of that car. Thanks for putting that image in my head, 'blogever! :p

And wow, Wolverine is one HAIRY guy! He's nearly naked in Uncanny X-Men #131 and practically could pass as the Beast's hirsute pal!! I bet the ladies love that hairy body!

DDM, Charles Xavier has been ineffectual since his return from outer space. Has he been studying Phoenix? It doesn't seem so. Charles probably should have left Phoenix at the Mutant Research Centre on Muir Island, which would have been a good place to analyze her powers, and not at his School.

BTW, what is Dazzler's history again? Wasn't she created by Marvel to promote the disco craze, or something?

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.132.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #132

"And Hellfire is Their Name"

1st appearance: Tessa, Donald Pierce, Harry Leland

The Hellfire Club mega-arc continues, as more members of this mysterious Inner Circle debut. Fascinating that Tessa debuts so soon after Dazzler, eh? (And damn, X-Men won FIVE Eagle Awards for 1979. Pretty damn impressive, I'd say.)

So looking at #132's cover, I'd say Orson Welles is Harry Leland. And Sean Connery is Jason Wyngarde. Not sure about the others. Anyway, this issue begins in New Mexico, as the X-Men and Charles Xavier are hiding out at Warren Worthington the third's desert home. We see a scantily-clad Candy Southern again, as she and Angel are an item, we learn. Warren and Cyclops fly to a desert butte, so they can discuss matters. We learn that Angel and Candy are members of the Hellfire Club!! Rather a shock, to be sure. But Warren denies any involvement in the Hellfire pursuit of the X-Men. Warren leaves and Jean Grey arrives on the butte. Jean has a picnic all made for them, and they begin to talk. Scott needs a break and some relaxation. Jean removes his visor and Scott resists. But Phoenix holds back his optic beams with her awesome powers, she wants to see his face. He has a good face. They embrace and begin passionately kissing.

Rumor is this is the scene Rachel Summers is conceived.

A week later, the X-Men are going to assault the Hellfire Club itself. Wolverine and Nightcrawler are sneaking in the tunnels under the mansion. While Scott, Jean, Ororo and Peter will walk right through the main doors, as guests of a large party taking place at the Hellfire Club this night. Look fast for Playboy owner Hugh Hefner in the crowd!! As the X-Men enter the Club, we meet blonde-haired Donald Pierce and rotund Harry Leland. They are watching along with Sebastian Shaw and Jason Wyngarde in the inner sanctum. Back on the floor, Scott and Jean are dancing on the main floor. Jason Wyngarde cuts in, and takes Jean up a flight of stairs away from Scott. Wyngarde turns and reveals his true face---the face of Mastermind!! Scott is outraged and runs up the stairs after them, but gets blasted down by Jean-----who is now turned into the Black Queen.

Ororo & Colossus hear the blast, and take off to the second floor of the Hellfire Club. Sebastian Shaw awaits, heavily muscled. Colossus' takes his best shot, but Shaw tosses him around like a rag-doll. Shaw absorbs kinetic energy, and knocks out both Colossus and Storm. Shaw savagely punches Storm in the back of the head. Meanwhile, in the basement, Nightcrawler & Wolverine finally break through, but are immediately attacked by Donald Pierce and Harry Leland. Pierce begins to strangle Kurt, and Wolvie slashes his arm with his adamantium claws. But Donald Pierce is some kind of a robot!! Leland's mutant power is to control mass, and makes Wolvie so heavy Logan smashes through the floor and into a storm sewer, and is carried away. Shaw carries the bodies of of the captured X-Men and drops them on the floor, with the other Hellfire Clubbers in attendance. Jean stands among them as the Black Queen. A young, raven-haired woman brings Shaw a robe and helps him put it on (this is Tessa. ) The members all raise their glasses and toast their new BLACK QUEEN!!

In the raging waters of the sewer, a dirty hand grabs a pipe and drags himself from the waters. A filthy Wolverine climbs out and says Okay, suckers--you've taken yer BEST SHOT! NOW IT'S MY TURN!

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.132.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #132

"And Hellfire is Their Name"

1st appearance: Tessa, Donald Pierce, Harry Leland

The Hellfire Club mega-arc continues, as more members of this mysterious Inner Circle debut. Fascinating that Tessa debuts so soon after Dazzler, eh? (And damn, X-Men won FIVE Eagle Awards for 1979. Pretty damn impressive, I'd say.)

So looking at #132's cover, I'd say Orson Welles is Harry Leland. And Sean Connery is Jason Wyngarde. Not sure about the others. Anyway, this issue begins in New Mexico, as the X-Men and Charles Xavier are hiding out at Warren Worthington the third's desert home. We see a scantily-clad Candy Southern again, as she and Angel are an item, we learn. Warren and Cyclops fly to a desert butte, so they can discuss matters. We learn that Angel and Candy are members of the Hellfire Club!! Rather a shock, to be sure. But Warren denies any involvement in the Hellfire pursuit of the X-Men. Warren leaves and Jean Grey arrives on the butte. Jean has a picnic all made for them, and they begin to talk. Scott needs a break and some relaxation. Jean removes his visor and Scott resists. But Phoenix holds back his optic beams with her awesome powers, she wants to see his face. He has a good face. They embrace and begin passionately kissing.

Rumor is this is the scene Rachel Summers is conceived.

A week later, the X-Men are going to assault the Hellfire Club itself. Wolverine and Nightcrawler are sneaking in the tunnels under the mansion. While Scott, Jean, Ororo and Peter will walk right through the main doors, as guests of a large party taking place at the Hellfire Club this night. Look fast for Playboy owner Hugh Hefner in the crowd!! As the X-Men enter the Club, we meet blonde-haired Donald Pierce and rotund Harry Leland. They are watching along with Sebastian Shaw and Jason Wyngarde in the inner sanctum. Back on the floor, Scott and Jean are dancing on the main floor. Jason Wyngarde cuts in, and takes Jean up a flight of stairs away from Scott. Wyngarde turns and reveals his true face---the face of Mastermind!! Scott is outraged and runs up the stairs after them, but gets blasted down by Jean-----who is now turned into the Black Queen.

Ororo & Colossus hear the blast, and take off to the second floor of the Hellfire Club. Sebastian Shaw awaits, heavily muscled. Colossus' takes his best shot, but Shaw tosses him around like a rag-doll. Shaw absorbs kinetic energy, and knocks out both Colossus and Storm. Shaw savagely punches Storm in the back of the head. Meanwhile, in the basement, Nightcrawler & Wolverine finally break through, but are immediately attacked by Donald Pierce and Harry Leland. Pierce begins to strangle Kurt, and Wolvie slashes his arm with his adamantium claws. But Donald Pierce is some kind of a robot!! Leland's mutant power is to control mass, and makes Wolvie so heavy Logan smashes through the floor and into a storm sewer, and is carried away. Shaw carries the bodies of of the captured X-Men and drops them on the floor, with the other Hellfire Clubbers in attendance. Jean stands among them as the Black Queen. A young, raven-haired woman brings Shaw a robe and helps him put it on (this is Tessa. ) The members all raise their glasses and toast their new BLACK QUEEN!!

In the raging waters of the sewer, a dirty hand grabs a pipe and drags himself from the waters. A filthy Wolverine climbs out and says Okay, suckers--you've taken yer BEST SHOT! NOW IT'S MY TURN!

This issue is one of Claremont's best ever, if not the best. For one, it's one of the biggest mark-out moments for Wolverine EVER. And the line he uses? Well, it wasn't so played and lame when he used the trademark CC "NOW IT'S MY TURN!" In all reality, Logan owns this line after this issue, and just lends it out to other characters to use sometimes.

Love how well the Hellfire Club work together as a team to take down the X-Men, rather easily. Emma Frost didn't even have to lift a hand to help! Plus, they convert Jean to Black Queen... the build-up to the Dark Phoenix Saga continues...

[Jimmy Starburst]

...since Magneto changed the magnetic field, Xavier can no longer keep psionic rapport with the X-Men.

Definitely one of Mags best tricks.

So looking at #132's cover, I'd say Orson Welles is Harry Leland. And Sean Connery is Jason Wyngarde. Not sure about the others.

From the X-Men FAQ (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/comics/xbooks/main-faq/part6/section-2.html):
"The Hellfire Club is a direct homage / tribute to the 1960s UK Avengers show with Patrick MacNee and Diana Rigg. In an episode called "A Touch of Brimstone", Steed and Mrs. Peel face a top secret political group which named itself after the legendary 18th-century secret society. The members of the "Inner Circle" all wear period costumes, and at one point Mrs. Peel assumes the role of "the Queen of Sin", wearing a black leather costume that's the image of the White Queen. (That's also why the White Queen has the first name Emma--it's an homage to "Emma Peel".) John Byrne has admitted using it as an inspiration, since it was one of his favorite action/advenute shows growing up. Hellfire Clubs did exist in the real world, but they were usually "gentlemen's" clubs of the 18th century dealing as upper-class brothels. The best-known characters were based on popular actors: In the X-Men Companion II (Fantagraphics Books, 1982), Byrne says that Sebastian Shaw was based on Robert Shaw, Harry Leland was Orson Wells, Donald Pierce was Donald Sutherland, and Jason Wyngarde is Peter Wyngarde."

Hence Donald Pierce's name comes from Sutherland's character in M*A*S*H, Hawkeye Pierce. Orson Welles (whose powers of mass where rather uni-idirectional) played Harry Lime in The Third Man; the protagonist of his Citizen Kane was a reporter named Jed Leland. Jason Wyngarde played the leader of the Club in the Avengers episode; the actor would be best known for his role as Jason King (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_King_(TV_series)). You probably know Robert Shaw as Captain Flint from Jaws.

Robert Shaw (Sebastian Shaw)
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH-E/172030~Robert-Shaw-Posters.jpg

Orson Welles (Harry Leland)
http://www.hollywoodawards.com/welles/wellesbig.gif

Donald Sutherland (Donald Pierce)
http://web.wireimage.com/images/tnm/9953248.jpg

Peter Wyngarde (Jason Wyngarde)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e4/Wyngarde_as_Jason_King.JPG

[worstblogever]

Definitely one of Mags best tricks.




From the X-Men FAQ (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/comics/xbooks/main-faq/part6/section-2.html):
"The Hellfire Club is a direct homage / tribute to the 1960s UK Avengers show with Patrick MacNee and Diana Rigg. In an episode called "A Touch of Brimstone", Steed and Mrs. Peel face a top secret political group which named itself after the legendary 18th-century secret society. The members of the "Inner Circle" all wear period costumes, and at one point Mrs. Peel assumes the role of "the Queen of Sin", wearing a black leather costume that's the image of the White Queen. (That's also why the White Queen has the first name Emma--it's an homage to "Emma Peel".) John Byrne has admitted using it as an inspiration, since it was one of his favorite action/advenute shows growing up. Hellfire Clubs did exist in the real world, but they were usually "gentlemen's" clubs of the 18th
century dealing as upper-class brothels. The best-known characters were based on popular actors: In the X-Men Companion II (Fantagraphics Books, 1982), Byrne says that Sebastian Shaw was based on Robert Shaw, Harry Leland was Orson Wells, Donald Pierce was Donald Sutherland, and Jason Wyngarde is Peter Wyngarde."

Hence Donald Pierce's name comes from Sutherland's character in M*A*S*H, Hawkeye Pierce. Orson Welles (whose powers of mass where rather uni-idirectional) played Harry Lime in The Third Man; the protagonist of his Citizen Kane was a reporter named Jed Leland. Jason Wyngarde played the leader of the Club in the Avengers episode; the actor would be best known for his role as Jason King (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_King_(TV_series)). You probably know Robert Shaw as Captain Flint from Jaws.

Robert Shaw - Sebastian Shaw
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH-E/172030~Robert-Shaw-Posters.jpg

Orson Welles - Harry Leland
http://www.hollywoodawards.com/welles/wellesbig.gif

Donald Sutherland - Donald Pierce
http://web.wireimage.com/images/tnm/9953248.jpg

Peter Wyngarde - Jason Wyngarde
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e4/Wyngarde_as_Jason_King.JPG

I think Cronin had that in a Comic Book Urban Legends, too. But Jimmy, great work on researching the file photos. They look a helluva lot like their Hollywood forebears. I never realized how much Pierce did look like Donald Sutherland, though. The photo you found really shows the similarity.

[Jimmy Starburst]

Thanks. :cool:

Oh man, I can't wait for Wolverine to start choppin n****s up.. these two issues are seriously top-knotch and action-packed. As you say, "it's one of the biggest mark-out moments for Wolverine EVER" - I read somewhere this was really the beginning of Wolverine's stardom, and reputation as the ultimate badass in comics... go Wolvie, you deserve it.

[worstblogever]

Thanks. :cool:

Oh man, I can't wait for Wolverine to start choppin n****s up.. these two issues are seriously top-knotch and action-packed. As you say, "it's one of the biggest mark-out moments for Wolverine EVER" - I read somewhere this was really the beginning of Wolverine's stardom, and reputation as the ultimate badass in comics... go Wolvie, you deserve it.

Hell, he's going to take on the whole Hellfire Club, goons, Cardinals, and all without any of the other X-Men, all of whom were bested by them for months leading up to this.

If that doesn't prove he's got balls like the Thing (made of rock, natch), I don't know what does.

[worstblogever]

How could we not post the image of the "Queen of Sin" that Emma Frost was based on?

http://theavengers.tv/forever/images/queenofsin.jpg

Oh Diana Rigg. Hot damn.

[DDM]

Worstblogever, Emma Frost is portrayed very evil in this story. She is seconds from mindwiping Ororo; no X-woman in the waiting here. And she looked at young Kitty Pryde like she was a treat to eat, in #129.

I think Emma Frost is one of the evil characters who cannot be redeemed. This is just the beginning of Emma Frost's evil ways shown in both Uncanny X-Men & her obsessive need to subvert Xavier's novice students, The New Mutants.

DDM, Charles Xavier has been ineffectual since his return from outer space. Has he been studying Phoenix? It doesn't seem so. Charles probably should have left Phoenix at the Mutant Research Centre on Muir Island, which would have been a good place to analyze her powers, and not at his School.

He can't keep Phoenix on Muir Isle against her will. Since the X-Men are alive, she's going back to Xavier's mansion; in the meantime, Xavier has been running tests on Jean while Moira MacTaggert checks the data on her tests of Jean. I think it took Xavier & Moira a long time to figure out Phoenix's powers. However, the Hellfire Club & Jason Wyngarde have been quietly subverting Jean in the shadows without either Moira MacTaggert or Xavier's knowledge. Jean has kept her "timeslips" to herself until she tells Scott on the butte in New Mexico.



BTW, what is Dazzler's history again? Wasn't she created by Marvel to promote the disco craze, or something?

Dazzler was supposed to be "real" in the sense Marvel & Casablanca Records would release real LPs; however, the deal fell through. But Marvel kept Dazzler going with her ongoing series.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.132.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #132

"And Hellfire is Their Name"

1st appearance: Tessa, Donald Pierce, Harry Leland

The Hellfire Club mega-arc continues, as more members of this mysterious Inner Circle debut. Fascinating that Tessa debuts so soon after Dazzler, eh? (And damn, X-Men won FIVE Eagle Awards for 1979. Pretty damn impressive, I'd say.)

So looking at #132's cover, I'd say Orson Welles is Harry Leland. And Sean Connery is Jason Wyngarde. Not sure about the others. Anyway, this issue begins in New Mexico, as the X-Men and Charles Xavier are hiding out at Warren Worthington the third's desert home. We see a scantily-clad Candy Southern again, as she and Angel are an item, we learn. Warren and Cyclops fly to a desert butte, so they can discuss matters. We learn that Angel and Candy are members of the Hellfire Club!! Rather a shock, to be sure. But Warren denies any involvement in the Hellfire pursuit of the X-Men. Warren leaves and Jean Grey arrives on the butte. Jean has a picnic all made for them, and they begin to talk. Scott needs a break and some relaxation. Jean removes his visor and Scott resists. But Phoenix holds back his optic beams with her awesome powers, she wants to see his face. He has a good face. They embrace and begin passionately kissing.

Rumor is this is the scene Rachel Summers is conceived.

A week later, the X-Men are going to assault the Hellfire Club itself. Wolverine and Nightcrawler are sneaking in the tunnels under the mansion. While Scott, Jean, Ororo and Peter will walk right through the main doors, as guests of a large party taking place at the Hellfire Club this night. Look fast for Playboy owner Hugh Hefner in the crowd!! As the X-Men enter the Club, we meet blonde-haired Donald Pierce and rotund Harry Leland. They are watching along with Sebastian Shaw and Jason Wyngarde in the inner sanctum. Back on the floor, Scott and Jean are dancing on the main floor. Jason Wyngarde cuts in, and takes Jean up a flight of stairs away from Scott. Wyngarde turns and reveals his true face---the face of Mastermind!! Scott is outraged and runs up the stairs after them, but gets blasted down by Jean-----who is now turned into the Black Queen.

Ororo & Colossus hear the blast, and take off to the second floor of the Hellfire Club. Sebastian Shaw awaits, heavily muscled. Colossus' takes his best shot, but Shaw tosses him around like a rag-doll. Shaw absorbs kinetic energy, and knocks out both Colossus and Storm. Shaw savagely punches Storm in the back of the head. Meanwhile, in the basement, Nightcrawler & Wolverine finally break through, but are immediately attacked by Donald Pierce and Harry Leland. Pierce begins to strangle Kurt, and Wolvie slashes his arm with his adamantium claws. But Donald Pierce is some kind of a robot!! Leland's mutant power is to control mass, and makes Wolvie so heavy Logan smashes through the floor and into a storm sewer, and is carried away. Shaw carries the bodies of of the captured X-Men and drops them on the floor, with the other Hellfire Clubbers in attendance. Jean stands among them as the Black Queen. A young, raven-haired woman brings Shaw a robe and helps him put it on (this is Tessa. ) The members all raise their glasses and toast their new BLACK QUEEN!!

In the raging waters of the sewer, a dirty hand grabs a pipe and drags himself from the waters. A filthy Wolverine climbs out and says Okay, suckers--you've taken yer BEST SHOT! NOW IT'S MY TURN!

Uncanny X-Men #132 keeps building the tension of the Hellfire Club storyline. Despite the X-Men's win against the White Queen, Emma Frost, & the team's rescue of both Kitty Pryde & Dazzler, the Hellfire Club still ambushes the X-Men from within as Jean Grey becomes the decadent Black Queen! The X-Men are still clueless that the mansion has been bugged & Mastermind knows everything thanks to his psionic rapport with Jean.

Mastermind's arrogance comes to the surface as he believes he's invincible with Phoenix as his puppet Black Queen. Yet the Hellfire Club acted as team to defeat the X-Men. Furthermore, Mastermind only subverted Jean as a means to an end: To become part of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle. Now Mastermind seeks Sebastian Shaw's place as leader of the Hellfire Club.

Donald Pierce's anti-mutant hatred is shown when he tries to strangle Nightcrawler. A hint of things to come from Donald Pierce...

Xavier can do nothing since he's not aware the X-Men are in trouble. It looks bad for the X-Men...

[worstblogever]

[B]Donald Pierce's anti-mutant hatred is shown when he tries to strangle Nightcrawler. A hint of things to come from Donald Pierce...


Maybe Pierce is into erotic asphyxia? ;)

[david r]

Jimmy Starburst and Worstblogever, thanks for that information on the Hellfire Club. Those photos were awesome. That Peter Wyngarde guy, is that fake hair? He's got to be wearing a wig.

Also, I've read that Tessa may have been based on Lesley-Anne Down from the film The Great Train Robbery from 1979. She has dark hair like Tessa and wears an outfit EXTREMELY similiar to Tessa's Hellfire Club outfit. Donald Sutherland also is in this film.

DDM, Are the other Hellfire Club members aware that Jason Wyngarde is really Mastermind? I haven't found any reference so far that they know he's faking his identity.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.133.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #133

"Wolverine: Alone!"

This issue spotlights Wolverine against the Hellfire Club...alone and unaware of the dangers the team are facing. Logan slashes and slices his way through Hellfire security goons, though he is merciful and doesn't kill all of them. #133 makes little doubt he kills people now.

Meanwhile, Storm, Cyclops, Colossus and Nightcrawler are all held prisoner by the Inner Circle. They are held with manacles which cancel out their mutant powers. They are held in a lush room filled with books, swords-and-shields on the walls and a raging fireplace. Watching them is the evil "Inner Circle"--Sebastian Shaw, Donald Pierce, Jason Wyngarde, Harry Leland...and Jean Grey, who is now the Black Queen. Jean interrogates Storm and slaps her face with a whip, cutting it. Jean shows no mercy, and seems to have fully embraced her darkside. Nightcrawler wonders why they haven't killed them yet, and Sebastian Shaw says they are going to use the X-Men as "guinea pigs". They will isolate the genetic quirk that creates mutants...and "custom-build" through genetic engineering...mutants at will. (Sounds pretty gross. I'm really surprised this idea has never resurfaced.)

Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Angel and Professor Charles Xavier await word from the team. Charles divulges that when Scott Summers became team leader, Xavier resented it. And him. That resentment caused Xavier to make terrible mistakes. He fears innocent people will suffer because of them. Ominous words!! Charles seems to be making serious mistakes of late. Back at the Hellfire Club, Wolverine makes his way to the grand party in the Main Hall of the Club, and starts fighting more security forces. At that same time, Cyclops enters the Astral Plane, to discover Jason Wyngarde awaiting him. The two begin dueling with swords, but Scott is a complete novice on the Astral Plane. Wyngarde taunts him with sword strokes and lunges, toying with Cyclops! Finally, Jason stabs the sword right through Scott's chest. In the real world, Cyclops screams out and collapses to the floor of the study...and he stops breathing!!

My thoughts: I was surprised there wasn't more Wolverine "slicing and dicing", I expected Wolvie to get more showtime in this issue. I found more interesting the astral plane battle between Scott and Mastermind. Also, Senator Robert Kelly is first mentioned in #133, as a guest of the Hellfire Club party, but we never see him. Overall, the quality of this book is excellent, in both art and story. I would say this is already a classic, no matter what happens next.

[DDM]

Also, I've read that Tessa may have been based on Lesley-Anne Down from the film The Great Train Robbery from 1979. She has dark hair like Tessa and wears an outfit EXTREMELY similiar to Tessa's Hellfire Club outfit. Donald Sutherland also is in this film.

I didn't know that.

DDM, Are the other Hellfire Club members aware that Jason Wyngarde is really Mastermind? I haven't found any reference so far that they know he's faking his identity.

The Hellfire Club invited Mastermind to join the Inner Circle; however, to prove his worth, he said he could subvert Jean Grey to willingly become the Hellfire Club's Black Queen (this happened after Classic X-Men #7 after Shaw & Frost's coup de'tat against the human Council of the Chosen & fill the Inner Circle with superhuman mutants). The successful subversion of Grey & keeping her "body & soul" to the Hellfire Club is Mastermind's key to permanently joining the group. The White Queen gave Mastermind her mindtap mechanism to give him artificial telepathy & hide his illusions from Jean's telepathy; Mastermind also adopted the illusion of the handsome rogue gentleman based on Jean's hidden desires for a man. Therefore, yes, the Hellfire Club knows Jason Wyngarde is Mastermind.

Jason Wyngarde is Mastermind's real name.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.133.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #133

"Wolverine: Alone!"

This issue spotlights Wolverine against the Hellfire Club...alone and unaware of the dangers the team are facing. Logan slashes and slices his way through Hellfire security goons, though he is merciful and doesn't kill all of them. #133 makes little doubt he kills people now.

Meanwhile, Storm, Cyclops, Colossus and Nightcrawler are all held prisoner by the Inner Circle. They are held with manacles which cancel out their mutant powers. They are held in a lush room filled with books, swords-and-shields on the walls and a raging fireplace. Watching them is the evil "Inner Circle"--Sebastian Shaw, Donald Pierce, Jason Wyngarde, Harry Leland...and Jean Grey, who is now the Black Queen. Jean interrogates Storm and slaps her face with a whip, cutting it. Jean shows no mercy, and seems to have fully embraced her darkside. Nightcrawler wonders why they haven't killed them yet, and Sebastian Shaw says they are going to use the X-Men as "guinea pigs". They will isolate the genetic quirk that creates mutants...and "custom-build" through genetic engineering...mutants at will. (Sounds pretty gross. I'm really surprised this idea has never resurfaced.)

Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Angel and Professor Charles Xavier await word from the team. Charles divulges that when Scott Summers became team leader, Xavier resented it. And him. That resentment caused Xavier to make terrible mistakes. He fears innocent people will suffer because of them. Ominous words!! Charles seems to be making serious mistakes of late. Back at the Hellfire Club, Wolverine makes his way to the grand party in the Main Hall of the Club, and starts fighting more security forces. At that same time, Cyclops enters the Astral Plane, to discover Jason Wyngarde awaiting him. The two begin dueling with swords, but Scott is a complete novice on the Astral Plane. Wyngarde taunts him with sword strokes and lunges, toying with Cyclops! Finally, Jason stabs the sword right through Scott's chest. In the real world, Cyclops screams out and collapses to the floor of the study...and he stops breathing!!

My thoughts: I was surprised there wasn't more Wolverine "slicing and dicing", I expected Wolvie to get more showtime in this issue. I found more interesting the astral plane battle between Scott and Mastermind. Also, Senator Robert Kelly is first mentioned in #133, as a guest of the Hellfire Club party, but we never see him. Overall, the quality of this book is excellent, in both art and story. I would say this is already a classic, no matter what happens next.

Mastermind's arrogance is astounding. Once he's won, he thinks no one else can take his prize away from him! Worse, he overplays his hand by "stabbing" Scott's astral form, nearly killing him in the real world.

Jean's subversion seems absolute. Mastermind & the Hellfire Club have done their work well.

The Hellfire Club's invests in Genosha who does a form of genetic engineering on mutants via the secret gene-mod process, but this is years away...

I think isolating a specific gene or group of genes is difficult in & of itself; this would take years to isolate the gene itself before anyone can start creating mutants at will.

[david r]

Poster Zonzorp discovered the similarities between Lesley-Anne Down from that 1979 movie.

Thanks for the information, DDM. If I were Sebastian Shaw, I wouldn't trust Mastermind because you never know if you're seeing reality, or an illusion from him. I like how the two are already scheming against one another.

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.134.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #134

"Too Late, The Heroes"

1st appearance: Dark Phoenix

This story winds-down to it's disastrous climax, as the X-Men stage a comeback against the Hellfire Club. Cyclops has barely survived Mastermind's astral plane slaying of him. Luckily for our heroes, this has broken Mastermind's hold on Phoenix, and she is herself again. She frees the X-Men from their manacles and the heroes attack Donald Pierce, Sebastian Shaw and Harry Leland. A wild fracas within the Hellfire Club begins!!

Hank McCoy, the Beast, makes a special appearance, as Avengers HQs intercepts a report that the X-Men are "attacking" the HC. Hank decides to head over there on his own, and it sounds strongly as though Claremont/Byrne were planning to write Beast back into the X-Men book permanently. Back at the Club, Colossus breaks Donald Pierce's cyborg arm, and Pierce flees. Storm begins freezing Sebastian Shaw, and he too flees the scene. Wolverine assaults rotund Harry Leland, and they smash through several floors. But the coup de grace is when Phoenix confronts Mastermind...and seizes him with her a psychic "wing" of her Phoenix force. His back against the wall, Mastermind is helpless, as Phoenix expands his consciousness at the speed of thought from one side of reality to the other, through all the infinite reaches of space and time. Mastermind collapses to the floor in a drooling state, a comatose vegetable.

As the X-Men flee the Mansion, something seems *wrong* with Jean Grey. But Cyclops has to get this team out of harm's way, before he can focus on her. As they run away, Sebastian Shaw watches from a window and vows revenge of them. Before he's done, the X-Men will be known as Public Enemy Number One. As the X-Men board their hidden hovercraft, it lifts off into the air. But almost immediately, they hear these dreaded words: Hear me, X-Men! No longer am I the woman you knew! I am fire! And LIFE INCARNATE! Now and forever--I am PHOENIX! The X-Men turn to see Phoenix awash in purple light, her costume now a fiery red color. The Phoenix emblem is FULL on her chest. The hovercraft EXPLODES!!

My thoughts: As the saying goes, out of the frying pan...........I like how one thing leads to the next. The Hellfire Club's corruption of Jean (for their own purposes) leads to a HORRIBLE unexpected consequence. The final battle with the Hellfire Club was kickass, and I was glad to see our mutants take-down those arrogant creeps. But what's happened to our Jean??

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.135.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #135

"Dark Phoenix"

1st appearance: Senator Robert Kelly
1st (and last) X-MEN appearance: the D'Bari

This issue goes cosmic, as beloved, original X-Man Jean Grey turns from the light to the darkness, and becomes DARK PHOENIX! :eek:

Jean destroys the hovercraft, sending the X-Men flying into open air. Each lands to earth okay, in Central Park. The X-Men are shocked at what has happened to their teammate, Phoenix. Her costume has turned a fiery red, and her Phoenix power signature is encompassing the sky. Phoenix swoops down on them, and the fight begins. Within a minute, the entire X-Men are defeated, and Dark Phoenix stands triumphant!! She reaches for the sky--summoning the lightning--laughing as the awesome bolts of energy caress her body like a lover.

Meanwhile, back at the Hellfire Club, we are introduced to Senator Robert Kelly, also a Presidential candidate. Harry Leland and Jason Wyngarde are carried into ambulances, as Kelly vows to capture the ones responsible---the X-Men! Sebastian Shaw suggest the best way to destroy them is with Sentinels. Sentinels under Federal government control. At that moment, a massive Phoenix explodes from Central Park, and all present stand in awe at the sight. Dark Phoenix shoots into outer space, capturing the attention of the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange & the Silver Surfer. Back in Central Park, the Beast arrives on the scene and awakens our broken X-Men. They take off in an Avengers Quinjet back to the Xavier Mansion.

Dark Phoenix leaves Earth, and approaches our sun. Starcore and Peter Corbeau monitor her as Phoenix loops the sun, propelling her beyond Jupiter. Dark Phoenix uses her awe-inspiring power to create a stargate and enter a galaxy far, far away. She approaches this alien sun, and enters it. She suddenly, completely consumes the sun. It slowly explodes, bursting outward with it's unbelievable solar devastation. The fourth planet in this galaxy is named D'Bari. The billions of D'Bari that inhabit it are a peace-loving people. They never know what hit them. Their planet is irrevocably decimated by the sun's explosion. Jean Grey has just murdered 4 billion people! But her ultimate goal is to drain the M'Kraan Crystal. In so doing, she will likely destroy the universe!!

A Sh'iar imperial battle cruiser picks up D'Bari catastrophe on their monitors, and spy Dark Phoenix leaving the galaxy. They fire on her, and she smashes right through the craft, scratching one propulsion engine. The Sh'iar contact Imperial Center and Empress Princess Lilandra is alerted. She watches in horror as the Phoenix comes down on the Sh'iar cruiser, utterly annihilating it. (This is awesomely drawn shot by John Byrne; with the Phoenix and it's clawed talons approaching the ship!) Back at Xavier's Mansion, the X-Men are in the kitchen, horribly upset over what's occuring. Cyclops has sat silent for hours; suddenly he rears up his head and says "It's Phoenix--I can sense her in my mind, through the psionic rapport we share. She's returning to Earth--AND SHE'S HUNGRY!"

My thoughts: Super-hero comics have rarely reached this level of excellence. A true on-the-edge-of your seat ride. Charles Xavier's worst nightmare has happened---one of his mutants has lost control, and runs wild. And there is no one who can stop Dark Phoenix!! I like #135's cover, a homage to the Neal Adams cover with the Living Monolith (#56.) The death of the "Brocolli People" was pretty painful to read, to even imagine the sheer loss of life and devastation. We only see them in one panel. This whole tale seems to have a life of it's own....and is heading towards it's malignant climax!

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.134.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #134

"Too Late, The Heroes"

1st appearance: Dark Phoenix

This story winds-down to it's disastrous climax, as the X-Men stage a comeback against the Hellfire Club. Cyclops has barely survived Mastermind's astral plane slaying of him. Luckily for our heroes, this has broken Mastermind's hold on Phoenix, and she is herself again. She frees the X-Men from their manacles and the heroes attack Donald Pierce, Sebastian Shaw and Harry Leland. A wild fracas within the Hellfire Club begins!!

Hank McCoy, the Beast, makes a special appearance, as Avengers HQs intercepts a report that the X-Men are "attacking" the HC. Hank decides to head over there on his own, and it sounds strongly as though Claremont/Byrne were planning to write Beast back into the X-Men book permanently. Back at the Club, Colossus breaks Donald Pierce's cyborg arm, and Pierce flees. Storm begins freezing Sebastian Shaw, and he too flees the scene. Wolverine assaults rotund Harry Leland, and they smash through several floors. But the coup de grace is when Phoenix confronts Mastermind...and seizes him with her a psychic "wing" of her Phoenix force. His back against the wall, Mastermind is helpless, as Phoenix expands his consciousness at the speed of thought from one side of reality to the other, through all the infinite reaches of space and time. Mastermind collapses to the floor in a drooling state, a comatose vegetable.

As the X-Men flee the Mansion, something seems *wrong* with Jean Grey. But Cyclops has to get this team out of harm's way, before he can focus on her. As they run away, Sebastian Shaw watches from a window and vows revenge of them. Before he's done, the X-Men will be known as Public Enemy Number One. As the X-Men board their hidden hovercraft, it lifts off into the air. But almost immediately, they hear these dreaded words: Hear me, X-Men! No longer am I the woman you knew! I am fire! And LIFE INCARNATE! Now and forever--I am PHOENIX! The X-Men turn to see Phoenix awash in purple light, her costume now a fiery red color. The Phoenix emblem is FULL on her chest. The hovercraft EXPLODES!!

My thoughts: As the saying goes, out of the frying pan...........I like how one thing leads to the next. The Hellfire Club's corruption of Jean (for their own purposes) leads to a HORRIBLE unexpected consequence. The final battle with the Hellfire Club was kickass, and I was glad to see our mutants take-down those arrogant creeps. But what's happened to our Jean??

Uncanny X-Men #134 is a favorite issue because the story intensity never dies down; Chris Claremont & John Byrne work with a logical view as the X-Men defeat the Hellfire Club from within thanks to Jean Grey's reversion back to herself. Unfortunately, Jean's corruption as the Black Queen poses devastating consequences for the X-Men!

When Jean awakes from Mastermind's illusions, she speaks as Phoenix; covered in shadows, Jean's reality of her corruption is made clear as she slowly transforms into something else. A close-up of Jean's face just drives home she has no mercy for Mastermind when she exposes his mind to the universe.

Just when the X-Men believes they have escaped harm, Phoenix can no longer hold back & she changes into Dark Phoenix! How are the X-Men going to fight their dear friend who possesses the powers of a god?

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.135.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #135

"Dark Phoenix"

1st appearance: Senator Robert Kelly
1st (and last) appearance: the D'Bari

This issue goes cosmic, as beloved, original X-Man Jean Grey turns from the light to the darkness, and becomes DARK PHOENIX! :eek:

Jean destroys the hovercraft, sending the X-Men flying into open air. Each lands to earth okay, in Central Park. The X-Men are shocked at what has happened to their teammate, Phoenix. Her costume has turned a fiery red, and her Phoenix power signature is encompassing the sky. Phoenix swoops down on them, and the fight begins. Within a minute, the entire X-Men are defeated, and Dark Phoenix stands triumphant!! She reaches for the sky--summoning the lightning--laughing as the awesome bolts of energy caress her body like a lover.

Meanwhile, back at the Hellfire Club, we are introduced to Senator Robert Kelly, also a Presidential candidate. Harry Leland and Jason Wyngarde are carried into ambulances, as Kelly vows to capture the ones responsible---the X-Men! Sebastian Shaw suggest the best way to destroy them is with Sentinels. Sentinels under Federal government control. At that moment, a massive Phoenix explodes from Central Park, and all present stand in awe at the sight. Dark Phoenix shoots into outer space, capturing the attention of the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange & the Silver Surfer. Back in Central Park, the Beast arrives on the scene and awakens our broken X-Men. They take off in an Avengers Quinjet back to the Xavier Mansion.

Dark Phoenix leaves Earth, and approaches our sun. Starcore and Peter Corbeau monitor her as Phoenix loops the sun, propelling her beyond Jupiter. Dark Phoenix uses her awe-inspiring power to create a stargate and enter a galaxy far, far away. She approaches this alien sun, and enters it. She suddenly, completely consumes the sun. It slowly explodes, bursting outward with it's unbelievable solar devastation. The fourth planet in this galaxy is named D'Bari. The billions of D'Bari that inhabit it are a peace-loving people. They never know what hit them. Their planet is irrevocably decimated by the sun's explosion. Jean Grey has just murdered 4 billion people! But her ultimate goal is to drain the M'Kraan Crystal. In so doing, she will likely destroy the universe!!

A Sh'iar imperial battle cruiser picks up D'Bari catastrophe on their monitors, and spy Dark Phoenix leaving the galaxy. They fire on her, and she smashes right through the craft, scratching one propulsion engine. The Sh'iar contact Imperial Center and Empress Princess Lilandra is alerted. She watches in horror as the Phoenix comes down on the Sh'iar cruiser, utterly annihilating it. (This is awesomely drawn shot by John Byrne; with the Phoenix and it's clawed talons approaching the ship!) Back at Xavier's Mansion, the X-Men are in the kitchen, horribly upset over what's occuring. Cyclops has sat silent for hours; suddenly he rears up his head and says "It's Phoenix--I can sense her in my mind, through the psionic rapport we share. She's returning to Earth--AND SHE'S HUNGRY!"

My thoughts: Super-hero comics have rarely reached this level of excellence. A true on-the-edge-of your seat ride. Charles Xavier's worst nightmare has happened---one of his mutants has lost control, and runs wild. And there is no one who can stop Dark Phoenix!! I like #135's cover, a homage to the Neal Adams cover with the Living Monolith (#56.) The death of the "Brocolli People" was pretty painful to read, to even imagine the sheer loss of life and devastation. We only see them in one panel. This whole tale seems to have a life of it's own....and is heading towards it's malignant climax!

The D'bari first appear in The Avengers #5.

Uncanny X-Men #135 is a brilliant contrast to Uncanny X-Men #108: Dark Phoenix is personifies destruction incarnate. She attempts to kill the X-Men, almost kills Beast on her way into outer space, she consumes a star to only have the innocent D'Bari die just so Phoenix can get some kind of physical-emotional-spiritual high, & she next destroys a star ship killing thousands Shi'ar in an instant.

Is this really Jean Grey? Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely, even the girl-next-door...

[david r]

When Jean awakes from Mastermind's illusions, she speaks as Phoenix; covered in shadows, Jean's reality of her corruption is made clear as she slowly transforms into something else.

Yes, that shot of Phoenix cloaked in shadow was gorgeous. John Byrne raised his art to a high level for this story; it is exquisite.

-Another interesting detail during this tale, is when Wolverine learns Donald Pierce is a cyborg (half man/half machine), Wolverine mentions he himself was almost turned into a cyborg. This is a fascinating bone to us readers, the slightest hint to Logan's past. I know his bones are laced with adamantium, but do we ever learn there was an attempt to turn him into a cyborg?

-I just noticed that Dazzler wears roller-skates while fighting the Hellfire Club. ROLLER-SKATES!!! :p

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.136.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #136

"Child of Light and Darkness"

The Dark Phoenix story approaches it's emotional finale, as the X-Men nervously await Jean Grey's return to Earth. The team are unaware of the damage Jean has caused, destroying an entire galaxy!! The Beast has devised a scrambler to put on Jean's head, which will stop coherent thought, and hopefully render Phoenix weak. Scott Summers is holding back his feelings, afraid he'll shatter if not. Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler work out in the Danger Room. But their thoughts are with their friend.

Meanwhile, Dark Phoenix arrives at Jean's parents house, in the dead of night. As Phoenix enters the home, and old memories rush to her, Jean's parents and her sister, Sarah Grey, awaken. They are startled by Jean's appearance, and Phoenix can sense every emotion, every fear. Phoenix becomes angered and leaves. As she departs, Nightcrawler *bamfs* atop her, and inserts the scrambler on Jean's head. This weakens Dark Phoenix, and the X-Men now have a shot at her. She tosses Kurt off her back, and then Colossus grabs her foot. Phoenix whirls around and flings Colossus into a tree!! Storm launches a thunderstorm at Dark Phoenix, and Ororo tries to reach Jean, reminding her of their deep friendship. Dark Phoenix says Ororo is closer to her than her own sister. But Phoenix lashes out just the same, flinging her away. The Beast grabs Jean's arms from a tree, and holds her. This instant gives Wolverine his shot. Wolverine knocks Dark Phoenix to the edge of a river, and his claws come out. Logan is on verge of the kill, and says "Forgive me, darling." Jean says "Do it, Wolverine." And for a moment, Jean Grey has returned, with a tear in her eye. Wolverine hesitates, and that's all she needs. Dark Phoenix blasts Wolverine off of her.

She stands and rips the scrambler off her head, commending the X-Men on their "admirable ploy". Dark Phoenix freezes them all into place, and lifts them into the air, helpless. She wonders "Whatever will I do with you all?" At that moment, Cyclops walks from the bushes, and says he's come to talk to her, not fight. He asks since Dark Phoenix is so POWERFUL, why do the X-Men yet live? Is there something holding Jean back from killing them all?

Scott says: You can't kill us because you LOVE us. And we love you.
Dark Phoenix: Dark Phoenix knows NOTHING of love!
Scott: Oh? For love the X-Men, you sacrified your life. For the love of me, you resurrected yourself. For love of the whole universe, you almost died a second time to save it. Know nothing of love?! Jean, you are LOVE!...And now, you want to deny that? To deny yourself?
Dark Phoenix: YES! No! I...hunger, Scott--for a joy, a rapture, beyond all comprehension. That need is a part of me, too. It...CONSUMES me.

At this opening, Charles Xavier appears in his wheelchair from the bushes, and mind-blasts Dark Phoenix. Jean blasts Cyclops away, and then screams at Xavier, "Meddling old fool--you have just signed your DEATH WARRANT!" Dark Phoenix ferociously blasts Charles out of his wheelchair. Charles lies bloodied on the grass, his smashed chair next to him.

Charles Xavier: Perhaps, Phoenix. But I am in part responsible for what has happened here. Though it may cost me my life--I will put it right.
Dark Phoenix: Why, Professor, you sound almost guilty---as well you should! YOU unleashed my latent telepathic ability. YOU set in motion the chain of events that created first Phoenix--and then DARK PHOENIX! Behold your creation, Charles Xavier!

A psi-war begins, between Dark Phoenix and Charles Xavier. The Phoenix-Bird expands in all it's terrifying glory, arising above Jean Grey's form. And as the psi-war intensifies, a tear runs down Charles Xavier's cheek. A huge storm of fire and light swirls above the city, and then finally... Dark Phoenix falls!! Scott screams "JEAN!" and runs over to her, lying completely naked on the grass. Within Scott's mind, Jean hears his undying love for her, even love if she remains Dark Phoenix. Jean opens her eyes and says it sounds like a marriage proposal. Scott says "What do you say, Red?" Jean: "I say, YES." And they embrace and kiss passionately.

Jean's family run over, worried sick as Jean's father gives her a robe to wear. He then demands an explanation from Charles Xavier, which Colossus holds in his arms. Charles asks for a cup of tea..."It's been a most strenuous night!" But then the entire team vanish, in a mighty glow! Jean Grey's family stand shocked! At the moment of their victory, WHERE COULD THEY HAVE GONE!?

[DDM]

Yes, that shot of Phoenix cloaked in shadow was gorgeous. John Byrne raised his art to a high level for this story; it is exquisite.

-Another interesting detail during this tale, is when Wolverine learns Donald Pierce is a cyborg (half man/half machine), Wolverine mentions he himself was almost turned into a cyborg. This is a fascinating bone to us readers, the slightest hint to Logan's past. I know his bones are laced with adamantium, but do we ever learn there was an attempt to turn him into a cyborg?

-I just noticed that Dazzler wears roller-skates while fighting the Hellfire Club. ROLLER-SKATES!!! :p

I've reread that particular scene many times. After Jean's telekinetically controls Wolverine as a distraction, she frees Cyclops with her telekinesis as well. After all the other X-Men--Cyclops, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, & Wolverine--leave the room to fight the other Hellfire Club's Inner Circle, Jean is left alone with Mastermind. At first she does nothing. She just stands like a statue.

In the meantime, the power goes out when the water hits the exposed circuits. Jean still stands in the shadows as she feels her own dark-side backed by the full powers of Phoenix. Her face is hidden, yet her body glows with power as she manifests a Phoenix claw, a manifestation of her telekinesis. She's torturing Mastermind more out of anger that she's been used & Mastermind does not understand that her successful transformation into the Black Queen has precipitated Phoenix's transformation into something new, something terrible. Phoenix gives Mastermind more power than his human mind can cope; therefore, he is put into hopelessly catatonic state.

Oddly, Cyclops can't find Jean, despite their psionic rapport. He spends several minutes looking for her when she never left the original room the X-Men had been held hostage by the Hellfire Club.

The severity of Jean's radical transformation is interesting too since when she breaks from Mastermind's illusions, she does not transform back into her original Phoenix self. Jean remains the Black Queen, in costume, until she transforms into Dark Phoenix...

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.136.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #136

"Child of Light and Darkness"

The Dark Phoenix story approaches it's emotional finale, as the X-Men nervously await Jean Grey's return to Earth. The team are unaware of the damage Jean has caused, destroying an entire galaxy!! The Beast has devised a scrambler to put on Jean's head, which will stop coherent thought, and hopefully render Phoenix weak. Scott Summers is holding back his feelings, afraid he'll shatter if not. Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler work out in the Danger Room. But their thoughts are with their friend.

Meanwhile, Dark Phoenix arrives at Jean's parents house, in the dead of night. As Phoenix enters the home, and old memories rush to her, Jean's parents and her sister, Sarah Grey, awaken. They are startled by Jean's appearance, and Phoenix can sense every emotion, every fear. Phoenix becomes angered and leaves. As she departs, Nightcrawler *bamfs* atop her, and inserts the scrambler on Jean's head. This weakens Dark Phoenix, and the X-Men now have a shot at her. She tosses Kurt off her back, and then Colossus grabs her foot. Phoenix whirls around and flings Colossus into a tree!! Storm launches a thunderstorm at Dark Phoenix, and Ororo tries to reach Jean, reminding her of their deep friendship. Dark Phoenix says Ororo is closer to her than her own sister. But Phoenix lashes out just the same, flinging her away. The Beast grabs Jean's arms from a tree, and holds her. This instant gives Wolverine his shot. Wolverine knocks Dark Phoenix to the edge of a river, and his claws come out. Logan is on verge of the kill, and says "Forgive me, darling." Jean says "Do it, Wolverine." And for a moment, Jean Grey has returned, with a tear in her eye. Wolverine hesitates, and that's all she needs. Dark Phoenix blasts Wolverine off of her.

She stands and rips the scrambler off her head, commending the X-Men on their "admirable ploy". Dark Phoenix freezes them all into place, and lifts them into the air, helpless. She wonders "Whatever will I do with you all?" At that moment, Cyclops walks from the bushes, and says he's come to talk to her, not fight. He asks since Dark Phoenix is so POWERFUL, why do the X-Men yet live? Is there something holding Jean back from killing them all?

Scott says: You can't kill us because you LOVE us. And we love you.
Dark Phoenix: Dark Phoenix knows NOTHING of love!
Scott: Oh? For love the X-Men, you sacrified your life. For the love of me, you resurrected yourself. For love of the whole universe, you almost died a second time to save it. Know nothing of love?! Jean, you are LOVE!...And now, you want to deny that? To deny yourself?
Dark Phoenix: YES! No! I...hunger, Scott--for a joy, a rapture, beyond all comprehension. That need is a part of me, too. It...CONSUMES me.

At this opening, Charles Xavier appears in his wheelchair from the bushes, and mind-blasts Dark Phoenix. Jean blasts Cyclops away, and then screams at Xavier, "Meddling old fool--you have just signed your DEATH WARRANT!" Dark Phoenix ferociously blasts Charles out of his wheelchair. Charles lies bloodied on the grass, his smashed chair next to him.

Charles Xavier: Perhaps, Phoenix. But I am in part responsible for what has happened here. Though it may cost me my life--I will put it right.
Dark Phoenix: Why, Professor, you sound almost guilty---as well you should! YOU unleashed my latent telepathic ability. YOU set in motion the chain of events that created first Phoenix--and then DARK PHOENIX! Behold your creation, Charles Xavier!

A psi-war begins, between Dark Phoenix and Charles Xavier. The Phoenix-Bird expands in all it's terrifying glory, arising above Jean Grey's form. And as the psi-war intensifies, a tear runs down Charles Xavier's cheek. A huge storm of fire and light swirls above the city, and then finally... Dark Phoenix falls!! Scott screams "JEAN!" and runs over to her, lying completely naked on the grass. Within Scott's mind, Jean hears his undying love for her, even love if she remains Dark Phoenix. Jean opens her eyes and says it sounds like a marriage proposal. Scott says "What do you say, Red?" Jean: "I say, YES." And they embrace and kiss passionately.

Jean's family run over, worried sick as Jean's father gives her a robe to wear. He then demands an explanation from Charles Xavier, which Colossus holds in his arms. Charles asks for a cup of tea..."It's been a most strenuous night!" But then the entire team vanish, in a mighty glow! Jean Grey's family stand shocked! At the moment of their victory, WHERE COULD THEY HAVE GONE!?

You've glossed over the fact Dark Phoenix is torn about killing Jean's parents; I think this is one of the most powerful scenes from Uncanny X-Men #136. Dark Phoenix cannot kill her parents, her sister, & the X-Men, despite the fact Dark Phoenix is evil incarnate.

Charles Xavier duel with Dark Phoenix is equally sad & thrilling to read. He's known Jean since she was child & it has all come to this moment. Cyclops' talk with Dark Phoenix helped Jean fight her Phoenix-self & reassert herself from Dark Phoenix's insanity to regain control of Phoenix once more.

I also like how most of the original X-Men--Angel & Beast--enter into the story over time. It's just too bad Iceman could not have been used in this story.

[worstblogever]

I'm gonna wait until the Dark Phoenix Saga is over to see if I can't link to Cronin's "behind the scenes" battle between Jim Shooter, John Byrne, and Chris Claremont over Jean Grey/Phoenix's final fate.

It was one of the better "Comic Book Urban Legends".

[Jimmy Starburst]

I also like how most of the original X-Men--Angel & Beast--enter into the story over time. It's just too bad Iceman could not have been used in this story.

Apparently Byrne just didn't like drawing Iceman, so he never made an appearance. After Byrne's run, I don't know what happened, because I don't think Iceman appeared in Uncanny until 1991, with the exception of the Inferno and X-Tinction Agenda crossovers.

and DDM - just noticed your new avatar now. That issue of New Mutants (51) was the bomb. If I remember correctly, that one had some interesting moments with Storm and Magneto (but lets keep quiet about that for now), and I loved their depictions at Nowlan's hand.

[DDM]

I'm gonna wait until the Dark Phoenix Saga is over to see if I can't link to Cronin's "behind the scenes" battle between Jim Shooter, John Byrne, and Chris Claremont over Jean Grey/Phoenix's final fate.

It was one of the better "Comic Book Urban Legends".

You can read all about it in Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 from "The Dark Phoenix Tapes." Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Terry Austin, Roger Stern, Jim Salicrup, Louise Jones, & Jim Shooter are all present.

Apparently Byrne just didn't like drawing Iceman, so he never made an appearance. After Byrne's run, I don't know what happened, because I don't think Iceman appeared in Uncanny until 1991, with the exception of the Inferno and X-Tinction Agenda crossovers.

According to John Byrne, Iceman was going to get his own limited series around this time; therefore, Chris Claremont & John Byrne did not use him. Otherwise, he would have made an appearance too.

and DDM - just noticed your new avatar now. That issue of New Mutants (51) was the bomb. If I remember correctly, that one had some interesting moments with Storm and Magneto (but lets keep quiet about that for now), and I loved their depictions at Nowlan's hand.

Kevin Nowlan's art & the story itself has so many big developments such as Xavier deciding to stay in Shi'ar space, Storm & Magneto becomes the Hellfire Club's White King, & Xavier discovers the changes on earth from X-Factor to the Mutant Massacre....

[david r]

Worstblogever, I'm curious about that link. I know what happened,but anything new would be interesting.

Also, it's weird to think that Jean Grey may have committed the most heinous crime in Marvel's history up to that point. Can you think of any villain who had killed five billion people all at once? I give Claremont and Byrne credit for having the balls to make her do it.

--Why did Phoenix return to Earth in #136? She said she planned to head to Sh'iar Homeworld, Imperial Center, in the issue before. But she instead returns to Earth. I wonder why..........?

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.137.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #137

"The Fate of the Phoenix"

If not the greatest issue of X-MEN ever, then certainly the most emotionally charged story the mutants have ever been in. Jean Grey's journey comes to an end. The X-Men win the greatest victory of their lives. And X-Men fans mourned...

The X-Men find themselves in a huge chamber, surrounded by Sh'iar warriors. Princess Lilandra and Gladiator stand and accuse Phoenix of committing homicide on a galactal scale. I like the looks of shock on the X-Men's faces, when they first learn that Jean Grey has murdered FIVE BILLION D'BARI!! Jean Grey herself simply can't believe it. Professor Charles Xavier halts the oncoming Sh'iar warriors, inciting the Sh'iar command called "Arin'nn Haelar!" He challenges the Sh'iar to a duel of honor! Majestrix Lilandra cannot refuse, and so the X-Men and members of the Imperial Guard will battle. Jean Grey's life hanging in the balance.

It's interesting how much "screen-time" Angel and the Beast get in #137, since they've appeared very little since #66. We now see each X-Man relaxing in their own way, in their private chambers. All resting and preparing for the oncoming battle. We see Wolverine doing some yoga for the very first time; Logan will stand by "Jeannie" no matter what. The Beast takes a spa bath, and that gets lucky with an alien masseuse. Jean Grey dons her green Marvel Girl uniform, and she and Scott have words and kiss.

Finally, the X-Men reunite on Earth's moon. On the "Blue Area" of the moon, a ruined city with an oxygen environment. The two teams split into groups--Beast, Wolverine, Storm and Colossus head in one direction, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel and Nightcrawler head in another. Both squad come across various Imperial warriors, and the battle commences. Storm's powers are severely limited on the moon's surface, and she is the first to fall to the Sh'iar. Angel is mindblasted by Oracle, and falls down a tunnel. Wolverine gets blasted into the Watcher's hidden home, and is completely disoriented by the bizarro place. The Watcher spits him out, saying do not return. Colossus and Gladiator have an awesome hand-to-hand struggle, which collapses buildings all around them. But Gladiator rises triumphant, holding Peter Rasputin's unconscious body.

Charles Xavier drops his head into his hand, upset. His X-Men are losing. Princess Lilandra watches her beloved, wishing things could have turned out different. Finally, only Cyclops and Marvel Girl remain unscathed. They are being followed and hide in a small alcove. This gives them a brief respite to say the last tender things they still can say. Scott has so much he wants to say. Jean Grey reads his thoughts and says their beautiful. Scott Summers is a special man. They hold hands, and then run back out into battle. Cyclops is knocked down, and in Jean's emotional pain, she reverts back into Phoenix!! She sends a bolt-blast into outer space which smashes the Sh'iar Dreadnought ship. Sending Lilandra and her warriors into a tizzy! A sweating Charles Xavier realizes it's too late to save Jean Grey.... and he orders the X-Men to attack her!!

The Phoenix-Bird surrounds Jean Grey. Cyclops reluctantly begins blasting at her. Storm launches a wind-storm around her. Wolverine grabs Colossus and throws a reverses Fastball Special at her. Colossus pulls his punch, but it still knocks Jean Grey to the floor. Jean stands and runs into a darkened alcove. Scott Summers races after her. Jean freezes him....just as her costume reverts to Dark Phoenix fiery red. Jean says she can feel the evil power overwhelming her again. A part of her....welcomes it!! She knows there is nothing that can stop the Dark Phoenix of herself from returning eventually. Better to end it here, now.

A tear rolls down Jean's cheek, as she touches Scott's face. She says "I love you, Scott. A part of me will always be with you." They both scream each other's name, as an ancient weapon rises from the ground and blasts Jean Grey into oblivion. Her physical body is completely destroyed. And just smoke rises from where Jean Grey once stood. Scott Summers realizes Jean planned this all along. If the Sh'iar couldn't stop her....she'd do it herself. Scott collapses to the floor, and weeps.

The final page shows the Watcher and a robot named the Recorder taping the events. The Watcher says "The X-Men do not realize it--they may never realize, or accept it--but this day they have won perhaps the greatest victory of their young lives. Jean Grey could have lived to become a God. But it was more important to her that she die...a human." And we see the Watcher looking at the peaceful Earth in space.

[worstblogever]

Worstblogever, I'm curious about that link. I know what happened,but anything new would be interesting.

Also, it's weird to think that Jean Grey may have committed the most heinous crime in Marvel's history up to that point. Can you think of any villain who had killed five billion people all at once? I give Claremont and Byrne credit for having the balls to make her do it.

--Why did Phoenix return to Earth in #136? She said she planned to head to Sh'iar Homeworld, Imperial Center, in the issue before. But she instead returns to Earth. I wonder why..........?


Personal business. Jean trying to fight through to get help? It's debatable. Really, it just lets the story complete itself.

I seem to have been mistaken on Comic Book Urban Legends having that story... I searched through the entire history of them, and couldn't find it. (It took awhile, too.)

The gist of the story was, John Byrne talked Claremont into writing the death of the D'bari. He wanted to draw the gorgeous shots of a rampaging Phoenix in space (glad he talked CC into it. Art is amazing!) Claremont originially wanted the Dark Phoenix Saga to end with Jean Grey being depowered. However, with the change involving all those killed by Phoenix, it was Jim Shooter that thought Jean shouldn't "get away with" all her crimes and killings. Even if she actually was a cosmic entity beyond concepts of good and evil. Thus, Jean was to die. And, in all reality, Shooter helped Claremont (albeit accidentally) make Jean Grey a sort of martyr, and added to her mythos.

Or something like that.

[Brian Cronin]

Yeah, I never featured it. I think it's a bit too well known for the column, as you should see the way people freak out if they think a story is too well known. It's like I smacked their mother around.

-BRian

[worstblogever]

Yeah, I never featured it. I think it's a bit too well known for the column, as you should see the way people freak out if they think a story is too well known. It's like I smacked their mother around.

-BRian

Well, something made me think it came from you. No idea where online I read it, in retrospect. Still a good "behind the scenes" story.

[DDM]

Also, it's weird to think that Jean Grey may have committed the most heinous crime in Marvel's history up to that point. Can you think of any villain who had killed five billion people all at once? I give Claremont and Byrne credit for having the balls to make her do it.

--Why did Phoenix return to Earth in #136? She said she planned to head to Sh'iar Homeworld, Imperial Center, in the issue before. But she instead returns to Earth. I wonder why..........?


Keep in mind, Phoenix is irrational at this point; therefore, she is far from being ground in logic given her insanity. Furthermore, I believe Jean Grey is subconsciously influencing her corrupted Phoenix-self for help; Jean wants to be saved from her own insanity as Dark Phoenix.

Dark Phoenix was looking for the World where the M'Krann Crystal is located; however, I gather even Phoenix could not find the M'Krann Crystal. Although the World is in the Shi'ar galaxy, it is far from the the Shi'ar homeworld.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.137.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #137

"The Fate of the Phoenix"

If not the greatest issue of X-MEN ever, then certainly the most emotionally charged story the mutants have ever been in. Jean Grey's journey comes to an end. The X-Men win the greatest victory of their lives. And X-Men fans mourned...

The X-Men find themselves in a huge chamber, surrounded by Sh'iar warriors. Princess Lilandra and Gladiator stand and accuse Phoenix of committing homicide on a galactal scale. I like the looks of shock on the X-Men's faces, when they first learn that Jean Grey has murdered FIVE BILLION D'BARI!! Jean Grey herself simply can't believe it. Professor Charles Xavier halts the oncoming Sh'iar warriors, inciting the Sh'iar command called "Arin'nn Haelar!" He challenges the Sh'iar to a duel of honor! Majestrix Lilandra cannot refuse, and so the X-Men and members of the Imperial Guard will battle. Jean Grey's life hanging in the balance.

It's interesting how much "screen-time" Angel and the Beast get in #137, since they've appeared very little since #66. We now see each X-Man relaxing in their own way, in their private chambers. All resting and preparing for the oncoming battle. We see Wolverine doing some yoga for the very first time; Logan will stand by "Jeannie" no matter what. The Beast takes a spa bath, and that gets lucky with an alien masseuse. Jean Grey dons her green Marvel Girl uniform, and she and Scott have words and kiss.

Finally, the X-Men reunite on Earth's moon. On the "Blue Area" of the moon, a ruined city with an oxygen environment. The two teams split into groups--Beast, Wolverine, Storm and Colossus head in one direction, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel and Nightcrawler head in another. Both squad come across various Imperial warriors, and the battle commences. Storm's powers are severely limited on the moon's surface, and she is the first to fall to the Sh'iar. Angel is mindblasted by Oracle, and falls down a tunnel. Wolverine gets blasted into the Watcher's hidden home, and is completely disoriented by the bizarro place. The Watcher spits him out, saying do not return. Colossus and Gladiator have an awesome hand-to-hand struggle, which collapses buildings all around them. But Gladiator rises triumphant, holding Peter Rasputin's unconscious body.

Charles Xavier drops his head into his hand, upset. His X-Men are losing. Princess Lilandra watches her beloved, wishing things could have turned out different. Finally, only Cyclops and Marvel Girl remain unscathed. They are being followed and hide in a small alcove. This gives them a brief respite to say the last tender things they still can say. Scott has so much he wants to say. Jean Grey reads his thoughts and says their beautiful. Scott Summers is a special man. They hold hands, and then run back out into battle. Cyclops is knocked down, and in Jean's emotional pain, she reverts back into Phoenix!! She sends a bolt-blast into outer space which smashes the Sh'iar Dreadnought ship. Sending Lilandra and her warriors into a tizzy! A sweating Charles Xavier realizes it's too late to save Jean Grey.... and he orders the X-Men to attack her!!

The Phoenix-Bird surrounds Jean Grey. Cyclops reluctantly begins blasting at her. Storm launches a wind-storm around her. Wolverine grabs Colossus and throws a reverses Fastball Special at her. Colossus pulls his punch, but it still knocks Jean Grey to the floor. Jean stands and runs into a darkened alcove. Scott Summers races after her. Jean freezes him....just as her costume reverts to Dark Phoenix fiery red. Jean says she can feel the evil power overwhelming her again. A part of her....welcomes it!! She knows there is nothing that can stop the Dark Phoenix of herself from returning eventually. Better to end it here, now.

A tear rolls down Jean's cheek, as she touches Scott's face. She says "I love you, Scott. A part of me will always be with you." They both scream each other's name, as an ancient weapon rises from the ground and blasts Jean Grey into oblivion. Her physical body is completely destroyed. And just smoke rises from where Jean Grey once stood. Scott Summers realizes Jean planned this all along. If the Sh'iar couldn't stop her....she'd do it herself. Scott collapses to the floor, and weeps.

The final page shows the Watcher and a robot named the Recorder taping the events. The Watcher says "The X-Men do not realize it--they may never realize, or accept it--but this day they have won perhaps the greatest victory of their young lives. Jean Grey could have lived to become a God. But it was more important to her that she die...a human." And we see the Watcher looking at the peaceful Earth in space.

Uncanny X-Men #137 remains a masterpiece; it works on so many levels. Beast & Angel act more like X-Men & are given equal time. I also like the fact Jean Grey chooses to be Marvel Girl instead of Phoenix; however, as each X-Man is cut down by the Imperial Guard with only Scott & Jean remaining. Jean loses control of her emotions as she transforms back into Phoenix again! The Phoenix Effect lights up the whole area like a small sun. Charles Xavier realizes the X-Men must finish since the Imperial Guard are all indisposed.

The story really turns into its essence with Scott's confrontation of Phoenix. Jean realizes she cannot control her vast cosmic powers because she will eventually, inevitably revert back into Dark Phoenix. Jean protects Scott with a telekinetic energy field as she telekinetically triggers an ancient weapon to blast her body to atoms. Phoenix dies a hero to save the universe from herself.

John Byrne's art is top notch.

[david r]

Thanks for everyone's comments. The Dark Phoenix Saga is very likely the greatest X-Men story ever. And I would rank it in the top 5 of greatest super-hero adventures of all time. In terms of pure emotion, it could be THE best.

I noticed it works in 3 Acts. Act I is #129-131, which debuts Kitty Pryde, Dazzler, Emma Frost and the Hellfire Club. The search for new mutants, and the battle between Phoenix and the White Queen.

Act II is #132-134: which takes the action within the fabled Hellfire Club. Mastermind's dark seduction of Jean Grey is complete. The X-Men team enter their lair and are conquered. All except Wolverine, who gets to shine as never before in action. Naturally, our heroes defeat the Club and escape with their lives, only to fall into...

Act III, #135-137: which sees Jean Grey fall into the pit of cosmic insanity, as she transforms into Dark Phoenix. This act really takes the entire saga to a whole new level. The events in these 3 issues were unlike anything seen in Uncanny X-Men or really any Marvel book up till 1980. Dark Phoenix's destruction of the D'Bari star-system ratcheted this up to another level. (I wonder how Mastermind or Sebastian Shaw would have responded if they'd known the consequences of their heinous actions on Jean Grey. FIVE BILLION SOULS blotted out of existence because of them.)

Act III ends with #137, and an emotional crescendo unlike anything we'd seen before. I applaud Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin for producing the best X-Men epic seen before, or since. :)

[bmschweigert]

One of the questions I continue to have . . .

At the beginning of the Saga, it is implied by both Phoenix and Prof. X that the culpability for Dark Phoenix lies with both Prof. X and the Hellfire club (and, maybe, Proteus?) as figures who manipulated Jean Grey's mind and caused her to loose the self-imposed mental blocks that were allowing her to develop her powers in a safe/sane manner.

At the end of the Saga, though, the Watcher says that that level of power is too much for any mortal to stand, and trying to control it/use it led to Dark Phoenix.

So, was Jean Grey capable of using that power, if given time to develop? Or does the very presence of the power mean she was doomed to insanity from the beginning?

[david r]

Bmschweigert, I think the Phoenix power was more than any human being could control. The insatiable thirst for power, a common human trait, was now taken to the Nth degree by the unimaginable Phoenix. Even Jean Grey, a completely honorable woman, could not hold back that thirst.

-The scene at the end where the X-Men, after fighting to save her, now begin attacking Jean, was one that choked me up. And the panel where Jean says to Scott, "A part of me will always be with you."

-Jean Grey's greatest victory was saving the universe (#108). The X-Men's greatest victory was stopping Jean from destroying the universe.

-How could Charles Xavier ever resolve himself after this affair? He continually blames himself during this story. His guilt must be ENORMOUS! How could Xavier keep the School running, after losing control over a mutant? And his favorite, Jean Grey. Truly tragic.

-The ad at the top of #137's cover was unfortunate. I always hated the way the ad covered those 1980 Marvel covers.

-I have heard Iceman did not appear in this story because John Byrne wasn't satisfied with his drawing of Bobby Drake. Byrne didn't feel he could "get" Iceman's unique look right, so they didn't use him.

-It's interesting how Marvel fans mourned Jean Grey's demise. Yet just a decade earlier, Marvel had killed off Charles Xavier...and then brought him back. Didn't any fans suspect Jean Grey herself might be resurrected at some later point?

-I suspect John Byrne was planning to bring Angel and the Beast into this book, which is why they appear prominently in #137. And possibly, Byrne wanted to ditch new members like Colossus or Nightcrawler. Could this be one of the causes of a rift between Chris Claremont and John Byrne that would tear their partnership apart?

[xfire]

Man Dark Phoenix Saga is.......whew.....Great, Lovely, Compelling, wonderful, just a work of art. I first saw the animated version of this story in the 90's cartoon and I was blown away at how epic it was until I read the comic book version and it was even better!! I think no X-story could ever top the DPS.

[worstblogever]

(I wonder how Mastermind or Sebastian Shaw would have responded if they'd known the consequences of their heinous actions on Jean Grey. FIVE BILLION SOULS blotted out of existence because of them.)

Keep in mind that on his deathbed, Mastermind apologized to Jean Grey for all the wrong he'd done her. I imagine he'd be completely guilt-sticken knowing the full ramifications of his actions. At least, on his deathbed.

Shaw would probably have Tessa break out a good bottle of aged scotch, then give him a thorough spanking for being such a naughty, naughty boy. He's much more delightfully depraved.

[DDM]

One of the questions I continue to have . . .

At the beginning of the Saga, it is implied by both Phoenix and Prof. X that the culpability for Dark Phoenix lies with both Prof. X and the Hellfire club (and, maybe, Proteus?) as figures who manipulated Jean Grey's mind and caused her to loose the self-imposed mental blocks that were allowing her to develop her powers in a safe/sane manner.

At the end of the Saga, though, the Watcher says that that level of power is too much for any mortal to stand, and trying to control it/use it led to Dark Phoenix.

So, was Jean Grey capable of using that power, if given time to develop? Or does the very presence of the power mean she was doomed to insanity from the beginning?

Charles Xavier blames himself because he is responsible for Jean Grey's psionic circuit breakers. Jean's telepathic powers mature prematurely while she's still a child thanks to the death of Annie Richardson; as a result, Jean exiles herself so she does not go mad from all the thoughts breaking into her mind. Professor Grey contacts Xavier & Xavier discovers Jean is a mutant with telepathy & telekinesis powers. Since Jean cannot deal with her telepathy, Xavier places psionic circuit breakers within Jean's mind until she is able to deal with her power. In the meantime, Xavier teaches Jean how to use her telekinesis. For details read Bizarre Adventures #27.

When Jean Grey became Phoenix, she achieved her ultimate potential as psi; however, after her encounter with the M'Krann Crystal, Jean Grey's psionic circuit breakers--created by Xavier years earlier--chopped her infinite powers back to Marvel Girl levels. Unfortunately, Mastermind & the Hellfire Club broke down these barriers each time Jason Wyngarde created his "timeslips." As a result, Jean's powers as Phoenix became much more powerful. After her transformation into the Black Queen, no psionic circuit breakers existed. Jean once more is tapping near infinite power levels. When Jean's cosmic symphony of power reached its peak once more, she transformed into Dark Phoenix since the Phoenix is linked to passion & Jean could not suppress her now exposed dark side. Unlike Phoenix, Dark Phoenix's powers grow geometrically; the more she uses her powers, the greater they grow.

No human could ever control the powers of Phoenix though. Jean would eventually have been changed, corrupted by her vast powers at some point. However, Jean's precipitation into Dark Phoenix is partially Xavier's fault with Mastermind & the Hellfire Club as the main reason for Phoenix's corruption.

[DDM]

Act III, #135-137: which sees Jean Grey fall into the pit of cosmic insanity, as she transforms into Dark Phoenix. This act really takes the entire saga to a whole new level. The events in these 3 issues were unlike anything seen in Uncanny X-Men or really any Marvel book up till 1980. Dark Phoenix's destruction of the D'Bari star-system ratcheted this up to another level. (I wonder how Mastermind or Sebastian Shaw would have responded if they'd known the consequences of their heinous actions on Jean Grey. FIVE BILLION SOULS blotted out of existence because of them.)

Sebastian Shaw would have believed he would have been able to control Phoenix & use her for his own agendas. The same applies to Mastermind.

[worstblogever]

Sebastian Shaw would have believed he would have been able to control Phoenix & use her for his own agendas. The same applies to Mastermind.

Just for clarification, are you saying Shaw would lay all the blame solely on Phoenix, believing that he is no way at fault, and that if he got his way, she would have been under his control, and never done it? Like he would've never allowed it to happen?

I thought the question was, what would his reaction to the deaths of the D'Bari be?

[DDM]

Just for clarification, are you saying Shaw would lay all the blame solely on Phoenix, believing that he is no way at fault, and that if he got his way, she would have been under his control, and never done it? Like he would've never allowed it to happen?

I thought the question was, what would his reaction to the deaths of the D'Bari be?

Mastermind & Sebastian Shaw wouldn't care. They would have been more fascinated by Phoenix's vast powers & how to use it for their purposes.

[worstblogever]

Mastermind & Sebastian Shaw wouldn't care. They would have been more fascinated by Phoenix's vast powers & how to use it for their purposes.

So you think it was only his death that made a contrite Mastermind, then, who was apologetic for what he did to Jean/Phoenix? And the D'Bari isn't anything he'd feel guilt over?

[DDM]

So you think it was only his death that made a contrite Mastermind, then, who was apologetic for what he did to Jean/Phoenix? And the D'Bari isn't anything he'd feel guilt over?

I believe Scott Lobdell wrote Mastermind wrong in Uncanny X-Men Annual #17. Although he was dying, Mastermind is an unrepentant evil person. He would have wanted his last revenge before he died. Mastermind feels no guilt or shame. He's a predator.

Mastermind would be glad to know he caused Jean's transformation from Phoenix to Dark Phoenix.

[david r]

Dark Phoenix Saga:

I think possibly the greatest moment in the whole story was when Dark Phoenix blows Charles Xavier out of his wheelchair. Xavier lies burned and bloodied on the grass, and the psi-war begins. That was just such a memorable, climactic moment. The teacher and the mad student, face-to-face. I actually go so far to say that whole scene was the peak of this entire series.

I see more Eagle Awards in this book's future. :)

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.138.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #138

"Elegy"

Another classic, much-imitated cover; a wonderful work. This issue is mostly a trip down memory lane. Chronicled by Scott Summers, as he and the grief-stricken X-Men, old and new, stand before Jean Grey's grave.

Scott reminisces on the formation of the original X-Men, and Jean Grey's arrival at the School. John Byrne does a nice job drawing the various villains and colorful characters our mutant team have met since X-Men #1. We learn few new things. Charles Xavier helped Scott track down his lost younger brother, Alex Summers. We hadn't known that before...

The final two pages lead us to the present. Scott is feeling "pain beyond pain." Jean's father asks Scott how he's doing. Princess Lilandra, at the funeral with Professor Xavier, gives her condolences to the Greys. She hands them a gift--a holempathic matrix crystal. Touch it, and they will see a 3-D image of Jean Grey, and feel the essence of her personality. The teary-eyed father accepts it.

Scott then approaches Charles Xavier and says it's time to say goodbye. He is leaving the X-Men. Kurt Wagner (hanging from a tree, which I think is highly inappropriate for the occasion) shows his astonishment. Charles says he expected as much. Scott says he has a lot he needs to get right in his head. He needs peace and time, which he cannot get with the crazy world of the X-Men. Charles says he will miss him. He is as proud of Scott as he would be his own flesh and blood. The procession leave in cars, as Scott Summers stands atop a hill, overlooking the cemetery and Jean Grey's grave. Scott vows not to go back into his shell again...he owes her that much, at least. I think you wouldn't be human if this scene didn't make you cry.

#138 ends with a spunky, young dark-haired teenage girl arriving at Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. She lugs her suitcase out of the taxi, and stands before the Mansion. No one is home, and she plops down on her suitcase. Her name is Kitty Pryde, she is the newest member of the School. The X-Men will never be the same again! The Beginning...

My thoughts: Another tear-soaked ending; I like how they parallel Jean's death and Kitty's arrival. Ending & Renewal.

[jmc247]

Another classic, much-imitated cover; a wonderful work. This issue is mostly a trip down memory lane.

Could have used some better editing though, though it won't be the last time writers have been confused about the Lorna robo-Magneto plot.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/jmc247/Polarisa-1.jpg

[worstblogever]

I believe Scott Lobdell wrote Mastermind wrong in Uncanny X-Men Annual #17. Although he was dying, Mastermind is an unrepentant evil person. He would have wanted his last revenge before he died. Mastermind feels no guilt or shame. He's a predator.

Mastermind would be glad to know he caused Jean's transformation from Phoenix to Dark Phoenix.

Deathbeds can be funny, I guess.

[worstblogever]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.138.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #138

"Elegy"

Another classic, much-imitated cover; a wonderful work. This issue is mostly a trip down memory lane. Chronicled by Scott Summers, as he and the grief-stricken X-Men, old and new, stand before Jean Grey's grave.

Scott reminisces on the formation of the original X-Men, and Jean Grey's arrival at the School. John Byrne does a nice job drawing the various villains and colorful characters our mutant team have met since X-Men #1. We learn few new things. Charles Xavier helped Scott track down his lost younger brother, Alex Summers. We hadn't known that before...

The final two pages lead us to the present. Scott is feeling "pain beyond pain." Jean's father asks Scott how he's doing. Princess Lilandra, at the funeral with Professor Xavier, gives her condolences to the Greys. She hands them a gift--a holempathic matrix crystal. Touch it, and they will see a 3-D image of Jean Grey, and feel the essence of her personality. The teary-eyed father accepts it.

Scott then approaches Charles Xavier and says it's time to say goodbye. He is leaving the X-Men. Kurt Wagner (hanging from a tree, which I think is highly inappropriate for the occasion) shows his astonishment. Charles says he expected as much. Scott says he has a lot he needs to get right in his head. He needs peace and time, which he cannot get with the crazy world of the X-Men. Charles says he will miss him. He is as proud of Scott as he would be his own flesh and blood. The procession leave in cars, as Scott Summers stands atop a hill, overlooking the cemetery and Jean Grey's grave. Scott vows not to go back into his shell again...he owes her that much, at least. I think you wouldn't be human if this scene didn't make you cry.

#138 ends with a spunky, young dark-haired teenage girl arriving at Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. She lugs her suitcase out of the taxi, and stands before the Mansion. No one is home, and she plops down on her suitcase. Her name is Kitty Pryde, she is the newest member of the School. The X-Men will never be the same again! The Beginning...

My thoughts: Another tear-soaked ending; I like how they parallel Jean's death and Kitty's arrival. Ending & Renewal.

Kitty could have easily been the annoying younger character to replace an old one, not unlike they do on sitcoms when child actors get too old. Her arrival right after Jean's death could've been taken as such. Fortunately... it was handled pretty well.

[DDM]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.138.GIF

Uncanny X-Men #138

"Elegy"

Another classic, much-imitated cover; a wonderful work. This issue is mostly a trip down memory lane. Chronicled by Scott Summers, as he and the grief-stricken X-Men, old and new, stand before Jean Grey's grave.

Scott reminisces on the formation of the original X-Men, and Jean Grey's arrival at the School. John Byrne does a nice job drawing the various villains and colorful characters our mutant team have met since X-Men #1. We learn few new things. Charles Xavier helped Scott track down his lost younger brother, Alex Summers. We hadn't known that before...

The final two pages lead us to the present. Scott is feeling "pain beyond pain." Jean's father asks Scott how he's doing. Princess Lilandra, at the funeral with Professor Xavier, gives her condolences to the Greys. She hands them a gift--a holempathic matrix crystal. Touch it, and they will see a 3-D image of Jean Grey, and feel the essence of her personality. The teary-eyed father accepts it.

Scott then approaches Charles Xavier and says it's time to say goodbye. He is leaving the X-Men. Kurt Wagner (hanging from a tree, which I think is highly inappropriate for the occasion) shows his astonishment. Charles says he expected as much. Scott says he has a lot he needs to get right in his head. He needs peace and time, which he cannot get with the crazy world of the X-Men. Charles says he will miss him. He is as proud of Scott as he would be his own flesh and blood. The procession leave in cars, as Scott Summers stands atop a hill, overlooking the cemetery and Jean Grey's grave. Scott vows not to go back into his shell again...he owes her that much, at least. I think you wouldn't be human if this scene didn't make you cry.

#138 ends with a spunky, young dark-haired teenage girl arriving at Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. She lugs her suitcase out of the taxi, and stands before the Mansion. No one is home, and she plops down on her suitcase. Her name is Kitty Pryde, she is the newest member of the School. The X-Men will never be the same again! The Beginning...

My thoughts: Another tear-soaked ending; I like how they parallel Jean's death and Kitty's arrival. Ending & Renewal.

Uncanny X-Men #138 closes the chapter 1 for the new X-Men with the summary of events from Uncanny X-Men #1-66, Giant Size X-Men #1, Uncanny X-Men #94-137, & Amazing Adventures #11-17. The Shi'ar Holempathic Matrix Crystal first appears here with Jean Grey's essence which would play a significant role for Rachel Summers much later in the book. The splash page of all of Jean's loved ones surrounding her grave stone is a very powerful image to this day.

Kitty Pryde officially joins the X-Men. She represents hope for the future.

John Byrne & Terry Austin's cover is equally striking.

[Dagger]

Kitty could have easily been the annoying younger character to replace an old one, not unlike they do on sitcoms when child actors get too old. Her arrival right after Jean's death could've been taken as such. Fortunately... it was handled pretty well.
Agreed. I much preferred the title after Kitty came on board than when Jean was on the title(it's because I'm a jew, sorry Brian) and her new 'take' on what was going on in the book totally revitalized the title for me. It's also another reason why New Mutants is such a big favorite for me, along with me getting on the ship from the beginning(well, after I was old enough to buy back issues and hand me downs) is because of the whole newness for everyone. It's not like they were seasoned vets or anything.

[david r]

The splash page of all of Jean's loved ones surrounding her grave stone is a very powerful image to this day.


It is a powerful image. I assume other people at Jean's funeral were Misty Knight, Sean Cassidy, Moira MacTaggert, Alex Summers and Lorna Dane.

Is this grave at Xavier's School? Or at a cemetery somewhere else? I kind of doubt Jean's parents would have allowed her to be buried at Xavier's School.

Also, I can understand Scott Summers leaving. The school would have had countless painful memories of Jean Grey. And it's likely Scott may have had some negative feelings towards Charles Xavier. I wonder if Scott planned to ever return, in #138?

[david r]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97904389460.4.GIF

X-Men Annual #4

"Nightcrawler's Inferno"

1st appearance: Margali Szardos, Minos

This Annual is a shocker! The X-Men journey to Hell... :eek: Following the last story, I was definitely not expecting this particular epic adventure!

Written by Chris Claremont, and drawn by John Romita Jr. & Bob McLeod, this Annual begins with Kurt Wagner's surprise birthday party!! Kurt is 21 years old. A large feast is prepared on a table, with a large cake. Presents adorn the floor, as Peter, Logan, Ororo, Charles Xavier and newest member Kitty Pryde standing alongside. Kurt opens his presents to a cowboy hat, binoculars, a shirt, weights and a framed picture of...Wolverine? Just what the elf wanted! Kitty is a little withdrawn, as Nightcrawler makes her...nervous. Kurt sees one pitch-black box, and wonders who it might be from. Perhaps Scott? They hadn't heard much from him since he left. Kurt opens this mystery box to find a crystal figure of himself. Suddenly, the figure explodes, engulfing Kurt with blackness. He collapses!!

The heroes panic and frantically carry Kurt to the lab. Ororo and Xavier do their best for him...but a long time later, they emerge from the lab with the news. Nightcrawler is DEAD!! Logan and Peter are grief-stricken, Logan crushes his beer!! Logan wants to find out who did this. We now learn that Ororo is the new leader of the X-Men. (It would have been nice to have more explanation on how Ororo became team-leader!) The doorbell rings, and Kitty answers it. There stands Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. Better known as Dr. Strange!! Strange has been called forth by Professor X to examine Nightcrawler's body. Examine it he does, with the awesome Eye of Agamotto. Sorcery is at work here. Kurt is not dead. His spirit has been torn from him. Just then Dr. Strange notices a presence in the lab. He commands them to appear. A green head, appears with curved horns. She is Margali of the winding Road. Suddenly, green tentacles spring forth and grab Strange, Wolverine and Colossus. A desperate fight is on!! Try as they might, they can't break free. Ororo and the others attempt to escape, but the tentacles grab Ororo!! Charles Xavier falls from his wheelchair, and frantically holds Ororo's hand. But he cannot save her...as she too is pulled into a black abyss. And 3 X-Men and Dr. Strange...disappear.

Part the Second: We see our heroes unconscious in some strange land. Before them is a huge, majestic door, straight out of Lord of the Rings. Several daemonic words are written on the door, the last reading Abandon every hope, ye that enter. As the X-Men and Dr. Strange awaken, they find Nightcrawler there as well. Kurt is alive, but badly shaken. Strange announces this is the entrance to...HELL!! They enter and begin a long, incredible journey through Hell. Or at least a replica of Hell. As we luckily learn this is not the real place. The X-Men see sights and sounds they've never experienced before. Hundreds of crying souls upon a wind-swept cliff, unable to escape. Thousands of souls burning in fiery pits. Screams and agonized cries dawning straight out of Dante's Inferno. Honestly, it reads like Alan Moore's wet dream of an X-Men story.

Finally, our team meets the Guardian of the Gate of Hell. A friendly chap named Minos. Dark-haired, wearing a tuxedo! He looks straight out of an old Hollywood B&W movie. But evil he is. Minos sits atop a chair designed as a winged-demon. He uses a tentacle to fling poor Nightcrawler away, and Storm chases after him. All they want is Nightcrawler, the rest of the team can go. But our heroes aren't leaving without the elf!!They head back out into the pits of Hell, to rescue them. They find Kurt, but Ororo has vanished into the ethereal fog of this damned place. They meet many horrible and terrifying experiences in this wretched place.

They finally discover Ororo....turned into a red serpent! She bites a pathetic monster that assumed her body, and is transformed back into herself. But then appears... Satan!! A three-headed gigantic monstrosity. Holding dozens of helpless victims in his claws. (I can't believe I'm reading this in a 1980 Marvel comic!!) But Dr. Strange senses this is a fraud. He uses his magickal powers to erase the Satan illusion...and before them stands the true creator of this "Hell"---Margali, She who Walks the Winding Road. She wants to know why they came to her land. Suddenly, appears a blonde woman named Jimaine. She says she wants to stop Margali from committing a terrible crime...destroying the man she loves--Nightcrawler. Margali wants revenge on Kurt for killing her son.

We now see a flashback of Kurt's youth. The infant Kurt Wagner,found by his dying mother, was taken away and given to the gypsy witch-queen Margali Szardos, and raised him. Kurt became close friends with Margali's true children--Jemaine and Stefan. Stefan and Kurt became blood brothers. However, when they matured, Stefan became a killer, and Kurt discovered this. They fought one night, and Kurt mistakenly killed his blood brother, Stefan. Chris Claremont then segues this into the villagers finding Stefan's body, and chasing Kurt Wagner into the European village of Winzeldorf. Thus began Giant-Size X-Men #1. And how we first met Kurt Wagner, with Charles Xavier. Margali realizes Kurt did not mean to kill her son, and she forgives him. Dr. Strange and all the X-Men return to the Mansion. The "Hell" they just had a journey in was not real. Just an illusionary place created by Margali. The blonde Jemaine appears with them. And we learn her true identity is Kurt's girlfriend, Amanda Sefton! Kurt is so happy to have this whole ordeal, and his guilt for killing Stefan, behind him.

My thoughts: Coming after the emotional Dark Phoenix Saga, I was definitely not expecting a romp through Hell. I really am shocked Marvel Comics could publish this in 1980!! Chris Claremont must have been using some of his old DOCTOR STRANGE ideas here. A lot of sorcery and demons! The reveal about Amanda Sefton was interesting, though I wish all their supporting cast weren't always getting super-powers. A most provocative annual.