X-Men from the Beginning [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

david r

10-21-2007, 03:15 PM

My apologizes if this has been attempted before, but taking the idea from Gilda Dent, I'd like to read X-Men from the beginning. I'd like to start with the 1963 Original 5 and read from there.

Reading one issue a day (skipping the reprint issues), and posting a review here. Trying to read them like a new reader would, discovering each issue for the first time. Everyone at CBR is welcomed and encouraged to join in. I know this may be too ambitious to complete, but I want to give it a try!

The only rule I'd like to have is no mention be made of later events. As though those events haven't happened yet. Each review mentions the issue and ones published before it, and that is it.

X-Men From the Beginning!!
I'm off to read Uncanny X-Men #1 and post my review. :)

Cicero

10-21-2007, 03:22 PM

Will you be reading all 2000 or so X-Title (and crossover) issues, or only the core titles (and which would those be, if just those)?

w00tmaster93

10-21-2007, 03:31 PM

You sir are going to go insane

david r

10-21-2007, 03:34 PM

Affinity

10-21-2007, 03:35 PM

You've got your hands on EVERY ISSUE EVER? That's some crazy stuff, yo.

Brian M.

10-21-2007, 03:35 PM

Any comic w/ the O5 in it is instantly better then your favorite comic, that is unless your favorite comic is an O5 comic and then your just a classy individual.

david r

10-21-2007, 03:37 PM

You've got your hands on EVERY ISSUE EVER? That's some crazy stuff, yo.

It's not so hard with Essentials and Masterworks. Plus, CLASSIC X-MEN. The 1990s era will get more complicated. But that is a long ways off, and I'll make decisions when we reach that point. :)

caney

10-21-2007, 03:41 PM

@Cicero, I'll be reading the original X-Men comic. From the Original 5 to the "New X-Men" of the 70s. I'll include annuals. Also I'll include some of the mini-series of the 80s (Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Magik, etc.) I think I'll start a separate thread for New Mutants once I get to that point.

I'm not sure about Alpha Flight or X-Factor once I get there. I'll make the decision then.

I WILL INCLUDE THE 1991 ADJECTIVELESS X-MEN SERIES. I consider that part of the official series. I'm going to try to stay close to UNCANNY X-MEN and any crossovers connected with it will be included.

Wow, good luck with all that. It'll take years!

I similarly started reading Uncanny from the beginning sometime last year (not one a day, but just going in order from #1). I think I got up to 190somthing before I fizzled out (the dialog starts to hurt my brain after a while). Maybe I'll pick back up where I left off.

Faded

10-21-2007, 03:41 PM

I like it! It should be a good incentive for me to read up on Lee's Era (in order), which I really haven't had the time nor motivation to finish up on.

The Sword Is Drawn

10-21-2007, 03:53 PM

Good luck. I've read most of the early Stan Lee and Roy Thomas stuff through reprints. It's a bit of a slog. And at times you will ask yourself how come this thing didn't get cancelled properly...:confused:

But for the completists it must be done.

Your Imaginary Pal

10-21-2007, 03:59 PM

they do have X-Men on DVD-ROM. from '63 until sometime in the 2000s.
So for anyone interested this could be a money saving way to get into it.
can't wait for some reviews. should be enlightening.

Vegetarian Goat

10-21-2007, 04:42 PM

About 3 years ago, i completed my X-Men collection of every X-Book from Giant Size #1-Current. Then, i went online and found a chronological list of X-comics, and read them in that order. It took about 6-7 months. I quite possibly went insane. Only my barber knows for sure.

david r

10-21-2007, 05:24 PM

X-Men #1
The Strangest Super-Heroes of All! The X-MEN!

The cover says "Don't Miss This Fabulous First Issue! In the Sensational Fantastic Four Style! X-Men versus Magneto Earth's Most Powerful Super-Villain!"

The cover jumps out at you. With the X-Men in full attack mode, each of them showing off their powers. The only drawback here is Magneto's face is pretty hidden. But a classic #1 cover!

X-Men #1 begins at Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. We meet Charles Xavier sitting motionless, as he mentally summons his students. We are introduced to Hank McCoy, Bobby Drake, Scott "Slim" Summers and Warren Worthington the Third. Who all enter the room dressed in yellow training uniforms. Xavier runs the four male students through a training session, observing their mutant powers. Sure enough, Beast and Iceman get into an argument.

There is a hilarious bit where Iceman dons a carrot, buttons, and a hat and broom and calls himself the "Snowman." Silver Age hilarity in all it's glory! Charles Xavier seems particurarly stern. Soon, the new pupil arrives. Her name is Jean Grey, and she meets Xavier and the 4 male students. The boys begin flirting with this new addition. All except Slim Summers, who seems very shy towards her. Jean shows her power of telekinesis, and they are all dazzled. Charles then says he was born of parents who'd worked on the first A-Bomb project. He is a mutant--possibly the first mutant. He was crippled in a childhood accident. He has formed the X-Men to protect mankind from evil mutants.

Cue Evil Mutant! We are now introduced to Magneto! He has been watching Cape Citadel and destroying missiles there, causing paranoia across America. Magneto now approaches the guard gate at the Cape, assaulting the troops and sending their rifles, tanks and machine guns into a frenzy. Soldiers attempt to physically hold him, but Magneto shoots them away. Magneto confronts the base commander and imprisons him in a force field. Thus, capturing Cape Citadel.

A tense Charles Xavier learns of this news and orders the X-Men on their first mission. They drive a Rolls-Royce! to an airport, where they board a jet which flies them using Xavier's mental powers!! They arrive at the Cape and march through the troops. Cyclops uses his optic blasts to smash through Magneto's protective force field. Magneto sees them and launches missiles at Angel, which the team quickly dispatch. A short battle ensues, but finally Magneto flees the base and the X-Men have won! The Base Commander congratulates the X-Men and says they will be most honored in his command. The final panel shows the jet flying back with Charles' face in the clouds saying how proud he is of their victory. "And, now return to me, my X-Men!"

Overall, this was a great first issue. The students seem like a lot of fun, and you can tell there is going to be a lot of hijinks among them. Jean Grey will obviously be a major attraction for the male students. Charles Xavier is a Yul Brynner-type, portrayed as a hard taskmaster, but also charming and caring. Magneto's personality was pretty vague, beyond the typical "Evil Super-Villain". But I liked his helmet and it gave him a very menacing look. The artwork was quite good, except for bare backgrounds in several panels. I still liked it and liked the yellow uniforms, which give the X-Men a unique signature look. (Like the blue uniforms for the Fantastic Four.)

This was a classic first issue. I can't wait to read the rematch with Magneto.

Faded

10-21-2007, 05:26 PM

The Strangest Super-Heroes of All! The X-MEN!

The cover says "Don't Miss This Fabulous First Issue! In the Sensational Fantastic Four Style! X-Men versus Magneto Earth's Most Powerful Super-Villain!"

More to come...

I haven't finished it yet, but one line that caught my eye was:

"Mistakes are for homo sapiens, sir...not the Angel!"
-- Angel

caney

10-21-2007, 05:29 PM

Ah, what the hell. I'll start from the beginning again as well. I can read one a day.

TO ME, MY UNCANNY X-MEN ESSENTIAL!

matthewaos

10-21-2007, 06:11 PM

I think that this will be fun! I have read some Lee issues, and I got myself bored...

DeniseXfrost

10-21-2007, 07:32 PM

It's a bit of a slog. And at times you will ask yourself how come this thing didn't get cancelled properly..
I've read some vols from Essential and asking myself why did Storm keep on chanting some weirds phrases! lol

CyberHubbs

10-21-2007, 09:22 PM

Geez.

This thread got me interested in ordering the 40 Years of X-Men DVD, and I figure it'd be easier than picking up the Essentials. Easier to store a single box and all. On the other hand, the actual books would look nice on my soon-to-be-new bookshelf.

Schuimend Mormel

10-22-2007, 03:21 AM

This is such a rad idea, david. Of Uncanny X-Men, I own everything up to #183, so I'll be able to tag along with you for a while.

I do have two minor criticisms on your review, though :o : you name Cyclops 'Scott "Slim" Summers', but the name 'Scott' doesn't appear in this issue at all. So how do you know he's called Scott? :D

And Cyclops' possible feelings for Jean are not yet apparent in this issue either; in the scene where Jean's taxi arrives at Xavier's school, I believe it's Cyclops who refers to Jean as 'a living doll'. (I must dig it up later today and verify this, though.)

This should be a fun thread, I'm looking forward to your next review. :)

EDIT: If you're going to do this DAILY, though, that will take up a lot of your time. There are so many issues, how will you find the energy to review all of them? I salute you.

The Sword Is Drawn

10-22-2007, 06:01 AM

Charles Xavier seems particurarly stern.

You'll find that to be the case throughout the majority of Uncanny's original run. The whole cheerful grandfather type figure we know from the 80s and 90s was something which Claremont brought in. You won't see that here.

A tense Charles Xavier learns of this news and orders the X-Men on their first mission. They drive a Rolls-Royce! to an airport, where they board a jet which flies them using Xavier's mental powers!!

There will also be a fair bit of fudged power contradictions. Notice how Jean's telekinesis is referred to as 'Teleportation' more often than not, for example, or Magneto's powers of projection in an issue's time.

Keep with it, though. You have lots to look forward to. Some of the villains are truly terrible outside of the brotherhood, but you've always got the wonders of a jazz poet to cheer you up.:D

caney

10-22-2007, 07:54 AM

Ok, here are some of my thoughts on Uncanny #1.

Xavier is vicious with his training techniques here. Hank's training run was fairly tame, but then Xavier has Angel fly through all sorts of death traps including a flame jet, a big crusing clamp, and worst of all, the blades of a spinning fan. Then the Professor tries to catch Bobby off guard by having Hank hurl a bowling ball at him without notice. Poor Bobby. Prof doesn't mess around. And Slim's training excercise to beat the crap out of the others was fun to read as well.

LOL at a 16-year-old Bobby not being interested in "a girl". I love the way Jean takes charge right from the start. She's not gonna let the boys show her up!

The big fight scene with Magneto was a fun read. I like how well Stan had all the students work together as a team and he did a good job of setting Magneto up as a major threat.

All in all, a great start. I'll give it a 5 out of 5. How could the creation of the X-Men get any less?

Stix

10-22-2007, 08:10 AM

Hey Hey. I think you might have started something here. I have the first two volumes of essentials and read the first 3 issues (Never even got to the brotherhood). I got so irratated with the writing style I put it down, and have never opened it again. But one a day seems possible. I'm gonna read mine when I get home tonight as well. This is gonna be a long couple of months...

Thanks...

Brian M.

10-22-2007, 08:17 AM

I love the light feel we have for most of these stories. Yes it's typical 60's flash and drama but it's so much fun to read. You shouldn't read these stories with the same eye you do the ones today, the style is different, the method of story telling isn't the same, but it's revelent. I mean so much takes place within the first 20 issues, that w/o them, the continuity we bitch about today wouldn't take place. Great read it was. It's the first time I've taken #1 outta it's protective casing in a loooooong time, but it was fun to flip through the pages again,

matthewaos

10-22-2007, 08:30 AM

I actually think that in the first issue you can see that Cyclops will "fight" with Angel for Jean. Not 100% sure though, I have to see the issue again...

david r

10-22-2007, 06:17 PM

@Schuimend Mormel, you got me with the "Slim" Summers mistake. You're right, they don't call him Scott in the first issue. You got me! :)

As for Scott's attraction to Jean, you see it in the first issue. Scott moves a chair for her to sit in and says "Hank, I'd bring her the whole room of furniture if she asked me." I wonder if Stan Lee had their romance planned from the start?

@The Sword is Drawn, Charles Xavier definitely seems tense at times. And about the "fudged power contradictions"--I think that's part of the fun of the 1960s. A lot of crazy ideas, but Stan & Jack were very imaginative.

@Caney, makes you wonder if Charles Xavier doesn't like Angel. Having him face all those dangerous training obstacles. As for Jean Grey taking charge, she is very much shown here as more mature than the others. It's pretty apparent.

I liked the fight scene with Magneto too, but felt it was a bit short. They tried to cram a lot into this first issue. And the wrap-up was pretty fast.

To everyone else, what did you think of the first issue?

david r

10-22-2007, 06:23 PM

X-Men #2

1st Appearance: The Danger Room, the Vanisher

#2 has a very humorous start, as the X-Men are in a major city (New York, probably) and make their way back to the School. The most absurd one is Cyclops & Iceman take an ice cream truck home. Iceman eating some of the chocolate bars along the way!! Once assessmbled, Professor X mentally projects to them a new villain: the Vanisher! Whose power is to vanish!! Xavier then directs his students to the Danger Room, where we see for the first time a practice session.

Meanwhile, the Vanisher appears inside the Pentagon and announces he will steal the U.S. Continental Defense Plans in a few days. He vanishes before the army brass can grab him. Back at the School, we learn that Charles has moles within the FBI, as he mentally contacts FBI Agent Fred Duncan, who informs Prof X of the Vanisher's intentions. The X-Men are dispatched to stop him. Following the Vanisher stealing the Defense Plans, he reappears outside the Pentagon as the X-Men arrive. A battle ensues, but the Vanisher is able to get away with the plans, using his mutant powers. The X-Men are devastated at their first ever defeat!! They argue amongst themselves.

The Vanisher then announces he wants ten million dollars or he'll hand over the Defense Plans to the communists! Finally, the X-Men confront the Vanisher and his army of mobsters on the lawn of the White House. Charles Xavier wheels into view and mentally defeats the Vanisher, who is unable to vanish and becomes frightened and timid, under Professor X's power. The X-Men then battle the mobsters and soundly defeat them, retaking the Defense Plans. Thus, the X-Men save the U.S. and our way of life from the threat of the Vanisher and the communists!!!

This issue was a real hoot! A very fun tone, especially the early scenes of the X-Men talking to humans in the big city. Iceman is a very strange looking hero, he has no real face here, just a snowy facial appearance. He creates snow fists and a snow horse in this ish!! The Vanisher is not as menacing as Magneto. And his costume looks like a cross between a turtle and Spider-Man's villain, the Vulture. But overall, I enjoyed this second issue as much as the first.

Schuimend Mormel

10-23-2007, 03:46 AM

X-Men #2 was a solid read.

What I liked most about the issue was how the X-Men are defeated by the Vanisher. It makes them realise they're not an invincible team. Issue 1 served to set the X-Men up; issue 2 takes them down a few pegs. The battle between the Vanisher and the X-Men was in itself very entertaining.

I also love the bickering among the X-Men, especially between Iceman and the Angel. We're looking at a team that has just formed and is still new, to each other as well.

Another point of interest is how Professor Xavier deals with the Vanisher; he doesn't shy away from picking someone's mind and taking away their mental access to their powers or even erasing some memories. Don't mess with Professor X.

Flâneur

10-23-2007, 05:49 AM

Will the continuous reading include stuff set in the past e.g Hidden Years?

Slyfer

10-23-2007, 06:32 AM

You sir are going to go insane

bloody even

xgeek52

10-23-2007, 06:47 AM

i saw your initial post david but i didn't have time to respond...

it'll be fun to relive those days through the eyes of someone younger...it was a time when the o5 were at their best and scott (yes slim then) was carrying a torch for jean...

caney

10-23-2007, 08:55 AM

Uncanny #2 thoughts:

The O5 seem very inexperienced and young in this issue. There was a lot of blaming each other going on after they failed against the Vanisher. Bobby especially is acting out in these early issues. I think it has to do with him feeling insecure about being the youngest and also wanting to get some attention.

One funny thing was Xavier and the military people analzying video of the Vanisher to come up with a plan to stop him. Stan made it seem like this was the whole key to figuring out how to stop him. They even had a big mysterious scene change right before Xavier revealed his plan to the X-Men. That all seemed kind of pointless since Xavier's whole plan ended up being to mind wipe the Vanisher.

It's also interesting to note that most of the regular people view the X-Men as heroes right now. Of course they weren't happy when the X-Men failed to stop the Vanisher in the beginning, but they still regard them as heroes.

Bic

10-23-2007, 10:30 AM

My hat is off to the folks who are going to try and make a chronological run of the X-Men part of their daily lives. Those readers are made of stronger stock than I am but I'm looking forward to reading their opinions.

david r

10-23-2007, 08:18 PM

@Schuimend Mormel, I agree I liked seeing the X-Men defeated for the first time. No surprise that they argued about it for hours afterwards. Surprising that the "Miraculous" Magneto could not beat them, and yet the forgotten Vanisher did.

There's a problem with Professor X using his powers to mindwipe others. He's so powerful the X-Men will have nothing to do but sit on the sidelines eating popcorn!

@Flaneur, I'm not sure about X-Men: The Hidden Years. I have the whole 22-issue series, I may create a different thread for it when #66 hits. It has some good stuff.

@Xgeek52, glad to have you aboard! I hope you have a lot to add since you read these issues firsthand.

@Caney, it is interesting how humans and the military seem to love the X-Men. None of this "Mutant Hate" when the X-Men began their adventures!

david r

10-23-2007, 08:25 PM

X-Men #3

1st Appearance: The Blob

As the cover says: "X-Men! The teenage Super-Heroes who Have Taken America By Storm!"

#3 begins with another training session in the Danger Room. Professor Xavier refers to Cyclops as probably the most powerful X-Man! Iceman has a discernible face now, and not just a snowy mass. Prof X senses a mutant in New York, and announces the team will investigate.

But first, seeing Jean Grey off, Charles thinks these immortal words: As though I could help worrying about the one I love! But I can never TELL her! I have no right! Not while I'm the leader of the X-Men, and confined to this wheelchair! I found this passage disturbing and wonder about Charles Xavier mental stability!! :p

Warren grabs Jean and they drive off in a race car. Cyclops thinks "Of all the girls I've ever met, she is the one I'd give my heart to---but I don't dare! Not while I possess my dread power!" Anyway, the X-Men search New York for this new mutant, finally Scott discovers the Blob working in a carnival. The Blob displays his uncanny powers of invulnerability. The team talk the Blob into visiting the mansion, where after showing off his amazing powers, Xavier asks the Blob to join the X-Men! Which the Blob declines, and a scuffle occurs between the team & the Blob. The X-Men lose a second time as the Blob escapes.

The Blob returns to the carnival and forms a group of circus performers and freaks to attack the X-Men at their Mansion. Next we know, the circus army assaults the Mansion and the X-Men do battle with them. Unfortunately, the team is soundly defeated in a wild battle! Charles Xavier saves the day again, using his mental prowess, amplified by an intensifier, to erase the memory from the Blob and the circus army minds of why they are there in the first place. Again, Prof X is the real winner this issue.

My thoughts: another great issue! The battle with the circus and the X-Men was long, and Stan & Jack used every carnival idea they could come up with to spice it up. I liked the Blob as a villain, more than the Vanisher. I could just hear an old Brooklyn-type accent coming from him. But even though Charles Xavier saved the day again, I still feel a little unnerved by his unnatural feelings forward Jean Grey. Don't know what to make of that!!

The Sword Is Drawn

10-24-2007, 01:34 AM

But first, seeing Jean Grey off, Charles thinks these immortal words: As though I could help worrying about the one I love! But I can never TELL her! I have no right! Not while I'm the leader of the X-Men, and confined to this wheelchair! I found this passage disturbing and wonder about Charles Xavier mental stability!! :p

Ah, yes. THAT passage. Mentioned once and then never mentioned again for a good many years...:D There's a reason for that.

Schuimend Mormel

10-24-2007, 09:46 AM

It also looks like the X-Men get a bit of character development in this issue; for instance, the Beast is now shown to be scholarly and uses big words, after it was hinted at in issue 2 that he was 'smarter than the others' (according to Hank himself, at least).

The fight scene was good fun again, and it gave Cyclops the opportunity to show the impressive power of his optic blast. He even pushes back an elephant.

Speed

10-24-2007, 10:03 AM

I suggest you skip the first few issues as they quite repetitive and have no real character moments.
And yes, Xavier never mentions these feelings for Jean Grey again, although it is briefly mentioned in Onslaught.
Blob eventually returns as a recurring villain.

caney

10-24-2007, 10:19 AM

Uncanny #3 thoughts:

Reading this issue again, I had the same reaction as the first time I read it. The X-Men looked like jerks and the Blob came off as somewhat sympathetic. Xavier offers the Blob a spot on the X-Men, but when he refuses, Xavier has the X-Men attack him. Of course Blob looks much less sympathetic after he takes over the carnival and has them attack the mansion.

For the second issue in a row the villain is defeated by having Xavier wipe out his memories. He seems to use his power much more liberally and without much second thought in these early issues. At least he let the X-Men contain the situation before he took over this time.

I also liked the beginning of Beast's development as a genius this issue. They've been using his power in creative ways the last couple issues as well.

I'll give this one a 4 out of 5.

Diablito

10-24-2007, 03:53 PM

I can't imagine what the X-Men would be like if they accepted Blob as their seventh member (including Professor X). I thought it was great that the X-Men were open to new members for their team.

pariah-1972

10-24-2007, 04:19 PM

To be perfectly honest i am not a fan at all of the Lee/kirby years at all.
i think it's a damn shame the Roy Thomas years didn't last very long.

thew40

10-24-2007, 07:43 PM

Hey David R! (this is my first post so, uh, hey there everyone else)

I've been doing something similair over on blogger with my Uncanny X-Periment (http://uncannyxperiment.blogspot.com/)!

I've done the core X-Men books (Uncanny, adjectiveless, Astonishing) and a few of the other related books for key stories (Generation X, New Mutants, Cable, etc.)

I'm interested in reading more of your thoughts on these issues!

~W~

david r

10-24-2007, 09:38 PM

@Schuimend Mormel, you're right that #3 shows the Beast using his big words. And studying a lot.

@Caney, does seem odd that Prof X would want the X-Men to battle the Blob after he declined to join the team. Charles does several strange things this issue.

@The Sword is Drawn, I wonder what Stan Lee was thinking??

@Thew40, welcome to CBR!! I'll have to check out your site. Have you read the entire run of Uncanny X-Men?

I read half of #4, but because of the Rockies/Red Sox World Series, I'll have to post my review tomorrow. It's getting too late here.

thew40

10-25-2007, 07:49 AM

@Thew40, welcome to CBR!! I'll have to check out your site. Have you read the entire run of Uncanny X-Men?

Thanks!

Most of it. I'm knee-deep in "Decimation" at this point. I used a combination of back issues, Essentials, trades, and the CD-Rom to read Uncanny.

~W~

caney

10-25-2007, 09:00 AM

Uncanny #4 thoughts:

This issue was fantastic from start to finish. Definately my favorite so far. So many long-standing X-Men ideas were set up here including the introduction of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and the first on panel discussion between Professor X and Magneto about the future of a world with both humans and mutants.

I loved the introduction of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch as reluctant followers of Magneto feeling they own him for saving Wanda's life, but not agreeing with his violence towards humans. The introduction of Toad and Mastermind was nice as well, but they're much more typical evil characters.

It was fun to see Warren remark on Wanda's beauty here after seeing them together in a recent issue of X-Men First Class. I wonder if this is the issue where Jeff Parker got the idea for their romance.

The issue even ended with a cliffhanger for the first time. Xavier has lost his powers and the X-Men are left without a leader during their battles. It'll be fun to see the X-Men react to not having him as a saftey net for a while.

It was also funny to see how Stan and Jack weren't thinking very long term with their comics at this point. It's issue #4 and they've already stated that a year has passed since the X-Men first got together. I'm sure they both would have been shocked to know that so many of their creations, including the X-Men, are still going strong in 2007.

david r

10-25-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks for your thoughts, Caney. I agreed with everything. #4 is definitely my favorite issue so far.

X-Men #4

1st Appearance: Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, the Toad, Mastermind (Brotherhood of Evil Mutants)

#4 begins with another session in the Danger Room, followed by cake to celebrate the X-Men's 1 year anniversary (as Caney noted.) Cyclops cuts the cake with his optic blast! We then shift to another scene, meeting the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants! -Toad, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Mastermind. They are all eating a meal, and begin quarreling amongst themselves.

At that moment, Magneto steals a freighter, and Angel flies by and spots the freighter being whisked away. Warren reports it to Professor X. Back at Magneto's hideout, he confronts his evil mutants for arguing. He reminds Wanda of the debt she owes him. We then see a flashback in a European village, as a younger Wanda is being chased by superstitious villagers. Magneto swoops in and saves her.

Magneto's plan gets underway as he uses the freighter to shell the tiny island of Santo Marcos. Xavier mentally confronts Magneto on the astral plane (they appear to be floating above the Earth!) . Mags offers Xavier to join him to rule the world. But Charles rejects it, saying he wants to build a golden age with mutants and humans. Magneto announces forevermore, they are mortal foes!

Magneto and the Brotherhood storm Santo Marco, using their mutant powers to overwhelm the army and frighten the people. They conquer the island and Magneto becomes ruler!! Eventually, Charles and the X-Men pose as good-will visitors and drive into Santo Marco. The X-Men leap into uniforms and attack Magneto's castle. They do battle with the Brotherhood, and Magneto smells defeat. He sets up a nuclear bomb which will blow up Santo Marco and the X-Men!!! As the X-Men approach the castle door, another bomb ready to detonate is sensed by Charles, who leaps out of his wheelchair to save the X-Men. Charles take the brunt of the attack, which leaves him delirious. As the X-Men smash into the castle, Quicksilver runs lightning fast and disables the nuclear bomb, his conscience unable to allow Magneto to kill millions of people. The Brotherhood escape in their freighter, but Charles Xavier is left weakened and his mutant mental power deadened by the blast. The X-Men ponder whether they can continue without Xavier's guidance.

My thoughts: Like Caney, this is my favorite issue so far. Lots of action, and meeting Quicksilver & the Scarlet Witch was fun to read. Magneto taking over an island-nation was interesting to read, his castle resembles Doctor Doom's. His plan to detonate a nuclear bomb just shows how ruthless this guy REALLY is! I can't wait for the rematch with X-Men and the Brotherhood.

david r

10-26-2007, 07:17 PM

X-Men #5:

1st appearance: Asteroid M, Jean Grey's parents

Alright! The rematch with X-Men & Brotherhood of Evil Mutants! The issue begins with a somber X-Men returning to the Mansion with a depowered Charles Xavier. After getting the professor settled, Jean Grey's parents arrive to see the School. They meet the students and tour the Mansion. Then they say their farewells and drive away. They drive past a mysterious figure, who turns out to be Mastermind, who is searching for Xavier's home. Quicksilver picks him up in a jet and they fly into outer space, and enter Asteroid M!!

Mastermind informs Magneto he had no luck in the search. But the Master of Magnetism says he has a plan to find the X-Men. Not long afterwards back at the School, the X-Men are relaxing and watching a track meet on TV. One runner begins to hop and achieve amazing feats of athletic strength. The crowd on TV goes wild in anger at the runner's feats; and the X-Men decide he must be a mutant, and they need to help him. The team drives to the track meet and rescue the runner. But once away from the crowd, they learn it is the toad and the chase is on. Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants then ambush the team and a fight ensues. In the end, the toad is left behind while Magneto kidnaps Angel and the Brotherhood escape!!

Back on Asteroid M, Magneto tries to locate Xavier's school by torturing Angel with flashing light beams and high-pitches sirens. But Warren doesn't give in. Back on Earth, the toad uses a device to contact Magneto, and a drone ship arrives. He and the X-Men board it and fly into space--to Asteroid M. Once aboard, a wild free-for-all battle happens--between all the mutants. Magneto enhances his powers to make any metal portion of the asteroid attack the X-Men! The Scarlet Witch then uses her hex power to stop Magneto from sealing the X-Men in a section and sending it off into desolate space. Mags becomes enraged and Quicksilver defends his sister, but before any else happens, Cyclops smashes into the room. The X-Men locate the imprisoned Angel and free him; but also inadvertintly brush against detonation buttons. ASTEROID M BEGINS TO FALL APART!! Cyclops is trapped in the wrong section, so Iceman creates an ice bridge from one section of Asteroid M to the other, and Angel flies across the deadly labrynth to rescue Cyclops. Which he does. As Asteroid M disintegrates, the team take-off in an escape ship and return to Earth. The ship takes off again to rescue Magneto's forces.

The finale of the issue ends with the X-Men returning to the School and Charles Xavier announcing he NEVER LOST HIS POWERS and pretended to do so, to see how the X-Men fared on their own. This was their final exam, and they passed with flying colors! Their training period is over! CONGRATULATIONS, MY X-MEN! My thoughts: This was the most compressed story so far. A lot of action and adventure in #5. Seeing Asteroid M for the first time was a lot of fun, and I especially liked how it fell apart at the end and all the mutants were trying to escape it. Charles' secret was a little hard to swallow, he sure puts his students in harms way a lot!!

david r

10-27-2007, 08:56 AM

The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants are obviously Magneto's "students", like Xavier's group. Magneto certainly treats them horribly. The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are not evil at all. And have both screwed with Magneto's plans to save lives. I wonder if Stan Lee already had plans for them to become heroes?

Mastermind and the Toad aren't evil either, just bad guys. Both seem pretty selfish and uncaring. Magneto on the other hand, is portrayed as VERY MUCH EVIL. His plans to detonate a nuclear bomb in #4 and kill thousands of people, sends him into the "Evil" category for me. He even punched Cyclops from behind in #5 and that was very unsportsmanlike.

#5 was truly epic. Asteroid M was an innovative creation.

Speed

10-27-2007, 09:00 AM

I wonder if Stan Lee already had plans for them to become heroes? Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver eventually join The Avengers and become long standing members.

david r

10-27-2007, 09:33 AM

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver eventually join The Avengers and become long standing members.

I know. Not too long after their X-Men stories. Wanda comes across as rather heroic in her X-Men stories, not evil at all. Pietro has anger issues, but they're pointed at Magneto mostly.

Schuimend Mormel

10-27-2007, 10:42 AM

This was a great issue. The X-Men all have discernible personalities now, and it's fun to see them when they're out of costume just hanging out together at the school. This issue also shows what some humans are willing to do to someone simply because they resent and fear them; the Toad is rushed by an angry crowd, and the X-Men come to his rescue. Quite clever of Magneto to use the Toad as 'bait' in this situation as he anticipated how the X-Men would respond. The scene where Magneto takes apart a clock off a building using his magnetic powers, then afterwards captures Angel in metal bonds, is dynamically drawn by Kirby.

I've a small problem with the scene where Cyclops is trapped outside Asteroid M and 'almost plummets down to Earth' (he's too far from Earth, he would just enter orbit like Asteroid M itself), but it's not big enough to ruin this issue for me.

david r

10-27-2007, 11:37 AM

The X-Men all have discernible personalities now

Especially the Beast, as we see Hank reading Advanced Math and saying giant 15-letter words!! And Scott is the sullen, quiet one. Jean the most mature, Bobby the least. And Warren slightly arrogant.

The scene where Magneto takes apart a clock off a building using his magnetic powers, then afterwards captures Angel in metal bonds, is dynamically drawn by Kirby.

I love Kirby's work. It seemed like Jack packed each panel with lots to see. I never get tired of it.

I've a small problem with the scene where Cyclops is trapped outside Asteroid M and 'almost plummets down to Earth' (he's too far from Earth, he would just enter orbit like Asteroid M itself), but it's not big enough to ruin this issue for me.

I guess maybe Cyclops would "slowly" drift away. And the X-Men were able to grab him first?? I loved the part where Iceman made the ice bridge to the other section of Asteroid M.

david r

10-27-2007, 11:42 AM

X-Men #6

This issue guest-stars Namor, the Sub-Mariner! We learn Namor is a mutant. But I always thought he was Atlantean, so this doesn't entirely make sense to me.

#6 begins with the X-Men in the dining hall, (we learn the School has a cook! never seen), while Charles Xavier is reading a newspaper account of Namor's recent battles with humans. Charles wonders if Namor is a mutant. At that same moment, Magneto is wondering the same thing. Mags displays a new power, an astral form--which goes forth to discover the Sub-Mariner.

Xavier also journeys to the ocean depths in his own astral form, both men looking for Namor. Magneto discovers the undersea castle first, the home of Namor! He enters it and entices an Atlantean to give a message to Namor.

Xavier returns to his physical body, and tells the X-Men of their new mission. They are to locate Magneto's isle, hidden in the Atlantic Ocean. They man a sailing ship and are on the waters. At that same time, Namor is told of Magneto, and launches his own craft to find Mag's island. He finds it-- an island with a gigantic magnet as it's centerpiece!-and confronts Magneto. Mags actually steps down to Namor's arrogance. Namor is also awed by the Scarlet Witch's beauty. As Magneto asks to ally with Namor, Angel appears and attacks!! The X-Men have discovered the island!!

Namor grabs the winged youth and hurtles him away. Magneto responds by turning on his giant magnet, which completely destroys the X-Men's ship!! In a pretty exciting fashion!! Iceman creates an ice shelf over the water and the good mutants walk to the island.

Magneto is preparing for another magnet assault, when the Scarlet Witch pleads with him not too. Mags responds aggressively, and Namor becomes angered and destroys the controls. Mags realizes he cannot ally himself with Namor and sends metal objects to crush the Sub-Mariner. Suddenly, the X-Men crash into the hideout, and a battle occurs. Namor does battle with our mutants. Finally, Charles Xavier enters, and attempts to tell Namor he is a mere pawn of Magneto. Namor will not listen, and leaves.

Magneto sees Namor leaving and tries to kill him using his magnetic powers. Namor responds with a crushing blow to the ground, which completely destroys the giant magnet on the island! Namor then returns to the sea. Magneto & the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants escape in a airship, and the X-Men are left on the island to pick up the pieces (and leave on Mags' own sailing ship.)

My thoughts: The third appearance of Magneto and the Brotherhood in 3 issues. Were they running out of villains so quickly? Seems a little anticlimatic. Still a pretty good issue. Namor and Magneto's equalled arrogance ended any possible alliance they could ever have. Just as I thought. And that giant magnet was a little silly. But so far, #5 has been my favorite issue.

Stephane Garrelie

10-27-2007, 12:39 PM

This issue with Namor is my favorite non-Claremont X-Men story. Great stuff :)

david r

10-27-2007, 01:03 PM

Welcome, Stephane! :) How many issues of the Original 5 have you read?

Stephane Garrelie

10-27-2007, 01:11 PM

Welcome, Stephane! :) How many issues of the Original 5 have you read?

I've read every pre Claremont issues excepted the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams Sauron/SavageLand/Magneto arc that in france was published as a separate trade in the 70s, and wasn't reprinted as were the other stories when i read them. So back in the 80s this trade was a collector, and for this reason very expensive, if you could find it.
I'll buy it when an essential will reprint it.
By the way my other favorite non-Claremont X-Men issue is the one by Lee & Kirby introducing Ka-Zar and the Savage Land.

david r

10-27-2007, 01:36 PM

By the way my other favorite non-Claremont X-Men issue is the one by Lee & Kirby introducing Ka-Zar and the Savage Land.

Another favorite of mine as well.

cap5

10-27-2007, 02:08 PM

this is pretty much going to take up your life

Diablito

10-27-2007, 07:44 PM

Grrrrr, I wish that Namor joined the X-Men!

caney

10-27-2007, 09:36 PM

Ack, I'm falling behind already.

Uncanny #5 thoughts:

Another fun issue here. I didn't like it as much as the previous one, but it was good to see some more characterization done for the members of Magneto's brotherhood.

The X-Men's excessive fussing over Xavier is getting kind of funny. At times they treat him like a child. They're always making sure he has a blanket to stay warm and being very gentle with him like he's gonna shatter or something.

I liked the quirkiness of Magneto's plan to find the X-Men's headquarters. He actually showed a lot of faith in Toad, which if strange considering how awful he treats him. I really feel bad for the guy.

Good fight scenes in this issue as well. Stan and Jack use everyone's powers very creatively. I especially like how they use Mastermind.

Interesting ending to the issue as well. Professor X was just faking his power loss. It makes you wonder what else he's keeping from his students.

Uncanny #6 thoughts:

Great guest star with here with Namor. He's such a fun character and it almost makes sense for him and Mangeto to work together to defeat the humans. Of course, they're both way to arrogant and full of themselves for it ever to pan out.

Poor Jean, having to cook for all the boys on the cook's day off. I really enjoy the little character moments put in each issue when the X-Men are just being teenagers before they go off to battle. Their long term personalities are already well established now.

The thing that stood out for me the most in this issue was the plight of Wanda and Pietro. You can't help but root for them to leave Magneto behind (he certainly had no second thoughts about leaving them behind to save his own butt). Magneto is so arrogant and harsh that it's hard to believe anyone would willingly follow him without being forced to.

And man, Mags gets a new hideout ever issue. First a battleship, then Asteroid M, and now an island base. He doesn't waste time setting up shop, LOL.

Again a very fun issue all around. I know we're in for some lame issues in the next few weeks if I remember correctly, so I'm happy to enjoy these good ones right now.

david r

10-28-2007, 09:00 AM

The X-Men's excessive fussing over Xavier is getting kind of funny. At times they treat him like a child. They're always making sure he has a blanket to stay warm and being very gentle with him like he's gonna shatter or something.

So true. How many times can they say "sir"?

I liked the quirkiness of Magneto's plan to find the X-Men's headquarters. He actually showed a lot of faith in Toad, which if strange considering how awful he treats him. I really feel bad for the guy.

Makes you wonder why any of the Evil Mutants stay with Magneto.

Interesting ending to the issue as well. Professor X was just faking his power loss. It makes you wonder what else he's keeping from his students.

HA! I like that! A little foreshadowing?? Charles Xavier "Dark Secret" #1 is revealed here. Let the mindwiping commence!

Uncanny #6 thoughts:

Poor Jean, having to cook for all the boys on the cook's day off. I really enjoy the little character moments put in each issue when the X-Men are just being teenagers before they go off to battle.

The little character moments are my favorite parts. (I wonder if we ever meet this cook?)

I know we're in for some lame issues in the next few weeks if I remember correctly, so I'm happy to enjoy these good ones right now.

These early ones are old-fashioned, but they have a certain charm. So many things are introduced here so fast it's hard to keep up. What WILD IMAGINATIONS Marvel had back then!

david r

10-28-2007, 09:05 AM

X-Men #7

1st appearance: Cerebro, Zelda, Greenwich Village Coffee Shop

GRADUATION DAY!!! #7 begins with the X-Men graduating from the School! Who knew they graduated so soon? They stand on the School grounds, with diplomas, taking photos with Professor Xavier. Everyone is happy and in a splendid good mood. But, Charles then announces he is taking a leave-of-absence to attend to other unfinished business, leaving the team on their own for the first time.

Meanwhile, we meet YET ANOTHER of Magneto's hideouts, a lonely ramshackle mansion at the edge of town. Mastermind tries to seduce the Scarlet Witch, but Wanda isn't having it. Back at the Mansion, Charles Xavier escorts Scott into an "Off-Limits" section of the School and discover "Dark Secret "#2-- Cerebro! A device to detect mutant brain waves. Scott is to use Cerebro in Xavier's absence. Charles then informs Scott that he is the new group leader!

The next morning, the team assemble for a day trip, to find a serious Scott saying he is staying behind. In fact, Scott announces he'd been thinking of leaving the X-Men, until Xavier promoted him to Group Leader!! (Could Charles have known Scott wanted to leave? And promoted him to keep him at the Mansion? I wonder???) At that moment, Magneto is wandering around a carnival, where he discovers his objective--- the Blob! The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants fight some carny folk, while Magneto tries to talk the Blob into joining the Brotherhood. In a scuffle, the Blob hits his head and the memory of the X-Men returns to him! The Blob joins Magneto's group.

Cerebro detects this, and the machine informs Cyclops. Meanwhile, the rest of our mutants is at a Greenwich Village Coffee shop, enjoying "far-out" jazz and the Bohemian side of New York!! Zen poetry and Beatniks--right here in X-Men!! We meet a waitress named Zelda who Bobby seems very attracted to.However, the team get Cyclops' red alert, and drive back to the Mansion. The X-Men helicopter to the Blob and fighting ensues. Magneto and the Brotherhood strike, and a mutant free-for-all commences!! At the conclusion, Magneto launches missiles, uncaring if the Blob is killed or not. The Blob is angered that Magneto would endanger him, and quits the Evil Mutants. Magneto's team departs, and the Blob says he wants nothing to do with good or bad mutants. He wants to be left alone, to return to the carnival where he'll live the rest of his days a side show freak.

My thoughts: It's fascinating to read important additions to the X-men mythos (like Cerebro or the Danger Room), show up here almost like after-thoughts. Stan & Jack were spinning new ideas and creations at every turn. It's fun to read the series slowly grow & the X-Men expand their identities. The Blob's return was a nice read, but the special parts of #7 were the graduating ceremony, and the first Beatnik moments at Zelda's jazz club! Wild, man!!!

DDM

10-28-2007, 09:07 AM

X-Men #6

This issue guest-stars Namor, the Sub-Mariner! We learn Namor is a mutant. But I always thought he was Atlantean, so this doesn't entirely make sense to me.

Namor's mutant abilities comes from his natural ability to fly, he can breathe on dry land with no artificial assistance (unlike other Atlanteans), he is far stronger than a normal Atlanteans possessing hyper-endurance, speed, & raw strength.

caney

10-28-2007, 09:19 AM

HA! I like that! A little foreshadowing?? Charles Xavier "Dark Secret" #1 is revealed here. Let the mindwiping commence!

Yeah, you get a different perspective reading these first few stories when you already know the long history these characters have ahead of them. It's cool to see where they all came from.

The little character moments are my favorite parts. (I wonder if we ever meet this cook?)

It brings up other questions such as how large of a staff is there at the mansion, how much do they know about the school, and does Professor X use his powers to make them think they're working in a normal prep school (I think that's what Xavier did at the beginning of Ultimate X-Men)? I can't imagine Xavier being able to build the danger room by himself, so he must have hired some workers for that. I wonder if he mind wipes them all once they're done.

david r

10-28-2007, 09:29 AM

Namor's mutant abilities comes from his natural ability to fly, he can breathe on dry land with no artificial assistance (unlike other Atlanteans), he is far stronger than a normal Atlanteans possessing hyper-endurance, speed, & raw strength.

I never caught that. Namor is an Atlantean mutant. Thanks DDM.

david r

10-28-2007, 09:33 AM

It brings up other questions such as how large of a staff is there at the mansion, how much do they know about the school, and does Professor X use his powers to make them think they're working in a normal prep school (I think that's what Xavier did at the beginning of Ultimate X-Men)? I can't imagine Xavier being able to build the danger room by himself, so he must have hired some workers for that. I wonder if he mind wipes them all once they're done.

I always assumed Charles and the students were the only ones there. If you have a large cleaning & cooking staff, things get complicated. Is Charles constantly mind-erasing them when they see Warren flying or Bobby making an igloo on the lawn?

The building of the Danger Room is even more odd. No Sh'iar technology yet, so all those devices were built by contractors. And just erased the memories from the workers.

hawkeye comeback

10-28-2007, 02:38 PM

i am rereading the x-universe now before i fall asleep i dont have full collection and have been reading since july i on x-men ish after hunt for xavier storie

caney

10-28-2007, 03:46 PM

Uncanny #7 thoughts:

This issue had a lot of fun moments outside the action. We really start to see the angst and sense of responsibility that Scott puts on himself. He's letting himself be defined by his out of control power in a very unhealthy way.

I loved the introduction of the totally bizarre and wild, yet unnamed at this point, coffee shop. Those folks are on some very good stuff. Bobby and Zelda were too cute together. I think Warren was actually glad to interrupt their fun. He's totally brooding and jealous because it's clear Jean is more into Scott than him.

Magneto's 'sugar and spice' recruiting technique strangely fails again. At this rate it's a wonder he ever gets any people to follow his ideals. And, LOL at yet another secret Magneto hideout. That's four in four issues. He's better prepared than Batman.

Again, I'm left feeling a bit sorry for the Blob. He's been caught up in a war he didn't ask for. It was nice to see Jean really understand his plight as she tried to get him to join the X-Men, but it's very understandable that he just wants to be left alone at this point.

One thing that's starting to annoy me is Angel's inner, and sometimes outer, dialog ever time he uses his flight to dodge some projectile. Every single time he reminds us that it's lucky he had all that training from Xavier. We get the point War. You're well trained.

Yet again, a great issue. Stan and Jack are on a roll at this point.

Diablito

10-28-2007, 05:09 PM

david r

10-28-2007, 05:13 PM

Ok, since we are on Cerebro's first appearance, isn't he/she/it technically an X-Man? IIRC, it regained sentience later and formed its own team, and in X-Men First Class we learn that it is a sentient machine. I'm confused.

Cerebro's first appearance is X-Men #7, and at this point, it is completely a machine. Cerebro being sentient is a retcon, it does not speak until 1998!! Doesn't Cerebro speak in X-Men: First Class? None of that happens in the 1960s issues.

Heck, part of Cerebro is a control-pad hidden in Xavier's desk. I wouldn't call it an X-Man.

@Caney, I see what you mean about Warren always thinking "Thank goodness I did those hundred hours of training!!" The X-Men continually think that; I assume Marvel was trying to impress kids with studying and working hard and it will pay off.

DDM

10-28-2007, 05:21 PM

Diablito

10-28-2007, 05:29 PM

Cerebro is a machine. Would you consider the Blackbird an X-Man too?

But Blackbird did'nt create its own team of X-Men(?). If we were to count X-Men First Class Cerebro as canon, would it make him a member then? He seemed a lot more sentient than the original Cerebro, and he even lectures and speaks to the X-Men.

The Sword Is Drawn

10-28-2007, 05:36 PM

X-Men #7 Meanwhile, the rest of our mutants is at a Greenwich Village Coffee shop, enjoying "far-out" jazz and the Bohemian side of New York!! Zen poetry and Beatniks--right here in X-Men!!

Some of these scenes are real highlights for me, when reading the early issues. They are hillarious, reading them now.

matthewaos

10-28-2007, 06:10 PM

Cerebro is alive? :confused: :confused:

So... not only the danger room, right?

DDM

10-29-2007, 09:18 AM

Cerebro is alive? :confused: :confused:

So... not only the danger room, right?

Unfortunately, Cerebro gained sentience at some point because the X-editors ran out of ideas:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.364.GIF

This crossover took place in Uncanny X-Men & X-Men.

However, I still see Cerebro (now Cerebra) as a sophisticated machine in the same vein as the Danger Room & the Blackbird.

Dagger

10-29-2007, 09:55 AM

Cerebro is alive? :confused: :confused:

So... not only the danger room, right?
He gained sentience because of tinkering by Bastion and his cronies. He technically wasn't alive, but the story where he created his own x-men were kinda hot. I really loved Mercury, Rapture, Kaos, and Landslide.

david r

10-29-2007, 08:04 PM

X-Men #8:

1st appearance: Unus

#8 starts with another session in the Danger Room. At the conclusion, Scott & Jean secretly think how they love the other!! Later that day, Hank and Bobby are in New York, when they spy a young boy trapped high on a building. The Beast climbs up and rescues the child, but the crowd realize he's a mutant and turn against him. Bobby and Hank run for their lives and their clothes get torn.

Upon returning to the Mansion, Hank is so angry he declares he doesn't want to save mankind, and quits the X-Men!! Scott is shocked and privately contacts Charles Xavier via Cerebro. Xavier is found in Europe, on a device descending into a cave. Scott informs Xavier about the Beast's leaving, and Charles says he is on the trail of someone named Lucifer.

A week later, Hank McCoy has become a professional wrestler named the Beast. We witness his latest bout, against Unus the Untouchable. The Beast is unable to punch, hit or kick Unus; his power creates a force field around, making him untouchable. After the bout, Mastermind meets with Unus and says Magneto is interested in Unus joining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. But first he must do something amazing--like defeating the X-Men.

The X-Men have detected Unus via Cerebro, and are searching for him. They discover him in New York and the fight is on!! They are unable to get past his force field, after leaving Unus trapped at the top of a skyscraper, they return to the Mansion, to find the Beast has returned and is building a device to enhance Unus' power. The X-Men think Hank has betrayed them, and attempt to steal the device away from him.

The Beast escapes and uses the device on Unus. Sure enough, he is more untouchable than ever. In fact, he is unable to eat food or sit in a chair, as everything that comes near him is repulsed away. He is unable to touch ANYTHING!!! He begins to starve and Unus panics. Finally, the Beast says he can reverse the change,but only if Unus swears to not join the Evil Mutants. Unus thusly swears, and his mutant power returns to normal. He announces he's returning to the wrestling ring---where he belongs!

My thoughts: This issue was just okay. Unus' power and coming from the wrestling world gave him a passing resemblance to the Blob. The way Unus walked off at the end also reminded me of the Blob's departure from #7. More interesting was Charles Xavier quest for Lucifer. I'm highly interested to find out what that's about. All in all, #8 was alright, and clocking in at 20 pages was the shortest issue yet.

Brian M.

10-29-2007, 08:09 PM

My only, only problem w/ #8 is that it feels like Stan was pushing Scott and Jean close too fast. I mean...LOVE?

david r

10-29-2007, 08:17 PM

Brian M.

10-29-2007, 08:18 PM

Scott seems to be playing the role of "tortured hero", that Stan Lee loved to write. Like Peter Parker, Bruce Banner and Ben Grimm. He agonizes about his powers and his inability to love Jean Grey.

Apparently, the team have been together for at least a year by #8. So Scott and Jean had time to fall in love.

Yea, I keep thinking of the comics back them operating on the same timescale we have. Your right though, the concept of Marvel time hadn't been established yet. That's why First Class works so well.

The Sword Is Drawn

10-30-2007, 03:17 AM

Scott seems to be playing the role of "tortured hero", that Stan Lee loved to write. Like Peter Parker, Bruce Banner and Ben Grimm. He agonizes about his powers and his inability to love Jean Grey.

I think what a lot of modern readers forget, and perhaps writers have stopped writing in, is that Cyclops was always intended to be that underdog everyman figure, for readers to associate with. You were supposed to root for Scott because he was.

But I suppose in a climate where he's ended up as a puppet for the slapper with big fake boobs it's not quite so easy to sympathise with the guy anymore...:(

Schuimend Mormel

10-30-2007, 05:01 AM

Later that day, Hank and Bobby are in New York, when they spy a young boy trapped high on a building. The Beast climbs up and rescues the child, but the crowd realize he's a mutant and turn against him. Bobby and Hank run for their lives and their clothes get torn.

Upon returning to the Mansion, Hank is so angry he declares he doesn't want to save mankind, and quits the X-Men!!

It is all about THAT scene.

Hank sees a little boy in distress and, not caring about revealing his secret identity, he climbs up the building to save him. A very noble and selfless act, and the thanks he gets is that an angry mob tries to beat him up. Honestly, when I first saw that scene where Hank and Bobby run into Scott's office with their clothes in rags, I could really feel the anger, fear, and disillusionment of Hank. Bear in mind that Hank was around eighteen years old in this issue, so he still had impetuosity and naivete according to his age (despite his gentle nature and intelligence). Maybe I'm giving it to much significance, but THAT scene will be forever etched in my mind.

Even though, yes, the story resembles that of the Blob in more than one respect, there's an additional moral to Unus' story. Unus is basically given the Midas' touch by the Beast. He is given more power, but it's out of control, he couldn't handle it. He couldn't even eat anymore, so it turned out to be a bad bargain.
On an entertaining level, this issue really works for me as well; the battle of the X-Men vs Unus is written and drawn excitingly as ever. My only problem is that Cyclops didn't give the Beast the opportunity to explain WHY he wanted to amp Unus' powers.

It was also quite hilarious to read the caption that says 'Hank has become the new wrestling sensation', and there's a thought bubble coming from Hank saying 'Wow, I'm a real popular wrestler', and to the side, there are people shouting things like 'Go home! Unus will cream you! You have a big butt!' Quite a contrast, there.

I think what a lot of modern readers forget, and perhaps writers have stopped writing in, is that Cyclops was always intended to be that underdog everyman figure, for readers to associate with. You were supposed to root for Scott because he was.

But I suppose in a climate where he's ended up as a puppet for the slapper with big fake boobs it's not quite so easy to sympathise with the guy anymore...:(

I think Scott has always had haters and lovers. Some people think of him as a 'goodie-two-shoes' or a 'dull' character, because he's always surrounded by people who are either more outgoing (Warren, Bobby), or more rebellious (Wolverine). From the beginning, Scott has always been afraid of getting too close to anyone for fear of hurting them with his optic blasts. So, he tried to become the perfect X-Man for the Professor. And for some readers, I guess that's a turn-off. Not me, though, Cyclops is my second favourite character.

caney

10-30-2007, 09:37 AM

Uncanny #8 thoughts:

This is the first issue where we really get to see the public's mistrust and hatred for mutants. In the prior issues, Xavier had stressed that this would be the public's reaction, but it makes much more of an impact when you actually see it. You can really understand why Hank would react like he did.

I don't know if I'm just to easily impressed, but I thought the this issue was very cleaver with both the power given to Unus and the way Hank comes up to stop him. Good stuff.

It was very strange that Magneto is suddenly getting picky with his recruits. He's done such an awful job of getting mutants to join his Brotherhood, that it's hard to believe he would turn down a willing and powerful mutant like Unus until he 'proves himself'.

david r

10-30-2007, 06:15 PM

@The Sword is Drawn, I agree that Cyclops was intended as the "underdog". Many of the 60s Marvel books had someone in that role. Scott was the most tortured member because of his optic blasts. Which were difficult to hide and could kill easily kill someone. It's too bad they've taken so much of that away from him nowadays.

@Schuimend Mormel, you raised some interesting ideas concering Unus. About his getting the Midas Touch, and losing control of his powers. I found the Blob to be more "tragic", but you brought up good points.

And the scene where Hank quits the X-Men was a bit of a jolt, I did not expect that. I can see as you, why the Beast was so angered at the mistrust of the Homo Sapiens.

@Caney, about the crowd's mistrust, it's funny in the first few issues, everybody seems to love the X-Men. And by #8, they are chasing them and ripping their clothes. What happened?

BTW, no review tonight, as I'm off to visit a haunted house!! and will be out late. Enjoy your Halloween, fellow X-fans! :)

david r

10-31-2007, 08:26 AM

X-Men #9

1st appearance: Lucifer

X-Men vs. the Avengers!! #9 cover sets it up pretty damn exciting!! We see our merry mutants in battle-mode with the Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Gorgeous art!

#9 opens with the X-Men onboard an ocean liner in the North Atlantic. We learn the students are on their way to Europe to locate Professor Xavier. Charles contacts them mentally; he has located the hidden cave of Lucifer in the heart of the Balkans. And is descending into the cave on a mechanical chair. Lucifer is the man responsible for Charles losing his legs. Suddenly, a dust devil grabs Charles and thrusts him away from his chair and into the lair of LUCIFER!!

By now, the X-Men, in street clothes, have arrived at a Bavarian village and are sight-seeing when the God of Thunder, Thor appears from the sky. His Hammer is detecting an evil presence (Lucifer) and the Avengers have arrived to investigate. The Avengers lineup is: Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, the Wasp and Giant-Man.

Back in the cave, Lucifer tells Xavier he has a giant thermal bomb, and he is "wired to the bomb, if Lucifer should die or his heart stop, the giant bomb will explode killing millions. Thus, Lucifer is safe from Charles' revenge! Lucifer sends a destructive ionic ray to kill the X-Men. Xavier mentally tells them to duck, which they do! The Avengers discover our mutants and tell the teenagers to stand aside. They must uncover this "evil presence" Thor's hammer senses. Prof X tells the X-Men to buy him some time, so the weirdest teens of all begin attacking the Avengers!

X-Men versus Avengers! This is a great battle, and even though the Avengers are holding back, the X-Men still hold their own. They are obviously outmatched. Meanwhile, Xavier uses his amazing mutant brain to try to knock Lucifer out, without disturbing his heart. Charles is succesful and Lucifer collapses! Xavier then contacts the Avengers and tells them the whole story. The battle ends and Earth's Mightiest Heroes depart, leaving the mutants to deal with Lucifer. The X-Men enter Lucifer's cave and find Professor X. Using Xavier's mental prowess, they land on the thermal bomb and discover the fuse. Cyclops uses his optic blast to defuse it---ending the threat of the bomb. Charles and Lucifer have some heated words, and X lets him leave!!!! Saying it is enough that Lucifer has been beaten, but the X-Men will be ready for him in the future, if need be.

My thoughts: The real treasure in #9 is the confrontation between X-Men and Avengers. Aren't they the first guest-stars in this book? The battle was fun to read. And the early pages have many light-hearted moments. The mystery of Lucifer remains elusive, we know Lucifer caused Charles' losing his legs, but not the how or why. And Charles allowing Lucifer to leave at the end made zero sense. But this was one of the best issues yet!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

worstblogever

10-31-2007, 09:11 AM

david r

11-01-2007, 09:19 PM

X-Men #10

1st appearance: Silver Age Ka-Zar, Zabu, the Savage Land

This issue is a true beauty. Jack Kirby's best artwork so far on X-Men.

#10 opens in another Danger Room session, the team polishing their post-graduate studies. Scott and Jean continue their secret desires for each other, with Scott thinking "When she stands this close to me, I forget everything but my desire to reach out...to embrace her!" Oh my!! Soon, the team is around a television set, watching a report from Antarctica, showing a man in loin cloth and his sabretooth tiger attacking an exploration party. Suspecting he might be a mutant, Professor X sends the X-Men to investigate. Charles also announces he will not be joining them, that they can now handle missions on their own.

Days later, the X-Men have arrived in the polar region, and discover a giant crack in the ice, and a hidden tunnel inside it. Hours of descending later, they arrive in the tropical Savage Land! Angel takes to the skies and is nearly killed by flying pterodactyls. The rest journey among the fertile jungle spying all the prehistoric creatures and dinosaurs present. Jack Kirby does a dazzling job drawing these scenes. Suddenly, primitive warriors riding giant carnivorous birds attack the team. After a short battle, the jungle warrior Ka-Zar and his sabretooth sidekick Zabu appear and the warriors flee with Marvel Girl in their barbaric cluthes! Ka-Zar is portrayed as very savage in this story, talking like "Swamp means death, Zabu. There is better way. We find." I don't recall Ka-Zar speaking so barbarically in later stories.

The X-Men try to befriend Ka-Zar, but he aggressively fights them as outsiders. Ka-Zar is winning just as Maa-gor, last of the man-apes arrives and begins his own fight with Ka-Zar. Finally, the mutants talk Ka-Zar into helping them find Jean Grey. And they run into the dangerous jungle. Angel flies ahead but is soon caught in a net and captured by the swamp men. Who carry him to their giant fort deep within the Savage Land. Warren is tied-up and tossed alongside Jean. They are both taken to a high pyramid and left. Giant doors open to reveal a huge tyrannosaurus rex, which enters to slaughter our heroes!! Outside the fort, Ka-Zar and the X-Men arrive. Ka-Zar orders Zabu on a mission in his native language,

Jean Grey uses her telekinesis to move T-Rex's feet and he collapses. She then uses her power to loosen Angel's ropes, and he breaks free. Grabbing her and flying away just as the Devil Dinosaur look-alike bares his fangs!! Outside the fort, Zabu returns with a huge charging stampede of mastodons (similiar to elephants) and the wild beasts smash into the fort and crush the doors. The X-Men & Ka-Zar enter the fort and begin a wild battle against the barbarians. Angel and Marvel Girl are rescued, and everyone escapes. The X-Men return to the hidden tunnel and try to say thanks to Ka-Zar, but the jungle warrior simply wants them to leave. After they do, he orders the herd of mastodons to destroy the entrance to the surface world...possibly forever!!

My thoughts: This is absolutely one of the best issues so far. Wild jungle adventure and artist Jack Kirby really outdid himself with #10. Ka-Zar's dialogue is a little silly, and it's obvious he was meant to be Marvel's Tarzan. But this issue is special. And who doesn't like Zabu?

worstblogever

11-02-2007, 12:24 AM

Diablito

11-02-2007, 05:23 PM

I LOVE KA-ZAR. He's the character I wish was the X-Men most, and I love his history.

david r

11-02-2007, 07:31 PM

Xavier must've wanted them to have survival training, or something. Because wouldn't Cerebro show him that Ka-zar wasn't a mutant? Either that or Chuckles wanted them to bring back a T-Rex head to mount on the wall.

Well, Cerebro didn't register any mutants in that region (the Savage Land) but Charles Xavier still felt it was dangerous enough for the X-Men to investigate. None of them even knew the Savage Land existed. (Of course, Charles might have known, and not told his X-Men!)

@Diablito, I also love KA-ZAR. And wish more readers would support a book about jungle adventure!!! The Savage Land is really an unexplored corner of the Marvel U.

david r

11-02-2007, 07:37 PM

X-Men #11

1st appearance: The Stranger

#11 begins with Professor X testing his new radar-image beam: which can convert radar blips into pictures of an object!! Holy mutant-mania!! Xavier picks up *someone* so powerful that the beam cannot hold them. Charles surmises it must be a super-powered being nearby disrupting his beam. The X-Men are dispatched to locate this being. Meanwhile, in New York, an odd-looking man with a very weird hairstyle and moustache is in a small room. He is the Stranger, and he departs. Standing before a crowded street, he walks on the air over the cars and traffic, amazing the onlookers. The Stranger is attracted to a particular building and phases through the wall to discover Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants awaiting him within the building.

The X-Men are searching the city for this new mutant. Some policeman notice Cyclops wearing his odd glasses, and ask him to remove his glasses. Scott resists and the cops remove his glasses, sending his dangerous optic blasts soaring in all directions. The police are shocked and Scott frantically tries to find his protective glasses (can Scott see when his blasts are shooting??) The Beast leaps in and rescues Scott. Meanwhile, Magneto asks the Stranger to join his Brotherhood. Mags and Mastermind show examples of their mutant powers. The Stranger is not amused, and lashes out with a shocking display of his bizarre power. Creating a huge explosion which sends the Brotherhood scrambling. The Stranger turns Mastermind into a human statue. The X-Men hear the explosion and enter the smashed building. Quicksilver and Angel enter into a heated fight, and Iceman stops it by freezing Pietro in snow!! The Stranger wearies of this, and creates a "cone of energy" to leave, and Magneto & Toad leap in with him.

The X-Men speak with the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver and both mutants have had ENOUGH with Magneto and agree to quit his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Cyclops asks if they'd like to join Xavier's forces, since they are on the side of good. Wanda and Pietro say they are sick of mutants vs. mutants, and plan to return to their homeland in Europe. Meanwhile, in a forest, the Stranger re-emerges with Magneto & Toad. The Stranger announces he is no mutant at all. He grows huge and encases the two evil mutants in a cocooon.

Back at the Mansion, Xavier scans the statue form of Mastermind. Charles says he lives, but his molecules have been altered. Charles says this "stranger" has the power to shake the universe. And his X-Men MUST FIND HIM!! And find him they do, as Xavier can sense him in the forest. They find Magneto & Toad trapped in the cocoons. The Stranger appears and announces he is no mutant at all, but an ALIEN! His race travels to different planets to find mutants and transport mutants back to his homeworld. He then lifts off in a light-bolt, taking Magneto and Toad with him into outer space!! Saying "We shall never return!" It appears the threat of Magneto and the Brotherhood is finally over. Cyclops wonders if the X-Men should be disbanded, but Xavier says no. There will be other threats ahead. Upon returning to the School, Charles removes Magneto and the Brotherhood's names from his Cerebro unit list of enemies. Their threat is over. But suddenly, Cerebro begins to BEEP BEEP BEEP in a panicked way! Something even more dangerous is approaching the mansion, and Charles and Scott looking out the window wonder what is coming!!!

My thoughts: This issue was alright. The Stranger was rather silly looking. It was interesting how they made us think he was a mutant--but he turned out to be an alien. The real interest here was the collapse of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. As this appears to be their final battle. And Wanda & Pietro apparently joined the Avengers soon after. I wonder how Magneto will get out of his cliffhanger??

david r

11-02-2007, 10:04 PM

One of the main subplots so far has been Charles Xavier and Magneto's race to find new mutants. Almost like a competition between them. This culminates in X-Men #11 with the search for the Stranger. Irony of course is the Stranger turns out not to be a mutant at all. But a much more dire threat.

Magneto, normally a loner, very early on created his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to equal Xavier's X-Men. But with #11, the Brotherhood has collapsed. Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver quitting, Mastermind turned to stone and Magneto and his lackey, the Toad, kidnapped to outer space--to unknown fates. I guess being evil doesn't pay off here.

The Acolytes were nothing but a new Brotherhood.

xgeek52

11-03-2007, 01:38 AM

*bows to david*

you've been bringing back fond memories...

thank you oh great one...

Schuimend Mormel

11-03-2007, 08:06 AM

A very exciting X-Men vs Brotherhood issue.

I liked the little panel with the Brotherhood members together, and Magneto inviting the Stranger to join. The Stranger turning Mastermind to stone was impressive and chilling.

Also, we find out what happens when Scott takes off his glasses (and why he was so concerned when Jean's mother reached for them in issue #5). He can't control his eyebeams, not even by squeezing his eyelids shut. It's been mentioned that his glasses were specially treated, but we don't know yet how exactly.

I really liked the Scarlet Witch in this issue. Jean unleashes her telekinesis upon her in a lame display of power, and Scarlet Witch just brushes it off, and says 'Don't flatter yourself, you don't concern me'. She immediately goes to check on Pietro; the love between Wanda and Pietro is so strong and kind of endearing, but Pietro can be a right PITA, especially when he broke off her answer to Cyclops when he asked them to help the X-Men. Wanda would have made a cool addition to the team; her powers are interesting and unusual.

The final scene makes this issue a turning point of sorts for the X-Men. The Brotherhood has been eliminated as a threat, but immediately Cerebro shrieks in alarm about a new, even more dangerous threat. Let's ignore that this threat would turn out to be the Juggernaut, who isn't a mutant and shouldn't register on Cerebro... but both the Juggernaut and the Sentinels, who were introduced immediately after, would prove to become deadly adversaries. Playtime is over and the heat is on now.

david r

11-03-2007, 08:50 AM

Xgeek52, glad you're enjoying this. Your thoughts are always appreciated. *hums COPS song*

The Stranger turning Mastermind to stone was impressive and chilling.

It was. I wonder if we ever find out how Mastermind gets back to normal?

Also, we find out what happens when Scott takes off his glasses

Can Scott see clearly while using his optic blasts?

I really liked the Scarlet Witch in this issue. Jean unleashes her telekinesis upon her in a lame display of power, and Scarlet Witch just brushes it off, and says 'Don't flatter yourself, you don't concern me'.

Yes, it looked like a cool cat-fight between Jean and Wanda was going to happen. But it only lasted one panel. I also liked the part where Jean is worried that the Scarlet Witch has the hots for Scott!! :p

Wanda would have made a cool addition to the team; her powers are interesting and unusual.

Strange that Marvel didn't have Quicksilver & the Scarlet Witch join the X-Men. Why the Avengers?

Let's ignore that this threat would turn out to be the Juggernaut, who isn't a mutant and shouldn't register on Cerebro...

Damn, you're right about that. Juggernaut should not register on Cerebro!! They screwed up! My No-Prize answer is Charles Xavier inserted Cain Marko's brainwaves into Cerebro, fearing his step-brother might someday show up. And that is why Cerebro detects Cain.

david r

11-03-2007, 08:57 AM

X-Men #12

1st appearance: Juggernaut

This issue is called "The Origin of Professor X!" The title says it all. We read the early days of Charles Xavier. But picking up after #11's cliffhanger, some horrible menace is fast approaching the Mansion.

The X-Men race outside and create barriers to stop the menace's approach. They return to Professor X and Charles informs them this new menace is his BROTHER!! Through the mists of time, we learn that Charles' father, Brian Xavier, was killed in an atomic blast at the Alamagordo Base in New Mexico. We see his funeral, and a cute young boy with a full-head of blonde hair and a nice suit. Charles Xavier--as a 10 year old!!! We meet a Dr. Marko who is comforting Charles' mother. Soon, Marko marries his mother, and moves into their palatial mansion. But Charles suspects Marko murdered his father. Then teenaged Cain Marko arrives, the son who is a bully and open-hand punches Charles in the face upon first meeting! What a jerk!!

In a private conversation, Cain accuses Dr. Marko of killing Brian Xavier. Charles overhears and confronts them. Cain Marko goes berserk and smashes Dr. Marko's lab, some of the chemicals explode! Dr. Marko is badly injured, and tells Charles he did NOT kill Brian Xavier. But could have saved him in the atomic blast. Dr. Marko then dies. The memories continue as Charles gets older. He loses his hair in his teen years--going completely bald! Charles becomes a star football and track player--using his newly emerged mutant power to read the minds of his opponents. As the years go by, Cain Marko becomes enraged at Charles' successes.

Finally, both young men fight in the Korean War, and Cain discovers a cave he plans to go AWOL in. Inside, Cain unearths the sacred lost temple of Cyttorak! Cain reads an inscription on a ruby which reads "Whosoever touches this gem shall possess the power of the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words, shall become...forevermore...a human JUGGERNAUT!" Cain touches the ruby and the entire cave starts to collapse. Soldier Charles barely escapes. Thus, the Juggernaut was born. Back to the present, the Juggernaut crashes through each barrier outside the Mansion. Nothing can stop him!!Finally, he smashes through the steel-wall around the mansion and easily dispatches the X-Men. In the final panel, Juggernaut stands before Charles and yells "So, dear brother! We meet again! What a pity it is for the LAST TIME!"

My thoughts: Professor Xavier's origin was very interesting. A tween Charles with hair I never thought I'd see. This was the highlight of #12. As the Juggernaut attacked the mansion, he was shrouded in fog and we could never get a good look at him until the final panel. But I have a question: Cain Marko is NOT a mutant? This doesn't make much sense to me. Juggernaut gained his power from the mystical Cyttorak? He's not a mutant at all!!!

Schuimend Mormel

11-03-2007, 09:08 AM

Can Scott see clearly while using his optic blasts?

He should. When he has his glasses on, the blasts continuously hammer at the insides of the 'glass', right? It leaves one to wonder where the excess energy of his optic blasts goes. But, anyway, he has his glasses on, and he can see perfectly. I think it's the same when he takes them off, or maybe light will have trouble penetrating the beam, or it will refract. But even if he can see clearly when his eyes are blasting, he can't actually look at people or objects without blasting them and killing/destroying them. I do think I've seen him blast at armoured foes before, and while blasting he may have said something like 'Incredible, I'm using full power and they're still coming through'. I don't know for sure.

Writers and fans have had various opinions on WHAT Cyclops sees, too. Some say he sees everything in shades of red, others say shades of YELLOW, and others think he just sees all colours, but dimmed, like when you look through sunglasses.

I also liked the part where Jean is worried that the Scarlet Witch has the hots for Scott!! :p

Haha! That was so unreal. Jean should tell that to Scott one day, it would make for a funny scene.

Strange that Marvel didn't have Quicksilver & the Scarlet Witch join the X-Men. Why the Avengers?

Maybe Marvel was trying to introduce mutants to a team of heroes that were loved by the masses and not feared. But the X-Men had enjoyed some popularity before as well, so that may not be it. Maybe Marvel was just experimenting with introducing ex-villains to a hero team. AFAIK, it hadn't happened before and Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch were easy to sympathise with.

Damn, you're right about that. Juggernaut should not register on Cerebro!! They screwed up! My No-Prize answer is Charles Xavier inserted Cain Marko's brainwaves into Cerebro, fearing his step-brother might someday show up. And that is why Cerebro detects Cain.

Heh, it's not that much of a big deal this issue, because it wasn't specified that the threat would not be a mutant. It only becomes a problem in issue 12, where Juggernaut is actually introduced. I'm not even sure if, back in those days, Cerebro was only supposed to react to mutants, or to powerful beings in general. It could discern mutant thought waves from those of regular mutants, though.

DDM

11-03-2007, 09:17 AM

It was. I wonder if we ever find out how Mastermind gets back to normal?

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03138580250.13.GIF

I think a new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants reappears in Amazing Adventures #13 (1970) with Mastermind leading the group with the Blob & Unus; he attempts to brainwash Beast into joining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but fails. Mastermind ends up catatonic (Shades of what Phoenix did to Mastermind in Uncanny X-Men #134 before she transformed into Dark Phoenix except he was driven insane & catatonic by being exposed to the cosmos).

Mastermind's reversion to normal is never stated.

Can Scott see clearly while using his optic blasts?

Yes, but he must wear his ruby quartz glasses to see his target; otherwise, he is blind.

Strange that Marvel didn't have Quicksilver & the Scarlet Witch join the X-Men. Why the Avengers?

According to Stan Lee, the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were intended to join The Avengers. They were never villains. The Avengers is where Stan wanted the twins, not the X-Men.

caney

11-03-2007, 09:28 AM

Wow, I've fallen so far behind. You're doing a great job David! Maybe I'll skim through the issues I haven't gotten to yet and try to catch up this weekend.

Schuimend Mormel

11-03-2007, 09:44 AM

Mastermind's reversion to normal is never stated.

In Uncanny X-Men #37 (1967), the X-Men are put 'on trial' by Factor Three and the Mutant Master for their 'crimes against mutantkind'. Mastermind testifies against them and says that the effect of being turned to stone by the Stranger eventually wore off.

Wow, I've fallen so far behind. You're doing a great job David! Maybe I'll skim through the issues I haven't gotten to yet and try to catch up this weekend.

I've read issue 13 this morning. I'll skip a day so that the issue david reviews next time I log on will be fresh in my head and the next issue doesn't spoil my comments.

But I'll admit that getting ahead sort of creates a comfort zone.

Schuimend Mormel

11-03-2007, 10:17 AM

Issue 12 did a good job of showing us Professor Xavier's childhood. We see him as a little boy and as a young man, and that helps making him a more human, relatable character. He wasn't too happy under Kurt Marko's custody and with Cain bullying him, so he knows what it's like to be isolated even in his very own home. And later, the knowledge that the Juggernaut would one day be unleashed upon the world was yet another reason for Xavier to found the X-Men.

Juggernaut is established as Xavier's nemesis, even though Xavier already had both Magneto and Lucifer in this role. And later still, the Shadow King would be introduced. Xavier has more arch enemies than he could shake a stick at.

The scenes where Juggernaut passes a hurdle to culminate in the last scene where he simply brushes away all the X-Men after walking through Cyclops' optic blast, establish the Juggernaut as freakishly powerful. I'm glad that stories that came after this didn't hurt the Juggernaut's credibility as an unstoppable force one bit, at least in my humble opinion.

It was also fun to see Iceman, the Angel, and the Beast run to activate the steel door and starting a donnybrook for no apparent reason.

But I have a question: Cain Marko is NOT a mutant? This doesn't make much sense to me. Juggernaut gained his power from the mystical Cyttorak? He's not a mutant at all!!!

And he did go on to join the X-Men though! :)

I'm curious about Cyttorak and his temple in Korea. I wonder WHY there would be a curse left on Earth after Cyttorak was banished. A curse that turns a person into an unstoppable force.

Matt K

11-03-2007, 12:20 PM

I'm curious about Cyttorak and his temple in Korea. I wonder WHY there would be a curse left on Earth after Cyttorak was banished. A curse that turns a person into an unstoppable force.

Actually Kurt Busiek addressed this in his Avengers run. Essentially it was a curse but to create his own earthly champion. There ended up being a whole bunch of them.

david r

11-03-2007, 06:32 PM

It was also fun to see Iceman, the Angel, and the Beast run to activate the steel door and starting a donnybrook for no apparent reason.

I liked this part too. It's fun to see the X-Men wrestling or playing pranks. Reminds you they are still teens and want to have fun. You really don't see that light-hearted stuff anymore in X-Men.

The book has almost a Hardy Boys feel sometimes.

david r

11-04-2007, 08:36 AM

X-Men #13

This issue continues the battle with the Juggernaut! Cain Marko is one messed-up dude. He has smashed into the Mansion and stunned the X-Men. Cain now stands before Professor X, ready to crush him! Cain mentions it took him all these years to free himself from the stone rubble in Korea. (Which is just a little preposterous. The Juggernaut doesn't need food or water for 15 years??) Charles Xavier attempts a mental blast, but the Juggernaut's helmet protects him from any psychic assault! The X-Men leap in and Cyclops blasts a hole through the floor, that Cain falls in to. They wheel the Professor away.

Xavier gets to his laboratory and adorns his Mento-Helmet, which intensifies his brain-waves. He sends a message of help out to New York City. It is received by the Teen Brigade, and a certain attorney named Matt Murdock AKA DAREDEVIL!! Also, Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch is fixing race cars with his teen buddies in a garage, and receives the message. But suspects it might be a trap. Meanwhile, the X-Men continue their spirited fight with Juggernaut--to no avail. They cannot stop him. Angel is knocked unconscious. The Beast has the best effort, sending the Juggernaut into the Danger Room and engaging the entire obstacle training program against Cain. Cain fights back and wins. He slams his fist into the Beast's ankle, spraining it severely. Hank is unable to dodge a giant rolling steel barrel---which hits Beast and knocks him out!!!

Things are not looking good. By this time, the Human Torch believes Xavier's mental "help", and is flying to the School. Marvel Girl wheels Charles to the battle to confront Juggernaut. The Human Torch arrives and begins spinning flames around Marko. Angel enters the fray and flies madly around Juggernaut, he dive-bombs Juggernaut and successfully rips the helmet off Juggernaut's head! Prof X mindblasts Cain, who falls to the floor expressing his hatred for his step-brother! How Charles was ALWAYS THE WINNER! But Cain finally succumbs to Xavier's mind-assault. The Juggernaut is defeated!! Charles then mindwipes Johnny Storm that he won't remember any of the battle, or the X-Men's whereabouts--and sends him home! #13 ends on a humorous note--as all 4 male X-Men lay in hospital beds, being nursed by Jean Grey. Hank McCoy says "My mother used to kiss me to expedite my recovery". Charles says to get well soon for there are brooms ready to clean up the mess of the battle.

My thoughts: This was a rousing battle to end Juggernaut's introduction. Never before have we seen such a long fight, and the School smashed up so much. The addition of the Human Torch was fun, but didn't really do much to win the struggle. Marvel probably just wanted to lure Fantastic Four fans into buying X-Men. Xavier mentions Cain will be handed to the authorities--I wonder if we ever see him again???

Metallurgique

11-04-2007, 09:16 AM

#3 and #13 were two of my very first O5 issues, good memories!

At some point you may want to make a list of key issues outside of the main title that you might want to read. Not all of these advance the story in X-men, but some do. And then there's the "Unofficial" X-men issues that occur during the reprint era, where the X-men appear in various guises in other books.

Key issues during the O5 run that I know of:

Fantastic Four #28
Tales of Suspense #49
Avengers #53

Some of these are quite expensive, but are reprinted in various Marvel reprint books like Marvel Triple Action, Collectors Item Classics, Marvel tales...

And key "unofficials" from the Reprint era:

Amazing Spiderman #92 (Iceman)
Amazing Adventures #11-15 (Beast)
Avengers #111 & 112 (X-men w/o Beast, v. Magneto)
Incredible Hulk #150 (Havok & Polaris)
Captain America #172-175 (X-men w/o Beast, Banshee Cameo)
Incredible Hulk #160 (Beast, Mimic)
Defenders #15-16 (Magneto & the Brotherhood, mutant Alpha)

david r

11-04-2007, 10:04 AM

Metallurgique, thanks for that list. I'm not sure what I'll do about all these stories outside the main title. I had planned on staying closely tide to Uncanny X-Men and only doing outside issues if it was something really important. I've got Fantastic Four #28 and Avengers #53, so we'll see.

I think most of the cameo appearances I'll skip because they don't further the X-Men story much. Avengers #111-112 I may have to get because of X-Men vs. Magneto.

Dizzy D

11-04-2007, 03:52 PM

Got a chance to pick up my copy of Uncanny Essential #1 at my parent's place this weekend, so I'll be joining the thread from now on. I'm still figuring whether to start at # and list my impressions, because you guys got pretty far so far.

worstblogever

11-04-2007, 03:56 PM

Juggernaut is established as Xavier's nemesis, even though Xavier already had both Magneto and Lucifer in this role. And later still, the Shadow King would be introduced. Xavier has more arch enemies than he could shake a stick at.

Which makes sense, in a way. With all the retcons about Xavier being a jerk, it doesn't surprise me that he irked someone along the way. Mind you, these four examples are definitely bigger jerks, but still.

Dizzy D

11-04-2007, 04:35 PM

Issue 13: I quite liked how the Juggernaut's power was so great that his aura was enough to push things away from him. Even so, the X-Men did quite a good job slowing him down. I hope we'll see the Mento-helmet again. These days it seems that the Mento-helmet and Cerebro were combined to form one machine. I do wonder why Xavier found it necessary to erase the Torch's memories. Not really a good way to threat your ally.

david r

11-04-2007, 04:59 PM

Issue 13: I quite liked how the Juggernaut's power was so great that his aura was enough to push things away from him.

Welcome Dizzy D. Glad you're joining in the fun. As for Juggernaut's aura, I don't recall him having that anymore. His aura would be similiar to Unus' power of untouchability then.

I hope we'll see the Mento-helmet again. These days it seems that the Mento-helmet and Cerebro were combined to form one machine.

So far, Cerebro is mainly shown as a control-panel hidden in Xavier's desk. The Cerebro helmet has not yet been shown. I think you're right that the Mento-Helmet eventually gets connected to Cerebro.

I do wonder why Xavier found it necessary to erase the Torch's memories. Not really a good way to threat your ally.

I wondered this too. Even the other superheroes are not worthy to know Charles Xavier's secret. It shows a side of Charles which isn't very nice, though it's glossed over in these earlier issues.

Another thing about #13 I noticed was the Beast's humor was really amped up. Hank has become the joker of the team, and it really showed in his fight with Juggernaut.

Brian M.

11-04-2007, 05:01 PM

I wasn't a big fan of these Juggernaut issues, I much prefered #32, 33 when he made his return. I think those covers were better too.

david r

11-05-2007, 08:16 PM

X-Men #14

1st appearance: the Sentinels

#14 opens with the X-Men rehabilitating from their Juggernaut battle. Charles Xavier then announces it's time for the team to take a vacation! The students are joyous! Meanwhile, one of America's leading anthropologists, Dr. Bolivar Trask, is having a press conference. Trask launches into an anti-mutant tirade. He says mutants are mankind's worst enemy--and the nation's newspapers respond with slogans like "MUTANT MENACE!"

Back at the mansion, the X-Men are packing for their vacation. Bobby asks Warren how come his parents don't know about his wings. Warren responds "They didn't sprout till I was off at military school. That's why I left school--I couldn't afford to face a physical exam." Soon afterwards, Scott bows out of a chance to take Jean Grey into town, as Warren talks her into going with him instead. Charles watches Scott leave alone--and is saddened at how lonely the two of them are. Xavier then reads in the newspaper the angry Bolivar Trask press conference, and immediately call a television network to debate Trask. The next evening, Xavier and Trask sit in front of television cameras, as Professor X says a speech saying that humans having nothing to fear from mutants. Trask stands up and says the opposite. In fact, he has prepared for the mutant threat--by creating an army of Sentinels. Huge hands suddenly grab Charles by his shoulders and press him into his chair!

The Sentinels have arrived! Several of them walk onto the television stage, but as Bolivar Trask tries to order them, they ignore him and zap him with a laser blast. Charles is shocked and mentally calls out to his X-Men. Meanwhile, Bobby & Hank are at the Coffee A-Go-Go, the Greenwich Village Coffee Shop. Bobby is asking Zelda out on a date, while Hank listens to Bernard the Poet! Crazy, man! They both receive Prof X's mental summons and depart. Back at the studio, the Sentinels take off with Trask, leaving one Sentinel to watch over the hapless television crew. Beast and Iceman arrive and do battle with the lone Sentinel. Cyclops is on the way to the TV studio in a taxi, when his protective glasses fly off and his optic blasts shoot a hole in the cab. A crowd sees this and assume Cyclops is a mutant. They begin to chase him down the streets of New York. Scott escapes them and arrives at the studio. The 3 X-Men battle the Sentinel, who suddenly grabs it's chest and collapses. Angel is on his way, but he is attacked in the air by a swarm of Sentinels. Jean Grey, riding on a train, sees him and rescues him telekinetically.

Back at the studio, Xavier says he overheard the Sentinel say the word "Master Mold" as it collapsed. Charles probes the Sentinels machine-brain and learns where it's headquarters is located. Warren and Jean arrive and the team leave. At Sentinel Headquarters, they order Bolivar Trask to build more Sentinels for their army. Trask protests--as the X-Men arrive in their Rolls-Royce! Charles says this is the headquarters, but the team only sees a grassy field with large bushes ahead of them. Where are the Sentinels? They pile out of the car......when suddenly the entire "hill" rises up revealing a monstrous fortress underneath. Giant destructive blasts assault the X-Men and Xavier. The mutants are in serious danger!!

My thoughts: The Sentinels arrival was a great story. And the issue ends with the best cliffhanger yet!! I loved the part where the team look at this peaceful field, unknowing of the sudden assault about to happen. Bolivar Trask is the first "anti-mutant" human to appear in the series; he sure gets the surprise of his life when his Sentinels turn on him. #14 really plays up the "mutant menace" angle and we see society's fear of mutants rising more and more. A far cry from #1 and #2. I am curious what this "Master Mold" is?

Also, X-Men is now monthly!

Dizzy D

11-06-2007, 10:32 AM

Ha, number 14. Here starts the true theme of the X-Men. Though we did see some hints to human-mutant distrust and relations in earlier issues, here it becomes the major theme of the X-Men.

Things I noticed:
- More wonderful inventions to help the X-Men recover. (Xavier's inventions?)
- Beast being rather elitist/speciest: "The agile Beast, hobbling about, like some mere, vulnerable homo sapiens." Luckily Xavier sets him straight immediately, but I can now see a bit better where Dark Beast came from in Age of Apocalypse (Sorry, no mentioning later events, I know).
- Angel claims that it will be their first vacation in years. This implies that the X-Men had been training for quite some time even before X-Men #1. Also Angel's comment about going to military academy is interesting. I can see Angel in the role of an Army officer.
- Cyclops asking Xavier if he isn't going home and Xavier telling that the others that the school is his home now (emphasis mine). It seems that the school wasn't always Xavier's home.
- Xavier is stated to be a leading authority in the field of "education". No mention of genetics, anthropology or biology. Still he has a lot of authority and influence; he gets the TV show arranged on short notice on the power of his name alone.
- I love how the TV presenter, despite being shocked at seeing the Sentinels for the first time, still manages to tell the public that they are seeing it courtesy of their sponsors. A true professional.
- Xavier notes how Trask being an anthropologist didn't know enough of robots to program them correctly. Still, I think he did a pretty damn good job, considering his expertise is in a completely different field. Xavier even is capable of capturing some vague thoughts from them.
- Angel dodging the attacks of several Sentinels at once. But Jean finds it necessary to interfere (he was doing quite well without you). Helpless, he is pinned to the roof of the train... and the Sentinels lose interest. I guess being so close to the train somehow masks Angel from their senses.
- Xavier reads the Sentinels mind. The thoughts are still mechnical and hard to decypher, but he can read them, because they are so strong: the Sentinel wants to return to its base.
- Xavier: "There is more to the Sentinels than meets the eye".... I do wonder if they can turn into cars and dinosaurs. (Mentioning later events is allowed if they are not X-men related, right? Or if they are just lame jokes.)

Overall: I quite liked this issue. We haven't found out yet why the Sentinel conveniently collapsed saving our heroes, but we surely will next issue.

Brian M.

11-06-2007, 10:36 AM

Schuimend Mormel

11-06-2007, 11:06 AM

I liked the little scenes where the X-Men get into their civvies... especially the Warren/Bobby conversation. What I found most interesting about that was that Warren hasn't told his parents that he has mutant powers, and Bobby is surprised about this. (It will later be revealed that Bobby's parents and Hank's parents knew about their respective children's mutant powers, while Warren's and Jean's didn't. And Scott lost his parents before his powers manifested.)

The Sentinels are a very menacing foe, not only for their size and strength, but also for their manoeverability. Angel's dogfight with them was drawn well. Jean's powers are still steadily increasing as she can now pull objects toward her from afar, and she can levitate herself. But I'm wondering how Jean would be able to levitate herself out of the train and onto the roof without the train zooming away from her. That's not unlike jumping on a moving train, and I bet her reaction time must have been amped while training in the Danger Room.

Professor X making a running man fall over by hitting him with a psi-bolt to prevent him from being hit by the Sentinel's rays was a nifty technique. I suppose that's faster and easier than, say, taking over his mind and making him duck, although the Prof could probably do that as well.

It's interesting that Professor X can read a robot's mind, and that -as Dizzy said- this is more difficult for him than reading a human mind; the Prof's been shown to be able to scan electronic devices with his mind before.

Was this the first appearance of the word 'mutie', or did it appear before this issue?

Dizzy, I THINK david r is okay with referencing future events, as long as you do it sporadically. There've been quite a bunch of references to later books in the comments above.

In issue 4, the team celebrated that they had been together for a year. However, the comic book itself had not been around for a full year yet. :D

The Sword Is Drawn

11-06-2007, 11:08 AM

#14 is when I really started enjoying the O5. It really feels like what issue #1 maybe shoulda been.

Also as Dizzy pointed out, Angel saying it's their first vacation in years, Marvel time had yet to be established so I wonder how much time had passed...1-2 years?

All that time and only 14 issues worth of adventures? God Bless First Class. It fits perfectly.

Totally. I think that 1-2 years would be a realistic estimate, yes. If you read it at current Marvel speed everything up to Giant sized X-Men probably only happened in a month and a half. That's simply not believable.:D

worstblogever

11-06-2007, 02:07 PM

Ha, number 14. Here starts the true theme of the X-Men. Though we did see some hints to human-mutant distrust and relations in earlier issues, here it becomes the major theme of the X-Men.

- Beast being rather elitist/speciest: "The agile Beast, hobbling about, like some mere, vulnerable homo sapiens." Luckily Xavier sets him straight immediately, but I can now see a bit better where Dark Beast came from in Age of Apocalypse (Sorry, no mentioning later events, I know).

I actually was thinking about how I was missing this today. Xavier lecturing younger students about giving in to anger, or abusing their powers. I don't recall him getting to do it since Jubilee, though.

Dizzy D

11-06-2007, 02:26 PM

I actually was thinking about how I was missing this today. Xavier lecturing younger students about giving in to anger, or abusing their powers. I don't recall him getting to do it since Jubilee, though.

Reasons why Dizzy never should write the X-Men, episode 16

Beast, next to Xavier, looking on a cell where Dark Beast is imprisoned: "I wonder why he turned out so different from me."
Xavier: "Because I smacked you as a kid. That's why."

david r

11-06-2007, 07:23 PM

Ha, number 14. Here starts the true theme of the X-Men. Though we did see some hints to human-mutant distrust and relations in earlier issues, here it becomes the major theme of the X-Men.

This is true. This first Sentinels saga amps up the mutant-hatred angle more than ever.

Also Angel's comment about going to military academy is interesting. I can see Angel in the role of an Army officer.

This too surprised me. I didn't know Warren ever attended military academy. I think Marvel needed to explain how his parents hadn't noticed his wings.

- Xavier is stated to be a leading authority in the field of "education". No mention of genetics, anthropology or biology. Still he has a lot of authority and influence; he gets the TV show arranged on short notice on the power of his name alone.

Charles got the TV debate with Trask arranged in 24 hours!! That's pretty fast, remember Xavier has connections with the government. Even sources within the FBI-- Fred Duncan shown in #2.

- Xavier: "There is more to the Sentinels than meets the eye".... I do wonder if they can turn into cars and dinosaurs. (Mentioning later events is allowed if they are not X-men related, right? Or if they are just lame jokes.)

HA! Sentinels=Transformers!! Now we know where the Transformers inspiration came from. Have you noticed this first generation of Sentinels seem rather short? I always thought Sentinels were MUCH taller.

@ Schuimend Mormel, I agree that Jean Grey would have a hard time levitating out the train window without losing the train. I don't think she's that skillful just yet. About the word "mutie"--I think #13 is the first time it's used. As Brian M states, this Sentinels saga has more the "feel" of modern-day X-Men stories. The whole human/mutant angle has come to the fore.

david r

11-06-2007, 07:36 PM

X-Men #15

1st appearance: Master Mold

The X-Men are under a barrage of fire, and desperately scramble up the hillside to escape the Sentinel's assault. (This was one great cliffhanger, I thought!) Professor Xavier orders Iceman to build an ice glider, and he and Beast fly into the air to attack the Sentinel fortress. They are both snatched by mechanical arms and taken inside the hidden base. Hank and Bobby are deposited into a transparent cage and knocked out with sleeping gas.

Meanwhile, Bolivar Trask is still trying to argue with his creations to stop. The Sentinels drag him into an inner sanctum, where Bolivar stands before the mightiest Sentinel of all--- the Master Mold!! Master Mold is a giant Sentinel, sitting with his massive hands clutching control grips (or something.) The Beast is brought forth and placed under the "psycho-probe," where you must tell your innermost secrets and cannot lie. Meanwhile outside, Charles Xavier is probing the Sentinel fortress and uses a mental psychic blast to disable the Sentinels watching them. Cyclops, Angel and Marvel Girl then enter the fortress and are found by a lone Sentinel. The machine orders them to follow it.

The Origin of the Beast: Under the psycho-probe, Hank McCoy tells us his life story. His father was a laborer-at an atomic project. Likely where Hank got his powers, from radiation. The neighborhood bullies picked on Hank, because of his size and physique. But even then, his mutant powers were manifesting themselves. Hank excelled at everything-schoolwork because of his intelligence and in sports. People came to suspect he had powers--and Hank was soon nicknamed the Beast. Professor Xavier eventually read about him and we see Charles sitting around the McCoy dinner table, discussing with Hank's parents about him coming to study at the School for Gifted Youngsters.

Meanwhile, Scott, Jean and Warren find Iceman and break him free from the gas cage. Xavier mentally enters the fortress and probes Master Mold's mechanical mind--Master Mold strikes back with micro-electric blasts!! Xavier flees and his astral form is barely able to return to his physical body. The X-Men are cornered by the Sentinels and do battle. But a gravity ray sends them all down trapped to the floor. The issue ends with Master Mold ordering Bolivar Trask to build a thousand-strong army of Sentinels--or else!!

My thoughts: This is an excellent saga so far. The Sentinels are formidable foes, and I like how this is the first ongoing story with multiple issues involved. Master Mold is pretty creepy. The Beast's history was interesting but a little predictable.

david r

11-07-2007, 07:20 PM

X-Men #16

The finale to the Sentinels saga begins with Charles Xavier awakening on grass, sprawled out before the "hill". Charles sees the Sentinels fortress slip back into the ground. He decides he must return to the television station from #14, to learn why that lone Sentinel collapsed. He crawls a long distance back to the highway and uses his mental powers to stop a passing automobile. Back within the Sentinel Base, the X-Men are trapped within a gravity globe--unable to escape. The evil Master Mold orders Bolivar Trask to begin making a new army of Sentinels--or they will destroy an entire city.

Back at the television studio, the police are studying the Sentinel, as Professor X enters. Charles examines the Sentinel mentally, and finally deduces what befell the machine. It's transmission beam was cut by the giant crystal outside the studio--a crystal atop the Crystal Products Building!! Yeah, right!! Back in the Sentinel Base, the Sentinels are preparing to put an unconscious Beast inside the gravity globe. As they open the portal, Cyclops shoots his optic blast and makes his escape!! All the X-Men exit and a wild battle ensues with the Sentinels! As our merry mutants flee however, they are cut down again by stun rays. As they lie unconscious, the Sentinels decide to slay them with destructo-beams! But before they do--- the Sentinels collapse! Outside the fortress, three helicopters are aloft, carrying a giant crystal. Charles Xavier is riding along, and the giant crystal has cut the Sentinels' transmission beam!!

Meanwhile, Bolivar Trask and Master Mold have begun building eight new Sentinels in a huge mechanical contraption. Think "Frankenstein". As electricity and sparks fly, Trask realizes he CANNOT BETRAY THE HUMAN RACE!! He was wrong about the mutant threat. The Sentinels are the true threat!! He takes a metal club and begins smashing circuitry and machinery. Finally the ionic power source--which even the Master Mold must have to survive!! The room explodes-- killing Bolivar Trask and Master Mold!! The X-Men see the explosion, and the fortress begins to collapse all around them. Fire and debris surround the students as they flee and barely make it out of the firestorm in time!! The Sentinels base finally explodes and is completely destroyed!!Cyclops says "That's the end of the Sentinels--and the Master Mold! Mankind can breathe easy once more!" We see a shot of Bolivar Trask lying atop the destroyed Master Mold, both surrounded by smashed machinery and debris.

My thoughts: This first Sentinels story is a true highlight of the Original 5 X-Men. The first real epic of the X-Men book. Stan Lee outdid himself with this one. Master Mold was a pretty frightening creation--the fear of our own technology coming back to destroy us. I'd rank this 3-parter as the best story so far!

david r

11-09-2007, 06:34 PM

X-Men #17

So much for the X-Men's vacation! They go from fighting the dreaded Sentinels straight into another menace! And as the cover says " You must not reveal the incredible ending to any living soul! (Remember..we'll be watching you!)" Actually, the cover is pretty nice. Showing the whole team on the floor among debris; Charles on his side & his wheelchair overturned. A menacing shadow spreading across them!

The first page is a gorgeous huge shot of army paramedics helping the X-Men. Hank and Bobby are injured, so they are whisked to the hospital. Bobby soon falls unconscious. Much of this issue takes place at the hospital. Charles Xavier senses a "menace" is at the Mansion, so one by one--our mutants return to the Mansion. Only to be defeated by an unseen foe. Probably my favorite part of #17 is when the lights go out, and Cyclops fights hand-to-hand with the intruder in the piercing darkness. The intruder gets the better of Scott!

In the end, Professor X and the X-Men (minus Iceman) are defeated and sent into space in a hot-air balloon. The finale is quite cool. As Angel's parents arrive at the school in their car, they get out and knock on the front door of the School. The door opens--finally revealing the evil intruder---he says "Men call me MAGNETO!"

Dizzy D

11-09-2007, 07:27 PM

X-Men #17
" You must not reveal the incredible ending to any living soul! (Remember..we'll be watching you!)"

You were warned and still you revealed it. Don't come to me crying for help when suddenly they come knocking at your door.

Anyway, short versions for 15 and 16:

- Xavier scolding Angel, claiming he's not as helpless as he looks and Beast being doubtful, but Angel a page later does think that Xavier could have saved himself.
- The giant ice-puck attack... not the best of plans, but they all have so much faith in Xavier and it works.
- Xavier's abilities. His psibolts disrupt Sentinels and later in the fight with Master Mold, the electric attacks of Master Mold effect Xavier. During the Lee and Kirby run Xavier's power is more a physical power which effects brains than some intangible astral force. I actually do like this idea, sets him apart from Doctor Strange who was doing astral projections and the like in Strange Tales at the time.
- Angel punching a Sentinel in the face with little effect, but it did daze the Sentinel in question. Jean finishes the Sentinel off. Overall Marvel Girl isn't the damsel in distriss so far in this run that one would have expected from other titles at the time. All the X-Men take turns being held hostage by the villains. Today is Beast's turn (though Iceman and later the others are captured as well).
- Not all Sentinels are equal. Apart from Master Mold of course, the section leader also seems to be far more intelligent than the drones under his command.

Issue 16
- My favourite scene so far: Xavier is a jerk: He controls two people into helping him. And then he has them carrying him around on a chair. Take the five minutes extra to get a spare wheelchair, Chuck.
- Cyclops' plan to escape is pretty good. And it works well. Always love it when the X-Men get to their goal by teamwork and not by being individual powerhouses.
- More of Xavier political influence. All Fred Duncan or does Xavier have more allies in Washington?
- Trask nobly sacrifices himself after he realises his mistakes. I actually like Trask here: his ideas were wrong, but at least when faced with evidence to the contrary he accepts that he was wrong and tries to right them.

On to 17:
- I agree, it's a great cover.
- Xavier is smart enough that he doesn't erase the memories of the military this time. The X-Men need the credit to offset Trask's broadcast on mutants from a couple of issues ago. I like the General. I hope he turns up again as a counterpart to the more reactionary General Ross from the Hulk-series.
- Quite a coincidence that the moment Xavier figures out that the parents of his students are a potential weak spot, a villain comes along to make use of that.
- Magneto's shadow does give his identity away long before the reveal at the end. The shape of the helmet is a dead giveaway.
- I like that Cerebro detects the presence of Magneto, but doesn't identify it, because earlier in the run Xavier removed Magneto's file from Cerebro, thinking he would no longer be a threat.
- Sexism: Beast does tend to be sexist when addressing Jean, but I noticed that it really is only Beast who talks down to her.

david r

11-10-2007, 04:23 AM

- Quite a coincidence that the moment Xavier figures out that the parents of his students are a potential weak spot, a villain comes along to make use of that.

Yes, isn't that a coincidence. It seems Charles hasn't thought everything through.

- Sexism: Beast does tend to be sexist when addressing Jean, but I noticed that it really is only Beast who talks down to her.

I'm surprised Hank McCoy would talk down to Jean. Could his intellectual prowess have inflated his ego? I would have expected Warren to be the arrogant one.

Schuimend Mormel

11-10-2007, 12:09 PM

*ding-dong!* I'm still onboard. :D I just don't have a LOT to say about this issue. It was perfectly okay after the excitement of the Sentinels trilogy; some recuperation in the hospital, and fine suspense when the X-Men each enter the trap in their mansion.

My favourite scenes were of the X-Men at the hospital. We see how doctors respond to the X-Men's unusual mutations... Beast's hands and feet, Bobby's icy layer (which he wasn't allowed to drop, and he didn't revert to human form even after falling unconscious. Peculiar.) And Scott's eyes. 'It would be worth your life to remove my glasses.'

Loved it when Iceman's doctor snapped at the two journalists that their story could wait because he was trying to save Bobby's life.

I do wonder how Prof X could have known there was something amiss at the school, but I suppose we'll have to let that be explained as being a good ol' hunch you don't see in modern fiction anymore. Amplified by his telepathy, of course.

david r

11-10-2007, 01:32 PM

X-Men #18

Iceman gets to shine this issue, as he takes on Magneto...alone!! Plus, we witness the Master of Magnetism lift the ENTIRE MANSION ready to crush it for good!

Magneto holds Warren's parents hostage, while building an army of mutants. We learn how Mags escaped the Stranger's world (leaving poor Toad behind). The X-Men find a way to escape their air-balloon doom. Iceman does a remarkable job taking on Magneto. And the team rushes in to aid Iceman. (This part got me a little.) Magneto's defeat comes as the alien Stranger returns and Mags flees in terror. The issue ends with a nice dinner with Warren's parents, Charles and the students.

This was a good battle with Magneto. I would say the best Magneto issue yet. He has abandoned having allies (the Brotherhood) and is once again solo. Only time will tell if he escaped the Stranger or not. Iceman got to prove that he may be the youngest member, but has as much courage as Xavier or Cyclops. Bobby got to star this issue.

david r

11-11-2007, 08:47 AM

X-Men #19

1st appearance: Mimic

This is Stan Lee's final issue of X-Men. It's the end of an era, as Stan "The Man" goes out on a high point. Creating the unique Mimic. Ironically, I learned after reading #19, that Mimic isn't even a mutant. Calvin Rankin gained his powers following an explosion of chemicals in his father's lab. So like the Juggernaut, we have another "mutant" who is NOT A MUTANT!

#19 offers us several character moments. Hank and Bobby go out on a double-date. Bobby with Zelda, and Hank with the librarian Vera! Very amusing. There are repeated thoughts of how much Scott likes Jean Grey and is protective of her. Also, Cyclops is now in-charge of the X-Men's training. We see more and more Professor Xavier transferring responsibilities to Scott Summers.

But Mimic is the star of the issue. A real hardcase this guy is. He can "mimic" anyone's super-powers who come in contact with him. His Achilles heel is he loses those powers as distance is made between Calvin and the mutants. Overall, I enjoyed this issue. Mimic lacks the threat potential of Magneto or the Sentinels, but #19 was more in-tuned with the "teenager" feel of this book. Which I'm enjoying quite a lot. Good work, Stan!!

Diablito

11-11-2007, 02:45 PM

Mimic is AWESOME!

david r

11-13-2007, 08:25 PM

X-Men #20

This issue is most noteworthy for showing us how Charles Xavier lost the use of his legs. Many years before the X-Men, a younger Charles is traveling through Tibet, searching for a mysterious city in the shadow of the Himalayas. Once he finds it, he learns it's populace are being ruled and controlled by---the evil Lucifer! Charles contacts some rebellious villagers and they storm onto Lucifer's castle. After surviving several traps, Charles follows Lucifer down a tunnel, until Lucifer stops confronts Xavier. At that moment, a giant slab falls and crushes poor Charles' legs!!! Thus, Charles Xavier lost his legs.

Meanwhile, in present day, Scott Summers decides to leave the X-Men....to find medical help for his dangerous optic blasts. He quietly departs, but runs into both Unus and the Blob in New York. The two bad mutants are dressed as X-Men, and robbing banks pretending that the X-Men have become crooks. Cyclops and the real X-Men dispute this claim--and battle Unus and the Blob. The two evil mutants are secretly under the control of Lucifer---who has returned and has a huge cannon hidden in Southwest America, ready to contact his alien leader---the coming of Dominus!!

My thoughts: This issue was a little silly. I found the parts with Dominus and Lucifer being an alien hard to believe. The best parts here were definitely the backstory concerning Charles Xavier and his adventure in Tibet.

worstblogever

11-14-2007, 02:24 AM

worstblogever

11-14-2007, 02:27 AM

Schuimend Mormel

11-14-2007, 10:48 AM

The only rule I'd like to have is no mention be made of later events. As though those events haven't happened yet. Each review mentions the issue and ones published before it, and that is it.

WHOOOOPS... I either did not see this the first time around, or I must have forgotten. Won't happen again, at any rate.

So, 'I, Lucifer...' The first Roy Thomas issue.

No complaints this issue. Well, there was the soap opera between Scott and Jean who still don't know that each loves the other... Scott snapping at Jean was uncalled for. Liked the little double intrigue; Unus and the Blob frame the X-Men, but are really manipulated by Lucifer.

'I've been ridden out of town on a rail before, but this is ridiculous!' Haha!

They now have an X-Jet. Might be a good alternative for their (slower?) X-Copter, because they do seem to travel a lot.

What do you guys think of Jay Gavin's art? To me, it's no pain to look at.

Dizzy D

11-14-2007, 04:23 PM

I find it hilarious that the media have seen the 05 in public, and one, really, really FAT guy shows up in a similar outfit, and they're convinced the whole team has gone bad. The only one even close to Blob in size is Beast... and I guarantee you Fred Dukes wasn't doing anything acrobatic.

It's even worse: the public fully realises that these two have never been X-Men before, nor that the other X-Men are with them, but they are fully willing to accept that these two are indeed X-Men.

Xavier has rebuilt and improved Cerebro (and it still doesn't require any telepaths): it now displays an image of the mutant it detects as well. Handy!
And Xavier also rather quickly invents the memory-inducer.

I like that Blob reminds Unus to bring the money for lasting three minutes in the ring with him; potential allies are all fine and well, but money is money. And the start of a beautiful friendship between Unus and the Blob.

I wonder how long the Professor has to wear the distorter helmet.

I agree that Xavier's adventures in Tibet are the more interesting part of the story, though I like the Blob&Unus team-up well enough.

david r

11-14-2007, 08:22 PM

@ Worstblogever, I assumed the public thought Blob and Unus were new recruits. The X-Men are still a "mystery" group. It's interesting how quickly the public have turned on mutants since #1 and #2.

@ Schuimend Mormel, I'm also enjoying the "secret love" between Scott and Jean. I wonder how long this can go on? In #21, I thought it hilarious when Scott says "Jean--you've been so silent! Is anything wrong?" And Jean thinks to herself "He NEVER pays any attention to me--unless he thinks there's something WRONG!"

You also pointed out that X-Men #20 debuted an X-jet which whisks out of the mansion. Is this the precurser to the Blackbird, I wonder? As for Jay Gavin, I'm enjoying his art quite a bit. Nobody can beat "King" Kirby, but Jay Gavin has done a fine job picking up the series.

@ Dizzy D, it appears Cerebro has graduated from Professor X's desk, to it's own console. I'm surprised how much Charles Xavier appears in these early issues.

david r

11-14-2007, 08:32 PM

X-Men #21

The showdown with Lucifer finally comes down. The man who crippled Charles Xavier turns out to be an alien!! And he uses a huge computer-contraption called Dominus to enslave worlds. And Earth is next on his list!! I was a bit disappointed with the origin of Lucifer here.

Still, watching the X-Men battle cowboys from a dude ranch made #21 fun to read. This was something I never thought I'd read! Once the team enters Lucifer's citadel, their battle with the giant robots reminded me of the Sentinels. Probably the most interesting bit of #21 showed us the first serious argument between X-Men, as Cyclops and Angel argue to the point Scott shoots Warren in the back with his eye-beam!! The X-Men argue over destroying Dominus, or leaving it intact. Ultimately, it's moot as Lucifer is defeated, and his alien master banishes him to another dimension. Thus, the threat of Lucifer is finished. And Charles Xavier avenges the loss of his legs.

If you think, none of this would have happened if Charles had imprisoned Lucifer after #9. Look what happens when you let a villain go!! :)

david r

11-15-2007, 07:36 PM

X-Men #22

This issue brings us the threat of Count Nefaria to the X-Men. We begin with another session in the Danger Room, as the team use a group effort to take down a giant robot called Colosso! After this is over, Professor Xavier announces ANOTHER VACATION! This is the third holiday they've gone and each time, they get ambushed. As the mutants leave, we see Charles agonize over his crippled legs and how he wished he could walk. I think this is the first time Charles has ever shown anguish over his disability.

Bobby & Hank head for Greenwich Village; there is a humorous moment where Hank thinks he sees his girlfriend, Vera, but the "woman" is a man with a Beatles haircut. Finally, the two lovesick X-Men meet Zelda and Vera and head for a James Bond movie--Goldfinger or Thunderball!! Meanwhile, Scott, Warren and Jean eat at a nice restaurant. Warren is falling for Jean, while Scott & Jean still secretly desire one another! Soon, one by one, each X-Man enters Central Park and are attacked by a group of villains---the Plantman, Scarecrow, Eel, Unicorn and the Porcupine! The Porcupine has to be one of the craziest villains I've ever seen!!!

Each X-Man is fallen in battle, and are boarded onto a ship and taken to the fortress of Count Nefaria!! He resembles Dracula with a beard! We learn Nefaria has regained leadership of the crime underworld Maggia and these five super-villains are his lieutinants. Nefaria confronts the imprisoned X-Men and asks for a criminal alliance with them. The heroes scoff at this, and Count Nefaria informs them they will help him anyway---in his plan to steal an entire city, steal the Capital of the United States!! Washington DC!!!

My thoughts: The personal moments of #22 were my favorites. Charles showing his agony over his handicap, Warren revealing he likes Jean Grey, Scott's lonely walk in Central Park, and Hank & Bobby going on a date w/Zelda & Vera. I also enjoyed the 1960s pop references. Count Nefaria is still too vague for me to have an impression. But the five super-villains like Porcupine and Eel were over-the-top and pure 1960s wackiness.

Brian M.

11-15-2007, 07:48 PM

The secret love between Scott and Jean goes on until about #32 I believe. Scott opens up to her when they take a walk through the park. I think the next issue they go on some interdeminsional romp to where the Juggernaut got it's power together. After that it's pretty much implied they are dating...I think #48 is really the first you see them as bf/gf.

david r

11-15-2007, 08:43 PM

Now that Stan Lee's run is over, here are some of Stan's thoughts about the X-Men. Taken from Comics Creators on X-Men:

1) If Stan had stayed writing, we would have learned that Magneto is Professor Xavier's brother!

2) In 1963, Stan planned to call the book The Mutants, but publisher Martin Goodman disliked the name. So Stan changed it to X-Men because of the heroes X-Tra Powers!!

3) Stan and Jack Kirby wanted X-Men to be about reluctant heroes. They had plenty of heroes that the public worshipped (Avengers, FF), and they wanted the X-Men to be heroes the public hated and feared. A book where people felt hostile towards the characters.

4) It was NEVER Stan's plans for Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver to be Magneto's children.

5) Wanda and Pietro were meant to be likable villains. Stan wanted to move away from typical "super-villains" like Doctor Doom and Magneto. And make these two more reluctant villains.

6) Jay Gavin is actually artist Werner Roth! Roth was still working at DC Comics, but wanted to freelance at Marvel as well. So he used a pen name to keep DC from guessing!! Who knew?

Schuimend Mormel

11-16-2007, 06:11 AM

My thoughts: The personal moments of #22 were my favorites. Charles showing his agony over his handicap, Warren revealing he likes Jean Grey, Scott's lonely walk in Central Park, and Hank & Bobby going on a date w/Zelda & Vera. I also enjoyed the 1960s pop references. Count Nefaria is still too vague for me to have an impression. But the five super-villains like Porcupine and Eel were over-the-top and pure 1960s wackiness.

I'm not sure if we're supposed to recognise an actual 'rock 'n' roll singer' in the man Hank mistook for Vera. Was it supposed to be John Lennon or another Beatle? Or was it a nobody? He at least claimed to have been a rock star...

Where I think this issue kind of failed, is showing the X-Men's strength as individual heroes. The first scene of the issue -the battle against Colosso- serves to tell us that the X-Men team is greater than the sum of its parts, which it does quite well. But, in the rest of the issue, each individual X-Man seems to be less than the team divided by five. Each of the obscure super villains take out each X-Man remarkably fast. Even Cyclops and Iceman together can't defeat the Eel and the Unicorn combining their forces. And I thought that the X-Man each trained hours a day in the Danger Room to be prepared for such threats. Oh well, the element of surprise and the darkness of night could be excuses, but it's still a stretch.

david r

11-16-2007, 06:56 AM

I'm not sure if we're supposed to recognise an actual 'rock 'n' roll singer' in the man Hank mistook for Vera. Was it supposed to be John Lennon or another Beatle? Or was it a nobody? He at least claimed to have been a rock star...

I think it was just a young man, with a Beatles haircut. That hair was hugely popular in the mid-60s. (Funny how that was called "long hair". And now, it looks conservative.)

Where I think this issue kind of failed, is showing the X-Men's strength as individual heroes. The first scene of the issue -the battle against Colosso- serves to tell us that the X-Men team is greater than the sum of its parts, which it does quite well. But, in the rest of the issue, each individual X-Man seems to be less than the team divided by five. Each of the obscure super villains take out each X-Man remarkably fast. Even Cyclops and Iceman together can't defeat the Eel and the Unicorn combining their forces. And I thought that the X-Man each trained hours a day in the Danger Room to be prepared for such threats. Oh well, the element of surprise and the darkness of night could be excuses, but it's still a stretch.

I agree, that the individual X-Man were taken out too easily by Nefaria's team. They looked like amateurs. Remember, Iceman took on Magneto alone...and yet he cannot defeat the Eel? Maybe their romantic feelings are making them soft!

Dizzy D

11-16-2007, 07:29 AM

Colosso, another one of Xavier's inventions. He's coming up with them left and right. The training session is why I love the X-Men: teamwork over individual prowess.

I actually feel sorry for Warren in the love triangle. Jean already knows that she doesn't love him, it would have been nice of her to let him know.

For all his brains, Beast is terrible at coming up with excuses to Vera.

I do wondered why these villains were following Nefaria, who really isn't bringing much to the table himself, but luckily, the story addresses this point. Nefaria's scheme sounds ... weird... let's see how he has planned to go about it next issue.

I'm not sure if we're supposed to recognise an actual 'rock 'n' roll singer' in the man Hank mistook for Vera. Was it supposed to be John Lennon or another Beatle? Or was it a nobody? He at least claimed to have been a rock star...

I think it was a nobody (He calls himself Waldo..), I guess just an explanation for the guy having long hair.

Where I think this issue kind of failed, is showing the X-Men's strength as individual heroes. The first scene of the issue -the battle against Colosso- serves to tell us that the X-Men team is greater than the sum of its parts, which it does quite well. But, in the rest of the issue, each individual X-Man seems to be less than the team divided by five. Each of the obscure super villains take out each X-Man remarkably fast. Even Cyclops and Iceman together can't defeat the Eel and the Unicorn combining their forces. And I thought that the X-Man each trained hours a day in the Danger Room to be prepared for such threats. Oh well, the element of surprise and the darkness of night could be excuses, but it's still a stretch.

To give the X-Men credit: the Unicorn by himself would be team-threat. The element of surprise would be the greatest factor though: the villains knew who they were going up against, the X-Men knew nothing about their enemies' abilities, though the Porcupine's hypnotic disc was cheap.

Schuimend Mormel

11-16-2007, 12:27 PM

I actually feel sorry for Warren in the love triangle. Jean already knows that she doesn't love him, it would have been nice of her to let him know.

This is going to sound terrible, but I think Jean is keeping Warren 'in reserve'. If things don't work out with Scott, she could always fall back on Warren. :p

At any rate, Warren being a part of this love triangle seems to bring some speed into the development of their relationships. From the looks of things, we might be in for an awkward confrontation.

To give the X-Men credit: the Unicorn by himself would be team-threat. The element of surprise would be the greatest factor though: the villains knew who they were going up against, the X-Men knew nothing about their enemies' abilities, though the Porcupine's hypnotic disc was cheap.

It also doesn't help that the X-Men each only have ONE power. Especially the Porcupine seems to be a walking utility belt.

Dizzy, have you finished reading your Essential already? I've finished all of these stories some time ago (which means I have to do a lot of play-acting here), and whenever I buy an Essential I can't help but devote all my free time to reading it till it's over. Which is usually within days.

EDIT: I've the Masterworks collections except no. 4, which is why I have 'Essential X-Men Classic no. 2' to make up for the gap.

Dizzy D

11-16-2007, 05:16 PM

It also doesn't help that the X-Men each only have ONE power. Especially the Porcupine seems to be a walking utility belt.

But that at least fits his character; he's a weapons' designer gone rogue. I just hate the hypno-disc, unless it's placed on a top hat. Then it's cool.

Dizzy, have you finished reading your Essential already? I've finished all of these stories some time ago (which means I have to do a lot of play-acting here), and whenever I buy an Essential I can't help but devote all my free time to reading it till it's over. Which is usually within days.

I read them ages ago when the Essential just came out + plus I read several stories before that in the Early Years reprint/reprints with those silver borders of classic issues (1 and Banshee's first issue) or pre-Juniorpress dutch translations (those can be hilarious: De Rauwe Bonk, De Na-aper.), but I'm rereading them now one at a time (with the occasional sneak peek when I want to see how a story ends) and paying a bit more attention. I'm just wondering how to bridge the gap from Classic X-Men Essential 2 to X-Men Essential 1.

david r

11-16-2007, 08:23 PM

X-Men #23

Action Lovers! This One's For You!

Count Nefaria said in #22 he planned to steal Washington DC. But we learn here he actually plans to suffocate the population. He creates a dome over the Capital and deposits crystalline particles that will suck out the oxygen!! The good Count demands one hundred million dollars to keep our nation's capital alive. Meanwhile, the X-Men are chained in the dungeon of Nefaria's fortress. Jean Grey comes to the rescue, as she telekinetically frees Cyclops' eyes, unleashing his power-beam to destroy his eye-shield. Scott frees the others, but the team decide to play along with Nefaria. They agree to help him and pick up his ill-gotten loot.

They depart in a milk truck! just as Professor Xavier arrives outside Washington DC to help the military break into the crystalline dome. Following the Blob and Unus' bank robbery, the X-Men are becoming more hated than ever before!!! Count Nefaria opens a section of the dome for the X-Men to enter, and they grab the one-hundred million bucks! On the lawns of the capital, Nefaria's super-team (Porcupine, Eel, Unicorn, Scarecrow and Plantman) and X-Men grab for the briefcase of riches! The briefcase hops from person to person in a rather hilarious bit. Marvel Girl finally grabs it and takes off in the milk truck.

Back at Nefaria's fortress, a mysterious figure arrives, dressed like the Invisible Man. A trenchcoat, hat and face covered, this man freezes the guards and enters. As Jean arrives with the briefcase, the mystery-man begins destroying Count Nefaria's machinery holding the Capital hostage. Nefaria flees in his ocean-ship, as the X-Men enter the fray. The "mystery-man" removes his clothing to reveal--- Charles Xavier, standing upright and walking!! Charles has deviced lightweight, flexible metal braces for his legs, so he can now walk!! Charles lights a pipe and says the Coast Guard should be picking up Nefaria right about now. Washington DC is saved, and the X-Men have won. However, #23 ends with Charles giving Jean an envelope. Jean reads it and then turns and replies-- "Tomorrow, I must leave the X-Men FOREVER!"

My thoughts: Charles Xavier seems quite the inventor in the early days. He's always building some new mechanical device. And now Charles CAN WALK! This is an interesting twist. Count Nefaria was an okay villain, not as menacing as Magneto or the Brotherhood. And his team of "super" villains leaned to the silly side. The Eel was a bit villainous, but the Porcupine and Unicorn were pretty outrageous. Overall, this adventure was alright, but not as good as recent epics.

david r

11-16-2007, 08:44 PM

I'm just wondering how to bridge the gap from Classic X-Men Essential 2 to X-Men Essential 1.

One of the Marvel Masterworks picks up right where CLASSIC X-MEN ESSENTIAL 2 ends. With #54, I think. That masterwork finishes out the Original 5 run (#66), however price may be an issue. It is pretty expensive.

Another option is the Neal Adams:X-Men Visionaries trade paperback which has most of #56-66. Dizzy, you could buy that to finish out the run. I'm not sure if Marvel can ever release a third CLASSIC X-MEN ESSENTIAL because they won't have enough material.

Dizzy D

11-17-2007, 03:21 AM

One of the Marvel Masterworks picks up right where CLASSIC X-MEN ESSENTIAL 2 ends. With #54, I think. That masterwork finishes out the Original 5 run (#66), however price may be an issue. It is pretty expensive.

Another option is the Neal Adams:X-Men Visionaries trade paperback which has most of #56-66. Dizzy, you could buy that to finish out the run. I'm not sure if Marvel can ever release a third CLASSIC X-MEN ESSENTIAL because they won't have enough material.

They could fill it up with X-Men appearances in other titles (Beast in Amazing Adventures for instance, which probably wouldn't be collected on its own). 2 contained an issue of Avengers IIRC.

Dizzy D

11-17-2007, 03:41 AM

X-Men #23

100 million for a city, that's actually a bargain. I'm reminded of Seanbaby's Superfriends page though where the Legion of Doom finds out that their crime sprees are costing them more than they make. ( http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8670/luthor7te0.jpg )

The villains also didn't do much for me this issue. I like the Unicorn and Porcupine well enough and Scarecrow later on in Ghost Rider was interesting as well, but right now we have a bunch of villains that got defeated by other heroes and couldn't quite cut it to get in their regular rogue gallery (OTOH, at least Marvel back in those days wasn't so insular: villains got around.)

As I predicted (well, not really, but kinda) the Unicorn as most powerful villain takes the leadership role of the lieutenants and they all turn against Nefaria.I never quite got Nefaria, neither now nor in his later appearances.

worstblogever

11-17-2007, 04:05 AM

It's good to see Charles Xavier walking. Even better, it's good to see him smoke a pipe that doesn't have crack in it. You don't see that happen in Washington DC often.

Count Nefaria seems to have the Dr. Evil complex... so much power, but yet he wants... One Hundred.... MILLION DOLLARS! Hokey, but hey, for the timeline, what do you expect?

Milk truck? What was the other option for a getaway vehicle? The Oscar Meyer Weinermobile?

This whole issue is bizarre.

david r

11-17-2007, 08:28 AM

Dizzy D, that is pretty funny about the Legion of Doom. Crime truly doesn't pay. As for the villains, it seems Roy Thomas isn't as good at inventing new villains. He just used some from other comics. Isn't this Roy Thomas' very first comics writing?

@Worstblogever, HA! But what is IN Charles' pipe?? It could be crack! Might explain Charles' ideas like Cerebro and the Mento-Helmet.

The milk truck was hokey. We've also seen the X-Men arrive in an ice-cream truck. But the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile would take the cake!!

david r

11-17-2007, 08:31 AM

X-Men #24

ENTER: the Locust! After reading him, I wanted to EXIT right out!! #24 was nuts! Jean Grey is leaving the X-Men and the School, as her parents are sending her to a normal college. Charles & the male members say their heartbroken farewells. (Warren and Scott more heartbroken than ever!!) We also learn that Angel is truly attracted to Jean. But her heart is with Cyclops!! They all buy her a corsage as a goodbye gift. AHHH, sweet!!

On a rainy day, she is driven to nearby Metro College, where admissions counselor Ted Roberts immediately begins flirting with her. What is up with Jean Grey and the male sex???? Jean soon meets ex-teacher August Hopper (gotta love the name!!) We learn that the esteemed August Hopper is really the Locust, who plants mutated seeds to grow giant insects. The Locust creates gigantic locusts which overtake the countryside, bringing the army and the X-Men to do battle. The Locust has an outrageous scheme to become famous---at least he doesn't want 100 million dollars!!!

Anyway, Charles Xavier dons a "hermit" outfit and uses his mechanical legs again---walking so he can confront the Locust. Charles fails, but the X-Men finally defeat him, and the army burns the giant insects. Overall, #24 felt like a 1950s "giant insect" movie, like Them! The best parts were Jean's heartfelt goodbyes to the School. But this was another mind-numbing crazy issue!!!

Schuimend Mormel

11-17-2007, 11:14 AM

I do not understand why mutate grasshoppers should be the concern of the X-Men. I thought their point was to stop evil human mutants and to make life better for other mutants who want to understand their powers. I get that Xavier is a geneticist (although specialised in the human genome), but this strays a fair bit from the X-Men's premise. Silly how Jean is able to tie a knot in Hopper's antennae, and he doesn't even notice and assumes that Jean 'jumps in to soften his heart with feminine charm'. Yeah, right.

And yet again, the X-Men let their foe go. And Prof X even says that he may return as a threat. Wouldn't he want to ensure that Locust never does this again? Won't he attempt to mind-wipe Locust, like he did to villains in the Stan Lee stories?

I am wondering if there is a parallel between the use of Hopper's insecticides and the controversy surrounding the dangers of synthetic insecticides in the 60s, but if there is, it has failed, because a) the plane is seen happily spraying poison around and b) Locust was planning to come up with a new insecticide himself to stop his own giant insects and be 'the savior of the world'.

I don't like this Ted Roberts character. He seems all uppity. Like Warren times ten but without the powers or charm. Ugh.

david, you're right about the horror movie feel, because in the introduction to X-Men Masterworks 3, Roy Thomas says he based this story upon insect horror movies like 'Them!'.

And a happy birthday, david r.

david r

11-18-2007, 09:31 AM

I do not understand why mutate grasshoppers should be the concern of the X-Men. I thought their point was to stop evil human mutants and to make life better for other mutants who want to understand their powers.

It likely would still be the X-Men's responsibility to stop gigantic locusts. Even though you're right, it is not their main objective (evil mutants.) Plus, the locusts were near them. I suspect Charles believes the locusts might be mutants.

Won't he attempt to mind-wipe Locust, like he did to villains in the Stan Lee stories?

True. Why didn't Xavier mindwipe him? He's asking for trouble, like letting Lucifer go in #9.

I am wondering if there is a parallel between the use of Hopper's insecticides and the controversy surrounding the dangers of synthetic insecticides in the 60s, but if there is, it has failed, because a) the plane is seen happily spraying poison around and b) Locust was planning to come up with a new insecticide himself to stop his own giant insects and be 'the savior of the world'.

I wonder if Roy Thomas read about the "synthetic insecticides" in the 1960s and dreamed up this tale! Rule Number One: Don't Trust Planes spraying Poison!

david, you're right about the horror movie feel, because in the introduction to X-Men Masterworks 3, Roy Thomas says he based this story upon insect horror movies like 'Them!'.

I wondered if he had. I could sense that inspiration. Too bad none of the X-Men were dragged into an ant-hill!

And a happy birthday, david r.

Thank you!! How nice of you to remember.

Stephane Garrelie

11-18-2007, 09:53 AM

Deffinitely not the best issue of the serie :D
Happy belated birthday David. :)

worstblogever

11-18-2007, 10:01 AM

X-Men #24

What is up with Jean Grey and the male sex????

Other than Zelda, Jean's the only girl in town right now. That, and she's got the BOOM, and can read your mind to give you your darkest desires. Even from across the room with telekinesis. I can't blame any dude for trying. If she didn't possess the spirit of creation and destruction (that latter part makes it hectic)... she'd be the perfect girl.

The Locust... was that villain ever referenced again?

Slyfer

11-18-2007, 10:10 AM

Dude said other than Zelda LoL

Schuimend Mormel

11-18-2007, 10:11 AM

Other than Zelda, Jean's the only girl in town right now. That, and she's got the BOOM, and can read your mind to give you your darkest desires. Even from across the room with telekinesis. I can't blame any dude for trying. If she didn't possess the spirit of creation and destruction (that latter part makes it hectic)... she'd be the perfect girl.

The Locust... was that villain ever referenced again?

Breaking the rule of mentioning future events again: the original five X-Men would encounter the Locust once more in X-Factor #52.

worstblogever

11-18-2007, 10:17 AM

Breaking the rule of mentioning future events again: the original five X-Men would encounter the Locust once more in X-Factor #52.

Thanks for breaking the rules for me... but this is the last time!!! ;)

david r

11-18-2007, 07:08 PM

@Stephane, THANKS for the birthday message! :)

Other than Zelda, Jean's the only girl in town right now. That, and she's got the BOOM, and can read your mind to give you your darkest desires.

Oh my! I can't imagine our Jean Grey giving me my "darkest desires." That's not the innocent girl I've been reading. Let's see...who has noticed Jean's BOOM so far? Scott, Warren, Ted Roberts and.......ulp, Charles Xavier!! :eek: :eek:

david r

11-18-2007, 07:15 PM

david r

11-19-2007, 07:18 PM

X-Men #26

The finale to the El Tigre story, and it wasn't bad. I especially enjoyed the X-Men traveling down a rain-forest river, encountering all sorts of jungle dangers. That was well-done adventure. The team encounter El Tigre--now possessed by the Mayan God Kukulcan; and they soundly defeat him.

The other interesting bit was Scott Summers finally decides he's going to tell Jean Grey his romantic feelings for her. Once the male members return from Central America, Scott will tell her. But...Warren somehow senses this, and begins criticizing Scott during this mission. The two teens argue a bit, and though Angel knows he should back-off, he can't help himself. And during the battle, Cyclops inadvertintly blasts Angel with his optic blasts, severely hurting Warren. Warren is down, hurt, and accuses Scott of hurting him... on purpose!

Plus, Mimic makes an appearance, as a new student at Jean Grey's college. Mimic recalls Jean though his memory has been erased (by Professor X.) It appears Mimic may be a threat again. Overall, the El Tigre story was forgettable, except for the jungle cruise adventure and the romantic subplot.

Schuimend Mormel

11-20-2007, 04:40 AM

On # 25

The X-Men's rescue of the orphans was good because it showed that the X-Men weren't perfect superheroes who could just WOOSH away the fire within two seconds. Angel couldn't carry all the kids at once, Iceman tries a rescue attempt but his ice ladder breaks, Beast gets 'stuck' on the roof. In spite of all this, the X-Men are successful in rescuing the children. It brings a touch of realism to a fantasy story. It's also nice that the orphans (and later a cab driver) recognise the X-Men and that some people still seem to acknowledge them as heroes.

It is unclear to me why El Tigre and his cronies start a fight in the night club. All they do is attract attention; the police saw their faces on camera after the fight. I can't believe that a relic-thief and master smuggler like El Tigre would be foolish enough to not cover himself.

Beast's speech pattern is getting somewhat annoying and repetitive; he keeps nagging about how Iceman 'states the obvious' and how both Iceman and Angel 'could make better puns'.
Iceman himself, on the other hand, possesses a healthy wit when written by Thomas. This becomes apparent when he's alone (the scene where he walks into Ramón's trap.) Beast and Iceman together do make a great 'odd couple', and it's been fun to watch their friendship develop over the issues.

On # 26:

I agree with most everything you said about this issue, concerning the X-Men trek through the jungle, and the tension between Warren and Scott. So all I can add are a couple of firsts, I guess:

This is the first time Cyclops uses the control studs in his gloves that allow him to open his visor. I find this a better explanation of how Cyclops can open his visor without touching it with his hands than the previous explanation by Stan Lee that said the visor responded to the opening of his eyelids, which would cause far too many complications.

Also, this is the first time Cyclops is shown to be immune against his own optic blasts.

worstblogever

11-20-2007, 04:55 AM

X-Men #25

This issue introduces (as the first page says) "the mildly incomparable menace of El Tigre!!" It's pronounced TEE-GRAY for those Spanish illiterate. That's right, Marvel created a Hispanic villain here.

I'd say the best part is the opening sequence which shows our merry mutants saving orphans from their burning orphanage! It showcased the bravery and courage of the X-Men, and was my favorite part. It's downhill from there. Actually, I'd say I enjoyed this issue more than the Locust issue. But still, El Tigre left a lot to be desired. The three Spanish treasure-hunters who discover the magical pendant of Kukulcan reminded me of the old Bogart film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

The leader, El Tigre, gains powers from the pendant, and journeys to New York to locate the other half of the pendant. There, he meets the X-Men and battles them for it. Also, Charles Xavier's new mechanical legs malfunction and he nearly plummets down some stairs. It appears this is not going to work out. Another thing is the covers are now different. Over the cover logo "X-Men" Angel is no longer flying. Now, we have a shot of Xavier with a pained look on his face, sending out mental waves (or he's having a splitting headache!)

El Tigre would've been cooler if his dialogue was more like Tony Montana's in Scarface... I picture it that way. It's more fun. censorship and all, though... :(

Charles falls down a flight of stairs with his mecho-legs? He should call Stilt Man for some advice to fix 'em! Serious foreshadowing that Chuck is destined for other means of ambulation... that's how he rolls, if you'll pardon the pun.

#26 really gets the Scott/Warren rivalry up, and given what becomes of Wings later, this really sets it up well from a character point. (Alluding to future events without revealing them is cool, I hope?)

Schuimend Mormel

11-20-2007, 05:22 AM

El Tigre would've been cooler if his dialogue was more like Tony Montana's in Scarface... I picture it that way. It's more fun. censorship and all, though... :(

Charles falls down a flight of stairs with his mecho-legs? He should call Stilt Man for some advice to fix 'em! Serious foreshadowing that Chuck is destined for other means of ambulation... that's how he rolls, if you'll pardon the pun.

Heh. 'In this country, you gotta get the amulet first. Then when you get the amulet, you get the power. Then when you get the power, you get the women.'

The tentacle mechanism saving Professor X from falling down the stairs was strange as well. You'd think he'd install some pillow or air cushions that would pop out if he would fall. Given enough momentum, he could break his ribs on those tentacles.

worstblogever

11-20-2007, 05:42 AM

Heh. 'In this country, you gotta get the amulet first. Then when you get the amulet, you get the power. Then when you get the power, you get the women.'

The tentacle mechanism saving Professor X from falling down the stairs was strange as well. You'd think he'd install some pillow or air cushions that would pop out if he would fall. Given enough momentum, he could break his ribs on those tentacles.

Shi'ar technology. And everybody knows the Shi'ar love their hentai. ;)

david r

11-20-2007, 08:08 PM

@Schuimend Mormel, Good question. Why did El Tigre start that fight in the club? It was never fully explained. About the Beast's rather perpendicular vocabulary, I've noticed his 20-letter words have expanded greatly since Roy Thomas arrived. He does come across as arrogant sometimes.

About Cyclops' optic blasts, his use of them varies from issue to issue. We've seen him blast away without touching the sides of his visor, and other times he needs to touch it. I have always assumed Scott could blast just by mental control.

@Worstblogever, Scott and Warren are rivals for Jean Grey's affections. But they appear to be losing out to Ted Roberts. (I see this ending badly!!)

david r

11-20-2007, 08:14 PM

X-Men #27

Mimic returns here and appears to join the X-Men. An interesting development.

#27 begins with the X-Men returning from Central America, Angel severely injured from Cyclops' optic blast. Warren may lose the power of flight!! Scott is naturally upset and guilt-ridden. Meanwhile, at Metro College, Jean Grey is spending more time with Ted Roberts and they seem to have become a couple. But I thought Ted Roberts was an admissions counselor?? When did he become a student? Anyway, a campus chemical lab explosion brings Calvin Rankin, aka Mimic memories back and he remembers the X-Men!!!

Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four villain, Puppet-Master, has learned of Professor X, and attempts to take control of him. Xavier succesfully deflects the assault, and then worries that his X-Men are at their lowest ebb. Angel is out-of-action, and Jean Grey has left the team. Charles sends his astral form aloft and to Europe where he finds Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. Prof X asks them to join the X-Men, but Pietro & Wanda say they have joined the Avengers!!

Back in New York, Hank and Bobby are on another date with Zelda and Vera, and as usual, criminals halt the date. The two love-lost X-Men meet the amazing Spider-Man and ask him to join the X-Men. Spidey scotts and is almost insulted they would ask him, as he swings away! The next day, the students and Xavier are visiting Metro College to pick up Jean Grey, when Mimic confronts them. They take Calvin back to the School, and he appears to join the X-Men. We now learn that Cyclops has quit as deputy leader, upset over hurting Angel. Charles declares the Mimic is to replace Scott!! The Puppet-Master seizes control of Mimic and he attacks the team. Mimic defeats the X-Men, then departs. Xavier deduces the Puppet-Master is behind this assault, and sends the X-Men out to find him. And find him they do, after battling his gigantic android the DEFENDER, they confront the Puppet-Master but it is the injured Angel who saves the day by grabbing the Mimic doll and destroying it. Thus, freeing Mimic from the Puppet-Master's clutches. Angel is hurt, but happy he could help. Mimic agonizes over his powers.

My thoughts: Angel saved the day, but the Angel/Cyclops/Jean Grey/Ted Roberts soap opera continues. Is Scott going to tell Jean his feelings for her? As for the Mimic, I was truly surprised Professor X promoted him to deputy leader---and that seemed completely false to me. Charles would NEVER have done that. Another question: are Jean Grey & Ted Roberts a couple now? #27 didn't make it very clear.

Dizzy D

11-21-2007, 06:14 AM

I got one thing to say about X-Men #27 : "Radioactive brainwaves"?

OK, I have more to say about it:
A pity Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch didn't join. I would like to see an X-Men line-up with them on it.

Jean's redesigns of the costumes are an improvement.

I'm interested in the details of that Fantastic Four issue where the Mad Thinker tells the Puppet Master about Professor X.

A bit of humility for the Mimic is just what he needed. As for Xavier making him team leader, he probably had his reasons which he will reveal soon.

Schuimend Mormel

11-21-2007, 11:18 AM

Some selected thoughts, because this issue was PACKED...

The storytelling technique of jumping straight into the action scene and filling in the reader later by means of flashback was interesting, but clumsily executed. It doesn't really come across in the first scene that the Mimic is brainwashed as opposed to merely being arrogant. The fight scene in itself was beautiful, however, even if the X-Men did lose. Especially the part where Marvel Girl and Iceman use technique and teamwork to try and bring the Mimic down was good.

Jean and Ted are dating, I guess, but you can't call them a couple right now. They hang out and eat together. They're a pre-couple.

LOVED the part where Iceman and the Beast have their thunder stolen by Spider-Man, then unsuccessfully try to recruit him. Loved Iceman's 'You'd think we just asked him to sign up with the Mafia!'

The Mimic, too, needs to wear the special glasses Scott wears to stop the optic blasts from emanating from his eyes. I'm not sure if Xavier's decision to make Mimic the deputy leader was a good or bad idea. Someone that independent doesn't make for a good team commander, but perhaps Xavier will keep close tabs on the Mimic and train him in the ways of leadership? In my view, the Beast would have been the logical choice for next deputy leader.

The end feels a little unsatisfactory; the X-Men have fought the Mimic and the Defender, but the grand scheme of the Puppet Master himself is stopped in one swift movement by Warren on the final page, and the villain runs away off-panel.

If I'd have to rate this issue, it would probably still be a 7/10.

david r

11-21-2007, 08:53 PM

X-Men #28

1st appearance: Banshee

"The Wail of the Banshee"

Sean Cassidy, the Banshee, makes his debut in this issue!! He and another new villain, the Ogre, are sent to kidnap Professor Xavier. The Banshee's mutant power is a loud sonic scream, and also Sean can vibrate quickly which makes him near invisible to the eye. I like his costume design.

Mimic continues as deputy leader, and is still as arrogant as before. I liked the part where Cyclops berates him for not taking orders. You tell him Scott! Angel is still recuperating from his wounds, and is mostly gone from #28. The Ogre is an overweight villain with robotic beams in his boots.

There are two mysteries hinted to in #28: Banshee & Ogre are working for Factor Three. Their identity and plans remain hidden to us readers. Also, Cyclops notices a heavy locked door in the cellar. Locked by Professor X, what lies behind the oaken door has been kept a secret. I am curious what lies behind that door!!

I liked this issue. Banshee's debut was fun, even though Sean Cassidy is a "villain" here, his laid-back attitude still shines through. I enjoyed seeing Sean smoking his long pipe!!!

Brian M.

11-21-2007, 09:19 PM

The Factor Three stuff I think is really when the X-Men started evolve into a real good comic. The Sentinels and all that came before was great, it established a purpose, unique villians, all that kinda stuff. Factor Three subplot was really when it started to gain some depth though.

Good stuff.

hugekent

11-22-2007, 05:27 AM

I'm enjoying reading this thread as I'm not familiar with any early X-Men story lines. But would it be possible to list the dates the issues were published, as you go?

Dizzy D

11-22-2007, 05:30 AM

X-Men #28

Personal note: Finally an issue in colour again.

Let's see: Xavier has even further increased Mimic's power? Again I have to question Professor X's decisions regarding the Mimic. (But my fascination with Xavier's inventions remains: The M-Indicator, a Cerebro-like device that can detect the Mimic.) The Mimic, perhaps due to this new boost in power, has forgotten his lesson from last issue. Even his near-fatal accident doesn't teach him to listen to others.

Banshee is definitely one of the most powerful mutants the X-Men have met so far. "Not even Magneto has made Cerebro react this strongly." The final reveal doesn't ring true though, even if the Ogre forced him to join Factor Three, Banshee seems to have a lot of freedom: leaving their base to steal paintings and tobacco, he could have easily found a way to foil the Ogre's control over him.

Ah, the infamous "You're a credit to your gender, Jeanie"-scene. I think enough has been said about that in other threads. The vacuum chamber is a pretty clever way to imprison the Banshee. And the secret of the locked door in the cellar sets up some future plot.

The Ogre: if he intends to kill Banshee once he failed, why didn't he simply detonate the headband? Instead he wastes time to aim his gun at him so that the X-Men can counter his attack. Otherwise the fight scenes were good this issue.

worstblogever

11-22-2007, 07:42 AM

#27- Oh Ted's an admissions counselor all right. And he wants to admit Jean into his fully functional pleasure den. Ted, you scamp.

Xavier really was insensetive to replace Scott that fast. Scott agonizes over it, and Charles just knee-jerk reacts and goes... "Oh. Well, new guy, you're in charge now!"

Spidey laughing at Beast and Iceman about joining the X-Men would lead to the one April Fool's Day joke by Joe Kelly in the late 90's where Marvel "leaked" promotional art of Spidey in an X-Men uniform. True story.

#28- The Ogre needs to have a talking donkey as a sidekick, not Banshee. And... what ever happened to Banshee being able to vibrate until he's invisible? (but irresistible to the ladies...)

david r

11-22-2007, 07:48 AM

@Brian M, thanks for the heads-up on Factor Three. I'm curious where this is headed!

@Hugekent, sure no problem. We'll start listing the dates of publication.

@Dizzy D, I agree with you about Mimic and Prof X. Xavier's decisions concerning Mimic have me questioning Charles. Why would Xavier make the most difficult X-Man the deputy leader?

@Schuimend Mormel, so Ted and Jean are a "pre-couple"? Oh, young love!! :)

@Worstblogever, I remember that April Fool's Joke about Spider-Man joining the X-Men. You say Joe Kelly got the inspiration from #27?

I don't know what happened to Banshee's power of invisibility. It never comes up again.

david r

11-22-2007, 07:57 AM

X-Men #29
December 1966

#29 begins with the X-Men ice-skating on a frozen pond, near the Mansion. It's early December and the School is filled with snow. I always enjoy these fun moments. Warren hasn't learned his lesson and is still flirting with Jean Grey. Mimic is as arrogant as ever. And Scott has another outburst with his optic blasts and causes an avalanche! Poor Scott. The avalanche is noticed by the Super-Adaptoid, a robot who possesses the powers of four Avengers (Goliath, Wasp, Hawkeye & Captain America.)

Soon enough, Mimic has another confrontation with the X-Men and a battle ensues. Calvin can't control his ego, and Charles Xavier announces this is NOT WORKING and orders Mimic to leave the School. Mimic strides to pack, and the X-Men begin a game of football! But the Super-Adaptoid appears and battles our mutants. The Adaptoid defeats them with sleeping gas---but then Mimic arrives and battles the Super-Adaptoid. One has the powers of the X-Men......and the other has the power of the Avengers!!

Mimic fights a valiant battle alone. Cal finally wins by sending power-feedback into the Adaptoid. The android crashes into the pond. Mimic loses his powers as a result, however. In the end, Calvin Rankin stands with the X-Men and says "Funny...it took an inhuman, emotionless thing like the Super-Adaptoid...to make me realize the true value of the emotion called...FRIENDSHIP. Even if the Mimic is gone forever, it was worth it...if Cal Rankin became...a MAN!"

Is this it for Mimic? I'm going to miss him. But one question...how did he lose his powers??

Stephane Garrelie

11-22-2007, 10:17 AM

:) A good issue.

Dizzy D

11-22-2007, 05:01 PM

X-Men #29

The Super-Adaptoid doesn't come accross as very bright. He doesn't even know what ice is.

The X-men are very dismissive of Iceman claiming to have seen a giant robot. After the last couple of years, you would expect them to pay a little bit more attention. Giant robots are never good news if you are an X-Man.

Xavier's thoughts while training Mimic do explain his actions a bit better to me. He's giving Mimic these responsibilities, because he wants him to live up to that potential of good he feels within him. And as the ending of the story proves, Xavier is right. (I hope that the X-Men do offer him some form of honorary member status in recognition of his heroism at the end of this issue or at least undo his "dishonorable discharge".)

The door again. They aren't exactly subtle about this, aren't they? (And I do wonder why Xavier is working a microscope when he wants to investigate Factor Three.)

Schuimend Mormel

11-23-2007, 06:36 AM

But one question...how did he lose his powers??

I'm not certain, but my guess is that the feedback the Super-Adaptoid suffered while holding the Mimic, affected the Mimic's body (energy crackled around the Mimic as well) and shocked his powers out of him in the same way a lab explosion returned Cal's power earlier. As far as I can tell, there's no clear scientific explanation for the Mimic losing his powers.

I'm a bit skeptical about how the Super-Adaptoid was unable to copy the Mimic's powers because they were artificial, since he had copied the Avengers' powers before; Captain America's skills, Goliath's strength, and the Wasp's wings are all artificial. Maybe it meant that he couldn't copy borrowed powers, which the Mimic's X-Men powers were.

Lemon chiffoned mention of later event: the Mimic would actually regain his powers later and appeared in 'The Incredible Hulk' # 161.

(And I do wonder why Xavier is working a microscope when he wants to investigate Factor Three.)

They captured the Ogre in the previous issue. Professor X may have been studying the Ogre's technology, weapons, and munition -or parts and particles of it- under the microscope.

Brian M.

11-23-2007, 06:53 AM

Yea the Factor Three stuff goes on until about #35 when it's come to a direct head. It's about 3-4 issues long, it's pretty cool I think.

david r

11-23-2007, 08:45 AM

X-Men #30

This issue was....interesting. The X-Men meet & battle Merlin the Magician, now calling himself the Warlock. We learn that Merlin is really a mutant, and has plans to conquer the world. He transports our mutants and Professor Xavier to his hidden castle. A castle filled with missiles, machine-gun carrying knights in shining armor and horses with wings.

But even Merlin cannot escape Jean Grey's hypnotic power over the male species!! :p He wants her as his Queen.

Not sure what to make of #30. It felt more like a 1960s DC Comics story. The team run around the castle, fighting a weird mixture of King Arthur legend-stuff and modern weaponry. The conclusion was pretty preposterous, as Beast pulls Merlin's cape over his head!! And Professor X mentally sends Merlin into a comatose state. I guess Merlin wasn't much of a real threat if he could be taken out so easily.

Publication Date: January 1967

Dizzy D

11-23-2007, 10:17 AM

One of the weakest issues so far.

The Warlock's abilities are mutant in nature, but he can do basically anything with them, so they might as well be magic. Characterwise, he also isn't very interesting; the reason for his attack on the X-Men are never quite clear. And like many villains before and after, he decides to take a superheroine as his consort. You'd think they would go for somebody who wouldn't turn on them the first chance they get.

Upsides: Xavier still has the "mechanical legs" even while in his wheelchair. And he has a sweet flying scooter at the end.

Brian M.

11-23-2007, 10:19 AM

Schuimend Mormel

11-24-2007, 01:15 AM

Hate to sound like an echo, but I really disliked this issue myself. It feels like a fill-in issue, though; the credits say that Werner Roth was too busy working on the next issue, so he probably didn't finish it in time and they shoved in this story. It would explain why this issue doesn't do anything to advance the main running plotlines. The art by Jack Sparling didn't do it for me, either.

The Warlock's mutant powers, I suppose, are all-round superhuman psychic ability; he has hypnosis, telepathy, telekinesis, illusion-casting. Plus teleporting and some sort of blast, which aren't mental, but whatever. He wanted the X-Men with him because they're mutants like himself, and he wanted them to rule at his side in a world where normal Homo sapiens are slaves, I guess.

What I did like about the issue was Angel, who had to fly along with the Professor and Jean and had to do at least a LITTLE bit of thinking for himself.

But story and art were far below par this issue.

Stephane Garrelie

11-24-2007, 03:27 AM

Never liked this issue much.

david r

11-24-2007, 03:01 PM

X-Men #31

1st appearance: Candy Southern

#31 shows us much of the X-Men's private lives. Warren Worthington finally drops Jean Grey from his romantic thoughts, and meets an old friend, Candy Sothern. It's apparent they are attracted to each other. Scott comes very close to asking Jean out on a date (JUST DO IT, MAN!!) We learn that Charles Xavier has known for months that Scott loves Jean. He plays Cupid in #31 and gives Scott some help.

Hank and Bobby take Zelda and Vera to the Coffee A Go-Go, and Bernard the Poet gives another mind-blowing poem--- "Like, life is a yo-yo...and mankind keeps tying knots in the STRING! Go UP...go DOWN....then call it progress! For Happiness is a Warm Puppet!" This guy is deep! Other pop references made in #31 are excerps from the Monkees' song "I'm A Believer" and Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" are both played at a club, while young people dance in that hip '60s way!!! I imagine Zelda & Vera are growing tired of Hank & Bobby running out on them yet again.

The action happens as we meet Ted Roberts' older brother, Ralph. Ralph has designed a blue body-armor suit like Iron Man's. After hitting his head, Ralph puts on the suit and goes berserk. Thus, is born the threat of the Cobalt Man!! The reason Ralph Roberts becomes a villain are not fully explained. Is it temporary insanity?? The Cobalt Man plans to crush Iron Man, so the X-Men must do battle!! And after a lengthy fight, the mutants knock out the suit and save Ralph Roberts from certain death. #31 ends with Jean & Scott wondering if Ted Roberts has learned their secret identities.

My thoughts: I love seeing the X-Men's personal lives, so this issue was great to read. I'd wondered if Professor X could sense the students' romantic thoughts, #31 confirmed it. The Cobalt Man was a bit silly, but better than Merlin the Magician from last ish. I still can't tell if Jean & Ted Roberts are going-out or not.

Publication Date: February 1967

worstblogever

11-25-2007, 02:32 AM

@Brian M,
@Worstblogever, I remember that April Fool's Joke about Spider-Man joining the X-Men. You say Joe Kelly got the inspiration from #27?

I don't know what happened to Banshee's power of invisibility. It never comes up again.

Actually, I think Joe Kelly was just using the two biggest franchises to jerk everyone's chain, but I thought he referenced that issue in the fake "announcement". I've been wrong before...

Would Banshee have been too overpowered if he could turn invisible?

worstblogever

11-25-2007, 02:43 AM

#29- Let me get this straight... the X-Men had only fought giant robots called the Sentinels a few issues back, but when Bobby tells them he sees another giant robot, nobody believes him? Man, it must suck to be the youngest.

#30- Was this mutant Merlin, who gets foiled by his own hood the same Merlin who's stirring up trouble in X-Men: Die By the Sword right now, or some other guy trying to claim to be the wizard of Arthurian legend?

Again, an episode of "There's Something About Jean".

#31- The Roberts brothers are cramping the X-Men's style. If Jean and Scott are so worried about it, why not mention it to the professor and have him check his memories, just to be safe, and if so, conveniently wipe them out of there like he always does?

And Cobalt Man? Of all the metals to pick from... why Cobalt? I'm betting it was just blue, and they liked the visual.

Schuimend Mormel

11-25-2007, 09:06 AM

#30- Was this mutant Merlin, who gets foiled by his own hood the same Merlin who's stirring up trouble in X-Men: Die By the Sword right now, or some other guy trying to claim to be the wizard of Arthurian legend?

They're not the same. Both claim to be the real Merlin, but both are probably imposters. I believe the character in 'Die By the Sword' spells his name 'Merlyn'.

And Cobalt Man? Of all the metals to pick from... why Cobalt? I'm betting it was just blue, and they liked the visual.

There was a theoretical cobalt-based nuclear weapon in the 60s called the cobalt bomb. Rumours about this weapon were cause for some commotion back then.

--

I like Candy Sothern! She's only appeared in two scenes and I already feel like I know her better than Zelda, Vera, OR Ted Roberts. She's known Warren since they were little, and she displays interest in visiting the X-Men's school. Could be interesting IF Roy Thomas made her pry a little more...

david r

11-25-2007, 11:08 AM

X-Men #32

The shocking return of the Juggernaut!

The Coffee A Go-Go gets a lot of time this ish. It's Bobby Drake's 18th birthday, and the X-Men are assembled at the Greenwich Village folk club, Coffee A Go-Go, to celebrate. Along for the ride are Zelda, Vera and Candy Southern. (Schuimend, why do you feel you already know Candy better than the others??) Warry introduces Candy Southern to the group, his infatuation with Jean Grey seems to be over. Bernard the Poet gives another unforgettable poem to birthdays.

Meanwhile, the Professor Xavier is down in the cellar, and he finally reveals what's hidden behind the big oaken door--- Cain Marko, Juggernaut chained to a chair, in a comatose state. Xavier has gained custody of Cain from the authorities. Back at Coffee A Go-Go, the party is crashed by a biker gang called the Satan's Saints! Easy Riders they're not!! The Satan's Saints leader is mad that Zelda turned down his romantic offers, so much hilarity ensues as the "straight" mutants battle the "hip" motorcycle gang!

Back at the Mansion, Xavier has devised a machine to drain Cain Marko of his powers. They both don helmets, and as the energy surges, Xavier is knocked unconscious---and Juggernaut is awoken and freed!! Worse, Juggernaut now somehow has the mental powers of Professor X!! Back in New York, Bobby is on Cloud 9 after a good-night kiss from Zelda!! Scott & Jean take a walk through Central Park, but Scott still doesn't have the nerve to kiss her. Eventually, the team arrive back at the Mansion, where they are assaulted by the Juggernaut in the cellar. His fist-blasts topple Cerebro and it's destroyed!!!! The X-Men valiantly struggle, but Juggernaut (now with mental abilities) is too much for them. Cain is the victor; just in time for a mental message from the mystery group Factor Three to offer him membership. Cain busts out on his way to Europe---and Factor Three. The X-Men awaken to find Charles Xavier clinging to life.

My thoughts: Another great issue, as Coffee A Go-Go sure is getting the spotlight lately. Something humorous always happens there. The "secret of the oaken door" is revealed---I give Charles credit for his attempt to save his step-brother. But why keep him in his Juggernaut uniform??

Publication Date: March 1967

Schuimend Mormel

11-25-2007, 11:48 AM

My thoughts: Another great issue, as Coffee A Go-Go sure is getting the spotlight lately. Something humorous always happens there. The "secret of the oaken door" is revealed---I give Charles credit for his attempt to save his step-brother. But why keep him in his Juggernaut uniform??

I always thought that the Juggernaut suit isn't a costume as much as it is an integrated part of his body now (through magic). I've only ever see Cain remove the helmet, nothing else. I could be very wrong, though. If Juggernaut wants to wear civilian clothes, he wears them over his Juggernaut 'suit'. Perhaps it can't be removed.

And I feel I know Candy a little better than Vera or Zelda because Candy's been given a smidge of 'back story', if you can call it that. All we know about Zelda and Vera is their jobs and their characterisation has been pretty bland. But I guess it's mostly just personal preference.

This issue was okay. The first half was the best; it had plenty character moments, and I really, really like how the X-Men need to keep their identity secret (because secret identities are rare in today's comics). I liked the personal moments and the little thought bubbles of each individual X-Man. The second half was quite 'been there done that'. Yes, the Juggernaut is unstoppable. It's been established in a two-parter before. We get it. The story is also vague on how Juggernaut gets the Professor's telepathic powers, but I do admit it gives the X-Men an interesting challenge for the next issue.
I'd rate this issue 7.5/10

david r

11-25-2007, 12:03 PM

I always thought that the Juggernaut suit isn't a costume as much as it is an integrated part of his body now (through magic).

That would explain how Cain survived years of being buried under rubble in Korea. His suit kept him alive.

The story is also vague on how Juggernaut gets the Professor's telepathic powers, but I do admit it gives the X-Men an interesting challenge for the next issue.

I'm thinking Factor Three somehow helped Juggernaut gain Xavier's mental powers. I hope this is better explained.

Schuimend Mormel

11-25-2007, 12:09 PM

That would explain how Cain survived years of being buried under rubble in Korea. His suit kept him alive.

Because of the spell, the Juggernaut doesn't need to eat or breathe anymore. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to say that already, since it hasn't been mentioned in these issues quite yet, but if I don't someone else is bound to correct me.

And according to MarvelDatabase, Cain can summon and remove his armour at will. I suppose it gives him added durability.

Dizzy D

11-26-2007, 06:35 PM

The last two issues:

#31: Candy Sothern. (Sorry a bit of future event referring coming up). I wonder when her name will be changed?

I like the Cobalt Man as a villain, though the story seems to be confused why he goes crazy, switching back and forth between the bump on his head and the power of the Cobalt Suit being too much for most men. It's a shame we didn't get to see an Iron Man/Cobalt Man fight. (As for the question why Cobalt? I bet it was because it's one up in the periodic system from Iron. Though the blue colour doesn't hurt either). The X-Men must be depressed that their villain wasn't even interested in them and gunning for Iron Man instead.

#32: Love the cover.

Candy gets introduced to the rest. I really liked the birthday parts. Despite their behaviour in recent issues, Hank and Bobby are still in Vera and Zelda's good graces. (and for the people who are wondering about X-Men ages, we have another mark on the map: X-Men #32: Iceman's 18th birthday.) Despite the interruption of the motor gang, Bobby and Hank actually are able to have a normal date with their respective girlfriends for once.

My fascination with Xavier's inventions continues. The Energo-Transformer doesn't quite live up to Xavier's expectations though (but is it a design fault or is it all due to that mysterious third presence. First I thought it was Cyttorak himself, but it turns out to be Factor Three. I wonder what other abilities this device would have.

I'm surprised that Juggernaut can use the telepathic powers with his helmet on. Apparently the helmet's psi-shielding is only one-way.

31 was a decent issue, but nothing special. An interesting villain of the month, but little else. 32 was pretty good and one of my favourites so far. Definitely my favourite of the Roy Thomas issues so far.

david r

11-26-2007, 07:15 PM

Dizzy D, do you know all the X-Men's ages at this point?

X-Men #33

The showdown with the Juggernaut! The highlight being a moment where the X-Men tilt their helicopter and the copter blades smash into Cain Marko! This was my favorite part!! Doctor Strange makes a cameo in his astral form, helping our mutants figure out the mystery of Cyttorak!!

Along with Dizzy, I like Charles Xavier's many inventions. I never knew he liked to work on gadgets so much. In #33, the team repair Cerebro enough for it to work again. Cyclops and Marvel Girl enter the "Crimson Cosmos" to find the prototype of the Ruby of Cyttorak and stop the raging Juggernaut! This part I could only read half-seriously. They battle a monster called the Outcast. Discover the ruby and return to our dimension. After another battle with Cain, the Juggernaut grabs the ruby----but this time it takes away his powers----and then engulfs him completely. Juggernaut is NO MORE!!

The X-Men return to the School to discover the Professor has been.....kidnapped!!!!!

My thoughts: The second Juggernaut story was good, though perhaps a bit redundant. I didn't much care for Scott & Jean's journey to the "Crimson Cosmos". Warren, Bobby and Hank's pitched fight with Marko at the airport was the best part IMO. The disappearance of Professor X has me curious what happens next.

Publication Date: April 1967

Brian M.

11-26-2007, 07:18 PM

#32 and 33 are probably my favorite over all Original issues. #48 is a special one too but it not as good as these too. It's pretty cool to see the beginning of Scott/Jean...I loved the guest appearance of Dr. Strange. Good two issues.

david r

11-26-2007, 07:26 PM

It's pretty cool to see the beginning of Scott/Jean....

Scott and Jean are coming closer. They sat close to each other in the Coffee A Go-Go in #32, and their walk in Central Park are making it pretty obvious their feelings. In that one panel, in Central Park, Jean is looking at Scott with "Come Hither" eyes.

Scott needs to get past his fears and just go for it. It's funny how much doubt they both have.

worstblogever

11-27-2007, 01:59 AM

#32-Man, I would've loved to see Cyclops lead the X-Men into battle against a biker gang snapping his fingers and singing... "When you're a jet..." That's have been hilarious.

Keeping a Juggernaut in your basement is just asking for trouble. But was Xavier trying to strip Cain of the power of Cyttorak for his benefit, or to use it himself? Hmm....

#33- I love how the Juggernaut just touches some bling, and gets trapped entirely. If memory serves WAY down the line... That's what Onslaught did to get him out of the picture for awhile.

Dizzy D

11-27-2007, 07:19 AM

#33 It's nice to see the Ancient One again, but he is a bit sloppy. He takes care of the Outcast, but lets the Ruby lie around without any protection? Bad, Sorceror Supreme, bad! No Rings of Ragador for you.

I'm gonna make a list with all of Xavier's inventions once we are done with the early years (post Giant-Size X-Men, I don't think that Xavier invented much).

The way Cyclops and Marvel Girl defeat the Outcast could have gotten a bit more explanation. I get that the watch as a device of measuring time somehow interferes with the timelessness of the Crimson Cosmos, but a bit more exposition would have been better. The way they defeat the Juggernaut makes more sense (well, comic book sense). I wonder if the Juggernaut retained Xavier's telepathy.

When did the Juggernaut tell the X-Men that it was Factor Three who was helping him? When they leave they don't know what the Juggernaut wants at the airport, but when they return they are talking about how they have stopped Factor Three from gaining an ally. Plothole or have I read too quickly and overlooked a panel?

Minor nitpick: In the Ancient One's fight with Xorak, it would have been nice for the colourist to colour the Crimson Bands red instead of yellow.

Overall an enjoyable two parter.

Steven F.

11-27-2007, 03:32 PM

I hope you guys keep the review coming. I just found this thread today, and read through it all while I should be working. Good stuff!

Parch

11-27-2007, 06:46 PM

Over the last few months I have been doing the same thing. I started with Uncanny #1 and am now up to #315. I was fairly new to comics and not that familiar with the Xmen world so I figured I might as well start from the beginning. Needless to say, the number of characters and combinations have been plentiful.

I also read some of the crossover issues where applicable, but it's not really necessary. You can stick with just Uncanny without venturing into the other series and it still maintains good continuity. There's been a couple of spots where Wolvie disappears for a few issues to do his own thing, but it doesn't affect the Uncanny storyline much. Including all the spin off series would really be a task.

I almost quit around 100. Those comics from the 60's and 70's get pretty cliche and I found it a chore to grind through. Now that I'm up to the 1990's I have no intention of stopping because I think the writing has gotten better and better. It's been interesting to see how comic book art and writing evolved over the decades.

david r

11-27-2007, 07:44 PM

X-Men #34

The X-Men journey deep into the Earth's depths, in a minor epic. Ted Roberts' brother, Ralph (he of Cobalt Man fame) has been kidnapped. So the mutants venture into the bowels of the planet to find him. There they discover the menace of the Mole Man and Tyrannus!! Each nefarious villain is fighting each other, and plan to use the mutants for their own devious schemes!!

The highlight is the Mole Man & Tyrannus have two giant robots who do battle against one another! Naturally, the X-Men save the day. All the while wondering if Ted Roberts knows their secret identities or not.

The Factor Three plot is put on the backburner for this issue. We do learn the people who kidnapped Professor Xavier also destroyed Cerebro. It sounds like next issue we get down to real Factor Three business!!

Publication Date: May 1967

worstblogever

11-27-2007, 08:04 PM

david r

11-27-2007, 09:25 PM

One mistake in #34, as Jean, Warren and Bobby descend into the earthly depths in their Borer (on Page 7) Jean calls Angel Scott. And two panels later, Iceman calls Angel Scotty!

I wonder if they were already losing their memory from the River Lethe?

Dizzy D

11-28-2007, 07:03 AM

#34 This issue felt more like a Fantastic Four issue than an X-men issue to me. Splitting up the team and the amnesia the X-Men suffered meant there was little character work between the X-Men and they are just pawns in the battle between Mole Man and Tyrannus. Luckily Scott and Hank are there to make short work of the Mole Man and Tyrannus and set things right. I like that Ralph Roberts returns and he's far more likeable now he isn't nuts and trying to kill people.

After being smashed last episode, the X-helicopter lives on as part of the X-jet now.

[Science-nerd moment]:
Roberts' cobalt alloy has twice the melting point of normal cobalt? I wonder which temperature scale he's using. Still, even using Kelvin, it would not be unusually resistant compared to some other elements like tungsten. Pretty high though, but not near the temperature's at the center of the Earth.
[/Science-nerd moment]

Luckily for Tyrannus the center of the Eart has TV.

With Xavier kidnapped, we have to turn to Ralph Roberts for our invention of the day: the Earth-borer.

And something that cracks me up in this early issues: Mind-control? Insanity? Amnesia? A good bonk on the head cures all.

david r

11-28-2007, 08:00 PM

And something that cracks me up in this early issues: Mind-control? Insanity? Amnesia? A good bonk on the head cures all.

"A good bonk on the head cures all." Very well said, Dizzy!

I enjoyed your Science-nerd moment.

david r

11-28-2007, 08:03 PM

X-Men #35

"Along Came a Spider"

The Factor Three story kicks into high-gear here, as Banshee is cruising some European mountains searching for this mystery group. Sean Cassidy is attacked by a large "spider-like machine". ( Dizzy, here is your invention for #35! ) The blast weakens Banshee, but he flies back to his cabin and radios the X-Men. He warns them to "Beware the Spider!" Sean then passes out! (he is soon kidnapped by Factor Three!!)

Meanwhile, Peter Parker is motorcycling in Westchester County. Peter witnesses a circular-shaped aircraft buzzing around, like a flying saucer or disc. Peter ducks into a mill and changes into his Spider-Man costume. That's right, SPIDER-MAN figures in this ish prominently. Out of the flying saucer, emerges another large "spider-machine". Reminded me of those killer machines from the sci-fi classic War of the Worlds. Spidey does battle with this spider-contraption. Back at X-Men HQs, Cerebro picks up a mutant menace at the nearby mill and the 4 male members of the X-Men take off to investigate.

A cool battle scene with Spider-Man & the Spider ends with Spidey turning the things laser back on it's body, destroying it. But our arachnid super-friend isn't so lucky, as the X-Men show up at the lakeside mill, and see Spider-Man. They remember Banshee's message "BEWARE THE SPIDER!" and attack Spidey. Believing he is part of Factor Three. Many pages of battle follow, as the X-Men and Spider-Man fight in-and-around the mill. Spider-Man does very well on his own against our mutants. Finally, the X-Men realize they've made a mistake and try to say their sorry, but Spidey is having none of it. The team return to the Mansion, where Jean Grey has located Banshee's whereabouts in Europe. The X-Men take off to find Factor Three!

My thoughts: The fight with the X-Men & Spider-Man was great. Though it didn't really further the Factor Three subplot, it was still a fun read. I'd say Peter Parker won! Plus, it was good to see Banshee again. But I'm worried more that time may be running out for Professor Xavier!!!

Publication Date: June 1967

Dizzy D

11-29-2007, 09:48 AM

#35: I wonder why Banshee is wearing that control headband again. Is it just because of Xavier's improvements on it? I would expect Xavier to be more sensitive then and give it another shape. Or Banshee just likes the look of it.

Bad Peter Parker, wearing no helmet. You are supposed to be a role model.

Cerebro now reacts to robots as well? I'm not sure about Cyclops explanation.

Overall most of the issue was filler. Spider-Man just was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the spider-robot doesn't help the X-Men figure out where Factor Three is.

worstblogever

11-29-2007, 10:09 AM

X-Men #35

"Along Came a Spider"

Spidey is one of those people like me, that have what I call "Charlie Brown karma". Was it Jean reading Spidey's mind that made them realize he wasn't reponsible, or the big spider robot on the ground that gave it away?

david r

11-29-2007, 08:55 PM

Cerebro now reacts to robots as well? I'm not sure about Cyclops explanation.

This didn't make any sense. The robot was "built by mutants"---so Cerebro picks it up? Yeah right.

david r

11-29-2007, 09:02 PM

X-Men #36

The X-Men need to get to Europe, but they have no money! So what would you do? They head for the Big City. Jean & Warren hit a welfare center; Bobby & Hank do a circus act for donations. This issue was truly "something different."

Scott, Jean and Warren then try to be construction workers, but soon learn they need union cards. So they strike out. How oh how will our mutants get the money? Finally, the villain appears. His name is Mekano! And he wants to destroy the library!! I kid you not. #36's villain wants to destroy the local library! Roy Thomas, you should be ashamed of yourself! :p

Without giving away the ending, the X-Men get a nice big check and now have the funds for their trip to the Continent. #36 ends with their bags packed and headed for the airplane---under the watchful eyes of Factor Three!!

My thoughts: This issue started out okay, but headed south fast. Not a shining moment in the annuls of X-Men!

Schuimend Mormel

11-30-2007, 02:37 AM

This ish was not as bad as 'The Warlock Wakes', but that's not for lack of trying. I'm not going to dwell on the X-Men's attempts to raise money. That plot point seemed contrived and forced.

I have severe difficulty taking the villain seriously. Mekano is a poor man's Cobalt Man, who was a poor man's Iron Man to begin with. His kangaroo-leaps, and his surprise at this, seem ridiculous to me; if his exo-skeleton increases his strength to such a degree, he would have found out while testing the suit and adjusted his movements accordingly. If he hadn't tested it, he would have been flailing his limbs with every move he'd try to make.
The foreshadowing is done with all the subtlety of a rhinoceros: 'I'll show them what I can do! I'll show everybody!' and Scott thinking 'Whew! This guy's got a mad on at the world!' Mekano's powers, background, goals, motivation ('I just wanted Dad to notice me!'), are all very unconvincing. He's defeated after only 8 pages, and he gets away scot-free because his father decides it wasn't his fault. Even though Mekano WAS ready and willing to severely injure people in battle.

And we've another case of Jean sitting the battle out (just like in the previous issue), Cyclops' decision because Mekano 'has the kick of a mule'. Jean has gone up against Magneto, the Juggernaut, the Sentinels, and people armed with guns (she faced the latter in this issue as well). What's so different now?

GOOD things: I find the art of Ross Andru a slight improvement over Werner Roth. I like his faces, although some of the expressions look a bit strange, and he also draws from a lot of different angles, which brings a nice dynamic effect to the action scenes. I'm also glad to see the Beast's superhuman strength is used, and not just his agility. Villains are afraid of his strength and Mekano even calls him 'the strongest X-Man'. It was fun to see that the Beast can take being hit with a chair and just keep going. I also very much liked the final page, as the X-Men think they're taking the fight to Factor Three, but are unaware the villains are still monitoring them...

Dizzy D

11-30-2007, 05:34 PM

#36: Agreed, one of the weaker issues. Mekano has a nice enough look, but he even lacks a decent origin. He just stole the armour (and we don't even know who made it. The university's research center? A guy like Stark or Roberts would have made more sense). Positives: I did like that the X-Men applied for jobs in their superhero identities.

Things I noticed:

- Cyclops telling the others that Beast will call them if he needs help... I guess a good leader trusts the abilities of his people, but this really optimistic when Factor Three has already shown the knowledge and ability to invade your base.

- Cerebro doubles as a brainwashing machine. Is this the first time that Cerebro is more than a detection device?

- I find it hard to believe that Warren has to call his parents for money. Even if they only give him a small allowance every time, he had money enough in previous issues. I think Roy Thomas wanted to emulate Spider-Man's success at down-to-earth heroes who have money problems, but then realised he had a millionaire on the team.

- I also don't think it's in the X-Men's personality to ask for wellfare first (and seriously, how much do they expect to get? Plain tickets to Europe are expensive), before looking for a job. And wouldn't fuel for the X-Men's plane be less expensive than plane tickets?

- For a villain with a mad-on for the world, Mekano is nice enough to offer them a ride.

- Worst day in the life of Iceman: getting cuffed by regular cops. Bad day for Warren as well: making the same mistake twice. The first time at least he had no idea of Mekano's speed.

- Jean has problems keeping Mekano suspended in the air. He can't be any heavier than those I-beams she lifted at the beginning of the issue. I guess, she, like Iceman and Cyclops, can run out of power if she does too much on one day.

david r

11-30-2007, 08:05 PM

@Schuimend Mormel, yes, Jean Grey sat out X-Men #36. Mostly, I've noticed that a lot since she left the School. Was Marvel planning to exit her from the book?

I liked how we learn that Jean's telekinetic powers have improved since #1. Her lifting those I-beams illustrates those "hours & hours of training" are paying off.

@Dizzy D, I never knew Cerebro had the ability to mindwipe. This was a first, and Charles Xavier built it. So he must have been okay with this "mind-wipe" function. (I wonder if he's mindwiped any of the students!)

david r

11-30-2007, 08:10 PM

X-Men #37

1st appearance: the Changeling

At last! The Factor Three story begins!

The X-Men are aboard a jetliner, over Europe. Suddenly, a flying craft sent by Factor Three appears and begins firing at the aircraft. The X-Men decide to leave the plane and all 5 leap out the door, falling to the Earth in a spectacular action sequence! Scott raises his protective glasses and blasts the attacking craft, hitting it's engines. It explodes, but the mutants are still in a desperate free-fall to certain doom!! Scott descends onto Warren's back and begins ripping his suit off, but suddenly, Scott's glasses fly off!! He grabs his eyes and falls into the open air!! Warren quickly removes his jacket and uses his wings to barely snap the straps on his harness--freeing his mutant wings!! Jean & Bobby, hooked together, collide with the others, and all 5 are in a frightening fall, seconds from death. As they approach a snowy mountain, Iceman creates an ice sliding-board and slows down their descent. They all crash into snow on a mountain, somewhere in Europe.

Minutes later, after changing into their X-Men uniforms, they are attacked by more "spider-like machines" (like the one Spider-Man fought in #35.) Suddenly, two hooded figures appear on a hillside, using a horn they order our mutants to surrender and join Factor Three in it's battle against humans. The X-Men flee further into the hills, but fall victim to a white mist---which is actually sleeping gas. They all collapse. Some time later, the team awaken in a large room, trapped inside an invisible force-shield. Now, begins..... the trial of the X-Men!

On tele-screens overlooking our imprisoned mutants, we see the Vanisher, Unus, the Blob and Mastermind. On the other side of the large chamber, we meet the Changeling, who is the prosecutor of the trial. Behind him, cloaked in darkness, is the one known as the Mutant-Master. The Changeling informs them they have betrayed the mutant race, by continually helping humans defeat the evil mutants. Charles Xavier and Banshee are shown on a tele-screen, both trapped inside tubes unconscious, somewhere in this base. Vanisher, Blob, Unus and Mastermind tell of their battles with the X-Men---and how Xavier's five have been traitors to the mutant cause. Mastermind tells us the Stranger's spell (he turned him into stone in #11) wore off. The four evil mutants all pronounce the X-Men--- GUILTY!

Mutant-Master informs them of Factor Three's plans to conquer the world. By using hydrogen bombs and assassinations to send the human race into World War III. (This guy isn't kidding around.) The Original 5 are strapped into the Oblivio-Ray to sap their wills & eventually kill them. But Iceman creates icicles, which Marvel Girl telekinetically hovers over the Oblivio-Ray. The melting icicles eventually short-circuit the machine, and the X-Men are freed! Only to be faced by Mutant-Master again, who says within the hour Factor Three's plans to start WWIII will be begin. And the X-Men are helpless to stop it!!

My thoughts: This issue is MORE LIKE IT! Bloody good read. Especially the X-Men's free-fall from their plane, and the trial. #37 was gripping and had me on the edge of my seat. I'm guessing Mutant-Master is Magneto!!

Publication Date: August 1967

Diablito

11-30-2007, 08:15 PM

I loved the Changeling. One of my only qualms with the early X-Men series is that they invited tons of people to join, and barely any of them actually accepted the offer. So far, only Mimic has joined the X-Men, and he had to force them to anyways.

Schuimend Mormel

12-01-2007, 11:40 AM

I believe that this is the first time an X-Man uses their powers to kill someone (the Factor Three mutant agents in the Magno-disk), and it is Cyclops. It has always been his fear that he would someday kill someone with his optic blasts, yet he rationalises it immediately because the Factor Three agents were willing to kill everyone on the plane.

The scene where the X-Men are falling out of the plane is riveting, well-written and well-drawn; I've some problem with Iceman rescuing everyone by making an ice slide (because it is not supported, the ice slide would still be falling), but it's a superhero comic book, so I'm not complaining.

I'm thrilled to see these old villains again, and the Banshee, for that matter. I must say the Factor Three organisation poses a threat of a whole 'nother league than Magneto's little band of mutants, because they're far greater in numbers and seem to have a technologically more advanced base. Magneto had Asteroid M, but he had to take care of most of the maintenance himself using his magnetic powers. What I AM wondering, is why the Factor Three agents, being mutants, use technology and weapons to incapacitate the X-Men and not their superpowers. It's interesting to see the X-Men basically accused of being race traitors, as they've always attempted to clear the name of mutants with their heroic deeds.

However, for such a well-ogranised group, Factor Three is sloppy when it comes to disabling the X-Men in the Oblivio-Ray. Iceman and Marvel Girl still have access to their powers and break the team free. You'd think Factor Three would have reckoned with that.

(Rectification: I said earlier that Cyclops was using a glove control stud to operate his visor in issue 26; he probably just used his visor control stud. It was contamination caused by knowledge of future stories... :o )

david r

12-01-2007, 02:49 PM

david r

12-01-2007, 02:53 PM

X-Men #38

The X-Men flee Factor Three's base, as Beast senses a bomb...with his feet! ;) The Changeling and Mutant-Master argue a bit. Mutant-Master is one arrogant fellow. The team split-up and search different parts of Europe. Beast, Angel & Marvel Girl find the Iron Curtain base where high officials are to be murdered by Factor Three. (It's nice to see Communists mentioned again.) Angel and Jean Grey break into the communist stronghold, but are accosted by the Blob & Vanisher.

Meanwhile, the Changeling taunts an imprisoned Charles Xavier. Xavier tries to tell Changeling he will be betrayed once Mutant-Master is succesful. Changeling slaps Xavier's face! At that same moment, Cyclops & Iceman are trying to reason with the American brass on a U.S. military base, that their missiles will be launched. The military aren't believing it, so Cyclops & Iceman run wild and begin destroying the missiles themselves.

Angel and Marvel Girl fight Blob & Vanisher. Blob is knocked out by sleeping gas, and the Vanisher...vanishes. Just as communist soldiers barge in and arrest our mutants. Beast, Angel, Jean Grey and Blob are locked in a holding cell. As Mutant-Master's plan continues....

The main story ends there, but #38 debuts a backstory called the X-Men's origins series!! This first one concerns Charles Xavier---and the first day a mutant was attacked. Charles reads it in a newspaper, and decides to take action! He helicopters to Washington D.C., and makes his way into FBI headquarters. The connection between Xavier and Fred Duncan (remember him from X-MEN #2?) is made. Xavier convinces the FBI agents to let him track down and find mutants, instead of the government. Thus, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was born. And America knew all about it!!

Publication Date: September 1967

Schuimend Mormel

12-01-2007, 03:56 PM

Some isolated thoughts on issue 38, as it was a good issue, but it's late at night while I'm typing this:

The tone of the book has changed over the last couple issues. The character development has taken a backseat to the action, and the light-heartedness has gone ever since Prof X was kidnapped. The X-Men miss the support of their mentor, and I miss it too.

No-prize nitpick: Jean says she's improved her levitational powers since she last met the Blob. But when Jean last met the Blob (issue 7), she didn't HAVE her levitational powers yet. When the Blob tries to frame the X-Men in issue 20, Jean's gone to college. At least we can say Jean is using a power the Blob isn't too familiar with, even if Factor Three probably briefed him on it.

I like how, in these early issues, ALL Homo superior have above-average senses, healing, and protection against mind control. A mutant can hear a dog-whistle, and has better resistance to Prof X's telepathy than a normal human. Simply having a genetic quirk that causes a single superpower to manifest is probably a little closer to real-life mutants, but I like how Homo superior actually means physically superior (although not necessarily morally superior, of course) to baseline humans.

The Mutant Master sends (self-destructing) androids with the Vanisher and the Blob instead of mutant agents. That's peculiar.

I'm starting to wonder if the Mutant-Master is Professor Xavier, or a clone.

I've noticed the similarity in this issue, where we find out that the Mutant-Master is immobile, and can only move by using that techno-bowl he keeps hovering in. That's not unlike Xavier, who is confined to a wheelchair and also uses a lot of techno-gadgets.

The issue seemed to stop too early, because I had grown accustomed to 20-page stories. The 'Origins' was nice enough (we learn that Xavier had isolated himself from normal humans until the mutant incidents in America spiked), but it mainly served to set things up and not much happened yet.

worstblogever

12-02-2007, 02:45 AM

#36- So Warren can't afford to fly the X-Men to Europe, and they can't just pawn something from the mansion, and let Xavier buy it back later? Then Jean, Scott, and Warren decide to be construction workers? Which, that isn't exactly a "make money quick" job. That's a one or two week wait for cash. Although, you'd think Scott could offer to weld with his optic blasts, and Jean could use TK to get things done faster. But that's sort of out them to that public that hates and fears them.

#37-
A trial? Why go through the drama of a kangeroo court? Just put a bullet in them, if you're going to find them guilty anyway. For all the scary, intimidation that Factor Three started out with, they're as smart as your average James Bond villain.

#38- I find it odd that Banshee doesn't get to do anything to help during their escape. And even funnier that the Vanisher does what you'd expect to help Blob out in a fight... vanish. Did the Vanisher ever use his powers to attack someone back then? Nice display of power by Scott and Bobby to stop the nukes, though.

Schuimend Mormel

12-02-2007, 03:09 AM

Nice display of power by Scott and Bobby to stop the nukes, though.

They used their powers to try and destroy NUCLEAR missiles. That's quite a brash and unthinking move for a pair of superheroes. Especially seeing how there's army personnel all over the place that will be gunning for them. Defusing them would have been safer; there's a risk of Cyclops and Iceman causing a nuclear holocaust in America all by themselves, isn't there?

worstblogever

12-02-2007, 03:51 AM

They used their powers to try and destroy NUCLEAR missiles. That's quite a brash and unthinking move for a pair of superheroes. Especially seeing how there's army personnel all over the place that will be gunning for them. Defusing them would have been safer; there's a risk of Cyclops and Iceman causing a nuclear holocaust in America all by themselves, isn't there?

Okay, let me rephrase that. Scott wasn't thinking too clearly. Bobby, though, if he had frozen the nukes in place so they couldn't be used until thawed, therefore buying more time? THAT would've been smart. But yeah, blowing up a nuclear warhead all willy-nilly probably wasn't the best move by Slim.

david r

12-02-2007, 08:24 AM

Some random thoughts on X-Men so far...

1) I agree the Vanisher's power is rather useless in a battle. All he does is.....vanish. (Actually, his power reminds me a certain blue elf!!) :)

2) We really don't hear much about bridging "humans and mutants together" in these early issues. Charles Xavier repeatedly says the X-Men's goal is to battle "evil mutants". Other than Charles' television speech in #14, he doesn't talk much about bringing flatscans and muties together so far.

3) Magneto appeared A LOT in the first 20 issues. He hasn't been seen since. His absence actually enhances his villainy, IMO. He already feels like their main adversary.

4) Scott and Jean's secret passion for one another has gone on a LONG TIME!! I knew the 1950s were sexually repressive, but the 1960s was the time of "free love". How long before Scott gets the guts to ask her out??

5) My liking of Angel has increased while reading this series. I assumed he being the "rich kid", Warren would be portrayed as pampered and spoiled. But that hasn't been the characterization. Other than driving his mustang a bit wild, he seems mature enough. But, I never knew he had feelings for Jean Grey. The short rivalry between Scott was a nice touch.

6) Iceman is easily the most immature member. But even he isn't written badly, and I liked his moment to shine fighting Magneto alone in #18. Hank P. McCoy is the only one who I haven't always liked. Beast comes across sometimes as arrogant and all-knowing. To my surprise, my feelings for him have diminished a smudgeon while reading this.

7) I've grown the most interested in Charles Xavier while reading these early issues. I find myself wanting to learn more about this man, and the mysteries of his life. I feel there is a lot we don't know about him. Xavier has softened in Roy Thomas' run; he's not as harsh or demanding as he was in the earliest issues.

8) I'd heard bad things about these classic issues. But other than a few mediocre stories, I'm enjoying it quite a lot. It's nowhere near as bad as I'd been lead to believe. The dialogue can be old-fashioned and silly, but it's fascinating to see how the X-Men's tale evolved and grew.

Perry Holley

12-02-2007, 11:08 AM

You sir are going to go insaneI fear I'm going to have to second this.

I did something that was somewhat similar back in the late 80's. I had a couple of weeks off from college, and for some damned reason I made the decision to re-read my entire collection of Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants, X-Factor, Alpha Flight, and any other comics that tied in with the various mutant stories. I would do this all in a mere two weeks... and I would read them all in order of story-continuity.

Anyone who is familiar with the Flaming Carrot's origin can guess how well that turned out. :eek:

david r

12-02-2007, 12:52 PM

I don't think reading one issue a day will be so difficult. It's not like we're doing "Superman from the Beginning!!" :)

david r

12-02-2007, 07:18 PM

X-Men #39

This issue promises NEW COSTUMES! NEW THRILLS! The cover is the most gorgeous one yet. A black background, with the X-Men in action-mode, all in their new costumes.

#39 also has the fateful finale to the Factor Three arc. I was a bit disappointed that the Mutant-Master turns out to be an alien, from the planet Sirius. It is here to destroy both humans & mutants in nuclear war. I was expecting a better "surprise" villain than this. Also, the Changeling turns into a duplicate of Charles Xavier---but it's never really explained WHY he does this.

In the end, the X-Men and the evil mutants (Blob, Unus, Mastermind and Vanisher) team-up to destroy Mutant-Master's forces and defeat the main antagonist. They then part ways, still enemies. The main story ends back at the School, as Jean Grey unveils new costumes she has made for the team. Each have their own unique style & design. I like Cyclops' the best, as it's nearly all dark blue, and Jean sports her new green uniform. All have large "X" belt-buckles.

X-Men Origins Series: This back-up is Cyclops' past, as we learn Scott Summers has been staying at the Sunset Orphanage, but has run loose in New York. He angers a mob in the city when his optic blasts go wild for the very first time. Poor Scott flees to a train, where he eventually is attacked by bums, looking for money. In the end, Scott senses someone beckoning him to a secluded cabin in the woods------he enters it to find a mystery man.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the Factor Three arc, except for this final act. The reveal of an alien was pretty disappointing. I am enjoying the Origins back-stories so far, as it's filling in the history of our mutants.

Publication Date: October 1967

worstblogever

12-02-2007, 07:28 PM

X-Men #39

#39 also has the fateful finale to the Factor Three arc. I was a bit disappointed that the Mutant-Master turns out to be an alien, from the planet Sirius. It is here to destroy both humans & mutants in nuclear war. I was expecting a better "surprise" villain than this. Also, the Changeling turns into a duplicate of Charles Xavier---but it's never really explained WHY he does this.

In the end, the X-Men and the evil mutants (Blob, Unus, Mastermind and Vanisher) team-up to destroy Mutant-Master's forces and defeat the main antagonist. They then part ways, still enemies. The main story ends back at the School, as Jean Grey unveils new costumes she has made for the team. Each have their own unique style & design. I like Cyclops' the best, as it's nearly all dark blue, and Jean sports her new green uniform. All have large "X" belt-buckles.

X-Men Origins Series: This back-up is Cyclops' past, as we learn Scott Summers has been staying at the Sunset Orphanage, but has run loose in New York. He angers a mob in the city when his optic blasts go wild for the very first time. Poor Scott flees to a train, where he eventually is attacked by bums, looking for money. In the end, Scott senses someone beckoning him to a secluded cabin in the woods------he enters it to find a mystery man.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the Factor Three arc, except for this final act. The reveal of an alien was pretty disappointing. I am enjoying the Origins back-stories so far, as it's filling in the history of our mutants.

Publication Date: October 1967

I just want to know how Xavier goes from letting Changeling go from slapping him in the face, to watching over the kids.

Oh yeah, and how jaded is Jean that she can say, "Well, we just defeated an alien intent on messing with the Earth. But guess what, boys! I got us ginchy new outfits!" If I was an original X-Man, that would've been the point I got over my crush on her.

Origin Story... Scott Summers obviously never had the bad touch talk with Corsair. Being beckoned to a cabin by a stranger... tsk, tsk.

david r

12-03-2007, 08:32 PM

X-Men #40

The X-Men meet Frankenstein! Nuff Said!

Yes, the mutants meet the Frankenstein Monster! Well, sort of. I won't give away the ending to this forgotten issue, except aliens figure into the plot again. But the creature in question resembles Boris Karloff's best known movie role.

A lot of the ongoing subplots haven't been mentioned in awhile; Jean Grey at Metro College; her relationship with Ted Roberts; Warren & Scott's affection for Jean, etc. What gives?

The Origin of Cyclops continues as well: young Scott has escaped from the orphanage, and comes upon a drifter in a secluded cabin who may be the First Evil Mutant! He goes by the name Jack O' Diamonds! His hands are made of diamonds,and he has mental powers. Charles Xavier and Scott meet for the first time, but Jack O' Diamonds is on the verge of killing our Professor. Oh no!

Publication Date: November 1967

worstblogever

12-04-2007, 01:44 AM

X-Men vs. Frankenstein Monster?

Man, would that have been over fast if they had Rusty Collins or Sunfire already.

Dizzy D

12-04-2007, 05:24 PM

X-men #40 (40 already? How time flies.)

First two things:
I know the costumes got introduced last issue, but I wasn't around then, so my opinions in short: Cyclops and Marvel Girl are improvements over their previous costumes... though Marvel Girl's skirt may give problems in a fight. Iceman really isn't that different. I'm not liking Beast's costume (and Jean's joke about knitting him a fur costume instead last issue changes completely when you know what will happen in a few years time). Angel's costume is the worst of the lot.

2nd: I dislike the use of classical monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein in superhero books. They always require some changing on the classical characters part to make them fit in a universe that is so very different in tone and themes from their own.

On to the issue at hand:
- There must be a better way for Xavier to summon his students than "I want you." Or it is the slashfic-phobia in me.

- Jean being secretive on the experiments she and the Professor have been performing. I wonder if there will be a follow-up on that.

- I like Xavier chastising Iceman for not having read the novel even though Xavier had it as an assignment, because it shows that Xavier was teaching and not only training them as superheroes.

- The Monster is an android? Weirdly enough I have no problem with this. Mostly because android in early Marvel could mean a lot of things (hello, Human Torch).

- Angel is pretty snarky with the Prof. Not like the usual him.

- The scientist is trying to examine the frozen monster by "lowering" the temperature? Methinks that's a typo. Nope, the other scientist also says "lower".

- The Monster is incredibly strong, even Cyclops' blast isn't slowing him down. And the Monster has his own optic blasts. Waitaminute, Frankenstein's monster has optic blasts? See my point no2.

- Xavier uses his mental powers to keep the crew of the ship frozen while the X-Men search the ship. Still, it's nice that they asked the Captain for permission first.

- The Monster's feet are magnetic. Eh... yes.

- Frankenstein's monster was not created by Frankenstein. It was created by aliens as an interstellar ambassador. ...

*blinks*

....

Oh for god's sake. Why even include Frankenstein's monster in the story when you change everything about him? Overall not an issue I liked. I guess some downtime was to be expected after the whole Factor Three story, but this - while not Warlock-bad - is pretty pointless.

Over to the backup story:

- Pet-peeves time: Jack O' Diamonds sure has a lot of unrelated powers.

- Yay, one of Xavier's inventions: Cyberno, a prototype to Cerebro. (OK, the main story also had one of Xavier's devices, but it was just training equipment.)

I'm liking the backup story so far.

david r

12-04-2007, 08:25 PM

X-Men #41

Beware...Grotesk!! This issue's villain is named Grotesk. Nuff said. I won't go into his origins, I felt I'd lost an IQ point or two after reading it.

The real important aspect of #41 is the mysterious behavior of Professor Charles Xavier. Something is up with him. And only Jean Grey knows what it is. They're spending lots of private time together, to the point that Scott wonders here if Xavier is in love with her!! Plus, Professor X is back to his stern, demanding ways, giving out two demerits to Hank & Bobby. Ouch!

The title to the next issue has me WORRIED!! :eek:

X-Men Origins Series: This continues as young Scott Summers inadvertintly helps Jack O' Diamonds take out Professor Xavier and break into a nuclear facility. Jack succesfully turns his whole body to diamond. Xavier contacts Scott and brings the mutant on to his side. Like Dizzy D, I'm enjoying this back-up more than the main story.

Publication Date: December 1967

Schuimend Mormel

12-05-2007, 11:55 AM

Beware...Grotesk!! This issue's villain is named Grotesk. Nuff said. I won't go into his origins, I felt I'd lost an IQ point or two after reading it.

There were some things that were hard to swallow about Grotesk's origins (such as volcanoes being born from the wars of his people, and the very existence of that many subterranean races in the first place), but I find Grotesk a very tragic villain. For all the silliness, he started out as a prince who loved his people, his family, his princess... And then a nuclear weapons test wipes out his entire race, and leaves him a mutated monster. I find myself sympathising with him just a little, even though he goes around seeking revenge while frothing at the mouth. I've also noticed that this story's theme points a big fat finger at what damage nuclear weapons could cause to innocent people (like at the end of WWII).

I agree, though, that I'm also intrigued to see the Professor act more stern than ever, and the noticeable tension this creates between him and the X-Men.

About the back-up story, it's fun to see Cyclops in the role of reluctant flunky of a super-villain as opposed to the determined and noble leader we all know. Please note that Scott Summers' nemesis in this story is called Jack Winters. Jack o' Diamonds got his powers from a lab explosion which would imply he is a non-mutant, like the Mimic. Real mutants are born with a quirk in their genes, and don't have the mutation thrust upon them. And that kind of makes Jack o' Diamonds and Grotesk parallel villains, both being mutates, although they differ a lot.

david r

12-06-2007, 08:41 PM

There were some things that were hard to swallow about Grotesk's origins (such as volcanoes being born from the wars of his people, and the very existence of that many subterranean races in the first place), but I find Grotesk a very tragic villain. For all the silliness, he started out as a prince who loved his people, his family, his princess... And then a nuclear weapons test wipes out his entire race, and leaves him a mutated monster. I find myself sympathising with him just a little, even though he goes around seeking revenge while frothing at the mouth. I've also noticed that this story's theme points a big fat finger at what damage nuclear weapons could cause to innocent people (like at the end of WWII).

You make some interesting points. I didn't find Grotesk very appealing, but in a way, he is a tragic figure. (I thought the volcano idea was inspired, a little.)

I agree, though, that I'm also intrigued to see the Professor act more stern than ever, and the noticeable tension this creates between him and the X-Men.

My favorite parts of #41 and 42 have been the conflict going on between the X-Men/Jean & the Professor. There is something wrong with our Professor.

Jack o' Diamonds got his powers from a lab explosion which would imply he is a non-mutant, like the Mimic. Real mutants are born with a quirk in their genes, and don't have the mutation thrust upon them. And that kind of makes Jack o' Diamonds and Grotesk parallel villains, both being mutates, although they differ a lot.

Very clever, noticing the Summers connection to Winters. I hadn't noticed that. Is Jack O' Diamonds that character from the old Nova series?

david r

12-06-2007, 08:45 PM

X-Men #42

"If I Should Die..."

The Death of Professor X! The cover proclaims, with a shot of Charles Xavier falling from his wheelchair. As the X-Men's heads look-on in shock!

The issue begins with Charles Xavier and Jean Grey hiding something. Angel and Iceman demand to know what is going on. And why Jean won't come to help the X-Men in their battle with Grotesk. Xavier orders Jean to keep Warren & Bobby in the den...putting poor Jean Grey in a rather awkward situation. Never before has so much inner-conflict occured in the X-Men's ranks before. After a failed attempt to stop Grotesk, Cyclops and Beast return to the Mansion to find the conflict happening within the X-Men. Scott orders Jean to stand aside, so Scott may see the Professor. Jean says no and levitates Scott into the air, to hold him.

Grotesk has gone off to the machine that will cause earthquakes across the Earth and destroy the human race. Professor Xavier is already there wearing his mechanized legs, and attempts to stop Grotesk. The beast brutely tosses Xavier aside, and turns on the infernal machine. The X-Men arrive and begin battling Grotesk. But the machine is already in operation!! Xavier approaches the device to try to stop it---just as Grotesk brushes him aside and wrecks the machine, trying to give it full power. The machine explodes!!! Xavier is battered by the explosion.

In the debris, Angel finds the body of Charles Xavier. Xavier is alive, but barely. He was too close to the explosion. Xavier divulges the secret he and Jean have been hiding. Charles has been dying of an illness he could not cure. His final words are "But, we stopped Grotesk! He didn't destroy the Earth! We...won! We..." Warren whispers "He's.....gone." Warren stands holding the dead body of Charles Xavier. While the whole team stand in shock, tears and disbelief!!

X-Men Origins Series: After the climactic main-story, this back-up was a bit anticlimactic. A young Scott Summers and Professor Xavier are succesful in stopping Jack O' Diamonds. Charles then invites Scott to his mansion and to become the nucleus of a group Charles plans to form called---- the X-Men! Scott agrees and puts on his Cyclops uniform for the first time.

Publication Date: January 1968

worstblogever

12-07-2007, 11:50 AM

david r

12-07-2007, 08:32 PM

Yes, but has Hank McCoy matured enough into the scientific genius we know now? He's still a teenager here.

X-Men #43

"The Torch is Passed"

Magneto Returns! Magneto takes advantage of Charles Xavier's death, to plot anew against the world! We haven't seen the Master of Magnetism since #18!!

#43 begins with the rain-drizzled funeral of Charles Xavier. Yup, the Professor is gone. The whole team are shaken up, and dazed at the loss of their leader. They return to the Mansion to view a video made by Charles, telling them of his disease, which he learned over the last few weeks. Nothing could save him. Plus, he has "transferred" some of his telepathy to Jean Grey. So this issue is when Jean Grey gains telepathy.

Charles warns them of Magneto's possible return. He ends with it, "And now, farewell, my X-Men. The torch has been passed...and I know you shall be worthy of it!" Meanwhile, on an island in the Atlantic, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants have reformed. Toad, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch are back, and under Magneto's control. But his plans go awry as the X-Men locate his island hideaway, and take the battle to him!!! The battle is short, but awesome!! It ends with Magneto lighting the floor with electricity--electrocuting the whole team!! Magneto stands---victorious!!

X-Men Origins Series: This part illustrates Cyclops' awe-inspiring mutant powers--his optic blasts. We learn Scott's eye-beam power comes from the rays of the sun. He has buttons in his hands to ignite his optic blasts, if he's unable to touch his visor in battle. I read this and wondered if all these brief glimpses of battle are from any actual stories.

My thoughts: Xavier's death, followed by Magneto's return, have turned this series into a blast! I'm still a little shaken up over Charles' untimely demise. Can the X-Men go on without him??

Publication Date: February 1968

Dizzy D

12-08-2007, 03:31 AM

41- Paranoia sets in as Scott's convinced everyone's muscling in on his girl. Isn't it funny that jealous times are the likely ones to commit adultery, because they're looking for the ugly truth in others they see in themselves?

And Grotesk's people making all volcanoes? That's a load. I'm thinking that's the equivalent of a Greek myth amongst his people.

42-Okay, so he's dying of a bizarre disease... and he wants JEAN to help him cure it? I think he just wanted the sponge baths. Because if you want a team member who's smart enough to cure disease, Hank McCoy's right there, Chuck.

So far Hank has been shown as an intellectual, yes, but not as the super-genius he would become later. So far he has shown some technological tinkering (and most of that following Xavier's notes) and knowledge of art and literature.
And as david mentions issue #43 reveals why Chuck needed Jean around: it wasn't for the cure (he had given up on that), it was to develop her telepathic powers.

david r

12-08-2007, 07:14 AM

1) I'm not exactly sure how Charles Xavier could "transfer" his telepathic powers to Jean Grey. How would that work?

And why only tell Jean about his illness? Xavier must feel she is the most mature, but it was a little heartless to the male members.

2) It's hard to believe Grotesk is the villain who killed Charles Xavier.

3) Magneto has returned. And has not mellowed. I wonder if we'll ever know how he escaped the Stranger. And how did the Toad make it back to Earth from the alien world???

4) The evolution of Iceman has been fascinating to read. First, his body was a bunch of snowballs, with no discernible face (see #1's cover.) Then after a few issues, an indistinct face appeared. And by #40, Bobby Drake's ice form has a very human face....even eye brows. Was Bobby still mutating?

Schuimend Mormel

12-08-2007, 10:21 AM

3) Magneto has returned. And has not mellowed. I wonder if we'll ever know how he escaped the Stranger. And how did the Toad make it back to Earth from the alien world???

This was explained in issue 47 of 'The Avengers', several months earlier. When the Stranger returned Magneto to that museum planet, he exiled Magneto AND the Toad to an asteroid. Dane Whitman was using a device to contact alien life forms, and reached the asteroid prison instead. Magneto was able to return to Earth with the Toad. I haven't read the issue, but I looked it up in a list of summaries on an X-Men site.

Magneto truly is a manipulative individual. It's even more apparent now than it was earlier. True, he's always said that his henchmen were expendable, but now it's gotten far worse. He made a bullet graze Wanda's head and blames it on the humans, to assure himself of her and Pietro's allegiance. And he makes the Toad wear a metal belt so that he can punish him.

david r

12-08-2007, 05:41 PM

@Schuimend Mormel, thanks for the info on Magneto & the Toad. I never would have found out the resolution to that story. :)

X-Men #44

This issue focuses on Angel, as Magneto and the Brotherhood hold the X-Men prisoner. Quicksilver talks Mags out of killing them. The team are placed in individual cells, made to contain their awesome mutant power. Mysteriously, Warren spies a "flashlight-type" device near his cell, and uses it as a laser to cut his bars. Warren frees himself, and Cyclops orders him to fly to New York and locate the Avengers.

The rest of the main story shows Angel flying across the Atlantic Ocean, only to succumb to a storm and land on an island. Therein, he meets a man named Red Raven, who is part bird with flying wings. We learn Red Raven's origins and his tragic fate. His people want to conquer Earth, so Red Raven sacrifices himself to stop them, sinking the island to the ocean depths. Angel escapes with his life, and continues his journey to New York.

X-Men Origins Series: The Iceman Cometh. This installment focuses on the youngest member of our mutant band, Bobby Drake. Bobby is on a date when he is attacked by juvenile delinquents (hey, it's 1963! They still use that term!!) He uses his freezing powers, and soon the whole small town know he is a "freak". An angry mob storm poor Bobby's house, sending his parents into a frightened uproar. Bobby uses his mutant powers against the mob, but to no avail. He is captured and sent to the town jail. We learn Scott & Professor Xavier learn of this incident, and Cyclops is dispatched to find this new mutant.

My thoughts: The Red Raven story was uneventful. Felt like filler. Why didn't they just continue the main Magneto story? I hope how Warren was able to escape (with that laser device) is explained. Still, I'm liking Magneto's evil return!!

Publication Date: March 1968

worstblogever

12-08-2007, 09:02 PM

[B]43:[B] Wait, did Cyclops send Warren for help because he wanted alone time with Jean? JK. Yeah, I wonder if they had a plan for Red Raven, because it was odd to give him a whole origin story, as he tells it to Warren, and then have no follow up.

david r

12-09-2007, 09:54 AM

[B]43:[B] Yeah, I wonder if they had a plan for Red Raven, because it was odd to give him a whole origin story, as he tells it to Warren, and then have no follow up.

Red Raven, his whole origin felt like build-up to something more. Perhaps Marvel planned a series for him? Whatever happened to him?

I'll always wonder...

david r

12-09-2007, 10:01 AM

X-Men #45

The senses-shattering Cyclops stars in this issue. But first I'd like to mention the credits box, which reads... "Roll up for the Magical Mutantia Tour, Marvelites!" Marvel seemed to be fans of the Beatles. In fact, Magical Mystery Tour had just been released a few months before #45. I always enjoy the humorous things Stan Lee writes in these boxes. And his silly comments in the boxes like "Sensitive Stan" or "uncertain Stan". I miss those.

As for #45, our own Cyclops smashes out of his cell using his optic blasts, and runs around Magneto's fortress, searching out the other imprisoned X-Men. Scott comes across Quicksilver, and a battle ensues!! Lightning fast speed versus mighty optic blasts!! At one point, Pietro tries to bring Scott to Magneto's side. Saying "He proposes to set up a sanctuary...a separate COUNTRY for mutants!" I am thinking maybe on an island off of Africa............???? :p

Quicksilver is unable to change Scott's mind, as Cyclops says he could NEVER work for Magneto. So the fisticuffs continue! While Mags, Toad and Scarlet Witch look on, Cyclops blasts Quicksilver and knocks him unconscious. Scott then hears a strange voice & turns around to see Black Panther, Goliath, Wasp and Hawkeye standing outside a window. The Avengers Have Arrived!!!

X-Men Origins Series: Iceman's origin continues, as Cyclops (on his first mission) attempts to break young Bobby Drake out of jail. But Bobby doesn't wish to go with this weirdo guy with bizarre visor over his eyes.....so the two upstarts start a'fighting!! It's the first X-Man vs. X-Man story right here!!! The sheriff's posse (who look like middle-aged men out for a fishing trip) chase them with rifles a'blasting! Finally, Scott & Bobby punch each other into semi-consciousness, as the maddened posse arrive, ready to blast them. NOT GOOD!!

Publication Date: April 1968

Dizzy D

12-09-2007, 04:21 PM

Red Raven, his whole origin felt like build-up to something more. Perhaps Marvel planned a series for him? Whatever happened to him?

I'll always wonder...

He used to have his own series... well, series... he had one comic back in the 40s. I think this was meant as a send-off to a Golden Age Marvel hero. Funny, that they used Angel for this story, a hero who not only resembles the Red Raven (both winged heroes), but also uses the name of another Golden Age hero.

Anyway back to the issue:
Quicksilver convinces Magneto to spare the X-Men and Magneto agrees, thinking that maybe the X-Men will join him now. Eh, hope springs eternal I guess.

Magneto's devices to imprison the X-Men. Let's just say that the Toad is easily impressed. Marvel Girl's and Iceman's prisons did require quite a bit of technical genius on his side, true, but the others are really not that impressive. Then again, Toad is a sycophant, even when nobody is around.

The device carelessly dropped near Angel's cage happens to be a disintegrator... Either Magneto is very careless or one of his Brotherhood is a double agent. Or Cyclops could be right: it's a trap. Then again, Scotty dear, you are ALREADY trapped.

Quicksilver can fly, but only for short distances. Makes sense with his powers actually. Though I wouldn't describe it as flying, it seems more like he's launching himself in the air.

Next page: Angel decides to head for the Avengers for help. He sure is proud of himself. I wonder when he realized he came up with this plan because Cyclops ordered him to ask the Avengers for help two pages ago.

Coincidences are a staple of comics, so I won't comment on them. Nick Fury apparently informed the X-Men of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s missions against HYDRA.. or Xavier had his influence there as well.

For somebody called Red Raven, his wings seem more batlike. Or it could be just me.

Red Raven is rather sensible though. Once he feels outmatched by the Angel, he choses to negotiate and he tries to convince his people of not attacking the Earthlings who vastly outnumber them. Overall, the Bird-people remind me of Namor's Atlanteans.

Iceman's origin so far is not very interesting.

Dizzy D

12-09-2007, 04:39 PM

X-Men #45

Like I said last issue: the way Magneto imprisons Cyclops doesn't impress me and Cyclops manages to free himself rather easily. (Warren still is one up on him in the dumb luck department as Scott didn't have any convenient devices to help him out.) I remain unclear whether Cyclops optic blasts are constantly erupting from his eyes or not. He claims now that he hasn't used them for hours and that the built-up energy is enough to open his visor... which kinda negates the whole point of the visor.

Jean is unconscious, so Cyclops leaves her behind... their relationship is doomed from the start.

I like Cyclops slowing down the closing doors with his optic blast so he can slip through. Pretty clever.

The Magnascreen. Move over Batman, Magneto can name his inventions after him just as well. (Not that Xavier was any better with his X-jet, X-copter, X-men etc.)

hugekent

12-09-2007, 09:47 PM

Loving this stuff, wish I could do it myself. It's gonna be a bit of an effort for you guys when the different X-Men titles come out. Not that there's a time limit on this...

david r

12-09-2007, 09:48 PM

Quicksilver can fly, but only for short distances. Makes sense with his powers actually. Though I wouldn't describe it as flying, it seems more like he's launching himself in the air.

I wondered this too. Can Quicksilver fly?? I think he just picks up so much speed that his "speed force" can carry him across the air for a short distance, thus appearing that he is "flying".

I wouldn't mind a Quicksilver series, to be honest. DC has their speedster, so why can't Marvel give their own speedster an ongoing??

david r

12-09-2007, 09:51 PM

Loving this stuff, wish I could do it myself. It's gonna be a bit of an effort for you guys when the different X-Men titles come out. Not that there's a time limit on this...

Glad you're enjoying our summaries and reviews. If I may ask, why can't you read along yourself?

worstblogever

12-10-2007, 12:59 AM

X-Men #45

Actually, the country Quicksilver might be referring to shows up sooner than a certain South Indian Ocean island. Think further south. Much further south (and not in a naughty way).

I'm still trying to figure out why Cyclops had Angel to bust out of their cells last issue and then go for help... when he just blasts his way out on his own. Why didn't he do that last issue, and go with Warren?

Your only logical answer? Get Warren out of the picture, then show off in front of Jean, even rescuing her from her cell. Summers, you dirty dawg you...

worstblogever

12-10-2007, 01:03 AM

I wondered this too. Can Quicksilver fly?? I think he just picks up so much speed that his "speed force" can carry him across the air for a short distance, thus appearing that he is "flying".

I wouldn't mind a Quicksilver series, to be honest. DC has their speedster, so why can't Marvel give their own speedster an ongoing??

They did in the mid to late 90s. It was a mixed bag... it had an awesome story where the Acolytes were hunting Quicksilver for his betrayal of his dad during Fatal Attractions, and the fact that his daughter, Luna was an ordinary human had some of them looking to kill the kid. That was good.

Bad was the fact that Quicksilver's crashpad became Wundagore mountain, home of the High Evolutionary, and he was hanging out with the Ani-Men, as opposed to anyone else. Readers wanted Avengers supporting cast, or at least the Inhumans, and they got a squad of Dr. Moreau and his Fightin' Furries. It lasted, I think, 13 or 14 issues.