Kevin's Random Thoughts
Non X-Men bloggg entry...
I havn't done any X-Men reviews in a while. I was hammering them out when I was at home sick with the flu. This past week I've just been really tired. I havn't been going to bed earlier, mind you (if anything, later), but I just havn't felt like reading. They'll return soon enough, but at a slower pace.
So apparently some of my friends enjoy reading about my misery at work or with women. Well isn't that nice to know. Maybe I should cut my hands off and write a book about it for their personal enjoyment. Ya like that, do ya? You sick freak!
The X-Men reviews will be back soon. Starting with a review of X-Men Annual #3 (1979) and then continuing the story of Proteus. Check back soon!
PS Fuck fat Tubb!
X-Men #126 (Oct 79): How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth...!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Havok, Polaris, Multiple Man
Synopsis: The X-Men are flying to Muir Island at top speed. Cyclops briefs to search forever scared Polaris by the book. Colossus dives into the lab. Storm flies Wolverine to check outside. Nightcrawler teleports into the house. Cyclops and Banshee land the Blackbird and follow. Inside the house, they find the decomposed body of Angus MacWhirter. They also find an unconscious Polaris. Cyclops orders Nightcrawler to teleport to the lab and he follows on foot. Inside, Nightcrawler is nearly blasted by Havok who belives Nightcrawler should still be dead. An alive Colossus helps him change him mind. Elsewhere in the lab, Cyclops and Storm run into Moira, who is also overjoyed to see them alive. Cyclops goes looking for Pheonix. He finds her unconscious and tries to revive her. As she awakes, she calls him Jason. Once everyone is gathered, Multiple Man explains when they split up to find Mutant X, he created a pack of duplicates. One of his duplicates was attacked and killed by something. Cyclops asks Moira who Mutant X is, and she reluctantly reveals it is her son, and he has two weaknesses: a constant need for host bodies, and metal. In Stornoway, Mutant X in one of Multiple Man's duplicates tries to take over the body of Jason Wyngarde, but is amazed to find he has a psychic shield around him that makes it impossible. Instead he takes over the body of a local drunk. The next day, Cyclops splits everyone up into teams to search all of Scotland if need be. Pheonix, going solo, is being watched by Jason Wyngarde. She's suddenly mentally transported again to the 18th century. She's on a horseback deer hunt with Wyngarde and some others. But instead of an actual dear, they're hunting a man in a deer costume. Pheonix is about to kill the man, but is suddenly snapped back to find the decomposed body of the drunk Mutant X took the body of. Meanwhile, Wolverine is using his senses to track Mutant X with Nightcrawler. They run into a cop and Wolverine realises it's Mutant X. Mutant X tries to take over Wolverine's body, but it hurt by the metal on his bones. Before Wolverine and Nightcrawler can attack, Mutant X declares his name to be Proteus and warps reality around them. It especially drives Wolverine crazy since all of his sense are equally sensitive and it's not just his vision that is messed up. The two are saved by Storm. She zaps the police care and the explosion causes Proteus a lot of pain. She warps reality to ground her, then tries to take over her body. Storm creates a powerful wind to blow him away, but it doesn't work.
Yeah, but is it good? This is some wicked stuff. Proteus is such a different villain. It's hard for words and especially pictures to truely describe what his power would truely be. All aspects of reality - warped, the only limit being his imagination. The line that puts it best: "Nightcrawler does his best to reassure his friend... unaware that - thanks to Proteus - Wolverine perceives his words as drops of orange rain". Wolverine getting fucked up more than everyone else is pretty cool too. The badass X-Men is reduced to a child moreso than everyone else. It's some humble pie that's long over due.
Significata: Mutant X renames himself Proteus. Wolverine's bones are reveals to be covered in adamantium for the first time. The entire Muir Island crew finds out the rest of the X-Men are alive. Jason Wyngarde is revealed to have a psychic shielding around him. He continues to force Pheonix into mental time travel.
X-Men #125 (Sep 79): There's Something Aweful on Muir Island!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Polaris, Havok , Multiple Man, Beast
Synopsis: Moira MacTaggert is running tests on Pheonix. Moira is scared by the levels of power she sees. Pheonix reveals she's no longer having burn outs like she used to. Angus MacWhirter appears to be watching them and hungering. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the X-Men are trainining in the danger room. They arn't doing so well. Cyclops rides them on it. Wolverine flips out because it's all a game and he's sick of jumping though hoops and then takes off. Cyclops has doubts the new X-Men will ever mesh like the old team. Meanwhile, on Asteroid M, a beat up Magneto is watching tapes of his battles with the X-Men. A tape of his X-Wife (get it?) appears. He erases it. Meanwhile, in Stornoway, Scotland, Jason Wyngarde thinks over his plane for Pheonix. He reveals he's been following her since she originally left the states and showed up in the guise of friendly strangers and soon he'll make her fall in love with him. And then she'll belong to the Hellfire Club. Meanwhile, at Moira's house, Pheonix is showing off her powers to Polaris. She's using her advanced telekinetic power to change the molecular structure of her clothes to make them into anything she wants. Moira theorises Pheonix has some sort mental circuit breaker to prevent a power overload, but her ability is slowing growing to the point where she could be a living god. Meanwhile, in space, Xavier feels like an idiot among the Shi'ar. He studies their knowledge of the Pheonix force. He realises the force is much too powerful for Pheonix' mortal body to contain. Back on Muir Island, Moira discovers a gold tooth in front of Mutant X' cell. She checks, and he's escaped. Pheonix senses Moira's panic, and takes off in her direction. As she's on her way, she suddenly transporter back into the 18th century, wearing an elegant dress. Her senses tell her it's all real. Then she's snapped back to the real world, as she's attacked by Angus MacWhirter. When she looks at him, she screams. It alerts Havok and Multiple Man. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Beast is checking on what he thought was the deserted mansion. Nightcawler sneaks up the intruder and tackles him. Both men thought the other was dead and they freak out. Nightcrawler teleports to the danger room to tell the others. Cyclops rushes out and is shocked to see his old friend. She's even more shocked to find out Pheonix is still alive. Beast has to leave, but Cyclops calls Muir Island to let them know the X-Men are still alive. Polaris answers the phone, but before she can get over the X-Men being alive, she seems something that horrifies her and screams.
Yeah, but is it good? Normally between two big action issues we get a character building issue. This is sort of like that. But instead of developing a character it more explains the dangers of the Pheonix power. It's also a lot like a horror movie. Everyone keeps seeing a myserious figure that looks like Angus MacWhirter and screams. But Mutant X also appears to have escaped. Curiouser and curiouser. And the Jason Wyngarde stuff starts here. This is leading to the all time great stuff.
Significata: The Pheonix power is revealed to be too much for a mortal body. It concerns Xavier enough for him to return to Earth. The two sides of the team discover the other is still alive (except Xavier). Jason Wyngarde reveals his plan to make Pheonix love him and join the Hellfire Club. The Hellfire Club is mentioned for the first time. Pheonix is mentally transported back to the 18th century for the first time. Mutant X is revealed to be escaped. Cyclops finally gives up on expecting the new team to be like old team. Wolverine fights with him over making the X-Men train like children.
X-Men #124 (Aug 79): He Only Laughs When I Hurt!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Colleen Wing
Synopsis: Arcade is laughing at the X-Men while watching them in their private Hells on his video screen. Arcade then explains his origins to his captives, Colleen Wing, Amanda, and Betsey. He was a spoiled kid who killed his father after his father cut off his allowance. He became a killer for hire. He started building elaborate death traps to entertain himself. His first kill for hire was Captain Britain, but Spider-Man ended up coming along as well and they escaped him. Then Black Tom and Juggernaut hired him to kill the X-Men. Meanwhile, Cyclops and Wolverine and fighting off a brainwashed Colossus. Colossus accidentally knocks each through seperate hidden doors. He then goes looking for them in the giant maze. Storm continues to try to fly out of her water trap, but keeps getting zapped. Suddenly, the water level rises all the way to the top so she has barely any breating room. Cyclops ends up with Nightcrawler while Wolverine ends up with Banshee. Wolverine's senses let him know which planes are holograms and where the end of the room is. He tears through it, but inside he fights robot versions of Magneto and the Hulk. Storm tries to swim through her trap and finds the grate where the water is coming from. She uses her electrical power to melt it away. Cyclops blasts all the buzzcars and then blasts through the wall. He and Nightcrawler split up and go looking for the other X-Men. Cyclops stumbles on the battle with the robots. Nightcrawler finds Arcade's control room, but gets gased when he tries to tackle Arcade. The battle with the robots comes to an ends when a giant flood washes them away. They find Storm unconscious so Cyclops uses mouth to mouth to bring her back. Colossus then shows up and attacks them all. He knocks out Banshee and Wolverine, then grabs Cyclops and Storm by the throat. They try to talk him out of his brainwashing. It's not until Storm calls him her little brother that he comes around. Realising that he's lost, Arcade sets the X-Men free, shooting them through a long tunnel until they reach a distant amusement park. There they find Nightcrawler with the girls all wrapped up like presents. Wolverine wants to go back after Arcade, but Cyclops explains they have no idea where the base is. So they just go home.
Yeah, but is it good? Arcade issues are always good. This is the resolution to the set up, and it's tons of fun. This is actually more like a 60s comic. Back then the super hero teams would always be split up somehow and have to solve their individual problems to defeat the crazy villain. And I likes. This is just a pure fun issue with no major problems. They come soon enough. Colossus' doubts in himself caused him to be easily brainwashed, but his brother/sister bond with Storm is even stronger, and brings him back.
Significata: Storm means enough to Colossus to undo brainwashing.
X-Men #123 (Jul 79): Listen - Stop Me If You've Heart It - But Thie One Will Kill You!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Autin, inker; Tom Orz, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Spider-Man, Collen Wing
Synopsis: Spider-Man is swinging through the city and spots Cyclops with Colleen Wing. He stops to say hello. As he leaves, a garbage truck snatches them up. Spidey recognises the sound, and figures none other than Arcade has kidnapped the two. He goes to warn the rest of the X-Men. At the opera, Nightcrawler (without image inducer) and Colossus are on a date with Amanda and Betsey. Arcade's assistant, Miss Locke tells them Xavier's private box is being refurbished so she leads them to another, where they're gassed and captured as well. Wolverine is leaving Mariko Yoshida's New York residence and is also captured by a garbage truck. At the X-Men's mansion, Acrade himself creeps through the shadows and tranqs Banshee and Storm. The phone rings. Arcade answers. It's Spider-Man, but he's too late. Some time later, Cyclops wakes up to find himself and the rest of the X-Men each in a plastic pinball on a giant electrified pinball game surface. After bouncing around and being zapped for a while, each ball then takes a different path. Cyclops lands in a room with three exits, and an opposite wall that is slowly closing in on him. It will also slam on him once a door is opened. One room supposedly leads out while the other two to certain death. Acrade laughs to himself there's a concrete wall behind all three. Colossus lands in a dark room and is interrogated by KGB agent Col. Alexei Vazhin. Vazhin accuses him of being a traitor to mother Russia. Wolverine lands in a hall or mirrors and the mirrors keep popping out android versions of his warped reflection. Nightcrawler lands in a giant bowl shapped room in which cars with buzz saws can follow him anywhere. Banshee lands in a room which is the middle of a WWII air battle. Some of the plans are holograms, but some of them are real, and without his sonic powers to reflect, he can't tell which are which. Storm lands in a giant pool. She tries to fly back up, but gets zapped. Cyclops realises he can't get out playing by Arcade's rules, so blasts one of the other walls, which leads him to Wolverine in the hall of mirrors. The two destroy all the androids. When they think they've found Colossus, he proclaims himself the Proletarian, worker's hero of the Soviet Union, and he's going to destroy the X-Men.
Yeah, but is it good? Arcade issues as always good. This is just a set up issue, though. Everyone's getting stuck in their individual challenges, and now we get to see how they resolve it. Cyclops was the first, and he got it right. Don't play by Arcade's rules. And good ol' Spidey makes a guest appearance, but even though he knows the X-Men have been kidnapped, he doesn't do much to help, that bastard. Speaking of bastards, and by which I mean bitch, that Colleen Wing is still after a serving of Cyclops. She's not written to be a bad person, but I still can't stand her. HIS LOVER JUST DIED! And it's interesting to note all the X-Men except Storm have some sort of love interest at this point. This will become a point later on.
Significata: All the X-Men except Storm have a love interest (although some more casual than others). Banshee is still powerless. Colossus' doubts about himself and being an X-Men allow him to be brainwashed by a (fake) KGB agent.
X-Men #122 (Jun 79): Cry For the Children!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; John Byrne, breakdowns; Terry Austin, finsiher art; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Power Man, Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Havok (cameo), Polaris (cameo), Jamie Maddrox (cameo)
Synopsis: Cyclops is training in the Danger Room. He's attempting to keep two hydrolic presses from touching, and from crushing him. But he's struggling. Cyclops and Wolverine are watching from the control room. Cyclops can't understand it since Colossus is in top shape. Wolverine explains he might have a lot on his mind. Cyclops is worried about him folding in a crisis. Wolverine explains he won't and get between the presses. Colossus has to succeed or Wolverine dies. He even sabotaged the controls so Cyclops can't turn it off. Colossus succeeds and realises he has just been doubting himself for weeks now. Cyclops is impressed, but makes Wolverine fix the control panel. Cyclops then goes in to town with Colleen Wing to get the mansions utilties turned back on. He now realises the Xavier left with Lilandra and may never return, but he wishes he knew why. Meanwhile, in space, Lilandra is being crowned Empress of the Shi'ar Empire, much to hers and Xavier's boredom. Meanwhile, in Stornoway, Scotland, Pheonix is shopping. She accidentally bumps into a hansome stranger who introduces himself as Jason Wyngarde. As she gets on board the ferry that will take her back to Muir Island, some men coming looking for Angus MacWhirter. They find out he hasn't been seen in weeks. Pheonix sees Wyngarde watching her sail away. She recognises him somehow. He thinks to himself how someday she'll love him and then she'll belong to the Hellfire Club. Meanwhile, back in New York, Cyclops is having lunch with Colleen. They talk about him being unable to relax. Meanwhile, Wolverine drops Storm off in Harlem. As he drives away, he spots Mariko Yoshida. He tries to follow her, but he is not admitted to see her. Storm is visiting the neighborhood she grew up in before moving to Cairo. Her old apartment is now a heroin flop house. Some kids try to kill her for her money, but she fights them off. One almost sneaks up on her, but is stopped by Power Man and Misty Knight. They rap about how society is letting these kids get hooked and then offers them no help. Cyclops is seeing Colleen off on a train, as she leaves on a new assignment. She gives him the key to her apartment. Meanwhile, on a private jet, Black Tom Cassidy and Juggernaut hire Arcade to kill the X-Men.
Yeah, but is it good? Character building issues usually are. The main focus was on Storm and the social commentary about the state of the ghettos in the late 70s. It's really no different today except the angry black gangster is now a romantic figure and something those kids try to be now. Some of them are millionaires, but are we better off when the murders and drug use are up? Of couse the comic doesn't get that deep into the social commentary. It's just raising points to think about. Cyclops, who never did mourn for Pheonix, is now getting very close to Colleen Wing. But the bitch should know better. By now she must know HIS LOVER JUST DIED! Stupid bitch. The Jason Wyngarde stuff begins here, and that will lead to the ultimate peak of X-cellence as far as great writting goes. The Colossus feeling like he's letting the team down issues are finally discussed, but there was no real ressolution. He'll continue to feel homesick, but that's not exactly the same issue. Colossus just stops doubting himself? Ok... The mystery of Angus MacWhiter deepens... if anyone cared.
Significata: Colossus stops doubting himself. Banshee is revealed to be the team's tech wizard and Nightcrawler his apprentice. It's hinted that Wolverine knows a thing or two about tech stuff as well. Lilandra is finally crowned Empress. Jason Wyngarde debuts. Angus MacWhirter still hasn't been seen. Colleen wants to get serious with Cyclops. The price of X-Men comics goes up to 40 cents.
X-Men #121 (May 79): Shoot-Out at the Stampede!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Diana Albers, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Rogr Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Misty Knight, Colleen Wing
Synopsis: Cyclops and Colossus are busting down the entrace to the Calgary Exhibiton Grounds, home at the Calgary Stampede. Once inside, their start searching for the missing X-Men. They're spotted by Shaman, so he creates a magic barrier to keep anyone else from entering. Storm spots them in a field, so the three head off towards that area. They find Nightcrawler and Wolverine unconscious and tied together in the middle of the field. As the three approach them, Alpha Flight arrives. Meanwhile, outside, Banshee, Misty Night, and Colleen Wing try to get in, but are stopped by the magic barrier. Inside, the two teams try to reason with each other. Vindicator tells them he only wants Wolverine and the rest are free to go. Colossus senses a possible sneak attack on Cyclops and jumps to his aid. Alpha Flight takes it as an act of agression and the fight is on! Nightcrawler and Wolverine were only playing possum and join the fight. The two teams pair off and battle. Meanwhile, the storm Shaman has created before is still raging and getting out of control. The two teams battle it out until the storm becomes obvious and a threat to the entire city. They stop so Storm can use her powers to stop it. It takes her quite a while, but she eventually does it. As she's done, Alpha Flight tries to restart the fight, but Wolverine doesn't want to see the X-Men possibly hurt on his account, so he gives himself up. He's taken away in a caged van made specifically to contain him, while the X-Men are escorted on their jet out of Canadian air space by fighter jets. Once their across the border, Cyclops orders the pilots to turn the jet around so they can go back for Wolverine. But sitting in the co-pilots seat is Wolverine himself. He escaped. The X-Men then finally head home.
Yeah, but is it good? While I usually like good old mutant on mutant violence, this one is a bit of disappointment as far as action goes. It's not a bad issue, just not as super duper exciting as I might hope. As far as Alpha Flight goes, the only one that you come away hating is Northstar for being such a dick, but he's a Quebecer, so what did you expect? Wolverine is finally easing up, as is apparent in the past few issues. It might have been the apparent death of Pheonix or it might be that's finally accepted somewhere (although he does mention here how Vindicator and his wife, Heather, tried to accept him into their family years before). First he gets all tender with Mariko Yoshida, then he gives himself up so the X-Men can get away safely. Our little psycho is growing up!
Significata: Wolverine sacrafices himself, albeit temporarily, to save the rest of the X-Men. Vindicator reveals he tried to take Wolverine in before, but Wolverine resents him for trying to force him in joining Alpha Flight. The X-Men finally return to the States.
X-Men #120 (Apr 79): Wanted: Wolverine! Dead or Alive!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, princiler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Sunfire (cameo), Misty Knight, Colleen Wing
Synopsis: In a war room in Ottowa, James Hudson, formerly known as Weapon Alpha, is briefing Canada's prime minister of the X-Men, which Weapon X, Wolverine, is now a part of. The prime minister demands the return of Weapon X. Hudson summons Alpha Flight. They're a team made up of Canadian mutants, Northstar, Shaman, Snow-Bird, Sasquatch, Aurora, and himself as the re-named Vindicator. Meanwhile, in Japan, the X-Men are leaving. Wolverine has his final goodbye with Mariko Yoshida and reveals his name as Logan for the first time. The private jet the X-Men have chartered run into a storm on their way back to the States. Storm tries to use her power to clean it up, but cannot, meaning it's not natural. The jet is forced to land in Calgary... Alberta, Canada. They're greated by Vindicator, demanding the return of Wolverine. Sasquatch grabs the plane by the wing and prevents their escape. He throws the plan into a nearby hanger. Vindicator searches the wreckage, finds no one was on the plane, but cannot continue the search because of the storm. He orders Shaman to stop it, but it's not his doing. Wolverine explains he was an experiment by the Canadian government to create a super solider, but he went wild and eventually quit, but the government still wants their investment back. Cyclops orders the team to split up and meet later. Nightcrawler teleports through the shadows, but his ambushed by Northstar and Aurora. Cyclops, Colossus, Misty Knight, and the pilots arrive at the rendez-vous, but Cyclops gets worried when no one else shows up. Misty Knight is buying clothes for Storm she'll blend in better, and drug Banshee along. Vindicator uses a Cerebro-like device to locate their mutant signatures and smashes into the store. Banshee tries to stop him using his sonic scream, but the pain causes him to collapse. Storm retaliates instead. Vidicator leaves, not wanting to cause any damage or hurt any by standers. Wolverine is walking the streets looking for "Cracklin' Rosa"'s social club. He's ambushed by Sasquatch. Banshee and Storm arrive at the rendez-vous and tell Cyclops what's happened. He assumes (correctly) that Wolverine and Nightcrawler have been capturesd. And he intends on getting them back.
Yeah, but is it good? I always love a visit to Canada. The first thing that pops right out at me is Wolverine looking for "Crackin' Rosa". The Neil Diamond song is about liquor, not a woman. It's a common mistake. I also love Vindicator not wanting to break anything or scare anyone during a fight. True, he's not actually a villain, but it just seems so damn Canadian and polite. The rest of Alpha Flight doesn't do anything of not yet. That's next issue. And the whole Banshee issue starts to be explored here. Anytime he tries to use his sonic scream, he's in pain. On top of the fact that Banshee is a lot older than the rest of the X-Men (again, we don't know about Wolverine yet), he starts to think about retiring, which is a side of a character I like to see once in a while.
Significata: Weapon Alpha is now known as Vindicator. The rest of Alpha Flight debuts. Wolverine reveals his name as Logan for the first time. Some backstory to Wolverine's involvment with Weapon X is given, but not a lot. Banshee starts to consider giving up the hero life. John A MacDonald off the $10 in a tacky suit is the prime minister of Canada.
X-Men #119 (Mar 79): 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Costanza, letters; G. Wein, colors; R. Stern, editor; J. Shooter, ed-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Havok (cameo), Polaris (cameo), Jamie Madrox (cameo)
Synopsis: The X-Men are making their assult on Moses Magnum's base in order to save Japan. Storm flies Nightcrawler over the base and he teleports inside. He knocks out a guard and then flashes back how they got into the situation. After recieving Moses Magnum's ultimatum, the X-Men met with Japanese officials. They explain it is theoretically possible to sink Japan is Magnum causes quakes in key locations, and he's proven he has that power. Misty Knight & Colleen Wing use dectiving to discover his base. The X-Men agree to infiltrate it and stop Magnum. Inside the base, Nightcrawler contacts Misty. She then gives the signal to Storm and Banshee to start attacking their radars and guards outside to draw attention. While the guards inside distracted, Nightcrawler heads towards the basement. Under the seafloor, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, and Sunfire are tunelling towards Magnum's base, following Nightcrawler's homing beacon. The foursome break through the floor of the base and are immediately attacked by Magnum, who already defeated Nightcrawler. Magnum hits Colossus so hard he flies outside, which doesn't hurt him but insanely fustrates him. Magnum proves he be too tough, so Cyclops calls Storm and Banshee in for backup. But Magnum counters that with his Mark II Mandroids. Colossus returns and easily takes the Mandroids apart. Magnum runs from the battle so he can sink Japan. Banshee takes off after him. Magnum starts to charge up his power to level that will be required. As the vibrations begin, Banshee uses his sonic scream at the same frequency to cancel it out. He strains himself beyond anything he's ever felt before. The result is the small island Magnum's base is on is destroyed, but the rest of Japan is saved. Misty & Colleen fly in and pick up the X-Men and Sunfire. Banshee's power, however, may have been burned out and he's rushed to a hospital. Days later, Banshee is leaving the hospital and returning to the Yoshida home, but none of the X-Men came to pick him up. He's a bit miffed, but when he walks in, there's a surprise welcome home/Christmas party for him. Meanwhile in Edinburgh, Scotland, Pheonix meets up with Moria MacTaggert, Havok, Ploris, and Jamie Madrox. She's decided to spend time with them on Muir Island. Speaking of which, in the laboratory, Angus MacWhiter breaks in and plants explosive charges. He walks by "Mutant X"'s cell. He's then attacked by some unknown force.
Yeah, but is it good? It's pretty nifty. Moses Magnum is nothing but a C-level villain, but the teamwork required to break into his base is a fun read. Colossus finally cuts loose. It's good to see "Petey Pureheart" get mad and rip into something. Sunfire didn't really rip into the Westeners, so that's a tad disappointing. Banshee's voice problems start here, which is an interesting turn for the character.
Significata: Banshee's sonic scream is burned out. Wolverine continues his gentle side around Mariko. Colossus gets homesick again and also frustrated in himself during battle. Storm continues to chear him up. Pheonix goes to Scotland to be with the X-Men's friends there. Angus MacWhirter tires to blow up the Muir Island lab, but is attacked by a (cliche) mysterious someone. Mutant X?
X-Men #118 (Feb 79): The Submergence of Japan!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Ric Villamonte, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Sunfire, Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Iron Fist (cameo)
Synopsis: The good ship Jinguchi Maru, with the X-Men on board, is returning to port at Agarashima, Japan. They're greated by the city in flames. The ship can't risk pulling in to port. Nightcrawler teleports, while Banshee and Storm fly the rest. Storm summonds with to hold the fire back. Cyclops decides they need to find Sunfire. Banshee wonders what happened to the city inhabitants. Wolverine reads in a Japanese newspaper, much to everyone's surprise, the city was evaquated when it recieves warning of an earthquake. Cyclops has his doubts it was natural. Meanwhile in space, Lilandra is departing Earth with Xavier. Back in Japan, the X-Men arrive at the Yoshida ancestral home. They try to sneak in to find Sunfire, but are spotted. Sunfire, as pleasant as ever, considers ordering his guards to fire, until he;s interrupted by Misty Knight. She announced the prime minister of Japan wishes to see the X-Men inside the house immediately. Sunfire argues with the prime minister, but without Wolverine, Cyclops is lost. Sunfire is arguing the Japan doesn't need the X-Men or female detectives Misty Knight and Colleen Wing (also from the Power Man & Iron Fist series) to help them. Colleen argues, then admires Cyclops. Cyclops finally gets a chance to call Xavier, but finds out the phone line has been disconnected. Wolverine roams the grounds and finds Sunfire's cousin, Mariko Yoshida. He talks to her for a bit, and almost reveals his real name, when an earthquake starts. Wolverine saves Mariko, then rejoins the X-Men. The house is then attacked by Mandroids. The X-Men and Sunfire spring into action and defeat the 'droids. Once the battle is over, a hologram appears. It's Moses Magnum, and he declares if he is not acclaimed sole ruler of Japan in 24 hours, he will sink the entire island.
Yeah, but is it good? Pretty good. The Mandroids, Avengers reject villains, are less than thrilling as antagonists, but I enjoy Sunfire. His utter disgust of the Western world is great. Not that I agree with him. He's like Harvey. I don't agree most of the time, but it's still fun to hear him go off. Wolverine finally shows some tenderness when he talks to Mariko. And Colleen Wing has a thing for Cyclops? His lover just died (as far as he knows), you stupid bitch! Well suppose she doesn't know that, so we'll let it go for now. I should pick up some Iron Fist comics so I can get to know the Misty and Colleen characters better.
Significata: Wolverine reveals his can speak Japanese. First appearance of Mariko Yoshida, and Wolverine already has a thing for her (so much for Jean). He almost reveals him name for the first time. Colleen Wing meets the X-Men and is immediately attracted to Cyclops. Xavier now lives in space with Lilandra.
X-Men #117 (Jan 79): Psi War!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, script; John Byrne, pencils; Terry Austin, inks; Clem Robins, letters; Glynis Wien, colors; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Misty Knight (cameo)
Synopsis: The X-Men are in the middle of a horrible storm on their flimsy craft. Storm is using her powers to hold back the storm, but the rage still threatens their small boat. A Japanese ship spots them and goes to their rescue. The ship in on a top secret mission, so the X-Men are left without communication back home and have to wait for the ship to return to Japan. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Pheonix is leaving. The mansion is too full of memories for her to deal with. Lilandra consoles Xavier. He tells her the tale of how he thought of creating the X-Men. At one time he was in love with and engaged to Moira McTaggert. While he was drafted to fight in Korea, Moira sends him a letter breaking off the engagement. Xavier was depressed afterwards, so he started bumming around the Mediterranean, trying to put his life back together. He eventually ended up in Cairo. There, a small pick pocket took his wallet. If it wasn't for his mental powers, he would have never know she was there. He chased her down and used a mental bolt to stun her for a moment. The little theif was Storm. He recognised her latent mutant abilities and when he tries to scan her mind, he was was struck, hard, by another's psychic bolt. He followed the source into a cafe. While he sat and wait, a mutant named Amahl Farouk entered. They spoke telepathically. Farouk offered Xavier to join him, but Xavier refused to join someone so evil and challenged him. They dueled on the astral plane. Xavier, having never used his powers this way before, was overwhelmed. Xavier enventually figured out the only limits on the astal plane are his imagination and was able to defeat Farouk by making him explode. The physical Farouk just slumped over, not dying, but suffering through a mental anguish that will last forever. At that point, Xavier realised there are potential dangerous and evil mutants in the world, and he needed to stop them before they damned all mutants. Lilandra then asks Xavier to come with her to the Shi'ar empire, when he can be her consort as she rules. Feeling he has nothing left on Earth, he accepts. Meanwhile, at Kennedy Airport, Pheonix runs into her roommate, Misty Knight, who she hasn't seen returning from Antarctica. Misty then has to run, as she's catching a flight to Japan.
Yeah, but is it good? I love these Xavier flashback issues that come up from time to time. It gives such good insight as to WHY the X-Men exist, or how Xavier came to be the way he is, thus affecting the influence he has over the X-Men. Farouk isn't much of a villain, he's decent enough for the first evil mutant Xavier ever meets. The whole Xavier & Pheonix think the X-Men are dead story is interesting as always, as it dramatically changes their lives and drives them to make totally different decisions than expected.
Significata: The story of how Xavier decided to create the X-Men after meeting his first evil mutant. Xavier first meets Storm many years before she joins the team. Xavier decides to leave Earth and live with Lilandra. Pheonix goes on a long vacation. She still hasn't told Misty the X-Men are dead. The X-Men are on their way to Japan. So is Misty Knight.
X-Men #116 (Dec 78): To Save the Savage Land
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Ka-Zar
Synopsis: Ka-Zar is leading the X-Men towards Garrok's metropolis. They're attacked by Garrok's guards flying pterasaurs. Ka-Zar along with Cyclops, Banshee, and Colossus are taken prisoner. Wolverine tells Ka-Zar's pet sabretooth tiger, Zabu, to go back to the village and bring back warriors to help. The three remaining X-Men continue their way to the metropolis. Wolverine easily sneaks up and takes out the guards and they enter the city. They travel through the city's garbage dump and are attacked by small dinosaurs. One bites down on Wolerine's arm, but he takes care of it easily. Storm uses a flash flood to wash the other ones away. The three make their way to a large arena where the X-Men and Ka-Zar are being held ready for sacrafice. Colossus is being burned at the stake. While his armored form keeps him from being burned, the heat is still incredibly painful. Nightcrawler teleports in and starts freeing X-Men. Storm and Wolverine arrive, and the team takes on Garrok's guards. Garrok escapes, so Cyclops takes after him. He gets to an alter where he starts absorbing energy and grows more powerful. The two throw optic beams at each other and it causes and explosion that shakes the foundation of the city. A giant chasm that goes all the way to the center of the Earth opens up. Both Cyclops and Garrok fall into the pit. Banshee flies in and rescues Cyclops while Storm goes after Garrok. But the further Storm goes down, the more claustrophobic she grows. She almost has Garrok, but panics and flies out of the pit, letting him fall. She escapes just as the entire city colapses. Some time later, Ka-Zar leads the X-Men to the exit from the Savage Land. They board a small craft and they sail out into the Drake Passage, during one of the worst storms in over a hundred years.
Yeah, but is it good? Well... Again, I don't like all this mystic crap. Storm going to save Garrok, but pulling out and letting someone die because of her fear was a good moment. Moreso her devastated reaction. She didn't even need words.
Significata: Garrok falls to his death. Storm's fear causes her to let someone die. Wolverine mentions his fast healing for the first time. The X-Men finally leave the Savage Land.
X-Men #115 (Nov 78): Visions of Death!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont & John Byrne, rabelasian raconteurs; Terry Austin, illuminatin' inker; Rick Parker, looney letterer; Francoise Mowly, crafty colorist; Roger Stern, edifyin' editor; Jim Shooter, earnest editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Ka-Zar
Synopsis: Wolverine immediately launches into battle with Sauron. Cyclops tries to warn him, but Sauron catches him in his stare. Wolverine sees the X-Men as demons and attacks them. Cyclops blasts him into the lake. Banshee takes to the air and goes after Sauron. Nightcrawler tries to check on Wolverine, but gets decked. Wolverine sees Cyclops attacking Sauron as a demon attacking Pheonix and attacks Cyclops again. Cyclops blasts him full force to knock him out. Banshee continues his attack on Sauron. Sauron's power starts to run out, so he takes off to find more victims. He finds Colossus. While absorbing Colossus' life force, Cyclops orders him to change to his steel form. The rush of energy blows Sauron away and he starts reverting back to Karl Lykos. Wolverine, now recovered and back to his senses, rushes in for the death blow, but is stopped by Ka-Zar. Cyclops stops the two before a fight breaks out. Ka-Zar recognises Cyclops and explains he was on his way to find the X-Men, having heard they were in the Savage Land. They go back to the village council house and work things out. Lykos explains he didn't die back when the original X-Men thought he took his life by jumping off a cliff in Antartica. He woke up in the Savage Land. He stumbled across a horde lead by a religious priestess, Zaladane, trying to resurect Garokk, their sun god. They use the body of a regular man, Kirk Marston. His body becomes petrified and possesed vby Garrok. Garrok then uses his power to destroy a city created by Savage Land outsiders. Lykos then sought out the protector of the savage land, Ka-Zar and told him what happened. Garrok then starting using slave labor to create his own metropolis. Ka-Zar then asks the X-Men for help. The team wants to help, but Cyclops declines. He says the X-Men have to leave soon and finally tell Xavier Pheonix and Beast are dead. Ka-Zar understands and leads them to a way out of the Savage Land. On their way out, they discover that Antarctic is slowly creeping in to the Savage Land. Whatever Garrok is doing, it's unbalancing the ecological balance of the Savage Land. And at the rate it's going, soon everything in it will die.
Yeah, but is it good? The battle with Sauron was a good little fight sequence. The whole Karl Lykos flashback wasn't so much. Maybe just because I don't usually care for X-Men fighting cosmic or mystical forces. I just want to see them slug it out with other mutants or mutant haters. Cyclops and Wolverine did get to duke it out for a bit, though.
Significata: Sauron explains how he's not dead. First appearance (I'm aware of) of Garrok and Zaladane. Ka-Zar guest stars. Wolverine once again questions Cyclops' leadership decisions.
X-Men #114 (Oct 78): Desolation
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Jean Simek, letterer; Glynnis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Beast
Synopsis: Beast is carrying the unconscious Pheonix across the Antarctic tundra, but to nowhere. Beast spots a helicopter flying over head. There's no way to get their attention, so he tries to wake Pheonix up so she can fire a starburst or something. She snaps awake and stars to blast away at the ground to find the X-Men. The helicopter comes to find pick them up while Beast tries to explain to Pheonix that the lava flooded the complex. They're dead. Meanwhile, the not dead X-Men blast out of a mountain into a tropical paradise. Cyclops explains they're in the Savage Land. Storm and Banshee go flying to stretch their "wings". Banshee is snatched by a giant pterasaur. Colossus gives Wolverine a fastball special and he slaughters the pterasaur. A man hiding in the bushes is watching and recognises Cyclops. Cyclops chastises Wolverine for his method of dealing with the dinosaur. Banshee tells the team he spoted a village nearby, so the team heads for it. The man in the bushes follows. Some time later at the mansion, Beast and Pheonix arrive. Pheonix goes off to tell the Professor the XMen are dead, while Beast meets Lilandra and does the same. Meanwhile, in the Savage Land, the X-Men are spending time living with the natives and relaxing. Cyclops looks at his reflection in a pond while he shaves. He shaves a beard but keeps the mustache and reminds himself of Corsair. He starts to wonder how and American got that far into space, and how he knew Cyclops' name. He starts to recover a memory of Corsair and a woman pushing two children out of a plane. He's interrupted by Storm. Storm is worried about Cyclops not showing his grief over the death of Pheonix. He says he feels nothing, and can't explain it. He says ever since Jean became Pheonix, she no longer seemed like the woman he loved anymore. Storm explains if Cyclops only wanted to preserve Jean as she was and not embrass her change, maybe he really didn't love her. Wolverine, however, keeps to himself and mourns over Pheonix. Storm goes swimming, then lays on the beach. The man from the bushes slinks out and grabs her. He starts to absorb her life force. Lightning goes off and alerts the X-Men. They rush to her aid and find, standing over her bordy, Sauron.
Yeah, but is it good? Most epic stories are followed by a character building issue, and this is no different. After battling Magneto, the X-Men need a rest. This issue really gets into Cyclops' head. His childhood memories, his complex feelings for Pheonix, and, of course, his contempt for Wolverine's methods. The whole concept of two parts of the team thinking the other is dead is really neat, too. I especially love when Pheonix goes to tell Xavier the X-Men are dead. She walks into his study and touches his should (which startles him, showing Pheonix power is enough to hide her pressence from the world's most powerful telepath), and he just instantly knows. No words are exchanged. And he weeps. Powerful stuff there.
Significata: Xavier and Pheonix think the rest of the X-Men are dead. The rest of the X-Men think Pheonix is dead. Cyclops feels nothing over the loss. Wolverine does. Cyclops sees a resemblance between himself and Corsair. He starts to recover childhood memories. Sauron returns.
X-Men #113 (Sep 78): Showdown!
Creative Team: (no credits given, but assumed to be the new regular team of Claremont/Byrne/Austin)
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Beast
Synopsis: Magneto has been raiding research fascilities in Australia and New Zealand, and none of the super groups are available to stop him. Xavier, on the Greek isle of Kirinos with Lilandra, is worried by the fact he's lost his telepathic rapport with the X-Men. In Magneto's Antactic base, Nanny is spoon feeding, bathing, and brushing the hair of th X-Men and Beast. It's driving them all insane. When Nanny leaves, Storm, with limited motor skils, knocks off her headdress and tries to get out her lock picking tools. She recalls the tests Achmd El-Gibar used to put her through as a child. When she gets very close to picking the lock on her wrist using the pick between her teeth, she loses and control and drops it. Nanny returns and puts the headdress back on. Meanwhile, on the newly restored Asteroid M, Magneto gets a warning that he is needed back at the Antartic base. When he arrives, he find Nanny rolling in circles. He's then suddenly attacked by the X-Men, this time as a team. Storm apparently tried to escape a second time, and succeeded. The X-Men keep hammered Magento, one after other, keeping him all balance, while Storm increases the humidity around him. Pheonix blasts him so hard, that he flies back and into his control panel. The force field that was holding the lava in the volcano back starts to give away. While the X-Men scramble to find an escape plan, Magneto uses his power to escape to the surface, and away to another base. Pheonix blasts through to the surface as well, but with only Beast in tow. What happened to the rest of the X-Men is not revealed. Pheonix' power then gives out again, and she faints. Beast then has to carry her, but to where? They're in the middle of Antarctica.
Yeah, but is it good? To me, this is what X-Men comics are all about (that and the social commentary of race and sex issue masked under the "mutant" monicker). A kick ass villain like Magneto, and the team having to work together to defeat him. And the new X-Men finally do it! This is the first issue that read like an old X-Men issue (with better writting). The whole point of super teams is their ability to work together. That was always the selling point of The Avengers. Not that Iron Man and Thor are in the same comic together. Rather, how will they use their abilities in tandem to overcome their obstacles. I realise that was being built to in this series. The new team couldn't come out, guns blazing, and be perfect. What makes this comic so great is the evolution of the characters and the team as a whole. And what better villain for the team to finally break that barrier against than Magneto? It's also not a decisive victory, so there's anticipation of the next great battle.
Significata: The new X-Men defeat Magneto, and do it by finally working as a team. Magneto is working on some new plot, to be revealed much later. Pheonix' powers continue to top out on her before their reach anywhere near their potential. Pheonix and Beast get seperate from the X-Men while they escape. What will each group think happened to the other? What did happen to the X-Men? This is the first monthly issue of X-Men since the title was cancelled years before.
X-Men #112 (Aug 78): Magneto Triumphant!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Bruce Patterson, letterer; M. Titus; colorist; J. Shooter, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Beast
Synopsis: The X-Men are face to face with Magento in a circus trailor. Wolervine wants go at it then and there, but Cyclops orders the X-Men to retreat; Nightcrawler to scout ahead. He teleports outside, and screams. Colossus busts down the trailor door and finds Nightcrawler hanging off the steps, as the trailor is now miles above the Earth. Wolverine again tries to go after Magneto, but Cyclops restrains him. If Magneto should be distracted or defeated, the trailor will plummet and they'll die. Magneto explains he went looking for the X-Men at the mansion the same time Beast did, and followed Beast to the carnival. As the trailor flies over the Andes, Magneto ejects Mesmero. He guides him down so Mesmero won't die, but still hurt. Magneto then guides the trailor to Antarcitca and, creating a magnetic force bubble around the trailor, into an active volcano, and deep inside to a giant underground base. Once they land, the X-Men immediately launch into an attack. Again, the X-Men are unable to get anywhere against Magneto. They continue to attack as individuals, not a team. Magneto again uses Colossus and Wolverine as weapons against the other X-Men. Magneto tries to cover Banshee in iron filling again, but Banshee scream disrupts their formation. Magneto warps his scream right back at him, however. Pheonix finally goes on the attack, but her immense cosmic powers suddenly plateau, and she's not strong enough to defeat Magneto. Finally, all of the X-Men are defeated. But Magento doesn't want them dead. As revenge for the humiliation being turned into an infant, Magneto wants the X-Men to live as infants. He has them straped with collars that not only inhibit their mutant powers, but prevent from even speaking coherently and limit their motor skills. He then introduces them to a robotic nanny that will take care of them and treat them like infants until their dying days.
Yeah, but is it good? Magneto totally kicks ass. This is why he's my favorite villain of all time. Either he's fighting for what he believes him, even if others think it's wrong, or he's getting revenge and not killing, because that's too easy. Making the X-Men suffer by living as infants is just pure evil genius. While not an all time super great issue, I still cannot think of anything negative to say. Well... I guess... It wasn't the X-Men who turned Magneto into an infant. It was his own creation, Alpha. I never read the story, so maybe there's information I just don't have (which I can get when the finally release those Defenders reprints).
Significata: Magneto finally gets his revenge for turned into an infant. He introduces nanny to take care of the infant like X-Men. Magneto's sub-Antartic base is shown for the first time. The X-Men continue to lose major battles by not working as a team. The X-Men comic goes monthly after this issue.
X-Men #111 (Jun 78): Mindgames!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Mary Titus, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Beast
Synopsis: The X-Men have disappeared, and Beast has gone looking for them. He finds them as acts in a local carnival in Sullivan, Texas. Banshee is a carnival parker, trying to get people to pay five dollars to see the freak show. Aside from Banshee, Beast is a little unsure if the freaks are the new X-Men, having not met them yet. He recalls when he got a call from Moira McTaggert telling him she hasn't been able to get ahold of anyone at the mansion. He went over to check it out, but found the mansion as if no one has been there in weeks. Beast used Cerebro to track down the X-Men. Beast finally recognises Pheonix for sure (albeit a lot different from the Marvel Girl he knew) performing a trapeze act. He goes to her trailor after he act, but she doesn't recognise him. She calls the head of carnival security, Cyclops, who doesn't recognise him either and think he's some kind of monster. Cyclops calls the rest of the carnival for help, and Beast is suddenly outnumbered. He tries to hide, but Colossus finds him. The rest of the carnival beat him down, right in front of where Wolverine is chained up. As they take Beast away to their boss, something starts to stir in Wolverine. The boss turns out to be Mesmero, who is taking his revenge on the X-Men by humiliating them in a carnival. He begins to mesmerise Beast. Wolverine finally snaps to his senses and escapes from his bonds. The last thing he remembers is Mesmero's eyes burning into his mind. Wolverine (suddenly with his costume back) finds Cyclops and Pheonix. Wolverine finally gets his chance to deck Cyclops (since he won't remember) and then tries to talk Pheonix back to her senses. When she won't listen, he starts smacking her around until finally she's had enough, blasts him, and regains her senses. Wolervine's ok, though, and they go off to save the rest of the X-Men. Meanwhile, Mesmero is still trying to meserise Beast, but Beast is putting up a good fight. Finally Beast gets his chance to attack, but before he can get to Mesmero, some blast strikes him from behind and he goes down. Whoever blasted him causes to Mesmero to panick. Meanwhile, the rest of the X-Men, back to their senses, are taking apart the carnival guards and heading for Mesmero's trailor. When they get inside, they find Mesmero slumped over, defeated... at the hands of Magneto, who has come to finally defeat the X-Men, once and for all.
Yeah, but is it good? The ending sure as Hell is. I usually don't comment on art, but the last panel of this issue is a full page picture of Magento (the only time he's shown in the issue) and it looks freaking wicked. Especially in the b&w reprint I'm doing these reviews from. For the rest of the issue, I'd either prefer to see the X-Men preforming their carnivals acts, or Beast battling someone like Colossus. Beast is a ton of fun and I'm glad he's going to be in the next couple of issues. This is actually the start of a long story act, made up of smaller story arcs. I won't ruin it for the people reading these reviews (all 2 of you), but Magneto is up next issue, and that's 'nuff said!
Significata: Mesmero returns, but turns out to be choads and easily defeated by Magneto (as if the X-Men wouldn't have done it anyway). Cyclops worries himself that the new team still isn't ready for Magneto. Wolervine finally decks Cyclops. Beast, a former X-Men, is more or less, formally introduced to the new team.
X-Men #110 (Apr 78): The 'X'-Sanction
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Tony DeZuniga, guest artist; Anette Kawecki, letterer; Andy Yanchus, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor; Dave Cockrum, special thanks
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Pheonix
Synopsis: It's Moira McTaggert's last day in New York, so the X-Men are enjoying a game of baseball. Colossus hits a homerun and knocks Wolverine right off the base. Pheonix tries to make Wolverine feel better, but that just hurts him even more when he sees her holding hands with Cyclops. Moira then realises the man from the phone company will be there any minute, so she runs inside the mansion. Moire answers the door and the man's apparent plastic surgery startles her. She lead him to the main phone junction, but he tranqs her. As he looks around and talks to himself (as all villains should), he reveals his master is looking for information on the X-Men. His master then telepathically contacts him (revealing the snooper's name to be Warhawk) and threatens him to succeed or else. Meanwhile, outside, Wolverine asks Pheonix if she's like to go for a drink with him. Cyclops then informs them the X-Men have to workout in the danger room instead. Pheonix takes the professor up the stairs and while she thinks about how she can't explain to anyone what she's been feeling since becoming Pheonix. Warhawk then ambushes them and tranqs them too. As she goes down, Pheonix contacts Cyclops for help. Before he get the X-Men on the move, they are locked in the Danger Room and it's turned on, with the safety interlocks turned off. Cyclops tries the panic button inside the danger room, but it won't respond. Cyclops orders Nightcrawler to teleport outside the room and shut it off from there, and to bring Wolverine incase there's someone out there. The strain from the teleport knocks them both unconscious. The four X-Men left inside do their best, but are overwhelmed by their own Danger Room. Outside, Wolverine comes to and starts to smash the Danger Room controls. He's then attacked by Warhawk. They fight until Colossus smashes through the Danger Room door. Warhawk, out matched, desides to escape, but can't find his gas bomb. Nightcrawler stole it. Colossus then coldcocks Nighthawk. The police are called and take Nighthawk is taken away. The cheif wants to know how a wanted supervillain was stopped by a school. "Luck" Pheonix is worried why her cosmic powers were unable to help her stop Warhawk. She figures she needs help harnessing her powers. She officially rejoins the X-Men. Xavier warns the X-Men that Warhawk's mind was shielded from his telepathic scans, and he's worried about Warhawk's knowledge of the mansion.
Yeah, but is it good? Not especially. This just felt like a filler issue. Warhawk is a horrible villain, with powers unexplained. He also didn't look like he had bas plastic surgery like Moira built it up. His minor importance does come up in later issues. X-Men playing baseball is fun. I wish there was more to it.
Significata: First appearance of Warhawk. The mansion is infiltrated. Pheonix officially rejoins the team. Wolverine asks her out on a date. Since Xavier is no longer having mental issues, Moira leaves her position as the team's housekeeper and returns to her lab on Muir Island.
X-Men #109 (Feb 78): Home Are the Heroes!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, artist; Terry Austin, inker; Joe Rosen, letterer; Andy Yanchus, colorist; Archie Goodman, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Pheonix
Synopsis: The X-Men finally return home. Storm eagerly checks on her plants in the attic. She whips up a small shower to water them. Pheonix recalls the events that occured after leaving the M'Kraan Crystal: The Imperials living up to their oath of killing the X-Men, Lilandra being exiled while the legal issues of her becoming the Empress are worked out, Corsair asking Pheonix not to reveal to Scott he is his father, and Storm overhearing it. Pheonix then decides to finally explain to her parents about her powers, without Cyclops. She feels she's changed since facing the Neutron Galaxy. Banshee and Moira McTaggart off on a picnic. He asks Moira if she's seen Havok. She tells him Havok and Polaris went off to Moira's lab after being broken from Eric the Red's control. Meanwhile, somewhere, someone has targert someone else. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Nightcrawler calls up Amanda and asks her out on a date. He interrupts Colossus writting a letter to his parents asking if he wants to go with Amanda's friend Elizabeth on a double. He declins, going on the picnic with Banshee and Moira. Cyclops watches Pheonix outside with her parents, explaining what's happened to her. Cyclops is brooding again. Nightcrawler tries to talk to him, but is interrupted by Banshee. Wolverine surprises the group by wanting to tag along on the picnic. He wants to go hunting deer, but with no killing. Meanwhile, somewhere, some guys are tracking "Weapon X". While Wolverine is hunting a deer, he's attacked by Weapon Alpha. He's to bring Wolverine back to Canada. He's not going easy. Meanwhile, Banshe and Moira frolicking in the lake whil Storm and Colossus talk about their homelands. Wolverine smashes through a tree nearby. Colossus and Storm rush to his aid, and battle with Weapon Alpha. One of Weapon Alpha's force blasts goes stray and accidentally knocked Moira out cold. Banshee snaps and goes after Alpha. Seeing he's outnumbered, he hastily retreats. They search for him, but find nothing. Wolverine warns they won't give up so easy, and he'll be back.
Yeah, but is it good? It's a great change of pace. After months of fighting cosmic entities, the X-Men are back to good old fights with regular people with strange powers. Weapon Alpha isn't a mutant, though. He just has a nifty power suit ala Iron Man. This is just one of those nice character building issues. Nightcrawler, especially. He shows his girl crazy side, and then right after he's beaing the team therapist again. Colossus begins to show how home side he is, and uses Storm as a surrogate sister to help him through it. And gotta love how the Canadian villain isn't really all that bad. Moira accidentally gets hurt, he feels bad, so he leaves them alone.
Significata: First appearance of Weapon Alpha. Cyclops begins to worry than Pheonix has changed. Nightcrawler begins his relationship with Amanda. Colossus starts to get homesick.
X-Men #108 (Dec 77): Armageddon Now!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; John Byrne, artist; Terry Austin, inker; Wohl & Orz, letterer; A. Yanchus, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Pheonix, Beast (cameo), Captain America (cameo), Mr. Fantastic (cameo), Human Torche (cameo), The Wasp (cameo), whatever Ant-Man is called at this point (cameo), some other Avenger (cameo), Misty Knight (cameo)
Synopsis: The M'Kraan Crystal is reacting to the nine Death Stars and unleashing a power that is called "The End of All That Is". The X-Men want an explanation of what is going on, and Cyclops recounts every Lilandra told him earlier. Meanwhile, on Starcore Station, Dr. Corbeau is alerting the president, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four of reality blinking away. Meanwhile, back on a distant world, a small creature named Jahf comes out of the crystal. He's there to guard the crystal as long as the gate is open. Wolverine takes the challenge, but he's slapped clear into space. Corsair orders his ship's robot pilot, Waldo, to go after him. Jahf begins to mop the floor with the X-Men and the Starjammers. Pheonix tries to gather enough power to defeat him, but is still burned out from opening the warp gate. Banshee finally realises Jahf is nothing more than a robot, so he uses his sonic scream to scramble it's circuits. Modt, a giant robotic second guardian appears, his power a thousand times that of Jahf. And if he should be defeated, a third guardian who's power is a thousand times great will appear, and so on and so on. Waldo, now with Wolverine in the infirmary, alerts Raza that when Modt appeared, there was another cosmic blink. Raza, in a fit of rage, goes after D'Ken and throws him into the gate. There's an explosion of light, and suddenly every conscious body is transported to another place. Pheonix tells them there are inside the crystal. And inside the crystal is a sphere of immense power. Pheonix touches the sphere and everyone is launched into their own personal nightmare. D'Ken is fighting the Soul-Drinker. Nightcrawler is being hunted and lynches by the X-Men. Corsair is releaving his wife, Kate, being murdered. Pheonix' nightmare is death. But since she's already conquored death, it's no longer a nightmare. She tries to calm down Cyclops, whose nightmare is causing him to blast everything in sight. He hits the sphere, and it begins to crack. The other shell of the sphere is a living lattice. And it's dying. If it dies, the neutron galaxy held within will escape, and it will consum all of reality, destroying it, and then creating a brand new universe. Pheonix uses her power to try and restore the lattice. But she doesn't have enough power. Storm offers her life force to help. Pheonix tells her it will kill her, but if she has one other person, they might all live. Corsair is the only one conscious, so Pheonix pleads with him. When Corsair seems hesitant, she calls him by his real name, Major Summers. As he goes to her aid, she tells him she doesn't live, to take care of her love, Cyclops - his son. Pheonix finally has enough power to restore the lattice and the universe is saved. The X-Men use the warp gate and return to Earth, and are confronted by Firelord. Pheonix is so weak, she is willing to let him have her life. But Xavier has explained everything to him, so he only remained to watch the warp gate until their return. Lilandra also comes through the gate. She tells Xavier D'Ken is now catatonic and she will succeed him, except for the fact she led a rebellion, so is technically a traitor. Until the legal wrinkles are ironed out, she is exiled to Earth with her love.
Yeah, but is it good? Classic. This story is so timeless, it's still talked about today. X3 will most likely be the story of Pheonix (and done as poorly as the Weapon X story in X2, I'm sure). Once again, the X-Men are outmatched by cosmic forces, but Pheonix proves to have power beyong imagination. And what did I say before about Wolverine trying to tackle cosmic forces? He got smacked into space for his trouble. I am looking forward to the X-Men fighting more Earthly foes, though. The blurb at then is hilarious. This being the first John Byrne issue, they added to the bottom of the last panel "This book dedicated with respect and admiration to Dave Cockrum - who helped make the dream a reality." followed by "I'm not dead - Dave Cockrum".
Significata: Pheonix saves the universe. Corsair is revealed as Cyclops' father. D'Ken goes catatonic. Lilandra will be named as new Empress, but is will stay on Earth with Xavier for some time. First John Byrne & Terry Austin issue. The price of X-Men comics go up to 35 cents.
X-Men #107 (Oct 77): Where No X-Men Has Gone Before!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Dave Cockrum, artist; Dan Green, inker; Joe Rosen, letterer; Andy Yanchus, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Pheonix, Mr. Fantastic (cameo), The Thing (cameo)
Synopsis: The X-Men and Pheonix arrive on a strange world, surrounded by different strange aliens. Somehow, the X-Men can understand their language. Cyclops demands the release of Lilandra. Gladiator, praetor of the Imperial Guard, tells them she is a traitor and will not be given up. The X-Men decided to take her by force. The battle begins. All the X-Men go toe to toe with the Imperial guards (Gladiator, Oracle, Hobgoblin (not that one), Starbolt, Fang, Astra, and many others), but Pheonix is unable to use her power after reactivating the star gate. The X-Men do rather well against the guards. In the battle, Wolverine's clothes are disintegrated, so he steals some from Fang. Emperor D'Ken is enjoying the spectacle of the battle. Lilandra pleads with him not to go through with his plan. So he unleashes the Soul-Drinker on her. Nightcrawler teleports to her rescue. The Soul-Drinker can only be summoned to take one soul at a time. Nightcrawler teleports with Lilandra away, and the creature takes the sould of one of the aliens. The strain of teleporting with someone else exhausts Nightcrawler. Cyclops demands Lilandra tell him what is going on and how the X-Men got involved. She explains her brother, Emperor D'Ken, discovered an ancient force that he wished to weild for himself, but Lilandra thought it was too dangerous. D'Ken released rumors Lilandra has attempted to kill him and take the throne. The Imperial fleet split in two and began a civil war. While trying to escape the battle, Lilandra's mind touched with Charles Xavier when he was using a great deal of his power to defeat the Z'Nox. Their minds became eternally linked at that point, and she set off to find him. D'Ken discovered her destination, and order his agent Davan Shakari, Eric the Red, to kill Xavier. Lilandra then reveals the force D'Ken wishes to harness is that of the M'Kraan Crystal. It acts as a gateway that opens once every million years when the nine Death Stars fall into alinement. Within that gateway can be found absolute power. Finally, the Imperials start to overcome the X-Men. Lilandra pleads with Gladiator to listen to reason, but he's sworn to serve the emperor's will, no matter how mad. When all looks lost, The Starjammers (Corsair, Ch'od, Raza, and Hepzibah), a group of space pirates, come to their rescue. The combined forces of the X-Men and the Starjammers are enough to overcome the Imperials. They take a moment to introduce themselves. Corsair, a human with an American accent and slang so far out in space, confuses Pheonix, so she mind scans him. What she finds astonishes her. At that moment, D'Ken uses the M'Kraan Crystal to begin opening the gate. For a brief second, all of existance blinks out. Back at Starcore station, Dr. Peter Corbeau expresses his concern to Mr. Fantastic of the Fantasic Four. If the cosmic blinks continue, all of existance will cease.
Yeah, but is it good? Yeah, baby! It's great to finally see the X-Men WIN a battle. Even if they did need help from the Starjammers. It's ok, though, since the Starjammers are an interesting group. It's a little weird, though, when Corsair refers to Hepzibah, a feline creature, as his love. Isn't there a name for that kind of festish? The cosmic stuff is a little out there. The whole crystal of doom and the stars of glaven giving ultimate power yadda yadda... It's not really an X-Men story. This stuff is more of an Avengers kind of thing, really. I guess that's what makes it interesting. How does a ruffian like Wolverine save the freaking universe from ultimate cosmic powers? It's so out of their league. Ah... but that's what Pheonix is for.
Significata: First appearance of the Imperial Guard. First full appearance of the Starjammers. D'Ken's mad plan is revealed. Lilandra's connection with Xavier is also revealed. Nightcrawler teleports with a nother person for the first time.
X-Men #106 (Aug 77): Dark Shroud of the Past!
Creative Team: Claremont, Mantlo, Brown, Cockrum, Sutton, Rosen, Yanchus, Goodwin (no credits give for what, explanation below)
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Misty Knight (cameo)
Synopsis: Firelord demands to know where Pheonix has gone. Xavier explains she and the X-Men are far away, but then his mind is taken over by the nightmares again. Firelord's anger receades when he sees Xavier in pain. Xavier hallucinates and thinks Misty is Moira McTaggart and asks her for help, and he begins to dream of events that occured between issues 96 and 97. The X-Men are working out in the danger room. Colossus saves Wolverine from being crushed, and he doesn't appreciate the help. Cyclops gets on Wolverine's case about the angry loaner act all the time. Wolverine tells him its no act, and he should get off everyone's case just because the new X-Men don't do things the way the old X-Men did, wish Banshee agrees with. Storm then stands up for Cyclops, telling Wolverine he's free to leave the team any time. Angel then appears, in his original X-Men costume at that, and tells them they should all leave. The rest of the old X-Men, also in their original costumes, show up and visciously challenge the new team. The two teams go at it, with the old overcoming the new thanks to teamwork, which the new still hasn't mastered. During the battle, Banshee uses his scream on Angel to knock him out, but he says it has no effect since he's wearing ear plugs. Cyclops sees right through the lie, since the vibration, not the sound, would have knocked him out. Cyclops realises the old X-Men they're fighting arn't human, and they're a lot stronger. Xavier then interrupts the battle, realise they old X-Men are mental projections he created with his mind which is slowly going mad thanks to the nightmares. Then Xavier's dark side of his psyche takes form and challenges the X-Men. The real Xavier then recreates the projections of the old X-Men to defeats his evil side.
Yeah, but is it good? It's confusing. The flow gets majorly interrupted here. The X-Men and Pheonix went through the warp gate last issue to find Lilandra, and this issue... is a flashback? I'm taking it they wern't finished yet with the story, so they ran an unused story from a few months ago with a new into with Firelord to give it a vague connection to the real story. Why would this story remain unused? I'm guessing because it's the old vs new story that they ended up saving for issue #100. Neither one was really the old X-Men, though. This also explains why the credits given are just a bunch of names with no connction to what. Obviously it was written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Dave Cockrum, but the rest of the creative team has never been stable for X-Men. A different inker, letterer, colorist, and probably editor were used for the new part stuck on the front. So by throwing out the names with no work association, nobody wonders why there were two of each. Aside from that, was this any good? It was fun. The action was a lot like the action of the old X-Men. It really does drive home the point of the new X-Men not working well together as a team. It's not just something they say, it's something you can see in how the battles go. New X-Men battles typically go one character attacks, fails, the next one attacks, fails, etc., until Cyclops develops a plan. The old X-Men used to attack as a team, using their powers to compliment each other. One's not necessairily better than the other (when it comes to reading, it's written as if the new X-Men's way isn't as good), it just seperates the style of the two teams.
Significata: Filler issue. Continues to the point of the new X-Men not fighting well as a team. Fit into Xavier's dream making him go mad. Cyclops and Wolverine don't get along now or then.
X-Men #105 (Jun 77): Pheonix Unleashed!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Dave Cockrum, artist; Bob Layton, inker; Tom Orz, letterer; Andy Yanchus, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Pheonix, Misty Knight
Synopsis: The X-Men arrive at the mansion and find Eric the Red. They immediately attack him. Before they can do much damage, however, the X-Men are attacked by Firelord, a former herald of Galactus with immense cosmic power. Firelord demolishes the X-Men worse than they've ever been before. Firelord checks on Eric. Eric laughs to himself and recalls how he duped Firelord into helping him. Firelord just happened to passing my Earth, so Eric ordered Havok and Polaris to attack him, while Eric pretended to be unconscious. Once Havok and Polaris were defeated, Eric told them they are members of the X-Men, a group bent of conquoring the Earth. Firelord swear to help Eric defend the Earth from the X-Men. Meanwhile in space orbiting Earth, the Imperial cruiser is trying to destroy the ship Lilandra, rebel leader, former grand admiral of the Imperial fleet, and sister of the Emperor, is on. The captain then gets a status report on the "primitive" planet below, and when he discovers it has fought off Galactus four times in its history, it causes great concern. Lilandra's ship is finally destroyed, but not before she teleports off of it... and directly in the living room of Jean Grey and Misy Knight. Worse yet, Jean's parents as well as Prof. Xavier were visiting. Xavier immediately recognises her as the face from his dream, and despite Lilandra being unable to speak English, Xavier knows her name someone. Lilandra faints, and as everyone is helping her to a bed, Firelord busts into the apartment, in search of Lilandra and Xavier. Jean tells Misty to help her parents get away, then Pheonix goes into action for the first time. Pheonix has the power to completely overwhelm Firelord, which amazed her parents, but troubles Eric the Red. He decides to take care of Lilandra (how Xavier metally just taugh the entire English language to) himself. He knocks her and Xavier unconscious, the sets up a warp gate. That's when the X-Men arrive. Xavier then comes to and summons Pheonix to help the rest of the X-Men. Eric takes Lilandra through the warp gate, and closes it from the other side. Xavier starts freaking out. Pheonix then summons as much power as she can and reopens the warp gate. She, along with all of the X-Men, go through to find Lilandra. Xavier, Misty Knight, and Pheonix' parents are then left alone... with Firelord.
Yeah, but is it good? I'm noticing a trend. The X-Men keep getting their asses handed to them. It makes sense, though. The new team is still learning to work together, and a lot of the time Cyclops or someone else mentions how much the new X-Men don't fight as a team, but as strong individuals. And really, there's no way they stand a chance against freaking Firelord. He's considered one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel universe at this point (although Spider-Man did beat him once). But Pheonix alone has the power to, at the very least, go to a stalemate with him! This is only the begenning of Pheonix' power.
Significata: Pheonix finally uses to her power, and it rivals that of Firelord. Jean's parents discover she has powers for the first time. Lilandra finally arrives on Earth and finds Xavier. Eric finally captures her. Eric the Red's real name revealed as Davan Shakari, an agent of the Emperor, and a criminal Lilandra banished to Earth before she rebeled against her brother. Wolverine continues to ride Cyclops.
X-Men #104 (Apr 77): And the Gentleman's Name Is Magneto
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Dave Cockrum, artist; Sam Grainger, inker; Patterson, letterer; A. Yanchus, colorist; A. Goodwin, author
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Synopsis: The X-Men, now in Scotland, are trying to get passage to Moira McTaggert's island north of the main island. Her usual ferry captain, Angus MacWhirter, refuses to give "a bunch o' costumed freaks" passage. Colossus "persuades" him to let them take his hovercraft. Moira asked the X-Men to check on her lab when she didn't hear from her aid, Jamie Maddrox, in some time. Just before they reach the island, the hovercraft is torn apart. As the X-Men try to run to the lab, they hit an invisible wall. A large chunk of the ground with the X-Men on top is then torn from the ground and hurtles the team towards the wall of the lab. Their combined power allows them to break down the wall. But once inside, they ae confronted by Magneto. Outside on the lab's landing platform, Cyclops and Moira land in the Blackbird. Cyclops is a little upset about Xavier never telling him about this lab for containing the world's most dangerous mutants. Moira finds Jamie Maddrox uncounscious on the floor. He wakes up and tells them the lab was attacked by Eric the Red, Havok, and Polaris. He then returns the baby Magneto to an adult. The two then forge an alliance. Cyclops then realises what the new X-Men are up against and takes off to find them. The X-Men are being trounched, yet again. Colussus armored form and Wolverine's adamantium claws make them easily manipulated by Magneto. Storm's electrical powers are useless against him as well. Nightcrawler can't teleport away fast enough to escape Magneto. And Banshee, who holds his ground against Magneto the best out of the group, is eventually encased in iron, the particles being pulled from all the metal around them. Cyclops then arrives and catches Magneto off guard. He manages to stun him long enough to free Banshee and regroup the other X-Men. Cyclops then orders the X-Men back to the Blackbird. Wolverine flips at the idea of running from a fight, but Cyclops explains he's realised that Eric the Red has been using their former friends and enemies to get to Xavier himself, and he's in New York, totally unprotected. Wolverine is still mad. Magneto gloats over his victory, but in the process, his magnetic powers deactivate the cell doors for something labeled "Mutant X". Meanwhile, somewhere in space, a human named Christopher tells a lizardy alien named Ch'od he's worried about the Emperor's mad plan to use the dimensional gate. Meanwhile, in orbit around Earth, the ship and figure from Xavier's dream arrives. The figure says she needs to stop her mad brother's plan, but is then attacked by an Imperial Cruiser. Meanwhile, Jean is released from the hospital and is visiting her parents with Xavier and Misty Knight. They are being watched by Havok, Polaris, and Eric the Red.
Yeah, but is it good? It's Magneto. 'nuff said. I want to go back to a point I made in earlier reviews about villains using over dramatic English. Here it makes sense. Magneto is an itelligent man. He uses his braggart language to gain him psychological advantage. An island or a demon wouldn't understand this, or speak the language. As great as Magneto is, though, this is no where near the greatness a Magneto story can reach. This does continue to show the new X-Men do not fight well as a team, and no mutant can take on Magneto one-on-one. And now the pieces are set. Even if I didn't know what was going to happen next, I'd know it would have to be big. An epic story is about to begin.
Significata: Magneto is returned to adult hood. He defeats the X-Men. Wolverine continues to question Cyclops' leadership. Colossus begins to question his place in the X-Men, feeling life on the farm was so much simpler, and far less deadly. Havok and Polaris are still under Eric the Red's control. Mutant X is mentioned for the first time. First appearance of Angus MacWhirter, who is of minor importance later on. First appearance of Jamie Maddrox since he debut in a Fantastic Four story as a villian. The Emperor's mad plan is mentioned of for the first time. The figure from Xavier's dream finally arrives on Earth, but so does an Imperial cruiser. Jean is released from the hospital. The X-Men's most epic story is about to unfold.
X-Men #103 (Feb 77): The Fall of the Tower
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Dave Cockrum, artist; Sam Grainer, inker; John Costanza, letterer; Janice Cohen, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Synopsis: Nightcrawler is being carried away by leprechauns. He comes to and is a little freaked out by his rescuers. Eamon O'Donnell returns to tell Nightcrawler the other X-Men have been taken captive by Black Tom and Juggernaut. He then explains the leprechauns, "The Families" who live in Cassidy Keep, were taken hostage by Black Tom and Juggernaut and used O'Donnell to trick Banshee and the X-Men to come. Tom and Juggernaut were taking their orders from Eric the Red. The leprechauns then ask Nightcrawler about him disappear in shadow, which he didn't know he could do. The leprechauns then show Nightcrawler where the X-Men are being mentally tortured (so Xavier can feel it). It gives Nightcrawler an idea. He uses his image inducer to make himself look like Xavier, then teleports into the room. Thinking it really is Xavier, Juggernaut underestimates him, which allows Nightcrawler to get an advantage on him. Black Tom tries to blast him, but instead busts a hole in the side of the wall. Seeing the outside, Storm snaps out of her panic and summons winds to free herself and chase away the villains (who take Banshee with them). She uses her theif skills to free Wolverine and Colossus. The villains take Banshee to the top of the castle and tell them X-Men to come get him or else. Storm flies up. Colossus throws Wolverine up. Colossus climbs up. While the villains are busy try to keep the three from getting at them, Nightcrawler from the shadows frees Banshee. Banshee takes off after Tom and they duel it out while the other X-Men try to fight Juggernaut. Banshee knocks Tom off the edge of the castle and into the ocean below. Juggernaut abandons the battle and goes after Tom, his only friend in the world. The X-Men search for the two, but find no trace of them. Elsewhere, Eric the Red is being chastized by his master (the one who was watching Lang all that time ago), and Eric reveals he has a new ally to defeat the X-Men... Magneto.
Yeah, but is it good? It's ok. The story felt too big to be crammed into one issue. There was just too much stuff here. And the X-Men didn't get a decisive win after getting trounced last issue. Nightcrawling discovering he disappears in shadows really bothers me. It's a fine power and suits him, but he's only finding this out NOW? A man that disfigured has never been in shadows before? Or out at night? Please.
Significata: Nightcrawler discovers he disappears in shadow. Eric the Red revealed as the one who hired Black Tom and Juggernaut. Eric the Red also has a master who wants Xavier dead, for fear of Princess Neranami reaching him. Eric hires Magneto, the X-Men's oldest foe, to stop them.
X-Men #102 (Dec 76): Who Will Stop the Juggernaut?
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; Dave Cockrum, artist; Sam Grainger, inker; John Costanza, letterer; Bonnie Wilford, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Marvel Girl, Misty Knight
Synopsis: The battle begins! Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus tackle Juggernaut while Banshee battles his cousin, Black Tom. Storm continues her claustrophobia attack. Colossus tries to help her, but Wolverine makes him fight instead. They get clobbered by Juggernaut. Nightcrawler tries to help Storm, too, but gets clobberd when he isn't looking. Storm curses herself for being unable to do anything. Then she flashes back to her childhood. She was born in Harlem, NY. Her father photo journalist and her mother and African princess he brought back. Then they move to Cairo. During the Suez War, Cairo is bombed by the British, French, and Israalis. Their home crumbled, her parents dead, and a very young storm buried in the rubble. The young storm is taken in by thieves and trained by master theif Achmed El Gibar. When she turned twelve, she walked across the Sahara to Kenya and lives as a goddess until meeting Xavier. Meanwhile, in the hospital in NY, Xavier tries to mentally contact the X-Men and learns of their predicament. He tries to tell Cyclops, but a now conscious Jean is trying to introduce them to her roommate, Misty Knight. Xavier dismisses her and take Cyclops outside the room to tell him. Xavier orders him to go to their help. Cyclops refuses, choosing to stay with Jean instead. Xavier is about to snap at him, when he looks in a mirror and see the face from his dream, much clearer this time. Meanwhile, back at Cassidy Keep, the X-Men are getting trounced. Nightcrawler is blasted by Black Tom and falls into shows... and partially disappears. He's then discovered by Leprechauns, who take him away from the battle. During the battle, Black Tom mentions someone had freed both Black Tom and Juggernaut from prison and paid them to kill the X-Men. The X-Men are soundly defeated, and when Storm finally make an effort to help, she's easily thrown aside by Juggernaut. The two then reveal the one they're really after is Xavier. And the way to get to Xavier is to go through his X-Men. He has a constant telepathic rapport with them. Torture the X-Men, and Xavier will feel it.
Yeah, but is it good? Yes, but it's just X-Men getting their asses handed to them. The cover shows Colossus vs Juggernaut and it would have been a great battle, but the real showdown never happens. We finally get Storm's backstory, and it's really interesting. But Claremont uses actual historical events as part of the story. The problem with that is, he just declared Storm was five in 1954. That was fine at the time, making her 21 in 1975. In 2004, it makes her 50. In the current comics, she's depicted as being nowhere near that, as comic time flows slower than real time (approx 3 times slower). Using real historical events tends to fuck everything up.
Significata: Storm's history revealed. Colossus remains very protective of Storm, to the point of nearly figting Wolverine. Wolverine still doesn't tolerate weakness in his teammates. Cyclops chooses Jean over the X-Men. Xavier's visions are getting clearer and clearer. Misty Knight, a regular in the Power Man & Iron Fist series, is revealed in the X-Men series as Jean's roommate. Nightcrawler disappearing in the shadows is shown for the first time. It's announced someone is paying Black Tom & Juggernaut to kill Xavier.
X-Men #101 (Oct 76): Like a Pheonix From the Ashes!
Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Dave Cockrum, artist; Frank Chiaramonte, inker; J. Costanza, letterer; B. Wilford, colorist; Archie Goodwin, editor
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Marvel Girl?
Synopsis: Jean Grey is dying. The shuttle is making a wild, desparate landing back on Earth, but the solar radiation has completely consumed Jean. The shuttle lands hard in Jamaica Bay in New York. Everyone who was in the life cell manages to swim to the surface. Cyclops tells everyone he's going to search for Jean despite their insistance that she's dead. Then out of the water, Jean in a strange new costume bursts upwards and proclaims herself Pheonix. She then faints, plummets, and calls for Cyclops. Xavier uses his mental powers to hide their escape as they rush Jean to a hospital. Some time later, Wolverine buys flowers for Jean, and curses himself for falling in love. When he gets to the hospital, he finds the rest of the X-Men, crushing his hopes for a private romantic moment. Moira asks Xavier if he can use telepathy to check on Jean's condition, but he's afraid it will trigger another seizer and vision. Meanwhile, Cyclops sits alone and realises only now that Jean is so close to death what she means to him. The doctor finally comes out and lets everyone know Jean is in bad shape, but will be ok. Everyone goes wild celebration except Cyclops, who breaks into tears of releaf. Xavier then sends the X-Men on vacation so he and Cyclops can stay and only have to worry about Jean. The X-Men, especially Wolverine, arn't thrilled with the idea of leaving Jean while she's in critical condition, but Xavier insists. Banshee then recieves this letter from his lawyer saying he's inhertited the Cassidy ancestoral castle, so the X-Men can take a trip there. Days later, the X-Men arrive at Cassidy Keep, a giant castle on the coast of Ireland. Their arrival is being monitered by the shadowy figure that killed Mr. Flaherty - Banshee's cousin, Black Tom Cassidy. He orders the keep's senestchal, Eamon O'Donnell, to make the X-Men feel at home, but not to let on about his evil plot or he'll kill the hostages he has,"The Families". Storm finds the castle to be so dead and cold, but Banshee feels completely at home. Nightcrawler and Colossus fight over who gets to escort Storm to dinner. As the group head toward the dinning room, a trap floor opens up and the X-Men fall to a deep sub-basement where they meet Black Tom Cassidy, and his partner... The Juggernaut. Storm realises how far underground they are, and has a panic attack.
Yeah, but is it good? One word - classic. Well, the first half. This is not an action issue. The previous was all out action, so this one is more character driven. And it introduces one of the most remembered X-Men stories of all time - Pheonix. The whole scene in the hospital is fantastic. The few pages there manages to show off Wolverine's growing love for Jean, his ignorance in social graces (did he not think the rest of the X-Men would remain by her side the whole time?), Xavier's concern for control over his mental powers, Nightcrawler being the team's ear and go to person for advice, and, of course, Cyclop's fear of losing the woman he loves. The cartoon and movie versions of Cyclops are nothing compared to the comic version. The other versions depict him as the team's dorky leader. The comic have him as a man of devotion to the two things in his life which have given him meaning: the X-Men, and his love for Jean, and how they sometimes conflict with each other. He's more real than the rest of the team. To be consistant, I refer to the X-Men by the code names (except Jean, just she isn't an official member at this point, so none of the other characters call her Marvel Girl), but with Cyclops it's hard not to refer to him as Scott, a real person you totally sympathise with. In Ireland, it's fun to see Nightcrawler play with his image inducer to find the perfect face to accompany Storm to dinner with. Nightcrawler is become the fun one of the team, with Storm being a total free spirit. And her claustrophobia is becoming a much bigger part of her character.
Significata: Jean died and is born again as Pheonix. Wolverine's love for Jean is growing. Xavier continues to worry about using his mental powers. Banshee finds out he has inherited Cassidy Keep. First full appearance of Black Tom Cassidy (and Eamon O'Donnell, too, I guess, if that matters). First mention of "The Families". The first appearance of Juggernaut in the new X-Men. The price of X-Men comics rises for 25 cents to 30 cents.
