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.
