Kevin's Random Thoughts

Saturday, September 04, 2004

X-Men #96 (Dec 75): Night of the Demon!

Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author; Dave Cockrum, artist; San Grainer, inker; Dave Hunt, letterer; Phil Rachelson, colorist; Marv Wolfman, editor

Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus

Synopsis: Cyclops is walking alone in the woods near the mansion, muling over Thunderbird dying under his leadership. In anger, he lets loose his optic beams and destroys everything around him. In the process, some ancient cairn in hit and starts glowing. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the rest of the X-Men are training in the Danger Room. Wolverine loses it and nearly kills Nightcrawler when Nightcrawler laughs at him. The doorbell rings and Xavier asks Banshee to let their new housekeeper in. Banshee is instantly smitten when he greets Moira McTaggert. Meanwhile, at a secret installation in upstate New York, Col. Michael Rossi arrives and is greeted by St. Stephen Lang. Rossi tells Lang his "Project Armageddon" is being denied by the government. They refuse to support a project to kidnap and interrogate mutants. Lange threatens Rossi to support him or else. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the X-Men are being introduced to Moira when Cyclops flies in through the wall. He's soon followed by a giant one eyed demon named Kierrok. The X-Men fight Kierrok, but he easily fends them off. Xavier tries a mental attack, but Kierrok's ancient, evil mind overwhels him. Moira tires to attack the Kierrok with an M16 (?) to no avail. Xavier realises they need to destroy the source of Kierrok's power. Xavier mentally directs Storm to the cairn. Storm is attackd by an army of smaller demons that try to pull her inside. Storm has flashbacks to being trapped under rubble as a child and freaks. The surge in her power destroys the cairn and Kierrok disappears. The epilogue shows Col. Rossi's plane crashed outside of Red Hook, NY with no survivors.

Yeah, but is it good? It's ok. The battle with Kierrok with fun, but his dialogue, like Krakoa in GS#1, was too over the top. He's an acient demon. How does it know English, let alone proper English in an overdramatic fashion. Moira with an M16 was a major groaner, but it did introduce her fiery spirit and unwillingness to back down for anyone. This is where the Claremont greatness begins. While the story isn't as good as those to come, it's still enjoyable, and he's already forshadowing upcoming stories, as well as giving glimpses into characters' back stories.

Significata: First appearance of Moira McTaggart and Banshee instantly falls for her. First appearance of Stephan Lang and mention of "Project Armageddon". First indication of Storm being claustrophobic and the childhood cause of being buried under ruble. Wolverine is still psychotic enough he would kill Nightcrawler. That attitude would turn 180 soon enough. Cyclops once again questions his leadership. Xavier's mind is warped by touching with Kierrok's. This is a partial explantion of things to come.
¶ 1:20 AM

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