Kevin's Random Thoughts
X-Men Annual #4 (1980): Nightcrawler's InfernoCreative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; John Romita Jr, artist; Bob McLeod, artist; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Louise Jones, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Storm, Angel(DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Colossus, Kitty Pryde
Guest Star: Dr. Strange
Synopsis: It's Nightcrawler's 21st birthday. The X-Men are throwing him a surprise party. One of the presents he recieves is crystal figure of himself. The figurine explodes and a black smoke envelops him. He drops, not breathing. Xavier and Storm rush him to the infirmary. After hours of waiting, they announce he is no longer living. Dr. Strange arrives at the mansion on the request of Prof. Xavier to investigate. Nightcrawler isn't DEAD, he's just not alive because his soul has been taken from the body. Strange senses a vengeful pressence, yet not an evil one. He is attacked by a powerful sorceress named Margali. She pulls Strange and the X-Men minus Xavier and Kitty into... well somewhere else.
The X-Men and Strange awaken to find themselves, along with Nightcrawler, outside the gates of Hell as described by Dante Alighieri in The Divine Comedy. They enter and arrive on the shores of the River Acheron. Charon ferries them across to meet King Minos, the judge of Hell. He appears as a ritzy sleazebag. He judges Nightcrawler for his sins and with his tail, hurls him into the pits of Hell. Storm goes right after him. She catches him as he passes the second circle of Hell (where the lustful as punished with unrelenting winds). While Nightcrawler escapes and teleports back to Minos' court, Storm is attacked by harpies. She knocked out and falls into the pits herself. Strange and the X-Men go after her. The descened into the third circle (where gluttons are punished with unrelenting, cold rain). They are attacked by Cerberus, the three headed hound of Hell. Wolverine easily defeats him and the hound runs. Dr. Strange believes they are doing too well in a fight against Hell. They make their way through the four circle (where the avaricious are punished by pushing boulders for eternity) and the fifth circle (where the wrathful violently battle each other). Dr. Strange finally asks Nightcrawler why Margali wants him to suffer in Hell. He explains long ago he killed her first born son, much to the surprise of the rest of the team. Then they arrive at the sixth circle, the city of Dis (where the heretics burn for eternity). The city is surrouned by a great wall of flame with an army of demons on top throwing spears. They try to take on the army, but are repelled. They find a great iron gate in the wall of flames. Colossus uses all of his strength to open it. The demon army backs away in fear. Apparently only one being (whether its God or Satan is never said) can open the gate.
The X-Men and Strange somehow skip the 7th circle and end up at the 8th, the Malabolge (where all forms of fraud are punished: panderers, seducers, flatterers, simonists, diviners, con-arists, hypocrites, and thieves). Wolverine assumes Storm must be here since she was thief as a child in Cairo. He jumps into the appropriate bolgia to look for her. The rest of the group go looking for him, but instead they find Storm. Or what looks like Storm. She's hideous and twisted by evil. Strange explains of of the serpent demons must have taken control of her body. Wolverine returns with a serpent he claims has Storm's scent. The serpent bites the body, and Storm is returned to normal. The X-Men descend into the 9th circle of Hell, Cocytus (where the traitors are punished by being eaten for eternity by Satan himself). Cocytus is an extreme cold, barren wasteland. Nightcrawler becomes trapped under a sheet of ice that only Colossus can break him out of. Satan appears, but Dr. Stange instantly recognises him as false. This false Satan turns out to be Margali. She wishes to know how the rest of the X-Men and Strange arrived here. Margali's daughter, Jimaine, appears and says she led the X-Men here. And Nightcrawler seems to know her. Margali strikes her down. Dr. Strange then steps in and the two sorcerers engage in a mystic battle until Nightcrawler stops them, willing to accept his fate. Strange decides to look into Nightcrawler's soul and find the truth. We find the abandoned infant Nightcrawler was raised by the gypsy sorceress, Margali Szardos, along with her two children, Stefan and Jimaine. Jimaine was Nightcrawler's best friend, but he started to turn evil. He made 'Crawler promise if he ever lost his good self, that Kurt would kill him. Eventually that day came when Stefan became a murderer. Nightcrawler was merely trying to subdue him when Stefan's neck was snapped by accident. Nightcrawler did live up to his promise, though. He was on his way to tell Margali when he was attacked by villagers. This is when Xavier steps in and offers him a spot on the X-Men way back in GS X-Men #1. Margali transports everyone back to the mansion and forgives Nightcrawler. Then she disappears. Nightcrawler is reunited with Jimaine, but it turns out she was Amanda Sefton, Nightcrawler's girlfriend, all along. She was trying to get the truth from him. Everyone celebrates.
Yeah, but is it good? I've said it before and I'll say it again. The X-Men do not belong in stories of magicks and sorcery and any other mystical crap. They are supposed to fight evil mutants, anti mutants, and occasionally go on a trip through the stars with the Shi'Ar. But if this story has to exist, this is the place for it. In an annual. It still feels like a waste of an annual, especially when the regular issue released that much (#138) has to suffer because of it. The story itself wasn't too bad for the most part. I've read far worse annuals. If you like Dante and all his nutty writting, this will either make you happy because it's totally based on it, or pissed off because of inaccuracies. It was nice to see Nightcrawler get some more back story and Colossus to be used as a strong character again after months of all-Phoenix all the time. Nightcrawler's killing of his "brother" is an interesting idea, but it never goes anywhere. Nighcrawler is going to be given a more religious side in the coming issues (Colossus even tells Nightcrawler if believe in his God means the existance of this Hell, he's glad he was raised an Atheist). But this event is never used as a catalyst for it. It would have been interested if Nightcrawler became a devout Christian to atone for his sin of killing. The ending is one of the worst I've ever read then. To quote Homer: "Well, isn't everything all wrapped up in a neat little package then." But I mean the sarcasm. Nightcrawler's old girlfrined (who we've never heard of before) is really his current girlfriend (who we barely see) in disguise. That's stupid and nobody cares. To make it worse, now they have a supporting characters with the power of magicks and they just pop up unwelcomed from time to time. One question I will raise is: Where's Angel? You're probably thinking "Well he's not an X-Men, so he probably left after the funeral." But as we find out next regular issue, he has rejoined the team. But he's not here. Maybe he went home in between to tell his girlfriend he's rejoining the X-Men. But he left on Nightcrawler's birthday. That's a prick thing to do.
Significata: Margali introduced. Nightcrawler's backstory is given. Amanda Sefton releaved to be Jimaine (but will continue to be called Amanda) and has mystical powers. Storm revealed as new leader of the X-Men now that Cyclops is gone. Kitty still feels freaked out by Nightcrawler's appearance.
X-Men #138 (Oct 80): ElegyCreative Team: Chris Claremont, writer/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Autin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Louis Jones, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Iceman, Angel, Beast
Synopsis: Both old and new X-Men as well as the Grey family have gathered for Jean's funeral. Cylcops then reminises about the entire history of the X-Men from issue #1 to up last issue. Lilandra gives the Grey family a holempathic matrix crystal of Jean. When they touch it, a 3D image appears and the essence of her personality will be felt. Cyclops quits the X-Men to get his head back together. He vows that, despite his pain, he will continue to feel as alive as he did when Jean was alive. Kitty Pryde arrives at the X-Men mansion, but no one is home.
Yeah, but is it good? After a grand epic issue, especially one that features the death of a major character, it's tradition to follow it up with a very quiet issue. This is important because it helps to drive home the point that despite their adventures, these people are only human. Finding out how they deal with their problems helps up connect with them. But this issue is... it's even filler. It's a glorified clip show. I realise Claremont wrote a double sized epic last month, and the same month this issue was released so was a double sized Annual, but this is pointless. I guess the theory is that this issue is a good jumping on point for new fans since all the old X-Men are now gone, the new ones are still being developped, and a brand new X-Men is joining. The problem is that it's told through Cyclops' point of view, who is leaving. Xavier would have been a better choice as narrater, although not the right one to reflect on Jean specifically. I would have rather read a couple of pages from each member of old and new team reflecting on Jean and their feelings for her than this uncreative recap of events that didn't necessairily affect her. I must admit the last two panels are hilarious, and a nice break from the very sad feel of the last few issues (and things do get a little more light hearted for our poor band of mutants coming up). Kitty arrives at the mansion with a big smile on her face. The next she's sitting on the step looking like she's about to cry because everyone forgot about her.
Significata: A recap issue of the past 137 issues (keeping in mind issues 68-93 were all reprints). Cyclops quits the team. Kitty Pryde joins. The price of the comic raises to 50 cents an issue.
X-Men #137 (Sep 80): The Fate of the Phoenix!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writter/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Autin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Jim Salicrup, editor; Louis Jones, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Phoenix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Angel, Beast, The Watcher
Synopsis: The X-Men and friend have been teleported a Shi'Ar battle cruiser. They are addressed by Lilandra, who declares Phoenix must be destroyed. Cyclops argues she was the one who saved the universe from Lilandra's brother. She then tell the X-Men of Phoenix killing 5 billion people. Cyclops again argues that the destruction was caused by Dark Phoenix and her power is under control. Lilandra rebuts that if control can be lost once, it can be lost again. Xavier steps in and uses his knowledge of the Shi'Ar to challenge his love for a duel of honor for Phoenix' life. She confers with the Kree and the Skrulls (other major alien races in the Marvel Universe, as see in Avengers and Fantastic Four respectively, they also hate each other) and then accepts. The X-Men are given a night to rest for battle. They each go off and contemplate the situation. Jean is scared, but does not agree that her death is the wrong punishment. The rest of the X-Men all think about the upcoming battle and how they will fight to the death for Jean. None believe the Shi'Ar have the right to condon her to death. But some have doubts about their chances and about themselves, especially Angel. Jean has a replica of her green Marvel Girl costume made to wear in battle, since she no longer has the limitless power of the Phoenix. Dawn arrives, and they go. They are teleported to the "Blue Area" of the moon; a giant crater where an Earth link atmosphere exists. The crater is filled with abandoned buildings of a long gone civilization. The Imperial Guard soon arrives, so the X-Men split into two groups for hit and run attacks to wear them down. Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Nightcrawler, and Angel go above ground, while Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, and Beast go below. They both find action. The below team doesn't do as well as their upper counterparts as Wolverine and Storm are soon seperated from the group. And then they are seperated as Wolverine falls into a crystal building. Storm is soon defeated. Meanwhile, Nightcrawler and Angel are seperated from their group when Angel is thrown down a pit and Nightcrawler goes aftr him. Wolverine wakes up inside the crystal building and finds it belongs to The Watcher. He's promptly ejected from the building. He's then defeated by a Kree and a Skrull representative (who then battle each other). Nightcrawler has lost Angel, and all alone he is defeated. Colossus and Beast have been doing well until this point, but eventually Beast is downed. Colossus goes toe to toe with Gladiator, the praetor of the Imperial Guard. Their fist fight levels a building on top of them. Gladiator walks away from it. Colossus does not. The slaughter is causing Xavier much pain to witness and Lilandra feels terrible that her duty is causing it. The lovers are the last two standing X-Men. Cyclops and Marvel Girl, Scott Summers and Jean Grey. They say what they feel might be their goodbyes then go out fighting. Cyclops is downed by a blast. This has the same effect as in the Hellfire Club. She loses it, and the power of the Phoenix unleashes itself again. No matter what, the power will never be contained. Xavier mentally commands his X-Me to awake... and attack Phoenix. Colossus strikes her with a powerful blow, but he could not bring himself to hit her full force. It's enough to snap her back to her senses. She realises that as long as she lives, the uncontrolable power of the Phoenix will be a part of her. She knows, for the good of the universe, she must die. She runs away into one of the abandoned buildings. Cyclops follows her, but she stops him. She explains she will always be hounded by the darkness of Phoenix and she doesn't have the strength to keep it in check for the rest of her life. She doesn't want anyone else to die because of her. She activates one of the guns in the building telekinetically and fires. She's vaporized before her lover. Phoenix is dead.
Yeah, but is it good? I stated the last issue would have been more than a satisfactory conclusion to the story. It would have been, but this is far grander, far intenser, far more epic. There's a balance here between action and drama. Yes, the X-Men lose the fight, but it's a battle they could never win. They were outmatched from the start. But they fight anyway, against all odds, and give everything they to save one of their own, one of their family, someone they love. Before the battle, we get about a page per character, alone with their thoughts, contemplating the situation. It really drives home the importance of their fight. The fact that Xavier makes the challenge against his love, Lilandra, also adds that Jean's life is more important to him than what Lilandra may think. The issue has contains a prologue and epilogue with The Watcher, a Fantastic Four character who always watches, but never interferes, in the course of human events. This lends credibilty to the grand scale of the stort. In the end, when Jean realises she will never be able to control her power, she goes out the noblest of ways. Despite the pleas from her lover, she takes her own life. So many characters get wasted deaths to sell an issue (and are promptly brought back for the same reason), but this death was tragic, powerful, and meaningful. This is why I praise Chris Claremont. This is why I love comics.
My one complaint about this issue is that it doesn't feature Iceman. Claremont found a way to write in two of the missing original X-Men, so why not the third? He means just as much to Jean as Beast does. That's my only complaint. This is comic writting at its finest.
Significata: Phoenix dies. New members of the Imperial Guard are introduced for anyone keeping track of them (I'm not). Double sized issue. Sold for 75 cents. Ranked #3 in the 100 Greates Marvel Comics of all time.
X-Men #136 (Aug 80): Child of Light and Darkness!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Bob Sharen, colorist; Jim Salicrup, editor; Jim Shooer, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Angel, Beast, Jarvis
Synopsis: The Shi'Ar council meets to discuss the Pheonix problem. The decide she must be destroyed. The President (Jimmy Carter?) contacts the Avengers, but no one other than Javis the butler is home. Jarvis can't figure out where Beast went. In the X-Mansion, Beast is working on a device that might help them in a rematch with Phoenix - a mnemonic scrambler. It will prevent her from making coherent thoughts so she won't be able to access all of her power. Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus are restless, so they train in the danger room. Later, Phoenix arrives at her childhood home in the middle of the night. Her parents are happy to see her, but also afraid. That fear sparks her dark power to emerge once again. Before she can attack, a mysterious fog envelops the house. Phoenix, knowing Storm's doing, goes outsie to look for her. She is surprised by Nightcrawler, who teleports onto her back and slips the mnomic scrambler on her head. The scrambler may limit her power, but she still has more than enough to once again defeat most of the X-Men. When she's distracted, Wolverine jumps her and means to kill her to end it once and for all. In that instance, Jean's true personality comes through and asks him to do it. He hesitates for a second and she blasts him. She removes the scrambler and holds Beast and the X-Men minus Cyclops in her grip. Cyclops then enters the scene. He tries reasoning with her, appealing to the side that still loves him. He tells her he knows deep down Jean Grey is still inside and has limited control over Phoenix, so he tells her to fight it. When he's close to reaching her, Xavier shows up and mentally blasts her. The two enter into a psi war. It strains Xavier to his limit, and only because Jean deep down was helping him fight the Phoenix, he was able to re-create the circuit breakers to keep the Phoenix power in check. Cyclops fears she may have died in the process and while hoping she's still alive, mentally proposes to her. She wakes up, and asks him if he means it. He says yes. So does she. The X-Men take a moment to enjoy their victory, but are instantly transported away.
Yeah, but is it good? We almost had our happy ending. But no... there is one more chapter to go. Had this been the ending, it would have been a great to ending to a great story arc. Hell, a great series of story arcs ever since Jean became Phoenix 35 issues back. The battle with the X-Men was great, if short, but what really makes this issue is Cyclops' speach to Phoenix. He appeals to her self, hr humanity, and her love. This is where Claremont excels. A great issue, and all time classic.
Significata: Xavier re-engages the circuit breakers in Phoenix's mind to limit her power. She accepts Cyclops' proposal. Wolverine was unable to kill her when it was the best option (in his mind) and when she wanted to die. The Shi'Ar Empire decree that Phoenix must die.
X-Men #135 (Jul 80): Dark PhoenixCreative Team: Chris Claremont, writer/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Bob Sharen, colorist; Jim Salicrup, editor; Jim Shooer, ed.-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Beast, Angel (cameo), Banshee (cameo), Mr. Fantastic (cameo), The Thign (cameo), Spider-Man (cameo), Dr. Strange (cameo), Silvr Surfer (cameo)
Synopsis: A mass of energy explodes around Dark Phoenix and destroys yet another X-Men aircraft. The X-Men fall to Cental Park, but manage to survive. Dark Phoenix begins to attck them and are they are easily beaten. Back at the Hellfire Club, while the police are searching for the X-Men for breaking into the Club and assaulting its members, Sebastion Shaw is conversing with Sen. Robert Kelly about the situation. Kelly orders the police to search Central Park, but they arn't equipped to deal with super powered mutants. Shaw recommends to Kelly a method that would help in tracking down mutants - Sentinels. Pheonix powers soars even higher, signalling to many on Earth and beyond (see listed cameos above). Phoenix soars off int space just as Beast arrives to find the X-Men in Central Park. He helps them regroup. At that moment, Xavier in New Mexico and Moira McTaggart on Muir Island and discussing the near infinite levels Phoenix' power is reaching. In space, she flies with great velocity then opens a personal wormhole to another galaxy. Once there, she realises she still has limits to her power. So she feeds on a nearby star. The sun goes nova, and kills everyone on one of its inhabited planets. At the moment, a Shi'Ar Imperial cruiser is going by. The crew engage Phoenix, but easily trounced. They make an emergency call to Lilandra just before they are destroyed. She calls an emergy meeting of her ministers. Back at the mansion, Cyclops, through his psionic rapport, is aware of what Phoenix just did... and knews she headed straight back for Earth.
Yeah, but is it good? Fantastic. This really put Dark Phoenix' power over the top. There's no way the X-Men could ever defeat her, right? The scene where she kills an entire race of people by feeding on its star is extremely well done. It's so easy to say "a race we've never heard of exterminated". It's done all the time in comics. But her... you actual get the feel of horror from the atrocity. It's way more powerful than most throwaway plot points I've read before. The next two issues are set up extremely well.
Signigicata: Dark Phoenix trashes the X-Men. She also feeds on a star which goes nova and kills 5 billion people. The Shi'Ar Empire plan to act on it. Shaw suggests to Kelly Sentinels are a good thing for controlling mutants.
X-Men #134 (Jun 80): Too Late, the Heroes!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Bob Sharen, colorist; Jim Salicrup, editor; Jim Shooer, ed.-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Beast
Synopsis: Cyclops isn't dead, nor his mind insane. He's just hurting after dying on the Astral Plane. Phoenix begins to regard everyone in the room cruely. Before anything can happen, Wolverine busts in the room, with two Hellfire security handing off him. Wyngarde orders Phoenix to take care of him. She obliges, but while the Inner Circle is watching Wolverine, she telekinetically unlatches Cyclop's ruby quartz mask and assures him she's been freed on Wyngarde's control. He blasts off the mask, which knocks out Pierce. Cyke then blasts everyone's shackles and the go right into battle. Cyclops blasts Leland through a wall and over a balcony. Wolverine goes after him. Cyclops then blasts a hole in the floor, which Sebastian Shaw falls through. Colossus, in human form, goes after Pierce, but Pierce fights back and nearly knocks him out. Cyclops sends Storm and Nightcrawler after Shaw while he tracks down Wyngarde aka Mastermind. Wolverine jumps off the balcony toward Leland. Leland instinctively uses his powers on Wolverine, only too late realising it was a dumb move, and an extra heavy Wolverine lands on him hard. Meanwhile, at the Avengers mansion, Beast recieves a police report of the X-Men attacking the Hellfire Club. He decides he better go alone, since the Avengers might not think the X-Men to be heroes in this situation. Colossus and Pierce have a test of strength which Pierce almost wins, but his anti-mutant comments make Colossus so angry he fights back and breaks off Pierce's cybernetic arm. Pierce uses the sparks to blind Colossus and escapes. Storm and Nightcrawler have caught up with Shaw and Nightcrawler does his best to fight Shaw without hitting him. He doesn't succeed, but Storm radically drops the temperature about Shaw and weakens him. He throws Nightcrawler and Storm and also escapes. He meets up with Pierce and they accept defeat... this time. Upstairs, Cyclops is trying to clam the regular Hellfire guests, but Mastermind uses an illusion to make them all panic. That's when the lights go out, thanks to the exposed wires in the sewer. Cyclops has Wolverine round up the rest of the X-Men while he goes after Mastermind. Phoenix finds him first. Her rage towards him for what he did is intense. She reveals watching Cyclops, the man she loves, die on the Astral Plane snapped her out his control, not severe her last remain tie to reality like he assumed. She demands to know how he got in to her mind, since his power is just to create visual illusions. He reveals he used the White Queen, Emma Frost, to get him into her mind. Her punishment for Mastermind is what he desired: power. She uses her power to open his mind to all knowledge in the universe. His human mind cannot cope with it, and he goes catatonic. Cyclops finds her and the X-Men rush to escape before the police arrive. Shaw vows to use his connections to make the X-Men public enemy number one. As the X-Men get aboard their jet, Cyclops begins to realise what is happening to Phoenix. He believes her only hope is for him to get her to Xavier. But it's too late. Once airborn, the Phoenix power once again completely takes her over and reaches cosmic levels. She becomes Dark Phoenix.
Yeah, but is it good? Oh Hell Yeah. A great conclussion to the Hellfire storyline, and the beginning of a new, epic one. After issues of every X-Men except Phoenix getting trounced by the Hellfire Club and their various guards, the team finally rallies and kicks some ass. A epic storyline is about to follow, and the seeds are about to be sown for another all time classic coming up soon. This is why I call this a peak (one of several) in Claremont's writting. These are the stories everyone remembers. These are the ones that they reproduced in the animated series. These are the ones the movies should avoid since they will NEVER do them justice. And these are why I am the X-Men fan that I am.
Significata: Phoenix becomes Dark Phoenix (her costume is a different color). Jason Wyngarde aka Mastermind became cosmically aware for a brief period and rendered catatonic. Sebastian Shaw plans on using poltitical connections to ruin the name of the X-Men.
X-Men #133 (May 80): Wolverine: Alone!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Jim Salicrup, editor; Jim Shooer, ed.-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Banshee, Angel
Synopsis: The Hellfire soldiers are searching the basement for Wolverine's body. He jumps out of hiding and takes out the guards quickly. He uses the last guard to get information on where the rest of the X-Men are being held. Upstains, the Inner Circle have the X-Men held captive, with inhibitor bands to keep them from using their mutant powers, and in Cyclops' case, a ruby quartz mask. Jean, as the Black Queen, continues to believe she in th 18th century. She sees Storm as her turncoat slave girl. She cruely taunts her former friend. Cyclops thinks back to when they were hiding out in New Mexico from last issue. Phoenix had created a psychic rapport between them, keeping their minds open to each other. Cyclops plans to test if the rapport is still there and hopefully as it to free Phoenix as well as themselves. Nightcrawler asks Shaw why they havn't killed the X-Men yet. Shaw reveals he plans on using the X-Men's genetics to create an army of mutants to help them take over the world. Meanwhile, on Muir Island, Banshee returns from a jog to find Moira McTaggart studying. She reveals that when Jean became Phoenix, she had been give the power of a god. But because she only has the limitations of a human, her mind created mental circuit breakers to limit her power until she could adjust. Those circuit breakers have been released and Phoenix is again on the brink of tapping near-infinite power levels. Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Xavier is pensive and Angel tries to console him. Xavier revealed that he's begun to resent Cyclops a little because his role as leader of the X-Men has been taken over. Back at the Hellfire Club, Wolverine continues to sneak about the building up to the second floor where the X-Men are held, but he's caught with a gun pointed to his head. Upstairs, Phoenix flirts with all the members of the Inner Circle. Cyclops concentrates and tries to connect with her mind. He ends up on the Astral Plane, where the 18th century illusion continues. He meets Jean, but also Mastermind as Wyngarde. They begin a sword duel, and Cyclops is outmatched. Downstairs, Wolverine escaps his would be captore, but ends up in the Hellfire Club party. One of it's guests in presidential candidate, Sen. Robert Kelly. The Hellfire security jump Wolverine and begin to flog him. On the Astral Plane, Cyclops loses his sword duel by being run through. His flesh and blood body drops an is no longer breathing.
Yeah, but is it good? Yes, but a little misleading. They build it up like it's Wolverine cutting and slashing his way through an entire army to get to the other X-Men. There's some of that, but not as much as one might hope. Wolverine playing Dirty Harry with one the soliders is absolutely great, though. The desire to use the X-Men as genetic models to create an army of mutants for world conquest has been done before and it pretty weak. I like Sebastian Shaw as a villain, but his motivation here became quickly generic. The Astral Plane stuff was pretty cool. And Cyke loses! But... is he dead? According to Xavier from issue 117 his body will remain alive, but his mind will go through eternal torment. I get the feeling that isn't going to happen here.
Significata: Cyke dies on the Astral Plane. Moria predicts Phoenix will soon reclaim her godlike powers. Xavier desires to lead the X-Men like he did the old team. This eventually leads somewhere. Sen. Robert Kelly, a presidential candidate, is mentioned for the first time.
X-Men #132 (Apr 80): And Hellfire is Their Name!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer/co-plotter; John Byrne, co-plotter/penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Jim Salicrup, editor; Jim Shooer, ed.-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Angel
Synopsis: The X-Men arrive in New Mexico at Angel's desert getaway. Cyclops asks to speak to Angel in private, so he flies them off into the desert. Xavier is upset. He didn't want to the X-Men to hideout in the desert and he doesn't understand why Cyke wants to speak in private. Cyclops explains the X-Men can't go to the mansion since someone who knows all about them is after them. He recaps the events of finding Dazzler and Kitty Pryde, half the X-Men being captured by the White Queen, the rescue, the psi battle with Pheonix, and the White Queen choosing suicide over capture (so that's what happened...) He then tells Angel about the connection to the Hellfire Club. Angel is skeptical since he inherited a membership to the Club when he inherited his family's foturne, and the one time her went, they didn't seem like any sort of danger. He starts to tell Angel about Phoenix' change when she shows up. Angel takes off and the lovers have a moment. Phoenix uses her power to hold back Cyclops' optic blasts as they make sweet love in the desert. A week later in NYC, the X-Men begin their assault on the Hellfire Club while Xavier stays with Angel in New Mexico. Because of the distance, and his inability to resort his psychic rapport with them, they're going in without his help. Wolverine and Nightcrawler are sneaking in through the sewers. Because of the rain storm, the sewers are filling up fast. Wolverine exposes some electrical wires in case things don't go well and an unexpected black out could come in handy. Cyclops, Phoenix, Storm, and Colossus arrive as invited guests of Angel. Their arrival is immediately detected by the Inner Circle (Sebastian Shaw, Jason Wyngarde, Donald Pierce, and Leland). Wyngarde goes in to action by dancing with Phoenix and she immediately timeslips. He completely takes her away from Cyclops and leads her upstais. Cyclops tries to follow. Wyngarde reveals himself to be none other than Mastermind (I'll explain later) and Cyke chages after him, only to be blasted by the Black Queen Jean Gray. Storm and Colossus hear the commotion and charge into battle. They are met by Shaw, whose mutant power is he can absorb any kinetic engery (such as a punch) and it increases his strength. He turns Colossus' own strength against him. Storm creates a fog and tries to get away. Meanwhile, in the basement, Wolverine and Nightcrawler arrive, but are met by Pierce and Leland. Wolverine slashes Pierce's arm and reveals him as a cyborg. Leland uses his mutant powers to affect any object or person's mass (actually they mean density) and makes Wolverine so heavy he crashes through the floor back into the sewers. Pierce captures Nightcrawler, while elsewhere Shaw finishes off Storm. The Inner Circle celebrate their victory over and capture of the X-Men, as well as their new Black Queen. But down in the sewers, Wolverine pulls himself out of the water, and gets ready to go in alone.
Yeah, but is it good? If the entire issue sucked, the last panel alone would save it. The bottom half of the last page in one panel with Wolverine, pissed off, waist deep in water, dripping wet, claws extended and gleaming, the shadow of a sewer great cast upon him, and he says "Okay, suckers -- you've taken yer
best shot! Now it's my turn!" Just one of my favorite scenes. t looks just amazing in my b&w version. I always loved John Byrne's artwork. But anyway, the rest of the issue doesn't suck and in fact is very good. There is tension among the heroes, cool villains (at least Shaw is, anyway), a heel turn, and the return of an old villain. Mastermind was one of the X-Men's earliest enemies. He was a part of Magneto's original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and latter the mysterious Factor Three. He was never much more than a second rate villain, but here he's sure got a new lease on life and he's became very dangerous to the team. Jean become the Black Queen, despite all of Wyngarde's claims she would become his, still must have come off as a surprise at the time. But most of you know where this is going ;) Excellent stuff, and the big fight is still to come.
Significata: Phoenix finally falls under Jason Wyngarde's influence and becomes the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. Jason Wyngarde revealed as Mastermind. First appearance of Donald Pierce, a cyborg, and Leland, who affects a being's DENSITY. Sebastian Shaw's power revealed to be the ability to absorb kinetic energy and add it to his strength. White Queen's fate revealed as suicide. Xavier mentions he's been unable to re-establish his psychic rapport with his students since returning to Earth.
X-Men #131 (Mar 80): Run For Your Life!Creative Team: (not listed in my copy, assumed to be same as previous)
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Phoenix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Synopsis: In Chicago, Kitty Pryde is still running from the Hellfire Club's soldiers. She is saved by Pheonix, who easily destroys their car while Nightcrawler whisks Kitty away. Cyclops at Jean for going too far. Nightcrawler wave for their attention and they check on him. Kitty got away from him and phased through a wall. Phoenix goes after her and lets her know they're there to help her. Kitty tells the X-Men everything she knows. Phoenix mind scans one of the unconscious Hellfire soldiers and she finds out all about the Club and the White Queen. This disturbs Phoenix since she was proclaimed as the Hellfire Club's Black Queen in one of her timeslips. The X-Men head off to save the rest of the team. Phoenix manipulates the guard telepathically while they all act unconscious in the back seat of the car (with Phoenix mentally reassembled to perfect without effort). Meanwhile, Kitty slips inside the building to try and free who she can. Storm is being mind probed by Emma Frost, so Kitty goes to Wolverine. She tries to reach inside the lock to open it, but by just phasing through it, the lock pops open. Kitty is stun blasted by one of the guards, but Wolverine hops into action. Meanwhile, outside, the other X-Men have been let inside the compound so they bring their trap. They launch into action with Dazzler and storm the building. Frost is alerted of their presence, so she decides to torture Storm. Phoenix arrives before she gets a chance. Meanwhile, Cyke, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler tackle the guards until they meet up with Wolverine, Colossus, and a stunned Kitty. They join the battle. Wolverine mentions Xavier went off on his own, wouldn't let anyone follow, and told them to find Storm. Cyclops agrees and the team is off to find her. Meanwhile, Phoenix is engaged in a psi battle with the White Queen, and Phoenix is kicking ass. Storm can't believe the level of Jean's power. Frost gathers all her energy up for one last strike and the whole building they were in blows up. The X-Men rush to the scene, but find Phoenix and Storm unharmed. The White Queen wasn't so lucky (what happened isn't specified). Xavier shows up out of nowhere and they leave. Xavier finally gives the team credit for a job well done. He then offers Dazzler a spot on the team, but she declines. They take Kitty home and her parents are enraged since they hadn't seen her since she left with the X-Men to get an ice cream. Her father begins to berate Xavier, then suddenly becomes as sweet as pie. Cyclops deduced it was Phoenix who altered his mind, something she would have never done before. Cyclops and Storm worry about her, and Storm mentions she feels some dark force is behind her changes (and the wind cries Wyngarde...)
Yeah, but is it good? Good, action issue, but the ending felt rushed. It's almost like Xavier disappeared to go do something important, but just shows up at the end and says "We better go now". And what happened to the White Queen? Is she dead? I guess we're supposed to assume so. This is definately a Phoenix issue. The point is really her powers have increased to an unconcievable level since her change, and the "circuit breakers" her mind used to impose to prevent her powers from getting too high are no longer kicking in. She's also becoming darker and using her powers with exess (such as destroying a car and reanimating an unconsious man) and in ways she would have never done before like whipping a part of someone's memory (Xavier, however, used to do it on a seemingly per issue basis in the old series). And we're, of course, led to believe it's all Jason Wyngarde's doing (and if you followed the cartoon, you know where this is heading...). The showdown between the X-Men and the Hellfire Club is heating up!
Signigicata: Everyone is become worried and Phoenix' power and it's affect on Jean's mind. The White Queen dies? Dazzler declines to join the team. She would get her own series a year later. Kitty's ability to scramble electrical circuitry is hinted at. Her dislike of Nightcrawler is hinted at. Xavier finally gives his new team some props.
X-Men #130 (Feb 80): DazzlerCreative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; John Byrne, penciler/co-plotter; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Glynis Wein, colorist; Roger Stern, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Synopsis: Cyclops, Pheonix, and Nightcrawler arrive in a sleazy part of Manhattan to look for the other mutant. The Hellfire Club is spying on them as well. Cyke and Pheonix go inside the club while Nightcrawler stays with the car. The club is a really dirty disco. Cyke uses a portable Cerebro to search, while Pheonix mind scans the club. She picks up tons of disgusting thoughts, but finds herself somewhat attracted to them. The Hellfire guards report to Sebastian Shaw, with Jason Wyngrade, that they are ready to attack. Shaw checks in with the White Queen. She has the other X-Men prisoner and have mutant inhibitors to prevent them from escaping. Kitty is hiding out of site in the corner. She quietly approaches Storm, and Storm, in a daze, gives her a phone number to call for help. The guards spot Kitty and Frost orders them after her. She phases through the floor so they can't follow. Back at the disco, Pheonix runs into Jason Wyngarde in person. She's instantly transported back in time again. This time, it's her wedding day. She's marrying Wyngarde with Shaw as the priest and (as we will later find out) the rest of the Inner Circle as the guests. Once they are pronounced man and whife, she is revealed to be the Hellfire Club's new Black Queen. She kisses her new husband... and then snap back into her own time just as Cyclops watches her kiss Wyngarde in this time. She tries to explain, but then on the stage, Dazzler makes her debut. Cyke instantly recognises her as the mutant they've been searching. Outside, Nightcrawler answers the car phone. It's Kitty Pryde telling him all about the other X-Men being captured. Before he can get any more info, he's attacked by one of the dude's in battle armor. Inside the club, two more battle armored fellows smash in. Pheonix changes her and Cyclops' street clothes into their uniforms and they go in to battle. Dazzler helps them out and the X-Men get the better of the bad guys. Nightcrawler and his adversary enter the fray and the battle is soon over. Nightcrawler tells Cyke of what Kitty told him and they head off, with Dazzler. On the way, Cyke sees Wyngarde standing on a street corner casting a familiar shadow on a building...
Yeah, but is it good? The intrigue is getting better and better. More action than last time, but at the same time keeping the plot moving. By splitting up the team into two halves in two issues, more time can be spent on a less complicated battle. Both Kitty and Dazzler are being treated as important figures right off the bat, although Dazzler so far is just a disco ditz. Kitty, on the other hand, is fairly well rounded right off the bat. She would become Claremont's favorite character. He has a flair for writting teenage girl parts. At least as far as the predominantly male audience is concern. As the series goes on, more teenage girls pop up in the team.
Significata: Dazzler debuts. Wyngarde is once again physically showing up in Jean's life. She's no longer fighting the time shifts when they happen. She's finding the dark side of people's souls attractive. Sebastian Shaw's face is finally shown and it's nothing worth waiting for. Wyngarde's plan to make Pheonix his Black Queen is revealed. And Wyngarde casts a familair shadow...
X-Men #129 (Jan 80): God Spare the Child...Creative Team: (not listed in my copy, assumed to be same as previous)
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus
Guest Stars: Havok, Polaris, Multiple Man
Synopsis: The X-Men are preparing to leave Muir Island. Banshee had previously decided to leave the X-Men since his powers still havn't recovered, so he's staying with Moira. Cyclops offers X-Men spots to Multiple Man, Havok, and Polaris. All turn him down. The X-Men return to New York. Their jet passes by a Hellfire Club jet with Jason Wyngarde aboard. He triggers another time shift for Pheonix. She's aboard a ship with Wyngarde sailing for New York where they are to be married. She half accepts is, half fights it. She believes the Pheonix power is causing her to relive the life of one of her ancestors. Cyclops appears as the captain of the ship and snaps her out of it. He tries to talk to her about it, but she turns into a talk about Colleen Wing. He says she was just a friend. He confesses the reason he couldn't grieve for her when he thought she was dead was because she was the only one he ever loved and if he let himself feel anything it would have killed him. The X-Men arrive, but realise someone has infiltrated the mansion. They spring in to action only to find Prof. Xavier back from the Shi'Ar homeworld. He takes over the training of the X-Men, much to Wolverine's dismay. He hates being treated like a kid and a rookie so he storms off. Cyclops tries to explain to Xavier that most of the new X-Men have prior experience and are used to working alone. He tried to get them to mesh like the old team did, but it isn't going to happen. Despite that, they still function well as a team. Xavier blames him of poor leadership and he desired to take control of the X-Men again. Before Cyke can argue, Cerebro detects two new mutants, one in New York, the other in Chicago. Xavier splits the team up to make contact with them. We find out that Jason Wyngarde is watching the X-Men as the Hellfire Club have spy taps in Cerebro and other X-Men systems, thanks to the Club's leader, Shabastian Shaw, henchman Warhawk from back in issue #110. The Hellfire Club plans to recruit the mutants before the X-Men do. In Chicago, the Club's White Queen, Emma Frost, heads to the home of 13 year old Katherine Pryde just as she's returning home early from dance class beause of her chronic headaches. Frost is pitching her Massachusets Academy to Kitty's parents. Frost creeps Kitty out, so she goes to her room. She starts having an intense headache and suddenly wakes up in the living room. Frost leaves just as Xavier, Wolverine, Storm, and Colossus arrive to pitch thier school. Wolverine senses something erie about Frost. Xavier talks to Pryde's parents while the X-Men go get an ice cream with Kitty. Storm reveals they know Kitty has special abilities and then reveals their identities as the X-Men. At that moment, three guys in large battle armor (very much like the Mandroids from the Japan saga in issues #118 & 119) and attack the X-Men. Kitty is knocked back and goes throgh the wall. The X-Men defeat their enemies, but are all mentally attacked by the White Queen. She takes them aboard she hovercraft, but Kitty phases through the wall and stows away.
Yeah, but is it good? This is the start of one of my absolute favorite story arcs. The Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club are a perfect evil mutant couterpart to the X-Men. They are a group of mutants who have used their powers to achieve financial gain and power in the business world. They then use their money, power, and mutant abilities to further their own goals of world conquest. It sould be noted that the Hellfire Club itself isn't evil, only the Inner Circle. The rest of the club, which is a take off on the Illuminate or the Masons, is just a club for well to do industrialists. Only the Inner Circle, made up almost exclusively of mutants, are evil. There's a lot going on here and little action, but it's got a good pace. The dialogue between Cyke and Jean as well as Cyke and Xavier is especially good. The problem with the X-Men cartoon is Cyclops was such a one-dimensional character, an anal leader. He's so well rounded here as a lover and a more easy going leader than Xavier. And Xavier's attitude here is a great allusion to the Xavier from the original X-Men series, a harsh taskmaster. He's soon going to realise he may be able to talk to teenagers that way, but not grown young men and women... and God knows how old Wolverine is supposed to be at this point.
Significata: Banshee leaves the X-Men. Wyngarde continues to force Pheonix into "time slips" and she's starting accept them more easily. Cyclops reveals his numbness from Jean's death was him trying to keep his sanity. It's also pretty much over with Colleen Wing, who we never see in X-Men again :) Xavier returns to Earth. He takes over training the X-Men and much to their dismay. Xavier and Cyclops argue over how it's best to train the X-Men. It's revealed the Hellfire Club is spying on the X-Men. The leader is named, Sebastion Shaw, just face not show (for some reason). The White Queen makes her first appearance and is revealed to run her own school. The first apperance of Kitty Pryde and it's revealed her power is she can walk through walls. She's already attracted to Colossus, and is starting to bond with Storm.
X-Men #128 (Dec 79): The Action of the Tiger!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, author & plotter; John Byrne, plotter & penicler; 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
Synopsis: Proteus is destroying the city by warping reality. The X-Men go about trying to save the cities inhabitants. Wolverine starts to freak out again. The story of how Proteus escaped his cell is retold (Magneto accidentally short circuited the locks on his cell in #104, and then he took over the body of Angus MacWhirter in #119). Banshee wants to rush in an save the woman he loves, but Cyclops reasons with him it will do no good. Cyke leads the X-Men as a team and plans on exploiting Proteus' two weaknesses: metal and his need for new bodies. They plan on burning out his existing body first. The attack doesn't go so well as Storm, a powerless Banshee with a gun, and Nightcrawler all fail in their attempts. Pheonix launches a mind attack on Proteus that is successful for a while but he managed to fight back. Wolverine comes to her rescue and cuts Proteus with his metal claws. That hurts Proteus enough for Cyclops and Havok to blast him from each side. He uses his powers to escape and the two brothers blast each other. Cyke mentions (I believe for the first time, but I havn't any Havok from the old X-Men) that their powers don't have any effect on each other. Wolverine tries to help Moira escape, but Proteus catches up with them and throws Wolverine aside. Proteus comes for Moira until Colossus (in human form) comes to her aid. He throws Proteus' rapidly decaying body against a wall and it smashes into dust, leaving only a energy form. Proteus tries to take over Colossus' body, but he turns into his steel form and throws himself into the energy mass. Proteus' weakness to metal causes him to disappate and seemingly die. Moira is saddened by the death of her husband and son, but is relieved two great burdens from her life are now gone. Wolverine congratulates Colossus on "acing" Proteus and, surprising, Colossus doesn't look that upset over killing someone. Bansee and Moria are reunited and the story ends with their embrace.
Yeah, but is it good? The conclusion to a great story arc. Lots of action here. Proteus does some neat things with his power (like turning a brick wall into bees). Cyke even gets a neat power usage section as he slows a falling Wolverine by hitting him with a pulsating optic blast. Painful, but saved him. Havok and Polaris were pretty useles for the most part in this issue and the previous. I understand it made sense to have them in the first part of the story, but really they could have had them stay back with Multiple Man. I like Havok, but he's wasted here.
Significata: Proteus dies, killing both Moira's son and husband. Colossus does the honors, but show no sign of remorce. Wolverine, while saving Pheonix, says "Leave her alone!! I loved that lady, bub!" Loved. Past tense. So we know he's apparently over her and now in love with Mariko Yoshida. It's revealed for the first time, at least since the series was relaunched, that Cyclops and Havok's powers can't hurt the other (very much). Banshee and Moira finally get to be together since she found out he's alive.
X-Men #127 (Nov 79): The Quality of Hatred!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer & plotter; John Byrne, plotter & 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
Synopsis: Proteus continues his assault on Storm so he can steal her body. Nightcrawler wants to help her but Wolverine is paralyzed from fear. Proteus is grazed by a bullet and it turns out his own mother, Moira MacTaggart, is the one trying to pick him off. Cyclops tries to stop her, but he sucker punches him and takes off after Proteus, who steals their jeep and gets away. The X-Men regroup to plan a new search. Wolverine is still shaken up, so Cyclops goads him into a fight. He also takes on Nightcrawler and Storm. After throwing them all around for a while, he stops and claims he was just trying to snap them out of their shaken state. It worked. With no other way to track Proteus, they decide they'll just have to follow the trail of bodies. Proteus, meanwhile, ditches his cop body and takes that of a young girl and takes her car to throw off anyone following him. He then heads to Edinburgh to look for the "one-I-hate". Moira arrived ahead of him to tell her estranged husband, Joe, a local politician running for MP, that they have a son he didn't know about and she believes he's coming to kill him. It's also hinted at that he was physially abusive, hence the seperation. He won't divorce her since it's in his political interest to be married to a renowned geneticist. He's so upset she never told him about his son he kicks her out. That's when Proteus finds him. The X-Men arrive in Edinburgh and Pheonix does a mind scan of the city. She find Proteus at the moment he takes over his father's body and it causes her intense pain. The X-Men fly into action, with Pheonix telekinetically carrying every X-Men except Storm (who can fly on her own). This would have been impossible before her Pheonix powers. Back in the city, Proteus didn't just take over his father's body but instead shared it with him, warping the two psyches into one. He comes for Moira saying he "wants her", but his exact meaning is unclear. Being a combination of her husband and her son, it's an extremly Oedipal moment. The X-Men arrive on the scene, but Proteus uses his reality warping to fend them off (turning the street 90 degrees and turning Cyclops' optic blast into flowers). Proteus then grabs Moira and threatens to take over her body (now we're into Norman Bates territory) if the X-Men come any closer. They decide they have to stop him no matter what.
Yeah, but is it good? Great stuff here again, although I would have loved to see more of Proteus using his powers to do... well anything. Being the middle part of a three part story, I can see why it was being saved for the last chapter. Cyclops goading Wolverine into a fight was gold, since the inevitable showdown has been built up since the very beginning. The whole incestuous undertones of the Moira/Joe/Proteus wern't so blatant it's disgusting, but there enough to make the whole situation weird and disturbing. This story arc and the two immediately following it as well as the few coming up soon afterwards are some of my favorite stories and one of the many peaks during the Claremont era. Lots to look forward too :)
Significata: Wolverine shows fear for the first time. Cyclops and Wolverine finally go at it, albeit only briefly and without conclusion. Wolverine finally gives Cyclops some credit as a good team leader. Moira is revealed to be still married, just seperated (and has been for almost 20 years).
Was that an X-Men review?Yes, after many months, they have returned. That one was half finished and sitting in my "drafts" folder for months, so I decided to finish it and post it. Coming soon I'll finish the Mutant X/Proteus storyline, and then move into the Hellfire Club stuff, which is one of my all time favorite story arcs. This is one of many peaks of the Claremont era.
So, exams are done. I did terrible this semester. I had a real hard time getting back into the groove. I guess I sort of did when it came exam time, but too little too late. I'm praying I can get my head in the game for Interssesion.
I've replaced sleeping with work. I realised I didn't get paid for sleep. It's too bad I don't get paid very well or else I'd be LOADED right now. My tax return was mucho dinero. And I fucking deserve it after my months of financial horror. I'm being responsible though. No more ROH DVDs (just classic All Japan TV tapings ;) ).
Remember when this blog was about women? That's department is just as boring as everything else these days. Everyone I meet and think I might be interested in eventually proves to not do anything for me. That's not a knock on the girls. They're great. I just can't dig them. I've never been able to connect with "Fredericton girls" and I always fuck up royally with "Moncton girls". Maybe I should try "St John girls"?
X-Men to come...
X-Men Annual #3 (1979): A Fire in the Sky!Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; George Perez, penciler; Terry Austin, inker; Tom Orz, letterer; G. Wein, colorist; R. Stern, editor; J. Shooter; editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Pheonix (DNA), Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Colossus
Guest Star: Jarvis
NOTE This story takes place between issues #124 and 125.
Synopsis: A bolt of lightning strikes a street in Manhattan and Arkon the Magnificent appears. He's come to Earth looking for a former foe, Thor. He checks the Avengers' mansion, and their butler, Jarvis, tells him Thor is no longer an Avenger and has no way of tracking him down. Arkon is contacted by the Grand Vizier and is told there is someone else on Earth who can help them, and he sent an image of Storm.
The X-Men are training in the danger room. When Storm gets caught is a trap where she's enclosed, she freaks and sends shrapnel flying everywhere. The main computer is fried and the room cannot be shut off. The only way to shut it off is manually inside the room. As each of the X-Men try to get to the switch, the room turns against them. Wolverine is enjoying himself in the chaos. Cyclops finally uses as light, tight optic beam to hit the button on the panel to shut the room off. Storm walks away in shame. Cyclops tries to talk to her. She starts questioning her purpose as an X-Men. When she goes back to her attic, Arkon tries to kidnap her. She fights back and crashes down through to the living room where Cyclops and Banshee are. Cyclops blasts him outside into the pool where Colossus joins the battle. Soon all the X-Men battle against Arkon. He uses a gold lightning bolt from his quiver and throws is at Storm. She disappears. Colossus goes nuts and uses all of his power, but only stuns Arkon. Wolverine uses his claws to hold him down and anwers questions, but he refuses. Cyclops deduces from a little knowlegde he has of Arkon that his gold bolts are used to teleport people. He teleports all the X-Men except Banshee to where ever Storm is.
The X-Men arrive in a great hall full of Arkon's people, the Imperions. They are a warrior race and immediately launch into battle against the X-Men. The Grand Vizier escapes the battle, but is followed by Nightcrawler. Cyclops, sensing the battle is futile, causes the roof to cave in, and the three X-Men escape. Outside the great hall, all they find are a hord more of Imperions. Nightcrawler follows the Grand Vizier to a fortress where he talks to his disciples about Storm accepting her fate and how she must die. Storm then says she wilfully chooses to give her life for them. Nightcrawler, not understand any of it, puts a cape over Storm's head, which causes her to have a claustrophobia attack and freak out. The rest of the X-Men see the lightning blast and fight their way through the vast Imperion army to the source. Colossus hijacks a flying dragon and they fly their way over. They find Storm getting ready to sacrafice herself. Cyclops tries to talk her out of it. Arkon arrives and explains the purpose. His planet used to exist in perpetual daylight, lit by energy rings surrounding the plant. The rings faded and the world was plunged into darkness. Iron Man had built them a machine that would re-create the rings, but the machine broke. It was since fixed, but they needed a spark of energy to have the rings created again. This is why he abducted Storm. Cyclops orders Nightcrawler and Wolverine to reset the machine to work on energy blasts instead of lightning. He then orders Storm to gather as much power as possible, with Coloussus holding her up to act as a ground so none of her power is wasted. He then orders her to blast him with the lightning. Cyclops gets the strength for his optic blasts from the sun, and there is no sun on this planet to recharge him, so he figures lightning will work as well. Cyclops' blast is rechanged and he unleashes it on the machine. The rings are restored. The temple they were all in was destroyed, but everyone survived. Arkon sends the X-Men home.
Yeah, but is it good? Up until the ending, this was a great big fight issue. Annuals are ment to be something different for the characters, so this year they're sent off to fight an Avengers enemy. In my b&w reprints, the art is hard to follow (albeit interesting to look at) since it's so busy. I'm sure with color the fight scenes look great. The ending is ridiculous. I can understand a machine that needs lightning as a spark to work it. I don't understand how a) it can be reset to accept power blasts b) Nightcrawler and Wolverine know how to set the machine to do so c) Cyclops assumed his body would absord lightning well enough to create a power blast stronger enough rather than Storm using pure lightning d) why him getting blasted with lightning is any safer than Storm using her power to its fullest e) the machine, like any other machine, wouldn't be destroyed when struck by a power blast. Also, Storm's doubt about being an X-Man came out of nowhere. Sure it was mentioned early in the story to set up her willingness to give her life to save a world, but it wasn't something displayed in the regular series. The self-doubt bit had been Colossus' up to this point. Still, a fun story if you can look past the goofiness and just want some major fights.
Significata: First annual since the series relaunce. "King-Sized" aka double sized issue. Sold for 75 cents. Set a few issues before where the regular series was taking place at the time.
Out with the old, in with the new...I have been awake for aproximately 40 hours now. Why? Ok.
I worked Thursday night 8:30 - 11:30. My boss, Randy, put me on safewalk patrol with Jana, a girl he wants me to hook up with. We spent the entire shift playing cards with two first year kids in the SUB Blue Room. Then the two of us met up with other CPs at Dooly's. Jana was all over some other guy, but I didn't care. I got home at around 3am. I needed to finish a paper for 1pm the next day, so I was up for a few more hours putting the finishing touches on it. Then I watched Giant Baba vs The Desytoyer for 1969 and it's a great match if you enjoy the old style. At 6:30, I was out looking for coffee. I started my next shift at 8am guarding a door for 4 hours. Not very exciting. After work, I got my essay printed off and handed it in. Then I went for a haircut.
Also getting his hair cut was an old friend and roommate, Matt. He asked what I was up to for the night, being last class bash and all, and I said nothing but was up for anything if he was doing something. Back in the day, Matt was always doing something. I get home and online I see Matt's roommate, Rob. I ask the same question and let him know I was up for anything. I try unsucessfully to sleep for three hours, get up, and hear from Julie. She asks if I wanted to go to the Cellar with some people for food. I hadn't eaten in, like, days, so I went. Afterwards they were going to get a start on their Last Class Bash celebration, but I had every intention of being with my oldest and dearest friends this night. They invite me along, but I decline. I spent the next couple of hours calling my old friends here and get nothing. So with no plans, I go drink with Julie and her roommates and friends. And it was pretty fun.
Point of my drunk ramble... I spent most of my time now with Campus Police and recently Julie and her roommates & friends than I do with my long time Freddy crowd. They got old or boring or don't like me anymore... but I have a new crowd to have fun with. I HATE losing contact with some people, especially Bill and Ken, but life moves forward... and I have tons of fun with Randy and Julie.
I have no point, nor ovaries.
3 Random Things...I'm good in bed.
WrestleMania was good.
I'm getting new glasses.
Self Pity...I've have never said this before, but right now I feel it. I hate myself.
I fucking hate myself. I avoid looking at myself in the mirror. Thinking about myself makes me angry and disgusted. Yet I can't stop it. Mainly because I have to. I have to deal with the decisions and choices I have made. I have to deal with who I am and my inability to change myself. I have to deal with the fact I've ruined my own life. I have nothing becaue of my self. I am in the situation I am in because of my self. I hate myself because of my self.
I am lazy and irresponsible. So what, right? So is everyone. I am lazy and irresponsible to the point where it affects every aspect of my life. Financially, professionally, socially. Worst of all is I'm fully aware of these faults. I am fully aware of them yet totally unable (maybe unwilling) to change. It sickens me. I want to better myself. I know how to go about doing it. I just don't. I just can't make myself do it. The equivalent of someone losing use of their arm. They know how to move the arm but it just doesn't move. It's frustrating. It's infuriating. It's disgusting.
I want this life to end. I don't want to die, I just want to get away from everything. Right now I am willing to sacrafice everything, EVERYTHING - friends, family, comforts - all of it, if I could just start over and never have to deal with this life again. Maybe that is death. But there's no garuntee of second chances in death.
And if I did get a second chance I would just fuck it up like I've fucked up this life.
This is why I hate myself.
