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.
