Uncanny X-Men #174: Romances

Creative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; Paul Smith, penciler; Bob Wiacek, inker; Glynis Wein, colorist; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Louise Jones, editor; Tom DeFalco, editor-in-chief

Starting Line Up: Storm, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Colossus, Sprite, Rogue

Guest Star: Binary

In New Mutants #8: The New Mutants and Sunspot's mother, journeying down the Amazon River, are attacked by natives; Cannonball captures one, who turns out to be not what she seems; their ship is destroyed, and they are captured by -- Romans?!?

Synopsis: Cyclops shows Madelyne the Earth from orbit in Corsair's ship. Corair reveals Binary as the newest member of the Starjammers. Corsair asks Cyclops if he's like to come with him when he leaves Earth. Cyclops doesn't know. Elsewhere on the ship, Xavier continues to rehab his legs. Lilandra says it is in fact a physical problem and not just in his mind. She also says she has to return to her Empire soon as Deathbird's rule has caused another rebellion. She feels she must lead this rebellion. They also wonder if Madelyn is Phoenix reborn, but feel either way Cyclops deserves the love either way. Cyclops himself is wondering the same thing, but is afraid to ask her. She realises the dead Jean Grey is in a way a rival for his love. She asks him if he's going with Corsair or not. He still doesn't know. In Japan, Wolverine storms the Yashida home. The guards try to stop him, but Mariko tells everyone to lay down their weapons. Wolverine demands to know why she broke off the wedding. She gives him the same answer, he isn't worthy, and also mentions the fact he killed her father. Wolverine returns the Yashida Honor Swords she gave him (I'm guessing in the Wolverine mini-series). Mariko sends her beaten up half-brother, Silver Samurai, to collect the sword. Samurai gloats and Mariko banishes Wolverine from her home. Back at the mansion, Kitty is reading the July '83 issue of the Star Wars comic. She wants to show Colossus something, but interrupts him painting. She takes him off showing him a) she can cause someone else to phase with her if they're in contact, b) they make out and c)... they don't get to c. Unfortunately for them, they had made it up to Storm's attic and she promptly returns to interrupt. That's when they notice Storm had gotten rid of all her plants. Nightcrawler checks up the still ailling Rogue. He recaps Phoenix' story for her. Elsewhere, Cyclops and Madelyn are piloting a plane back to Alaska. Cyclops propsed to Maddy and she accepted. As he checks on the passengers, a familiar looking roly poly priest hands him a picture he dropped. It's a picture of Jean in Greece before she became Dark Phoenix. This puts a lot of thoughts into Cyclops head. The priest enjoys his look of bewilderment. Later that night, Madelyn returns to her home and looks for Cyclops. Jason Wyngarde is in the house, but she doesn't see him. She finds Cyclops and finally flat out asks if she is a reincarnation of Jean Grey. The answer is a right hook to the jaw. She storms off while he realises that was the worst question he ever could have asked her. He follows her into the next room, but is blasted out... by Phoenix.

Yeah, but is it good? The whole point of this issue is to stop and reflect on the romantic situation of all the X-Men. The biggest one is Cyclops and Madelyne. He finally proposes to her, but asks her the question we were all thinking but afraid to ask (Who does he think he is? Drunk Kevin?) But was he right in asking? He was blasted by Phoenix! There's a master plan going on... (Get it? Jason Wyngarde is Mastermind.) Then we have Wolverine and his ended romance. He gets no satisfactory response, but we're still left to assume Wyngarde also had something to do with it. Then we get Kitty and Colossus, whose relationship has progressed to make out sessions. And Petey finally gets a creative output. His words always failed him despite his poetic nature, so he's giving painting a try. Then we get Xavier and Lilandra, once again having live galaxies apart, but their love will last. There's even mention of Nightcrawler and Amanda Sefton, even though she doesn't appear, just to remind us they're still together. Hell, there's even a reminder that Corsair is in love with fellow Starjammer Mam'selle Hepzibah. As for the X-Men without romantic lives, Storm and Rogue... well they don't get much time in this one. It's a quiet talky issue before the storm... Phoenix? You'll have to wait for that one because I'm reviewing annual #7 next :)

Significata: Cyclop and Madelyn get engaged. Cyclops is attacked by Phoenix. Jason Wyngarde is involved somehow. Mariko Yashida has forgiven her half-brother, Silver Samurai, and he has returned to the clan. Xavier's leg problems are physical afterall. Lilandra returns to lead another rebellion. Colossus takes up painting. Binary joins the Starjammers.  ¶ 1:45 AM