Talking about comic books, TV shows, movies, sports, and the numerous other pastimes that make us Gentlemen of Leisure.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

X-amining X-Universe #1

"X-Universe: Last Stand"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
Mikhail Rasputin arrives in London at the head of a peace mission.

Story: Scott Lobdell
Script: Terry Kavanagh
Penciler: Carlos Pacheco
Inker: Cam Smith
Lettering: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Kevin Somers
Color Separations: Electric Crayon
Editor: Marie Javins
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
In the ravaged nation of Wakanda, Gwen Stacy fends off an attack by the Marauders, assisted by the timely arrival of Tony Stark & Clint Barton. Stark & Barton are delivering relief aid, but have also been sent by the Human High Council to fetch Dr. Don Blake. In London, pilots Ben Grimm & Susan Storm watch with suspicion the arrival of Mikhail Rasputin at the head of a peace convoy. Just as they return to their base to land, the base explodes, killing every pilot capable of dropping a bomb on Apocalypse. They suspect Mikhail, but as they explore the wreckage, they're attacked by a massive hulking monster. Escaping the creature, they encounter Dr. Bruce Banner amongst the rubble. Meanwhile, with the Human High Council in an emergency session, the ranking security officer, Victor Von Doom, formally greets Mikhail amidst wild cheers from a gathered crowd, just as Blake and his envoy arrive in London. In the interest of transparency, Mikhail invites them aboard his ship to show he has nothing to hide, and they enter, joined by Doom, Ben & Susan. Once inside, Mikhail reveals that he's using the mutant Empath to manipulate the emotions of the crowd outside, and that he's lured the gathered group, those most resistant to Empath's power, to their deaths.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

X-aminations in August 2019 & January 1995 Power Rankings


As summer winds down, so too does "Age of Apocalypse", as we reach some of the series' fourth and final issues next month. Quick note: I've been traveling (somewhat unexpectedly) the last couple of weeks (and am again later this week), which has been the cause of some of the posting delays. I don't expect to be able to get X-Universe #1 posted until late this week or early next, but I should be staying put (with regular internet connections & my regular schedule) next week.

Also, I've never been terribly good at keeping up with current comics (in part because of the need to read stuff for these reviews, which always take priority), but I have read House of X #1 and am hoping to post some comments on it and the subsequent HOX/POX issues on Twitter, in an effort to force me to stay at least partially current. If I can find an easy (read: with minimal formatting effort) way to re-post those mini reviews here, I will, but otherwise, you can read them by following me on Twitter @AustinGorton.

On Sale March 1995
August 7: Generation Next #3
August 8: X-Man #3

Monday, July 29, 2019

X-amining X-Men 2099 #28 - Patreon First!

"Funeral Party: City of the Dead Part Three"
January 1996

In a Nutshell
The Graverobber's origin is revealed.

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Ron Lim
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Colorist: Tom Smith
Separations: Malibu
Mortician: Joey Cavalieri
Morticia: Bobbie Chase

Plot
Sham brings her brother Quiver to a concert featuring the band Disinterred, which is attacked by the Undead, including the newly-resurrected Fitz. Graverobber speaks to the crowd, telling them he wants the head of Zail Haddad within 24 hours, or else everyone in the city will die. The X-Men & Zail meet with Morphine Sommers to discuss Graverobber's ultimatium, and Zail shares the origin of Graverobber. As the X-Men comb the city for the Graverobber, Morphine contacts Herod, and offers him Graverobber's reanimation technology in exchange for a stay-of-execution. Later, Cerebra reiterates to Morphine that while she may not like her father, the X-Men don't trade lives, while in the tunnels beneath the city, Luna comes across the still-alive Gunnar Heywood. He leads Luna to where the Undead are attempting to access the city's power supply. When Fitz resists the Graverobber's orders to absorb the power & supercharge himself, Luna attacks, but she is overpowered by the Undead. His momentary hesitation gone, Fitz proceeds to absorb the city's power, while elsewhere, Morphine arrives to arrest Zail & turn him over to Graverobber, telling him that, unfortunately for Zail, Cerebra doesn't run the city; Morphine does.

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Saturday, July 27, 2019

Force in Focus: Star Wars #99

"Touch of the Goddess"
September 1985

In a Nutshell
Han & Lando race to retrieve a pair of artifacts in order to save a planet.

Writer: Jo Duffy
Pencils: Ron Frenz
Inks: Sam De La Rosa
Colors: Glynis Oliver
Lettering: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
On Endor, Luke reflects on the recent death of Kiro, while Han and his childhood friend Bey carry out a mercy mission to the planet Godo alongside Admiral Ackbar. The Godoans are dying of a strange virus that infects anyone on the planet who doesn't undergo a protective radiation bath before landing. Visiting the Godoan's Temple of the Goddess, Han realizes the temple is actually a techno-organic machine. Artoo & Threepio confirm the machine is meant to keep the Godoan's healthy, but is missing two critical statute-like components, which Han realizes are the Goddess & the Minstrel statutes Lando once possessed. Han races back to Endor where Lando tells him Lemo & Sando have the Goddess statute, while he gave the Minstrel to Drebble as a faux award. Han & Luke visit Lemo & Sanda in prison to learn the whereabouts of their base, agreeing to arrange their release in exchange for the Goddess. Meanwhile, Lando & Chewbacca visit Drebble on Stenos, who agrees to give Lando the Minstrel since, if he didn't, he wouldn't deserve the honorific it represented. Back on Godo, the two statutes activate the machine, curing the Godoans, who seal the temple to prevent further theft. But when the Alliance members leave the planet, Lando falls ill; too preoccupied with returning the statute, he forgot to undergo the preventative radiation treatments. When the Godoans refuse to let Lando inside for treatment, Han threatens to destroy the Godoan's city & the temple. Though Ackbar condemns his actions, most of the rest of the fleet back him up, prompting the Godoans to relent & allow Lando to be healed. Afterwards, he & Han discuss Han's threa, but Han refuses to acknowledge whether or not he was bluffing.

Friday, July 26, 2019

X-amining X-Calibre #3

"Body Heat"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
Mystique & Nightcrawler reach Avalon & form X-Calibre.

Writer: Warren Ellis
Pencils: Ken Lashley
Inks: Tom Wegrzyn with Philip Moy
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Joe Rosas/Digitial Chamelon
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
After wiping out Callisto and her pirate crew, Nightcrawler & Mystique head for Mystique's base of operations, unknowingly followed by Damask & Dead Man Wade. At Mystique's Antarctic castle, Nightcrawler convinces her to lead him to Avalon. Cain greets them upon arrival & leads them to Avalon, telling them along the way of his dead brother and how he's sworn a vow of non-violence. Upon arrival, Mystique is reunited with Destiny and meets her adopted son, Doug Ramsey, as well as Switchback. Meanwhile, Damask & Dead Man Wade arrive in Avalon, and Damask is struck by the beauty of the place. As Mystique tries to convince Destiny to leave Avalon with her, Dead Man Wade starts killing everyone in sight. Nightcrawler tries to push Cain into action, but he's torn between his vow of non-violence & his desire to help the people of Avalon, indecision which triggers an aneurysm that kills him. Horrified at the havoc being wreaked, Damask attacks Dead Man Wade, stopping his assault, at which point Nightcrawler is able to teleport in, grab him by the head, and teleport away with it. Damask tells Nightcrawler that she is defecting, but that Apocalypse has more forces on the way. So she joins with him, Mystique & Switchback to defend Avalon.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

X-amining Gambit & the X-Ternals #3

"To the Limits of Infinity"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
Gambit retrieves a shard of the M'Kraan Crystal.

Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Penciler: Salvador Larroca
Inkers: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Color Art: Javins, Rosa, Webb & Thomas
Separations: Electric Crayon
As the Beaver: Bob Harras

Plot
Arriving in orbit around the M'Kraan Crystal's planet, the Starjammers engage the waiting Shi'ar fleet while Deathbird leads the X-Ternals to the planet's surface. As Guido, Sunspot, and Jubilee hold off the Shi'ar forces on the ground, Gambit, Lila & Deathbird approach the crystal. When Lila is drawn inside the crystal, Gambit & Deathbird follow, and the trio meet Jahf, the crystal's guardian. Outside, the Imperial Guard arrive on the planet, with Rictor in tow. Inside the crystal, Jahf explains how the gem is a nexus point of all realities, and tasks Gambit with saving not just his reality, but all of them: without Charles Xavier to help train Jean Grey, the unrestrained energy of the crystal threatens all of existence. Therefore, Gambit must get a piece of the crystal back to Earth and send Bishop back in time. But to gain a shard, he must give something up. Outside, Gladiator attacks Sunspot, but when the crystal triggers another reality blink, Sunspot is able to absorb the energy & turn it against Gladiator. He then leads the rest of the X-Ternals & Rictor into the crystal to escape the increasing blinks. Inside, they see Gambit whisper Rogue's name, then receive a crystal shard. The mission complete, Lila prepares to teleport the group back to Earth, but Sunspot, having absorbed too much of the crystal's energy, is forced to stay behind. Lila promises not to let Sunspot's sacrifice be in vain as she triggers her power to send the team home.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

X-amining Amazing X-Men #3

"Parents of the Atom"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
Magneto & Bishop are captured by Apocalypse.

Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Inks: Matt Ryan
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Kevin Somers & Digital Chameleon
Atom Smasher: Bob Harras

Plot
Magneto & Bishop are on the grounds of the X-Mansion, awaiting the expected arrival of Apocalypse's forces. Suddenly, Vanisher teleports a squad of Infinites onto the grounds, then teleports away to track down Nanny & Charles. Magneto makes short work of the Infinites, but is overwhelmed when Apocalypse himself enters the fray. In the tunnels beneath the mansion, Vanisher locates Nanny, but she is ready for him. Later, Quicksilver's team of X-Men return to find Magneto & Bishop gone and a dead Vanisher in the tunnels. Quicksilver tasks Exodus & Dazzler with finding Nanny & Charles and sends Iceman to alert Rogue about Magneto's capture, then rushes off to learn where his father & Bishop are being held. Confronting Angel, he learns that Magneto is being held at Apocalypse's citadel while Bishop is with the Madri in Quebec, making him choose between his father and his father's mission. In Quebec, the Shadow King interrogates Bishop and learns about Magneto's plan to restore reality, while Quicksilver returns to the mansion. He tells Storm & Banshee he intends to rescue Bishop, and they depart, to save a man they barely know & salvage a plan they barely understand.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

X-amining 2099 AD: Genesis #1 - Patreon First

"Mad Day Sun"
January 1996

In a Nutshell
The mysterious Dust tracks down X-Nation.

Writer: Warren Ellis
Penciler: Dale Eaglesham
Inks: Scott Koblish
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Calligraphy: Jon Babcock
Separations: Malibu
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Editor-in-Chief: Bobbie Chase

Plot
A man named Dust arrives at Halo City. Fighting his way into the city, he locates Cerebra, and begs her to take him to the "Messiah children", as he's received divine word that he needs to tell them something important. Cerebra agrees to help, and cajoles Morphine Somers into bringing them both to a secret shelter where X-Nation is staying. Dust tells them that he is over 150 years old, and once knew the X-Men, who invited him to join them. He turned them down, being too afraid, and has regretted it ever since. He urges the kids of X-Nation to not be afraid, to not turn away from their roles as messiahs.

What to read the rest before everyone else? Become a patron via Patreon!

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Force in Focus: Star Wars #98

"Supply and Demand"
August 1985

In a Nutshell
Han & Nien Nunb escort the last members of a royal mining family to their homeworld.

Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: Al Williamson
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letters: Ed King
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
With Chewbacca away, Nien Nunb is assigned to be Han's co-pilot on a mission to escort a pair of former Imperial prisoners - a woman and her son - to the mining world of Vandalheim, ruled by the Metalsmiths Guild who are supplying the Alliance with much needed ore. The current Guildmaster, Orrk, has secretly allied himself with the former Imperial Moff Mordur, who promises to kill the returning prisoners. However, his plan to destroy the Falcon using mines fails, and when Han lands on Vandalheim, he presents his passengers to Orrk, learning they are members of the royal family that founded the planet. Returning to the Falcon, he discovers Nien has been captured by Stormtroopers, while Orrk has taken the royals. But the child fights back, and in the ensuing commotion, Han & Nien kill Orrk & the Stormtroopers, fleeing with the royals aboard the Falcon. However, they quickly learn that Mordur has slaved all the ore ships in orbit to his command ship, and is preparing to lead them into the sun. Han battles Mordur in zero gravity, but can't stop the barges from drawing closer to the sun. Just then, Lando emerges from hyperspace at the head of an Alliance fleet. The royals reveal they knew the command codes to the barges all along, and Lando is able to shut down the procession and save the ore. 

Friday, July 19, 2019

X-amining Weapon X #3

"The Common Right of Toads and Men"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
Weapon X recruits Gateway to assist the Human High Council's armada.

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Adam Kubert
Inkerss: Dan Green & Mike Sellers
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Colors: Joe Rosas
Separations: Digital Chameleon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Weapon X battles a pair of cyborgs en route to the former X-Men base at Wundagore Mountain, where he meets up with Carol Danvers, an old friend, who agrees to take him to Gateway. Back in London, the Human High Council debates their next move as they hope Weapon X is successful in his mission. Back at Wundagore, Carol brings Weapon X to Gateway, and he urges the aboriginal mutant to help lead the High Council's armada against Apocalypse. Gateway refuses, but just then another group of cyborgs, led by Pierce, attack. Gateway teleports himself, Weapon X, & Carol onto Pierce's airplane, and Carol sacrifices herself to push Pierce out of the plane, then detonate a cluster of grenades as the pair fall through the air. As Weapon X mourns his friend, Gateway agrees to at least go to Paris and allow the Human High Council to attempt to persuade him to help.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

X-amining Factor X #3

"Open Wounds"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
Jean Grey returns to the Pens, prompting a direct confrontation between Cyclops & Havok.

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Steve Epting with Terry Dodson
Inker: Al Milgrom
Lettering: Starkings/Comicraft
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
As Cyclops returns to the Pens, Jean Grey sneaks inside herself, hoping to find Sinister. However, she finds Sinister's lab destroyed, and gets knocked out by a gleeful Havok. At Angel's Heaven nightclub, the Bedlam Brothers arrest Scarlett for espionage, warning Angel that between her arrest & Karma's, his much-professed neutrality may soon come under scrutiny. Back at the Pens, Havok shows Cyclops the captive Jean Grey. He reveals that he knows Cyclops helped Lorna Dane escape, and when Cyclops professes his innocence, Havok tells him to prove it by executing Jean. When Cyclops refuses, the Guthries, lying in wait, attack and knock him out. Havok proclaims himself the commander of the EMF and gives Cyclops to Beast, along with Jean. But Jean is able to use her power enough to remove Cyclop's visor, allowing him to blast Beast and free them. Cyclops agrees to help Jean liberate the Pens before the Human High Council's nuclear strike obliterates the city. Elsewhere, Apocalypse decrees that the Pens will be shut down, and the prisoners culled, such that the strong will survive and the weak perish.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

X-amining Astonishing X-Men #3

"In Excess"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
The X-Men infiltrate Holocaust's Infinite processing plant.

Plot: Scott Lobdell
Dialogue: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inks: Townsend/Milgrom
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Editor: Bob Harras
Separations: Digital Chameleon

Plot
Wild Child, trailed by a group of Infinites, races back to the X-Men. Sunfire destroys the Infinites, then Wild Child licks Rogue in order to pass along the information he & Sabretooth learned about Holocaust's plans. As the X-Men race to stop Holocaust, he drags an injured Sabretooth to a hill overlooking a massive Infinite processing plant, gloating about his ability to wipe out all life in the area. At the X-Mansion, Magneto tries to convince Bishop that he may need to kill Legion in order restore his reality. Just then, Nanny goes into lockdown, forming a protective cocoon around Charles and fleeing into the tunnels beneath the school, a defensive measure Magneto knows means only one thing: Apocalypse is coming. Elsewhere, the X-Men infiltrate Holocaust's Infinite plant, only to discover Sabretooth, chained up and dying.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

X-amining X-Men 2099 #27 - Patreon First!

"Angel of the Mourning: City of the Dead Part Two"
December 1995

In a Nutshell
Graverobber resurrects Fitz

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Ron Lim
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Colorist: Tom Smith
Separations: Malibu
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Editor-in-Chief: Bobbie Chase

Plot
As the Undead deliver Fitz's body to Graverobber, Fitz encounters a vision of his former girlfriend in the afterlife. Meanwhile, with Luna insisting Fitz is still alive, the rest of the X-Men discuss how to track down the Undead before they attack the city again.  At the site of their last attack, Xi'an talks with one of the Sisters of the Howling Commandments, who advises him that sometimes even the spiritual must fight for their beliefs. Meanwhile, Gunnar tracks down the Undead, and finds their base just as the Graverobber attempts to revive Fitz. Elsewhere in the city, Meanstreak & Cerebra fight off another Undead attack, after which Cerebra's father turns up in the city. As Krystalin helps foil an assassination attempt on Morphine Somers, Gunnar is killed by the Undead, after which Graverobber completes his resurrection of the zombified Fitz.

What to read the rest before everyone else? Become a patron via Patreon!

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Force in Focus: Star Wars #97

"Escape"
July 1985

In a Nutshell
Luke & Kiro evade the Nagai invasion force as they attempt to rescue Dani.

Writer: Jo Duffy
Penciler: Cynthia Martin
Inker: Art Nichols
Coloring: Petra Scotese
Lettering: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
Luke, Kiro and the captive Lumiya watch as the combined Nagai-Imperial forces deploy on Kinooine, then depart for their ship to regroup. Inside the Nagai base, Den tortures Dani. Back at the ship, Luke restrains Lumiya before he and Kiro depart to rescue Dani, but they are interrupted by a trio of Nagai soldiers. Luke attempts to use the Force to send them on their way, but Lumiya breaks his hold on them, forcing Kiro to kill them. Meanwhile, Mon Mothma & Admiral Ackbar confirm that a state of war exists between the Alliance and the Nagai/Imperial faction. When Han announces his intention to locate Luke on Kinooine, Mon Mothma forbids him from going, saying they need all their soldiers here, but Han angrily storms off, intending to go with or without her permission. Back on Kinooine, Kiro rescues Dani while Luke steals some data for the Alliance from the Nagai computers. But as they leave the base, Dani & Kiro are confronted by Den, prompting a fight which ends with Kiro & Den falling into a nearby river, from which neither emerges. Determined to warn the Alliance about the Nagai so that Kiro won't have died in vain, Dani & Luke return to their ship, only to find that Lumiya has escaped.

Thursday, July 11, 2019

X-amining X-Man #2

"Choosing Sides"
April 1995

In a Nutshell
Forge & Essex argue over the development of Nate's powers as Nate stretches their limits.

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Steve Skroce
Inkers: Mike Sellers, LaRosa, Conrad & Hanna
Letters: Richard Starkings & comicraft
Colors: Mike Thomas & Digital Chameleon
Goddess: Lisa Patrick
Oh, Everything Else: Bob Harras

Plot
Domino, Grizzly & Toad interrogate Rossovich, looking for information about the telepath they've been tasked with locating. Meanwhile, Forge trains in hand-to-hand combat with Nate, hoping to teach him the importance of not relying on his powers, but Forge worries all he's doing is pushing Nate into the arms of Essex. To his point, Essex, who is more open to the idea of Nate exploring his powers, helps Nate turn his power on himself in order to fly. Essex then tries to sell the troupe on making a nearby bio-engineering plant their next target, and Forge reluctantly agrees to recon the site. But when Nate sees the atrocities being committed there, he impulsively springs into action, drawing the attention of the Madri and overexerting his powers, forcing the troupe to retreat. That night, Nate astral projects himself & Theresa back to the strange mansion he recently visited, where he briefly encounters Magneto and learns it's the home of the X-Men. Returning to their bodies, Nate wants to know why Forge was so adamant to keep him away from the biggest gun in the resistance. Meanwhile, Brute confronts Essex, having figured out who he really is, only to be killed. Shortly thereafter, Forge confronts Essex, but the pair are interrupted by the arrival of Domino and her bounty hunters.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

X-amining Generation Next #2

"Hither Comes the Sugar Man!"
April 1995

In a Nutshell
Generation Next infiltrates the Core in order to rescue Colossus' sister Illyana.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Lettering: Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Worried Over: Bob Harras

Plot
Within the vast energy-producing Core, Illyana does her best to avoid the monstrous Sugar Man. Outside, Skin & Chamber capture a pair of human guards in order to steal their uniforms, while Colossus & Shadowcat prepare to sneak into the Core through its backdoor. In a nearby town, Husk & Vincente kill Quietus, one of the plant foremen at the Core, in order to pose as him, with Husk transforming into his massive head and Vincente filling out the rest of his bulky form. As dawn breaks, they enter the Core, with a camouflaged Mondo watching their backs. They spot the disguised Skin & Chamber, entering the plant as workers, and demand they be assigned to Quietus' detail, while inside the Core, Illyana is forcefully awoken for another day of back-breaking labor.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

X-amining X-Men 2099 #26 - Patreon First!

"Broken Halo City of the Dead Part One"
November 1995

In a Nutshell
The X-Men battle the Undead in Halo City.

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Ron Lim
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Colorist: Tom Smith
City Comissioner: Joey Cavalieri
Boss Tweed: Bobbie Chase

Plot
In the wake of the collapse of Doom's presidency, journalist Gunnar Heywood arrives in the newly formed Halo City, to report on the situation there. He observes Meanstreak & Krystalin foil an attempted suicide bombing, then visits a clinic where Xi'an is exhausting himself healing as many people as he can. In Nevada, a group of shadowy figures dig a crystal coffin out of the ground, while back in Halo City, Gunnar meets with Morphine Somers, who introduces him to the X-Men, who are acting as the city's protectorate. Somers then briefs them on the political situation, saying that Halo City is all that's left of Doom's legacy, but that the new administration is content to let them be for now. Shortly thereafter, one of the clinics is attacked by a group of zombie-esque superhumans called the Undead. During the ensuing battle between the X-Men and the Undead, Fitz chases one of the Undead down an ally, only to pull up short, shocked, when he encounters a familiar figure with snake tattoos on her arm, who promptly shoots him with a poison dart, killing him.

What to read the rest before everyone else? Become a patron via Patreon!


Saturday, July 6, 2019

Force in Focus: Star Wars #96

"Duel with a Dark Lady"
June 1985

In a Nutshell
Luke duels Lumiya!

Writer: Jo Duffy
Penciler: Cynthia Martin
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
Lumiya deposits the defeated & unconscious Luke inside a holding cell, telling Den she didn't kill him as there are worse things than death. They then discuss the impending arrival of the Nagai fleet, and Den, having learned of the defeat of his allies on Kabaray, asks Lumiya if he can take custody of the captive Dani, in order to learn more about the Zeltrons and how they helped best his fellow Nagai on the station. Meanwhile, Kiro regains consciousness and fashions new breathing equipment for himself before stocking up on tools & weapons and going off in search of Luke & Dani. He infiltrates the Nagai base and frees Luke, who uses the equipment Kiro brought along to fashion a new weapon to help counter Lumiya's lightwhip. The pair then track down Lumiya, and with the help of his new second, shorter-bladed, lightsaber, Luke is able to gain the upper hand on Lumiya, shattering her armor to reveal the scarred face of Shira Brie. Luke tries to convince her to let go of her anger, as the man who made her Lumiya, Darth Vader, did before he died, but Lumiya insists she only wants to see Luke rendered bereft of hope and the will to live. Then she looks up and says he may as well despair now, as the Nagai invasion fleet emerges from hyperspace above them.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

X-amining Age of Apocalypse: The Chosen #1


April 1995

In a Nutshell
A look inside Apocalypse's files on allies and enemies alike.

Cover: Ian Churchill/Scott Hanna
Cover Graphics: Ashley Underwood
Colorist: Ashley Underwood
Designer: Ronnie Lawler
Computer Imaging: Steve Alexandrov
Assistant Editor: Jaye Gardner
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
One of the Madri, desperate to learn whether they are considered one of the Chosen or Forgotten by Apocalypse, breaks into Apocalypse's personal files. After scanning several entries, he finds the one on the Madri and is relieved to see them listed as "Chosen". Just then, however, Apocalypse enters the chambers and kills him for his trespass.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

X-amining X-Men 2099 Special #1 - Patreon First!

"Tin Man" / "Sally & Sylvester Stay at Home" / "The Frog Prince"
1995

In a Nutshell
Cerebra fights a Sentinel, Halloween Jack gets literary, and Cerebra fights an evil circus.

Writer: Ian Edington (1st Story), John Francis Moore (2nd Story), Matthew Morra (3rd Story)
Artist: Steve Pugh (1st Story), Graham Higgins (2nd Story),  J Calafiore (3rd Story)
Inker: Peter Palmiotti (3rd Story)
Letters: Dave Sharpe (1st Story), Phil Felix (2nd Story), Steve Dutro (3rd Story)
Colors: Megan McDowell (1st Story), Paul Becton (2nd & 3rd Story)
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Chief: Bobbie Chase
Computer Coloring: Malibu

Plot
1st Story: Cerebra is drawn by a recurring series of nightmares to the small town of Siddon. Upon arrival, she finds the townspeople amiable, but under the control of a mysterious overseer. Cerebra discovers the overseer is a Sentinel, who has manipulated the townspeople into killing all the mutants in it and any who travel through the town. Explaining to the townspeople what the Sentinel is and what it does, she leads them in an attack on the machine, destroying it.

What to read the rest before everyone else? Become a patron via Patreon!