X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series 3x06 - Patreon First!

"The Starjammers"

Original Airdate

September 8, 1994

Writer

Mark Edward Edens

Plot

In the wake of her encounter with Gladiator and the looming presence of Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken, Phoenix announces that the X-Men must fight to save the galaxy. She then transports the X-Men and Lilandra across the stars to Lilandra's spaceship. There, Lilandra explains how the M'Kraan Crystal her brother D'Ken covets and she's stolen has the power to destroy the galaxy, just as the pirate Starjammers attack, declaring their intent to kidnap Lilandra and steal the crystal for themselves. The X-Men intervene, but with Phoenix recovering from the effort of transporting the X-Men, they are overwhelmed, and the Starjammers make off with the crystal as well as a captive Cyclops, whom Phoenix realizes is the son of the Starjammer's leader, Corsair, something neither man realizes. Corsair proceeds to contact D'Ken, offering to sell him the crystal. However, Corsair intends to use Cyclops' optic blasts to kill D'Ken, while D'Ken orders his Imperial Guard to destroy the Starjammers after he gets the crystal. Just as Corsair proceeds to execute his plan, Phoenix transports the X-Men to D'Ken's ship, and a fight breaks out between the X-Men, Starjammers, and Imperial Guard. D'Ken manages to get ahold of the M'Kraan Crystal and uses an incantation to open it; Phoenix tries to stop him, but fails, and everyone is drawn inside the crystal. 

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X-amining Classic X-Men #6 - Patreon First!

"A Love Story!"

February 1987

In a Nutshell

Jean Grey prepares for a date with Cyclops

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton

Letters: Tom Orzechowski 
Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot

With her roommate Misty Knight away for the weekend, Jean Grey prepares for a holiday date with Cyclops. However, their evening is interrupted by an attack by the Sentinels, who blast off into the sky with their captive X-Men. 

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X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series 3x05 - Patreon First!

"Cry of the Banshee"

Original Airdate

September 7th 1994

Writer: Michael Edens

Plot

Moira and Banshee are drawn to the commotion in Xaver's room, where he and Lilandra are battling Juggernaut. They gain the upper hand until Juggernaut's partner Black Tom enters the fray, saying they were hired to kidnap Lilandra. Xavier is thrown out the window as the pair make off with Lilandra, but Banshee uses his mutant sonic cry to rescue Xavier. Moira and Banshee remain dubious that Lilandra is real, but Xavier calls out to the X-Men, who reluctantly leave Jean's bedside for Muir Island. Meanwhile, Black Tom and Juggernaut meet with their client, Erik the Red, but Lilandra's psychic bond with Xavier allows the X-Men to learn where they are: Banshee's ancestral home. The X-Men travel to Cassidy Keep and battle Black Tom, Juggernaut, and Erik the Red, but their battle is disrupted by the arrival of the powerful Gladiator, leader of the Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken's Praetorian Guard. He easily tosses Juggernaut aside and claims Lilandra for his Emperor, but Phoenix awakens and quickly flies to Ireland, where she tosses Gladiator into space. Lilandra is saved, for now, but D'Ken himself has just arrived to the planet. 

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X-amining Classic X-Men #5 - Patreon First!

"Prison of the Heart"

January 1987

In a Nutshell

Colossus falls in love with a Russian ballerina.

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton
Letters: Tom Orzechowski

Colors: Glynis Oliver 

Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot

Sketching at Brighton Beach, Colossus oversees a young woman being kidnapped. He intervenes, rescuing her, and learns she is Anya Markarova, a Russian prima ballerina who defected to the US. The two artists proceed to spend time together, discussing their shared experiences and falling in love. But when the Russian gangsters intent on bringing her back to Russia try to kidnap her again, Colossus exposes himself as a mutant in the process of saving her once more. Though he frightens off her would-be kidnappers, he scares Anya as well, who doesn't believe him to be human. He asks her to look into his heart, but she says that a man of steel has no heart, and leaves him. Night falls as Colossus sadly ponders the experience, before tearing up a drawing of Anya and quietly insisting she is wrong.  

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X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series 3x04 - Patreon First!

"The Phoenix Saga Part II: The Dark Shroud"

Original Airdate

September 6, 1994

Writer: Mark Edward Edens 

Plot

Jean manages to pilot the space shuttle back to Earth, crashing it into the East River. As the X-Men search desperately in the water for Jean, she suddenly emerges, declares herself to be Phoenix, then falls back into the water, unconscious. Later, Jean awakens in the hospital with no memory of the crash. After Beast interrupts an argument between Cyclops and Professor X over who is responsible for Jean's condition, Xavier attempts to return to the mansion, but is hit once again by the strange psychic energy plaguing him, which knocks him out and causes a sinister looking astral projection of himself to emerge. This "Dark Xavier" proceeds to taunt Wolverine with mental illusions, nearly killing him, before doing the same to Gambit and Jubilee, triggering a fight which draws the attention of the police, requiring Storm to intervene to allow the X-Men to escape. Dark Xavier proceeds to the hospital and attacks Scott and Jean, but Jean is able to sense him. Firing a bolt of psychic energy, she destroys Dark Xavier. The real Xavier awakens, and realizes the psychic probe knocked down his mental defenses, allowing his repressed dark side to emerge. While being unknowingly watched by Erik the Red, Xavier decides to visit Muir Island for additional treatment. There, he meets Moira MacTaggert's fiancé, Sean Cassidy. Shortly thereafter, the psychic probe returns, followed by the arrival of an alien woman named Lilandra, who has crossed space for Xavier's help in stopping her mad brother from destroying both of their galaxies. Just then, Juggernaut bursts into the room, announcing he's been hired to kill Lilandra! 

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X-amining Rise of Apocalypse #1-4

"Hammer and Chisel" / "Blood of the Father" / "Face of the Gods" / "First Culling"

October 1996 - January 1997

In a Nutshell

The origin of Apocalypse, as he rises to power to challenge the pharaoh Rama-Tut!

Writer: Terry Kavanagh, with James Felder (issues #2-4) 
Penciler: Adam Pollina, Anthony Williams (with Pollina in issue #4)
Inkers: Mark Morales & Harry Candelario (issue #1), Morales (issues #2-3), Morales and Al Milgrom (issue #4)
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Chris Lichtner

Enhancements: Malibu

Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

When a gray-skinned baby with facial disfigurations is left for dead by an Egyptian tribe named Akkaba, he is saved by Baal, leader of a tribe of nomads called Sandstormers, who believes the child to be destined for greatness. Two decades later, when pharaoh Rama-Tut learns of the existence of the now grown child, En Sabah Nur, he dispatches his vizier Logos and top general Ozymandias to capture him, believing him to be destined for power and wanting him as his heir. As pharaoh's forces clash with the Sandstormers, Baal takes his son into the crashed spaceship from which Baal rescued the time-traveling Rama-Tut when he first arrived in Egypt; when Baal dies, En Sabah Nur claims the technology in the ship for himself. Meanwhile, Ozymandias returns a conquering hero, though Rama-Tut is upset he didn't capture En Sabah Nur and announces his intention to take Ozymandias' sister Nephri as his bride. Seeking revenge, En Sabah Nur travel's to Rama-Tut's city. Disguised as a slave, he gets caught in the power struggle between Logos and Ozymandias just as the time-traveling Fantastic Four arrive in Rama-Tut's court. Rescued by Nephri, he falls in love with the woman, but when she rejects him due to his appearance, his mutant powers activate, and he uses Rama-Tut's technology to transfigure and enslave Ozymandias. As Rama-Tut flees Egypt in the wake of his encounter with the Fantastic Four, En Sabah Nur christens himself Apocalypse, and sets out to destroy the weak! 

X-amining Classic X-Men #4 - Patreon First!

"The Big Dare"

December 1986

In a Nutshell

Wolverine dares Nightcrawler to walk through Salem Center without using his image inducer.

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton
Letters: Tom Orzechowski 

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
After a workout in the woods in which the loser is forced to buy the beer, Wolverine takes Nightcrawler into Salem Center, with Nightcrawler using an image inducer to mask his natural demonic look. After a few beers at Harry's Hideout, Wolverine dares Nightcrawler to walk through the town without the image inducer, believing Nightcrawler is ashamed of his true appearance. Remembering the mob that was chasing him when Professor X recruited him to join the X-Men, Nightcrawler is shocked by response he gets: Harry seems nonplussed, another townsperson assumes he's wearing some kind of makeup, a pair of kids waiting to see Star Wars excitedly think he's alien. When a few townspeople mock him for his accent and realize he's not wearing a mask, things threaten to turn violent and Wolverine prepares to intervene, but Nightcrawler simply teleports Wolverine and himself away. On a nearby rooftop, Nightcrawler thanks Wolverine for challenging him. 

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X-amining Wolverine #109

[Untitled]

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Wolverine storms Akatora's island to rescue Yukio and Amiko. 

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Anthony Winn
Inks: Dan Green
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Wolverine watches as the Cyber-Ninjas hassle the Noodle Vendor, but only agrees to help him after the Noodle Vendor agrees to give him Amiko and Yukio's location. Meanwhile, Akatora's attempts to brainwash Amiko continue, and the girl is convinced the dragon who killed her mother was Wolverine in disguise. Enraged, she is given a dagger laced with blowfish toxin secreted inside a doll. Shortly thereafter, Wolverine, Pale Flower, Yohei, and a reluctant Noodle Vendor charter a ferry and attack Akatora on his island. He is in the midst of filming a monster movie, but all of his actors are ninjas who attack Wolverine. However, Wolverine's allies manage to rescue Yukio and Amiko, and Wolverine defeats Akatora. However, he taunts Wolverine that one of his allies is a sleeper agent. Smelling the blowfish toxin on Yohei's blade, Wolverine quickly kills him, but Akatora escapes in the confusion. Wolverine then departs the island, unaware that Amiko has been turned against him. 

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #60

"Night"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Storm returns to Egypt to battle Candra

Story: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ralph Macchio
Guest Pencils: Cedric Nocon
Guest Inks: Chad Hunt
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Joe Rosas

Enhancements: Graphic Colorworks
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Storm is attacked in her attic room by Cyclops, but she quickly realizes he is being possessed by Candra, who says she wants something Storm stole from her before releasing him. Storm tells Cyclops of the time when, as a child thief, she stole a gem which her mentor, Achmed El-Gibrar, later told her was the heart-stone of Candra, housing her soul. She then leaves to confront Candra. Meanwhile, Jean and Cannonball meet in Washington DC and discuss the recent assassination of presidential candidate Graydon Creed. In New York, Storm arrives at a museum housing a replica of an Egyptian temple. Candra emerges, holding hostage Karima, the young girl who took over from El-Gibrar. She also reveals it was Jamil, another former student of El-Gibrar who joined Candra's side, who discovered Storm possessed the heart-stone. Jamil uses his mental powers on Storm, distracting her long enough for him to obtain the gem, at which point he reveals himself to be the Shadow King!

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series 3x03 - Patreon First!

"The Phoenix Saga Part 1: Sacrifice"

Original Airdate

September 5th, 1994

Writer

Michael Edens 

Plot

After recurring dreams of a starship battles being waged in space, Professor X summons the X-Men and orders them, on the strength of his intuition alone, to board a space shuttle bound for the Starcore One space station. With Jean's help, they telepathically pose as the crew of astronaut scientist Dr. Peter Corbeau, and board the shuttle. When they arrive at StarCore, the X-Men discover the space station has been captured by the alien Erik the Red, who knocks them out with gas. On orders from his emperor, D'Ken, he attempts to throw the X-Men out an airlock, but Jean saves them. As they fight back, Erik reveals that the station is monitoring a wormhole through which the rebel Lilandra is set to emerge. When she does, D'Ken fires on her ship using the station's weapons, but the X-Men manage to damage it enough to save Lilandra, though at the cost of the station's integrity. As they flee the exploding station in the shuttle, it becomes clear the shuttle will have to travel through the contrail of Lilandra's damaged ship; the resultant radiation will kill anyone not sealed in the shuttle's solar probe. With the auto-pilot damaged, Jean acts swiftly, telepathically learning how to fly the shuttle from Corbeau then directing the X-Men into the probe, knocking out Cyclops when he objects. With her teammates safe, Jean takes the shuttle through the radiation, crying out in pain as the image of a fiery bird appears before her. 

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X-amining X-Man #23

"Crash Course"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Nate Grey is visited by Bishop and Rogue. 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Penciler: Roger Cruz  & Manny Clark
Inker: Bud LaRosa
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As questions continue to swirl about Threnody's true loyalties to Mister Sinister, she leaves the apartment she shares with Nate to get some space, leaving a distraught Nate to miss Bishop approaching the apartment. Meanwhile, vying for the position of Black Rook of the Hellfire Club, Madelyne Pryor battles Sebastian Shaw's candidate, Scribe, ultimately defeating her and revealing Mountjoy to have take control of her body, thereby earning Madelyne the title. Back at Nate's apartment, Bishop wakes Nate, who lashes out at him telekinetically, an attack Bishop is able to redirect. They tussle, eventually spilling out of the apartment where Rogue intervenes, calming things down when she explains Bishop - who experienced Nate's home reality - was simply worried about him, prompting the pair to check on him. Though Nate remains distrustful, Rogue reminds him that he doesn't need to be so wary of all the X-Men. Rogue and Bishop depart, and Nate returns to his apartment, only to suddenly find himself in a changed world. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #340

"Relativity"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Iceman deals with the aftermath of an attack on his father

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Team Bucce
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Storm and Gambit arrive at the hospital where Iceman is at his father's bedside; he reveals that his father was attacked and beaten by Graydon Creed's men in retaliation for speaking out in favor of mutants. Meanwhile, Cannonball remains undercover in Creed's campaign, and is invited to meet with Creed. On the roof of the hospital, Iceman details how Creed staged the reveal of Iceman's beaten father, making it clear he knew about their relationship, but also that Iceman's father assured him he didn't out his son. Iceman struggles to understand why his father - who has no love for mutants - risked himself like that. Storm suggests it was the love of a father for his son. At Creed's campaign headquarters, Creed asks Cannonball about his father, and Cannonball pushes back, indirectly needling Creed about his relationship with Sabretooth. Outside the hospital, a group of Creed's men, registering mutants inside, prepare to attack, but Wolverine stops them before they start anything. Iceman decides to leave the X-Men for awhile, in order to help care for his father, while Cannonball has a clandestine telepathic meeting with Jean and insists on staying inside Creed's campaign despite the danger. At the hospital, a sorrowful Iceman tells his father he loves him. 

X-amining Classic X-Men #3 - Patreon First!

"Mourning"

November 1986

In a Nutshell

The X-Men return Thunderbird home to lay him to rest. 

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton
Letters: Tom Orzechowski  

Colors: Glynis Oliver 

Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
Following Thunderbird's death, the X-Men, as well as Jean Grey, accompany his body back to New Mexico for his funeral. When his body suddenly disappears, Thunderbird's parents strangely ask the X-Men to leave it be, but they insist on investigating. As they search, the X-Men reflect on their brief relationships with Thunderbird. Eventually, Wolverine tracks the body to the mountains, where he oversees Thunderbird's younger brother James giving him a warrior's funeral. He also discovers a box left by Thunderbird containing medals and a picture of him alongside fellow soldiers in Vietnam, and Wolverine realizes his experiences in war likely made him the angry, bitter person Wolverine knew. He then rejoins his teammates and the X-Men return home. Later, at Thunderbird's gravesite, James swears vengeance on Xavier, declaring it will be another Thunderbird who will claim Xavier's life as payment for the death of the first Thunderbird. 

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X-amining X-Men '96 #1

"One Day at the Mansion"

1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men, X-Force and Generation X gather at the mansion for a barbecue. 

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Roberto Flores & Anthony Castrillo
Inks: Nathan Massengill & Al Milgrom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Paul Becton

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
In the wake of Onslaught's defeat, the X-Men, X-Force and Generation X gather at the mansion for a day of rest and relaxation. After an intra-team baseball game, a Sentinel suddenly lands on the mansion grounds. The combined heroes attack, but the Sentinel reveals it gained sentience during Onslaught's attack and decided to warn the X-Men. It then succumbs to the damage inflicted by the X-teams, with Jubilee holding its finger as it dies. Later, the Summers family hosts a barbecue as the teams gather for a group picture, followed by fireworks compliments of Sunspot, Cannonball, Jubilee and Meltdown. Afterwards, Phoenix and Cable telepathically meld everyone's minds together briefly, in an effort to help everyone heal from their recent ordeals. 

X-amining X-Men Unlimited #13

"Fugitive From Space" / "Junction"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men team-up with Silver Surfer to save the galaxy! 

Plot: George Perez

Script: Jorge Gonzales  
Pencils: Duncan Rouleau, Jim Calafiore, Andrew Robinson
Inks: Rob Hunter, Mark McKenna, Al Milgrom
Letterer: Comicraft
Colorist: Tom Smith
Editor: Kelly Corvese

Plot

A group of five X-Men - Cyclops, Phoenix, Bishop, Beast and Rogue - are aboard the Starcore space station along with Binary, helping the scientists on the station with their research. Suddenly, Binary loses control of her powers, and when the Shi'ar suddenly appear to arrest Binary, she flies off, leaving the X-Men to be captured instead. Deathbird declares the X-Men will be executed for helping Binary escape, but Lilandra intervenes, revealing that the Silver Surfer has apparently destroyed his home planet of Zenn-La. The X-Men offer to help the Shi'ar get to the bottom of the situation. Meanwhile, Binary finds herself in a white hole, while a confused Silver Surfer is attacked by the Shi'ar and learns about Zenn-La. Back with the Shi'ar, Beast discovers a shared energy signature between the white hole, the place where Zenn-La was, and a third anomaly. He says that if all three were to go nova at once, the galaxy would be destroyed. Phoenix confronts Binary, breaking her free of the control of alien beings called the Inciters, while Rogue & Cyclops confront Silver Surfer inside the third anomaly. Rogue and Silver Surfer team-up to confront the Inciters, learning they destroyed Zenn-La and framed Silver Surfer for it. Working together, the X-Men, Silver Surfer and Binary destroy the Inciters and save the galaxy, but Lilandra and Deathbird decide to keep their existence a secret from the empire. 

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series 3x02 - Patreon First!

"Out of the Past, Part 2"

Original Airdate

August 5th, 1994

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Len Wein 

Plot

The monstrous Spirit Drinker emerges from the alien craft, and quickly drains the spirits of the Reavers. As Lady Deathstrike and the X-Men retreat, Jubilee sacrifices herself to save Gambit, her spirit consumed by the creature as well. Monitoring the situation from the X-Mansion, Professor X reaches out telepathically to call Beast, Cyclops and Jean Grey into action. In the Morlock Tunnels, Wolverine, Gambit and Deathstrike try to destroy the Spirit Drinker in order to free the souls it captured, but have little luck. Wolverine sends Gambit to the surface with Jubilee's body, after whic Lady Deathstrike is caught and drained as well. Just then, the rest of the X-Men arrive. As Beast and Xavier investigate the alien craft, the rest of the team manages to force the creature onto the third rail of the subway, where the electricity is enough to destroy the Spirit Drinker, restoring to their bodies the souls it had consumed. Back at the alien ship, Xavier is suddenly overcome by visions of alien beings and the world afire. 

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G. I. JOE #59 - May 1987 (The Commercial, Not the Comic)

 

Joe's in trouble

He's got it bad

'cause Cobra's got a Pogo

And its hopping mad

On the run

For a gun

G.I. Joe SLAM

G.I. Joe -- A Real American Hero

X-amining Youngblood/X-Force #1 & X-Force/Youngblood #1

"Smokin' Mojo" / Untitled

July - August 1996

In a Nutshell

X-Force and Youngblood team-up to fight Mojo!

Writer: Eric Stephenson; Eric Stephenson & Robert Napton
Pencilers: Roger Cruz; Stephen Platt, Dan Fraga, Richard Horie, Ching Lau, Michael Linchang, Mark Pajarillo, & Andy Park 
Inkers: Larry Strucker; Marlo Alquiza, Eric Cannon, Robert Lacko, Sean Parsons, Norm Rapmund, & Larry Stucker
Letterers: Steve Dutro & Kurt Hathaway; Kurt Hathaway
Colorists: Dan Shadian & Extreme Color; Dan Shadian, Extreme Color, & Quantum Color

Editor: Rob Liefeld 
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Youngblood/X-Force: With Mojo seeking new sources for ratings domination, he sends the Agent to trick Youngblood into signing contracts that bring them to Mojoworld. But Shaft manages to escape, and takes a portal that deposits him in the Danger Room. X-Force agrees to help him and Youngblood defeat Mojo. Meanwhile, Ricochet Rita and Mojo II approach Youngblood and offer to help them defeat Mojo, and when Shaft and X-Force arrive, the two groups team-up. As they work to destroy Mojo's ability to teleport between Mojoworld and Youngblood's world, they free a number of heroes from Youngblood's world captured by Mojo. With the help of the additional heroes, the two teams manage to get Youngblood back home, but Mojo remains in power in Mojoworld, and is ecstatic about the ratings the entire situation has garnered him, as well as the promise of a whole new world of heroes to exploit. 

X-amining Generation X '96

"Everyday People"

1996

In a Nutshell

Generation X foils a plot by Fenris that impacts three different bystanders. 

Writer: Michael Golden 
Artists: Jeff Johnson and Dan Panosian
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Cabrera, Lazellari and GCW 
Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In the wake of Onslaught's attack, Banshee takes Mondo, Monet, Jubilee, Skin, Paige and Synch into New York City. Tensions run high inside the van as the group gets stuck in traffic. Meanwhile, the lives of three normal humans begin to intersect with the Generation X kids as well as the actions of Andrea and Andreas Strucker, who lead their Fenris terrorist organization in a plot to steal a mutagenic machine. Throughout the course of the day, the actions of the three people, Fenris, and Generation X are inextricably drawn together, with Generation X ultimately defeating Fenris (though the twins get away), while the lives of  three people are changed as a result of the events. 

X-amining Classic X-Men #2 - Patreon First!

"First Friends"

October 1986

In a Nutshell

Storm and Jean Grey bond over a mugging. 

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton
Letters: Tom Orzechowski

Colors: Ian Laughlin

Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot

Storm arrives at Jean Grey's New York City apartment, having been invited there so the two women could get to know one another better. When Jean asks Storm to change out of her X-Men uniform in order to protect their secret identities from her roommate, Storm simply removes the attire and stands in Jean's apartment naked. Jean explains she can't run around New York naked, and lends her a dress to wear, before the pair go out shopping. While shopping, a thief grabs Jean's purse. The two women give chase, but Storm hesitates when he enters the subway. In the subway tunnels, Jean is overwhelmed by all the thoughts in such an enclosed space, and the thief gets away. When she confronts Storm about not helping her, she pulls a memory of Storm being trapped and the knowledge of her claustrophobia from her mind. Feeling violated, Storm is enraged and flies off, triggering a thunderstorm in the process. Jean gives chase, and explains how sometimes she loses control of her powers, and can't filter out the thoughts of those around her. After apologizing, the women return to the ground, and Jean takes Storm by the hand as they enter the subway together. 

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X-aminations in November 2021 & September 1996 Power Rankings

The Publication Year That Wouldn't End continues as push through more extra X-content, including another annual, the culmination of the "Cannonball & Iceman undercover in Graydon Creed's campaign" subplot, and Apocalypse's first miniseries!

 

On Sale October 1996

November 3: X-Men Unlimited #13

November 4: X-Men '96

On Sale November 1996

November 10: Uncanny X-Men #340

November 11: X-Man #23

November 17: X-Men (vol. 2) #60

November 18: Wolverine #109

November 24: Rise of Apocalypse #1-4

X-amining Excalibur #104

"Buried Secret"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur gets to the bottom of Douglock's identity while the MLF attacks Muir Island!

Plot: John Arcudi 

Script: James Felder

Pencillers: Bryan Hitch, Rob Haynes, Scott Koblish

Inkers: Paul Neary, Scott Koblish, Rick Ketcham

Letterer: Richard Starkings

Colorist: Araine Lenshoek

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Douglock continues to struggle with the question of who he is, something not made easier by Kitty's insistent belief that he is her old friend Doug Ramsey. This triggers an argument between Kitty & Wisdom. While Colossus questions his place amongst the team, Nightcrawler & Moira debate what to do with the Xavier Protocol information. When Wisdom pushes Douglock to confess his secret, Douglock jumps out a window and must be calmed down by Colossus and Kitty. Ultimately, they decide to visit Doug Ramsey's grave in Westchester, accompanied by Wolfsbane. Meanwhile, the Mutant Liberation Front attacks Muir Island, seeking its Legacy Virus data as well as the Xavier Protocols. They manages to take out Captain Britain and Meggan while shutting down communications, but MLF member Dani Moonstar begins to quietly sabotage their plan. Meanwhile, the rest of Excalibur visits Doug Ramsey's grave. Kitty, insistent that Douglock is Doug, phases through the ground into Doug's coffin. She expects it to be empty, but is shocked to discover Doug's skeleton inside. 

X-amining Black Knight: Exodus #1

"The Bond"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Black Knight & Sersi meet Exodus in the 12th Century and battle Apocalypse. 

Writer: Ben Raab
Penciler: Jimmy Cheung
Inker: Andy Lanning
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Tom Zuiko

Editor: Kelly Corverse
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Trapped in another universe, Sersi desperately tries to send herself and Dane Whitman, the Black Knight, home. However, she only succeeds in transporting them to the 12th Century, where Dane's consciousness gets subsumed in that of his ancestor, Eobard Garrington. He wakes up next to a familiar face, his friend Bennet du Paris. The pair are on a quest to a pharaoh's temple in Egypt. Along the way, they encounter a woman being attacked for being a sorcerer; it is Sersi. Dane's consciousness leads Eobard to save her. Bennet objects, worried it'll delay their quest, rending their friendship as Bennet goes off on his own. Eobard and Sersi follow after Bennet, and along the way, Sersi tells him about Dane, and Eobard sacrifices his soul to allow Dane to emerge. Meanwhile, Bennet battles Scarab, a mutant agent of the pharaoh, Apocalypse, and learns he himself is a mutant; Scarab names him "Exodus". Eventually Sersi and Black Knight arrive at the temple and are captured. Apocalypse orders Exodus to use his newfound power to destroy Black Knight in battle, but his fondness for Eobard wins out, and he turns his power on Apocalypse instead. Apocalypse in turn puts Exodus in a coma, and entombs him in Switzerland. Six months later, Black Knight finally finds Exodus' tomb, and places two guards outside, to protect his friend until Apocalypse's curse is lifted. Black Knight then tells Sersi it's time for them to go home.

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series 3x01 - Patreon First!

"Out of the Past, Part 1"

Original Airdate

July 29, 1994

Director: Larry Houston

Producer: Larry Houston, Richard Bowman

Writer: Michael Edens

Plot

Leech is chased into the Morlock Tunnels by Lady Deathstrike and the Reavers. He has stolen a blaster from Lady Deathstrike, which Callisto hopes to use to open a strange alien craft the Morlocks have discovered in their tunnels. However, Deathstrike and the Reavers capture the Morlocks, but when Deathstrike tries to breech the ship, an energy discharge knocks her out. The release of energy attracts the attention of Professor X, and Deathstrike decides it was her cybernetic components which caused the issue; she needs someone who is human but also in possession of adamantium claws. So she has the Reavers contact Wolverine and lure him into the tunnels, playing on the shared romance in their past. Gambit & Jubilee follow Wolverine into the tunnels. The X-Men battle the Reavers, during which Lady Deathstrike touches the ship once more, becoming trapped. When the energy is released again, Professor X realizes it is a warning to not open the ship, but just then, Wolverine slashes at its hull to free Deathstrike. Suddenly, a creature bathed in green light emerges from the opening he's made.

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X-amining Star Trek/X-Men #1

"Star TreX"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men meet the crew of the USS Enterprise!

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencilers: Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan, Anthony Winn, David Finch

Background Assists: Brian Ching
Inkers: Batt, D-Tron, Billy Tan, Aaron Sowd, Joe Weems

Ink Assists: Victor Llamas, Team Tron, Jose "Jag" Guillen, Viet Troung, Mike Manczarek
Letters: Dennis Heisler
Colors: Tyson Wingler, Steve Firchow, Jonathan D. Smith, Richard Isanove
Editor: Bobbie Chase

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

The USS Enterprise returns to Delta Vega, site of the death of former crew member Gary Mitchell. Drawn there by reports of a rift of psionic energy in space, they arrive just as a Shi'ar craft emerges from the rift. It is quickly destroyed by the anomaly, but a second larger ship soon emerges, out of which Gladiator flies, warning the Enterprise to stay away from the planet. Meanwhile, Wolverine reconnoiters the Enterprise, as he and the rest of the X-Men teleported onto the ship shortly before their Shi'ar vessel was destroyed. The X-Men hope to keep their presence a secret, but Doctor McCoy discovers Storm, Beast and Gambit in sick bay while Spock detects Jean Grey's telepathic scans and deduces the X-Men's hiding place. After a brief scuffle, he brings the X-Men to Captain Kirk. They tell Kirk that the other ship is under the control of Deathbird, who is tracking a powerful reality-altering mutant from their universe, Proteus. On Delta Vega, Proteus has taken control of the body of Gary Mitchell. Beaming down, the X-Men and Enterprise crew discover Proteus has transformed the planet into a replica of a Scottish village. Deathbird arrives, and offers Proteus use of their ship in exchange for an alliance. As the X-Men battle Proteus and the Imperial Guard, Jean and Captain Kirk enter Proteus' mind, convincing the remnants of Mitchell's consciousness that he needs to die again. As Bishop and Chief Engineer Scott find a way to re-channel the psionic rift's energy in order to close it, the rest of the X-Men and Enterprise crew destroy Proteus. Commandeering Deathbird's ship, the X-Men prepare to return home before the rift closes completely, telling Kirk and his crew they are grateful, for all the terrible futures they've known, to encounter one which seems hopeful. 

X-amining Classic X-Men #1

This review is free to read here and on Patreon, but for the rest of the series' reviews going forward, as well as already-completed reviews of every issue of X-Men 2099, The Champions, and Ms. Marvel, as well as episodic reviews of X-Men: The Animated Series, become a Patron now for as little as $1.25 a month! 

"First Night"

September 1986

In a Nutshell

The new X-Men settle in while the original X-Men decided whether to stay or go. 

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton
Letters: Tom Orzechowski

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot

Following the new X-Men's successful rescue of the original X-Men, Professor X grapples with how he's going to integrate the two groups. He telepathically eavesdrops on his students, learning that Havok & Polaris plan to leave the group. Meanwhile, Cyclops finishes his after-action report, while Iceman confronts Banshee, Nightcrawler, and Colossus, angrily telling them they haven't earned the right to call themselves X-Men. Outside, Wolverine makes his attraction to Jean known, while Angel joins Storm in the skies above the mansion. But when he spots Wolverine talking to Jean, he swoops down, angrily separating them. A fight breaks out between Angel & Wolverine, which Storm and Jean do their best to stop. The next morning, after a sleepless night for both, Jean visits Professor X and tells him she's going to leave the X-Men as well, in part because of the attraction she feels towards Wolverine, but also to see more of the world and live a life amongst the humanity she's meant to protect. 

X-amining X-Force #61

"Ask Me No More Questions and I’ll Tell You No More Lies!"

December 1996

In a Nutshell
X-Force stops Mojo while Shatterstar's soul is transferred to Benjamin Russell. 

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Kevin Lau
Inker: Andrew Pepoy 
Letterer: RS & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Having been digitized by Mojo, Cable & Shatterstar are stuck in a holovid program depicting Shatterstar's final battle with Mojo 100 years in the future, during which Shatterstar suffers a mortal injury. Meanwhile, Mojo is absorbing all the ambient energy from the humans captivated by his broadcast, growing more powerful. In Mojoworld, Spiral approaches Longshot and X-Force, telling them she can help save Shatterstar. As the rest of X-Force and Longshot's rebellion fight to destroy Mojo's broadcasting capabilities, Spiral teleports Longshot and Spiral into the holovid program where they retrieve Cable & Shatterstar. Spiral then delivers them to the Weisman Institute, where Siryn brings them to the comatose Benjamin Russell. Longshot then performs a ritual in which Shatterstar's soul is placed in Benjamin's body, at which point he wakes up with all of Shatterstar's memories. On Mojoworld, X-Force stops Mojo's broadcast, then return home to their teammates, unaware that they're being watched from afar by Gamesmaster. 

X-amining Generation X #22

"All Hallows Eve"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Generation X celebrates Halloween while Emma is visited by Nightmare!

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inkers: Al Vey & Scott Hanna 
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In Rutland, Vermont, Banshee & Paige watch over Artie, Leech, and Franklin Richards as they participate in the town's Halloween celebration. Back at the school, Jubilee, Skin, Chamber, and Monet team-up to help prank a group of locals hoping to vandalize the school. Watching from afar, Emma is visited once again by Nightmare, who says he needs her help. Back in Rutland, Paige asks Banshee if he's ever sad about missing the childhood of Siryn, his daughter, and then Franklin comes up to them, saying he misses his mother and father. Paige, who also lost her father at a young age, helps him manage his grief. Meanwhile, Nightmare tells Emma he needs her help to regain control of his dream realm from a woman who has usurped him; Emma doesn't buy it, and he admits he really just wanted to make sure Emma wouldn't be able to help his rival. Emma assures him she is not capable of projecting corporeal forms into the nightmare realm. In Rutland, Banshee and Paige pack the exhausted boys into the car, and Artie creates a projection of what Siryn would have looked like at their age, his way of saying thank you. Back at the school, Nightmare visits Emma once more, and as his way of saying thanks, offers her a vision of what the future holds, dark events which will befall her students. 

Patreon First: Classic X-Men, X:TAS Seasons 3-4, and Deadpool!

With the Ms. Marvel retrospective complete, it's time to turn to another batch of Chris Claremont stories I previously overlooked, the Classic X-Men backups! 

Paired with a reprint of X-Men from the early "All New, All Different" days, these backup stories, usually written by Claremont and drawn by John Bolton (but also featuring the first Jim Lee X-Men art!), were meant to take place in between those "main" stories, tying in (sometimes) chronologically or thematically to flesh out events in the reprinted story. In many cases, they had a more adult/sophisticated vibe to them, often featuring the characters out-of-costume and fighting more mundane foes (if fighting at all). Claremont also occasionally used them to retroactively seed later ideas he had developed into older stories (sometimes even in the form of pages added or revised within the original, reprinted tale, which I'll call out in the reviews as well, when relevant). My memory of the backup stories is that they vary wildly, from compelling and essential to silly and irrelevant, but they're something I've wanted to revisit and review for a long time. 

X-amining Cable #38

"In Perspective"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable, Domino, and Kane meet the Micronauts

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inkers: Vince Russell & Ian Hanna 

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft AD

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Enhancements: Graphic Color Works

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable, Domino & Kane finds themselves transported into the Microverse aboard the mysterious ship they entered in their pursuit of Psycho-Man and the captive Vanessa. Inside the microscopic universe, they are attacked by warships sent by Psycho Man, but are rescued by the arrival of Commander Rann, Mari, and Bug, the remaining Micronauts. Rann explains that he sent the ship to Cable in order to find help on Earth to stop Psycho-Man's attempted conquest of the Microverse. Realizing Cable is allies with Rann's old friends the X-Men, the two groups agree to work together to stop Psycho Man and rescue Vanessa. Meanwhile, on Earth, G.W. Bridge arrives in San Francisco, still trying to track down Cable. Back in the Microverse,  Psycho-Man hopes to use Kane's cybernetics to augment his soldiers to aid his conquest, but when he realizes he's captured Vanessa, not Kane, he decides to use her to lure the real Kane to him. As Cable, Domino, Kane and the Micronauts attack Psycho-Man's base and his zombie soldiers, Cable's telepathic defenses falter, and Psycho-Man fills him with doubt. Kane, however, manages to breach the ship, only to be filled with hatred by Psycho-Man, hatred he directs towards Cable! 

X-amining X-Factor #129

"Playing with Fire"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Mystique escapes as X-Factor deals with the returned Madrox. 

Writer: Howard Mackie
Art: Jeff Matsuda & Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's KF
Colorist: Glynis Oliver

Separations: American Color
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Val Cooper arrives at Fall's Edge, looking for the mutant X-Factor was sent out to capture; Forge and Polaris are furious they were sent after their old teammate Madrox. Val is stunned to learn Madrox is alive, but says if she doesn't produce him soon, the troops waiting outside will storm the building. But Madrox is being held at a safehouse by Wild Child & Shard. Mystique offers to pose as Madrox, and though Sabretooth is with the troops and can sense the ruse, he lets her pass. Once she's away, Mystique slips her restraints and escapes. While Forge & Polaris arrive at the safe house, Mystique meets up with Pyro, telling him the plan remains the same, they're just accelerating it. Meanwhile, Madrox explains how the Madrox who died of the Legacy Virus was just a dupe, but his death made the real Madrox amnesiac. Eventually, he was confronted by Havok, who wanted him to join his Brotherhood, but Madrox declined. He asks after Guido, and Polaris tells him if he can help her find Havok, she'll take him to Strong Guy. Just then, Forge learns of Mystique's escape, and though the team tracks her to where she met Pyro, the pair is gone, but they realize she intends to assassinate Graydon Creed. 

X-amining Marvel Two-in-One #51 & Marvel Fanfare #24 - Patreon First!

"Full House -- Dragons High!" / "Elegy" 

May 1979 / January 1986

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel joins a poker game and helps defend the SHIELD helicarrier, then returns to the game as Binary and gets caught up on some sad events. 

Writer: Peter Gillis / Chris Claremont
Penciler: Frank Miller / David Ross 
Inker: Bob McLeod / Bob Wiacek
Letters: Tom Orzechowski / Rick Parker
Colors: Glynis Wein / Bob Sharen
Editor: Roger Stern / Al Milgrom

Plot

Marvel Two-in-One #51: The Thing is hosting the first floating superhero poker game at Avengers Mansion, with Avengers Ms. Marvel, Wonder Man and Beast in attendance along with Nick Fury, D.A. Towers, and Jarvis. The game is cut short when Fury receives word that the SHIELD helicarrier is being attacked by agents of the Yellow Claw, led by General Pollock, who want to retrieve some of Yellow Claw's weaponry confiscated by SHIELD. The poker players leap into action and eventually take Pollock into custody, however, when they return to Avengers mansion, all but Wonder Man are too tired to continue their game.  

Marvel Fanfare #24: Carol Danvers, shortly after her transformation into Binary, brings Wolverine to Avengers Mansion for one of the Thing's floating poker games. After the new Captain Marvel arrives, Carol asks after her old friend Mar-Vell, only to learn he died of cancer. Shocked, she transforms into Binary and flies off. She visits Mar-Vell's grave, but finds herself unable to feel grief about his death as a result of her encounter with Rogue. Returning to Earth, she talks to Wolverine, telling her she's decided to leave her old life behind completely and leave Earth once and for all with the Starjammers. They say their goodbyes, then Carol flies off once more, to her new life amongst the stars. 

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X-aminations in October 2021 & August 1996 Power Rankings

This monthly, we boldly go into a new era of cross-property crossovers, as Marvel uses the X-Men to get some eyes on their newly-acquired Star Trek license, and the first of several Marvel/Image crossover books arrives, as both companies put the past behind them in the name of wringing every last dollar possible out of a shrinking market. 

On Sale October 1996

October 6: Generation X #22

October 7: X-Force #61

October 13: Star Trek/X-Men

October 20: Black Knight: Exodus #1 

October 21: Excalibur #104

October 27: Generation X '96

October 28: X-Force/Youngblood #1

X-amining Wolverine #108

"East is East..."

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Wolverine & Pale Flower escape from jail and team-up to rescue Yukio & Amiko! 

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Anthony Winn 
Inks: Dan Green & Vince Russell
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Kolja Fuchs
Colors: Joe Rosas
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
As Wolverine and Pale Flower sit in jail, the Iron Monk attacks and proves difficult for the guards to stop given his invincibility against all mortal weapons. However, Yohei, an agent of Clan Yashida, arrives and gives Wolverine the Clan Yashida honor sword, a gift from Silver Samurai. Forged from a meteorite, Wolverine is able to kill the Iron Monk with it, and escape from jail along with Yohei and Pale Flower. Elsewhere, Akatora continues to brainwash Amiko while receiving news from the noodle vendor of the Iron Monk's failure. At the docks, Yohei reveals he is more than a simple courier by defeating a gang of thugs; Pale Flower, displaying some telepathic abilities, reveals that he is Clan Yashida's secret weapon. Meanwhile, Akatora learns the noodle vendor has been sharing information with the FBI; he sends his agents to kill him, but they fail. As Pale Flower and Yohei agree to help Wolverine rescue Yukio and Amiko, Akatora decides to send his cybernetic ninjas against both Wolverine and the noodle vendor. 

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #59

"Touched"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Cyclops goes to the movies while Hercules visits the X-Mansion. 

Story: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ralph Macchio 
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft AD
Colorist: Joe Rosas

Enhancement: Graphic Colorworks
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

In the aftermath of his recent encounter with his brother, Cyclops is watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington at by himself at a theater, until Jean finds him. Meanwhile, Hercules arrives at the X-Mansion, seeking out surviving Avengers. Quicksilver is brooding by the lake, and Wolverine tries to help him deal with the loss of his wife and sister. Later, Quicksilver encounters Joseph, and angrily reminds him of all the lives he ruined as Magneto before running off. At Graydon Creed's campaign headquarters, the undercover Iceman worries about his father, who was arrested for speaking out against Creed, while Cannonball has a strange conversation with Creed about his parents. Back at the X-Mansion, Quicksilver leaves with Hercules, who cautions him not to hold grudges. At the theater, Cyclops and Jean discuss Professor X and conclude that Xavier never took the time to appreciate the simple things in life, while Cyclops and Jean at least have each other. With Xavier gone, it's up to them to carry on his dream. 

X-amining Avengers #200 - Patreon First!

"The Child is Father to ... ?" 

October 1980

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel gives birth to the son of Immortus, who also impregnated her, then leaves Earth to live with him in Limbo.  

Plot: Jim Shooter, George Perez, Bob Layton, David Michelinie 

Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: George Perez
Inker: Dan Green
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: Ben Sean

Editor: Jim Salicrup
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot

After just three days of pregnancy, Ms. Marvel gives birth. Though the Avengers are overjoyed at the prospect, Ms. Marvel feels used, having no memory of the child's conception, and wants nothing to with the boy. Within hours, the infant grows and becomes a young man who calls himself Marcus, and sets about building some kind of machine. Meanwhile, all over New York, time displaced elements like dinosaurs and medieval knights begin to appear, terrorizing the city. As the Avengers do their best to fight back against the time-tossed elements, Hawkeye comes to suspect Marcus' machine is responsible for the time fluctuations, and destroys it. Dismayed, Marcus tells the Avengers his story: the son of Immortus, lord of the time-lost realm of Limbo, he craved an escape after the Avengers prevented Kang from ever becoming Immortus, thereby leaving Marcus alone. He proceeded to kidnap Ms. Marvel and after his attempts to woo her proved unsuccessful, used devices at his disposal to make her love him, at which point he conceived himself then sent her back to Earth moments after she left, with no memory of the encounter. On Earth, he quickly grew, but his presence caused disruptions in time, disruptions the now-destroyed machine he was building would have averted. But now he must return to Limbo or risk the destruction of all existence; Ms. Marvel, unsure of her feelings for him, decides to join him, and Thor uses his hammer to transport them both back to Limbo. With Marcus gone, the time displaced elements disappear, and the Avengers are left to wonder if they made the right decision in letting Ms. Marvel go. 

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X-amining X-Man #22

"Falling Up"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Nate & Threnody start building a life for themselves. 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Pencilers: Roger Cruz & Manny Clark
Inkers: LaRosa & Geiger
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

After an arsonist sets fire to a tenement, Nate rescues the people trapped inside, then captures the arsonist and telepathically makes him feel the terror he instilled in his victims. Later, he arrives in Washington Square Park, where Threnody is capitalizing on his recent appearances there as a kind of street healer to make some money. As he helps a young mother realize the inner strength to help her son battle cancer, he feels like he's being watched. Elsewhere, Bastion is monitoring the return to Earth of the Silver Surfer as well as the Hellfire Club, while Selene introduces Madelyne to Sebastian Shaw, saying she is the means to deliver the X-Men to the Hellfire Club. Later, Nate & Threnody go shopping, then settle into an apartment, whose owner is away long-term. With his time running out, Nate tells Threnody he wants to know all about her. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #339

"Fight and Flight!"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men battle Havok and his new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants!

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencilers: Adam Kubert & Cedric Nocon
Inkers: Jesse Delperdang & Scott Hanna
Letters: Richard Starking & Comicraft/KF
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Team Bucce
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Spider-Man visits the X-Mansion to warn the team that J. Jonah Jameson is investigating Graydon Creed's campaign, and is worried he might become a target as a result. Later, Mystique watches one of Creed's appearances on TV, plotting her assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Cyclops and Beast board a plane at JFK airport; Jameson is aboard as well, and they're hoping to keep an eye on him while Storm and Joseph follow in the Blackbird. In London, reporter Nick Bandouveris anxiously awaits Jameson's arrival; having learned the truth about Creed's parentage, he worries for his life. As Storm tries to explain Cable's history to Joseph, another vehicle appears above Jameson's passenger plane. Havok, leading a new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, blasts the top off the plane and tells Jameson the Brotherhood doesn't need his help stopping Creed. Cyclops attacks his brother, their fight spilling out into the open skies. Joseph manages to use his power to land the plane safely, while Storm saves Cyclops after Havok teleports away, but Jameson is left pondering the apparent presence of Magneto fighting alongside the X-Men. Back in London, Nick is killed by Bastion, who needs Creed to continue playing his part for the success of Operation: Zero Tolerance and can't risk his heritage becoming public and ending his political career. 

X-amining Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 2) #11 - Patreon First!

 "Cry Vengeance"

September 1992

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel tries to track down Mystique, battling the Hellfire Club and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants along the way!

Writers: Chris Claremont, Simon Furman
Pencilers: Mike Vosburg, Mike Gustovich
Inkers: Mike Vosburg, Mike Gustovich
Letters: Jim Novak
Colors: Heidi Goodhue
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot

With the help of Iron Man and a device from Reed Richards, Ms. Marvel learns that a shapeshifter named Mystique killed Michael Barnett. At Barnett's funeral, Carol's seventh sense delivers another vision of her impending death, of being buried in an avalanche before bursting into flames. Later still, Ms. Marvel traces Mystique to the offices of an air freight company. There, she discovers the head of the company, Paul Coelho, is an arms dealer, and observes him meeting with members of the Hellfire Club. When she's discovered, she's attacked by Donald Pierce & Harry Leland, escaping when Leland uses his power to drop her into the sewers. Later, as Carol Danvers, she becomes friendly with Coelho on a flight to Hong Kong, hoping to track him to Mystique. Meanwhile, following a vision from her companion Destiny, Mystique sends her agents Pyro & Avalanche to kill Ms. Marvel once and for all. They attack her in Hong Kong, and though she survives their attack, when she confronts Coelho, she discovers him dead, killed by Sebastian Shaw for double-selling his arms to both the Hellfire Club and Mystique's Brotherhood. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Marvel disappears from Destiny's sight, but when she emerges, Mystique's daughter Rogue attacks her. During their fight, Rogue unintentionally steal's Ms. Marvel's powers and memories, leaving her to be rescued by Spider-Woman. Afterwards, she works with Professor X to regain some measure of her memories before being transformed into the cosmic Binary and living amongst the stars. 

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X-amining Excalibur #103

"Bend Sinister Reprise"

November 1996

In a Nutshell

Shadowcat, Colossus, and Nightcrawler are confronted with manifestations of their darker selves by Belasco

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist: Carlos Pacheco

Inkers: Scott Koblish & Bob Wiacek 

Letterer: Richard Starkings

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Kitty, Nightcrawler and Colossus wake up in a village populated by no one except alternate versions of themselves. Exploring the village, Kitty realizes they are all darker alternate selves, representing the sides of themselves they try to repress. As the three teammates make their way through the town, they come to realize they are trapped in Limbo, and only emerge once they've affirmed the attributes which have enabled them to survive all the darkness they've faced recently. They begin to fade away, much to Belasco's delight, who had been watching alongside a captive Margali, the three heroes having endured the test he administered to them ahead of a likely confrontation. Back on Muir Island, the rest of Excalibur is relieved to have their missing teammates home, and Wisdom declares his love for Kitty. 

X-amining Pryde and Wisdom #1-3

"Mystery School" / "Mystery Walk" / "Mystery Train"

September - November 1996

In a Nutshell

Kitty Pryde and Pete Wisdom investigate a serial killer mutant who fossilizes his victims. 

Writer; Warren Ellis

Artists: Terry Dodson & Karl Story (issue #1), Dodson & Aaron Lopresti (issues #2-3)

Inkers: Lopresti, Pinnco, Simmons, Martin

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek 

Enhancements: Malibu

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Issue #1: On their way to meet with Jardin, an old associate of Pete Wisdom's, Kitty Pryde and Wisdom are attacked. After foiling the attempted assassination, they meet with Jardin, who asks them to find his daughter Amanda, a journalist who has gone undercover trying to find a mutant serial killer who fossilizes his victims. They proceed to meet with the Mystery School, a subset of the police department tasked with investigating occult cases, passing one of their members, Gideon, on the way in. Examining the body of one of the victims, Pryde & Wisdom discover a series of strange symbols carved into the bones; reluctantly, Wisdom tells Kitty his family might be able to help them. On their way, they are attacked again, this time directly by the killer, but escape once more, their actions observed by a shadowy woman who declares they must die. 

X-amining Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 2) #10 - Patreon First!

"Sabretooth Stalks the Subway"

July 1992

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel battles Sabretooth!

Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Mike Vosburg
Inker: Mike Vosburg
Letters: Jim Novak
Colors: Heidi Goodhue
Editor-in-Chief: Archie Goodwin

Plot

At Avengers Mansion, new member Ms. Marvel participates in a training session overseen by Iron Man. Meanwhile, Sabretooth is being transferred by SHIELD to the Canadian government, who hope to use him to track down Wolverine. After the training session, Carol tries to contact Michael Barnett, unaware that he has been murdered. She proceeds to have lunch with her agent and accountant, married couple John and Nancy, but their meal is interrupted by a crashing SHIELD transport, the one carrying Sabretooth. When she realizes Sabretooth has escaped, Carol transforms into Ms. Marvel and follows the villain into the subway. They engage in a savage fight, with Sabretooth's recuperative abilities keeping him standing against Ms. Marvel's raw power. Eventually, she manages to knock him out and turn him over to SHIELD custody, at which point her seventh sense activates, giving her a foreboding image of Mystique. 

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