X-amining X-Man #17

"One Step Forward"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

X-Man battles Holocaust some more

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Penciler: Steve Skroce
Inker: Bud LaRosa & Rob Hunter
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

With Threnody, held hostage by Holocaust, not picking up on his signals, Nate telepathically accesses her power in order to blast Holocaust away and free her. The pair return to helping survivors of Holocaust's attack, though Threndoy is racked with guilt over having fed on one of the survivor's husband's death energy, assuring his death. Meanwhile, Madelyne Pryor, on a mission from Selene, encounters Trevor Fitzroy at a bar in London, and lures him outside. Back in Greece, Holocaust returns and tries to kill Threnody, but Nate intervenes, unleashing his full power and flying the villain high up into the air. In London, Fitzroy approaches Madelyne and kisses her, but is stunned to discover how cold and lifeless she feels. In the skies above Greece, Holocaust once more asks Nate to join him & Onslaught, but Nate refuses before finally managing to crack Holocaust's armor. In London, Fitzroy reveals that he knows who sent Madelyne, and dons his crystalline armor, though Madelyne is able to smash it and send him to his knees, at which point Selene reveals herself. She thanks Madelyne, then leans in to kiss Fitzroy as he screams in terror. In Greece, Holocaust retreats, telling Nate that now that he's been tested, Onslaught will be coming for him himself. Nate returns to Threnody, who insists he needs to find help. With Nate still distrustful of the X-Men, Threnody mentions other heroes located in New York, and he asks her to tell him more about the Avengers...

X-amining X-Factor #124

"Future Memories"

July 1996

In a Nutshell
X-Factor acclimates to having Sabretooth in their midst as mysteries mount around them. 

Writer: Howard Mackie
Penciler: Jeff Matsuda
Inker: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Glynis Oliver

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

X-Factor, including new member Sabretooth, engages in a virtual reality training session, one which is being recorded and will be sent to their superiors. Val is hoping it will show them what Sabretooth is really like, prompting his removal, but Forge fears they already do. During the sessions, Shard suddenly reappears, much to Wild Child's delight. During the break in action, Polaris tries to talk to Forge, but he demurs, prompting Polaris to fly off alone as she wonders if she can believe in what the team is becoming. Shard proceeds to tell Forge about the government agents who broke into the base recently. Meanwhile, Random returns to Dark Beast's lair, where Fatale is waiting with orders for Random to return to X-Factor. She teleports him to just outside Fall's Edge, where he runs into Polaris, who quickly tells him about Havok's departure and her decision to remain with the team despite her reservations about its recent changes. Meanwhile, Val receives a call from her superior, and when she asks about the break-in, he in turn asks about Shard, prompting Val to pass  her off as a trick played by Mystique. Elsewhere, Sabretooth is enjoying the unrest his presence has caused, while Shard worries that her future is already starting to come true, as she knows there is already a hound amongst X-Factor. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #334

"Dark Horizon"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Juggernaut arrives at the X-Mansion seeking Jean Grey's help

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

Plot

Juggernaut arrives on the grounds of the X-Mansion, hiding in the lake while he waits for Cyclops & Jean to return home. Meanwhile, Bishop & Gambit are working to repair Cerebro when they hear an alarm triggered by Juggernaut and leave to investigate. Cyclops is working out in the Danger Room when Jean interrupts, announcing she had an encounter with Onslaught. In Colorado, Archangel & Psylocke try to contact the X-Men but are unable to do so, prompting them to return to the mansion. In Xavier's study, Cannonball expresses his frustrations & doubts since joining the X-Men, but Professor X doesn't really entertain them and coolly dismisses Cannonball. Outside, Gambit & Bishop discover Juggernaut, who quickly knocks out both of them. In the infirmary, Dark Beast is checking out the newly-devolved Wolverine, but under increased scrutiny, he accidentally loosen the restraints, allowing Wolverine to run off on his own. Storm considers following him, but is stopped by Cannonball, who thinks they need to talk about Professor X. At a campaign rally in New Hampshire, Bastion meets with Graydon Creed, admonishing him for his attempted assassination of Senator Kelly. Meanwhile, Jean returns to the boat house to find Juggernaut waiting for her; he removes his helmet to prove his sincerity at needing her help. In the mansion, Xavier performs an impromptu test on Cyclops, raising Cyclops' suspicions, while far beneath the mansion, Jean leads Juggernaut into the Z'Nox chamber, where she can safely explore his mind to learn the secret of Onslaught...

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Episode 11 - Patreon First

"Mojovision"

Original Airdate

February 5, 1994

Producer: Larry Houston

Story: Steven Melching

Storyboard Artist: Larry Houston

Story Editor Developer: Eric Lewald

Writer: Brooks Wachtel  

Plot

After Mojo - ruler of the extradimensional Mojoworld - complains that the ratings of his star actor's show are going down, Longshot storms out. Desperate for new content to goose the ratings again, Mojo's major domo suggests using the X-Men in Longshot's place. On Earth, Cyclops & Jean Grey are shopping for a new TV when Mojo suddenly appears on all the screens in the store. He announces they've been cast in his show, and Mojo's technician Spiral teleports herself into the store, capturing Cyclops, Jean and the rest of the X-Men, sending them to Mojoworld. There, they are paired off and forced to star in a series of television shows, much to the dismay of a watching Longshot, who is frustrated with having been replaced. When Jean manages to briefly shut down some of Mojo's cameras, infuriating the audience, Longshot makes his move, infiltrating the broadcasting station where Spiral is controlling the operation, and shuts it down. Without his audience, Mojo is defeated, and the X-Men return to Earth, leaving Mojo to watch a new program, one set in the Savage Land, as Professor X & Magneto fail to save Shanna from the pterodactyl man Sauron, who captures her and brings her to Magneto's old citadel, now the home of the Savage Land's new master. 

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X-aminations in 2021 Part 1

Onslaught, Onslaught, Onslaught! 

After several months/what feels like years of build-up, the first half of 2021 finally brings us to the main event itself! And in a testament to the sheer bloat of the event (and the X-Line in general in the summer of 1996), "Onslaught" itself is...pretty much as far as we're going to get by this summer. Though some of the blame there does fall on my shoulders - while work-related travel and comic convention volunteering are still non-factors thanks to the pandemic, my wife and I are expecting our second child in early June (and, on top of that, are hoping to sell our current house and move into a new one in the next couple months - I love my comics, but moving them sucks!), so in an effort to both stay on top of reviews in the next few months and give myself a bit of cushion around the birth of the new baby, I am taking every opportunity to schedule a "single review" week between now and then, and clustering a bunch of those towards the end of May and into June. It helps, of course, that Marvel is just churning out X-stuff non-stop in this era - and if you think this is a lot, wait until after "Onslaught": I always map this stuff out a little ahead of these posts, and there are fully fourteen limited series and one-shots that either conclude or launch between the end of "Onslaught" and January 1997. Marvel will declare bankruptcy in December of '96, and they are clearly milking the cash cow that is the X-Men for every last drop at this point. 

X-amining X-Men: Time Glider: #1-4

This review comes courtesy of Patreon supporter Miles Stokes. After supporting the site at the "Extraordinary" level or higher for twelve months, he chose this series for review. To get the chance to pick your own issue or series for review, and support the site, become a Patron here. 

"X-Men: Time Gliders"

December 1995

In a Nutshell

The X-Men battle the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants over a time-traveling glider in this Hardee's promotional tie-in. 

Writer: Ben Raab
Penciler: Mike Gustovich, David Boller (issue #2), John Herbert (issue #3), Roman Morales (issue #4)
Inkers: Dan McConnel, David Boller (issue #2), Bill Anderson (issue #3), Derek Fisher (issue #4)
Letters: Jim Novak, Janice Chian (issues #2-4)
Colors: Jim Hoston

Plot

Beast builds a time machine he dubs the Time Glider in order to aid in his research about the Legacy Virus. Empyrean, who wants to use the machine to spread the Legacy Virus throughout history, thereby making more victims whose energy he can harvest, sends Commando to retrieve it. Commando steals into the X-Mansion and is confronted by Cyclops, but manages to escape with the Time Glider. As the X-Men follow Commando to Empyrean's island in the Florida Keys where the rest of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants are waiting, Beast works to build another Time Glider. The X-Men infiltrate Empyrean's island, and Wolverine faces off against Blob, Rogue battles Avalanche, and Storm fights Phantazia. Inside, Empyrean tests the stolen Time Glider as Beast completes the second one. As the X-Men defeat the Brotherhood, Beast uses his Time Glider to block Empyrean, forcing the glider to return to the present without Empyrean, who remains trapped in the past. 

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Episode 10 - Patreon First

"Beauty and the Beast"

Original Airdate

January 15, 1994

Producer: Larry Houston

Story: Steven Melching

Storyboard Artist: Larry Houston

Story Editor Developer: Eric Lewald

Writer: Stephanie Mathison

Plot

At a hospital for the blind, Beast confers with a colleague regarding an upcoming procedure they've developed to hopefully the restore the sight of a young woman named Carly, to whom Beast has grown close. Just then, the Friends of Humanity attack the hospital due to Beast's presence, and he's forced to rescue Carly from the burning building. Watching news of the attack, Wolverine decides to do something about the Friends of Humanity & poses as a victim of mutant violence to infiltrate the group. Meanwhile, in the Savage Land, Magneto & Xavier are captured by Amphibious, but manage to escape when two large sea serpents attack their boat. Back in New York, Beast learns Carly's father doesn't want him present for the operation because he's a mutant, but after Jean calms him down, Beast returns in time for Carly to see him for the first time following the successful operation. But after Carly's father chases Beast out of the room, the Friends of Humanity kidnap her. At the Friends' headquarters, Wolverine meets with Graydon Creed, whom he recognizes; when Creed leaves to interrogate Carly, Wolverine contacts the X-Men, telling them where he is and asking them to bring a holoprojector. As Beast attacks the headquarters in a rage, Wolverine helps free Carly and when the X-Men arrive, Jubilee activates the projector, showing images of Sabretooth, Creed's father. Hysterical, Creed confirms that Sabretooth is his father in front of his followers as the X-Men leave with Carly. Later, Beast tells Carly they can't be together due to the danger it would put her in because of the world's anti-mutant prejudice, but her father does thank him for saving his daughter, which Beast considers a promising start towards making things better.  

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X-amining Wolverine #102.5

"Slay-Per-View" / "Costume Re-Partee"

1996

In a Nutshell

Wolverine is taken to Mojoworld in an effort to goose Mojo II's ratings. 

Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Mark Buckingham, Mike Wieringo (2nd Story)
Inks: Dan Green, 
Letters: Arnie Sawyer Studios
Colors: Paul Mounts & Bongotone Studios, Chick Maiden (2nd Story)
Editor: Matthew Mora

Plot
Wolverine is on Mojoworld, battling an assortment of his greatest enemies. The last thing he remembers is training with Elektra when they pair were attacked by the X-Men, shortly before Spiral arrived and teleported him away. Elsewhere, Dazzler & Longshot caught wind of Mojo II's actions, and along with the X-Babies, head to his stadium. There, Wolverine continues to fight against an onslaught of friends and foes alike (all Warwolves in disguise), but the audience begins to tune out, confident Wolverine won't last against such tremendous odds. As Dazzler, Longshot and the X-Babies arrive, they convince Wolverine to give up and throw the fight, at which point the audience tunes out entirely, depriving Mojo II of his power. They then team-up with Wolverine to defeat the Warwolves and shut down Mojo II's transmission, after which, they send Wolverine home. 

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Episode 09 - Patreon First

 "A Rogue's Tale"

Original Airdate

January 8, 1994

Producer: Larry Houston

Story: Steven Melching

Storyboard Artist: Larry Houston

Story Editor Developer: Eric Lewald

Writers: Robert N. Skir & Marty Isenberg

Plot

Mystique meets with Mister Sinister, who informs her that Professor X is away from the X-Men, giving her a clear shot at winning Rogue back. Later, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants attack a farmers market to lure out the X-Men; during the fight, Rogue spots a blonde woman which causes her to scream in pain. The X-Men bring Rogue back to the mansion, where she checks out as physically fine, but continues to hallucinate the blonde woman while experiencing tremendous headaches. She flies out of the mansion and ends up following visions of the woman to the hospital where the discovers the woman comatose, while the one taunting her changes into Mystique. As the X-Men battle the Brotherhood outside the hospital, Mystique tells Rogue to touch her. She does, and remembers how Mystique took her in as a teenager, teaching her control over her powers, and eventually setting her against Ms. Marvel, the blonde woman. During their confrontation, Rogue permanently absorbed Ms. Marvel's power, and haunted by her, sought out Xavier, who helped suppress her memories of Ms. Marvel. Back in the hospital, having absorbed Mystique's power, Rogue begins to shift into Ms. Marvel as the remnants of her mind begin to take over Rogue's body. Using Cerebro, Jean enters Rogue's mind and helps her contain Ms. Marvel and regain control of her own mind, after which Rogue affirms to Mystique that her place is with the X-Men. Later, Rogue visits Ms. Marvel in the hospital and touches her briefly, after which a smile appears on Ms. Marvel's face. 

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Unstacking the Deck: Fleer Ultra X-Men: Wolverine

Fleer 1996

Vital Statistics 

100 cards (including the checklist card), plus a nine card Holoflash foil and three card "mirage" insert sets. 

Categorically Speaking

Weapon X, Department H, Second Genesis, Japan, Allies, Madripoor, Mojoworld, Enemies, X-Men, Age of Apocalypse, Savage Beast 

Firsts and Other Notables

While not Fleer's only offering of X-Men cards this year (they also put out the higher end chromium set, as well as a set of "Onslaught"-specific cards), this is the set which is the most direct sequel to the previous two years' "Fleer Ultra X-Men" sets. It is, however (in perhaps the most 90s thing ever) focused on Wolverine, rather than the full X-Men team/universe. 

As such, aside from the more standard "allies" and "enemies" categories, most of the categories represent a specific time or setting from Wolverine's history, with each nine card subset featuring characters culled from that era/setting alongside the relevant Wolverine card (so the Department H cards feature Wolverine in his first costume along with cards for Alpha Flight characters, the Madripoor subset his Patch outfit and cards for Tyger Tiger, Roughhouse, etc.). 

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Episode 08 - Patreon First!

"Time Fugitives Part 2"

Original Airdate

December 18th, 1993

Producer: Larry Houston

Story: Steven Melching

Storyboard Artist: Larry Houston

Story Editor Developer: Eric Lewald

Writer: Elliot Maggin  

Plot

As the time storm wipes out his son Tyler, Cable travels back in time. He arrives just after Bishop in the past, intent on stopping Bishop from destroying the mutant plague in order to save Cable's future. The two tussle, but Bishop manages to escape. Shortly thereafter, Bishop incites a riot outside an apartment building where mutants are being quarantined, and reunites with the X-Men when they respond to the riot. Cable tries to assassinate Bishop there, but is spotted, and a fight breaks out between him and the X-Men. It ends when Cable teleports away. At his temporary base, he asks his computer for more information about the X-Men, and learns about Wolverine's healing factor, giving him an idea. Later, Cable teleports to the Senate chamber where Beast is speaking, shortly after Graydon Creed tries to infect Beast with the virus. Cable grabs Wolverine and teleports out, later telling Wolverine he needs his help. After the X-Men track the now-infected Creed to the Friends of Humanity base, Cable & Wolverine arrive, exposing Apocalypse's involvement. He blasts Wolverine into the vials containing Apocalypse's plague, infecting him, but also causing his healing factor to create the anti-bodies needed to cure the plague, thereby saving Cable's future. Cable then destroys the rest of the virus and the lab as the X-Men and Apocalypse flee the destruction. Bishop returns to his home time to discover the plague was prevented, but the world is still just as grim, while Cable returns to his time and discovers Tyler alive & well, and everything back to normal. 

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G. I. JOE #47 - May 1986 (The Commercial, Not the Comic)

 You're on a high speed mission in enemy water

There's no turning back

You aboard the G.I.Joe Devilfish

Devilfish

When you run into a Cobra attack

Cobra attack!

Cobra's got a new Hydro-sled

Cobra's an evil foe

And Cobra's new Hydro-sled

Is going to get G.I. Joe

G.I. Joe -- a real American hero!