X-amining Onslaught: X-Men #1

 

"Traitor to the Cause"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

"Onslaught" begins as Professor X betrays the X-Men! 

Story: Scott Lobdell & Mark Waid
Art: Adam Kubert & Dan Green

Art Assist: Pascual Ferry & Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccelato & Team Bucce
Edito-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As the summoned X-Men gather at Professor Xavier's side, Jean Grey - fearing that Xavier is Onslaught - probes his mind for any psionic weaknesses. When she spots a crystal on Xavier's desk, with Juggernaut trapped inside, her worst fears are confirmed. Just then, Onslaught reveals himself in his full armored form, declaring that he is Professor Xavier. Cyclops blasts him, and Onslaught freezes the X-Men in place, telling them he hopes they'll follow him as they did Xavier, before disappearing to attend to other matters. After Gambit uses his power to free everyone - something Jean hopes mean Onslaught isn't in full control yet - the X-Men split up, one group to purge the files from Xavier's Ready Room, the other to disable Cerebro. Meanwhile, at Four Freedoms Plaza, Franklin Richards plays with his imaginary friend Charlie, who goads Franklin into getting into trouble with his parents. Back at the X-Mansion, Onslaught takes control of Cannonball to try and turn the X-Men on each other; when that fails, he blasts them all. Meanwhile, Nate Grey meets with the Avengers, convincing them to fly to the X-Mansion in order to investigate his claims about Xavier. At the mansion, Onslaught attacks the rest of the X-Men, including Beast, who reveals himself as Dark Beast and pledges his loyalty to Onslaught. Jean manages to escape, and races to the Z'Nox chamber, where she records a message to the X-Men's allies, revealing that Xavier betrayed them all and asking for help. As she nears the end, Onslaughts enters the chamber, and fires a blast of psionic energy at her. Just then, Bishop jumps in front of Jean, absorbing the blast and saving her life. Bishop collapses, but Onslaught leaves with Dark Beast, telling him his plans go beyond the X-Men. Later, as the X-Men lick their wounds, Cyclops declares that Xavier wanted the X-Men to help protect the world from mutants who couldn't control their powers, and thus that the X-Men need to be prepared to kill Xavier when next they meet. Elsewhere, at a Sentinel factory in a classified location, a group of Sentinels suddenly activate, and utter a single word: Onslaught. 

Patreon First - Ms. Marvel

While by the end of the first season of the animated series, I was raring to go further, the end of season 2 feels like a good place to pivot to something else. I will return to reviewing the show (especially with the third season representing the series' creative peak), but for now, let's tackle another X-adjacent comic book series, the original Ms. Marvel!

This is perhaps the most X-adjacent series we've looked at yet, but it does have some decent, if indirect, X-Men connections. For one, both Deathbird & Mystique make their first appearances in its pages. For another, the very end of the series ties in with Rogue's debut and her stealing of Ms. Marvel's powers, the act which brings her to the X-Men and defines much of her early appearances. And finally, Chris Claremont writes the majority of the series (and even works with his X-Men collaborator Dave Cockrum, for a few of those issues), which in turn leads to Claremont effectively "adopting" the character, bringing her over to X-Men in a supporting role for a time after her solo series ends. So it's definitely worth looking at in the context of a series with some ties, however tangentially, to the X-Men.

With that said, next week, Ms. Marvel #1!

X-aminations in March 2021 & March 1996 Power Rankings

It's all Onslaught, all the time, as the crossover expands to include Avengers, Fantastic Four and Hulk, while Excalibur reaches its 100th issue and X-Factor its 125th!

On Sale June 1996

March 3: Uncanny X-Men #335

March 4: Avengers #401

March 5: Fantastic Four #415

March 10: Cable #34 

March 11: Incredible Hulk #444

March 12: Excalibur #100

March 17: Generation X #18
March 18: Wolverine #104
March 19: X-Factor #125

March 24: X-Man #18
March 25: X-Force #57
March 26: X-Men (vol. 2) #55

X-amining Cable #33

"Never is a Very Short Time"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable battles Post! 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill & Rick Leonardi

Finishes: Scott Hanna

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable, hoping to find some way to control the techno-organic virus raging since his encounter with Nate Grey, is examined by Beast. Shortly thereafter, Cable catches up with Storm, who asks him to read her mind for any clues pertaining to Onslaught as a result of her recent encounter with Post. He does, but finds her memories of Post blocked. Just then, he learns that Blaquesmith's headquarters has been firebombed. Arriving on the scene, Cable is attacked by Post, who Cable recognizes as a mutant he once saved from the super-villain Mandarin. As they fight, Cable finally pieces together the truth of Onslaught's identity, but finds himself overwhelmed by Post. However, Post, remembering what he owes Cable, is unable to kill him, and instead leaves him, badly injured, lying on the street. 

X-amining Excalibur #99

"Fire with Fire"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur gets closer to the truth about Black Air & the Hellfire Club, as the Red Queen makes her move. 

Writer: Warren Ellis
Penciler: Casey Jones
Inker: Tom Simmons
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Combing through the files stolen from Black Air, Excalibur realizes the intelligence organization is deeply connected to the Hellfire Club, with the Hellfire Club directly bribing the British government on their behalf. Wisdom reaches out to a safe contact within the intelligence community, sending him all the files and telling him to spread them around to anyone with an interest in taking down Black Air before getting the hell out of London. Just then, Brian Braddock contacts Excalibur, the Hellfire Club's show-of-force via the mystical column of fire convincing him the team needs to make their move on the club soon. Meanwhile, the Hellfire Club holds an emergency meeting, the black side angry that the red side is progressing their plans on their own. They proceed to Black Air headquarters, where the Red King reveals their new link to the mystical power source under London: Douglock. The next morning, Excalibur heads to London, while Brian prepares to don his Captain Britain uniform once more and the Black Queen is visited by Onslaught. At Black Air headquarters, the Red Queen, having seduced the Red King, reveals herself to be Margali Szardos, then uses Douglock to access the power under London. The source of the power turns out to be a demon, who overpowers Margali and takes over her body. Free at last, the demon unleashes its power, sending the people of London into a frenzy as the city begins to burn...

X-amining Generation X #17

"The Skin of our Teeth"

July 1996

In a Nutshell
Chris Bachalo returns as Skin battles the X-Cutioner!

Writers: Scott Lobdell and Stan Lee
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

On the run from the X-Cutioner, Skin & Chamber stumble across a carnival, and Skin stashes the weakened Chamber in a pond for safe-keeping. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Banshee is confronted by Synch's angry parents, while outside, Jubilee comforts Synch. Back at the carnival, the X-Cutioner catches up with Skin, whom he believes killed Angelo Espinosa, despite that being Skin himself. Elsewhere, Emma confronts Monet about her recent behavior, telling her it's time to come clean about all her secrets. At the carnival, Skin does his best to utilize his training as well as the trappings of the carnival to fight off the X-Cutioner, growing more confident in the use of his powers as he does so. He then retrieves Chamber, and the pair continue their journey to the X-Mansion, though neither is terribly sure how they're going to get there...

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

 Once again, ranking all the episodes of the X:TAS season past! 

13. "X-Ternally Yours"

Hands down the worst episode of the season, with its garish character designs, puzzling adaptation choices, and warmed over plot offering little to recommend it. 

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X-amining The Further Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix #1-4

"Digging Up the Past" / "Unnatural Selection" / "The Origin of a Species" / "Beginnings"

June 1996 - September 1996

In a Nutshell

The origin of Mister Sinister is revealed as Cyclops & Phoenix are sent to the past to stop Apocalypse! 

Writer: Peter Milligan
Penciler: John Paul Leon
Inker: Klaus Janson (issue #1-2), Shawn Martinbrough (issues #2-4), Tommy Lee Edwards (issue #3)
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Kevin Somers

Enhancements: Malibu's Hues

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

Plot

Issue #1: In Victorian London, when scientist Nathanial Essex has his theories of evolution dismissed by the Royal Society, he decides to continue his work in private. A chance encounter with a man named Cootie Tremble leads Nathanial to the various freaks and outcasts which Cootie and his gang, the Marauders, have assembled in the sewers beneath the city. Essex presses Cootie and the Marauders (and their captives, as the subjects of his experiments) into his service. Elsewhere, Apocalypse emerges from hibernation, and learning of Essex' work, seeks him out. Meanwhile, Cyclops and Phoenix suddenly appear in London, cast apart from one another and unsure where - or when - they are. 

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Episode 13 - Patreon First

"Reunion Part 2"

Original Airdate

February 19th, 1994

Producer: Larry Houston

Story: Steven Melching

Storyboard Artist: Larry Houston

Story Editor Developer: Eric Lewald

Writer: Michael Edens 

Plot

As the captive Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey and Morph are imprisoned in Mister Sinister's Savage Land citadel, the rest of the X-Men arrive in the Savage Land only to discover their powers are no longer active. They are quickly attacked - and captured - by the Nasty Boys and Savage Land Mutates, though Wolverine manages to escape into the jungle. As his teammates are brought to the citadel, Wolverine encounters Ka-Zar, and the pair agree to team-up in order to attack the citadel and free their respective peoples. At the citadel, Mister Sinister reveals his plan to create super mutants using a device he's created that takes a power from one mutant and gives it to another, which he demonstrates by giving Vertigo Magneto's mastery of magnetism. Just then, Wolverine & Ka-Zar arrive, with Ka-Zar freeing the captive Savage Land natives while Wolverine manages to free the X-Men. After Xavier smashes the machine robbing everyone of their powers, a battle breaks out between the X-Men, Nasty Boys, and Mutates. As Cyclops blasts Sinister, Sinister calls out to Morph for help, but Morph fights Sinister's implants and blasts him, causing him to explode into thousands of pieces. In the wake of Sinister's defeat, the X-Men help the natives rebuild their villages before returning home, though the threat of Sinister returning remains. 

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X-amining Wolverine #103

"Top of the World, Ma!"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Elektra begins training Wolverine in the hopes of restoring his humanity

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Val Semeiks
Inks: Chad Hunt
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Joe Rosas & Malibu's Hues
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Wolverine climbs to the top of the World Trade Center, the first task set to him by his new sensei, Elektra, who is working to restore his humanity. Inside, she sets up a dojo inside an abandoned restaurant, hanging a scroll on the wall which seems familiar to Wolverine. She proceeds to train with him relentlessly, believing that if he regains his reasoning skills & mental conditioning, the rest of his humanity will follow. Later, Wolverine is meditating calmly, but Elektra still likens him to an unsheathed sword. She proceeds to lock him inside a refrigerator as a test. Inside, he realizes he saw the scroll Elektra hung in their makeshift dojo inside Ogun's dojo years ago, and summons the wherewithal to escape. He grabs the unsheathed sword Elektra left behind and tracks her to a nearby rooftop, where they spar. Elektra seems to win, but his defeat is jut a ruse for Wolverine to get close enough to sheath the sword in the scabbard Elektra is carrying, thereby completing the test. 

X-amining X-Force #56

"Crazy for You"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Siryn & Shatterstar return to the Weisman Institute to rescue Deadpool

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Adam Pollina
Inkers: Bud LaRosa & Mark Morales
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

During a training session/game of tag with Shatterstar, Siryn suddenly remembers her time at the Weisman Institute and how Deadpool was captured trying to save her. Meanwhile, Warpath is in Miami with Risque, joyriding on a motorcycle. Back north, Siryn and Shatterstar proceed to the Weisman Institute and sneak in. Once inside, a troubled Shatterstar breaks off on his own; he's found by Dr. Weisman & Jeremy Stevens, who refers to him as "Benjamin Russell". Meanwhile, Siryn searches for Deadpool, and is confronted by multiple Deadpools of varying degrees of insanity. Eventually, she realizes they are all in her head, and she finds the real one, locked up in a padded room. In Miami, Warpath & Risque help a young man being attacked for being a mutant, but he turns out to be a disfigured human who is just as angry at mutants as his attackers. Back at the institute, as Siryn gets Deadpool out of his cell, she too is confronted by Dr. Weisman as well as Jeremy Stevens, and forces the Gamesmaster to reveal his control of Dr. Weisman. The game over, he allows Siryn & Deadpool to leave. Outside, they find Shatterstar waiting, and Siryn berates him for abandoning her, but he tearfully  tells her that after his encounter with Gamesmaster, he thinks his whole life is a lie. 

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #54

"Inquiring Minds"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

The identity of Onslaught is revealed! 

Story: Mark Waid
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Inks: Dan Panosian
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Joe Rosas

Separations: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Cyclops is consoling Cannonball, upset over the lecture he received from Professor X, when Gambit & Bishop, leading a charge of X-Men, announce that Juggernaut is somewhere on the mansion grounds. As Cyclops splits the group into search parties, Jean enters the psychically-shield Z'Nox chamber beneath the mansion with Juggernaut in order to dig into his mind and learn Onslaught's secret undisturbed. When she seals the room, Cyclops feels his telepathic rapport with Jean end, prompting him to seek out Xavier. As the rest of the X-Men continue the search, the real Beast breaks out of the prison where Dark Beast had been holding him, only to be confronted by two shadowy figures. At the mansion, Cyclops informs Xavier about Jean, and he promises to search for her. When Cyclops tells him about Juggernaut, Professor X tells Cyclops to lower the mansion's defenses in order to lure Juggernaut to his target, Xavier, at which point the X-Men can defeat him as they so often have before. As Jean works to open Juggernaut's mind, Xavier begins to search telepathically for Jean, but is distracted by his frustration over his many recent failures, until he finally expresses all his pent-up anger in a burst of rage. Below, Jean is able to pull Onslaught's identity from Juggernaut's mind; horrified, she tells him Onslaught is inside the mansion, and he needs to run as far away as possible. Juggernaut does so, but as soon as he emerges from the chamber, he is mentally snared by Onslaught, who leads him to Xavier's study, where a waiting Onslaught rips the gem of Cyttorak from Juggernaut, removing his powers, before revealing himself as none other than Charles Xavier. 

X-amining X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Episode 12 - Patreon First

"Reunion Part 1"

Original Airdate

February 12, 1994

Producer: Larry Houston

Story: Steven Melching

Storyboard Artist: Larry Houston

Story Editor Developer: Eric Lewald

Writer: Len Wein 

Plot

Attempting to escape the Savage Land, Magneto & Xavier climb up the cliffside where Xavier's plane waits, but they are met at the top by the collective Savage Land Mutates, who capture them both. Meanwhile, after receiving a call for help from Morph, Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Cyclops track Morph to a theater where he's using his shapeshifting powers to perform. Backstage, he tries to send the X-Men away, but a waiting Mister Sinister and the Nasty Boys attack them. In the Savage Land, Ka-Zar helps free Xavier & Magneto, and the three agree to work together to free the captive Savage Land natives. Back at the theater, with the help of a conflicted Morph, Mister Sinister manages to capture Jean Grey. In the Savage Land, Ka-Zar, Magneto & Xavier sneak into the citadel, but find the mutates waiting for them. Ka-Zar manages to escape, but Xavier & Magneto are captured as Mister Sinister & the Nasty Boys arrives with Jean Grey. As Morph's commitment to Sinister waivers, leading him to be chained up alongside the rest of the captives, Sinister orders Sauron to brainwash Xavier, who proceeds to call the X-Men and urge them to come to the Savage Land. Though the X-Men suspect a trap, they fly off to the Savage Land to rescue their teammates. 

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