X-amining The Road To Onslaught

"The Road to Onslaught" 

October 1996

In a Nutshell

An overview at the events leading up to "Onslaught" & a look at the story's original plot outline. 

Firsts and Other Notables

A special promotional one-shot released the same month as the end of "Onslaught", this issue combines reprints of specific panels to layout the important story points leading up to the start of the crossover (including some of Professor X's history and assorted plot beats from the "Road to Onslaught" stories) along with text pages summarizing the intended overall plot outline of the crossover's story. 

In doing so, the plot outline pages layout a vastly more coherent story than what was presented in the issues themselves, one in which Onslaught has specific goals and his actions are intended to help carry them out. Here, it's said that his overarching plan is to create a worldwide collective intelligence, thereby eliminating prejudice (and free will). To that end, in order to boost the psionic energy of the world upon which he can gain more power, he makes his presence known to the world in order to increase fear & anxiety (hence the creation of his big citadel). The Sentinels were then intended to also generate fear and anxiety, and to serve as batteries to store all that energy for Onslaught. 

X-amining Ms. Marvel #12 - Patreon First

"The Warrior and the Witch-Queen!"

December 1977

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel battles Hecate & the Elementals

Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Letters:  Annette Kawecki 
Colors: George Roussous
Editor-in-Chief: Archie Goodwin

Plot

Ms. Marvel battles Hecate, who conjures images from Ms. Marvel's mind to attack her, until she learns that Hecate is not leading the Elementals, but rather, trying to stop them from acquiring the Ruby Scarab. She and Hecate face them down together, during which Hecate summons a mass of energy that begins to affect the space flight of Salia Petrie, as Ms. Marvel previously foresaw. Their fight spills out into the nearby Cape Canaveral facility, and though Carol Danvers desperately wants to help Salia, Ms. Marvel stays in control in order to prevent the Elementals from ending more lives. Ultimately, Hecate defeats the Elementals by transforming into their one true fear, the Living Mummy, but the resultant energy feedback following their defeat further imperils Salia, triggering the Cavorite crystal she's carrying to create a gateway into warp space. Finally gaining control, Carol Danver emerges with the Ruby Scarab in hand, furiously blaming Hecate for the death of her friend.

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X-aminations in June 2021 & June 1996 Power Rankings

If all goes according to plan, a week from today my wife and I will be welcoming our second child into the world, so I'm shifting into a more leisurely review pace for this month and next as I settle into the life of being a father of two (and also, you know, continuing the seemingly never-ending post-move unpacking). Fortunately (?), Marvel released a ton of additional content the same month as it was wrapping up "Onslaught", so there's plenty to cover ("hey kids, you just bought a ton of extra tie-in issues, why not an annual, too. Plus a limited series? How 'bout these trading cards?!?"). 

On Sale August 1996

June 2: "Onslaught" Action Figures 

June 9: Unstacking the Deck: Ultra Marvel Onslaught 

June 16: Wolverine '96 

June 23: X-Force/Cable '96

June 30: X-Men/Brood #1-2

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #57

"Man"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

Professor X leaves the X-Men! 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Joe Rosas 

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

As Xavier ponders his lack of powers & culpability for the damage wrought by Onslaught, Val Cooper arrives at the mansion, intent on taking Xavier into custody in order to prevent the emergence of another Onslaught. The X-Men object. Meanwhile, Beast meets with Trish Tilby, and the pair begin to rekindle their relationship together. Elsewhere in the city, J. Jonah Jameson meets with Bastion, who orders him to end his investigation into Graydon Creed; instead, Jameson says he intends to look into Bastion's "Operation: Zero Tolerance" as well. Back at the X-Mansion, the arguments between the X-Men and Val continue, until Xavier himself intercedes, and agrees to leave with Val, saying that in order for the world to know peace, he must allow himself to be taken into custody. Xavier departs as the X-Men say goodbye to their mentor, while at Archangel's loft in Soho, Psylocke arrives looking for him, but finds, curiously, only feathers. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #337

"Know Thy Enemy"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men gather for breakfast while Wolverine has a heart-to-heart with Xavier.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend & Vince Russell
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Bucce & TB
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

As Xavier sits in the early morning rain, looking upon the damaged X-Mansion, Wolverine tries to assuage the guilt wearing heavy on Xavier. Meanwhile, Bastion looks out over the massive crater left in the wake of Onslaught's defeat, while presidential candidate Graydon Creed gives an impassioned speech about the dangers of mutants, which prompts a watching J. Jonah Jameson to launch an investigation into Creed. At the boat house, Cyclops & Beast discuss Beast's recent captivity at the hands of his dark doppelgänger, while in the kitchen, Jean works on making breakfast while consoling a distraught Quicksilver. Elsewhere, Bastion arrives at a facility where his Zero Tolerance organization is examining the Sentinels co-opted by Onslaught. Back at the X-Mansion, Wolverine continues to argue with Xavier, while the rest of the X-Men slowly come together at the boat house for breakfast. Finally, Wolverine arrives, saying that Xavier isn't up for company, but that he tried. He joins the table, and appreciates that, for the moment at least, things may be slowly returning to normal. 

X-amining Cable #36

"The Gift"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable fights for his life as the techno-organic virus rages! 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Bernard Chang

Inker: Scott Hanna

Letterer: Richard Starking & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

With the techno-organic virus ravaging his body, Cable is attended to at Four Freedoms Plaza by Nathanial Richards, while a worried Franklin Richards, as well as Cannonball, Domino, Storm, and Caliban, look on with concern. There is little Nathanial can do, however, and Cable slips into unconsciousness. As his watching friends begin to speak to him, hoping the sounds of their voices will keep him going, he is visited by his son, Tyler, who urges him to keep fighting for a better tomorrow, then by his wife, Jenskot, who urges him to open up his heart to those who would help him. Inspired, Cable is able to fight back the TO virus. Waking up, he thanks his friends for their support, wondering if a part of his heart that had remained closed off for so long has now opened. 

X-amining Ms. Marvel #11 - Patreon First

"Day of the Dark Angel!"

November 1977

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel is drawn into a conflict with Hecate and the Elementals

Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colors: Glynis Wein
Editor-in-Chief: Archie Goodwin

Plot

After breaking up a bank robbery, Ms. Marvel transforms back into Carol Danvers in order to get to work on time. However, when Ms. Marvel took over, Carol was still in her pajamas, so she's forced to return home to change, making her late for work. At Woman magazine, she's reminded that she's due to return to Florida in order to cover the space mission of her old friend Salia Petrie. Meanwhile, not far from the site of the launch, thieves Miles Oldaan & the Asp are attacked by strange elemental forces. At the launch site, Carol greets Salia, but suddenly experiences a premonition thanks to her seventh sense. She sees Salia's rocket exploding, trapping her in space. However, before she can act on the premonition, Ms. Marvel takes over and flies to where Oldaan & the Asp are being attacked. Upon arrival, she in turn is attacked by a trio of Olympian-style soldiers made of sand, but manages to defeat them, only to be blasted from behind. Turning, she comes face-to-face with Hecate, leading the villainous Elementals.

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X-amining Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1

"With Great Power..."

October 1996

In a Nutshell

The Avengers & Fantastic Four sacrifice themselves to defeat Onslaught!

Script: Mark Waid

Plot: Scott Lobdell & Mark Waid 
Pencils: Adam Kubert & Joe Bennet
Inks: Dan Green
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccelato

Enhancement: Team Bucce
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Uatu the Watcher watches as the heroes of Earth make their last stand against Onslaught. Though the X-Men rescue Professor Xavier from the clutches of Onslaught, they are quickly overwhelmed, until they are joined by the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, and Hulk. As Onslaught, determined to wipe out man and mutant alike, creates a second sun in the skies above the planet, the heroes work together to disrupt his force field. Meanwhile, the captive Franklin Richards & Nate Grey work to escape & cutoff Onslaught from their power. After the heroes manage to breach Onslaught's shields, Hulk asks Jean Grey to turn off the Bruce Banner part of his mind; completely savage, he attacks Onslaught, destroying his armor & seemingly killing him. But Onslaught survives, now as a being of pure psionic energy. Thor, seeking to contain the energy in a vessel that can then be destroyed, flies into the energy. Onslaught remains, but Mister Fantastic realizes the energy diminished. One by one, the various heroes enter Onslaught, each disappearing & taking a bit of his energy with them, save for the X-Men, whose mutant nature would risk empowering the mutant Onslaught. Once all the heroes have entered Onslaught, the X-Men strike, killing him just as Franklin & Nate emerge, safe and sound. Franklin looks for his parents, but finds only the weary X-Men, left behind to suffer the blame for the loss of Earth's greatest heroes, and mourn their loss. 

X-amining Marvel Team-Up #61-62 - Patreon First

"Not All Thy Powers Can Save Thee!" / "All This and the QE 2" 

September - October 1977

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel teams up with Spider-Man to battle the Super-Skrull!

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Byrne
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: Dave Hunt
Editor-in-Chief: Archie Goodwin

Plot

Spider-Man & Human Torch team-up to battle the Super-Skrull, who has escaped from the prison in which Mister Fantastic trapped him during their last encounter. Their fight spills out into the city, attracting the attention of Carol Danvers, departing on a cruise ship. When Super-Skrull manages to overpower both heroes, he flies off after the cruise ship, drawn by the presence of a cavorite crystal on board, which he hopes to use to power a spaceship home. He is attacked by Ms. Marvel, who manages to get ahold of the crystal before Super-Skrull punches her off the ship. She's caught by a recovered Spider-Man, and the two team-up to defeat Super-Skrull by super-charging the energy that empowers him and then transferring it into the cavorite crystal, which triggers a doorway into warp-space that sucks in Super-Skrull.

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X-amining "Onslaught" Tie-Ins Part 2

"Dancing in the Dark" / "Night Neverending" / "The End of the Line" / "Unfinished Business" 

October 1996

In a Nutshell

The Avengers, Fantastic Four and Hulk prepare for the final battle against Onslaught. 

Incredible Hulk #445 by Peter David & Angel Medina

Iron Man #332 by Terry Kavangh & Joe Bennett

Avengers #402 by Mark Waid, Mike Deodato & Tom Palmer

Fantastic Four #416 by Tom DeFalco & Carlos Pacheco

(Please visit the GCD for full credits from each issue)

Plot

Incredible Hulk #445: After rescuing a subway car full of stranded passengers, Hulk, angry with the way Onslaught used him & frustrated by the heroes' lack of action, decides to take the fight to Onslaught. Though Captain America cautions against it, Hulk is joined by Falcon, Hawkeye, Vision & Crystal. Together, Hulk & Crystal dig a tunnel beneath the city & into Onslaught's citadel. They attack, and though his allies are killed, Hulk succeeds in destroying Onslaught, happy to have won despite the losses. Suddenly, he's back in Four Freedoms Plaza, the entire attack a result of a telepathic illusion created by Onslaught and shared amongst the heroes, leaving the group more distrustful of Hulk than ever. 

X-amining Ms. Marvel #10 - Patreon First

"Cry Murder -- Cry MODOK!"

October 1977

In a Nutshell

Ms. Marvel defeats MODOK & Deathbird

Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Tom Palmer
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: Phil Rachelson
Editor-in-Chief: Archie Goodwin

Plot

Trapped between AIM and the rogue faction led by MODOK & Deathbird, Carol Danvers tries to defend herself without transforming into Ms. Marvel. But when she is threatened with bodily harm, Ms. Marvel forces the transformation to save them both. As Deathbird engages Ms. Marvel, MODOK is able to take control of AIM's missile launchers and co-opt their plan to take over NASA's Skylab. Back at Woman magazine offices, Tracy Burke tries to manage things in Carol's absence. Elsewhere, Ms. Marvel follows MODOK & Deathbird to AIM's South Bronx launchpad, and MODOK leaves Deathbird behind to stall Ms. Marvel as he boards the rocket. The fight between Deathbird & Ms. Marvel puts them into the path of the rocket's blast, and when it launches, Deathbird is seemingly killed, though Ms. Marvel manages to survive. She then rushes to abort the launch, destroying the rocket in midair. But when she tracks down the command capsule after it parachutes to the ground, she discovers that MODOK has somehow disappeared. 

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