X-amining Uncanny X-Men #345

"Moving On"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Maggott debuts while the X-Men (try to) head home. 

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ben Raab
Penciler: Joe Madureira (part 1), Melvin Rubi (part 2)
Inkers: Tim Townsend (part 1), Vlasco & Candelario (part 2)
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato and Team Bucce

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

Plot

In Guatemala, Sister Maria de la Joya runs from an armored being demanding to know where Joseph is. She is rescued when the creature is attacked by two giant slugs, sent by a mutant named Maggott, who is also looking for Joseph. Meanwhile, on the Shi'ar homeworld, Lilandra laments the damage wrought by the Phalanx and expresses her gratitude towards the X-Men. Later, Joseph is uneasy in the midst of a celebration honoring the X-Men's victory given the loss of life. Rogue does her best to console him, and offers to tell him everything he wants to know about Magneto when they return home. Gambit skips the party, spending his time digging graves for the fallen as an act of atonement for his past actions. The next morning, the X-Men board a Shi'ar ship for home, with Lilandra appointing Deathbird as their escort. As the ship makes its way to the stargate, Bishop reads up on Deathbird's history, and is fascinated by what he finds. Deathbird is less than excited to see him digging into her past however, but their discussion is interrupted when the ship is knocked aside by the wake of an even larger, out-of-control starship. From the bridge, the X-Men watch as the larger ship crashes into the stargate, destroying it, just as the X-Men are pulled into the cosmic portal. 

The Week That Was 022425

 X-aminations ahead, Captain America: Brave New World and Review Round-Up.

X-amining Juggernaut #1

"A Night in Spite"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

Juggernaut battles D'Spayre and his sister Spite. 

Writer: Joe Kelly
Penciler: Duncan Rouleau
Inkers: Steve Moncuss
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos & Virtual Calligraphy
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

At a bar in New Mexico, Juggernaut drinks his troubles away, dealing with local troublemaker Marvin and attracting the eye of the beautiful Alex. The pair depart the bar together, and as they travel, Juggernaut learns Alex is being pursued by her brother, who wants to hurt her. The pair are interrupted by Black Tom, Juggernaut's old partner, who blasts Alex, prompting Juggernaut to strike and seemingly kill him. But just then Alex transforms into Spite, and Black Tom into her brother, D'Spayre. Spite admits she hoped to use Juggernaut against D'Spayre. Angry, Juggernaut tosses her to deal with D'Spayre's demon army while he attacks D'Spayre. Despite the demon's best efforts, Juggernaut just keeps coming. He tells D'Spayre that his life has been defined by despair, so nothing D'Spayre can do will hurt him. With D'Spayre distracted, Spite opens a portal to his home dimension, and Juggernaut tosses him through it, where the Fear Lords intend to make D'Spayre pay for his failure. Spite thanks Juggernaut then departs, with Juggernaut ready for the day they'll meet again. 

The Week That Was 0217/25

X-Book Power Rankings, Hadestown, and Review Round-Up

X-amining Deadpool #5

"The Doctor Is Skinned! (or: The End Of Our First Story Arc)"

May 1997

In a Nutshell

Deadpool's healing factor is restored, after which he must decide the fate of Doctor Killebrew.

Writer: Joe Kelly

Penciler: Ed McGuiness & Kevin Lau

Inkers: Nathan Massengill

Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colors: Matthew Pain

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Separations: Digital Chameleon

Plot

In the wake of the gamma infusion, Doctor Killebrew declares that while Deadpool won't be quite as invincible as he was previously, he will make a full recovery. Happy to hear it, Deadpool plots his next move: killing Killebrew. Meanwhile, at the Hellhouse, Weasel is telling a story about Deadpool when T-Ray angrily enters, declaring his intent to kill Deadpool, whom he finds deeply annoying. His rant is interrupted when a new job comes over the wire; T-Ray is the only one of the mercs willing to take it. Back at Killebrew's house, Siryn appeals to Deadpool's better nature, and convinces him to let Killebrew live. Deadpool tells the doctor to seek out his other victims, and help them like he helped Deadpool. Back at the X-Mansion, Deadpool admits his feelings for Siryn. She tells him she's too busy leading X-Force, but believes he's on the right path, and they may have a future together. Elsewhere, T-Ray finishes his job, then sets his sights on Deadpool. 

The Week That Was 021025

 January Top 5, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Review Round-Up

X-amining Excalibur #109

"Dragon Moon Rising"

 May 1997

In a Nutshell

Spiral brings Excalibur into the fight against the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn

Writer: Ben Raab

Penciller: Salvador Larroca 

Inker: Scott Koblish

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorist: Kevin Tinsley

Separations: GCW

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Nightcrawler is working on getting Excalibur's own Cerebro up and running while checking in with Moira's research into the Legacy Virus. Meanwhile, Colossus, Kitty and Wolfsbane discuss Amanda's sudden departure. Suddenly, they hear an explosion. Kitty phases up to the next floor to discover Nightcrawler and Wisdom battling Spiral, who has arrived with an unconscious Meggan. As the fight with Spiral continues, Meggan wakes up and rushes to help Spiral just as Nightcrawler seemingly traps her. Meggan explains that Captain Britain is in trouble and they need Spiral's help, but the rest are reluctant, given Spiral's villainous history. Spiral explains how she was pressed into service by the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn, who are holding Captain Britain. The team reluctantly agrees to leave with her, and the group teleports away. Meanwhile, Captain Britain is being tortured by the Dragons, who tell him he will be the catalyst which will unleash the Crimson Dawn upon the world. Captain Britain vows to himself to hold on until he can learn what happened to Meggan, despite the pain. 

The Week That Was 020325

Muhammad Ali, 2025 hype meter, and shameless plugs