X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #-1

"I Had A Dream"

July 1997

In a Nutshell

Professor X and Magneto reunite on the verge of their philosophical differences exploding into open conflict.

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Pencils: Carlos Pacheco 
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Chris Lichtner & Aron Lusen

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

Plot

At his mansion, Charles Xavier continues his physical therapy, under the guidance of his nurse/girlfriend, Amelia Voght. She urges him to rethink his plans regarding mutantkind, but he insists they can't simply hide in his mansion and do nothing. He then asks her to teleport him to the remains of concentration camp in Europe, where he knows his old friend Erik will soon appear. Meanwhile, aboard Asteroid M in orbit around the planet, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff discuss their recent alliance with the man known as Magneto Despite having saved their lives, Pietro remains unconvinced Magneto is a good man. Magneto arrives and brings the twins down to the concentration camp, where he finds Xavier and Voght waiting. The two former friends each try to convince each other, for the last time, to give up their respective plans to chart the course of mutantkind's future, with Xavier arguing that places like the concentration camp will rise again if Magneto launches his war on humanity. Both men acknowledge their ability to kill the other, but leave each other in peace for the last time, with Magneto declaring there will be only one onclusion to their conflict, and to the victor will go the spoils. He then scoops up a handful of earth, and returns with the Maximoffs to Asteroid M.

X-amining X-Men 2099 #5

"Lightningstrike: Fall of the Hammer Part Three"
February 1994

In a Nutshell
The X-Men become embroiled in the "Fall of the Hammer" crossover.
Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Ron Lim
Inkers: Jim Sanders III
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Colorist: Tom Smith
Loki, Mischiefmaker: Joey Cavalieri
Odin, All-Seeing: Tom DeFalco

Plot
As Fitz escapes from Alchemax's security forces, on Valhalla, floating above New York City, Meanstreak, Krystalin & Bloodhawk are confronted by Heimdall. He takes out Meanstreak & Bloodhawk, but Ravage helps Krystalin escape. Below, as the crowd cheers the return of Thor, Fitz commandeers an aircab to get up to Valhalla, recalling how the X-Men arrived in the city and were caught by Alchemax at the apartment of Meanstreak's friend Jordan Boone, prompting the group to split up & Fitz to be captured. As the cab climbs higher, it suddenly gives out, but someone grabs Fitz to prevent him from falling to his death. On Valhalla, Loki appears before Meanstreak and offers to disable the neurotech that gives Heimdall his powers, allowing the X-Men to knock him out. Loki then reveals himself as Boone, having undergone Alchemax' genetic restructuring process to gain powers for himself. Just then, Fitz arrives, along with his rescuer, Dr. Doom. Fed up with the environmental harm being done by Valhalla, Bloodhawk takes to the sky, intent on destroying it, only to be blasted down by a bolt of lightning hurled by an angry Thor.

X-amining Wolverine #-1

"A Whiff of Sartre’s Madeleine!"

July 1997

In a Nutshell

Logan meets the inventor of adamantium.

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Cary Nord
Inks: Scott Hanna
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft/EM
Colors: Joe Rosas
Editor: Mark Powers

Editor in Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Hoping to help Logan find some answers about his metal skeleton and his past, James and Heather Hudson have setup a meeting between Logan and Myron MacLain, the scientist who created adamantium. When Logan arrives at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. to meet with MacLain, he is monitored by both the CIA and Hydra. MacLain is astonished to learn someone bonded adamantium to Logan's skeleton, having only heard rumors about a Japanese scientist developing a process for such. Just then, CIA agent Victor Creed bursts in; pleased to see Logan doesn't remember him, he pulls a gun, but a Hydra team attacks, hoping to capture Logan.  interrupted by Hydra, who open fire on the pair, trying to hit Logan. The ensuing brawl is joined by Nick Fury and Carol Danvers, who rescue Logan with an assist from Black Widow, who tells Logan he's better off not joining any of the groups pursuing him. When Creed catches up to them, Logan defeats him, but rather than finish him, he merely takes his hat. Then Logan departs to return to Canada, more confused than ever. As he leaves, Hydra agents target him with a missile, but their leader Madame Hydra calls off the attack, opting to leave him alive — for now.