X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #55

"Invasion"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

The combined might of the Avengers, Fantastic Four & X-Men face off against Onslaught's Sentinels!

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

Separations: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

As Onslaught's Sentinels descend on Manhattan, the X-Men & Avengers gather with the Fantastic Four on the rooftop of Four Freedoms Plaza, watching as chaos engulfs the city. Joined by Rogue, Gambit & Joseph, Captain America leads the heroes off to help the city and rescue Franklin Richards. Meanwhile, Onslaught tries to harness the captive Franklin's powers. Elsewhere, the Blackbird races back to New York, carrying Cyclops, Phoenix, Archangel & Psylocke, as well as the information from the Xavier Protocols which will hopefully help defeat Onslaught. At Four Freedoms Plaza, Reed Richards, Hank Pym and Iron Man attempt to come up with a way to counter Onslaught's powers. As the heroes continue their fights against the Sentinels, a massive citadel suddenly appears in Central Park, the result of Onslaught manipulating Franklin's powers. From atop the citadel, he declares the day marks the ultimate ascendance of the mutant race, then triggers a massive electro-magnetic pulse which sends the Blackbird crashing and leaves the heroes at Onslaught's mercy. Elsewhere, Ozymandias finds himself carving a statute of Onslaught, not as he is, but as he will be, while standing atop the ashes of the world. 

X-amining X-Force #57

"In the Company of Stranger Part 2: The Best Laid Plans"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

X-Force & X-Man battle Mister Sinister! 

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Anthony Castrillo
Inker: Mark Morales
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As Mister Sinister takes control of Nate Grey's mind, he is attacked by Caliban, attacking savagely in response to a subconscious trigger implanted in him by Apocalypse. Taking advantage of the ensuing opening, Domino triggers the self-destruction of Cable's armory, creating a massive explosion that puts some distance between X-Force, Nate and Sinister. Meanwhile, Warpath & Risque arrive at the mansion. As Meltdown comforts Caliban, distraught at having lost control, Nate attempts to draw knowledge of the Askani from Sunspot's mind in order to gain control over his powers, but this results in an energy backlash which takes the form of Blaquesmith. Elsewhere, Sinister comes across Siryn, and nearly kills her, but Shatterstar intervenes. When Sinister knocks him aside, Warpath & Risque attack, and Sinister is shocked to realize he has no idea who Risque is. During their fight, Nate tries to use his powers to read Sinister's thoughts, but Sinister redirects the attack, knocking everyone else out. He then departs with the unconscious Nate Grey. 

X-amining X-Man #18

"In the Company of Stranger"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Mister Sinister seeks out Nate Grey, who is being guarded by X-Force. 

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

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In Egypt, Mister Sinister checks Apocalypse's tomb, confirming Apocalypse has returned. At the Xavier Institute, X-Force tries to determine their next move in the wake of Onslaught's attack. Nate Grey, staying with the team in the event that Onslaught tries to capture him, is impressed by their camaraderie, even as he worries about the girl he left behind. Meanwhile, Threnody is attacked at a church in Manhattan by the Marauders; she defeats them, but is then confronted by Sinister himself. Later, Sinister arrives at the X-Mansion, seeking Nate. He easily sidesteps the mansion's defenses and fights his way past X-Force, until only Domino & Nate are left standing. Sinister greets Nate, saying he may well be responsible for Onslaught's very existence. Nate attacks the counterpart to the man who killed Forge in Nate's reality but Sinister, who says he's studied Nate's abilities for the last week, takes control of his mind, putting Nate's massive power at his disposal as he turns to face Domino. 

X-amining X-Factor #125

"The Ticking Clock" / "Free Fall" 

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Dark Beast sets a brainwashed Havok against X-Factor as Onslaught launches his Sentinel army. 

Writer: Howard Mackie
Penciler: Jeff Matsuda, Stefano Raffaele (2nd Story)
Inker: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Onslaught confronts Dark Beast, asking what use he can be to him; Dark Beast reveals that in addition to Fatale, he has brainwashed Havok into serving him, and that he has another agent in place with X-Factor. Meanwhile, X-Factor's training Sentinel goes wild, and while the team tries to shut it down, Mystique is sent to release Sabretooth, but the two are teleported away. Shortly thereafter, Fatale arrives and then telports away with the the Sentinel. X-Factor is able to trace the Sentinel to an abandoned Brand Corporation warehouse, where they discover numerous other Sentinels, all programmed to answer to Onslaught and prepared to launch. They are attacked by Dark Beast's allies, including Havok, and Random, despite his feelings for Polaris, reveals himself as a double-agent. Polaris is ultimately able to take out Fatale & Havok, but X-Factor is unable to stop the Sentinels from launching and flying off to join Onslaught in New York City! 

X-amining Wolverine #104

"The Emperor of the Realm of Grief"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Wolverine & Elektra learn the truth behind Onslaught's origins

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Val Semeiks
Inks: Chad Hunt
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 
Colors: Joe Rosas
Enhancements: Malibu
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Wolverine travels to the Massachusetts Academy in search of Gateway. Climbing the roof, he asks Gateway if he knows any info about Onslaught which the X-Men would find useful. Gateway responds by sending Wolverine back to witness the time he was forced to kill Mariko. Back in the present, Elektra arrives, having tracked Wolverine, intent on honoring the wishes of her mentor, Stick, to bring him back to humanity. Upon hearing Stick's name, Gateway proceeds to show Elektra images of her death & resurrection. They realize he is showing them the worst moments of their lives, presumably to prepare them for what he knows of Onslaught. He then transports their astral selves to Avalon, at the moment after Wolverine had his adamantium ripped out by Magneto, when Professor X wiped Magneto's mind. They observe in slow motion as, during the act, Magneto's dark ego implants a seed in Xavier's consciousness, a seed which led to the creation of Onslaught. Returning to the present, Wolverine laments that Onslaught's existence is his own fault, as his vulnerabilities in turn led Xavier to leave himself vulnerable to Magneto's infection. 

X-amining Generation X #18

"For the Sake of the Children"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Emma kidnaps half the school to keep them safe from Onslaught. 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 
Colorist: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Paige is writing a letter to her brother while aboard Emma Frost's private plane flying back to Boston. Banshee, who knows a thing or two about flying, suddenly realizes the plane isn't heading back to the school. When he points this out to Emma, she telepathically suggests he leave the plane, and he promptly flies off on his own. He lands some distance away, his head clearer, and realizes what's happened, vowing the save the kids from Emma. Meanwhile, back at the school, Chevy has taken it upon himself to begin his work as the school's handyman, while Penance watches. In the biosphere, Artie & Leech play, while a watching Mondo is told it's not time to act yet. Out on the interstate, Skin steals some food as he and Chamber continue to make their way to New York. Later, Emma's plane lands in Canada, and the kids realize they're not in Boston; they attack Emma but she takes control of their minds, making them act like docile children. Meanwhile, Banshee hacks into a computer in Montreal, trying to track the flight path of Emma's plane. Getting nowhere, he decides he's going to have to find some local help. Elsewhere, Emma and the kids arrive at a mansion where Emma intends to keep them safe for a good long while. But unbeknownst to her, Toad is watching from the shadows. 

X-amining Excalibur #100

"London's Burning"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur battles the Hellfire Club, Black Air, and Margali Szardos for the city of London! 

Writer: Warren Ellis

Pencilers: Casey Jones, Randy Green, Rob Haynes

Inkers: Tom Simmons, Jason Martin, Rick Ketcham, ROb Haynes

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorists: Ariane Lenshoek, Jim Houston

Separations: Malibu Hues 

Editor: Suzanne Gaffney

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Excalibur arrives in London, determined to stop Black Air & the Hellfire Club even as the demon under the streets feeds upon the basest emotions of the people inside the city, driving them wild. Spotting Black Air agent Scratch from the air, Wisdom tells the rest of the team to keep going, while he goes after Scratch. Meanwhile, back on Muir Island, Amanda Sefton arrives, having tried - and failed - to stop her mother's plans. Just then, a contingent of the X-Men arrive in the wake of Onslaught's attack. Moira proceeds to lead them to a secret underground chamber Professor X had built in the complex. At the Hellfire Club, Brian Braddock confronts the Black Queen, believing her to be Mountjoy, but Mountjoy reveals himself to be Scribe, and attacks Brian. Elsewhere, Excalibur arrives at Black Air headquarters. They enter the facility, and Colossus is forced to stay behind to hold off a contingent of guards as the rest of the team goes deeper into the facility. On Muir Island, the X-Men & Moira discover the chamber contains files created by Professor X outlining ways to defeat all the X-Men, including himself. In London, Wisdom battles Scratch while Brian takes on the Black Queen & Mountjoy and Excalibur penetrates deeper into Black Air, with Meggan breaking off to battle a group of techno-organic Brood while Nightcrawler duels the Red King. Back on Muir Island, the X-Men, horrified by what Xavier did, depart with files on how to counter Xavier's psychic powers. In London, Brian defeats Mountjoy, while Wisdom gets an assist from Lockheed, enabling him to stop Scratch. At Black Air, Kitty & Wolfbane reach Margali, still entranced by the demon, and realize Douglock is the conduit channeling the demon's power. They are joined by Amanda, and as Kitty's taps her laptop into Douglock, deleting the files used to channel the energy, Wolsfbane severs the connection between Douglock and the demon, while Amanda binds the demon, ensuring it can't escape. Cut off from its power, Margali screams, then fades away. Later, Excalibur emerges from Black Air and reunites with Wisdom, then discover that his old connections in the intelligence community have set about ending Black Air and the Hellfire Club; London is saved. 

X-amining Incredible Hulk #444

"Cable Vision"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable (and Storm) battle Hulk (some more). 

Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Angel Medina
Inks: Robin Riggs
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Glynis Oliver

Enhancement: Malibu
Editor: Bobbie Chase

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Storm races after Cable, who's been captured by the Hulk. He leaps away, and lands inside a magazine office, where Hulk spots a pinup of model Betty Page; the name "Betty" causes him to pause in his attack, giving Cable an opening to get inside his mind. He tries to remove the blocks Onslaught has placed around Bruce Banner's mind, to no avail. He emerges from Hulk's mind just as Hulk prepares to attack; Storm intervenes with a tornado that tosses Hulk away, but he sends Cable flying as well. Cable grabs a gun from a nearby sporting goods store and fires a gas pellet at Hulk. Storm ensures Hulk breathes in the gas, leaving him open to a combined attack as she hits him with lightning and Cable goes back into his mind to free Banner. Later, Hulk joins Cable & Storm as they proceed to rendezvous with the rest of the X-Men, determined to get a piece of Onslaught for messing with his mind. 

X-amining Cable #34

"Loose Cannons"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable battles the Hulk

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Finishes: Scott Hanna

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable, badly beaten by his encounter with Post, awakens in Baltimore as he senses the arrival of a new threat. He manages to grab a weapon off his motorcycle just as the Hulk - under the control of Onslaught - lands in front of him. Hulk, declaring he's there to kill Cable, attacks and Cable tries to telepathically bring Bruce Banner's consciousness to the fore. Instead, he merely triggers another of the Hulk's personalities, the meaner grey Hulk. Meanwhile, GW Bridge monitors the situation from the SHIELD helicarrier, as he receives word that the President has authorized martial law in Baltimore in light of the threat posed by Cable & the Hulk. Below, Hulk buries Cable in a diner just as Storm arrives on the scene. She calls up a wind that blows Hulk away, then helps Cable extricate himself from the diner. When Hulk returns, Cable & Storm work together, Storm hitting Hulk with enough lightning to stun him, giving Cable a chance to hit his mind with a telepathic "bullet", a last desperate attempt to get Banner to assert control. But once again, his attempt goes awry, as the grey Hulk is replaced by the savage, near-mindless, and even more dangerous Hulk.

X-amining Fantastic Four #415

   

"An Enemy Among Us!"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Onslaught captures Franklin Richards

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Carlos Pacheco 
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 
Colors: Ariane Lenshore 

Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Franklin Richards & Charlie visit a circus created by Franklin, inadvertently populated by figures from Charlie's mind, before being interrupted by the return home of the Fantastic Four. Shortly thereafter, Professor Xavier visits the team; he meets with Mister Fantastic & Invisible Woman, asking them to let Franklin come study at his school so he can be kept safely amongst his own kind. At the same time, a contingent of Avengers, as well as Iceman and Bishop, contact Scott Lang, warning the Fantastic Four about Onslaught, but Onslaught knocks Lang out, then reveals himself as "Xavier" when Mister Fantastic & Invisible Woman refuse to give up Franklin. The X-Men/Avengers group soon arrives at Four Freedoms Plaza and engages Onslaught, but he manages to overpower them, as well as the Fantastic Four. As Apocalypse and the Watcher arrive in New York to witness the unfolding events, Franklin - still not realizing the true identity of his friend Charlie - is taken by Onslaught, thereby giving the villain access to the power of a god. 

X-amining Avengers #401

    

"Sins of the Father"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

A contingent of Avengers & Gambit track down the de-aged Magneto.

Story: Mark Waid
Penciler: Mike Deodato Jr. 
Inker: Tom Palmer
Letters: Bill Oakley 
Colors: John Kalisz 

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

Plot

Hoping to determine if Magneto is responsible for the creation of Onslaught, Gambit accompanies Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Vision, the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver on a mission to find him. With Hank Pym detecting Magneto's energy signature in South Carolina, the group heads out, with Scarlet Witch telling Gambit about how awful her time in Magneto's Brotherhood was. Meanwhile, Rogue & Joseph are waiting for their car to be repaired, as Rogue hopes she can get Joseph to the X-Men before he remembers his past as Magneto. Just then, the Avengers arrive, and Quicksilver, recognizing Joseph as a younger version of his father, quickly attacks. Rogue leaps into the fray, desperate to stop the fight before it awakens Joseph's memories of his past, but when Joseph, acting in self-defense, apologizes for briefly trapping Scarlet Witch in a force bubble, she realizes Joseph isn't the monster her father was, and intervenes to stop Quicksilver & Joseph from further harming each other. Gambit, trusting Rogue, vouches for Rogue's explanation of Joseph's condition as an amnesiac Magneto. Once she learns about Onslaught, both Rogue and Joseph agree to accompany the Avengers back to New York to ensure Joseph has no ties to the creature, though Gambit isn't happy about what he senses between Rogue & Joseph. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #335

  

- untitled - 

August 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men & Avengers come together in the face of Onslaught's attack to plan their next moves. 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inker: Tim Townsend
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Ozymandias watches as his master, Apocalypse, awakens from his restorative slumber. Catching up on recent events by reading Ozymandias' mind, Apocalypse declares the Age of Wonders is coming to an end, as he finds Uatu the Watcher waiting outside Apocalypse's temple. Meanwhile, the Avengers & Nate Grey arrive at the damaged X-Mansion. After a brief scuffle, the X-Men inform the Avengers that Onslaught is Charles Xavier, and the two teams plot their next moves. On Muir Island, Excalibur digests the news about Onslaught, with Moira declaring that it is time to unseal the Xavier Protocols. Back at the mansion, Bishop apologizes to Gambit for believing him to be the one who betrayed the X-Men. Meanwhile, at a strategy session in the Danger Room, the Avengers decide to find Magneto and warn the Fantastic Four, given Xavier's apparent interest in their son, Franklin. Cyclops, fearing Nate Grey may also be a target, tasks X-Force with guarding him, while Storm decides to set off in search of Cable, who could also be a target. Wolverine, acting on a hunch, sets out on his own, while the incoming Psylocke & Archangel are directed to meet the departing Cyclops & Phoenix on Muir Island. In Manhattan, Dark Beast presents Onslaught his lair in the Morlock Tunnels, and promises to find Onslaught additional allies, with Onslaught declaring that soon, the planet will be his. 

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.