X-amining X-Force and Cable '97 #1

"The Last Valkyrie"

July 1997

In a Nutshell

Dani Moonstar reunites with Cable and the New Mutants to save the Valkyrie from Malekith. 

Writer: John Francis Moore

Layouts: Rob Haynes

Penciler: Casey Jones
Inkers: Jason Martin & Jon Holdredge
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Leann Clark

Editor: Jaye Gardner
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In Montana, the Valkryie Brunnhilda crashes into the Mutant Liberation Front's base, warning Dani Moonstar of mortal danger in Asgard. She passes the concentrated life force of the Valkyrie to Dani before being captured by giant demon dogs and dragged into a dimensional portal. Dani proceeds to contact her old friends in X-Force, who have history with Asgard, and the group travels there to discover the realm is being ruled by the Dark Elf Malekith. As X-Force battles his army of rock trolls, Malekith, sensing the power of Valkyrie in Dani, attempts to claim it using a Runespear, but Cable pushes Dani out of the way, taking the spear instead. X-Force retreats, leaving Cable behind, and unites with the dwarf Kindra and the giant Skadi. As Cable endures torture at the hands of Malekith, Dan and Sunspot travel to Valhalla, where Hela is waiting in the Hall of Death alongside the bound but lifeless Valkyrie. Dani manages to shoot a psychic arrow at the Valkyrie containing their life force given to her by Brunnhilda, and they revive. With their help, Malekith is defeated and order restored. Though she says she must return to the MLF, Dani and X-Force part amicably, and she promises she will soon explain everything to them about her connection to the MLF. 

X-amining Excalibur #106

"A Portrait of the Artist"

February 1997

In a Nutshell

The Acolytes make Colossus an offer he easily refuses!

Writer: Ben Raab

Pencilers: Randy Green, Casey Jones, Rob Haynes, and Aaron Lopresti

Inkers: Martin, Rob Haynes, Ketcham, Pinnock, Simmons, Aaron Lopresti, Casey Jones

Letterer: Richard Starkings

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek 

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

After finishing a painting Meggan intends to give to Brian as a wedding present, Colossus is contacted by Frenzy, one of Magneto's Acolytes. Having regrouped under Exodus' leadership following the fall of Avalon, the Acolytes want Colossus back in the fold. Learning the Acolytes are operating out of the X-Men's old base in the Outback, Colossus, Shadowcat, Wisdom, Nightcrawler and Wolfsbane travel there. Reaching the base, they find that only Colossus is able to enter. Inside, the Acolytes, including Frenzy, Unuscione and Scanner, urge him to rejoin the group and help bring about Exodus' vision for mutantkind's future. Colossus tells them he is done following the visions of others, and urges a wavering Scanner to leave with him. But the girl ultimately refuses, and Colossus is expelled from the base, with Unuscione warning him this was his only chance; when next they meet, the Acolytes won't be so cordial. Later on Muir Island, Colossus laments his failure to reach Scanner, in whom he sees a lot of himself. Wisdom points out that if someone as stubborn as Colossus can admit and learn from his mistakes, there's hope for anyone.