X-amining Excalibur #110

"Hearts Bled Crimson"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

The battle with the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn leaves Captain Britain powerless.

Writer: Ben Raab

Penciller: Salvador Larroca 

Inker: Scott Koblish

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorist: Kevin Tinsley

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Led by Spiral, Excalibur arrives in Hong Kong, near where Captain Britain is being held by the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn. Meggan confers with the mysterious figure only she can see — Xiandu, once a member of the Dragons who was betrayed and murdered by them — and asks for his help. Meanwhile, the Dragons are torturing Captain Britain, attempting to unleash the Crimson Dawn on Earth. Just then, Excalibur attacks, with Spiral battling the Dragons while Excalibur is led to Captain Britain by Xiandu. Reunited with Meggan, Captain Britain is able to reverse the Dragon's spell, reabsorbing his energy, but he can't reabsorb it fast enough. With Meggan's help to regulate the flow of energy, he manages to seal the rift, causing the Dragons to flee. Later, Brian reveals he's now powerless, and tells Meggan he is leaving the team to discover what he needs to do next. Meggan worries this is the end of their engagement, and Brian says he'll understand if Meggan can't wait for him, but she says she would wait forever.  

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. 

X-amining Excalibur #108

"The Old Ways"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

Captain Britain & Meggan battle 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

On Muir Island, Nightcrawler and Colossus playfully fence with each other. Afterwards. Amanda Sefton approaches Colossus, telling him that she's leaving Excalibur for personal reasons she can't share with anyone, especially Nightcrawler. Meanwhile, in London, the The Dragons of the Crimson Dawn continue their attack on Captain Britain. Back on Muir Island, Wisdom receives a strange email, after which he's harassed by Kitty about acquiring proper superhero attire. Elsewhere in the complex, Wolfsbane expresses her concern over Moira's work habits to Douglock, before departing with Kitty for Ireland. They have a hair appointment with the highly sought after Molly Fitzgerald. In London, Meggan regains consciousness, and is able to help Captain Britain defend himself. Watching nearby is Spiral, who is reminded by the Dragons that she is now one of them, and teleports everyone away but herself and Meggan. Confronted, Spiral assures Meggan she's no friends of the Dragons, and Meggan suggests they head to Muir Island for help. 

X-amining Excalibur #107

"Focus"

March 1997

In a Nutshell

Salvador Larroca debuts as the new series artist while Excalibur is attacked by 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

Brian Braddock and Meggan arrive arrive in London for what Meggan says will be one of the happiest days of their lives, while back on Muir Island, Colossus, Wolfsbane, and Nightcrawler work together to build their own Cerebro unit to detect mutants. In London, Brian and Meggan discover that despite their recent heroics in saving the city, many of the citizens still blame them for the death of the "real heroes" at the hands of Onslaught. Angry, Brian declares he doesn't want to be a superhero anymore, just a scientist, then laments that he's letting his anger ruin his and Meggan's day. On Muir Island, Douglock urges Moira to take a break from her Legacy Virus research, but she refuses, determined to find a cure for the virus. Back in London, Brian and Meggan are picking out an engagement ring when Meggan is suddenly knocked out onto the street. Just then, Spiral appears, and Brian attacks her, thinking she targeted Meggan. But when Spiral reveals she's been marked by Crimson Dawn, the Dragons of Crimson Dawn, Meggan's actual attackers, emerge and reveal they have come to kill Brian!

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. 

X-amining Excalibur #105

"Hard Truths"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Excalibur battles the MLF while Kitty comes to terms with the truth about Douglock.

Story: John Arcudi

Writer: Keith Giffen

Artist: Bryan Hitch

Inkers: Paul Neary Bryan Hitch, and Riggs

Letterer: Richard Starkings

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek 

Separations: Malibu

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Kitty emerges from Doug Ramsey's grave, stunned to have seen his body. Douglock once again explains that he is not a resurrected Doug Ramsey but, simply, Douglock Wolfsbane accepts this, but Kitty is still not convinced. Meanwhile, on Muir Island, Colossus and Wisdom work together to repel the Mutant Liberation Front's attack, while Dani Moonstar does her best to appear determined to carry out the MLF's mission of retrieving the Xavier Protocols while also sabotaging the mission from within. Back in Westchester, Kitty brings Douglock and Wolfsbane to Kitty & Doug's favorite pizza place. Oblivious to Douglock's protests, she orders Doug's favorite pizza, then is surprised once more when he explains he doesn't like it. Back on Muir Island, Nightcrawler and Moira manage to seal off the computer where the Xavier Protocols are held with a force field, which is enough of an obstacle to give Dani the cover she needs to pull the team out. In Westchester, Kitty, Douglock and Wolfsbane visit Doug Ramsey's childhood home, but when Kitty phases inside and sees that his parents have turned his old room into a den, she realizes they have moved on. This causes her to come to her senses, and she says goodbye to Doug once and for all before formally introducing herself to Douglock. 

X-amining Excalibur #104

"Buried Secret"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur gets to the bottom of Douglock's identity while the MLF attacks Muir Island!

Plot: John Arcudi 

Script: James Felder

Pencillers: Bryan Hitch, Rob Haynes, Scott Koblish

Inkers: Paul Neary, Scott Koblish, Rick Ketcham

Letterer: Richard Starkings

Colorist: Araine Lenshoek

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Douglock continues to struggle with the question of who he is, something not made easier by Kitty's insistent belief that he is her old friend Doug Ramsey. This triggers an argument between Kitty & Wisdom. While Colossus questions his place amongst the team, Nightcrawler & Moira debate what to do with the Xavier Protocol information. When Wisdom pushes Douglock to confess his secret, Douglock jumps out a window and must be calmed down by Colossus and Kitty. Ultimately, they decide to visit Doug Ramsey's grave in Westchester, accompanied by Wolfsbane. Meanwhile, the Mutant Liberation Front attacks Muir Island, seeking its Legacy Virus data as well as the Xavier Protocols. They manages to take out Captain Britain and Meggan while shutting down communications, but MLF member Dani Moonstar begins to quietly sabotage their plan. Meanwhile, the rest of Excalibur visits Doug Ramsey's grave. Kitty, insistent that Douglock is Doug, phases through the ground into Doug's coffin. She expects it to be empty, but is shocked to discover Doug's skeleton inside. 

X-amining Excalibur #103

"Bend Sinister Reprise"

November 1996

In a Nutshell

Shadowcat, Colossus, and Nightcrawler are confronted with manifestations of their darker selves by Belasco

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist: Carlos Pacheco

Inkers: Scott Koblish & Bob Wiacek 

Letterer: Richard Starkings

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Kitty, Nightcrawler and Colossus wake up in a village populated by no one except alternate versions of themselves. Exploring the village, Kitty realizes they are all darker alternate selves, representing the sides of themselves they try to repress. As the three teammates make their way through the town, they come to realize they are trapped in Limbo, and only emerge once they've affirmed the attributes which have enabled them to survive all the darkness they've faced recently. They begin to fade away, much to Belasco's delight, who had been watching alongside a captive Margali, the three heroes having endured the test he administered to them ahead of a likely confrontation. Back on Muir Island, the rest of Excalibur is relieved to have their missing teammates home, and Wisdom declares his love for Kitty. 

X-amining Pryde and Wisdom #1-3

"Mystery School" / "Mystery Walk" / "Mystery Train"

September - November 1996

In a Nutshell

Kitty Pryde and Pete Wisdom investigate a serial killer mutant who fossilizes his victims. 

Writer; Warren Ellis

Artists: Terry Dodson & Karl Story (issue #1), Dodson & Aaron Lopresti (issues #2-3)

Inkers: Lopresti, Pinnco, Simmons, Martin

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek 

Enhancements: Malibu

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Issue #1: On their way to meet with Jardin, an old associate of Pete Wisdom's, Kitty Pryde and Wisdom are attacked. After foiling the attempted assassination, they meet with Jardin, who asks them to find his daughter Amanda, a journalist who has gone undercover trying to find a mutant serial killer who fossilizes his victims. They proceed to meet with the Mystery School, a subset of the police department tasked with investigating occult cases, passing one of their members, Gideon, on the way in. Examining the body of one of the victims, Pryde & Wisdom discover a series of strange symbols carved into the bones; reluctantly, Wisdom tells Kitty his family might be able to help them. On their way, they are attacked again, this time directly by the killer, but escape once more, their actions observed by a shadowy woman who declares they must die. 

X-amining Excalibur #102

"After the Bomb"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur deals with the fallout of Onslaught

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist: Casey Jones & Rob Haynes

Inkers: Scott Koblish, Jason Martin

Letterer: Comicraft 

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek 

Editor: Suzanne Gaffney

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Amidst news reports of the deaths of the Avengers and Fantastic Four in New York, Nightcrawler & Moira mourn their passing, Meanwhile, Kitty & Pete Wisdom have breakfast on the mainland, discussing the situation in the states and how the British Prime Minister is looking more favorably on Excalibur than the view of mutants held by the Americans. Meanwhile, Brian reminiscences about fighting alongside Captain America. Outside, Moira, Nightcrawler & Douglock oversee the transfer of Muir Island's prisoners to the new British intelligence agency. In Germany, Amanda Sefton, Colossus, and Wolfsbane return to Amanda's childhood home in search of her mother, Margali, but depart when their search comes up empty. As Kitty and Wisdom finish their breakfast, they are accosted by US government agents, sent to warn Kitty that she and her American teammates in Excalibur are no longer welcome in the US. Wisdom & Kitty respond by thoroughly beating them up, then including their bound-and-gagged leader in the prisoner transfer, sending along instructions to mail him back to America. Later, Excalibur receives word that Professor X is to be arrested by X-Factor, though Wisdom notes at least that means he's alive, then proceeds to lead the group out to the local pub. 

X-amining Excalibur #101

"Quiet"

September 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur deals with the aftermath of the Hellfire Club's attack & the revelation of Onslaught. 

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist: Casey Jones

Inker: Tom Simmons

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek

Separations: Malibu Hue

Editor: Suzanne Gaffney

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Moira watches a pre-recorded message from Xavier, telling her that if anything happens to him, she and Muir Island are the last outpost for his dream. Rory then tells her that Excalibur is on their way home, and she braces herself to tell them about Onslaught. Upon hearing the news, everyone prepares to leave for America, but Moira insists the rest of the X-teams have the matter in hand; Excalibur is too beat-up to be of much help. As the team settles in, they watch news coverage of Onslaught's attack, and grow increasing horrified by what is happening. Meanwhile, Alistaire Stuart meets with Rory, telling him that he's been assigned to head up a new agency incorporating the remnants of Black Air and WHO. He asks Rory to be the mutant liaison to the new agency. Later, following more news of Onslaught's attacks, a reinvigorated Excalibur makes moves to once again head to New York, but Moira puts her foot down, saying if they go to New York they may very well be killed, and there are people outside New York who need their help. They have to stay here - Professor X would want them to stay here - in order to ensure his dream is kept alive. 

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 Excalibur #99

"Fire with Fire"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur gets closer to the truth about Black Air & the Hellfire Club, as the Red Queen makes her move. 

Writer: Warren Ellis
Penciler: Casey Jones
Inker: Tom Simmons
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Combing through the files stolen from Black Air, Excalibur realizes the intelligence organization is deeply connected to the Hellfire Club, with the Hellfire Club directly bribing the British government on their behalf. Wisdom reaches out to a safe contact within the intelligence community, sending him all the files and telling him to spread them around to anyone with an interest in taking down Black Air before getting the hell out of London. Just then, Brian Braddock contacts Excalibur, the Hellfire Club's show-of-force via the mystical column of fire convincing him the team needs to make their move on the club soon. Meanwhile, the Hellfire Club holds an emergency meeting, the black side angry that the red side is progressing their plans on their own. They proceed to Black Air headquarters, where the Red King reveals their new link to the mystical power source under London: Douglock. The next morning, Excalibur heads to London, while Brian prepares to don his Captain Britain uniform once more and the Black Queen is visited by Onslaught. At Black Air headquarters, the Red Queen, having seduced the Red King, reveals herself to be Margali Szardos, then uses Douglock to access the power under London. The source of the power turns out to be a demon, who overpowers Margali and takes over her body. Free at last, the demon unleashes its power, sending the people of London into a frenzy as the city begins to burn...

X-amining Excalibur #98

"Fireflies"

June 1996

In a Nutshell

Excalibur takes out a Black Air base in search of Douglock

Writer: Warren Ellis
Penciler: Carlos Pacheco
Inker: Bob Wiacek 
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek

Separations: Malibu Hues 
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In the wake of Douglock's abduction by Black Air, Nightcrawler decides it's time for Excalibur to strike back. Wisdom reasons that Black Air would have either taken Douglock to their acquisition station, or directly to their London headquarters. Nightcrawler proceeds to plot out a surgical strike on the acquisition station, which the team carries out efficiently & effectively. They discover Douglock isn't there, but do confirm he is at the London HQ. Meggan then uses her elemental powers to destroy the station. Meanwhile, Brian Braddock is briefed on the Inner Circle's recent activities by the Black Queen, after which he meets with Scribe, who is scared of the club's plans and tells him of the strange behavior of the Red King following the arrival of the Red Queen, prompting Brian to wonder if the Red King is Mountjoy in disguise. Just then, strange lights appear in the skies over London, which Scribe days is a glimpse of what is about to happen. Elsewhere, two Black Air techs begin dissecting Douglock and discover files about the Legacy Virus buried in his programming.  

X-amining Excalibur #97

"Counterfire"
May 1996

In a Nutshell

Captain Britain joins the Hellfire Club

Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Casey Jones
Inker: Tom Simmons
Letterer: Richard Starkings and Comicraft

Separations: Malibu
Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Returning from America with Alistair Stuart, Nightcrawler & Meggan work together to dispatch the Black Air attack helicopters targeting them. Meanwhile, Kitty & Wolfsbane fly Captain Britain to London in the Midnight Runner, warning him to be careful as he enters the Hellfire Club. On Muir Island, Moira comes across Douglock having planted himself in the ground. She then heads back inside to find Pete Wisdom chasing after Lockheed, who has stolen his cigarettes. In London, Black Air agent Scratch arrives outside an arcane door in the tunnels beneath the city. Inside the Hellfire Club, Captain Britain meets with the Inner Circle and claims his father's title of bishop. His application is met by resistance from the Red Bishop, but the rest agree, elevating him to the position of Black Bishop. Back at Muir Island, the rest of Excalibur meets with Alistair, who tells them that Black Air has taken over W.H.O and formed an alliance with the Hellfire Club, his knowledge of which being what led them to target him. Outside, Douglock is impaled by a harpoon from a passing plane, which proceeds to rip him out of the ground and carry him away. 

X-amining Excalibur #96

"Fireback"
April 1996

In a Nutshell

Shinobi Shaw asks Captain Britain to infiltrate the London Hellfire Club as its Inner Circle puts their plans in motion. 

Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Carlos Pacheco
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Ariane Lenshoek

Separations: Malibu Hues
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In Westchester, Jean Grey finds Alistair Stuart at the gates of the X-Mansion, asking for help in reaching Excalibur, before they are all killed. Meanwhile, at the New York Hellfire Club, Shinobi Shaw laments his lack of agents inside the Inner Circle of the club's London branch, and reluctantly decides to reach out to Brian Braddock. At Muir Island, Nightcrawler is showing off his new look to Kitty & Colossus while practicing soccer, when Meggan interrupts to tell him he has a phone call. At the London Hellfire Club, the Black and Red Kings verbally spar as they discuss their plans for Black Air. Back on Mur Island, Nightcrawler, Kitty, and Colossus take a call from Alistair, who warns them of trouble afoot involving Black Air. Nightcrawler says he will take the Midnight Flit to retrieve him. Meanwhile, Sebastian Shaw meets with Black Air agent Scratch, trading him a mysterious box for files, before departing for a rendezvous with Tessa. Back on Muir Island, Nightcrawler departs in the Flit as Brian receives a call from Shinobi, who asks him to infiltrate the London club, warning him that the Inner Circle has a new member: Mountjoy. Outside, Douglock contemplates his being, and decides to put aside logic in favor of chaos. Later, as the Midnight Flit crosses into British air space with Alistair aboard, it is attacked by Black Air attack helicopters, which send it crashing to the ground. 

X-amining Excalibur #95

"Amplified Heart"
March 1996

In a Nutshell
Nate Grey gets yelled at by Moira.

Writer; Warren Ellis
Artist: Carlos Pacheco
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Letterer: Richard Starkings
Colorist: Joe Rosas
Separations: Malibu Hues
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Following an explosion, Excalibur converges on Muir Island's communications room, where Nate Grey is accusing Moira MacTaggart of running a shady operation to experiment on mutants. But Moira stands up for herself, and admonishes Nate for consistently reacting to half-truths from untrustworthy sources. She opens her mind to him, and he sees the truth: that his own powers - not Moira or Xavier or anyone else - will kill him before he turns 21. Excalibur then tries to calm him down further, allowing him to read all their minds to show him their commitment to helping mutants and improving the world. Convinced he was in the wrong and that neither Moira nor Excalibur is out to get him, he flies off, leaving Moira to wonder if he'll live long enough to ever return.

X-amining Excalibur #94

"Days of Future Tense"
February 1996

In a Nutshell
Captainb Britain experiences a grim vision of Excalibur's future.

Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Casey Jones
Inker: Tom Simmons
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Adriane Lenshock with Malibu's Hues
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
In the year 2013, Britain is ruled by Black Air, operating as agents of the Sentinels who have taken over North America and decimated the mutant population. The remaining members of Excalibur, including Wolfsbane, Betsy Braddock, Tangerine, Karma, Captain Britain & Meggan, are given a mission by their leader, Pete Wisdom: their missing teammate Douglock has been traced to Blackwall, Black Air's London base, which Excalibur is going to infiltrate in order to rescue their friend. Later, they fight their way into the base, only to discover Douglock isn't just a captive of Black Air, he has been thoroughly dissected and transformed into the operating system of Blackwall, fueling the rise of Black Air. Just then, Black Air agents surround the team, signaling the end of Excalibur, and England, just as Brian Braddock wakes up in the present day, shocked by the events he dreamt, which he now realizes were visions of the near-future he witnessed while lost in the timestream. 

X-amining Excalibur #93

"The Spire"
January 1996

In a Nutshell
Wolfsbane confronts Reverend Craig

Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Casey Jones
Inker: Tom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Ariane Lenshock with Malibu Hues
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
A recovering Wisdom jokingly imitates Professor X, prompting Moira to haul him inside for more medical tests, leaving Kitty & Meggan to go for a walk together along the island's shore. Along the way, they encounter Wolfsbane, who though she'd spotted some kind of trouble on the mainland. Using her powers, Meggan confirms a fire burning through the forest, and she flies herself, Kitty and Wolfsbane across the water. After Meggan puts out the fire, they discover a young mutant girl at the heart of it, who reveals that she was chased into the woods by the local reverend. Wolfsbane immediately knows who she is talking about, and the women head into town, where Wolfsbane confronts Reverend Craig, her former guardian and the man who led a lynch mob after her. Unwilling to be cowed again following everything she's experienced since joining the New Mutants, she uses her knowledge of Craig's activities to scare him, telling him he no longer has any power over her, defeating him without ever actually touching him.

X-amining Excalibur #92

"I Want You"
December 1995

In a Nutshell
Colossus joins Excalibur after jealously beating Wisdom to a pulp

Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Casey Jones
Inkers: Mike Miller, Tom Simmons, Joe Rubinstein & W.C. Carani
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Ariane Lenshock with Malibu’s Hues
Editor: Suzanne Gaffney
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Returning from their trip to the pub, Kitty bids Wisdom goodnight as he remains outside for one more cigarette. Out of the darkness, Colossus attacks, enraged at having seen Wisdom with "his Katya". Colossus savagely beats Wisdom, who manages to use his power to slice into Colossus' back. As the rest of the team responds, Brian & Meggan knock out Colossus, and the injured parties are taken to the medlab. Moira is able to repair Colossus' spinal injury with relative ease, but Wisdom remains in critical condition. Colossus is moved to a holding cell and, when he wakes up, receives a dressing down from Nightcrawler. However, Nightcrawler is sympathetic given all that Colossus has gone through, and gives him the cover story of needing to remain with Excalibur for observation of possible neural problems as a way for Colossus to stay with the team and make amends. Later, Kitty visits Colossus as well, telling him Wisdom will live, barely. Colossus insists he cares about Kitty, but she says if that were true, he never would have left her for someone else, or hurt someone she cared about. He asks if Wisdom is good to her, and she says yes, adding to herself as she phases away, "just like you were".