The Week That Was 0217/25

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

X-amining Venom: Tooth and Claw #1-3

"Into the Jaws of Death" / "Vollied and Thundered" / "To Do and Die!"

November 1996 - January 1997

In a Nutshell

Wolverine and Venom battle Dirt Nap and Chimera!

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Joe St. Pierre
Inks: Al Milgrom
Letters:  Ken Lopez
Colors: Tom Smith 
Editor: Tom Brevoort

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
As Eddie Brock, human host of Venom, is possessed by the villainous Dirt Nap, two young boys, Jerry and Rocky, are captured along with the symbiote Scream by an orb-like spaceship designed to hunt symbiotes which is seeking Venom. On orders from Chimera, Dirt Nap heads to the offices of Landau, Luckman and Lake, but finds Wolverine waiting there. When Emmet, a young LL&L agent, arrives, he determines that Dirt Nap is possessing Venom. During the ensuing fight, Venom is able to escape, but Wolverine is unable to kill Dirt Nap, as he is still possessing a young boy Wolverine tried to save during their first encounter. Venom, however, has no such compunctions, but he is hit by the suddenly-arriving orb. In the confusion, Dirt Nap escapes into a nearby warp chamber, followed by Venom and the orb, as well as Wolverine and Emmet, who give chase. During the ensuing fight, the orb opens and Dirt Nap possesses Scream, at which point Chimera enters the fray, at the head of a group of plasma wraiths. 

X-amining Marvel Fanfare (vol. 2) #4-5

"Cause and Effect" / "Life Lessons"

December 1996 - January 1997

In a Nutshell

Longshot and Dazzler lead the fight against the now-despotic Mojo II (the Sequel). 

Writer: Jaimie Campos
Penciler: Steven Jones
Inker: Mike Witherby
Letters: Jon Babcock, Caroline Wells and Jeff Powell; Sue Crespi and Caroline Wells (issue #5)
Colors: Brian Buccellato

Editor: James Felder
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Issue #4: On Mojoworld, Longshot, Dazzler and Quark lead their rebels forces against the oppressive regime of Mojo II, stopping another of his public executions. Meanwhile, Mojo II schemes with his aide Pet and decides to goose his ratings by executing a member of the previous Mojo's regime, the captive Major Domo. Learning of this, Longshot's rebels decide to rescue Major Domo, leading Quark to battle Mojo II's executioner, Spiral. He defeats her, but when he spares her life, she disappears. Meanwhile, Longshot and Dazzler rescue Major Domo, who throws in with the rebels out of gratitude. Issue #5: Some time later, Mojo II's forces attack the rebel base. As Longshot leads the fight against them, Dazzler discovers a traitor in the rebels' midst, who knocks out and captures Dazzler and Quark. Major Domo then switches sides again, after which Mojo II buries Longshot in his base. After he regains consciousness, Spiral teleports into the base and offers to help Longshot escape. She delivers him to the site of Dazzler and Quark's pending executions. Once the rebels are reunited, Major Domo switches sides again, and helps turn the tide against Mojo II. Spiral takes Mojo II for punishment, while Major Domo is ultimately accepted by the rebels. 

X-amining X-Man '96 #1

"Sons of the Father" / "Mindgames"

1996

In a Nutshell

Nate Grey returns to the Age of Apocalypse!

Story: Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio (2nd Story)
Art: Alan Davis, Terry Dodson (2nd Story)
Inker: Mark Farmer and Robin Riggs, Rachel Pinnock (2nd Story)
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Tom Vincent, Joe Andreani (2nd Story)
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Nate Grey traces recent ripples in reality to Sugar Man in Genosha, and confronts the villain in his stronghold. But Nate's attack plays into Sugar Man's hands, powering his "fargate" which opens a portal into the past of their shared home reality, from which Sugar Man plans to steal a deadly virus for use in his new world. Nate follows him through the portal, and is reunited with Forge and Magneto, both younger than Nate knew them. Together, the trio storms Sugar Man's fortress on word from Magneto's inside man, Morph, who helps rescue a captive Mastermind from Sugar Man. When Sugar Man deploys the virus into the water, Magneto uses his power to collect and destroy it. Nate tells Forge he wants to stay and change the future of his world, but Forge insists he return to what is now his home. With Mastermind's help, Forge tricks Nate into returning home, with Sugar Man getting caught up in the effects of the fargate and sent back as well. 

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 Deadpool #1

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"Hey, It's Deadpool!"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Deadpool battles Sasquatch and turns down a job from Zoe Culloden

Writer: Joe Kelly
Penciler: Ed McGuinness
Inkers: Nathan Massengill & Norman Lee
Letters: RS/Comicraft/DL
Colors: Chris Lichtner

Enhancement: Digital Chameleon

Editor: Matt Idelson

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In the Bolivian jungle, Deadpool steals a powerful energy cannon and turns it over to the general of the rebel army who hired him. However, when he is paid in rebel currency that will only have value when the rebels win, Deadpool kills them all and teleports away. The entire scene is watched by Zoe Culloden and Noah Dubois, who believe Deadpool might be the man they need; they decide to test him by arranging a job in Antarctica and making sure Deadpool's handler, Patch, assigns it to him. Arriving in a lab being run by Sasquatch, Deadpool attacks the superhero. Their fight causes the lab's gamma core to go into meltdown, but Deadpool is able to stop the disaster. Later, Zoe and Noah approach Deadpool and explain they need him for a mission with galactic stakes, one which will lead Deadpool to play an important role in creating paradise. Deadpool doubts this very much and turns down the mission, but Zoe remains convinced Deadpool is their man. 

X-amining X-Force #62

"Human Nature"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

X-Force foils a plot involving Shinobi Shaw and Karma's younger siblings. 

Writer: John Dokes
Penciler: Kevin Lau with Adam Pollina
Inker: Andrew Pepoy with Norman Lee
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Le Ann Clark 
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Shinobi Shaw has abducted Leong and Nga Coy Mahn, twin siblings of former New Mutant Karma, and is using them as test subjects for a machine intended to turn mutants into regular humans. Led by Domino, X-Force infiltrates his base, but one of Shaw's mercenaries, Mindmeld, uses her power to swap the minds of Domino and Meltdown with Caliban and Sunspot; the resulting disorientation is enough for X-Force to be captured and rendered powerless via inhibitor collars. Shinobi then offers Sunspot a place in his Inner Circle, but Sunspot turns it down just as Spiral teleports into the base and absconds with Leong and Nga. Just then, another mercenary working for Shaw, Clear-Cut, turns on him, helping X-Force escape and restoring Domino and Meltdown's minds to their own bodies. In the ensuing battle, X-Force manages to destroy Shinobi's machine, though Shinobi escapes. In the aftermath, Clear-Cut tells Domino to let Cable know his debt to him is paid in full. 

X-amining Generation X #23

"For All This...We Give Thanks"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Generation X celebrates Thanksgiving.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Mitch Byrd 
Inker: Jason Martin and Karl Story 
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: GCW
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Banshee ruminates on his strained relationship with his daughter as he prepares to take Monet to a doctor to discuss her autism, but Monet insists she is not going. Meanwhile, Paige and Chamber are in Kentucky celebrating Thanksgiving with Paige's family. At the school, Monet admits that when her mutant powers first manifested, her father took her to see lots of doctors, and she doesn't want to experience that again. In Kentucky, Paige and Chamber arrive at her home to find her family away for the afternoon, which Chamber takes as an insult, but Paige reminds him there are plenty of "freaks" in her family already, so Chamber doesn't bother them. Elsewhere, Bastion and Daria continue to look into Emma Frost. In the Biosphere, Howard the Duck and his friend Beverly meet Artie, Leech and Franklin, and discover the boys are trying to help a sick Tana Nile. At the Guthrie Farm, Paige and Chamber discuss their feelings for each other, with Paige skewering some of Chamber's perceptions of her expectations about their relationship, angry at his ignorance of her own feelings. Later, Emma and Banshee discuss Monet and the possible threat she represents to the school, while being unknowingly watched by a hidden figure with wooden appendages. Back in Kentucky, Chamber tells Paige he's leaving, and Paige quietly calls him a jerk as he departs. 

X-amining Cable #39

"All Things Great and Small"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Cable and the Micronauts defeat Psycho Man!

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inker: Scott Hanna

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As Psycho Man presses his assault, Commander Rann orders a retreat, leaving Cable behind. But Cable musters enough telepathic strength to send his allies a message saying they need to sever Psycho Man's connection to Vanessa in order to free Kane and reduce Psycho Man's advantage. Domino and the Micronauts proceed to Psycho Man's lab, where the Micronauts destroy his equipment while Domino brings Vanessa back to her senses. After Vanessa rescues Kane, Cable is able to harness everyone's emotions and blast Psycho Man, shutting him down. With Psycho Man defeated, the Micronauts bid farewell to Cable, Domino, Kane and Vanessa, sending them back to Earth. There, Domino and Vanessa make peace with each other, after which Vanessa and Kane ride off in search of an ordinary life. Meanwhile, at the X-Mansion, Moira MacTaggert desperately tries to reach Cable, saying Renee Majcomb is in danger and needs his help! 

X-amining X-Factor #130

"A Mother's Eyes"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Graydon Creed is assassinated. 

Writer: Howard Mackie
Penciler: Eric Battle
Inker: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Chief Suspect: Bob Harras

Plot

As Mystique and Pyro plot their next move ahead of Graydon Creed's latest speech, Val Cooper tells Creed he either accepts the extra security provided by X-Factor, or the speech will be cancelled. Shortly thereafter, Val discovers Mystique trying to get close to Creed disguised as Val, and arrests Mystique, but a riot soon breaks out between Creed's supporters and his detractors. Mystique uses it to escape, appearing before Creed with some kind of weapon-like device, but Polaris intervenes, preventing her from using it. As Mystique is hauled away, she pleads with Val, saying she's making a mistake and needling her for not questioning the government's recent interactions with X-Factor more. As X-Factor captures Pyro, hiding amidst the crowd, Creed resumes his speech, believing the threat to his life ended with Mystique and Pyro's capture. But he is suddenly shot while on stage, reduced to ash by an unseen assailant. In the wake of the assassination, Mystique tells Val she was trying to save Creed, so as not to give his cause a martyr, something Forge backs up when he arrives with Pyro and tells Val the weapon Mystique had wielded was a force field projector. Just then, words appear on a nearby monitor, proclaiming that Creed's death was just the first, and that Mystique will be next. 

X-amining Wolverine #109

[Untitled]

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Wolverine storms Akatora's island to rescue Yukio and Amiko. 

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Anthony Winn
Inks: Dan Green
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Wolverine watches as the Cyber-Ninjas hassle the Noodle Vendor, but only agrees to help him after the Noodle Vendor agrees to give him Amiko and Yukio's location. Meanwhile, Akatora's attempts to brainwash Amiko continue, and the girl is convinced the dragon who killed her mother was Wolverine in disguise. Enraged, she is given a dagger laced with blowfish toxin secreted inside a doll. Shortly thereafter, Wolverine, Pale Flower, Yohei, and a reluctant Noodle Vendor charter a ferry and attack Akatora on his island. He is in the midst of filming a monster movie, but all of his actors are ninjas who attack Wolverine. However, Wolverine's allies manage to rescue Yukio and Amiko, and Wolverine defeats Akatora. However, he taunts Wolverine that one of his allies is a sleeper agent. Smelling the blowfish toxin on Yohei's blade, Wolverine quickly kills him, but Akatora escapes in the confusion. Wolverine then departs the island, unaware that Amiko has been turned against him. 

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #60

"Night"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Storm returns to Egypt to battle Candra

Story: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ralph Macchio
Guest Pencils: Cedric Nocon
Guest Inks: Chad Hunt
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Joe Rosas

Enhancements: Graphic Colorworks
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Storm is attacked in her attic room by Cyclops, but she quickly realizes he is being possessed by Candra, who says she wants something Storm stole from her before releasing him. Storm tells Cyclops of the time when, as a child thief, she stole a gem which her mentor, Achmed El-Gibrar, later told her was the heart-stone of Candra, housing her soul. She then leaves to confront Candra. Meanwhile, Jean and Cannonball meet in Washington DC and discuss the recent assassination of presidential candidate Graydon Creed. In New York, Storm arrives at a museum housing a replica of an Egyptian temple. Candra emerges, holding hostage Karima, the young girl who took over from El-Gibrar. She also reveals it was Jamil, another former student of El-Gibrar who joined Candra's side, who discovered Storm possessed the heart-stone. Jamil uses his mental powers on Storm, distracting her long enough for him to obtain the gem, at which point he reveals himself to be the Shadow King!

X-amining X-Man #23

"Crash Course"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Nate Grey is visited by Bishop and Rogue. 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Penciler: Roger Cruz  & Manny Clark
Inker: Bud LaRosa
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As questions continue to swirl about Threnody's true loyalties to Mister Sinister, she leaves the apartment she shares with Nate to get some space, leaving a distraught Nate to miss Bishop approaching the apartment. Meanwhile, vying for the position of Black Rook of the Hellfire Club, Madelyne Pryor battles Sebastian Shaw's candidate, Scribe, ultimately defeating her and revealing Mountjoy to have take control of her body, thereby earning Madelyne the title. Back at Nate's apartment, Bishop wakes Nate, who lashes out at him telekinetically, an attack Bishop is able to redirect. They tussle, eventually spilling out of the apartment where Rogue intervenes, calming things down when she explains Bishop - who experienced Nate's home reality - was simply worried about him, prompting the pair to check on him. Though Nate remains distrustful, Rogue reminds him that he doesn't need to be so wary of all the X-Men. Rogue and Bishop depart, and Nate returns to his apartment, only to suddenly find himself in a changed world. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #340

"Relativity"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Iceman deals with the aftermath of an attack on his father

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Team Bucce
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Storm and Gambit arrive at the hospital where Iceman is at his father's bedside; he reveals that his father was attacked and beaten by Graydon Creed's men in retaliation for speaking out in favor of mutants. Meanwhile, Cannonball remains undercover in Creed's campaign, and is invited to meet with Creed. On the roof of the hospital, Iceman details how Creed staged the reveal of Iceman's beaten father, making it clear he knew about their relationship, but also that Iceman's father assured him he didn't out his son. Iceman struggles to understand why his father - who has no love for mutants - risked himself like that. Storm suggests it was the love of a father for his son. At Creed's campaign headquarters, Creed asks Cannonball about his father, and Cannonball pushes back, indirectly needling Creed about his relationship with Sabretooth. Outside the hospital, a group of Creed's men, registering mutants inside, prepare to attack, but Wolverine stops them before they start anything. Iceman decides to leave the X-Men for awhile, in order to help care for his father, while Cannonball has a clandestine telepathic meeting with Jean and insists on staying inside Creed's campaign despite the danger. At the hospital, a sorrowful Iceman tells his father he loves him.