X-amining X-Men Unlimited #15

"Second Contact"

 June 1997

In a Nutshell

Maverick takes young mutant Chris Bradley under his wing. 

Writer: Howard Mackie
Pencils: Duncan Rouleau
Inks: Rob Hunter
Letterer: Richard Starkings/KF & Comicraft
Colorist: Shannon Blanchard
Editor: Kelly Corvese

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

After Chris Bradley's home is burned by an anti-mutant mob and Chris disappears, his parents call Iceman for help. Chris, however, is seeking out the help of Maverick, whom he met recently at the only clinic helping mutants suffering from the Legacy Virus. Iceman follows Chris to Maverick's hotel room, but just then, the anti-mutant mob attacks. Chris and Maverick are separated from Iceman, who enlists the help of Wolverine to track them down. As they hunt, Wolverine tells Iceman about a past mission with Maverick, when he killed his own brother to save Wolverine and Sabretooth, his teammates. Meanwhile, Chris tells Maverick of how he was taken and trained by the X-Men, but soon after they became so caught up in Onslaught's attack they weren't available to help him. Maverick is less than sympathetic, saying Chris needs to stop blaming others for his problems. Just then, the militia members catch up to them, but with the timely arrival of Wolverine and Iceman, they are defeated. Iceman once more offers to help Chris, but Chris refuses, and Maverick backs him up. Wolverine agrees with Maverick, telling Iceman the X-Men are too busy in their own affairs to give Chris the kind of friendship he needs, but Maverick can be there for him. Iceman and Wolverine thus go their separate ways, while Maverick uses his connections in Intelligence to relocate Chris' family and get his parents new identities. 

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 X-Force #67

"Stand-Off"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Dani Moonstar reveals she's a double agent working for SHIELD

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Adam Pollina
Inker: Mark Morales
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Comicraft & KF
Colorist: The Bucce

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

Plot

Under the direction of their new leader, Wildside, the Mutant Liberation Front have stormed the Wakeman Oncological Research Center and taken hostages, believing it is secretly working to destroy mutants. Their attack has garnered the attention of both the national media and Operation: Zero Tolerance, prompting to Locus to suggest they cut their losses and get out. When Wildside disagrees, Locus quits, teleporting herself away and stranding her teammates inside. Watching the coverage on TV, Moonstar spots members of X-Force in the crowd outside, disguised as members of the media, and suggests to Wildside they invite reporters in for an interview. He agrees, allowing Domino, Siryn and Sunspot to get clearance from Operation: Zero Tolerance to go inside. However, the OZT commander, Ekatarina Gryaznova, is aware of the ruse, and quickly captures Meltdown, Rictor and Shatterstar, who are monitoring their teammates from the news van. At the X-Mansion, Cable tends to Caliban and discusses his situation with Archangel. Inside, Dragoness recognizes X-Force, and a fight breaks out, which Moonstar ends when she reveals that she's been an agent of SHIELD since she joined the MLF. Just then, three of the hostages transform into the half human, half robot Prime Sentinels. Back at the X-Mansion, Ozymandias appears before a sleeping Caliban, declaring it will be the last night he sleeps in that bed, as a storm is gathering. 

X-amining Prophet/Cable #1-2

Jan/March 1997

In a Nutshell

Cable and Prophet team-up to battle Kang and Crypt! 

Story: Rob Liefeld

Script: Robert Napton 

Penciler: Mark Pajarillo & Rob Liefeld, Pajarillo & Paul Scott (issue #2)

Inker: Norm Rapmund & Jonathan Sibal

Letterer: Kurt Hathaway

Colorist: Laura Penton & Andrew Troy

Enhancement: Drew

Separations: Extrem Color

Editors: Jeph Loeb & Eric Stephenson

Special Thanks: Bob Harras and Mark Powers

Plot

Issue #1: The mysterious Crypt attacks Cable & Domino. Knocking Domino out, he prepares to leave with her, but is first sure to show Cable his face, telling him to come find him. Creating a psionic link with his computer, Cable identifies the face as belonging to the mysterious Prophet. Cable teleports to Prophet and attacks, but Prophet has no idea who Cable is, and the fight ends when Prophet's ally Kirby gets the drop on Cable. Meanwhile, Crypt delivers Domino to Kang the Conqueror. 

X-amining Generation X #28

"Oh, Now I Get It..." / "Double Feature"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Generation X is trapped in their dreams by Glorian

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo, Brian Hitch (2nd Story)
Inker: Al Vey, Paul Neary (2nd Story)
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Joe Andreani
Colorist: Mark Powers
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

The students kidnapped by Black Tom wake up to find themselves aboard a ship, living their dreams. Paige is blissfully ignorant, Chamber's face is back to normal, Synch is running a children's daycamp with Jubilee, and Monet is living a decadent life with her brother at her side. Elsewhere, the real Jubilee remains a captive of Operation: Zero Tolerance. Daria pleads with her to eat, but Jubilee refuses, asking a shaken Daria how someone as young as she is could buy into Operation: Zero Tolerance. Back on the ship, Generation X's benefactor, Glorian, Shaper of Dreams, confronts the one person who refuses to play along: Skin. Insisting that Glorian has misunderstood and twisted the dreams of his friends, Skin infuriates Glorian to the point that he finally grants Skin's desire, sending him and his friends home — Skin's former home in LA.  

X-amining Incredible Hulk '97 #1

"Sins of the Father" / "Where the Wild Things Are"

1997

In a Nutshell

Hulk battles Gladiator, and gets blamed for Franklin's nightmares. 

Writer: Chris Cooper, Bill Roseman (2nd Story)
Penciler: Jeff Rebner, Kevin Lay (2nd Story)
Inker: Mark Irwin, Andrew Pepoy (2nd Story)
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos 
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Polly Watson & Bobby Chase

Plot

1st Story: Members of the Pantheon approach Doctor Samson, seeking his help to find the Hulk's illegitimate son, David. Samson is stunned, having never heard of of Bruce Banner having a son. Meanwhile, Gladiator and Oracle of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard are searching for a shape-shifter named Elamron, who was last seen with Hulk. All parties, including David, converge on the Hulk. Gladiator and Hulk fight, with Gladiator taking Hulk into space and Hulk turning Gladiator's heat vision back on him. But when Hulk sees the look of fear on David's face, he stops, reminded of his own childhood. In the confusion David — actually Elamron — disappears.

X-amining Cable #44

"Temptation In The Wilderness"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Cable reunited with his birth mother

Writer: James Robinson

Penciler: Randy Green & Allen Im

Inkers: Scott Hanna and Scott Koblish

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

At the X-Mansion, Scott and Jean discover Cable locked in a meditative state, the result of being trapped on the Astral Plane by his mother, Madelyne Pryor. Madelyne wants to show Cable details of her life, and their limited time together. She shows him Mister Sinister's lab where she was created, and explains how she wants to get revenge on Cyclops and all mutants for hurting her. Cable reminds her that he is a mutant himself, and takes control of the setting, showing her Apocalypse's fortress, where he says true evil lies. He insists the X-Men's intentions are noble, and says he'll never join her crusade. When Madelyne askes whether this means he feels nothing for her, he suggests a neutral place where they can psychically meet again if needed: the cabin in Alaska where they lived when he was a baby, a place he knows Madelyne was happy. Just then, Nate announces that he can feel Jean breaking through, and suggests Madelyne leaves. Nate wakes up in the real world, and thanks Scott and Jean for being there for him. Meanwhile, in the Swiss Alps, Sebastian Shaw and Ch'vayre strike a deal to work together in order to rule both the future and the past. 

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #65

"First Blood"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Operation: Zero Tolerance launches their opening salvo against the X-Men.

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Pencils: Carlos Pacheco 
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: RS/Comicraft
Colorist: Lichtner/Lusen/Liquid
Editor: Mark Powers

Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In the wake of Operation: Zero Tolerance's attack on the X-Men's jet, Jean Grey suddenly finds herself somewhere else, confronted by a very much alive Iron Man. Before she can learn what's going on, she's pulled back to her reality, as Cyclops and Wolverine try to prevent the plane from crashing. Cannonball and Storm take to the air, trying to fight off their attackers. The whole confrontation is being broadcast, with people all over the country watching. Henry Peter Gyrich appears on CNBC, arguing for the legality of Operation: Zero Tolerance and the threat of mutants. In the skies over Colorado, Operation: Zero Tolerance unveils their human-sized Prime Sentinels against the X-Men. One-by-one, the heroes are overpowered and captured. Meanwhile, Bastion and his forces converge on the mansion. As Iceman watches the assault on his former teammates, Bastion holographically projects himself before the captive Xavier as he storms the mansion and accesses his files. Gloating, Bastion tells Xavier that his sacred dream is over. 

X-amining Wolverine #114

"For The Snark Was A Boojum, You See!"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Wolverine & Lady Deathstrike fight over the mysterious box while Ogun reveals himself. 

Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Leinil Francis Yu
Inks: Edgar Tadeo
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicract's Emerson Miranda
Colors: Joe Rosas
Editor: Mark Powers

Previously, in Wolverine...

Plot
Tracking the possessed Helen, Wolverine encounters Damion Hellstorm, Son of Satan, who warns him to keep the mysterious box Wolverine received from Zoe Culloden safe. Just then, Lady Deathstrike attacks, seeking the box herself, which she claims is part of her family's legacy. At Wolverine's apartment, Storm and Phoenix open the box, and realize the importance of keeping it safe. As Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike fight, the possessed Helen reaches "her" apartment, discovering a weapons cache. Wolverine calls a truce, saying he'll give Deathstrike the box once he checks in with Zoe, and she agrees. Just then, Helen bursts into Wolverine's apartment, guns blazing, but Phoenix attacks the entity possessing her on the Astral Plane. As Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike arrive, the entity possesses Lady Deathstrike. Shifting her cybernetic features to reveal its identity — Wolverine's old sensei, Ogun — the Ogun-possessed Lady Deathstrike flees into the night. 

X-amining X-Factor #135

"A Virtual Reality"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

X-Factor fights to keep Strong Guy out of the governments hands. 

Writer: Howard Mackie
Penciler: Jeff Matsuda
Inker: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Kevin Somers
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Back at home with his family, Trevor Chase is angry Mystique can't stay with him longer, blaming X-Factor for keeping her away from him while starting up an X-Factor-themed video game. Meanwhile, Val Cooper alerts Forge that Strong Guy is being moved, and she suspects Jamie Madrox is going to try and free him from government custody, endangering his heart. Sure enough, Madrox takes out the agents transporting Strong Guy, prompting General Bowser to send in more operatives. They arrive at the same time as X-Factor. Strong Guy smashes the ground, triggering a shockwave, but his heart gives out again. As the troops prepare to fire, Polaris freezes their guns, then slows the flow of blood to their brains, knocking them out. X-Factor brings Strong Guy to Falls Edge, where Forge fits him with a makeshift pacemaker, telling him he's made arrangements with a surgeon for a more permanent solution using a device Forge has crafted. later, Mystique visits Trevor, who is a angry his game didn't go as planned. 

X-amining X-Man #28

"Dance With The Devil"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

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

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Angry with the Brotherhood for using him to retrieve cannisters of a toxic gas called Coldsnap and not swayed by Havok and Fatale's arguments that the Dark Beast of Nate's reality is helping Aurora, Nate storms off to get Aurora and leave the Brotherhood. When he wakes her up, she immediately comes on to him, only to shortly thereafter freak out at her naked form as her Jeanne-Marie personality surfaces. Reluctantly, Nate realizes Dark Beast might actually be her best chance for help, and leaves on his own. He finds Havok waiting for him at the exit of the Brotherhood's secret base. Havok once again tries to convince Nate to stay, arguing that the Brotherhood is the antithesis of the X-Men: they simply believe mutants should fight for their rights instead of for coexistence with humans. After Havok leaves, Fatale arrives, and kisses Nate. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Sebastian Shaw presides over the induction of Madelyne Pryor to the Hellfire Club, much to Selene's dismay. Back at the Brotherhood base, Nate confronts Dark Beast, threatening him should he fail to help Aurora. Then he proceeds to where the Brotherhood is keeping the containers of Coldsnap, triggering an alarm that draws Havok and Fatale. When they arrive, they discover the containers emtpy and Nate either unconscious, or dead. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #345

"Moving On"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Maggott debuts while the X-Men (try to) head home. 

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ben Raab
Penciler: Joe Madureira (part 1), Melvin Rubi (part 2)
Inkers: Tim Townsend (part 1), Vlasco & Candelario (part 2)
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato and Team Bucce

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

Plot

In Guatemala, Sister Maria de la Joya runs from an armored being demanding to know where Joseph is. She is rescued when the creature is attacked by two giant slugs, sent by a mutant named Maggott, who is also looking for Joseph. Meanwhile, on the Shi'ar homeworld, Lilandra laments the damage wrought by the Phalanx and expresses her gratitude towards the X-Men. Later, Joseph is uneasy in the midst of a celebration honoring the X-Men's victory given the loss of life. Rogue does her best to console him, and offers to tell him everything he wants to know about Magneto when they return home. Gambit skips the party, spending his time digging graves for the fallen as an act of atonement for his past actions. The next morning, the X-Men board a Shi'ar ship for home, with Lilandra appointing Deathbird as their escort. As the ship makes its way to the stargate, Bishop reads up on Deathbird's history, and is fascinated by what he finds. Deathbird is less than excited to see him digging into her past however, but their discussion is interrupted when the ship is knocked aside by the wake of an even larger, out-of-control starship. From the bridge, the X-Men watch as the larger ship crashes into the stargate, destroying it, just as the X-Men are pulled into the cosmic portal.