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. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #343

"Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

The Phalanx return as the X-Men fight to save the Shi'ar!

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

Plot

As Bishop and Beast tend to the injured Deathbird, Gambit and Joseph arrive to interrogate her. However, Deathbird grabs Bishop's gun and fires on them, revealing both to be Phalanx, the techno-organic aliens who have decimated the Shi'ar Empire. Meanwhile, Rogue attempts to rescue the real Gambit & Joseph, but is drawn into conflict with the Phalanx. She is partially transmoded, which allows her to learn of the Phalanx plans for galactic conquest, just before Gambit & Joseph rescue her in turn. Back on Earth, Bastion arrives at an Operation: Zero Tolerance base with special cargo: the captive Jubilee. Back in Shi'ar space, the X-Men arrive at distant moon of Chandilar, the Shi'ar throneworld. They allow the Phalanx to destroy their ship, using the debris to mask their descent to the moon inside a makeshift lifeboat. Landing on the moon, they proceed to one of Deathbird's safehouses, and from there, teleport to directly to Chandilar!

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #342

"-- Did I Miss Something?"

March 1997

In a Nutshell

A contingent of X-Men are flung into Shi'ar territory via an out-of-control spaceship!

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

Plot

Teleported by Gladiator onto an out-of-control starship, Beast, Bishop, Rogue, Gambit, Joseph, and Trish Tilby find themselves hurtling through space on a pre-set route as the ship threatens to blow apart around them. Beast manages to stabilize the vehicle, but can't alter its course, even as it heads into an asteroid field. Joseph steps up, and uses his power to clear the field in front of the ship until it reaches the Shi'ar stargate. Back on Earth, Cannonball alerts the rest of the X-Men to what happened, and they try to contact the Shi'ar. When no one answers, Cyclops must decide whether to go after their teammates, or focus on the numerous earthbound threats facing the X-Men. Back in space, the X-Men don Shi'ar uniforms as the ship arrives at its destination: a massive and heavily damaged Shi'ar space station. Exploring the wreckage, the X-Men find only one survivor: Deathbird!

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #341

"When Strikes a Gladiator"

February 1997

In a Nutshell
Cannonball fights Gladiator!

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

Plot

The X-Men are in New York during the holidays. As Beast and Trish Tilby depart for dinner, Joseph tells Rogue he has a surprise for her, prompting Gambit to sulk away alone. Bishop wants some time to himself as well, leaving Cannonball to head to a toy store to finish his Christmas shopping alone. At the toy store, a portal suddenly emerges and Gladiator, leader of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, steps out, looking for the X-Men. Meanwhile, Joseph takes Rogue on a horse drawn carriage ride, using his magnetic powers to lift the animal and vehicle into the air. Back at the toy store, Cannonball assumes Gladiator is there to attack the X-Men, and attacks him first in an effort to get him away from bystanders. Elsewhere, Joseph brings Rogue to the top of the World Trade Center, where he's placed the modified Z'Nox chamber on which he's been working. Turning it on, he explains it will create a field which nullifies her powers, then proceeds to kiss her on the forehead before wishing her a merry Christmas. Below, Cannonball holds his own against Gladiator, managing to shake Gladiator's confidence, which weakens him, enabling Cannonball to knock him out at a construction site just as the rest of the X-Men arrive. Gladiator emerges from the rubble and explains that the Shi'ar Empire is in danger, but he's been forbidden to help, so he's come to the X-Men instead. Just then, he summons a teleportation field which sends all the X-Men except Cannonball away. When he asks Gladiator where they've gone, Gladiator explains they've been sent to Sh'iar space. 

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. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #338

"A Hope Reborn, A Past Reclaimed"

November 1996

In a Nutshell

Archangel's feather wings return

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencilers: Joe Madureira & Salvador Larocca
Inkers: Tim Townsend & Vince Russell 
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras
Separations: Digital Chameleon

Plot

Wracked with pain, Archangel is visited by Ozymandias, who tells him his transformation into Archangel was only the beginning, shortly before his metal wings shatter to reveal feathered wings again in their place. Meanwhile, at the X-Mansion, Jean Grey leads Joseph through a series of tests to determine the extent of his past knowledge of Magneto's actions. Just then, Psylocke appears from the shadows, to the surprise of her teammates, announcing that Archangel has gone missing. In San Diego, J. Jonah Jameson attends a Graydon Creed rally, while Cannonball and Iceman settle in to their undercover roles within his campaign. Back in New York, the X-Men use Cerebro to track Archangel to a church in Brooklyn, but he's not alone: Pyro, dying of the Legacy Virus, is there as well. His powers raging, he attacks the X-Men, but the sight of Joseph  the one-time founder of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants - seems to calm him down. As he's about to tell them about a pending assassination attempt, Avalanche arrives and carries off his old teammate. The X-Men return home with Archangel, who is left wondering if his latest transformation is all part of Apocalypse's plan, or if he's finally his own self again. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #337

"Know Thy Enemy"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men gather for breakfast while Wolverine has a heart-to-heart with Xavier.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend & Vince Russell
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Bucce & TB
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

As Xavier sits in the early morning rain, looking upon the damaged X-Mansion, Wolverine tries to assuage the guilt wearing heavy on Xavier. Meanwhile, Bastion looks out over the massive crater left in the wake of Onslaught's defeat, while presidential candidate Graydon Creed gives an impassioned speech about the dangers of mutants, which prompts a watching J. Jonah Jameson to launch an investigation into Creed. At the boat house, Cyclops & Beast discuss Beast's recent captivity at the hands of his dark doppelgänger, while in the kitchen, Jean works on making breakfast while consoling a distraught Quicksilver. Elsewhere, Bastion arrives at a facility where his Zero Tolerance organization is examining the Sentinels co-opted by Onslaught. Back at the X-Mansion, Wolverine continues to argue with Xavier, while the rest of the X-Men slowly come together at the boat house for breakfast. Finally, Wolverine arrives, saying that Xavier isn't up for company, but that he tried. He joins the table, and appreciates that, for the moment at least, things may be slowly returning to normal. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #336

"A Voice as Deep as Thunder"

September 1996

In a Nutshell

Professor X is freed as Onslaught evolves! 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend with Dell, V. Russell, and Milgrom
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Inside Onslaught, Franklin Richards tries to wake up the prone form of Professor X. Outside, as the Watcher & Apocalypse watch from afar, the combined Avengers, X-Men & Fantastic Four work to help those affected by Onslaught's EM pulse. At Four Freedoms Plaza, Bishop & Giant-Man tend to the heroes felled by the blast while Mister Fantastic continues gathering data on Onslaught. At his citadel, Onslaught begins to evolve, and Professor X wakes up, telling Franklin he needs to fight Onslaught no matter what. But the newly-transformed Onslaught appears and disappears with Franklin. Outside, Joseph attacks Onslaught, and is quickly joined by a contingent of heroes. When Onslaught reveals the form of the trapped Xavier, existing on both the physical & astral planes at the same time, the heroes combine their powers to crack Onslaught's armor, creating an opening which allows Thor to pull Xavier free. However, rather than end Onslaught, he declares that he is at last free, and triggers a psionic maelstrom to swirl around his citadel, causing further damage. Nearby, the Watcher & Apocalypse agree that Onslaught has become a greater threat than ever. When Apocalypse asks what's to be done, the Watcher tells Apocalypse he already knows the answer, and shows him an image of Cable. 

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 Uncanny X-Men #334

"Dark Horizon"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Juggernaut arrives at the X-Mansion seeking Jean Grey's help

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

Plot

Juggernaut arrives on the grounds of the X-Mansion, hiding in the lake while he waits for Cyclops & Jean to return home. Meanwhile, Bishop & Gambit are working to repair Cerebro when they hear an alarm triggered by Juggernaut and leave to investigate. Cyclops is working out in the Danger Room when Jean interrupts, announcing she had an encounter with Onslaught. In Colorado, Archangel & Psylocke try to contact the X-Men but are unable to do so, prompting them to return to the mansion. In Xavier's study, Cannonball expresses his frustrations & doubts since joining the X-Men, but Professor X doesn't really entertain them and coolly dismisses Cannonball. Outside, Gambit & Bishop discover Juggernaut, who quickly knocks out both of them. In the infirmary, Dark Beast is checking out the newly-devolved Wolverine, but under increased scrutiny, he accidentally loosen the restraints, allowing Wolverine to run off on his own. Storm considers following him, but is stopped by Cannonball, who thinks they need to talk about Professor X. At a campaign rally in New Hampshire, Bastion meets with Graydon Creed, admonishing him for his attempted assassination of Senator Kelly. Meanwhile, Jean returns to the boat house to find Juggernaut waiting for her; he removes his helmet to prove his sincerity at needing her help. In the mansion, Xavier performs an impromptu test on Cyclops, raising Cyclops' suspicions, while far beneath the mansion, Jean leads Juggernaut into the Z'Nox chamber, where she can safely explore his mind to learn the secret of Onslaught...

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #332

"The Road to Casablanca"
May 1996

In a Nutshell

The X-Men try to find the devolved Wolverine, and encounter Ozymandias in the process. 

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

Plot

Wolverine - transformed by his recent encounter with Genesis - pauses on a hilltop overlooking a temple. He senses the presence of someone nearby, watching him, but when he turns, the person is gone. Meanwhile, Professor X confronts Zoe Culloden at the Casablanca office of Landau, Luckman and Lake, trying to find Wolverine. She is reluctant to help, citing attorney-client privilege, but outside the office, Jean suddenly senses Wolverine nearby, and leads Cyclops, Iceman and Cannonball towards him. Meanwhile, Wolverine draws closer to the temple, and falls through a trap door. Deep inside the temple resides Ozymandias, a former disciple of Apocalypse transformed into animate stone. He confronts Wolverine, threatening to kill him if he doesn't explain why he's there. Just then, the X-Men arrive, and Ozymandias animates stone representations of assorted friends and foes of the X-Men, setting the constructs against them. During the ensuing fight, Cyclops is knocked into a deep chasm. Wolverine attempts to save him, but Ozymandias grabs him and prepares to throw him after Cyclops as well. 

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #330

"Warriors of the Ebon Night Conclusion: Quest for the Crimson Dawn"
March 1996

In a Nutshell
Wolverine, Archangel & Dr. Strang retrieve the Crimson Dawn to save Psylocke

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

Plot
As Wolverine, Archangel, & Gomurr the Ancient enter the Netherplace in search of the Crimson Dawn, they are joined by Dr. Strange's astral form. Just then, they are attacked by a group of Undercloaks, whom Wolverine's enhanced senses detect. Back at the mansion, Gambit visits the wounded Psylocke, musing that if she dies, she would take whatever secrets she pulled out of his head with her. Just then, she begins to convulse, and Gambit calls for Xavier & Beast. In the Netherplace, the heroes escape the Undercloaks and confront Tar, protector of the Crimson Dawn. As Wolverine battles Tar's minions and Beast & Xavier work to save Psylocke's life, Strange & Archangel use Wolverine's fight as a distraction, approaching the mystical vein where the Crimson Dawn resides. Dr. Strange removes from Archangel the piece of Psylocke's soul she entrusted to him via their love and places it into the Crimson Dawn. At the mansion, Psylocke suddenly starts to recover, though she now carries a strange mark over her eye. In the Netherplace, Tar sends everyone back to Earth, and though the X-Men are happy they succeeded in helping Psylocke, Strange worries that the battle for the soul of Psylocke has only begun.

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #329

"Warriors of the Ebon Night: Part 1"
February 1996

In a Nutshell
Wolverine & Archangel set out to find the Crimson Dawn in order to save Psylocke

Writers: Scott Lobdell & Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inker: Tim Townsend
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Colors: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Observing events in his scrying pool, Dr. Strange realizes Wolverine & Archangel may soon need his help, whether they realize it or not, and sets out in his astral form to assist them. Meanwhile, Wolverine brings Archangel to a tea house in Little Asia, insisting they will find the help Psylocke needs inside. Their entrance is noticed & reported to a shadowy figure who says he was prepared for their arrival. Shortly after they sit down, they are attacked by the Steam Ninja. The ninja's weakness towards metal gives Archangel the edge in the ensuing fight, but it takes Wolverine seemingly killing an old woman in the back of the shop to dissipate the ninja. Archangel is outraged at Wolverine seemingly taking a life, but Wolverine reveals the old woman was actually a man named Gomurr the Ancient, who was controlling the ninja, and is alive and well. Wolverine convinces Gomurr to aid their quest to find the Crimson Dawn, the one substance Wolverine believes will save Psylocke's life. Just then, Dr. Strange arrives, and joins them on their quest as well.

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #328

"Precipice"
January 1996

In a Nutshell
Sabretooth escapes captivity & brutally injures Psylocke.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Having realized during a telepathic scan that Sabretooth was faking his recent docile behavior, Professor X finally gives up hope of curing him of his homicidal rages, and prepares to turn him over to Val Cooper for government incarceration. As they wait for her arrival, Boomer confronts the restrained Sabretooth in the Danger Room, angry at him for making her think he was helpless & appreciative of her care. As Psylocke watches from the control room, Sabretooth taunts Boomer, and Psylocke telepathically urges her to get out. But Boomer loses control and launches a massive bomb at Sabretooth, intending to kill him. But instead, it simply destroys his restraints as his healing factor works to repair his injuries. Just then, Psylocke intervenes, saving Boomer as she engages Sabretooth in a vicious fight. As Boomer calls for help, Psylocke is forced to resorts to giving Sabretooth the telepathic "glow" to calm his homicidal urges, only to discover it no longer affects him. As Cyclops, Beast & Archangel rush into the Danger Room in response to Boomer's calls, they discover Sabretooth gone, and Boomer cradling a badly injured Psylocke.

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #326

"The Nature of Evil"
November 1995

In a Nutshell
Gambit confronts Sabretooth as Beast & Xavier debate the threat of the Legacy Virus.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Tim Townsend
Letters: Richard Stakings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Gambit, sitting alone on the roof of the mansion, ruminating on his recent reunion with Rogue in Seattle, is joined by Storm, and they discuss whether a person can truly change who they are. Meanwhile, Beast & Professor Xavier appear at WHO conference in San Francisco to debate the Legacy Virus, in an attempt to play down the virus' threat and calm the public's fear & anger toward mutants. Genoshan Rene Majcomb is in the audience & argues on behalf of the mutates killed by the virus, but Val Cooper delivers the government's official position that at present, there is little evidence proving the threat of the virus to the population at large. At the X-Mansion, Boomer has growing doubts regarding the sincerity of the seemingly-docile Sabretooth, but Gambit does not. He bursts into the Danger Room and confronts Sabretooth with holographic recreations of his past kills, arguing that no one can forget or move past those heinous acts, until Storm comes in and makes him stop. Back in San Francisco, Beast finds Xavier ruminating on his recent failures, notably with Sabretooth. Beast says that it may very well be in Sabretooth's nature to kill, and while they may have failed to change him, they shouldn't let Sabretooth change them.

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #325

"Generation of Evil"
October 1995

In a Nutshell
Gene Nation launches their attack on the anniversary of the Morlock Massacre.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Townsend & Ryan
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
The X-Men & the visiting Generation X are enjoying a spirited game of baseball when Colossus suddenly teleports onto the mansion grounds, holding an injured Callisto. When she regains consciousness, she informs the X-Men that Gene Nation, comprised of renegade Morlocks, is planning to kill one human for every mutant who died during the Morlock Massacre, on the anniversary of the massacre, which is today. Meanwhile, a recovering Gambit receives a phone call from Rogue, and learns she & Iceman are heading towards Seattle. Later, the X-Men arrive in Manhattan, their movements watched by Mr. Sinister & Threnody, who also note Gambit's departure, heading towards Seattle. Storm, Colossus & Wolverine enter the Morlock tunnels alongside Callisto. After skirmishing with Gene Nation, Storm confronts their leader, Marrow, who reveals she has attached a series of bombs to a group of captured commuters, and rigged a device to her heart that will soon detonate the bombs, unless Storm kills her first. As payback for Storm's failures as leader of the Morlocks, Marrow challenges Storm to a duel, forcing her to either let the humans die, or sacrifice her morals to kill Marrow. Storm draws first blood, and eventually triumphs, ripping out Marrow's heart, disarming the bombs but killing the young woman. In the aftermath, Wolverine tells her she did the right thing, and Storm agrees, troubled by how relatively easy the decision was for her.

X-amining Uncanny X-Men #324

"Deadly Messengers"
September 1995

In a Nutshell
The X-Men battle Sack & Vessel.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Guest Penciler: Roger Cruz
Inkers: Townsend, Russell, Milgrom
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Psylocke probes Gambit's mind, searching for the source of the darkness she sensed in him when he woke from his coma, but he senses her presence and forces her out. Meanwhile, in New York, the fight between the X-Men and Gene Nation members Sack & Vessel spills out into the streets. Graydon Creed is caught in the middle of it, but is rescued from some falling debris by Beast, arriving on the scene following his confrontation with Trish Tilby. As Cannonball defeats Sack, Wolverine realizes that the energy of the deceased which Vessel harnesses can be released, weakening him. Storm blasts Vessel with lightning, releasing the souls he'd harvested, but the arrival of the police force the X-Men to retreat rather than pursue Sack & Vessel into the Morlock Tunnels. Elsewhere, Rogue & Iceman arrive at a bar in Arizona, seemingly at random. But Rogue realizes Gambit's memories of the place led her there, while Iceman, who has begun having visions of Emma Frost, tries to call Xavier's School, but Emma refuses to answer.

X-amining Astonishing X-Men #4

"Holocaust"
June 1995

In a Nutshell
The X-Men defeat Holocaust.

Plot/Dialogue: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Joe Madureira
Inks: Townsend/Milgrom
Letters: Starkings/Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Separations: Digital Chameleon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Enraged, Blink attacks Holocaust, chipping away at his armor with teleportation micro-strikes before dropping him into a vat of chemicals. Meanwhile, Apocalypse taunts a captive Magneto. Back at the Infinite Processing Plant, the X-Men stop the execution of Holocaust's human prisoners just as Holocaust emerges from the vat. Posing as Morph, Rogue is able to absorb a portion of his power, weakening him, before fighting him to a standstill. Holocaust positions himself and Rogue over a teleportation platform, hoping to bring her with him to Apocalypse's citadel, but as he teleports out, Iceman arrives and pulls Rogue away. He tells her he was sent by Quicksilver to bring back her team, and Rogue declares that tonight, one way or another, the age of Apocalypse is over.

X-amining Astonishing X-Men #3

"In Excess"
May 1995

In a Nutshell
The X-Men infiltrate Holocaust's Infinite processing plant.

Plot: Scott Lobdell
Dialogue: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inks: Townsend/Milgrom
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Editor: Bob Harras
Separations: Digital Chameleon

Plot
Wild Child, trailed by a group of Infinites, races back to the X-Men. Sunfire destroys the Infinites, then Wild Child licks Rogue in order to pass along the information he & Sabretooth learned about Holocaust's plans. As the X-Men race to stop Holocaust, he drags an injured Sabretooth to a hill overlooking a massive Infinite processing plant, gloating about his ability to wipe out all life in the area. At the X-Mansion, Magneto tries to convince Bishop that he may need to kill Legion in order restore his reality. Just then, Nanny goes into lockdown, forming a protective cocoon around Charles and fleeing into the tunnels beneath the school, a defensive measure Magneto knows means only one thing: Apocalypse is coming. Elsewhere, the X-Men infiltrate Holocaust's Infinite plant, only to discover Sabretooth, chained up and dying.

X-amining Astonishing X-Men #2

"No Exit"
April 1995

In a Nutshell
The X-Men assist with the evacuation of Chicago while Sabretooth faces Holocaust alone.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Joe Madureira
Inkers: Dan Green & Tim Townsend
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Color Art: Steve Buccellato & Digital Chameleon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
As the X-Men attempt to help humans escape Chicago ahead of Holocaust's culling, Sunfire loses control and begins blasting Apocalypse's probes, which does little beyond panic the already-panicked crowd further, prompting Rogue to use her power to absorb his and settle him down. At the X-Mansion, Magneto visits with his son, prompting Bishop to chide him for hanging back while his X-Men endanger their lives; Magneto reminds him that if the X-Men are successful in rewriting reality, his son will cease to exist. In Manhattan, Rex manages to triangulate the Blink's teleportation trajectory to locate the X-Men's base, much to Apocalypse's pleasure. In Chicago, Sabretooth convinces Blink to teleport him and Wild Child to Holocaust, in order to delay his arrival as much as possible, even if it means Sabretooth's death. Blink reluctantly does so, and after Sabretooth taunts Holocaust into revealing valuable intel, he sends Wild Child running back to the rest of the team with the info. He then proceeds to attack Holocaust, slipping into a berserker rage that enables him to crack Holocaust's life support armor before collapsing, but Holocaust is ultimately unfazed.