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 X-Men (vol. 2) #64

"Games of Deceit & Death Part 3"

May 1997

In a Nutshell

The X-Men, Kingpin, and Sebastian Shaw faceoff over the Elixir Vitae. 

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ben Raab
Pencils: Carlos Pacheco 
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Chris Lichtner, Aron Lusen & Liquid Color
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

The X-Men confront Wilson Fisk, the former Kingpin of New York crime, who has control over the Elixir Vitae now that he's the CEO of Fujikawa Enterprises. When Wolverine threatens Fisk, he reveals that he's captured Cannonball, and threatens to inject him with an experimental Legacy Virus vaccine. Meanwhile, Sebastian Shaw infiltrates the Fujikawa building. Upstairs, Cyclops tries to reason with Fisk. The villain refuses to hand over the elixir, as he plans to use it in the same way as Shaw, to create a Legacy Virus cure and corner the market for it. But Fisk does release Cannonball as a peace offering. Elsewhere, Bastion taunts a captive Jubilee. In Hong Kong, Shaw confronts Fisk and the X-Men. Fisk calls in his Si-Fan ninjas. But before violence erupts, Storm calls down a bolt of lighting, destroying the Elixir Vitae rather than risk it falling into Shaw or Fisk's hands. Later, as the X-Men are flying home, Jean is suddenly hit by a burst of psychic energy just as their plane is attacked by Operation: Zero Tolerance. 

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #63

"Games of Deceit & Death Part 2"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

The search for a Legacy Virus cure gets complicated as Sebastian Shaw returns and the Kingpin reveals himself!

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ben Raab
Pencils: Carlos Pacheco 
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Chris Lichtner , Aron Lusen & Liquid Graphocs
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

The X-Men an Shang-Chi battle the cyber ninjas, who reveal they are working for Sebastian Shaw, who shortly thereafter reveals himself to the X-Men. After a brief scuffle, Storm brokers a truce, while Cannonball slips away underneath a rickshaw headed towards Fujikawa Enterprises. At the Hong Kong branch of the Hellfire Club, Shaw admits he's seeking a cure for the Legacy Virus — and a financial interest in the production of it — but claims there is some altruism to his motives. He also secretly receives all of Moira MacTaggert's data on the Legacy Virus from Rory Campbell. Shortly thereafter, the X-Men depart for Fujikawa Enterprises, where Shaw believes the Elixir Vitae sought by Shang-Chi's father and key to the cure, is being held. However, Cannonball is already inside, and learns the new head of the company is none other than the Kingpin, who shortly thereafter reveals himself to the intruding X-Men!

X-amining X-Men (vol. 2) #62

"Games of Deceit & Death Part 1"

March 1997

In a Nutshell

The X-Men team-up with Shang-Chi to hunt for a Legacy Virus cure! 

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Ben Raab
Pencils: Carlos Pacheco 
Inks: Art Thibert
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Chris Lichtner & Liquid Color
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Outside the Scottish home of an old associate, MI-6 agent Clive Reston, Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu, is attacked by a group of ninjas. He fights them off, only to be attacked in turn by Wolverine, who wants to test him. Their fight is ended by a lightning bolt from Storm, angry at Wolverine's actions. Cannonball arrives, and the group is introduced to Shang-Chi, after which they go inside Reston's home, where Reston, Cyclops, and Phoenix are waiting. They explain that Sebastian Shaw, leader of the Hellfire Club, is seeking the Elixir Vitae, which he hopes to use to cure the Legacy Virus (and make massive profits in doing so). Since Shang-Chi's villainous father created the elixir, the X-Men need his help. Later, Shaw is at his Hong Kong offices when he's told the X-Men are en route to the city; he orders a "reception" for the group. Shortly thereafter, as the X-Men and Shang-Chi make their way through the streets of Hong Kong in a pair of cars, they are attacked by a group of Cyber-Ninjas.