X-amining New Mutants

Thought there's technically still one more New Mutants issue to review (the series' seventh annual), it seems as good a time as any to look back on the series that was, starting with some overall thoughts and then delving into some specific favorites. Please sounds off with some of your personal favorites in the comments (and I'm planning on doing a similar retrospect for the original iteration of X-Factor in a few months' time)! 

On the one hand, New Mutants can be considered something of a failure. Intended to fill a specific void in the world of the X-Men, it launched with a very clear mandate to tell stories about kids with superpowers who weren't, first and foremost, superheroes. But it was a mandate doomed to failure by the needs of the genre and its role as a spinoff of a tremendously popular (and big selling) action-adventure series. As noble as series creators Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod's intentions may have been, before long, the New Mutants were fighting super-villains and getting caught up in tremendous adventures.

X-amining X-Factor #57

"Reflections"
August 1990

In a Nutshell 
X-Factor battles the Right as the hunt for Archangel. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: Andy Kubert
Inker: Allen Milgrom
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Tom Vincent
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
X-Factor manages to locate Archangel, just as they're attacked by a group of cyborg Right soldiers. Meanwhile, Crimson plots to use Archangel to destroy the rest of the Ravens, while Archangel, hallucinating that he's an untransformed Warren Worthington, visits a bank, where a frightened teller believes he's there to rob the place, drawing the attention of the cops. Just then, the Right break off their attack with X-Factor, and when Charlotte Jones breaks the news of Archangel's presumed robbery to them, they realize the Right are going after him. Outside the bank, the Right attacks Archangel, but just as he gains the upper hand, they are teleported away by their shadowy leader, who is pleased to have taken Archangel's measure.

X-amining X-Factor #56

"Ravens"
July 1990

In a Nutshell 
Crimson targets Archangel, hoping to use him to take the power of the Ravens for herself. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciller: Steven Carr
Inker: Allen Milgrom
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Tom Vincent
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
The Ravens meet Crimson at a Manhattan bar, where she tells them of the new sensation she's discovered, mutants, and of her plans to dominate one of them, Archangel. One of the Ravens, Azure, psychically attacks a nearby stock broker for investment tips, but leaves him alive, as his pain isn't to Azure's tastes. The rest of the Ravens insist Azure follow him to the hospital and finish him, lest he tells someone about the Ravens. Meanwhile, a halluncinating Archangel patrols the city, intervening in a battle betwen rival drug pushers that draws the attention of both Officer Jones and Trish Tilby and her news crew. Later, the rest of X-Factor returns to Ship after another fruitless night of searching for Archangel, and Beast is bothered by how Trish's report on his latest attack is presented. Just then, Marvel Girl returns to the team. At St. Vincent's Hospital, Azure attempts to kill the stockbroker, but he proves surprisingly strong, resisting Azure and calling for help, which draws the attention of a passing Archangel, who bursts into the room.

X-amining X-Factor #54

"Crimson"
May 1990

In a Nutshell 
Hank & Bobby run into Colossus at an art gallery. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Breakdowns: Marc Silvestri
Finishes: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Brad Vancata
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
A drugged Archangel attacks the staff at the hospital where Officer Jones took him following his battle with Caliban, as he is hallucinating and believes the doctors are trying to amputate his wings. Scott, Jean and Hank arrive, and help the staff subdue their friend, after which they agree to take him back to Ship for further treatment due to his history with hospitals. Meanwhile, Bobby says goodnight to Opal. His departure is spotted by Peter Nicholas, who is preparing for his opening art show, while on the street below, a woman named Crimson feeds on the mental pain of a crackhead. The next morning, Jean, preparing to leave for a few days to clear her head, says goodbye to Scott. Days later, Hank and Bobby attend Peter's opening along with Opal and Trish.

X-amining New Mutants #77

"Strange!"
July 1989

In a Nutshell
The New Mutants battle a possessed Dani with help from Dr. Strange. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Layouts: Rich Buckler
Finisher: Roy Richardson
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
In Hel, Hela plots to regain lost power, using Dani. In Russia, the New Mutants return Illyana to her parents. Suddenly, Dani sees a vision of death coming for her, then collapses along with Brightwind, burning up with fever. The New Mutants rush back to Ship, who scans Dani and determines her illness is not physical but mystical in nature. He suggests the New Mutants check with Dr. Strange. Later, they arrive outside Strange's Greenwich Village home, but they are greeted by his housekeeper Wong, who tells them Dr. Strange is dead. Dr. Strange, however, is not dead, and senses something evil about Dani's illness. Just then, Dani cries out in pain as she and Brightwind burst into flame and begin attacking the New Mutants. Via his astral form, Dr. Strange intervenes, drawing Dani's astral form from her body. But this just allows the monster in control of her body to attack even more viciously than before.

X-amining X-Factor #41

"Golden Boy!"
June 1989

In a Nutshell 
The first appearance of the winner of the Mutant Registration contest. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: Arthur Adams
Inker: Allen Milgrom
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Tom Vincent
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
In London, a troll emerges from his lair, attracted to the scent of gold. It leads him to the house of Thomas Jones, and the troll watches as Thomas, studying for a chemistry test, unknowingly transforms his pen into gold. Called to dinner, Thomas leaves and the troll enters his room, determined to snatch the boy and use him to expand the Troll Associates treasure trove, thus restoring England to those who live by the old magical ways. Meanwhile, aboard Ship, X-Factor oversees the training of the newly-integrated X-Terminators and New Mutants. Back in London, Thomas returns to his room and his grabbed by the troll, prompting his mother to call X-Factor for help.

X-amining New Mutants #76

"Splash!"
June 1989

In a Nutshell
The combined New Mutants & X-Terminators battle a sea monster. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: Rich Buckler
Finisher: Tom Palmer
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
Leaving the wreckage of the mansion, the New Mutants ponder their next move. Deciding all that's left is to pack it in and return home, they stop at a mall to use a payphone to call their families. However, the crowd thinks they're demons who have kidnapped Illyana, and they quickly realize they don't want to return to their old lives. When the cops show up, they flee, and Warlock decides to take everyone back to X-Factor's ship for the time being. Meanwhile, the X-Terminators, having been instructed by Ship while X-Factor is away to do something educational, are exploring the ocean beneath Ship. They discover a large and unique-looking shell on the ocean floor, and bring it back inside.

X-amining New Mutants #75

"King of the Hill!"
May 1989

In a Nutshell
The New Mutants quit Xavier's school. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Bob McLeod 
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
At the remains of the X-Mansion, the New Mutants are shocked by all the damage. Spotting a death glow amidst the rubble, Dani directs Roberto, who frees a badly injured Sabretooth. After a brief tussle, the villain seemingly dies of his injuries, but Dani doesn't see death coming for him. Just then, Magneto, along with the rest of the Inner Circle, arrive. Roberto impulsively attacks Magneto, and a fight between the two teams breaks out, which ends when Magneto encases his students in a ball of metal wreckage. He then learns what has happened to Illyana. Angry that he's lost the most powerful of all the New Mutants, Shaw attacks Magneto, declaring he be removed as White King. As they battle one another, the New Mutants learn that Magneto started bossing them around in the hopes of molding them into better soldiers, and that he made a conscious decision not to help the X-Men in Dallas. Having heard enough, the New Mutants endeavor to break out of their prison, but are unable to do so.

X-amining New Mutants #63

"Redemption"
May 1988

In a Nutshell
An untold tale of Magik (sort of). 

Plot: Chris Claremont
Script: Louise Simonson
Artists: Bo Hampton & Josef Rubinstein
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Colorist: Nel Yomtov
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
At the X-Mansion, Illyana tells Kitty how she acquired the spacesuit hanging in her closet. When Warlock first landed on Earth and infected Illyana with the Transmode virus, she and Lockheed teleported to Limbo. Once there, she cast a spell to cure herself of the virus, but passed out when she tried to return home. Waking up back at the mansion, she was confronted by the X-Men all of whom, including Kitty and Colossus, didn't recognize her. Sneaking around with Lockheed, she discovered she was on a spaceship, with the group's "Professor X" a Brood who had created clones of the X-Men to use as host bodies. Donning the spacesuit and weaponry of one of the ship's deceased crewmen, Illyana revealed the truth to the X-Men clones, and together they defeated the Brood. Illyana then teleported the clones to Limbo, curing them of their Brood infection, then sent them back to the spaceship to guard its cryogenically frozen passengers. As her story ends, Illyana wakes up, the conversation with Kitty having been a dream. Taking it as a sign, she realizes that while her magic can't bring back the X-Men, she can use it to kill the monster responsible for their death: Forge. 

X-amining New Mutants #62

"To Build A Fire"
April 1988

In a Nutshell
Magma and Empath journey to Nova Roma. 

Writer: Louise Simonson
Artist: Jon J. Muth 
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
At the X-Mansion, the New Mutants gather to read a letter from Amara, hoping it will help take their mind off Doug's recent death. The letter reveals that Amara has returned to Nova Roma with Empath, and explains how she got there. Following a training session amongst the Hellions, in which Empath seems to express genuine feelings for Amara, she receives a letter from her father, ordering her back to Nova Roma to be married. Though Amara is reluctant to go, the White Queen insists, and pulls Empath aside, telling him she knows how he's been subtly influencing Amara. She tells him to accompany her to Nova Roma and ensure that her father becomes predisposed to supporting the Hellfire Club's interests there. En route to Nova Roma from Rio, the private jet carrying the two mutants crashes into the jungle during a storm, and they are the only survivors. Amara's previous time spent living amongst the natives helps keep them alive, but she refuses to use her powers to create a signal, for fear of burning down the forest, much to Empath's consternation. Over the course of several days, the two grow closer, before they're found by a Nova Roman search party led by Amara's father.