X-amining X-Men Unlimited #14

"Innocence Lost"

March 1997

In a Nutshell

Franklin Richards deals with the aftermath of "Onslaught". 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Pencils: Jim Cheung
Inks: Andrew Pepoy
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Kevin Somerset
Editor: Kelly Corevese

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Franklin Richards is having nightmares of his family disappearing and being replaced by the man he blames for their deaths, Joseph. In the morning, he wakes and is comforted by his friends Artie and Leech. All three boys are visiting Beast's childhood home along with Beast, Gambit, and Storm. Later that morning, Beast's father Norton invites the kids on a tractor ride. Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Dunfee, a group of men led by Grange Janssen discuss the recent assassination of Graydon Creed and the influx of mutants like Hank McCoy in their town. Grange decides its time they do something about it. Back at the McCoy farm, Franklin uses his powers to disable the tractor, creating an opening that allows the boys to run off into the woods. Gambit warns Storm, but when she flies off to find the boys, she is shot by Grange and his posse, who capture Artie and Leech as well as Beast when he intervenes. Unaware of his friends' capture, Franklin uses his powers to teleport Joseph to him, then attacks, angrily holding him responsible for the death of his family. Joseph is confused, but unable and unwilling to overpower Franklin. In the woods, the police arrive and defuse the situation, arresting Grange and his posse. Out in the field, Gambit comes to Joseph's defense and helps convince Franklin not to kill Joseph. But by then, Franklin's power has grown out of his control, and it takes the timely arrival of Leech, delivered by Beast, to shut it down. Having at least made peace with Joseph, Franklin resumes playing with his friends. 

X-amining X-Man #26

"Down to Earth"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

Nate seeks Moira's help in the wake of the loss of his telekinetic powers. 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Guest Penciler: Pascual Ferry 
Inker: Jamie Mendoz & Howard Shack
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas

Separations: GCW
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Stuck in Switzerland without his telekinetic powers, Nate psychically projects himself to his friend, Peter Parker, to ask for help with his lost abilities. While touched Nate would seek him out, Peter admits he's not the best person to ask, and steers Nate in the direction of Moira MacTaggert. Nate physically travels to Muir Island, using his telepathy to sneak aboard cargo vehicles and mask his presence from Excalibur as he heads towards Moira's lab. However, Moira is well aware of his presence thanks to a device she's created. Nate asks for her help contacting Forge, but when Moira reaches Val Cooper, she's told X-Factor is dead. Moira proceeds to run some tests on Nate, and concludes there's nothing physically wrong with him: his own mind is, for some reason, suppressing his telekinesis. Meanwhile, Dark Beast suggests to Havok that he recruit Nate to his Brotherhood, but cautions him to leave Beast's name out of it. Back on Muir Island, Moira attacks Nate, hoping his instincts will kick in and allow his power out, but it doesn't. Later, as Nate ponders his next move, Havok and Fatale teleport onto Muir Island, and tell Nate they can help him. 

X-amining Rise of Apocalypse #1-4

"Hammer and Chisel" / "Blood of the Father" / "Face of the Gods" / "First Culling"

October 1996 - January 1997

In a Nutshell

The origin of Apocalypse, as he rises to power to challenge the pharaoh Rama-Tut!

Writer: Terry Kavanagh, with James Felder (issues #2-4) 
Penciler: Adam Pollina, Anthony Williams (with Pollina in issue #4)
Inkers: Mark Morales & Harry Candelario (issue #1), Morales (issues #2-3), Morales and Al Milgrom (issue #4)
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Chris Lichtner

Enhancements: Malibu

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

Plot

When a gray-skinned baby with facial disfigurations is left for dead by an Egyptian tribe named Akkaba, he is saved by Baal, leader of a tribe of nomads called Sandstormers, who believes the child to be destined for greatness. Two decades later, when pharaoh Rama-Tut learns of the existence of the now grown child, En Sabah Nur, he dispatches his vizier Logos and top general Ozymandias to capture him, believing him to be destined for power and wanting him as his heir. As pharaoh's forces clash with the Sandstormers, Baal takes his son into the crashed spaceship from which Baal rescued the time-traveling Rama-Tut when he first arrived in Egypt; when Baal dies, En Sabah Nur claims the technology in the ship for himself. Meanwhile, Ozymandias returns a conquering hero, though Rama-Tut is upset he didn't capture En Sabah Nur and announces his intention to take Ozymandias' sister Nephri as his bride. Seeking revenge, En Sabah Nur travel's to Rama-Tut's city. Disguised as a slave, he gets caught in the power struggle between Logos and Ozymandias just as the time-traveling Fantastic Four arrive in Rama-Tut's court. Rescued by Nephri, he falls in love with the woman, but when she rejects him due to his appearance, his mutant powers activate, and he uses Rama-Tut's technology to transfigure and enslave Ozymandias. As Rama-Tut flees Egypt in the wake of his encounter with the Fantastic Four, En Sabah Nur christens himself Apocalypse, and sets out to destroy the weak! 

X-amining X-Man #16

"Survivors of the Storm"
June 1996

In a Nutshell

Nate battles Holocaust 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh

Guest Penciler: Val Semeiks
Inker: Bud LaRosa
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas

Enhancement: Graphic Colorworks
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Holocaust attacks Nate, dropping the psychic shield Onsalught gave him in order to see the look of surprise on Nate's face when he reveals himself. Their fight threatens innocent bystanders, whose pain draws Threnody's attention. In Paris, Madelyne discovers Selene has returned. In Greece, Threnody tries to save whomever she can while Nate & Holocaust fight. Back in Paris, Selene outfits Madelyne in new risque attire, then sends her off to London to meet one of Selene's associates. In Greece, Holocaust tries to persuade Nate to join him; when he refuses, Holocaust taunts him with knowledge of Onslaught. When Threnody absorbs the dying energy of one of the bystanders, she attracts Holocaust's attention, who grabs her as a hostage, telling Nate to come with him willingly, or Threnody will die. Nate grudgingly agrees. 

X-amining X-Man #14

"Fallen From Grace"
April 1996

In a Nutshell

Nate battles Exodus 

Plot: John Ostrander

Script: Terry Kavanagh
Penciler: Steve Skroce
Inks: Bud LaRosa
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas

Separations: Graphic Color Works
Editor: Jaye Gardner

Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As Nate battles Exodus, Cable avoids the avalanche triggered by their fight. Nate finds he can easily outmatch Exodus in terms of power, but also that Exodus draws strength by absorbing Nate's power, so he switches tactics and hits Exodus with a massive uppercut, sending him reeling. Meanwhile, in Paris, Madelyne Pryor is staying with Selene and preparing some food when she cuts herself, and realizes it only hurt after she noticed the cut. Meanwhile, back in Switzerland, Nate and Threnody put some distance between themselves Exodus, while Blaquesmith argues with Cable, who refuses to consider killing Nate, wanting instead to talk with him. Exodus catches up with Nate, and they resume their fight. Cable tries shooting Exodus, but he easily blocks the bullets. Exodus seems poised for victory, until Nate senses his connection to Apocalypse in his mind. Fueld by his rage at Exodus' association with a being Nate hates, Nate pours enough power into Exodus that he exceeds his' capacity to absorb it. He then throws Exodus into a crevasse in the Earth and seals it behind him. Flush with power and seething with fury, Nate then turns to Cable, Blaquesmith & Threnody. He mocks the fear he senses in all of them, saying he senses it in every mind he encounters on this unspoiled Earth, yet he's only just begun...

X-amining X-Men Spotlight on Starjammers #1-2

"The Phalkon Quest Part 1" / "Phalkon Quest Part 2"
May-June 1990

In a Nutshell 
The Starjammers race Deathbird to the power known as the Phalkon. 

Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Penciler: Dave Cockrum
Inker:Jeff Albrecht
Letterer: Augustin Mas
Colorist: John Wilcox
Assistant Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor: Mark Gruenwald
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
Issue #1: While raiding a Shi'ar ship, the Starjammers discover the captain has a map to the Phalkon, a mythical power source Deathbird hopes to use to crush the rebellion the Starjammers are leading against her. However, the captain manages to break the map into four pieces and send them off into the galaxy, while also alerting Deathbird. The Starjammers set out to retrieve the map pieces before Deathbird. With the help of Professor X, who has merged his mind with the consciousness of the Starjammer's computer, endangering his body but increasing his power, the Starjammers retrieve the map, but are betrayed by their medic, Sikorsky, who allows Deathbird and a force of Imperial troops to board the ship. As the Starjammers fight the troops, Deathbird captures Lilandra then teleports away, leaving the Starjammers to decide whether to save Lilandra or continue their pursuit of the Phalkon.