The Uncanny X-Men # 109-122
After returning home from the Shi’ar Empire, the X-Men face off against Vindicator, who has been sent by Canada’s Department H to bring back Wolverine. They are able to beat him away, only to be ambushed by Warhawk in their own home.
And then . . . we get down to business. While Professor X is vacationing with Lilandria, Mesmero captures the X-Men. When Beast goes to rescue them, however, they are all then re-captured by Magneto, who takes them to his Antarctic base. The X-Men engage Magneto, this time both the X-Men and Magneto more prepared for the other. The fight ends when the base is destroyed and Magneto retreats, weakened.
The X-Men are separated from Beast and Phoenix, both believing the other dead. As Phoenix and Beast head back to New York, the X-Men end up in the Savage Land. Once there, the X-Men fight off Zaladane and her forces by joining with Ka-Zar and Sauron. Saving the Savage Land, the X-Men get on perhaps the worst raft ever and try and sail to South America.
Meanwhile, Professor X is upset of the supposed loss of the X-Men and decides (after a flashback revealing his first encounter with a fellow Mutant, the Shadow King) to leave for the Shi’ar with Lilandria. The X-Men are rescued from their sinking raft by a Japanese freighter, which takes them to Japan. Once there, the X-Men meet up with Sunfire and Wolverine meets Mariko, who he is immediately smitten with.
They save Japan from Moses Magnum and are on their way back to New York when they are attacked by Vindicator again, this time with the entire Canadian super-hero team Alpha Flight with him. A battle ensues and eventually, Wolverine evades capture. Upon arriving at the mansion, the X-Men try to put their lives together.
The initial character and story plot points set down in the first couple of issues of this new X-Men team are elaborated on. Each character gets at least one moment of intensity, making it quite them unique and adding a certain dynamic feel with the rest of the team. These characters are superbly written, and their adventures across the globe are well done.
Honestly, I can’t find much to complain about here. In addition to great adventures seen here (especially the globe-spanning storyarc), there are good character moments and subplots. Wolverine’s interest in Jean; Scott’s lack of mourning; Jean’s life without the X-Men; Xavier distraught over the loss of his students; Colossus’ feelings of reluctance; and Storm’s response to finding out that her old home in Harlem now serves as a place for junkies to gather. All of these are layered on top of a grand and adventurous story, nearly epic in scope.
Between Claremont’s stories and Bryne’s art, we’ve got ourselves a great time in X-Men history.
~W~
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