Excalibur # 52, X-Men # 10-11, Uncanny X-Men # 289-293
In a similar way to the earlier post-Claremont issues, these books seek to cut off old plot threads and addresses sub-plots that have basically been left behind for a while.
In "Excalibur" # 52, Professor X and Jean Grey go to visit Excalibur in the hopes of reviving a comatose Rachel Summers. In doing so, they learn the origin of the Phoenix. Ready? Here is comes. Phoenix, as it turns out, is a powerful entity, uncontrollable and highly emotional. It was born out of the Big Bang, was on Earth for a while, but then disappeared. It returned when Jean called out for it. It took over/replaced her (I'll get to that at some point down the line), learned passion, love, and hate and became Dark Phoenix - and then died. It floated around - did the "Inferno" thing where it gave Maddie Jean's memoires. Meanwhile, Rachel's mind journeyed back in time to investigate how Kate Pryde's "Days of Future Past" mission got mucked up. The Phoenix was drawn to Rachel's mind as it was similair to Jean's. It hooked up with her and went into the future with her. Once there, she and Kate went to destroy a Sentinal/Nimrod facility. When things got despereate, Phoenix spirited Rachel into the past, where Rachel's memories were all a jumble.
WHEW!
A few things about this issue. First of all, I have to say that I like the origin story for Phoenix. This is one of the few post-"Dark Phoenix Saga" and non-Morrison Phoenix stories I like. It provides some interest for the character, despite my disagreement that Phoenix shouldn't even be alive. Secondly, I like that it roots ties together two of Claremont's finest stories: the "Dark Phoenix Saga" and "Days of Future Past." Finally, we finally get to understand Rachel and recieve the full explanation of her origins. I wish there was a little more - maybe even tightening the theory that Jean and Phoenix were on and the same, but it was good for what it was.
Next up deals with Mojo. Mojo is among my least favorite characters and this story is sub-pair. Big time. Longshot, Dazzler, and the X-Men Blue Team overthrow Mojo. Longshot and Dazzler are then revealed to be expecting a baby - that gets no development barely at all after this point. Baby? What baby? Anyways, it's also Jim Lee's last X-Men issues. There's an amazing two page spread that caps off his run. And what a run. Jim Lee is definetly among the very best artist ever to grace these pages.
Then comes Uncanny. First, we get a real soap opera story. Forge demands to know what is going on with he and Storm. This results in a marriage proposal. However, knowing that she will say "no," Forge leaves to take care of Mystique, breaking Ororo's heart.
This takes us right into the next storyarch, where we deal with the remaining Morlocks. Callisto has arrived at the mansion, asking for the X-Men's help. The Morlocks have gone insane, being mind-controlled by a traumatized Morlock telepath. Mikhail, tortured by his own demons, joins up with Callisto and floods the Morlock tunnels, killing off all those that remain.
The Morlock story is good, but it's the characters that shine through. Storm is heart-broken and unsure of her personal life and sacrifaces she has had to make for the X-Men. Colossus, as well, is presented in a great light. His hope for his brother and ultimately his loss, are portrayed nicely. Iceman also gets some of the spolight, as Mikhail shows him just what his powers can really do; not to mention his asshole of a racist father (and some stupid cyber-Ninja story). Archangel also deals with his own issues as he comes to terms with the fact that his inner rage has resulted in his wings "acting out." Heck, even Professor X has to handle the second loss of his legs.
Some good stuff here. An improvement by leaps and bounds from previous issues.
~W~
PS - I had this big thing planned out for entry # 50, but . . . well, I got lazy. Maybe when we hit 100!
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