Uncanny X-Periment # 53: "Recovery"

X-Factor # 87, X-Men # 17-19, X-Force # 19, Cable # 1-2, Excalibur # 66-67

In the aftermath of the "X-Cutioner's Song," the X-teams barely have time to recover. So, let's roll with their punches.

X-Factor # 87
Peter David's best issue. Val Cooper has all over X-Factor pyscho-analyzed. We really get a true, pyschological look at Wolfsbane, Havok, Polaris, Multiple Man, Quicksilver, and Strong Guy. To really explain it would be impossible. Best of the bunch, though, and among the best X-books ever.

X-Men # 17-19
When a Russian town is taken over by the Mutant psychic-vampire named Soul Skinner, Omega Red is called in to deal with him. When he fails, the Russian government calls in the visiting X-Men - Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Jubilee, and Psylocke. However, even they fail to defeat him. The Ruskies then activate a protocol that calls of the assassinations of Colossus' parents and the taking of Illyana. The hope is to jump-start Illyana's powers and destroy the entire town - taking Soul Skinner with it. Colossus fights back, frees his sister. Omega Red escapes. It's an okay story, but the premise is a little shaky. Colossus just can't catch a break.

X-Force # 19
The issue in a nutshell: Cannonball argues with Xavier as to whether or not X-Force are allowed to leave the mansion. Eventually, they do. It's a good issue and serves an interesting take of the whole Cable vs. Xavier's methods arugement. Emotionally grounded, this is a pretty good one.

Cable # 1-2
Oh come on, you knew he wasn't dead. Cable arrives in the future in the aftermath of his self-destruction in the time vortex with Stryfe. Cable rallies Clan Chosen, we learn some backstory of Cable. He then gathers up Kane and attacks the latest and final time machine project run by the evil Cannites. Cable and Kane then travel back in time. It's a fairly good story, if not slow and muddled at times.

Excalibur # 66-67
Rachel has returned, having seperated from Phoenix, yet still retaining its powers and name. To set things right in the future, then, she forms a connection with the creature Widget, which is really the transformed Kate Pryde. Through this connection, Excalibur travels into the "Days of Future Past" time peroid. Joining some old Marvel UK characters (really), the group is able to reprogram Master Mold and the Sentinals into protecting all sentient life. Anti-climatic, but neat.

For the most part, this is a fair time for the X-Teams. Not all of them are winners, but there are certainly worse peroids.

~W~