Uncanny X-Periment # 61: "Generation X"

X-Force # 39, Uncanny X-Men # 318, Cable # 17-19, Generation X # 1-3

X-Force # 39 kicks off yet another foray into the X-Men world with an unusual story. As it turns out, the Phalanx sent an agent to X-Force's base at Camp Verde. Once there, however, it managed to absorb Cable's computer buddy, "Professor" (formerly known as "Ship," but that's a story for another time). The two of them merged being became known as Prosh. However, Prosh's newly gained body spells trouble for Cable, as it aggrivates his Techno-Organic Virus, causing it to go all whacky. Prosh then decides to leave for the stars, but takes out X-Force's base in the meantime.

Hoping over to the X-Men's world, Sean and co. are ready to head up to Emma's old Massachusetts Academy to form Generation X, where all the kids recovered from the Phalanx will train to become the next generation of X-Men. It's a surprising heart-warming story where we get a nice introduction to the characters without those pesky Phalanx guys runnin' around. Monet's a snob, Paige's a hick, Angelo's a freak, and Everett is the normal guy. Toss in an uncertain Jubilee and a testy Sean and Emma, and we've got a great bunch.

Meanwhile, Cable pops by the mansion with Domino at the behest of Scott and Jean. What follows, however, is the delievery of news to Storm that there might be Morlocks still alive. The trio head down there and discover Caliban being chased by a slightly revamped Dark Riders, testing Caliban to see if he is worthy to survive. After the guys help Caliban out, they track down the Dark Riders to Akkaba, Apocalypse's birthplace. There, Cable finds Tyler, looking to become Apocalypse's hier, Genesis. There's a ruse and then a battle in which Tyler vanishes, leaving Cable upset.

Then we get down to the main event. Generation X. The team interacts with each other before meeting up with Jonothon Starsmore (Chamber) at Logan International Airport. Jonothon's problems? His chest and lower jaw blew apart and consist of telepathic energy to keep him alive. As Jubilee, Everett (Synch) and Banshee pick him up, they're attacked by a Mutant vampire of sorts named Emplate. M, Emma, Husk (Paige), and Skin (Angelo) enter the fray thanks to new arrival Gateway. After defeating Emplate and heading home, Gateway drops off a little present for Generation X - a mute w0man with diamond hard skin named Penance (as named by Gateway, who spoke for the first time ever). Generation X chases her around the grounds before Chamber talks her into seeking refuge with them.

Generation X is among my favorite X-Men titles, perhaps even my favorite beyond the core books. There's a lot to love about these characters. They're very relatable and extremely well written. Add in Chris Bachelo in his prime, and it's a hit.

As for Cable, Jeph Loeb and Steve Skorce knock the story outta the park. This team has a way of taking the very convulted Cable and setting him on the right track by making his background interesting and accessible. Nieciza disappoints on X-Force, though he did manage to make the story interesting, at least.

~W~