Uncanny X-Men # 316, X-Men # 36, Uncanny X-Men # 317, X-Men # 37, X-Factor # 106, X-Force # 38, Excalibur # 82, Wolverine # 85, Cable # 16
Okay. This is a tough one. You see, this is another crossover, but it's a smidge different. So I'm going to give you the basic premise, then break it up into little nuggets. Ready? Here we go.
Cameron Hodge, old-schooler Stephen Lang, and a number of other humans that hate Mutants have used Warlock and Doug Ramsey's genetic samples to infect themselves with the transmode virus, which in turn, allows them to join in with the alien collective life-form known as the Phalanx. Fun ensues.
With the first third of the story (dubbed "Generation Next), Banshee finds that all of the X-Men save for Emma Frost, Jubilee, and Sabretooth have been replaced by Phalanx duplicates. The Phalanx, under orders from Hodge and Lang and working for the seperated being called Harvest, are after the "next generation" of Mutants - being Paige Guthrie, Monet St. Croix, Jubilee, Everret Thomas, Angelo Espinosa (take that, Chuck Austen), and Clarice Ferguson. Unfortunately, the Phalanx grab everyone but Everret and Jubilee. These two, along with the Emma, Creed, and Sean, go after Harvest and the next gen. A battle ensues and Clarice sacrifaces herself by "blinking" Harvest out of existence, thusly saving everyone else.
The second portion of the story ("Life Signs") centers around X-Force, X-Factor, and Excalibur. Professor X has summoned them after Muir Island is taken over by the Phalanx, the aliens hoping to find a way to find a way to transmode Mutants. It's while the teams assemble at an old Acolytes base that Cannonball, Forge, and Wolfsbane meet with Douglock. As it turns out, Douglock is a combination of the genetic templates of Warlock and Doug, whose cells were blah blah blah. You read two paragraphs up. Anyways, Cannonball doesn't trust Douglock, but Wolfsbane does and Forge is facsinated by the Phalanx. They foursome teleport to where one of Phalanx (another one that has broken off from the collective mind) named Shinar is building a transmitter to summon the rest of the Phalanx. Cannonball, Douglock, and Wolfsbane find a way to work together while Shinar manipulates Forge into maintaining, uh, baby Phalanx . . . es. A team them shows up, helps beat people up, and the day is saved! Except . . .
Just where are those pesky X-Men? And what about Lang and Hodge? In the final part of this story ("Final Sanctions"), Cyclops and Phoenix are reunited with both Cable and Wolverine on Muir Island, which is overrun with Phalanx. From there, the four track down the captured X-Men and the base of the Phalanx at the Mt. Everest. There's a battle, the X-Men are freed, Hodge and Lang kinda blow up, and all of the Phalanx are destroyed.
So what do I thnk of this? Well, to be honest, it's probably the worst X-Men crossover to date. Lousy coordination, thinly plotted, and just an overall mess. The writers - Fabian Nicieza, Scott Lobdell, and Larry Hama - don't seem to have a full grasp on what they want the Phalanx to be. One minute, they're an experiment gone wrong. The next, they're a new alien species. Then, they're the new generation of Warlock's race.
Secondly, there's very little characterization in this story. While yes, the Cable/Phoenix/Cyclops dynamic is pretty cool all post-"Adventures," it's one of the few shining character developments around. This really felt like a vehicle for Generation X and Douglock - both of which aren't around 10 years later. But there's nothing personal at stake here. We know the X-Men are captured, but we have no real sense of danger towards them. We know the world is at stake, but there's no clear picture of it. And while the idea and even the imagery of Phalanx is neat, there's nothing to them but a convulted, uninteresting mess. Half the time, the villians are breaking off from the collective mind to do things that are just as evil if they had remained connected. Having them disconnected adds far too much crap to the story. At the end of the story, I don't care about these characters like I did Magneto, Stryfe, Maddie, or Apocalypse. Heck, at least Sabretooth and Hodge were interesting back in "Mutant Massacre" and "X-Tinction Agenda," respectively.
The art is such a mixed bag, too. Joe Mad, Adam and Andy Kubert, and Tony Daniel kick ass. They bring some great texture to the story, fleshing it out best they can. But the work of Ken Lashley, Steve Skorce (which is a big surprise), and Jan Dureshma (sp) fails to interest or excite.
I'll grant that there are some nice moments to this story. Banshee and Emma get some nice development, setting up a nice foundation for what's to come. I mentioned the Summers family, but Logan has some good moments with both Scott and Jean, too. It's also neat to see a crossover that barely has the X-Men at all (save for Scott, Jean, Logan, and Sean) except for the very ending. On the same token, seeing Professor X boss around X-Force, X-Factor, and Excalibur is a nice switch.
But let's face it - even with all that, this story is flat and flimsy.
~W~
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 59: "Developments"
X-Men # 31-32, Uncanny X-Men # 311-314, X-Men # 33-34, Excalibur # 78-80, Uncanny X-Men # 315, Cable # 15
I think "Developments " describes this peroid in X-Men history very well.
Things get started with Revanche going after her former lover and assassin for the Hand, Matsuo. We learn that Matsu had thought that she was dead after Pyslocke appeared to her after coming through the Seige Perilous. As it turned out, there was a telepathic surge and both Pyslocke and Revanche got all mucked up in their heads. When Matsuo found Revanche's body (now co-opted by Psylocke), he thought he could re-shape her into his love. But it back-fired. And now, Revanche (dying of the Legacy Virus and trapped in Psylocke's old body) has gone after Matsuo. Revanche then decides its over and dies. Psylocke, after an encounter with Spiral, heads over to Japan to deal with the loss of Revanche. Matsuo then takes away of all Revenache's memories from Psylocke's mind.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, something happens to the power core and Sabretooth is freed. Bishop tracks him down, and the confrontation forces him to realize that he is literally living in the past and should therefore stop reflecting so much on his past/future. After the power core is restored, there's a energy surge that goes through Emma Frost's comatose body whilst Iceman is checking on her. Iceman then collapse. As Beast, Jubilee, and Professor X work on helping Bobby, Gambit and Storm meet up with Yukio in New York. Yukio fears someone is stalking her, hence the visit. Turns out she's right as techno-organic creatures calling themselves the Phalanx battle it out with the trio. Eventually, they're destroyed. Shortly afterward, Emma Frost wakes up . . . in Iceman's body. Turns out that the energy surge kicked her out of the coma and tossed her into his body. She then runs off, trying to figure out just what happened to her Hellions, as well as using Bobby's powers in ways he had never thought possible. The X-Men reveal the truth to her and restore both and she and Bobby proper.
Then, after hearing a story about Gambit and Sabretooth, Rogue and Gambit's relationship is shaken quite heavily. She finds she can't trust Remy. However, Beast gets some information from Sabretooth regarding the location of Mr. Sinister. Gambit, Beast, Rogue, and Psylocke (the remains of the Blue Team) head off to Scott's old and abandoned orphanage to retrieve information regarding the Legacy Virus. It's there they encounter Threnody again and after finding some shit-ass clones, Threnody sets the self-destruction sequence, and continues to help the X-Men from inside of Sinister's operation.
Meanwhile, some kind of Doug Ramsey/Warlock/Phalanx being calling itself Douglock breaks free from the Phalanx and meets up Stryfe's old right-hand robot, Zero. Zero, as it turns out, has information regarding the Legacy Virus, but is being hunted by Stryfe's robots as per an order to eliminate all of evidence of himself if killed. Zero, with a budding personality, heads off with Douglock, Excalibur and some cheese-whiz family as they search for what Legacy Virus info Zero has. This pretty much goes nowhere fast and Zero downloads any info he can into Douglock before 'spolding.
Back up in Avalon, the Acolyte known as Neophite is put on trail for helping the X-Men back a few issues. Colossus serves as his defense and some loud philosphying about Magneto and Xavier follows. In the end, none of the Acolytes trust Colossus anymore and Neophite is sent back to Earth in exile.
Then, Cable and Domino go on date and encounter the Morlock, Thornn. They then learn that there is the possibility that Mikhail didn't kill all of the Morlocks and had actually sent some of them into another dimension - including one named Sarah.
Overall, an interesting time for the X-Men. We're moving back into a crossover, with all sorts of subplots heading into one unified direction - with the Phalanx in the lead. In some ways, it's very Claremontian. Setting up sub-plots early on, developing just here and there, then having them manifest further down the line. However, Lobdell and Nicieza aren't as good with this as Claremont was. I don't think it's plum necessary to have so many subplots going on at the same time and in many ways, the fault lies on lack of coordination between the two.
Moving on, the art is great. Andy Kubert and Joe Mad take the cake as far as great and dynamic scenes go. Both are able to maintain both energy and intimacy in their artwork. Kubert has grown quite a bit from when he first started.
We get some nice moments with the X-Men, too. Betsy and Warren growing closer. Emma's complete distress. Jubilee bumming around, still dealing with Wolverine's running off. Bishop's angst. Storm's friendship with Yukio. Even Moira gets a shining, if not tragic moment, as it's revealed that she has the Legacy Virus.
Far from the best, far from the worst - it's definetly a middle of the road kind of time for the X-Men.
~W~
I think "Developments " describes this peroid in X-Men history very well.
Things get started with Revanche going after her former lover and assassin for the Hand, Matsuo. We learn that Matsu had thought that she was dead after Pyslocke appeared to her after coming through the Seige Perilous. As it turned out, there was a telepathic surge and both Pyslocke and Revanche got all mucked up in their heads. When Matsuo found Revanche's body (now co-opted by Psylocke), he thought he could re-shape her into his love. But it back-fired. And now, Revanche (dying of the Legacy Virus and trapped in Psylocke's old body) has gone after Matsuo. Revanche then decides its over and dies. Psylocke, after an encounter with Spiral, heads over to Japan to deal with the loss of Revanche. Matsuo then takes away of all Revenache's memories from Psylocke's mind.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, something happens to the power core and Sabretooth is freed. Bishop tracks him down, and the confrontation forces him to realize that he is literally living in the past and should therefore stop reflecting so much on his past/future. After the power core is restored, there's a energy surge that goes through Emma Frost's comatose body whilst Iceman is checking on her. Iceman then collapse. As Beast, Jubilee, and Professor X work on helping Bobby, Gambit and Storm meet up with Yukio in New York. Yukio fears someone is stalking her, hence the visit. Turns out she's right as techno-organic creatures calling themselves the Phalanx battle it out with the trio. Eventually, they're destroyed. Shortly afterward, Emma Frost wakes up . . . in Iceman's body. Turns out that the energy surge kicked her out of the coma and tossed her into his body. She then runs off, trying to figure out just what happened to her Hellions, as well as using Bobby's powers in ways he had never thought possible. The X-Men reveal the truth to her and restore both and she and Bobby proper.
Then, after hearing a story about Gambit and Sabretooth, Rogue and Gambit's relationship is shaken quite heavily. She finds she can't trust Remy. However, Beast gets some information from Sabretooth regarding the location of Mr. Sinister. Gambit, Beast, Rogue, and Psylocke (the remains of the Blue Team) head off to Scott's old and abandoned orphanage to retrieve information regarding the Legacy Virus. It's there they encounter Threnody again and after finding some shit-ass clones, Threnody sets the self-destruction sequence, and continues to help the X-Men from inside of Sinister's operation.
Meanwhile, some kind of Doug Ramsey/Warlock/Phalanx being calling itself Douglock breaks free from the Phalanx and meets up Stryfe's old right-hand robot, Zero. Zero, as it turns out, has information regarding the Legacy Virus, but is being hunted by Stryfe's robots as per an order to eliminate all of evidence of himself if killed. Zero, with a budding personality, heads off with Douglock, Excalibur and some cheese-whiz family as they search for what Legacy Virus info Zero has. This pretty much goes nowhere fast and Zero downloads any info he can into Douglock before 'spolding.
Back up in Avalon, the Acolyte known as Neophite is put on trail for helping the X-Men back a few issues. Colossus serves as his defense and some loud philosphying about Magneto and Xavier follows. In the end, none of the Acolytes trust Colossus anymore and Neophite is sent back to Earth in exile.
Then, Cable and Domino go on date and encounter the Morlock, Thornn. They then learn that there is the possibility that Mikhail didn't kill all of the Morlocks and had actually sent some of them into another dimension - including one named Sarah.
Overall, an interesting time for the X-Men. We're moving back into a crossover, with all sorts of subplots heading into one unified direction - with the Phalanx in the lead. In some ways, it's very Claremontian. Setting up sub-plots early on, developing just here and there, then having them manifest further down the line. However, Lobdell and Nicieza aren't as good with this as Claremont was. I don't think it's plum necessary to have so many subplots going on at the same time and in many ways, the fault lies on lack of coordination between the two.
Moving on, the art is great. Andy Kubert and Joe Mad take the cake as far as great and dynamic scenes go. Both are able to maintain both energy and intimacy in their artwork. Kubert has grown quite a bit from when he first started.
We get some nice moments with the X-Men, too. Betsy and Warren growing closer. Emma's complete distress. Jubilee bumming around, still dealing with Wolverine's running off. Bishop's angst. Storm's friendship with Yukio. Even Moira gets a shining, if not tragic moment, as it's revealed that she has the Legacy Virus.
Far from the best, far from the worst - it's definetly a middle of the road kind of time for the X-Men.
~W~
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 58: "The Wedding Saga"
Cable # 6-8, Uncanny X-Men # 308-310, X-Men # 30, Excalibur # 75, The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix # 1-4, and X-Men # 35
Let's break it down.
Cable # 6-8 answers all the questions left over from the X-Cutioner's Song. As it turns out, Tyler sought to punish the two men who caused him pain in his own era. His adopted father, Cable; and the man that tormented and brainwashed him, Stryfe. It seems to get this revenge, he placed Stryfe's pysche into Cable's brain. Stryfe takes over, wrecks a little havoc, and then goes off and confronts Tyler. Meanwhile, a second Askani unit is sent back to prevent Tyler from doing this. She gets in touch with Scott and Jean and they - with Zero and Professor X - head off to get this all resolved. It is then finally revealed that when Nathan Christopher was sent forward in time, he was cloned by the leader of the Askani, Mother Askani. Stryfe grew up to be the clone under the careful gaze of Apocalypse. Nathan ended gaining the upper hand over the Techno-Organic Virus and grew up to become Cable. Stryfe then dies, as does the Askani unit. Tyler vanishes.
Uncanny X-Men # 308-310 and X-Men # 30 takes us with Scott and Jean's wedding. During a pre-Thanksgiving walk around the estate, Scott and Jean recall old times and we begin to understand their relationship. They've moved forward, putting everything else behind. Then, finally, Jean tells Scott she's ready to be married.
However, Professor X is uncertain. Scott and Jean's happiness causes him to come to term with a failed relationship from his own past. Shortly after the use of his legs and before the formation of the X-Men, Xavier falls in love with a fellow Mutant by the name of Amelia Vought. It falls apart, though, in the face of his dream for Mutants.
Then, on the night of Bachelor Party, Scott and Cable figure things out and take out the Executioner. Fences are mended and Scott arrives at his Bachelor Party a little late.
Finally, the big day comes. Scott and Jean get married. A ton of X-People guest star, including Rachel Summers, who (after a heart-to-heart with Jean), gets her future confirmed as pretty possible.
In Excalibur # 75, however, Rachel is dealt a blow when she learns that the only way to save the time-lost Captain Britain is to switch places with him. With herself pretty much in the cards for the future, Rachel vanishes into the timestream, restoring Captain Britain . . . pretty much.
Good for Rachel, though, she arrives in the far future (and in Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix). For a century, Rachel fights against Apocalypse and forms the Askani Clan, becoming the Mother Askani. She then sends for Nathan Christopher, who is dying the past from the Techno-Organic Virus. Yep. It all comes together when she brings into the present and clones him, creating Stryfe.
Except . . . her plans go hay-wire when Apocalypse attacks, steals Stryfe, and wipes out most of the Askani. Rachel summons her parents from the past (our present - during their honeymoon) and puts them into genetically engineered bodies. Here, they spend the next decade (!) raising Nathan Christopher as their so-called adopted son. It all concludes with a final battle with Apocalypse, in which the three of them are able to wipe out the big guy during a failed attempt to take control of Stryfe's body.
Immediately afterwards, Rachel "dies" and asks Jean to take the name "Phoenix" once more. Jean and Scott then return to the present - being X-Men # 35 (I know I skipped 31-34, but don't worry. I'll get to those next entry). They encounter a powful Mutant female after their return and allow him to know peace.
Let's give it up to Lobdell and Nicieza. Only these two have been able to take the entire Summers and Grey mythos - from early love to the Dark Phoenix to clones to the X-Cutioner's Song - and bring it all together in a neat little package that actually works. The thing that gets me about all of it, though, it that they are both able to take in a very massive, very complicated, and very messy past . . . and made it accessible and interesting.
Despite there being many more key moments for this family ("The Twelve," for example), this storyline is perhaps the best manifestation of the Summers/Grey clan. It feels very much like the emotional culmination of everything that's come before. The first hook-up, the Dark Phoenix Saga, From the Ashes, Nathan's birth, Rachel's arrival, Inferno, Days of Future Present, the X-Cutioner's Song - everything has been building up to this.
And there's more to it than just this. While in the future, we learn more about the time period after the X-Men. Apparently, after the Sentinels are overthrown, a century of peace prevails, lead by the XSE (Bishop's old pals) until Apocalypse returns 100 years after his greatest defeat and takes over. All of this, Cable was sent back to prevent.
In addition, we also get some insight into Xavier's past, which is always a treat. His relationship with Amelia is a trainwreck, but a good trainwreck. And having Magneto be the one in his dream bringing the flashbacks to life is a great choice.
There are tons of character moments in these issues that I could go on and on about. A good look at Scott and Jean's relationship. Great scenes with them and Xavier, with Rachel, and with Nathan that really make them jump off the page.
The story really spans X-Men history. From it's earliest incarnation through flashbacks provided by Jean and Xavier; to more recent history, with a look at the Dark Phoenix, Rachel, and Nathan Christopher; to the far future with the Askani stories -- all of this serves as a broad look at the X-Men from Day Zero all the way to Perhaps Day 5 Ka-Zillion.
Now, it's not all good. I, for one, would have rather seen the Cable/Stryfe/Askani revelation come out during the X-Cutioner's Song. It would have made so much more sense to do so and really would have made the crossover more complete. Instead, you practically have to read these three issues of Cable to know the hows and whys of that crossover.
Furthermore, I was disappointed with the wedding itself. The issue was told completely from Xavier's POV, which hurt the book. Not that it doesn't offer some nice insight, but I would have rather heard it from the prespective of the bride and groom.
But, the art is mostly on par. John Romita Jr.'s work is a mixed bag, but Gene Ha and Andy Kubert do a fine job with their issues, as does Dwayne Turner and Laim Sharpe.
Overall, perhaps one of my favorites stories throughout all the X-History.
(Granted, considering just how many stories I've been reading since I started this insanity and just how many more I have to go, that's may not be saying much)
~W~
Let's break it down.
Cable # 6-8 answers all the questions left over from the X-Cutioner's Song. As it turns out, Tyler sought to punish the two men who caused him pain in his own era. His adopted father, Cable; and the man that tormented and brainwashed him, Stryfe. It seems to get this revenge, he placed Stryfe's pysche into Cable's brain. Stryfe takes over, wrecks a little havoc, and then goes off and confronts Tyler. Meanwhile, a second Askani unit is sent back to prevent Tyler from doing this. She gets in touch with Scott and Jean and they - with Zero and Professor X - head off to get this all resolved. It is then finally revealed that when Nathan Christopher was sent forward in time, he was cloned by the leader of the Askani, Mother Askani. Stryfe grew up to be the clone under the careful gaze of Apocalypse. Nathan ended gaining the upper hand over the Techno-Organic Virus and grew up to become Cable. Stryfe then dies, as does the Askani unit. Tyler vanishes.
Uncanny X-Men # 308-310 and X-Men # 30 takes us with Scott and Jean's wedding. During a pre-Thanksgiving walk around the estate, Scott and Jean recall old times and we begin to understand their relationship. They've moved forward, putting everything else behind. Then, finally, Jean tells Scott she's ready to be married.
However, Professor X is uncertain. Scott and Jean's happiness causes him to come to term with a failed relationship from his own past. Shortly after the use of his legs and before the formation of the X-Men, Xavier falls in love with a fellow Mutant by the name of Amelia Vought. It falls apart, though, in the face of his dream for Mutants.
Then, on the night of Bachelor Party, Scott and Cable figure things out and take out the Executioner. Fences are mended and Scott arrives at his Bachelor Party a little late.
Finally, the big day comes. Scott and Jean get married. A ton of X-People guest star, including Rachel Summers, who (after a heart-to-heart with Jean), gets her future confirmed as pretty possible.
In Excalibur # 75, however, Rachel is dealt a blow when she learns that the only way to save the time-lost Captain Britain is to switch places with him. With herself pretty much in the cards for the future, Rachel vanishes into the timestream, restoring Captain Britain . . . pretty much.
Good for Rachel, though, she arrives in the far future (and in Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix). For a century, Rachel fights against Apocalypse and forms the Askani Clan, becoming the Mother Askani. She then sends for Nathan Christopher, who is dying the past from the Techno-Organic Virus. Yep. It all comes together when she brings into the present and clones him, creating Stryfe.
Except . . . her plans go hay-wire when Apocalypse attacks, steals Stryfe, and wipes out most of the Askani. Rachel summons her parents from the past (our present - during their honeymoon) and puts them into genetically engineered bodies. Here, they spend the next decade (!) raising Nathan Christopher as their so-called adopted son. It all concludes with a final battle with Apocalypse, in which the three of them are able to wipe out the big guy during a failed attempt to take control of Stryfe's body.
Immediately afterwards, Rachel "dies" and asks Jean to take the name "Phoenix" once more. Jean and Scott then return to the present - being X-Men # 35 (I know I skipped 31-34, but don't worry. I'll get to those next entry). They encounter a powful Mutant female after their return and allow him to know peace.
Let's give it up to Lobdell and Nicieza. Only these two have been able to take the entire Summers and Grey mythos - from early love to the Dark Phoenix to clones to the X-Cutioner's Song - and bring it all together in a neat little package that actually works. The thing that gets me about all of it, though, it that they are both able to take in a very massive, very complicated, and very messy past . . . and made it accessible and interesting.
Despite there being many more key moments for this family ("The Twelve," for example), this storyline is perhaps the best manifestation of the Summers/Grey clan. It feels very much like the emotional culmination of everything that's come before. The first hook-up, the Dark Phoenix Saga, From the Ashes, Nathan's birth, Rachel's arrival, Inferno, Days of Future Present, the X-Cutioner's Song - everything has been building up to this.
And there's more to it than just this. While in the future, we learn more about the time period after the X-Men. Apparently, after the Sentinels are overthrown, a century of peace prevails, lead by the XSE (Bishop's old pals) until Apocalypse returns 100 years after his greatest defeat and takes over. All of this, Cable was sent back to prevent.
In addition, we also get some insight into Xavier's past, which is always a treat. His relationship with Amelia is a trainwreck, but a good trainwreck. And having Magneto be the one in his dream bringing the flashbacks to life is a great choice.
There are tons of character moments in these issues that I could go on and on about. A good look at Scott and Jean's relationship. Great scenes with them and Xavier, with Rachel, and with Nathan that really make them jump off the page.
The story really spans X-Men history. From it's earliest incarnation through flashbacks provided by Jean and Xavier; to more recent history, with a look at the Dark Phoenix, Rachel, and Nathan Christopher; to the far future with the Askani stories -- all of this serves as a broad look at the X-Men from Day Zero all the way to Perhaps Day 5 Ka-Zillion.
Now, it's not all good. I, for one, would have rather seen the Cable/Stryfe/Askani revelation come out during the X-Cutioner's Song. It would have made so much more sense to do so and really would have made the crossover more complete. Instead, you practically have to read these three issues of Cable to know the hows and whys of that crossover.
Furthermore, I was disappointed with the wedding itself. The issue was told completely from Xavier's POV, which hurt the book. Not that it doesn't offer some nice insight, but I would have rather heard it from the prespective of the bride and groom.
But, the art is mostly on par. John Romita Jr.'s work is a mixed bag, but Gene Ha and Andy Kubert do a fine job with their issues, as does Dwayne Turner and Laim Sharpe.
Overall, perhaps one of my favorites stories throughout all the X-History.
(Granted, considering just how many stories I've been reading since I started this insanity and just how many more I have to go, that's may not be saying much)
~W~
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 57: "Guests"
X-Force # 29-30, X-Men # 27, X-Men Annual # 2, X-Men Unlimited # 3, X-Men # 28, X-Men Unlimited # 4, X-Men # 29, X-Force # 32, New Warriors # 45, X-Force # 33, and New Warriors # 46
Let's run through it . . .
X-Force # 29-30 has Shatterstar captured by Arcade and he faces the mysterious Adam-X, the X-Treme. They then team up and fight their way out of Murderworld. You know, other than his name, I always kinda liked Adam-X. I thought he was a fairly interesting character with a lot of potential.
X-Men Annual # 2 and X-Men # 27 both continue to deal with the Legacy Virus. Apparently, an island has been established by a Mutant named Empyrean to serve as a sort of Leaper Colony for Mutants dying from the disease. Apparently, Empyrean gets off on this or somethin'. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Anywhoo, it's revealed that Revanche is dying of the Legacy Virus as well. So . . . there's some development for her after all this time. The X-Men then find out that Mr. Sinister is searching for a cure to the Legacy Virus and he has recruited a woman named Threondy (whose power is to feel the pain and death of others) into helping him.
X-Men Unlimited # 3 and X-Men # 28 feature the best out of the bunch when the X-Men hunt down Sabretooth. There's all this silliness regarding Clan Yoshinda and whatnot, but eventually Xavier decides to help Creed deal with his problems rather than just beat him up. This means taking him into the mansion. Not all of the X-Men are happy with this decision, but they roll with it.
X-Men Unlimited # 4 reveals that Mystique is Nightcrawler's mother.
X-Men # 29, X-Force # 32, New Warriors # 45, X-Force # 33, and New Warriors # 46 finally take down the Upstarts. Gamemaster challenges all of them (including wannabes like Fernis) to hunt down the former members of the New Mutants and the old Hellions. Since there are characters spreading across both X-Force and the New Warriors, both teams are joined together and face off against the Upstarts. In the end, the game is called off and the Upstarts kinda scatter.
My response to most of these books: "meh."
And I blame Fabian Nicieza, who wrote all of these books. The stories are overly complicated, leading to a mostly boring read. When we do get in touch with the characters, they come off as cliches. There are exceptions to this rule, but we'll get to that in a moment. I'll credit him for using old characters like Arcade and bringing them up to snuff, but Arcade is still as crappy a character as he was when Claremont was writing him.
However, amongst the complicated storylines and the less than stellar super-villians, there are some diamonds in the rough. Despite my loathing of the whole Psylocke/Revanche subplot, I find that suddenly having Revanche contract the Legacy Virus a bold move and one that I was not expecting them to take. It also has put a spin on the relationship between the two. I'll also give kudos to Nicieza for making what could have been a ridiculas character in Adam-X and make him interesting.
I'll also credit him for shaking things up within the team by bringing Sabretooth on board. I know how it gets resolved, but it's cool to see Xavier attempt to almost seek redemption for what he has done with Magneto and his failure with Logan. Archangel's time in the spotlight is very much due. There's also a great scene with some of the X-Men when they go to Harry's Hideaway are 2:00 AM to discuss Sabretooth's incarceration at the mansion.
Where's Storm, by the way? She was Claremont's pride and joy, and despite not being among my favorite characters, I don't think she's had barely any development since pre-Fatal Attractions.
Despite the shining points, the stories fail to excite and interesting, leaving me feel bored and disappointed.
~W~
Let's run through it . . .
X-Force # 29-30 has Shatterstar captured by Arcade and he faces the mysterious Adam-X, the X-Treme. They then team up and fight their way out of Murderworld. You know, other than his name, I always kinda liked Adam-X. I thought he was a fairly interesting character with a lot of potential.
X-Men Annual # 2 and X-Men # 27 both continue to deal with the Legacy Virus. Apparently, an island has been established by a Mutant named Empyrean to serve as a sort of Leaper Colony for Mutants dying from the disease. Apparently, Empyrean gets off on this or somethin'. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Anywhoo, it's revealed that Revanche is dying of the Legacy Virus as well. So . . . there's some development for her after all this time. The X-Men then find out that Mr. Sinister is searching for a cure to the Legacy Virus and he has recruited a woman named Threondy (whose power is to feel the pain and death of others) into helping him.
X-Men Unlimited # 3 and X-Men # 28 feature the best out of the bunch when the X-Men hunt down Sabretooth. There's all this silliness regarding Clan Yoshinda and whatnot, but eventually Xavier decides to help Creed deal with his problems rather than just beat him up. This means taking him into the mansion. Not all of the X-Men are happy with this decision, but they roll with it.
X-Men Unlimited # 4 reveals that Mystique is Nightcrawler's mother.
X-Men # 29, X-Force # 32, New Warriors # 45, X-Force # 33, and New Warriors # 46 finally take down the Upstarts. Gamemaster challenges all of them (including wannabes like Fernis) to hunt down the former members of the New Mutants and the old Hellions. Since there are characters spreading across both X-Force and the New Warriors, both teams are joined together and face off against the Upstarts. In the end, the game is called off and the Upstarts kinda scatter.
My response to most of these books: "meh."
And I blame Fabian Nicieza, who wrote all of these books. The stories are overly complicated, leading to a mostly boring read. When we do get in touch with the characters, they come off as cliches. There are exceptions to this rule, but we'll get to that in a moment. I'll credit him for using old characters like Arcade and bringing them up to snuff, but Arcade is still as crappy a character as he was when Claremont was writing him.
However, amongst the complicated storylines and the less than stellar super-villians, there are some diamonds in the rough. Despite my loathing of the whole Psylocke/Revanche subplot, I find that suddenly having Revanche contract the Legacy Virus a bold move and one that I was not expecting them to take. It also has put a spin on the relationship between the two. I'll also give kudos to Nicieza for making what could have been a ridiculas character in Adam-X and make him interesting.
I'll also credit him for shaking things up within the team by bringing Sabretooth on board. I know how it gets resolved, but it's cool to see Xavier attempt to almost seek redemption for what he has done with Magneto and his failure with Logan. Archangel's time in the spotlight is very much due. There's also a great scene with some of the X-Men when they go to Harry's Hideaway are 2:00 AM to discuss Sabretooth's incarceration at the mansion.
Where's Storm, by the way? She was Claremont's pride and joy, and despite not being among my favorite characters, I don't think she's had barely any development since pre-Fatal Attractions.
Despite the shining points, the stories fail to excite and interesting, leaving me feel bored and disappointed.
~W~
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 56: "Bloodties"
Avengers # 368, X-Men # 26, Avengers West Coast # 101, Uncanny X-Men # 307, Avengers # 369
As many of you are aware, Magneto has a legacy that spans both the Avengers and X-Men's worlds. When civil war breaks out in Genosha as a result of Magneto's EMP and the Legacy Virus, the UN sends in Charles Xavier, Beast, Henry Gyrich, USAgent, Philip Moreau, and Jenny Ransome. Once on Genosha, Xavier breaks off from this group, though somehow (via a continunity mistake) they end meeting up with them again.
Meanwhile, Xavier has called in the X-Men to handle the Genoshan situation. On their way, the X-Men find out that Fabian Cortez has captured Luna and hopes to use her as a human shield to protect himself from Magneto (who Cortez doesn't realize is comatose). Seems Cortez is a mighty bit pissed at Mags for making him loose control of the Upstarts and the Acolytes.
When the Avengers find out that Luna has been captured, they look to hop-to. But no can do. Fury, SHIELD, and the UN are concerned that the Avengers will make the situation worse. After a quick battle with SHIELD, Captain America, Crystal, Scarlet Witch, War Machine, Sersi, and Black Knight end up in Genosha. There, they fight Exodus, who is seeking out Cortez and help with the X-Men in trying to cease the civil war.
Jean, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver finally meet up with Cortez and make a bid to take back Luna when Exodus shows up and a fight ensues there. The X-Men, the Avengers, and Xavier's entourage then free some captured, dying Mutates. Everything comes together as Exodus tries to destroy Genosha once and for all . . . but fails because, well, heck he's fighting both the X-Men and the Avengers. Who is going to win against that?
All in all, this summary is sub-par compared to the quality of the story. While, yes, it does stretch its credibility at times, "Bloodties" serves as a fine chapter in the overall Magneto story. More than that, really. It successfully joins together the X-Men and the Avengers, compouding their own subplot. Most of the X-Men/Avengers crossovers have to do with Magneto and his legacy. Remember the origial X-Men/Avengers crossover masterfully created by Roy Thomas? Or how about Magneto seeking out Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch to tell them he's their father? Or how about X-Men vs. Avengers (yeeeeaaah, I don't have that)? Anyways, it does a great job of bringing together these two teams and dealing with the ever-developing legacy of Magneto.
The stories are good, despite the annoying continunity problems regarding Jenny, Gyrich, and Philip (I'm so sick of Jenny and Philip). The art is fair, though Steve Epting and John Romita Jr. both seem like they're phoning it in.
~W~
As many of you are aware, Magneto has a legacy that spans both the Avengers and X-Men's worlds. When civil war breaks out in Genosha as a result of Magneto's EMP and the Legacy Virus, the UN sends in Charles Xavier, Beast, Henry Gyrich, USAgent, Philip Moreau, and Jenny Ransome. Once on Genosha, Xavier breaks off from this group, though somehow (via a continunity mistake) they end meeting up with them again.
Meanwhile, Xavier has called in the X-Men to handle the Genoshan situation. On their way, the X-Men find out that Fabian Cortez has captured Luna and hopes to use her as a human shield to protect himself from Magneto (who Cortez doesn't realize is comatose). Seems Cortez is a mighty bit pissed at Mags for making him loose control of the Upstarts and the Acolytes.
When the Avengers find out that Luna has been captured, they look to hop-to. But no can do. Fury, SHIELD, and the UN are concerned that the Avengers will make the situation worse. After a quick battle with SHIELD, Captain America, Crystal, Scarlet Witch, War Machine, Sersi, and Black Knight end up in Genosha. There, they fight Exodus, who is seeking out Cortez and help with the X-Men in trying to cease the civil war.
Jean, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver finally meet up with Cortez and make a bid to take back Luna when Exodus shows up and a fight ensues there. The X-Men, the Avengers, and Xavier's entourage then free some captured, dying Mutates. Everything comes together as Exodus tries to destroy Genosha once and for all . . . but fails because, well, heck he's fighting both the X-Men and the Avengers. Who is going to win against that?
All in all, this summary is sub-par compared to the quality of the story. While, yes, it does stretch its credibility at times, "Bloodties" serves as a fine chapter in the overall Magneto story. More than that, really. It successfully joins together the X-Men and the Avengers, compouding their own subplot. Most of the X-Men/Avengers crossovers have to do with Magneto and his legacy. Remember the origial X-Men/Avengers crossover masterfully created by Roy Thomas? Or how about Magneto seeking out Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch to tell them he's their father? Or how about X-Men vs. Avengers (yeeeeaaah, I don't have that)? Anyways, it does a great job of bringing together these two teams and dealing with the ever-developing legacy of Magneto.
The stories are good, despite the annoying continunity problems regarding Jenny, Gyrich, and Philip (I'm so sick of Jenny and Philip). The art is fair, though Steve Epting and John Romita Jr. both seem like they're phoning it in.
~W~
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 55: "Fatal Attractions"
X-Factor # 92. X-Force # 25, Uncanny X-Men # 303, X-Men # 24, Uncanny X-Men # 304, X-Men Unlimited # 2, X-Force # 26, Uncanny X-Men # 305-306, X-Men # 25, Wolverine # 75, Excalibur # 71, X-Men # -1
Just a quick note: I tossed in these extras issues to give the overall story a little emotion and energy. You'll see what I mean when I start writting about it.
For years, "Fatal Attractions" has been among my favorite X-Men stories. This reading has only made me appreciate it more. It's not your traditional storyline, as the actual titles that are involved don't all link up until Uncanny X-Men # 304.
The story kicks off with the Acolytes attacking a hospital at Cortez's command. When one of the Acolytes are captured, X-Factor finds out their next target: the military base of Camp Hayden. When we find that Senator Kelly and a new breed of Sentinals are there, it turns out that Camp Hayden is the home of an government operation called Project: Wideawake. This is revealed to X-Factor just before the Acolytes show up, but the bulk of the conflict is focused on Cortez and Quicksilver, as Cortez seeks to bring the son of Magneto over to his side, therefore solidifying his control of the Acolytes. He fails, of course, and the Acolytes take off.
On their way to Camp Hayden, X-Factor basically "bumped into" a character by the name of Exodus. Exodus appears then in X-Force, the team having just been reunited with Cable. Exodus takes the New Mutants of the team up to an orbital space station called Avalon - being comprised of parts of Cable's old Graymalkin station and Shi'ar technology. Aboard Avalon, the gang comes face to face with Magneto, who offers them haven from the trouble down on Earth. They reject the offer and Cable and the rest show up, rescuing them. Cable then goes after his little computer buddy, the Professor. He retrieves his files, but is attacked by Magneto, barely leaving Avalon with his life.
Back at the mansion, Illyana passes away. This sends ripples through the X-Men and their various related teams. It's at her funeral that Magneto shows up and gives the X-Men the same offer he gave X-Force - haven. Colossus, disillusioned with Xavier's dream, heads off with Magneto. Professor X and Magneto have a huge battle, then and Xavier forces Magneto to drag Avalon away from the planet (not too far, but it was sitting right above Westchester).
As the international community reacts to Magneto's return, the X-Men prepare themselves for another confrontation. Also, Cable recovers from his battle with Magneto.
Professor X, Quicksilver, and a small team of X-Men head up to Avalon. This is after Magneto unleashes a world-wide Electro-Magnetic Pulse in response to magnetic grid set up to keep him off Earth. The battle with Magneto is high-octane and emotional, with Xavier and Jean using Magneto's darkest memories against him in concert with attacks by various X-Men. This climaxes with Wolverine going against Magneto mono-e-mono. Magneto, fed up with Wolverine, tears the Adamantium off his bones. Xavier then, attacks Magneto unlike any other before - by going into his mind and shutting it down. Not killing him, but leaving him in a vegetative state. Colossus again remains by Magneto's side.
Trouble with the Blackbird occurs on the way, but the X-Men pull through. Wolverine barely does, his healing factor all screwed up and his Adamantium gone. After some time back on Earth, Wolverine starts to recover and we find out that he has had bone claws the whole time.
Professor X, Jean Grey, and Cyclops then head over to Muir Island. Excalibur, at this point, has been reduced to Nightcrawler, Phoenix, and Shadowcat. With Kitty's help, they get Colossus to Muir Island in the hopes of healing his head wound which has kept him in metal form. As they do so, Rachel fights Cable, who has come to settle some scores with the Acolytes. She stops him, then the team goes against some in-coming Acolytes. In the end, Colossus has still decided to follow Magneto, as he believes that he has the best intentions for Mutantkind.
We then take a look back at a meeting Xavier and Amelia Vought have with Magneto, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch a little while before Camp Citadel. It's at this meeting, they both offer the other one more chance at walking their own "right path" and of course, they both reject it, setting their courses into their futures . . .
At the heart of the story, we have a character study of both Professor X and Magneto. At many, many times, it's claimed that Magneto and Professor X have the same goals, just different dreams. It's clear that this is so, and the two actually begin to mirror each other, with Xavier walking (er, metaphorically speaking) a darker path. Magneto threatens the world at a funeral. Xavier comandeers his powers. Magneto issues a EMP against the world. Xavier uses his own memories against him. Magneto rips out Wolverine's Adamantium. Xavier wipes out Mangeto's mind. The two become twisted mirrors of each other. It's only through trying to save Wolverine and Colossus that Xavier tries to seek redemption for all this.
But where the Xavier and Magneto start to look like the other, the Acolytes and the X-Men take a firm stand opposed to each other. There's an interesting parallel to be drawn here. This all starts off with the Acolytes attacking a hospital and wiping out the sick and dying. It all ends with the X-Men and Excalibur helping the wounded Colossus.
Despite being mainly concentrated on Xavier and Magneto, various other characters get some great moments. Quicksilver, Cable, Cannonball, Jubilee, Shadowcat, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Wolverine, and (of course) Colossus all shine brillantly above all the others. Each one gives the conflict at hand a different and unique voice, and brings to the story their own flavor.
The writing is top-notch, as Lobdell, Nicieza, and Larry Hama craft a remarkable story here. It's character driven, taking the time to get into characters head with an appreciation of detail and history. The art is good too, though shaky in some points. John Romita Jr.'s work comes off pretty bad here, as does Ken Lashley - both artists who I know are better than they appear in this story. Joe Quesada, Greg Capullo, Joe Bennet, the Kubert bros, and Carlos Pacheco all deliever. Andy Kubert is actually the best of the bunch, which is a bit of surprise for me because I'm not his biggest fan. But between the sketchy feel of the tension-building X-Men # 24 and the dynamic action and character-driven X-Men # 25, he really rises up to the occassion.
The Professor X/Magneto conflict has been around since the very beginning, from the clash of their ideals to the frayed friendship. This is perhaps the best example of their conflict.
~W~
Just a quick note: I tossed in these extras issues to give the overall story a little emotion and energy. You'll see what I mean when I start writting about it.
For years, "Fatal Attractions" has been among my favorite X-Men stories. This reading has only made me appreciate it more. It's not your traditional storyline, as the actual titles that are involved don't all link up until Uncanny X-Men # 304.
The story kicks off with the Acolytes attacking a hospital at Cortez's command. When one of the Acolytes are captured, X-Factor finds out their next target: the military base of Camp Hayden. When we find that Senator Kelly and a new breed of Sentinals are there, it turns out that Camp Hayden is the home of an government operation called Project: Wideawake. This is revealed to X-Factor just before the Acolytes show up, but the bulk of the conflict is focused on Cortez and Quicksilver, as Cortez seeks to bring the son of Magneto over to his side, therefore solidifying his control of the Acolytes. He fails, of course, and the Acolytes take off.
On their way to Camp Hayden, X-Factor basically "bumped into" a character by the name of Exodus. Exodus appears then in X-Force, the team having just been reunited with Cable. Exodus takes the New Mutants of the team up to an orbital space station called Avalon - being comprised of parts of Cable's old Graymalkin station and Shi'ar technology. Aboard Avalon, the gang comes face to face with Magneto, who offers them haven from the trouble down on Earth. They reject the offer and Cable and the rest show up, rescuing them. Cable then goes after his little computer buddy, the Professor. He retrieves his files, but is attacked by Magneto, barely leaving Avalon with his life.
Back at the mansion, Illyana passes away. This sends ripples through the X-Men and their various related teams. It's at her funeral that Magneto shows up and gives the X-Men the same offer he gave X-Force - haven. Colossus, disillusioned with Xavier's dream, heads off with Magneto. Professor X and Magneto have a huge battle, then and Xavier forces Magneto to drag Avalon away from the planet (not too far, but it was sitting right above Westchester).
As the international community reacts to Magneto's return, the X-Men prepare themselves for another confrontation. Also, Cable recovers from his battle with Magneto.
Professor X, Quicksilver, and a small team of X-Men head up to Avalon. This is after Magneto unleashes a world-wide Electro-Magnetic Pulse in response to magnetic grid set up to keep him off Earth. The battle with Magneto is high-octane and emotional, with Xavier and Jean using Magneto's darkest memories against him in concert with attacks by various X-Men. This climaxes with Wolverine going against Magneto mono-e-mono. Magneto, fed up with Wolverine, tears the Adamantium off his bones. Xavier then, attacks Magneto unlike any other before - by going into his mind and shutting it down. Not killing him, but leaving him in a vegetative state. Colossus again remains by Magneto's side.
Trouble with the Blackbird occurs on the way, but the X-Men pull through. Wolverine barely does, his healing factor all screwed up and his Adamantium gone. After some time back on Earth, Wolverine starts to recover and we find out that he has had bone claws the whole time.
Professor X, Jean Grey, and Cyclops then head over to Muir Island. Excalibur, at this point, has been reduced to Nightcrawler, Phoenix, and Shadowcat. With Kitty's help, they get Colossus to Muir Island in the hopes of healing his head wound which has kept him in metal form. As they do so, Rachel fights Cable, who has come to settle some scores with the Acolytes. She stops him, then the team goes against some in-coming Acolytes. In the end, Colossus has still decided to follow Magneto, as he believes that he has the best intentions for Mutantkind.
We then take a look back at a meeting Xavier and Amelia Vought have with Magneto, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch a little while before Camp Citadel. It's at this meeting, they both offer the other one more chance at walking their own "right path" and of course, they both reject it, setting their courses into their futures . . .
At the heart of the story, we have a character study of both Professor X and Magneto. At many, many times, it's claimed that Magneto and Professor X have the same goals, just different dreams. It's clear that this is so, and the two actually begin to mirror each other, with Xavier walking (er, metaphorically speaking) a darker path. Magneto threatens the world at a funeral. Xavier comandeers his powers. Magneto issues a EMP against the world. Xavier uses his own memories against him. Magneto rips out Wolverine's Adamantium. Xavier wipes out Mangeto's mind. The two become twisted mirrors of each other. It's only through trying to save Wolverine and Colossus that Xavier tries to seek redemption for all this.
But where the Xavier and Magneto start to look like the other, the Acolytes and the X-Men take a firm stand opposed to each other. There's an interesting parallel to be drawn here. This all starts off with the Acolytes attacking a hospital and wiping out the sick and dying. It all ends with the X-Men and Excalibur helping the wounded Colossus.
Despite being mainly concentrated on Xavier and Magneto, various other characters get some great moments. Quicksilver, Cable, Cannonball, Jubilee, Shadowcat, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Wolverine, and (of course) Colossus all shine brillantly above all the others. Each one gives the conflict at hand a different and unique voice, and brings to the story their own flavor.
The writing is top-notch, as Lobdell, Nicieza, and Larry Hama craft a remarkable story here. It's character driven, taking the time to get into characters head with an appreciation of detail and history. The art is good too, though shaky in some points. John Romita Jr.'s work comes off pretty bad here, as does Ken Lashley - both artists who I know are better than they appear in this story. Joe Quesada, Greg Capullo, Joe Bennet, the Kubert bros, and Carlos Pacheco all deliever. Andy Kubert is actually the best of the bunch, which is a bit of surprise for me because I'm not his biggest fan. But between the sketchy feel of the tension-building X-Men # 24 and the dynamic action and character-driven X-Men # 25, he really rises up to the occassion.
The Professor X/Magneto conflict has been around since the very beginning, from the clash of their ideals to the frayed friendship. This is perhaps the best example of their conflict.
~W~
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 54: "Legacies"
X-Men Unlimited # 1, X-Factor # 90-91, Uncanny X-Men # 298-300, X-Men # 20-23, Uncanny X-Men Annual # 8, Uncanny X-Men # 301-302
It's not a good time to be an X-Man. Targeted by the Upstarts and dealing with a new disease that is going after Mutants, the rumors of Magneto's return do not make matters any better. Let's break it down . . .
X-Men Unlimited # 1 deals with the newest addition to the Upstarts, a young woman named Siena Blaze. She has the power to, um, make things go "boom" and disrupt the electro-magnetic spectrum. She targets Xavier, Cyclops, and Storm as they head home from visiting Ka-Zar in the Savage Land. The three of them must then survive in the shattered hull of the Blackbird after being gunned down. It ain't easy, but it allows for some great character interaction. (I think Scott's struggle over saying "Charles" is kinda stupid though) We also get a nice mystery. Xavier, who spotted a structure as they crashed, heads out to find it. He's rescued, but by whom? Hmmm. A confrontation with Blaze follows, and the three X-Men are rescued by Bishop and Pyslocke.
Over on Genosha, X-Factor tracks down a Mutate with a very deadly disease. They succeed, but not without Multiple Man being exposed to it.
Uncanny X-Men # 298-300 has the X-Men facing off with the Acolytes. It turns out that Magneto's death has inspired a cult-like following with disenchanted Mutants. They first attack a school for handicapped children, believing that one of the kids is a Mutant. The X-Men intervine, but only after Sharon Frielander (from waaaay back) is killed.
Meanwhile, Forge and Gyrich find the remains of Asteroid M and Xavier goes on Nightline with Senator Kelly and Graydon Creed (leader of the group "Friends of Humanity"). As they debate Mutantkind's place with humanity, the Upstarts meet up and plan. It's revealed the Cortez is a member of the Upstarts, gaining a lot of points by killing Magneto.
After Nightline is over with, the X-Men Gold Team (plus Cyclops and Wolverine) head off to a French Castle to take the fight to the Acolytes. A typical battle follows, with Cortez being left gravely injured by Wolverine, then teleported away. When Cortez returns to the Acolytes (who retreated or something), it's revealed that there is evidence that his points don't matter because Magneto might be alive. Back at the mansion, Illyana is sick and getting worse. Xavier and Moria fear that it is same disease that infected the Mutates back on Genosha.
The Blue Team ain't fairing much better. The mounting flirtations between Pyslocke and Cyclops explodes when she kisses him. Scott flips out, goes upstairs, packs his bags and leaves. Storm tries to talk him out of it (considering all the drama she just went through with Forge), but he pushes her away. Jean goes to confront him, but he says nothing to her and leaves her in tears. He's getting good at that. Jean, pissed as hell, goes to Betsy to get some answers. More questions arise when ANOTHER Pyslocke appears, she in her old, European. An overly-compliacted story follows, but here's the gist: Pyslocke appeared on the docks in Japan after she went into the Siege Perilous. A Ninja Assassin named Kwannon found her, some crazy mind-meld followed, and both ended with scrambled minds. As the end of the day, Pyslocke is Psylocke and Revanche (European body) is Half-Psylocke and Half-Kwannon.
As all this unfolds, Cyclops is confronted by Mr. Sinister and learns about the Legacy Virus, which was released as the end of the X-Cutioner's Song. A vacation to Alaska never ends well for Scott.
Uncanny X-Men Annual # 8 features a human assassin named the Executioner going after Mastermind. The X-Men show up first and are pulled into Mastermind's mind. This allows for a unique look at all that has been happening lately through Jean's eyes. Mastermind, as it turns out, also has the Legacy Virus. Colossus suffers yet another blow - this one to the head, preventing him from returning to his human form.
Uncanny X-Men # 301-302 has a showdown with Fitzroy. Colossus, uber-pissed, let's loose on the guy. Plus, Illyana just keeps getting worse . . .
I have to credit the writer's here. A fine job is done in making the Legacy Virus into a real threat, one that is slowly cirlcing the X-Men, chipping away at them slowly. The Upstarts are the other show-stealers, coming off much better than they did the first time they appeared.
Lobdell is the winner above all though. As much as I love Nicieza, the whole Pyslocke story is too complicated and really, not necessary. The Cyclops story is good, but it's overshadowed by the insanity of the Pyslocke story.
Lobdell, however, brings in a more personal flair. We get into Jean's head, really taking in the insanity that has been her life. I'll admit that of all the characters we've seen post-Claremont, Jean has been the hardest one to relate to. But Lobdell (and Nicieza to an extent) nails it. He also brings in some good angst for Peter, who really has been stagnate since the 190s.
The art is fairly good, though I find Andy Kubert lacking at times.
~W~
It's not a good time to be an X-Man. Targeted by the Upstarts and dealing with a new disease that is going after Mutants, the rumors of Magneto's return do not make matters any better. Let's break it down . . .
X-Men Unlimited # 1 deals with the newest addition to the Upstarts, a young woman named Siena Blaze. She has the power to, um, make things go "boom" and disrupt the electro-magnetic spectrum. She targets Xavier, Cyclops, and Storm as they head home from visiting Ka-Zar in the Savage Land. The three of them must then survive in the shattered hull of the Blackbird after being gunned down. It ain't easy, but it allows for some great character interaction. (I think Scott's struggle over saying "Charles" is kinda stupid though) We also get a nice mystery. Xavier, who spotted a structure as they crashed, heads out to find it. He's rescued, but by whom? Hmmm. A confrontation with Blaze follows, and the three X-Men are rescued by Bishop and Pyslocke.
Over on Genosha, X-Factor tracks down a Mutate with a very deadly disease. They succeed, but not without Multiple Man being exposed to it.
Uncanny X-Men # 298-300 has the X-Men facing off with the Acolytes. It turns out that Magneto's death has inspired a cult-like following with disenchanted Mutants. They first attack a school for handicapped children, believing that one of the kids is a Mutant. The X-Men intervine, but only after Sharon Frielander (from waaaay back) is killed.
Meanwhile, Forge and Gyrich find the remains of Asteroid M and Xavier goes on Nightline with Senator Kelly and Graydon Creed (leader of the group "Friends of Humanity"). As they debate Mutantkind's place with humanity, the Upstarts meet up and plan. It's revealed the Cortez is a member of the Upstarts, gaining a lot of points by killing Magneto.
After Nightline is over with, the X-Men Gold Team (plus Cyclops and Wolverine) head off to a French Castle to take the fight to the Acolytes. A typical battle follows, with Cortez being left gravely injured by Wolverine, then teleported away. When Cortez returns to the Acolytes (who retreated or something), it's revealed that there is evidence that his points don't matter because Magneto might be alive. Back at the mansion, Illyana is sick and getting worse. Xavier and Moria fear that it is same disease that infected the Mutates back on Genosha.
The Blue Team ain't fairing much better. The mounting flirtations between Pyslocke and Cyclops explodes when she kisses him. Scott flips out, goes upstairs, packs his bags and leaves. Storm tries to talk him out of it (considering all the drama she just went through with Forge), but he pushes her away. Jean goes to confront him, but he says nothing to her and leaves her in tears. He's getting good at that. Jean, pissed as hell, goes to Betsy to get some answers. More questions arise when ANOTHER Pyslocke appears, she in her old, European. An overly-compliacted story follows, but here's the gist: Pyslocke appeared on the docks in Japan after she went into the Siege Perilous. A Ninja Assassin named Kwannon found her, some crazy mind-meld followed, and both ended with scrambled minds. As the end of the day, Pyslocke is Psylocke and Revanche (European body) is Half-Psylocke and Half-Kwannon.
As all this unfolds, Cyclops is confronted by Mr. Sinister and learns about the Legacy Virus, which was released as the end of the X-Cutioner's Song. A vacation to Alaska never ends well for Scott.
Uncanny X-Men Annual # 8 features a human assassin named the Executioner going after Mastermind. The X-Men show up first and are pulled into Mastermind's mind. This allows for a unique look at all that has been happening lately through Jean's eyes. Mastermind, as it turns out, also has the Legacy Virus. Colossus suffers yet another blow - this one to the head, preventing him from returning to his human form.
Uncanny X-Men # 301-302 has a showdown with Fitzroy. Colossus, uber-pissed, let's loose on the guy. Plus, Illyana just keeps getting worse . . .
I have to credit the writer's here. A fine job is done in making the Legacy Virus into a real threat, one that is slowly cirlcing the X-Men, chipping away at them slowly. The Upstarts are the other show-stealers, coming off much better than they did the first time they appeared.
Lobdell is the winner above all though. As much as I love Nicieza, the whole Pyslocke story is too complicated and really, not necessary. The Cyclops story is good, but it's overshadowed by the insanity of the Pyslocke story.
Lobdell, however, brings in a more personal flair. We get into Jean's head, really taking in the insanity that has been her life. I'll admit that of all the characters we've seen post-Claremont, Jean has been the hardest one to relate to. But Lobdell (and Nicieza to an extent) nails it. He also brings in some good angst for Peter, who really has been stagnate since the 190s.
The art is fairly good, though I find Andy Kubert lacking at times.
~W~
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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~
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~
Friday, August 11, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 52: "X-Cutioner's Song"
Cable # - 1, Cable: Blood and Metal # 1-2, X-Cutioner's Song trade, Uncanny X-Men # 297, X-Men: Stryfe Strike Files
This crossover event is the first since the end of the Claremont/Simonson era and is the benchmark for the Lobdell/David/Nicieza peroid. The creative teams have finally settled down, establishing their own voice for their respective series, and have locked in until the end of the tenure.
I decided, for good measure, that I'd toss in Cable # -1. I figure it'll add context to the story. I also added in the "Cable: Blood and Metal" limited since it ties in nicely, plus the Stryfe Strike Files one-shot and Uncanny # 297 for a proper epilogue.
Years ago, Cable arrived in our era near Muir Island. He used his powers recklessly to save himself from a lynch mob and met up with Moria MacTaggert. The two became quick friends. Cable, as it turns out, was on a mission from the future. His goal is simple - to prevent the rise of Apocalypse and to create a peaceful future.
Present day, Cable has broken off his ties with X-Force to hunt down Stryfe and the MLF. As it turns out, the MLF is after certain artifacts bearing the symbol of Apocalypse for reasons unknown. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that Cable learned that Stryfe came to this time peroid after him and has been planning on shaping his own future. Cable and his team at the time (Six Pack) were hunted down for years before Six Pack fell apart. Presently, Cable and his former ally/enemy Kane tracked down Stryfe, where Cable learned that underneath Stryfe's mask, he has Cable's face. Kane nearly dies helping Cable and Cable takes Kane back to the future with him to help him recover.
So, meanwhile, Professor X goes off to make a speech at a free World Unity concert in NYC. However, he is shot during his speech by a man looking just like Cable. The various X-Teams leap into action. At the same time, Cyclops and Jean are captured by Caliban and the Four Horsemen as the behest of who they think is Apocalypse, but is really Sinister. Sinister and Stryfe trades Scott and Jean for a canister with his the Summer genetic matrix within. Both are happy.
As Scott and Jean are treated like children by Stryfe, the X-Men and X-Factor hunt down X-Force for some answers. In short order, X-Force is captured and imprisoned in the Danger Room. At the same time, various X-Men go searching for Scott and Jean and eventually meet up with a barely alive Apocalypse (still recovering from the last battle). Both teams retreat and Sinister reveals to the X-Teams that it's Stryfe's who is behind the scenes, manipulating these events.
With Professor X dying the Techno-Organic Virus, Cable returns from the future and is confronted by Wolverine and Bishop. After a great battle, Cable convinces them to listen to him when he claims he didn't shoot Xavier. Wolverine believes him . . . for now. With these three trying to track down Stryfe, the X-Men, X-Factor, Cannonball, and Boom-Boom take down the MLF. As they do, Apocalypse and Stryfe battle it out, with Apocalypse heading the X-Mansion to offer his help. He cures Professor X.
Cyclops and Jean make their escape then and found themselves on the surface of the Moon. This shock causes Jean to unleash a psi-call for help, the call reaching Wolverine. A team consisting of the X-Men, X-Factor, Apocalypse, and Cannonball head to the Moon, confront the upserped Dark Riders, and it all comes to head. Stryfe, Cable, Havok, Cyclops, and Jean battle, trying to make sense of Stryfe once and for all. Cable eventually activates a self-destruct program and blows up while taking on Stryfe in a time vortex. They both vanish.
The X-Men return home. After spending an evening walking and rollerblading with Jubilee due to an after-effect of the T.O. virus, Professor X checks out a disc containing Stryfe's files. They hint that his legacy has been unleashed.
WHEW!
Okay, let's talk about this.
First of all, great story. Love the epic feel to it and I love the character arcs and the way that everyone moves across the chessboard. Apocalypse, Sinister, Stryfe, Cable, Wolverine, Bishop, Havok, Storm, Archangel, Cannonball, Polaris, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Professor X . . . all just basically steal their scenes. Great character moments. Havok and Storm taking command. Cannonball's struggle with the hostility between the X-Men, X-Factor and his own X-Force. Archangel's hatred for Apocalypse. The bad-assness (word?) of Bishop, Cable, and Wolverine. The tension between Cable and Cannonball. The hard struggle of Cyclops and Jean as they try to figure out what Stryfe's problem is.
And let's talk about Stryfe . . .
Stryfe, at his best, comes off as a character who is driven by very primal and dark scars. At his worst, he's a rabbling, loud-mouthed super-villian. The point the writers are trying to make but never come out and say is that Stryfe may be Nathan Christopher, who Scott gave away (about a year ago, Marvel Time). Branching off from that, that would make Cable a pale imitation, a half-man. Stryfe's whole point of this attack was wipe out all those that he thinks harmed and destroyed him: Professor X (for creating the dream); Cyclops and Jean, for giving him up; Apocalypse, for raising him wrong; and Mr. Sinister, for screwing him over in the first place.
Between a great, intricrite plot and great character archs, the story is fantastic. Well-coordinated; makes you think you're reading just one big comic with different artists. Very character-driven - never forgetting about the small characters.
The art is mostly good, with Greg Capullo and Andy Kubert being the best. Jae Lee does his work on X-Factor, but it doesn't mesh well with the rest of the artists. Brandon Petersen works on Uncanny and it's . . . okay.
A great story. One that felt long in coming. The creative teams have finally hit the ground running, now establishing themselves from Claremont.
However, as indicated, Stryfe's legacy isn't dead yet . . .
~W~
This crossover event is the first since the end of the Claremont/Simonson era and is the benchmark for the Lobdell/David/Nicieza peroid. The creative teams have finally settled down, establishing their own voice for their respective series, and have locked in until the end of the tenure.
I decided, for good measure, that I'd toss in Cable # -1. I figure it'll add context to the story. I also added in the "Cable: Blood and Metal" limited since it ties in nicely, plus the Stryfe Strike Files one-shot and Uncanny # 297 for a proper epilogue.
Years ago, Cable arrived in our era near Muir Island. He used his powers recklessly to save himself from a lynch mob and met up with Moria MacTaggert. The two became quick friends. Cable, as it turns out, was on a mission from the future. His goal is simple - to prevent the rise of Apocalypse and to create a peaceful future.
Present day, Cable has broken off his ties with X-Force to hunt down Stryfe and the MLF. As it turns out, the MLF is after certain artifacts bearing the symbol of Apocalypse for reasons unknown. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that Cable learned that Stryfe came to this time peroid after him and has been planning on shaping his own future. Cable and his team at the time (Six Pack) were hunted down for years before Six Pack fell apart. Presently, Cable and his former ally/enemy Kane tracked down Stryfe, where Cable learned that underneath Stryfe's mask, he has Cable's face. Kane nearly dies helping Cable and Cable takes Kane back to the future with him to help him recover.
So, meanwhile, Professor X goes off to make a speech at a free World Unity concert in NYC. However, he is shot during his speech by a man looking just like Cable. The various X-Teams leap into action. At the same time, Cyclops and Jean are captured by Caliban and the Four Horsemen as the behest of who they think is Apocalypse, but is really Sinister. Sinister and Stryfe trades Scott and Jean for a canister with his the Summer genetic matrix within. Both are happy.
As Scott and Jean are treated like children by Stryfe, the X-Men and X-Factor hunt down X-Force for some answers. In short order, X-Force is captured and imprisoned in the Danger Room. At the same time, various X-Men go searching for Scott and Jean and eventually meet up with a barely alive Apocalypse (still recovering from the last battle). Both teams retreat and Sinister reveals to the X-Teams that it's Stryfe's who is behind the scenes, manipulating these events.
With Professor X dying the Techno-Organic Virus, Cable returns from the future and is confronted by Wolverine and Bishop. After a great battle, Cable convinces them to listen to him when he claims he didn't shoot Xavier. Wolverine believes him . . . for now. With these three trying to track down Stryfe, the X-Men, X-Factor, Cannonball, and Boom-Boom take down the MLF. As they do, Apocalypse and Stryfe battle it out, with Apocalypse heading the X-Mansion to offer his help. He cures Professor X.
Cyclops and Jean make their escape then and found themselves on the surface of the Moon. This shock causes Jean to unleash a psi-call for help, the call reaching Wolverine. A team consisting of the X-Men, X-Factor, Apocalypse, and Cannonball head to the Moon, confront the upserped Dark Riders, and it all comes to head. Stryfe, Cable, Havok, Cyclops, and Jean battle, trying to make sense of Stryfe once and for all. Cable eventually activates a self-destruct program and blows up while taking on Stryfe in a time vortex. They both vanish.
The X-Men return home. After spending an evening walking and rollerblading with Jubilee due to an after-effect of the T.O. virus, Professor X checks out a disc containing Stryfe's files. They hint that his legacy has been unleashed.
WHEW!
Okay, let's talk about this.
First of all, great story. Love the epic feel to it and I love the character arcs and the way that everyone moves across the chessboard. Apocalypse, Sinister, Stryfe, Cable, Wolverine, Bishop, Havok, Storm, Archangel, Cannonball, Polaris, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Professor X . . . all just basically steal their scenes. Great character moments. Havok and Storm taking command. Cannonball's struggle with the hostility between the X-Men, X-Factor and his own X-Force. Archangel's hatred for Apocalypse. The bad-assness (word?) of Bishop, Cable, and Wolverine. The tension between Cable and Cannonball. The hard struggle of Cyclops and Jean as they try to figure out what Stryfe's problem is.
And let's talk about Stryfe . . .
Stryfe, at his best, comes off as a character who is driven by very primal and dark scars. At his worst, he's a rabbling, loud-mouthed super-villian. The point the writers are trying to make but never come out and say is that Stryfe may be Nathan Christopher, who Scott gave away (about a year ago, Marvel Time). Branching off from that, that would make Cable a pale imitation, a half-man. Stryfe's whole point of this attack was wipe out all those that he thinks harmed and destroyed him: Professor X (for creating the dream); Cyclops and Jean, for giving him up; Apocalypse, for raising him wrong; and Mr. Sinister, for screwing him over in the first place.
Between a great, intricrite plot and great character archs, the story is fantastic. Well-coordinated; makes you think you're reading just one big comic with different artists. Very character-driven - never forgetting about the small characters.
The art is mostly good, with Greg Capullo and Andy Kubert being the best. Jae Lee does his work on X-Factor, but it doesn't mesh well with the rest of the artists. Brandon Petersen works on Uncanny and it's . . . okay.
A great story. One that felt long in coming. The creative teams have finally hit the ground running, now establishing themselves from Claremont.
However, as indicated, Stryfe's legacy isn't dead yet . . .
~W~
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 51: "The Tragedy of Wolverine"
Wolverine # 55-57, X-Men # 12-13
Wolverine goes to Japan to rescue Jubilee from customs, which sets off quite the terrible series of events. Hydra (led by his former love, Silver Fox) activates the former female Reaver Cyclia and has her hunt him down. Meanwhile, the Hand goes after Logan as well, and end up fighting Sunfire and Gambit - all the while, negotiating with Mariko to cut off their ties with his Clan (so she can ultimately marry Logan).
Both the Hand and Hydra catch up to Logan and manipulate Mariko into getting herself posioned. Once posioned, she begs Wolverine to kill her. He does and it's sad.
Meanwhile, Logan confronts Xavier over some of his files linking up with some of his own. This makes Logan mad, of course. Professor X goes off to investigate and eventually comes into contact with a childhood friend, Carter Ryking, whose father worked with Kurt Marko and Brian Xavier. Supposedly, the nuclear facility they worked at was a cover for a genetics lab. Unfortunately, Carter (aka Hazard) is unable to control his powers. Xavier helps him, but at the cost of the facility and any valuable information.
These are both interesting stories, though they really don't have much to do with each save Wolerine being a prominent connection. The Mariko story is interesting, though it certainly lacks subtly that I would have wanted from such a major Wolverine event.
The Hazard story is just as interesting and I can tell that the creative teams have stablized themselves since taking over the reigns from Claremont and Jim Lee. However, it lacks in the payoff (which it's touched on for nine years), and comes off pretty mediocre.
~W~
Wolverine goes to Japan to rescue Jubilee from customs, which sets off quite the terrible series of events. Hydra (led by his former love, Silver Fox) activates the former female Reaver Cyclia and has her hunt him down. Meanwhile, the Hand goes after Logan as well, and end up fighting Sunfire and Gambit - all the while, negotiating with Mariko to cut off their ties with his Clan (so she can ultimately marry Logan).
Both the Hand and Hydra catch up to Logan and manipulate Mariko into getting herself posioned. Once posioned, she begs Wolverine to kill her. He does and it's sad.
Meanwhile, Logan confronts Xavier over some of his files linking up with some of his own. This makes Logan mad, of course. Professor X goes off to investigate and eventually comes into contact with a childhood friend, Carter Ryking, whose father worked with Kurt Marko and Brian Xavier. Supposedly, the nuclear facility they worked at was a cover for a genetics lab. Unfortunately, Carter (aka Hazard) is unable to control his powers. Xavier helps him, but at the cost of the facility and any valuable information.
These are both interesting stories, though they really don't have much to do with each save Wolerine being a prominent connection. The Mariko story is interesting, though it certainly lacks subtly that I would have wanted from such a major Wolverine event.
The Hazard story is just as interesting and I can tell that the creative teams have stablized themselves since taking over the reigns from Claremont and Jim Lee. However, it lacks in the payoff (which it's touched on for nine years), and comes off pretty mediocre.
~W~
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 50: "Cutting the Old Threads"
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!
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!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 49: "Bishop"
Uncanny X-Men # 287, X-Men # 8, Uncanny X-Men # 288
I talked about last entry how a lot of these post-Claremont stories are rather mediocre and generally just really nice eye candy. Well, luckily, things take a turn for the better here.
The Gold Team tracks down Bishop as he takes on the rest of the prisoners. During the battle between the prisonors and the XSE officers, Randall and Malcolm bite it. The X-Men come in, then, and take Bishop down. The battle leads to some brutal injuries for Bishop and as he recovers, we're given a flashback to his past (aka, the X-Men's future).
In the future, while apprehending Fitzroy, Bishop and his pals stumble upon the X-Mansion. Once there, they uncover a message recorded by Jean Grey to the other X-Teams. The message, while garbled, reveals that the X-Men were betrayed from within. Bishop goes to someone who looks kinda like a really old Gambit (but calls himself "Witness") and questions him. This gets Bishop nowhere. He goes back to his HQ, only to find that Fitzroy has escaped. Bishop, Randall and Malcolm then travel back in time five issues to get him.
Bishop awakens from his flashback and Xavier invites him to join the X-Men. He accepts, finally realizing he has no other place in this past world. Plus, he'd be working with his idols. That's like an Elvis impersonator working with Elvis.
He meets up with the Blue Team and goes after Gambit, accusing him of either being the traitor or knowing who the traitor is. The X-Men convice Bishop that they trust Gambit more than they him and he partially concedes the point. Storm then takes Bishop under wing and the gang heads to NYC to live it up. Bishop still doesn't quite understand how the world of this era works, but he starts to make an effort.
Meanwhile, there's some actual character development. Jean is starting to worry about Scott's attraction to Pyslocke. Wolverine is questioning his place with the X-Men considering everything that has happened recently - the false memories and the Omega Red shit. Plus, there's tension between Forge and Storm. Not to mention the ever-increasing flirting between Gambit and Rogue.
We're on the right track.
~W~
I talked about last entry how a lot of these post-Claremont stories are rather mediocre and generally just really nice eye candy. Well, luckily, things take a turn for the better here.
The Gold Team tracks down Bishop as he takes on the rest of the prisoners. During the battle between the prisonors and the XSE officers, Randall and Malcolm bite it. The X-Men come in, then, and take Bishop down. The battle leads to some brutal injuries for Bishop and as he recovers, we're given a flashback to his past (aka, the X-Men's future).
In the future, while apprehending Fitzroy, Bishop and his pals stumble upon the X-Mansion. Once there, they uncover a message recorded by Jean Grey to the other X-Teams. The message, while garbled, reveals that the X-Men were betrayed from within. Bishop goes to someone who looks kinda like a really old Gambit (but calls himself "Witness") and questions him. This gets Bishop nowhere. He goes back to his HQ, only to find that Fitzroy has escaped. Bishop, Randall and Malcolm then travel back in time five issues to get him.
Bishop awakens from his flashback and Xavier invites him to join the X-Men. He accepts, finally realizing he has no other place in this past world. Plus, he'd be working with his idols. That's like an Elvis impersonator working with Elvis.
He meets up with the Blue Team and goes after Gambit, accusing him of either being the traitor or knowing who the traitor is. The X-Men convice Bishop that they trust Gambit more than they him and he partially concedes the point. Storm then takes Bishop under wing and the gang heads to NYC to live it up. Bishop still doesn't quite understand how the world of this era works, but he starts to make an effort.
Meanwhile, there's some actual character development. Jean is starting to worry about Scott's attraction to Pyslocke. Wolverine is questioning his place with the X-Men considering everything that has happened recently - the false memories and the Omega Red shit. Plus, there's tension between Forge and Storm. Not to mention the ever-increasing flirting between Gambit and Rogue.
We're on the right track.
~W~
Uncanny X-Periment # 48: "Gold Team"
Uncanny X-Men # 281-286
Important side-note: as of Uncanny X-Men # 286, I have officially lapped myself. Uncanny 286 was my very first X-Book. As I read it again the other night, I couldn't help but get a little nostalgic. I remembered how I poured over that comic day and night when I was a boy of mere 9 years old - trying to figure out what everyone was doing and who everyone was. It was the good ol' days.
Reading it again, however, I find myself going into "mature reader" mode and finding just how flawed 286 and many of the issues around it are.
Running parallel to the Blue Team's adventure with Omega Red, the X-Men meet up with Emma Frost and the Hellions at the Hellfire Club. There, Emma warns them of a new foe who has killed Sebastion Shaw and is after both the X-Men and the Hellfire Club. Seeking to make good on their alliance from about 80 issues ago, Emma has asked for their help. Unfortunately, we find out the enemy has struck again - sending oddly adaptive Sentinals after Donald Pierce and the Reavers. Pierce shows up at the meeting thanks to Gateway and the Sentinals follow. The Sentinals take Emma captive and kill Jean Grey.
Yep. Jean's dead.
For those keeping score that means it's time # 3 (the shuttle and Dark Phoenix).
But, of course, she's not really dead. She actually managed to move her mind into Emma's body. That's right. Emma Frost and Jean have switched bodies after an attack by Sentinals that have the ability to adapt technology to their own bodies (for repairs). This is a funny bit of history, considering what happens about ten years later.
But I digress . . .
The X-Men head off to get Emma's body (after Jean's body is made undead or something) and find out who the real culprits are - the Upstarts! Apparently, the Upstarts are a team of wealthy power players who gain leadership of the group by killing off X-Men and Hellfire Club related people. It's all moderated by a super-telepath by the name of the Gamemaster and my 2nd least favorite X-Villian, Selene.
Among the ranks of the Upstarts and the guy who ordered the attack on Pierce is the time traveler Trevor Fitzroy. By killing Pierce and Jean, and kidnappng Frost, he's in control of the Upstarts now. BUT there's trouble. As the X-Men attack the Upstarts, a time portals opens up and three people appear from the future to retrieve Fitzroy: Bishop, Randall, and Malcolm. They battle Fitzroy and the X-Men, then escape and hunt down other time travelling criminals.
After fighting Bishop and co. and getting Jean's head on right, the X-Men are side-tracked by a massive portal that opens between our world and some other world. Coincidently, Sunfire is there! Even more coincidently, Colossus' brother is on the other world! WOW! The X-Men rescue Colossus' brother Mikhail, close the portal and head on home.
It's hard for my to really define what's wrong with these issues, because there's more wrong than right. A lot more wrong.
Let's start with the right. First of all, there are some neat concepts here. The Upstarts feel like bad-asses. They've got Sentinals, they wipe out the Reavers, and they practically destroy the Hellfire Club. Second, the new characters are pretty neat too. I also liked Mikhail for some reason. Kind of a tragic character, I guess. Plus, there's Bishop, who is among my favorites.
The art is pretty cool, too. Whilce Portacio, take a bow.
On the bad . . .
The major problem with these stories here and in the last entry is that no one seems to know what they're doing. I'm well aware of the behind the scenes strife - with Claremont being fired, with Bryne scripting then leaving, and bringing Lobdell to finish these arcs off. The trouble is that a lot of that chaos is bleeding into the pages.
The charactes are 1-Deminsional. Even the ones that we get close up on - Colossus, Jean and Wolverine, in particular - all come off as cliched and uninteresting. They feel more like pieces being across a chessboard than characters that we've known and loved since Uncanny X-Men # 1 and Giant-Sized X-Men # 1.
The stories are okay at best and razor thin at worst. Sure, the Upstarts prove themselves as bad-asses early on, but the stories are so bad that they get pretty much ignored. Ten years later, Pierce and the Reavers are back and giving the X-Men Hell and no one remembers the Upstarts unless they read a back-issue or visit UXN. Mikhail's been sent into limbo and back so many times, it's not even funny. Even Sunfire's awesome new costume vanishes and gets replaced with his original one.
Plus, there's the death of Jean Grey - again. It's pointless other than to gives us some eye-candy. That pretty much speaks of this entire little run of issues. There's nothing new or interesting brought to the table that is good enough to stick - except for Bishop.
This is almost a rut, but I do know that given the right amount of time, the new creators solidify themselves and start to find their own voice. Until then, I'm stuck with some nice art, but extremely uninteresting stories.
~W~
Important side-note: as of Uncanny X-Men # 286, I have officially lapped myself. Uncanny 286 was my very first X-Book. As I read it again the other night, I couldn't help but get a little nostalgic. I remembered how I poured over that comic day and night when I was a boy of mere 9 years old - trying to figure out what everyone was doing and who everyone was. It was the good ol' days.
Reading it again, however, I find myself going into "mature reader" mode and finding just how flawed 286 and many of the issues around it are.
Running parallel to the Blue Team's adventure with Omega Red, the X-Men meet up with Emma Frost and the Hellions at the Hellfire Club. There, Emma warns them of a new foe who has killed Sebastion Shaw and is after both the X-Men and the Hellfire Club. Seeking to make good on their alliance from about 80 issues ago, Emma has asked for their help. Unfortunately, we find out the enemy has struck again - sending oddly adaptive Sentinals after Donald Pierce and the Reavers. Pierce shows up at the meeting thanks to Gateway and the Sentinals follow. The Sentinals take Emma captive and kill Jean Grey.
Yep. Jean's dead.
For those keeping score that means it's time # 3 (the shuttle and Dark Phoenix).
But, of course, she's not really dead. She actually managed to move her mind into Emma's body. That's right. Emma Frost and Jean have switched bodies after an attack by Sentinals that have the ability to adapt technology to their own bodies (for repairs). This is a funny bit of history, considering what happens about ten years later.
But I digress . . .
The X-Men head off to get Emma's body (after Jean's body is made undead or something) and find out who the real culprits are - the Upstarts! Apparently, the Upstarts are a team of wealthy power players who gain leadership of the group by killing off X-Men and Hellfire Club related people. It's all moderated by a super-telepath by the name of the Gamemaster and my 2nd least favorite X-Villian, Selene.
Among the ranks of the Upstarts and the guy who ordered the attack on Pierce is the time traveler Trevor Fitzroy. By killing Pierce and Jean, and kidnappng Frost, he's in control of the Upstarts now. BUT there's trouble. As the X-Men attack the Upstarts, a time portals opens up and three people appear from the future to retrieve Fitzroy: Bishop, Randall, and Malcolm. They battle Fitzroy and the X-Men, then escape and hunt down other time travelling criminals.
After fighting Bishop and co. and getting Jean's head on right, the X-Men are side-tracked by a massive portal that opens between our world and some other world. Coincidently, Sunfire is there! Even more coincidently, Colossus' brother is on the other world! WOW! The X-Men rescue Colossus' brother Mikhail, close the portal and head on home.
It's hard for my to really define what's wrong with these issues, because there's more wrong than right. A lot more wrong.
Let's start with the right. First of all, there are some neat concepts here. The Upstarts feel like bad-asses. They've got Sentinals, they wipe out the Reavers, and they practically destroy the Hellfire Club. Second, the new characters are pretty neat too. I also liked Mikhail for some reason. Kind of a tragic character, I guess. Plus, there's Bishop, who is among my favorites.
The art is pretty cool, too. Whilce Portacio, take a bow.
On the bad . . .
The major problem with these stories here and in the last entry is that no one seems to know what they're doing. I'm well aware of the behind the scenes strife - with Claremont being fired, with Bryne scripting then leaving, and bringing Lobdell to finish these arcs off. The trouble is that a lot of that chaos is bleeding into the pages.
The charactes are 1-Deminsional. Even the ones that we get close up on - Colossus, Jean and Wolverine, in particular - all come off as cliched and uninteresting. They feel more like pieces being across a chessboard than characters that we've known and loved since Uncanny X-Men # 1 and Giant-Sized X-Men # 1.
The stories are okay at best and razor thin at worst. Sure, the Upstarts prove themselves as bad-asses early on, but the stories are so bad that they get pretty much ignored. Ten years later, Pierce and the Reavers are back and giving the X-Men Hell and no one remembers the Upstarts unless they read a back-issue or visit UXN. Mikhail's been sent into limbo and back so many times, it's not even funny. Even Sunfire's awesome new costume vanishes and gets replaced with his original one.
Plus, there's the death of Jean Grey - again. It's pointless other than to gives us some eye-candy. That pretty much speaks of this entire little run of issues. There's nothing new or interesting brought to the table that is good enough to stick - except for Bishop.
This is almost a rut, but I do know that given the right amount of time, the new creators solidify themselves and start to find their own voice. Until then, I'm stuck with some nice art, but extremely uninteresting stories.
~W~
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 47: "Blue Team"
X-Men # 4-7
The X-Men face down a ghost from Wolverine's past: Omega Red. Fernis (remember them?) and the Hand have joined forces in the hopes of not only eliminating the X-Men, but also retaining a substance called Carbonadium - which is sorta like Adamantium, except more maleable. The X-Men are eventually all captured, but with the help of Wolverine's old partner Maverick, Logan escapes. To hunt him and Maverick down, the Hand calls in Sabretooth and re-takes control of Psylocke. A battle eventually follows and the X-Men take off.
While this story isn't too bad, it's a little too remeniscent of the "Shiva Scenario." There's some cool scenes, but at times, it's more substance than style. The story tries to be better than the art, but it ultimately fails. That's not a terrible thing as the story isn't as flimsy as others, but it's lacking a certain . . . something.
Character development is mostly geared towards Wolverine. Cyclops and Jean Grey get a little time, and Gambit and Rogue's "relationship" starts. Moria has a great sequence that really deals with the fall-out of Magneto's "death," and ultimately has her leaving, with Sean chasing after her.
Overall, a neat story and amazing art, but not up to par with what's one would expect from the X-Men. But this is still really in the fall-out of Claremont's departure. It gets better.
~W~
The X-Men face down a ghost from Wolverine's past: Omega Red. Fernis (remember them?) and the Hand have joined forces in the hopes of not only eliminating the X-Men, but also retaining a substance called Carbonadium - which is sorta like Adamantium, except more maleable. The X-Men are eventually all captured, but with the help of Wolverine's old partner Maverick, Logan escapes. To hunt him and Maverick down, the Hand calls in Sabretooth and re-takes control of Psylocke. A battle eventually follows and the X-Men take off.
While this story isn't too bad, it's a little too remeniscent of the "Shiva Scenario." There's some cool scenes, but at times, it's more substance than style. The story tries to be better than the art, but it ultimately fails. That's not a terrible thing as the story isn't as flimsy as others, but it's lacking a certain . . . something.
Character development is mostly geared towards Wolverine. Cyclops and Jean Grey get a little time, and Gambit and Rogue's "relationship" starts. Moria has a great sequence that really deals with the fall-out of Magneto's "death," and ultimately has her leaving, with Sean chasing after her.
Overall, a neat story and amazing art, but not up to par with what's one would expect from the X-Men. But this is still really in the fall-out of Claremont's departure. It gets better.
~W~
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 46: "Weaon X"
Weapon X trade; Wolverine # 48-50
Similair to the "Rise of Apocalypse" entry, I decided to go ahead and backstep to the limited series that preludes to the story at hand. In this case, it's "Weapon X" by Brain Windsor Smith to "Shiva Scenario" by Larry Hama and Marc Silverstri.
"Weapon X" made me a Wolverine fan when I first read it. I'm not the biggest Wolverine fan, simply because a lot of writers don't write Wolverine in a way that I can relate to him. Claremont may have made him interesting, but I never really felt the character was all he's cracked up to be.
However, "Weapon X" changes all that. In this story, we learn the secret origin of Wolverine (well, part of it anyway). It turns out that he was captured years by a shady organization and is physically and mentally transformed into a living, breathing weapon.
We see Logan stripped down from being a human being into, really, an animal. It really puts Wolverine in a new light for me, making all of the stories that have come before hand stand on more solid ground. Within the context of the big picture, this story makes Wolverine into a better character. We now know that him being a jackass is for a good reason.
The art is amazing and the way that it flows with the writing is great synchorization. It's a brutal story. The POV of the Weapon X heads (the sympathetic Hines; Doctor Cornelius; and the Professor) make it even darker, given us an insight as to what is happening beyond Wolverine's prespective.
Logan eventually busts out of the programming and goes off into the woods.
So, with "Wolverine" # 48-50, we jump ahead a number of years. Wolverine and Jubilee return to the Weapon X project sight and Logan finds certain memories triggered by the sight of the place. However, as he continues to look around - and eventually as Jean and Xavier enter his mind - Wolverine finds that some of his memories aren't even real.
Eventually, it's revealed that Logan had memories implanted into his mind thanks to the Weapon X project. As he gets closer to discovering this, he's attacked by Weapon X's Shiva robot, which is a safety to keep the secrets of the project from getting out.
The "Shiva Scenario" is okay and adds some interesting elements to Wolverine's mythos, but it's not nearly as good as "Weapon X."
~W~
Similair to the "Rise of Apocalypse" entry, I decided to go ahead and backstep to the limited series that preludes to the story at hand. In this case, it's "Weapon X" by Brain Windsor Smith to "Shiva Scenario" by Larry Hama and Marc Silverstri.
"Weapon X" made me a Wolverine fan when I first read it. I'm not the biggest Wolverine fan, simply because a lot of writers don't write Wolverine in a way that I can relate to him. Claremont may have made him interesting, but I never really felt the character was all he's cracked up to be.
However, "Weapon X" changes all that. In this story, we learn the secret origin of Wolverine (well, part of it anyway). It turns out that he was captured years by a shady organization and is physically and mentally transformed into a living, breathing weapon.
We see Logan stripped down from being a human being into, really, an animal. It really puts Wolverine in a new light for me, making all of the stories that have come before hand stand on more solid ground. Within the context of the big picture, this story makes Wolverine into a better character. We now know that him being a jackass is for a good reason.
The art is amazing and the way that it flows with the writing is great synchorization. It's a brutal story. The POV of the Weapon X heads (the sympathetic Hines; Doctor Cornelius; and the Professor) make it even darker, given us an insight as to what is happening beyond Wolverine's prespective.
Logan eventually busts out of the programming and goes off into the woods.
So, with "Wolverine" # 48-50, we jump ahead a number of years. Wolverine and Jubilee return to the Weapon X project sight and Logan finds certain memories triggered by the sight of the place. However, as he continues to look around - and eventually as Jean and Xavier enter his mind - Wolverine finds that some of his memories aren't even real.
Eventually, it's revealed that Logan had memories implanted into his mind thanks to the Weapon X project. As he gets closer to discovering this, he's attacked by Weapon X's Shiva robot, which is a safety to keep the secrets of the project from getting out.
The "Shiva Scenario" is okay and adds some interesting elements to Wolverine's mythos, but it's not nearly as good as "Weapon X."
~W~
Monday, July 17, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 45: "A New Era"
X-Men # 1-3
This story serves three purposes:
1) To bookend Claremont's run
2) To usher forth the new era of the X-Men
3) To tie together Magneto's character arc that reaches all the way back to Uncanny X-Men # 104 (Magneto's restoration)
A group of Mutants are on the run and are eventually chased into orbit, where they wish to seek sanctuary in Asteroid M with Magneto. They do so and Magneto allows both the Mutants and their human pursuers entry into his base. However, when the humans strike against the Mutant renegades, Magneto's animosity for humanity increases once more.
Meanwhile, the Russians are flipping out because Asteroid M is sitting right above their airspace. To avoid an international incident, Nick Fury and Val Cooper get in touch with the recently reoranized X-Men. The mansion has been reconstructed and X-Factor has been merged with the X-Men, created two X-Men teams: Gold Team (Storm, Iceman, Archangel, Jean Grey, and Colossus) and the Blue Team (Cyclops, Wolverine, Pyslocke, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, and Jubilee), with Forge, Professor X, Moria, and Banshee hanging around the mansion.
The Blue Team goes out and intercepts Magneto as he rasies the nuclear sub he sank years ago. Egged on by renegade Mutant Fabian Cortez, Magneto seeks to retrieve the nukes for protection from the human race. This confrontation leads to a radical series of events that eventually end up on the civil war torn Genosha. The X-Men Blue Team face off with the Mutant Renegades, who call themselves the Acolytes. The X-Men are eventually defeated and taken back to Asteroid M.
It's there that Mangeto and Cortez find problems with Magneto's powers. Cortez uses his own power to increase Magneto's, but Magneto is growing addicted to him. He goes off and faces down with Professor X and Moria, then, and kidnaps them. He finds out that Moria manipulated his genetic structure when he was de-aged. Magneto is pissed, now forced to question every decision he made since his restoration.
Magneto has Moria use the process used on him against the X-Men and he's able to get them onto his side. The X-Men Gold Team mount a rescue and fight their companions, only to find out that as soon as they use their powers, the effect is gone. Moria eventually reveals this to Magneto, but not before Cortez betrays them. High-jacking a plasma cannon weapon that was almost ready to destroy Asteroid M, Cortez blasts the orbital base. The X-Men take off as Magneto and a few remaining Acolytles stay aboard and start to burn up in the atmosphere.
Claremont brings his version of Magneto and the tremendous growth the character went through under his pen to manifest here, using this story to end his long run. The full amount of post-baby Magneto history is used here to create a great character-driven tale. From his frienship with Xavier in Israel to him being headmaster to his closeness with Rogue to his Bryne/Cockrum era, Magneto is presented at his finest.
Jim Lee renders the X-Men's new designs goreously, making all the characters look fresh and new. He also does a great job conveying the emotions of the script, from the intense battle scenes to Magneto's final words as he screeches into the atmosphere.
Magneto "ends" here, at least under Claremont's pen (well, for about a decade at least). However, for the X-Men . . . it's a brand new beginning.
~W~
This story serves three purposes:
1) To bookend Claremont's run
2) To usher forth the new era of the X-Men
3) To tie together Magneto's character arc that reaches all the way back to Uncanny X-Men # 104 (Magneto's restoration)
A group of Mutants are on the run and are eventually chased into orbit, where they wish to seek sanctuary in Asteroid M with Magneto. They do so and Magneto allows both the Mutants and their human pursuers entry into his base. However, when the humans strike against the Mutant renegades, Magneto's animosity for humanity increases once more.
Meanwhile, the Russians are flipping out because Asteroid M is sitting right above their airspace. To avoid an international incident, Nick Fury and Val Cooper get in touch with the recently reoranized X-Men. The mansion has been reconstructed and X-Factor has been merged with the X-Men, created two X-Men teams: Gold Team (Storm, Iceman, Archangel, Jean Grey, and Colossus) and the Blue Team (Cyclops, Wolverine, Pyslocke, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, and Jubilee), with Forge, Professor X, Moria, and Banshee hanging around the mansion.
The Blue Team goes out and intercepts Magneto as he rasies the nuclear sub he sank years ago. Egged on by renegade Mutant Fabian Cortez, Magneto seeks to retrieve the nukes for protection from the human race. This confrontation leads to a radical series of events that eventually end up on the civil war torn Genosha. The X-Men Blue Team face off with the Mutant Renegades, who call themselves the Acolytes. The X-Men are eventually defeated and taken back to Asteroid M.
It's there that Mangeto and Cortez find problems with Magneto's powers. Cortez uses his own power to increase Magneto's, but Magneto is growing addicted to him. He goes off and faces down with Professor X and Moria, then, and kidnaps them. He finds out that Moria manipulated his genetic structure when he was de-aged. Magneto is pissed, now forced to question every decision he made since his restoration.
Magneto has Moria use the process used on him against the X-Men and he's able to get them onto his side. The X-Men Gold Team mount a rescue and fight their companions, only to find out that as soon as they use their powers, the effect is gone. Moria eventually reveals this to Magneto, but not before Cortez betrays them. High-jacking a plasma cannon weapon that was almost ready to destroy Asteroid M, Cortez blasts the orbital base. The X-Men take off as Magneto and a few remaining Acolytles stay aboard and start to burn up in the atmosphere.
Claremont brings his version of Magneto and the tremendous growth the character went through under his pen to manifest here, using this story to end his long run. The full amount of post-baby Magneto history is used here to create a great character-driven tale. From his frienship with Xavier in Israel to him being headmaster to his closeness with Rogue to his Bryne/Cockrum era, Magneto is presented at his finest.
Jim Lee renders the X-Men's new designs goreously, making all the characters look fresh and new. He also does a great job conveying the emotions of the script, from the intense battle scenes to Magneto's final words as he screeches into the atmosphere.
Magneto "ends" here, at least under Claremont's pen (well, for about a decade at least). However, for the X-Men . . . it's a brand new beginning.
~W~
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Uncanny X-Periment # 44: "Genetically Challenged"
X-Factor # 71-75, X-Force # 1-2, X-Factor # 77-78
Peter David makes me giddy.
He weaves together a great story during his X-Factor issues that take a realistic approach to the X-World. Great characters, snappy dialogue, and a great plot all make the new X-Factor a fantastic book.
Mr. Sinister is back and working behind the scenes against X-Factor. Manipulating Mutant Senator Shaffren, Sinister is looking to put the new, government-sponsered team of Mutants into big trouble by taking them out one by one.
The cast of X-Factor is suberb, ranging from across the Mutant board. Havok, Polaris, Multiple Man, Wolfsbane, Quicksilver, and Stong Guy (aka Guido) each get their moment in the sun and stand out as a team of loners among loners. Each one is interesting and complex and the way their interact is great.
Switching over to X-Force, we have a very different type of X-Team. While both X-Factor and X-Force pull from a wide spectrum of X-world, X-Force is the renegade team. Cable has brought together Cannonball and Boom-Boom from the remains of New Mutants, and teamed them up with Feral, Warpath, Dominio, and Shatterstar to serve as a Mutant strike-force.
Both X-Force and X-Factor encounter Stryfe and the Mutant Liberation. I can't help but get nostalgic about Stryfe and remember just how cool of a villian he is. This guy is bad-ass, pure and simple.
For the most part, as we enter into this new era of the X-Men, we're given a great first step. While X-Factor is better book, I found that I enjoyed X-Force quite a bit as well. Knowing what I know about what happens, it makes for some interesting reading.
Unfortunately, the art in both books isn't very good. Larry Stroman's work just doesn't suit X-Factor very well and some of the panels just look messy. Over in X-Force, Rob Liefeld's art continues to decline is quality. It's still not too bad, but I honestly can't stand the way he draws legs.
~W~
Peter David makes me giddy.
He weaves together a great story during his X-Factor issues that take a realistic approach to the X-World. Great characters, snappy dialogue, and a great plot all make the new X-Factor a fantastic book.
Mr. Sinister is back and working behind the scenes against X-Factor. Manipulating Mutant Senator Shaffren, Sinister is looking to put the new, government-sponsered team of Mutants into big trouble by taking them out one by one.
The cast of X-Factor is suberb, ranging from across the Mutant board. Havok, Polaris, Multiple Man, Wolfsbane, Quicksilver, and Stong Guy (aka Guido) each get their moment in the sun and stand out as a team of loners among loners. Each one is interesting and complex and the way their interact is great.
Switching over to X-Force, we have a very different type of X-Team. While both X-Factor and X-Force pull from a wide spectrum of X-world, X-Force is the renegade team. Cable has brought together Cannonball and Boom-Boom from the remains of New Mutants, and teamed them up with Feral, Warpath, Dominio, and Shatterstar to serve as a Mutant strike-force.
Both X-Force and X-Factor encounter Stryfe and the Mutant Liberation. I can't help but get nostalgic about Stryfe and remember just how cool of a villian he is. This guy is bad-ass, pure and simple.
For the most part, as we enter into this new era of the X-Men, we're given a great first step. While X-Factor is better book, I found that I enjoyed X-Force quite a bit as well. Knowing what I know about what happens, it makes for some interesting reading.
Unfortunately, the art in both books isn't very good. Larry Stroman's work just doesn't suit X-Factor very well and some of the panels just look messy. Over in X-Force, Rob Liefeld's art continues to decline is quality. It's still not too bad, but I honestly can't stand the way he draws legs.
~W~
Monday, July 10, 2006
UXP # 43: "Cleaning out the X-House # 5: Muir Island Saga"
The New Mutants # 99-100, Uncanny X-Men # 278-279, X-Factor # 69, Uncanny X-Men # 280, X-Factor # 70, Excalibur # 41
This wraps up the "Cleaning out the X-House" segment of the Uncanny X-Periment. As the last threads are (for the most part) wrapped-up, we close an era that I personally believe began with the end of the "Dark Phoenix Saga."
Let's look at the big picture . . .
In many ways, "The Dark Phoenix Saga" served as the resolution of the plotlines and stories that started with "Giant-Sized X-Men" # 1. In a similair way, this entire phase of the X-Men has gone back and touched on ideas and characters established post-"Dark Phoenix," bringing the many subplots and story archs to their end, allowing for a new wave of creativity to sweep over the books.
Now, for the books at hand . . .
"The New Mutants" # 99-100 brings the book to a close, and spends most of the time setting up for "X-Force." Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot of time in the issues spent on developing this. Cable, driven by the idea that Mutantkind is at war, shakes up the New Mutants. In the end, only Cannonball and Boom-Boom are left. The team pulls itself together at the end with new additions Domino, Shatterstar, Feral, and Warpath. Sadly, the characterization and story is razor thin.
"The Uncanny X-Men" and "X-Factor" issues deal with the long-running Shadow King/Muir Island subplot that's been around since the 250s. It's nice to get some resolution to the subplot, despite the lackluster story. More changes here. Xavier can't walk again; Legion is in a coma; Shadow King dead; the X-Men, X-Factor, and a bunch of non-affiliated Mutants seek a new purpose. All great set-up for what's to come. There's a great moment when Professor X and the original X-Men decide that a change is necessary.
"Excalibur," I really just threw in because I've been ignoring the poor title. The team basically reacts to the X-Men being alive.
With everything now resolved, we officially leave one era of the X-Men and are about to begin a new.
~W~
This wraps up the "Cleaning out the X-House" segment of the Uncanny X-Periment. As the last threads are (for the most part) wrapped-up, we close an era that I personally believe began with the end of the "Dark Phoenix Saga."
Let's look at the big picture . . .
In many ways, "The Dark Phoenix Saga" served as the resolution of the plotlines and stories that started with "Giant-Sized X-Men" # 1. In a similair way, this entire phase of the X-Men has gone back and touched on ideas and characters established post-"Dark Phoenix," bringing the many subplots and story archs to their end, allowing for a new wave of creativity to sweep over the books.
Now, for the books at hand . . .
"The New Mutants" # 99-100 brings the book to a close, and spends most of the time setting up for "X-Force." Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot of time in the issues spent on developing this. Cable, driven by the idea that Mutantkind is at war, shakes up the New Mutants. In the end, only Cannonball and Boom-Boom are left. The team pulls itself together at the end with new additions Domino, Shatterstar, Feral, and Warpath. Sadly, the characterization and story is razor thin.
"The Uncanny X-Men" and "X-Factor" issues deal with the long-running Shadow King/Muir Island subplot that's been around since the 250s. It's nice to get some resolution to the subplot, despite the lackluster story. More changes here. Xavier can't walk again; Legion is in a coma; Shadow King dead; the X-Men, X-Factor, and a bunch of non-affiliated Mutants seek a new purpose. All great set-up for what's to come. There's a great moment when Professor X and the original X-Men decide that a change is necessary.
"Excalibur," I really just threw in because I've been ignoring the poor title. The team basically reacts to the X-Men being alive.
With everything now resolved, we officially leave one era of the X-Men and are about to begin a new.
~W~
Friday, July 07, 2006
UXP # 42: "Cleaning out the X-House # 4: Endgame"
X-Factor # 65-68
More tying things up, this time with X-Factor and some of the goings on there. While the X-Men are off in space with the Shi'ar, X-Factor faces off with Apocalypse, who is out for revenge against X-Factor for his past losses.
Apocalypse infects Ship with a virus, which ultimately leads Ship to destroy himself - save for a small, living piece of itself. At the same time, Apocalypse captures lil' Nathan Christopher. Also, he unleashes the Riders of the Storm (aka, the Dark Riders and I'll be calling them that from here on out), a team of Mutant mercenaries. All the while? He's capturing Inhumans.
Apocalypse sets himself up on the moon, where he's contending with the attacks by the Inhumans. X-Factor and Detective Charlottle Jones eventually meet up with the Inhumans and join in on the battle against Apocalypse. As they do, a woman in the body of a robot has traveled back in time and has taken the name "Askani." She wishes to take the dying Nathan into the future - for only there can the virus that Apocalypse has given him can be cured. As it turns out, 'Poccy is up on Nate's potential to overthrow him.
If he only knew . . .
The story is by Claremont, Jim Lee, and Whilce Portacio. It's not bad, though I wish Simonson would have written it since she made X-Factor her's. Claremont does a decent job. He attempts to draw parallels of sacriface and loss in this story to those in "The Dark Phoenix Saga." It comes off as flat.
Scott is the star of the story, and his struggle to send little Nathan to the future is nice.
This is a key moment in the Apocalypse/Cable mythology. It'll be touched quite often for the next decade or so. While it's a fairly decent story, it's missing a something that I just can't put my finger on.
That is fab.
~W~
More tying things up, this time with X-Factor and some of the goings on there. While the X-Men are off in space with the Shi'ar, X-Factor faces off with Apocalypse, who is out for revenge against X-Factor for his past losses.
Apocalypse infects Ship with a virus, which ultimately leads Ship to destroy himself - save for a small, living piece of itself. At the same time, Apocalypse captures lil' Nathan Christopher. Also, he unleashes the Riders of the Storm (aka, the Dark Riders and I'll be calling them that from here on out), a team of Mutant mercenaries. All the while? He's capturing Inhumans.
Apocalypse sets himself up on the moon, where he's contending with the attacks by the Inhumans. X-Factor and Detective Charlottle Jones eventually meet up with the Inhumans and join in on the battle against Apocalypse. As they do, a woman in the body of a robot has traveled back in time and has taken the name "Askani." She wishes to take the dying Nathan into the future - for only there can the virus that Apocalypse has given him can be cured. As it turns out, 'Poccy is up on Nate's potential to overthrow him.
If he only knew . . .
The story is by Claremont, Jim Lee, and Whilce Portacio. It's not bad, though I wish Simonson would have written it since she made X-Factor her's. Claremont does a decent job. He attempts to draw parallels of sacriface and loss in this story to those in "The Dark Phoenix Saga." It comes off as flat.
Scott is the star of the story, and his struggle to send little Nathan to the future is nice.
This is a key moment in the Apocalypse/Cable mythology. It'll be touched quite often for the next decade or so. While it's a fairly decent story, it's missing a something that I just can't put my finger on.
That is fab.
~W~
Sunday, July 02, 2006
UXP # 41: "Cleaning out the X-House # 3: Crossroads"
Uncanny X-Men # 273-277
The X-Men are whisked off to the Shi'ar galaxy while Rogue and Magneto content with the Savage Land.
As Claremont continues to wrap up his old plotlines, the X-Men are teleported into the Shi'ar Empire - which, as you may recall - is in the thores of a civil war. Deathbird, having claimed the throne a good long while ago (over 100 issues ago, to the be precise), gathers the X-Men to kill Xavier. The X-Men are confused, but eventually join up with the Starjammers and Lilandra. Deathbird is taken of, the X-Men are reunited with Professor X, and Lilandra is running the show again. All is good, right? Wrong.
Turns out Xavier is a Warskrull. What is a Warskrull? I dunno. A bigger Skrull, it seems. The X-Men eventually defeat the Warskrulls, meet up with the real Xavier, and then hightail it back to Earth. And Lilandra is in charge again.
But that's only half the story . . .
Magneto, Rogue, Nick Fury, and Ka-Zar are all involved in a massive campagin against Zaladane and Magneto's old Mutates. While it's a high-adventure type story, the center spine of the tale is Magneto. Claremont brings Magneto front and center, giving us an understanding of the character that is vast and insightful. Magneto mulls over his past: from a holocaust victim to a super-villian to a terrorist to an X-Man, the reader is immersed in Magneto's memories and his feelings towards this current struggle.
I don't think I've seen such a great interpretation of Magneto as I did here. And while the Shi'ar story is pretty good, the Mangeto character arc is better.
In the end, Magneto is done with the X-Men, the Hellfire Club, and the Savage Land. He's breaking out on his own, out to save Mutantkind from tearing itself apart and being threatened from forces within itself. By killing Zaladane, Magneto is back as a bad guy.
At the same time, Storm questions her decision - even her place as a leader - to have the X-Men go into hiding. There's some nice interaction between Storm, Cable, Cyclops, and Jean regarding that.
Jim Lee continues to impress me with his amazing art. As good as he's gotten, this early X-Men work is just astounding.
This is probably the highlight of Claremont's later work. While he'll always be remembered for what he and Bryne did, he and Jim Lee did just as well.
~W~
The X-Men are whisked off to the Shi'ar galaxy while Rogue and Magneto content with the Savage Land.
As Claremont continues to wrap up his old plotlines, the X-Men are teleported into the Shi'ar Empire - which, as you may recall - is in the thores of a civil war. Deathbird, having claimed the throne a good long while ago (over 100 issues ago, to the be precise), gathers the X-Men to kill Xavier. The X-Men are confused, but eventually join up with the Starjammers and Lilandra. Deathbird is taken of, the X-Men are reunited with Professor X, and Lilandra is running the show again. All is good, right? Wrong.
Turns out Xavier is a Warskrull. What is a Warskrull? I dunno. A bigger Skrull, it seems. The X-Men eventually defeat the Warskrulls, meet up with the real Xavier, and then hightail it back to Earth. And Lilandra is in charge again.
But that's only half the story . . .
Magneto, Rogue, Nick Fury, and Ka-Zar are all involved in a massive campagin against Zaladane and Magneto's old Mutates. While it's a high-adventure type story, the center spine of the tale is Magneto. Claremont brings Magneto front and center, giving us an understanding of the character that is vast and insightful. Magneto mulls over his past: from a holocaust victim to a super-villian to a terrorist to an X-Man, the reader is immersed in Magneto's memories and his feelings towards this current struggle.
I don't think I've seen such a great interpretation of Magneto as I did here. And while the Shi'ar story is pretty good, the Mangeto character arc is better.
In the end, Magneto is done with the X-Men, the Hellfire Club, and the Savage Land. He's breaking out on his own, out to save Mutantkind from tearing itself apart and being threatened from forces within itself. By killing Zaladane, Magneto is back as a bad guy.
At the same time, Storm questions her decision - even her place as a leader - to have the X-Men go into hiding. There's some nice interaction between Storm, Cable, Cyclops, and Jean regarding that.
Jim Lee continues to impress me with his amazing art. As good as he's gotten, this early X-Men work is just astounding.
This is probably the highlight of Claremont's later work. While he'll always be remembered for what he and Bryne did, he and Jim Lee did just as well.
~W~
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