Shadow and Flame with Magik

Writer Chris Claremont

Penciler John Romita Jr.

Inker Bob Wiacek

Colorist Glynis Wein

Letterer Tom Orzechowski

Reprints Uncanny X-Men 176

It is a rare event when the original artist did the cover as well for the Classic line.  Instead of Cyclops and tenacles, JRJR went the girl and sharks route, not as iconic but pretty good.

This is part of the era that Kitty wasn’t in the latter end of the series as much, but she is represented in the character box on the cover (original and the reprinted) so I own both.  It is part of Claremont’s original legendary run, so I made the exception.

I like seeing Scott and Madelyne happily married.  We join them as they are flying themselves to their honeymoon in Boragora.

I wonder what would happen if X-Factor didn’t happen, if editorial never wanted the Original Five back together?  Jean would have stayed dead, and Scott would have stayed retired and we would only ever see him on special occasions.

Scott is newly married, and can’t keep his hands off of Madelyne.  That panel where he says “but what a way to go” he looks so happy!  Not sure when the last time we saw Scott smile.

Another What If, what if Scott and Madelyne did join the Starjammers?  That way, he has a story reason for not being on Earth and X-Factor probably doesn’t happen.  Let him retire that way.  Probably would have had annual Starjammers annuals, for at least three years, then they would have stopped.

The couple hit some bad weather.

We cut to Mariko and Wolverine in Japan.  Some amazing work with shadows and lighting for these scene.

Mariko has to prove that she is as honorable as Logan, so she can marry him.  Now this guy, editorial would never let get married and retire.  They would let Scott go, but not Wolverine.

Scott is trying to make repairs, but it isn’t eady with Madelyne wearing that black bikini and all of these sharks around.

We get to witness a government security meeting regarding Magneto and dangerous mutants.  Both Henry Gyrich and Dr. Valerie Cooper.  They want their own mutant team to fight mutant criminals.

I was wrong, the Morlock scene I sort if skipped over last night, along with the government scene, I did not notice Caliban’s picture of Kitty – so that counts.  I like how that was a picture she clearly gave to him but you think she would have put it in a frame for him.

I like how Caliban is never with the Morlocks, he just lives in one of their apartments and doesn’t go to their meetings.

Callisto reminds Caliban of Kitty’s promise to stay with him if he helped the X-Men escape.  Which he did, so she should have at least, have visited once she was feeling better.

Giant tentacles are now attacking Madelyne and Scott.  Scott isn’t quite laying the beat down, until he dons his cowl-visor and ruins that sea monster’s day.

Madelyne also packed a white bikini too, no wonder she gets pregnant as fast as she does.

The plane works again  and they are off!