Now that my comics are in the same building I live in, I’m super tempted to get back into reviewing comics again, I even found my scanner but I’m not sure it still works. I do miss comics, especially new ones but I’ve been so out of the game that I’m not sure if I’ve been out for too long. Comic Book Queers Legacy still gets me hyped for current X-Men comics so I know Marvel is still producing quality there but it has been so many years that it’ll take a lot to catch up. But maybe I’ll just not catch up and just review old comics. Something to think about at least.
Inside front cover ad is for Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.
The home of Jonathan Chambers, which may be more fortress than home. If he had his way, it will be a prison for mutants and a haven for mutants.
There is some serious 90s art going on in this issue. I would think with the old school artists as inkers, it would be tamer but I guess they could only do so much.
Explosions start happening and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants are there – Toad, Pyro, Blob and an unknown blonde lady. Pryo calls her a babe and her name is, Phantazia – who time doesn’t remember her. These four fight the two mutants who are trying to invade the fortified home.
Mr. Chambers puts a halt to the beat down, as he is hoping the two new mutants will become friends of his. He reveals their names as – Mr. Bohannon and Mr. Petros.
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Westchester, New York. Moira MacTaggert, Banshee, Xavier and Beast are all discussing the Legacy Virus. Five additional mutants have died. Banshee reminds us that Stryfe is the one who unleashed the disease. Hank states that Magneto was right, there is nothing to do about all of the deaths.
Which he cracks himself up, as he was trying to break up the mood.
We get to the point of why I bought the issue. One couldn’t discuss the Legacy Virus without mentioning one of the first victims of the disease, Illyana Rasputin.
Beast is new to the research for the cure, Xavier didn’t want to burden him with this responsibility.
The Danger Room. Revanche (in British Psylocke’s body, but it doesn’t look like the body I remember), Jubilee, Rogue and Gambit are training. Psylocke (in Revanche’s body), Cyclops and Jean are watching from the control room. Jubilee is mostly in the way.
Jean conforms that Psylocke and Revanche are not their full minds in the other’s body, they are half of themselves and Revanche. This, naturally, upsets Psylocke.
Florida Keys. The Brotherhood are getting along okay with the two new guests. We get to learn their hosts, Chambers’ powers. He can take mutants powers and shut down their powers, it looks like he is spitting green vomit though, when he uses the power.
Out on the river, Henry Gyrich is working with a Mr. Cleary, they are monitoring the situation as operatives in Operation : Wideawake.
The X-men are on their way to meet with Chambers, they were invited. Beast really dug Chambers’ book, with the title “fatal Attractions” so that must be in the works. This annual and that crossover, both came out in 1993.
Cyclops, Beast and Rogue get to go through the front door. The others have to check out the sub-levels.
Henry Gyrich, with all of his mutant experience, knows that too many mutants in one room or place, there will be a fight. So he decides to sit back and let them knock each other out.
A giant fight breaks out between the X-Men and the Brotherhood.
Chambers shuts all of their powers down and calms them down, he will not have his work be undone. He wants his house to be a safe haven for those with the Legacy Virus, so they can die in peace. Pyro reveals it is him who is dying of the Legacy Virus, the others are there to make sure his last days are decent. Though he doesn’t die until Cable 87, in 2001 (eight years later from this moment, saving Senator Kelly’s life in the Dreams End crossover).
Revanche stands with Pyro, as her newly adopted body is also dying of the Legacy Virus. Good thing Betsy got her body and has been rocking it for decades now.
This story ends with Gyrich and the government coming to the house. Cyclops tells Gyrich that nothing is troubling there and everybody leaves.
There is a ten page Beast story at the end, but it stars Beast (in nearly every panel) so I didn’t read it.
This comic is filled with one page origin stories, which were actually used in some trades in 2010. The following characters get origins –
Captain America, Steve Rogers
Fantastic Four
Doctor Doom
Amazing Spider-Man
Green Goblin
Thor
Loki
Invincible Iron Man
Incredible Hulk
Avengers
X-Men
Writer Fred Van Lente
Art Leinil Francis Yu
Colors Dave McCaig
Letters VC’s Clayton Cowles
So great that Kitty makes it to the cast of characters.
Daredevil
Doctor Strange Writer Fred Van Lente
Artist Butch Guice
Color Artist Val Staples
Letterer Blambot’s Nate Piekos
Black Panther
Nick Fury
Wolverine
Hawkeye
Mockingbird, sometimes the two facing pages relate to each other and sometimes they do.
Black Widow
Punisher
Black Cat
Ms. Marvel, Carol
Hercules
Luke Cage
Immortal Iron Fist
Moon Knight
Ares
Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew
Ghost Rider
Skaar, Son of Hulk (whatever happened to this guy?)
Iron Man 2 is clearly coming out as there are ads for it and various merchandise.
Pet Avengers Writer Chris Eliopoulos
Artist Ig Guara
Color Chris Sotomayor
Letter Blambot’s Nate Piekos
Lockheed! I miss that purple dragon,, he needs to show up in a comic again!
Deadpool
Power Pack gets a very generous two pages
The Hood
Sentry
Captain America, Bucky Barnes – I like how they start and end with Captain America. It at least gives a reason for not starting with the Fantastic Four – though Cap (both of them) predate the first family by twenty years.
This is the only issue of the storyline I own, so any questions we have or what happens next, is beyond me.
The X-Men are – Storm, Psylocke, Pixie, Colossus and Domino
So this is the series where Colossus and Domino first meet. There is no sexual tension that I can see. That must come later in Cable and X-Force.
Previously, the team has been chasing monsters across the globe. Once they confront one of the monsters, they die. Colossus punched one in the head and Domino shot another one. Storm hasn’t been informing Cyclops about anything that is going on with the team. This has been annoying Colossus. Storm is concern with what Cyclops will do with the information. Storm got a human researcher involved. The monsters are really proto-mutants. In Quebec City, a giant proto-mutant has been located. With each step, he grows!
Onto the issue :
Quebec City, Canada. Storm has created a giant thunderstorm so people stay in their homes. The news reports that it is an isolated storm. Which is odd, as by now, with how long Storm has been around – wouldn’t people just assume Storm is the reason for any odd or freak weather conditions? Is that racist?
We get two pages of how Storm is maintaining no one being outside. Then Psylocke sees the giant man. Turn the page, the man is human sized and wearing an X-Men shirt (do they just keep a hundred on board the X-Jet?) and surrounded by the rest of the X-Men. That is resolving the problem post haste!
Which, and I’ve notice this about myself with television shows and movies, I don’t really need to see or hear certain conversations or see a big fight scene. If the next scene is a quick recap of what happened, I’m okay with getting to the events that matter.
Psylocke is on Storm’s side that they should know all of the information before involving Cyclops.
X-Jet, over the mid-Atlantic. Colossus admits that he isn’t very good at medical duties, he only has field training. Which harkens me back to the good ol’ days when Nightcrawler was the resident healer. Maybe Colossus picked up a thing or two from Kurt.
The X-Jet is pretty large as they have a room for the proto-mutant and an office for Storm to sit. She tells Pixie to speak and keep the stranger calm. Colossus and Storm go to her office.
Now this scene, would probably benefits the longer readers but I get the jist of it. Colossus really wants to inform Cyclops with what is happening. Storm doesn’t and she is being super vague about her reasons. Which doesn’t really help the tension between the two. What really doesn’t help? That Storm threatens to have Pixie teleport Colossus over 500 feet above Utopia. Which seems highly unnecessary.
I really like the visual of the massive Colossus standing tall and with his arms crossed and Storm sitting in her chair, he’s trying to physically intimidate her but she’s Storm and isn’t even bothered by him as he’s Colossus – the worst X-Man.
Before Colossus can respond to that horrible threat (did Storm really just say that?) that research student, Ms. Hunter, is called via Storm’s computer. Hunter reveals that their camp site was ruined and their hard drives were stolen.
Storm asks where Hunter is and she tells her she is in an Internet cafe. This sends Colossus into a rage and he can’t believe she is calling them from an unsecured site. As if the X-Men couldn’t defend themselves. But I guess it is nice that Colossus knows enough about the modern world, to be worried about someone tracing them. Though they are in a plane, so I imagine that tracking them wouldn’t be that easy.
Once that call is over, Colossus tells Storm that if she threatens him again, that he will be a bigger problem to Storm than whatever she thinks Cyclops will do. Why does Storm want to keep Colossus on the team? To smash stuff? Psylocke can do that and Pixie can teleport them beyond any walls. He really isn’t necessary at all, except that he is the sole male on the team, thus, he is holding the team back. Domino can destroy walls as well. Maybe Cyclops made Storm keep Colossus on the team and she was able to choose anyone else?
Pixie enters the room, informs the two of them that the proto-mutant only speaks Russian. I guess Xavier quit inserting languages into students’ heads prior to her joining the school. Probably something to do about students at a school and learning, or some silly thing like that.
Colossus is thrilled to hear the guy speaks Russian but wants his sister to be brought to the plane. The man speaks an old fashion dialect of Russian, it is very rural. For some reason, Illyana should be able to decipher it? Maybe because she spent more time in Russia than he did? He’s been too Americanized? Or he wasn’t very smart at learning? There are many reasons. I wonder, once Magik gets there, if Storm wondered if she could swap the Rasputin siblings. Though then she wouldn’t need Pixie around as much. Except to teleport at greater distances.
Pixie still isn’t comfortable around Magik, as she hesitates before retrieving her. Magik took a piece of her soul (hence why she can do magic now) but did give it back. But it was a pretty traumatic experience.
Later.
Magik has been able to speak to the proto-mutant, whose name is Ister. He is roughly 665 years old. He is most likely 666 years old but doesn’t want to be viewed as relating to the devil.
His story reminds me of One Tin Soldier song by
Thanks to YouTuber Soheil Koushan for hosting the video!
Such a great song! It is one of the songs my wife knows every word of so she sings it a bit around the house.
Pixie wonders how Ister has all of these memories. Colossus is somehow the brains of the team, and he explains that it must be Ister’s power.
These poor proto-mutants are victims of genocide.
In a nice artist choice, Psylocke is present via her telepathic powers.
Thanks to my pal from over at the X-Books forum, MarvelMaster616, and his great blog – for having the Magik pages! That was pretty handy!
I like how quickly Magik comes to the instant conclusion that they have to call Cyclops and figure out how to save the proto-mutants. Storm doesn’t want to do that, just yet.
In an odd choice, Magik has the idea that she should go back in time and save them. Storm doesn’t want that as it could change the present too much. It is odd because why Magik doesn’t always have this plan. Especially now that she has a better grasp of her powers.
Also, nice to see Magik in her New Mutants uniform. Makes me appreciate her current uniform more. She wore that uniform far too long. Just like her dear friend, Kitty.
Colossus told his sister earlier about the conflict between Storm and Cyclops.
In the cockpit, Psylocke and Storm talk. Psylocke is concern about the tension of the team. Storm relieves Psylocke so she can get some rest.
Storm wonders about where Ister came from. Just then, she gets a vision of the mad scientist who is experimenting on the proto-mutants. Of course, he is harassing Ister’s sister. He tells her that he is about to kill her brother.
Storm wakes from the horrible vision.
There is an ad for New Mutants Volume Three issues 47 and 48, the covers combine to make a larger image. I own issue 47.
Colossus tells Storm that Pixie has returned Magik to Utopia. Magik isn’t afraid of Storm, why would she be?, so she will probably tell Cyclops what is up.
Psylocke also had a vision.
Pixie has Cyclops on the phone, Storm tells her to take a message.
Ister’s head starts losing blood from every orifice. He is dying.
Storm tells Psylocke to download his memories, something I’m surprised doesn’t happen more often.
Ister sadly dies but Psylocke was successful. She also knows the scientist’s name and location. David Michael Gray is his name.
As I have never heard of him nor the proto-mutants, I imagine they all die and the X-Men fail but learn an important lession. Or Gray dies and the proto-mutants find a small piece of land to claim as their own, that isn’t on Utopia.
Hopefully this miniseries is better than Civil War : X-Men. I imagine we are getting Magneto v Storm, whereas the first one had Cyclops v Bishop.
The Inhumans let lose a global terrigen mist bomb. Mutants are on the run. Storm’s team, the Extraordinary X-Men have sworn to protect humans, Inhumans and mutants alike. Magneto’s team, the Uncanny X-Men, have decided to seek out opposition and stop threats before they have had a chance to strike.
Dubai. The mist is on the way to the grand Arabian city. The rich mutants of the city have locked themselves inside the penthouse. Magneto’s team – Sabretooth, M and Psylocke – arrive with the poorer mutants. No mutants will be killed due to the cloud’s effects this day. That was, until the servants turn out to the Prime Sentinels. They want all mutants to be dead, so they blow out the windows. Which does seem odd, I would imagine instead of a penthouse, the mutants should have gathered in a baseman.
The Uncanny X-Men start trying to get the mutants away from the incoming cloud. Just then, the winds start blowing the mist into the opposition direction.
Storm and her Extraordinary X-Men have arrived. Man, Illyana looks so off without her bangs. We’re seeing too much of her forehead! It looks unsettling. The Extraordinary X-Men are – Iceman, Teen Jean Grey, Magik, Nightcrawler and Old Man Logan.
Storm orders her X-Men to assist Magneto’s X-Men. Teen Jean doesn’t know about Sentinel Primes. She does point out how Magneto should have just ripped apart the Sentinels when they first appeared.
Magik starts to teleport the bystanders. We get some more tension between M and Magik, which Bunn hinted at in his Uncanny X-Men series, issue five. I’m still not sure where the hostility comes from.
Kurt and Psylocke see each other, though I’m not really sure that they have that much history together. They teamed up several times during his Excalibur days.
Magik and Jean hint that they have been given future knowledge. This catches M’s attention.
Is this the first time Sabretooth has met Old Man Logan? It seems to waste their first meeting in this miniseries, if that is the case. They do not get along, which makes sense. I do like Sabretooth teasing Old Man Logan. Old Ma Logan looks weird without wearing his jacket.
Magneto saves Storm from being attacked by Prime Sentinels.
If Storm could move the T-Cloud why isn’t she just constantly moving these clouds? Old Man Logan doesn’t like being called, Wolverine.
Since when did M become a slight telepath? She knows about Ulysses as she picked up the thoughts from Magik and Teen Jean earlier.
Magneto doesn’t like that Storm is willing to work with the Inhumans. The Inhumans’ actions have brought death to mutants and that is unforgivable.
I like Bunn taking the time to tease his Uncanny run, if someone wants answers, they could pick up those issues. I imagine they are hinting at (Arch)Angel, as he isn’t with the team here. If that was the case, though, why wasn’t Psylocke shown has having her head down and being sad?
I do feel like I want to be on Magneto’s side with this as I too do not care for the Inhumans, ever since Inhumanity started.
M mentions Ulysses by name and Pslocke, a full telepath, decides to now use that power on Teen Jean.
We get a page recap of Civil War II 0 & 1.
Teen Jean straight forces Psylocke to throw up – which seems both unnecessary and disgusting. She’s the worst.
The two teams go separate ways.
Issue ends with War Room X, in the Savage Land. Kurt has decided to switch from Storm’s side to Magneto’s side. Which makes sense as
Magneto is right.
I know I’ll be getting the second issue so we’ll find out more. Hopefully Kurt isn’t just being a spy for Storm as that seems too easy.
Anyone know who the cover artist is? Seems like I’m the first to ask that question, online.
This is a pretty fun novel. It reads very much like a Star Trek novel, that happens to have the X-Men. The greatest of the X-Men, Shadowcat, is barely used. She appears in 26 of the 264 pages. In my younger days, I apparently kept track of them on an index card. Below, I’ve scanned all 26 pages so you can not only sample of the book but also enjoy the Shadowcat experience.
There are some fun moments such as Picard and Storm’s attraction to each other, Wolverine and Worf’s buddy romance. Angel being ripe jerk to the Enterprise crew. There is even a cameo by Lee, Kirby and Ditko – poor Lee.
The story of the book is that on Xhaldia, a new crop of people with powers start emerging and the planet doesn’t know what to do with them. Well, they do know to try to both encamp them and to fight and attempt to kill them.
Here are the pages that Kitty Pryde can be found on.
41
42
50
95
113
131
133
140
159
165
175
183
184 & 185
186 & 187
188
213
254 & 255
256 & 257
259
260 & 261
264
Sorry for the quality of the pages, I tried to get the book to lay as flat as possible but the majority of the pages are still readable.
. . .
Big Brother 18 : Episode 14 – July 21, 2016
Will Da’vonne go home or will Tiffany finally go home? Let’s find out!
Paulie and Zakiyah’s showmance is not getting any television time, neither is Zakiyah.
Dman, they went home and interviewed both Cody and Vanessa. At least we’re getting it out of the way now. I just told my wife that I bet Vanessa is all proud of Tiffany and isn’t seeing any of her own mistakes in Tiffany’s game.
But First! Apparently Production doesn’t know who is going home – that’s pretty awesome! They must love that.
oh man, they show Tiffany talking about Da’vonne flipping her hair onto Tiffany. Are they going to show all of the racist comments that Tiffany made? My Tumblr really blew up over Tiffany’s comments. Da’vonne is going to try her best to not blow up. Paulie is ready to break the tie in Tiffany’s direction. He’s growing a beard too.
Natalie is trying to make slop for the first time. Natalie asks Paulie to ask James if she wants to make him some slop. James says he’s a big boy and will make his own slop. Such an overreaction. Poor Natalie, she can’t choose a good man in the house. James finally has a lady interested in him and he’s burning it. Well, they seem to be getting along now.
Natalie goes in for a hug and James quickly touches her breasts. It looked awkward but the showmance is a real mance – for now.
Frank is talking to Paulie and Corey about maybe keeping Tiffany. In DR, Corey can see why they should get rid of Da’vonne. Paulie is adamant about getting rid of Tiffany.
Tiffany tries to talk to Nicole about voting out Da’vonne. Tiffany comes on so aggressive, like she rehearsed it in her head and now is trying to get all of the words out, as fast as possible. She does the same to Paulie. It is so exhausting to hear her game. Paulie is now concern about Da’vonne blowing up his game.
Da’vonne walks away from all of the houseguests in the kitchen. Da’vonne goes upstairs to find Zakiyah and Michelle. Two people Production doesn’t care about. One of the rules of Big Brother – if you are on the block, don’t let the house see what it is like to not have you around in it. You have to be present.
Da’vonne makes the mistake of telling James she wants the showmances out of the house. She meant Nicole / Corey and Paulie/ Zakiyah. Poor James, he’s currently IN A SHOWMANCE with Natalie! He will be Da’vonne’s target after a few weeks. James rightfully tells Paulie, so now he’s even more convince to let Da’vonne go.
The Battle Back, whoever goes home actually goes to the special Friday episode that airs tonight (it is 5:20 am right now as I type this). I’ve been catching some flack as I just learn of this Friday episode last night. Apparently they have said it on the show but I must have missed the two mentions of it.
Julie Chen, showing the similarities of the siblings. Tiffany is a hot mess, like her sister Vanessa. Paulie is a flirt, like his brother Cody. Is Paulie older than Cody? Their father’s name is Paul, is why I’m asking. I don’t miss Vanessa, at all. Tiffany’s shared DNA isn’t what makes Vanessa a target – it is her emotional outbursts and crazy style of talking.
Frank has been barely shown this week. Which is probably the right call on his part, lay low.
Speeches. Audio problems! Da’vonne tries to keep it light. Natalie is nervous and gives James a shoutout, she keeps hers fun. Tiffany has put on her normal face and voice, is this the mask?
Paul looks like Paulie 2.0, that must be on purpose, right?
Votes.
Michelle – Tiffany
Zakiyah – Tiffany
James – Tiffany, he thought about it
Commercial Break.
Nicole – Tiffany, not confidant
Frank – Tiffany – it is official, Tiffany is heading out tonight
Corey – Tiffany
Bridgette – Tiffany, with regrets
Paul – Tiffany, first vote in quite some time.
Tiffany got all the votes! I hoe she doesn’t win the Battle Back! Ideally, she is too emotional to play and can’t concentrate. OR! That they just send her packing immediately. I’m still hoping that Glenn wins and gets to play after spending so much time in sequester.
Chenbot asks Tiffany about her game choices. Something that has been recapped enough. Nothing new is coming out of this. Tiffany would not be so emotional if she was given a second chance to play, she’ll dial it back. her DNA won’t allow her ot keep her emotions in check. The goodbyes are friendly enough. Whoa, they shouldn’t have shown Da’vonne’s. I guess Production figures those two won’t work together. Tiffany’s mind is blown over Battle Back.
Julie announces that the teams and BB Road Kill are coming to an end. Once Battle Back is done, we’ll be back to Proper Big Brother.
CBS All Access has twice now not aired the full basketball Verizon commercial. We get the first few seconds and then it skips. They will have to do two make-goods.
Battle Back. This must be the jury house. Glenn wasn’t evicted, he didn’t win a competition. He’ll go after the Vets. Jozea. I guess it isn’t jury house as he’s by himself. Who is he playing volleyball with? Victor, definitely in a third house, is trying to be more zen. Bronte has been tanning and relaxing. She’ll come back with vengeance! I don’t really miss any of these people.
Julie tells the houseguests that the team twist is done. Also the BB Road Kill is over and there will only be two nominees.
No Head of Household? I guess they are going to allow the Battle Back winner to compete in that comp as well. Which is the way to do it as that winner is going to be target numero uno.
Julie also hinted that a secret is going to be revealed. My wife told me that is referencing Pandora’s Box that is coming back.
I’m working at Hastings tonight so I should be able to watch tonight’s episode when I get home.
My wife tells me that the feeds are down for the next few days because of this. I guess tonight’s episode is going to be live too as Julie will be there.
There is an Original Trek meets Original X-Men (plus Bishop, Storm and Wolverine – of course) but that one doesn’t involve Kitty so it lacks being in my collection. This one, involves the best series of the Star Trek franchise – The Next Generation. Largely due to them having the best captain, Jean-Luc Picard. Though those first two seasons are hard to watch, largely due to the heavy focus on Wesley Crusher and Data. So the next generation of the Enterprise meets the next generation of the X-Men.
This story takes place a minute after Star Trek : First Contact –
Thanks to YouTuber Nathan Travis for hosting the trailer!
In that film, old nemesis (and possibly the most dangerous) The Borg go back in time to stop humans “first contact” with an alien race. Hence why this is titled, Second Contact. The Enterprise is in back in time, already but not only go further in time but they also go into an alternate universe where the X-Men are.
In fact, this comic starts one minute after the end credits of that film. Which I really need to see if I can find a copy of the film to watch.
The cast of the two teams are –
Star Trek : Next Generation : Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William T. Rider, Commander Data, Commander Deanna Troi, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge, Lt. Commoner Worf and the Borg. X-Men : Wolverine, Storm, Angel, Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, Colossus, Banshee, Kang, Sentinels and the Thunderbolts.
Captain’s Log. April 5, 2063 – or so. The Enterprise is trying to wade through time to get back to their present. Once out of warp, they notice they are not near their Earth.
Editor “Continuity Chief” Timothy Tuohy lets us know that this issue takes place before X-Men Zero Tolerance, Heroes Return and Thunderbolts 10 – so we know exactly where we are.
Their attempt to go forward in time has caused them to go backwards in time. Geordi informs them that they need to replace their processing core. Crusher tries to explain that this primitive Earth shouldn’t have that type of continuity. Riker corrects her, there is Shi’ar tech that has been located and will work. Little do they know how much alien life has come into contact with this Earth. Picard is going to send two away teams – to the two locations in North America that has the technology they need.
The first team – Worf, Riker and Crusher, come across the Thunderbolts. In the late 90s, in Star Trek time, New York City should be in the Eugenics War. The three have come to the Baxter Building, which is currently the homebase of the Thunderbolts. Their twelfth issue is so great.
Since the first team came across costume folk, they abandon that goal and try a nice country home in Westchester.
Banshee likes that the X-Men have come together, not during a time of crisis, but to just hang out. This really is a decent group of seven X-Men. Angel serves as the Original Five placeholder; Kitty, Kurt and even Colossus represent Excalibur as well as the inclusion of Storm and Wolverine adds to the 35th Anniversary era. Banshee is the lone holdout, except he adds another face from the Second Class of X-Men.
Kitty likes it when they gather too.
The second away team is – Geordi, Data and Troi. Geordi locates the Shi’ar tech behind a panel. Before he can make much progress, Wolverine pops his two outer claws around Geordi’s throat. Data grabs Wolverine by the shoulder and merely flings him across the room. We get a fun match up between Data and Colossus. Colossus throws a punch, Data tries to catch it but ends up on the other side of the room, as well.
Troi gets between the boyz and quickly explains that they are from the Enterprise. Wolverine recognizes the name of the starship from the previous teamup.
Later, Picard can’t believe that he is following in the footsteps of his most illustrious predecessor.
Such a great double splash page of two groups together. The X-Men took the time to get dressed, as did Geordi, Data and Troi.
We get a very quick recap of the previous crossover. Picard also recaps his film, so now everyone knows what happened before they each woke up this morning.
Kitty, as the smartest person in the room, announces that the Enterprise being here is causing a major upset in the timestream.
I love how much Wolf and Wolverine (who are great together) are so over timelines and alternate Earths. A stable of both franchises.
Troi states that an evil presence is is about to arrive.
That force is . . . Kang! An Avengers villain but the X-Men don’t really have a time traveling foe so the villain borrowing makes sense. Always better to use an established character instead of creating a new one.
Is only Banshee facing Kang? That’s not good staging on Kang’s behalf.
Kang doesn’t waste too much time explaining the stakes. There is a grave disruption in the time space continuities, so the two franchises’ histories are about to mix. As fun as it is to read, it isn’t great for the characters. There are two huge anomalies that need intimidate attention.
I do like Picard and Storm having asides with each other.
Riker’s providing a log. Kang gave them eight chronal compass watches, so there will be two groups of four characters. Team One is – Colossus, Picard, Troi and Kurt. Team Two is – Wolverine, Data, Storm and Worf. A bit of an odd grouping for both sets. At least Wolverine and Worf makes sense. Surprised the writers didn’t try to put Colossus and Data on the same teams, or some other fun combo like Picard and Storm on the same team.
That leaves poor Kitty, Angel and Banshee just standing around on the Enterprise-E.
Team One goes to the Days of Future Past timeline – the most famous of the X-Men’s alternate histories. Makes sense that Colossus is on this team as his future self is in the storyline. Storm was too so she really should have been on this team. I guess Wolverine and Kitty could have been there too.
Kurt talks about this as if it makes perfect sense, I guess Rachel probably painted a very visual telling of this future. 2013 is still the far future, in the late 90s. Filthy flatscans begin to throw rocks at the mutants and Starfleet officers. Sentinels arrive on scene and everyone scatters.
Team Two. Data recognizes that they are in the middle of The Battle of Wolf 359 –
This happens during Star Trek Next Generation’s Best of Both Worlds Part II and Deep Space Nine’s pilot, Emissary, during Captain Sisko’s flashback. Picard was assimilated into the Borg fold at this point. The Borg use his knowledge of Starfleet to make short work of the opposition.
The battle from Emissary –
Thanks to YouTuber Psyker Sith for hosting this video.
The aftermath (and the lead up) from Best of Both Worlds, Part II –
Thanks to YouTuber Mad Monkey for hosting this video.
So for those folks who are not familiar with Star Trek / Borg canon, that’s the best I can do. I hope it helps.
Worf and Wolverine start tearing into the Borg. Storm whips up a tornado, which may not be the smartest move on a spaceship. With a lightning strike, the Borg are taken out.
Days of Future Past. Picard takes down a Sentinel. As do Colossus and Kurt. Troi feels like something is missing. Kang, talking aloud, to himself. He reveals, to himself, his own plans, that the anomalies are keeping history together, so once the heroes fix those two pieces – history should be for Kang’s taking.
On the bridge of the Enterprise. Two officers are getting restless, as Kitty has to watch on. Just then, Wesley Crusher and the Traveler arrive.
Traveler explains how Kang is tricking them into doing his bidding. The anomalies need to stay in place, as time fixes itself.
I do like the idea of Wesley and Kitty being a pair. Traveler is going to guide the Enterprise to where Kang is. Mr. Crusher and Ms. Pryde are going to warn the teams.
As the two youngsters leave, Banshee and Angel reflect on how Kitty has grown up.
Battle of Wolf 359. Sisko is giving orders to Thunderbird, so we know he is the anomaly. Now we just need Sunfire and all of the Second Class folks would be present. Well, and Cyclops too, I suppose.
Wolverine is about to kill Thunderbird (as he’s better than Count Nefaria, I guess). Luckily, Kitty arrives and hugs Wolverine. Wesley is forced to yell at Data to not do anything that Kang told them to do. Storm wants an explanation, I would have just taken Kitty at her word. I’m good like that.
Just then, Sisko is about to be killed when Proudstar takes the hit – like a champ.
Data suspects that Kang wanted Sisko to die so that he never becomes the Emissary of the Prophets. Wesley tells them to use their watches to go back to the Enterprise. Kitty and him need to catch up to the other team. Worf respects how brave Kitty is.
Kang breaks a monitor, as the Enterprise attacks. Kang isn’t gong to go down quietly.
Days of Future Past. We get to see Tasha Yar filling in for Rachel Grey, as Kate Pryde sleeps. Well, as she’s back in the 80s and it is really Kitty’s mind that is taking the nap.
Kurt is able to work in the phase “Days of Future Past” which can’t be easy to do.
Troi confirms this isn’t their Tasha Yar.
Picard can’t bring himself to kill Yar. Wesley and Kitty arrive to stop what Picard has already decided to not do.
Borg inspired Sentinels break through the walls.
I don’t quite get how Tasha Yar was able to send Kate’s mind back to the past, that isn’t part of her skill set. She was a kick arse Security Chief.
Troi volunteers to replace Yar and get the two Prydes minds back to their rightful bodies.
Colossus and Kitty are taking out SentiBorgs.
Wait, did Colossus fastball special Kitty? He’s been doing that since before Whedon did it, that’s pretty awesome.
Kitty destroys a head of a SentiBorg and lands. She sees Troi syncing Yar and Kate’s minds.
Kitty, for the first time, witnesses the event that has been a pretty pivotal moment in her history. One of the first real defining stories of hers.
Wait, am I reading Troi’s dialogue correctly? Kate’s mind is going back to Tasha Yar’s younger mind? Shouldn’t this have been Rachel doing this to a sleeping Yar? That would have make more sense.
Riker, Banshee and the Traveler are on Kang’s ship. As soon as Traveler is finished tampering with Kang’s ship, the come back to the bridge. Picard and the gang are waiting for him.
The two ships begin a fire fight. The Enterprise ends the duel with a win.
Captain’s Log, Kang’s ship imploded onto itself. Kitty kisses Wesley on the cheek! If only we could get a tad more of that relationship. The two teams say their good byes.
The X-Men return to Earth and one second later, are beginning the adventure of Planet X, which we’ll be reviewing in a few days.
I use to tell people, back in my message board days, that all they had to do was read the first two pages on Comixology and be done with this miniseries. Then while rereading it this time, I realized how much more times does Kitty and Lockheed appear in this issue. Which I’m all for.
Civil War was the event that followed House of M and M-Day. With the mutant population under two hundred, Cyclops invited all of them to the Xavier Institute. I forget why the government decided that they must protect this endangered species, as I can’t imagine that it is due to their number being so limited. Anyways, O*N*E (Office of National Emergency) are there with five Sentinels, that are operated by humans. By the start of this miniseries, Emma has met with Tony Stark, the X-Men are going to stay neutral during the Civil War.
This issue opens with Kitty and Lockheed watching “This is the Hour” which is a very clunky title for a show. Valerie Cooper is being interviewed about how mutants don’t have the same civil rights now that they are extinct.
When I write my silly fan fiction (mostly in my head) I almost always start with the Kitty on a couch, reading a book while Lockheed is either on her lap or on the back of the couch. I hadn’t realized I got that idea from this issue.
I really do enjoy Kitty and Beast together, they have such interesting chemistry. Probably due to them sharing the same role on a team, in the past, so they haven’t had much time to spend with each other – before Whedon / Cassaday / Martin brought them together.
Look how happy Lockheed is there on her lap!
Those two joking around is so fun, Beast got fleas one time and she won’t let it go.
The 198 are having a bit of an uprising.
Callistro and Caliban are trying to draw the Sentinels out. Looks like Mammomax is still alive too.
Domino and Shatterstar are fighting off the soldiers.
Val Cooper, on the news, is trying to sell the idea of protecting mutants and not imprisoning them at their own home. Well, the X-Men’s home. Domino is reminding Shatterstar that they agreed to disarming and disabling, as he seems overly kill happy. The soldiers are using rubber bullets, which I feel like in 2006, rubber bullets was all of the rage. Domino is doing all of this so that those mutants who don’t want to be there anymore can leave. Which is weird, as those mutants volunteered to be there, in the first place.
Bishop and Colonel Reyes arrive, Reyes believes Domino and Shatterstar are terrorists for blowing a whole in the barrier wall. I guess since the X-Men have allowed government manned Sentinels to flank their mansion, so their home is now government property.
A Sentinel references that the 198 are on a list, so they have to use low energy blasts on them since Domino and Shatterstar are not on the list, they can fire at full blast.
Reyes wants the X-Men to help, Bishop called them.
The Daily Bugle half page bullpen (it shares the other half with Avatar Last Air Bender Chapters 13 – 16 DVD has the following news –
The Adventure Starts Here! (New Number 1’s)
Annihilation 1 of 6
Heroes for Hire 1 – which I read as Black Cat was on the team but I couldn’t keep reading it
Agents of Atlas 1 of 6
Claws 1 of 3, which i read all three issues as Joe Linsner drawing and writing Black Cat and Arcade, I’m all in! New Beginnings! (New Arcs – Not including Number 1’s)
Sensational Spider-Man 29
Runaways 19
X-Factor 10, I own issue nine and eleven
Black Panther 19, I own issues 16 – 18 and then, 22 and finally 31
Domino apparently can now control the weather with her probability powers. I’m sure she’s never displayed this power set since.
There is a full page ad having Hulk promote the Dodge Caliber.
Caliban is growing stronger with all of the emotions that are around him. When did that become part of his power set? That must be from the Apocalypse upgrade, right?
There is a full page ad for Monster House, which I’m pretty sure we watched because it was Oscar nominated.
Caliban spits sorrow or regret at Bishop, who immediately falls to his knees with remorse for failing his sister, Shard. Shatterstar wastes no time to tell Caliban that move was without honor. Domino’s plane finally arrives.
Talladega Nights gets a full page, which I still recall the ending’s race with fondness. Is ten years long enough to spoil that, I was going to type “foot race” but thought better of it.
The X-Men finally arrive! Kitty took the time to put on her uniform, Lockheed is with her. Along with her is Beast, Cyclops, Iceman and Angel – who couldn’t find a shirt, apparently. As I type this, I’m just now realizing that the Original Four X-Men are already in this title. I’m all for Kitty replacing Jean in the Original Five. Or just in general.
Kitty doesn’t like being part of this fight, mutants should be able to live their lives like the human beings that they are.
Cyclops wants Domino to stand down but she isn’t going to let people who don’t want to be there be force to stay there.
Emma arrives and starts calming everyone down. Bishop things it was her who messed with his head but he’s told it was Caliban. Emma fixes Bishop’s head, as the 198 are escaping on their plane.
There is an ad for the Incredible Hulk Season One, which I’m pretty sure you can buy now at ten dollars at Hastings. Which I’ve been meaning to do, as I own the Best of Incredible Hulk set, but I would like to own the entire series eventually.
Bishop is upset as Cyclops let the 198 leave. Bishop tries to insult Scott by claiming that Emma is his boss. As if that truth would hurt Scott’s feelings. Scott counters with his own truth about Bishop, that he’s taking orders from O*N*E, which also doesn’t insult him as he likes O*N*E. I do like Cyclops’ reminder that Bishop’s future was overrun by Sentinels and this very well could be the start of that.
Bishop is trying to avoid that future by having mutants police themselves, but not really addressing the whole Sentinel guard issue. Bishop claims Scott doesn’t know what real oppression is, and when Scott starts to counter that he does know real oppression. Bishop, in a very intimate move, covers Scott’s mouth and walks away. It is weird.
There is an ad for Ultimate Avengers 2, which isn’t even an attempt to adapt an Ultimates storyline. I recently started Dark Knight Returns Part One and I was commenting on how great DC is at adapting their comic stories to animation and having those be good and how Marvel doesn’t really do that and most of their direct-to-dvds are not that well received.
Avengers Tower. Tony Stark, in his Iron Man armor sans helmet is hosting a meeting with Val Cooper and Bishop. He informs them that not all of the 198 fled, only half of them. Stark is worried about them joining up with Captain America. General Lazer is also in attendance. Tony says that the White House wants him personally to oversee making sure mutants are not seen as a menace. Tony wants Sentinels and mutants to work together. Bishop has recruited microMAX and Sabra, who I don’t quite recognize the lady. I know the name but that’s about it. Tony is going to have Bishop lead this mission.
David Hine gets to show off his familiarity with Bishop’s character history. He has experience with XSE and being a sheriff of Mutant Town. Which is no longer a thing now. General Lazer isn’t cool with being overshadowed. Lazer leaves, making some racist comments.
The Xavier Mansion. The issue ends with setting up the rest of the miniseries. The male members of the Original Five are going to go rogue and aid the escaped 198. Which I really enjoyed that aspect of this series, as those four barely spend any time together, on panel. I imagine they get together off panel, all of the time.
There is a page ad for V for Vendetta, now on DVD. A film that I watched before reading the trade. That scene where Natalie Portman’s character is being held prisoner, I suspected who might be holding her hostage. I told my wife, if it is who I think it is, we’re heading straight to Hastings and buying the DVD (we must have been watching it on some cable channel, and we had missed the first couple minutes) and I’ll be buying the trade. The trade was a tad hard to read but I did enjoy the film.
The Original Four are wearing new black stealth outfits, so Emma (clad all in white) really stands out in the room. Emma isn’t allowed to come along, even though she would also make a great addition to this four. Kitty, Emma or even Firestar would make great additions, possibly even Dazzler!
Issue ends with the boys taking off and a Sentinel confronts Emma.
This is the fifth part of crossover, this was during Alan Davis’ awesome (but brief) tenure as both plotter and penciler, of both X-Men and Uncanny X-Men. I’m so happy that Mark Farmer came along for the ride. 90s staple, Fabian Nicieza, assists with the script. I own all five parts of the crossover but I’m reviewing this one, now, as my final look back, for Magneto 21.
I was super excited, when I pulled this out of my short box, when I saw the sliver of black strip that is on the right side of the cover. That meant, that this was part of the pull out cover, that reviewed the cast and the previous issues’ events. Except that at the end of that campaign, which I was a huge fan of, they used it as additional ad space, which makes sense.
There is an ad for The Hulk, b John Byrne, Ron Rarney and Dan Green (whose name, I’m pretty sure, I lost track of, come May 1999). His wife is dead, his friends are gone and all he has left is his rage. That does intrigue me and I don’t recall this era of Hulk, at all.
The inside fold is promoting Disney’s Saturday morning shows on ABC. Recess (such a great show), Doug (that I barely followed), Pepper Ann (that looks familiar) and Mouse Works, something involving Micky and Minnie – I imagine.
Issue opens with beloved television reporter, Trish Tilby, of CBNC News fame. She recaps the events that got us here, which I appreciate. At this point, the two titles were essentially one big bi-monthly series. Trish reports that Magneto is a “mutant terrorist” which seems unnecessarily racist. “Terrorist” is sufficient.
Magneto’s latest plan, is essentially teasing what Ultimate Magneto will do, during Ultiumatum. Except here, he threatens to do it, and there, he just did it. Magneto wants to tip the planet off of its axis. He’s already began the process, and there are massive blackouts – everywhere.
Magneto has sent a robot to the United Nations, to represent him as his ambassador. What is stopping Magneto, right now, is his clone, Joseph. Astra has plotted this Magneto v Joseph fight, for a while now. The caption states that she is a former Brotherhood of Mutants, but I don’t even recall her from that. As the two fight, the X-Men arrive, in a plastic plane.
I like how Xavier dressed up for this confrontation.
This is a pretty good roster, for the X-Men – Marrow, Storm, Colossus, Shadowcat, Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine and Nightcrawler. No Original Five, but plenty of All New, All Different. Nearly, all of them, minus Sunspot and Banshee.
Xavier explains the differences of Magneto and Joseph, which the caption boxes did the same, two pages earlier. Magneto has the experience and the will but Joseph has the raw power but lacks control. Xavier recognizes that Astra is on the field, which is something that gives Xavier an edge up, on me.
Wolverine pops his claws, which is silly as he has no chance against Magneto. Xavier tells him to settle down, as he knows what I know, that Wolverine shouldn’t be able to get too close, to Magneto. Xavier calls him “Magnus” which seems like a weird time to show respect to the super villain.
Xavier wants to split the team into three groups (classic X-Men style!) each to deal with the pieces on the ground – Magneto, Joseph and Astra.
Since they are at the eye of the battle, Kurt feels like he should be able to safely teleport now. Astra doesn’t require an entire dedicated group, Kurt teleports to her and punches her in the face.
Going after Magneto is – Rogue, Gambit and Wolverine. Which makes sense, Rogue has a romantic relationship with Magneto. Wolverine has a score to settle and Gambit goes wherever Rogue goes. Did they ever deal with the fact, that Rogue was attracted to Joseph, under the false premise that he was a younger and gentler Magneto? Only to have him be revealed to be a clone? I suppose that would have been in a X-Men Unlimited issue but they also don’t really publish those stories.
What is happening with Magneto’s face, in that last panel!?! Super menacing but also, creepy.
Wolverine tries to SKRK Magneto but Magneto swats him away – as he should. Wolverine is a giant bag of metal, so he is the worst person to throw at Magneto.
Gambit is curious where he ranks on Magneto’s list of mutants who matter. Magneto throws in Gambit’s face that he is a traitor to his own race. Magneto knows this, as he was the reason Gambit was put on trial, in Uncanny X-Men 350. The Uncanny issues, part of Magneto War, are Uncanny 366 & 367. The other issues are X-Men 86 and Magneto War 1.
Kitty and Marrow arrive, so they must have been mart of the Magneto Team.
On Team Joseph, is Xavier, Storm and Colossus. Joseph, now no longer under Astra’s influence, is trying to right the world. Joseph is becoming one with the electromagnetic spectrum. Xavier is going to work with Joseph, to be his telepathic anchor. It will be up to Storm and Colossus to keep Joseph’s body intact. In classic Claremont fashion, Colossus and Storm Care Bear it up, to save the day. Colossus armors up, becoming a lightning rod. Storm works as a conduit, to seep the energies from Joseph and into Colossus.
Back with Magneto. He swats Wolverine away, again. I do like how Marrow isn’t afraid of Magneto. I imagine the team educated her on Magneto but it is merely facts. They didn’t experience the menace of Magneto (or Spider-Man) in the Morlock Tunnels. Magneto has regretted not doing more, for the Morlocks. Though he did figure out who lead the Marauders to the Morlocks, though only us fans know that Magneto was Erik the Red. Strangely, the X-Men nor Gambit, ever talk about that trial. I get Gambit not bringing it up but the others, I would be constantly asking about how Erik the Red figured all of that out. I’m going on about Uncanny 350, as I no longer own that issue – due to lack of Kitty being in it.
Rogue has called Magneto, Magnus and now Kitty does too. I do enjoy Magneto calling her, Katherine. Kitty was going to stab Magneto with ice! This was all the distraction that Wolverine needed to strike Magneto. Which is also how Eve of Destruction ends, the two examples of Wolverine ever having an edge on Magneto. That happened in X-Men 113. Uncanny issues involved int hat event are Uncanny 392 & 393, so we are a few years away from that. I don’t own any of those issues, also due to lack of Kitty being in them. Decent storyline though.
Joseph is merging with the magnetic field, he feels the source drawing him in.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations. A guy runs into Dr. Huxley’s office, stating that the Earth’s axis is being corrected. So she doesn’t have to go through with her plan to give Magneto what he wants. She goes as far as to set the report that she is given, on fire.
Kurt checks in on Kitty and Gambit (I imagine Gambit happen to be next to the person Kurt was really checking on.). Kurt sees an opportunity and teleports over to Magneto, removing his helmet. Wolverine slashes Magneto’s face! But not that deeply, which is strange. It looks like Wolverine SHREKTH the other side of Magneto’s face, as well but it isn’t really reflected, throughout the rest of the issue – or for the rest of time.
Xavier checks on Joseph, who has aged to what Magneto probably should look like.
Bullpen Bulletins, I must have been reading all of the titles that came out on February 24, as they all sound familiar.
Avengers 15, by Busiek & Perez, but it is dealing with Triathlon’s origins.
Deadpool 27, which is odd as I know that issue 27 guest stars Wolverine and Kitty Pryde, along with Doctor Bong but the issue description describes another issue.
Earth X 1 of 12, such a great series!
Gambit 3, I was reading his first ongoing, at this point.
J2 7, not enough updates with the X-People. Tom DeFalco & Ron Lim, riding the MC2 line, at is high point.
Inhumans 6 of 12, Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, I want to own the motion comic to this as I want to reread it but the trade is in storage, right now.
Slingers 5, another amazing series! Joseph Harris & ChrisCross.
Webspinners : Tales of Spider-Man 4, picking up where Silver Surfer 18 (from 1969) left off.
Wolverine 137, Erik Larsen’s Wolverine Space Opera – that was pretty great.
X-Force 89 – The New Hellions are back!
In Stan Lee’s Soapbox, he teases James Cameron’s Spider-Man film, which still sounds bonkers to me.
Joseph sacrifices himself, so that Xavier and his X-Men can continue his dream.
Xavier, Storm and Colossus regroup with the others – explaining that Joseph is dead. I like how Astra wants to go on about how much work went into this scheme. She has to go from years, to months, to finally, weeks. But it is pretty impressive what she was able to do, in such a short time. She disappears, through a portal, which does remind me that she did appear in Second Coming.
Magneto is back, ready for Round Three!
Xavier is tired of all of this senseless fighting, this cycle that goes nowhere. See Magneto’s face? Those are not very deep cuts. The way it looked, earlier, he should barely have a face! Magneto dares them to kill him, if they want this to truly end. Wolverine hears his cue and charges at Magneto.
Rogue takes Wolverine down, again. Gambit finally has to question her motivations, I suppose it was one to many times.
Just then, Ferris (Magneto’s robot ambassador), Dr. Huxley and some United Nations peeps (with soldiers) arrive onto the scene.
Dr. Huxley hands Magneto a very important piece of paper. Magneto, if he accepts, will be the ruler of . . . Genosha! Which is pretty awesome! Wolverine’s reaction is pretty great, too!
Wolverine wants to keep going after Magneto but Xavier mentally shuts him down. It is a great issue for watching Wolverine get his comeupins.
Xavier, wisely, realizes Magneto is United Nations sworn, so there is nothing the X-Men can do, so they leave.
Magneto and Ferris are by themselves. Magneto tries to magnetically bring his helmet to him but it doesn’t even budge. Ferris retrieves it and asks if this is exhaustion or a problem. It will be a problem, that we will follow in Magneto Rex. Well, not us here at S&FwM as I no longer own any of those issues but the readers of the day.
X-Pressions – the letters page – has letters from – James Knoles of England / Mel Molatore of Portland, OR / Tammy Suto of Rayland, OH and Barry Southgate of New Zealand.
The next issue features Juggernaut. I own that issue, but who knows when I will review that.
Shadow and Flame with Magik 