Era #4, Part 01: Ghosts

My Grade:  B

The Uncanny X-Reading starts with a bang!  Collected in Uncanny X-Men: Ghosts, issues #199-209 begins the darker phase of Chris Claremont's historic run. he series focuses on Rachel as she deals with her personal ghost starting with her assuming the mantle of Phoenix and culminating in a memorable showdown in Central Park. I am not a big fan Rachel, but this series included gems.

[3-Stars] 199 - "The Spiral Path" introduces one of my favorite X-Men villain teams. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants approach Valerie Cooper with a bold plan to work for the US Government as a strike-force called Freedom Force in exchange for full pardons.  Their first assignment is to arrest Magneto, and that puts them up against the X-Men.  Meanwhile, Rachel visits her mother's home and becomes the Phoenix.

[3-Stars] 200 - "The Trial of Magneto"  Magneto stands trial in Paris at the International Court of Justice for his crimes against the humanity. Professor Xavier can no longer hide his deteriorating condition, while the X-Men attempt to protect the proceedings from the terrorist attacks perpetrated in their name by Fenris.

[3-Stars] 201 - "Duel" Storm challenges Cyclops to a epic duel for leadership of the X-Men.

[2-Stars] 202 - "X-Men, I've Gone to Kill the Beyonder!"  Let me start by saying that I did not like Secret Wars II. In the first crossover, Rachel is on a mission to kill the Beyonder. She puts her teammates at risk when the cosmic entity forces her to make a difficult decision. He gives her enough power to either destroy him or save the X-Men from an unstoppable Sentinel attack.

[2-Stars] 203 - "Crossroads".  In this second part of the Secret Wars II crossover, Rachel takes the lifeforce of her teammates (in some cases forcibly) for a second attempt to kill the Beyonder.  As with the first story, Phoenix must determine who and what she will sacrifice to save the universe.

[3-Stars] 204 - "What Happened to Nightcrawler?" is one of two solo stories in this series.  Nightcrawler struggles with his own ghosts (in keeping with the theme) while he attempts to save a young woman from Arcade's Murderworld.

[4-Stars] 205 - "Wounded Wolf" is the definitive Wolverine solo story.  With an enhanced cybernetic body from Spiral, Lady Deathstrike seeks her revenge against her greatest enemy. She is joined by three enhanced mercenaries, Macon, Reese and Cole, who also bear a serious grudge against the Canadian X-Man. The four hunt the badly injured Wolverine through a blizzard in the city during the Christmas season.  Katie Powers guest stars in this beautifully drawn issue by Barry Windsor-Smith.

[4-Stars] 206 - "Freedom is a Four Letter Word!"  Why do I like Freedom Force?  Because even when they do something completely villainous, they do it with the complete authority of the US Government.  The X-Men are further alienate and forced to play the role of outlaw.

[4-Stars] 207 - "Ghosts".  The final storyline starts with Rachel struggling with dark dreams and frustrations. She decides to seek revenge against the the Hellfire Club while running from Wolverine.

[4-Stars] 208 - "Retribution".  The final storyline continues with the Hellfire Club exacting their revenge against the X-Men who must find Rachel.

[4-Stars] 209 - "Salvation" The Hellfire Club continues to press their attack against the X-Men despite Nimrod's arrival. It is a three way battle that leaves serious repercussions.