Era #4, Part 06: New Mutants Classic, Vol 7

My Grade: C+

This run, collected in New Mutants Classics, Vol 7, is Chris Claremont's last with Xavier's youngest students. For me, it typifies his entire time at the helm of the title. He presented some very off-the-wall tales that I just couldn't get into, but he also wrote some fantastic stories that really explored the characters. It made for a memorable ride.

Here we have some off-beat time travel (ugh), the climactic battle against the Magus and in my humble opinion, one of the best Hellion match-ups. It also sets the stage for the events that close Era #4, Inferno!

[2-Stars] 48 - "Ashes of the Heart" Karma, Magma, Sunspot and Wolfsbane are transported into a future very similar to the Days of Future Past story (or is this that future?). Sentinels rule with the sole purpose of eliminating mutants. The New Mutants find familiar allies in the future versions of Cannonball and Mirage, both of whom are jaded and exhausted at the cost of war that has taken so many of their friends.

[2-Stars] 49 - "Ashes of the Soul" Cannonball, Cypher, Mirage and Warlock find themselves in a future where mutants rule. Humans live in squalor with their children at risk of abduction by the state if they are identified as mutants. The New Mutants team-up with an older Katie Powers to find the surprising source of this dystopian future.

[3-Stars] 50 - "Father's Day!" This is a double-stuffed issue with all kinds of goodies. Professor X and the Starjammers find Magik! She explains that Limbo is at war, but with her mentor's help, Illyana is able return to her war-torn home and reunite the the rest of the New Mutants. They must finally face one of their biggest foes who has been chasing them relentlessly -- the Magus!

[3-Stars] 51 - "Teachers' Choice" Professor X learns about the recent activities of the the New Mutants, the X-Men and X-Factor. He must decide between returning home with his students or repay his debt with the Starjammers.

[3-Stars] 52 - "Grounded Forever" Magneto deals with his returned students.

Annual 3 - "Anything You Can Do--!" The Impossible Man is back and it is up to Warlock ... *sigh* ... I can't even finish this. It is a cute story in which two socially inept shape-shifters try to out do each other. Amusing, but not fulfilling.

[4-Stars] 53 - "Seduced & Abandoned" Magneto gives his students a break from their grounding to attend a Hellfire Club gala. The New Mutants are already uncomfortable in the den of one of the X-Men's greatest foes, but they may not be able to contain their tempers when they run into the Hellions.

[4-Stars] 54 - "Ratrace!" Karma's search for her missing siblings comes to a head while the rest of team races against the Hellions to find a missing artifact. It is a winner take all competition with team pride at stake.

Era #4, Part 05: Mutant Massacre

My Grade: A+

This was THE story that got me hooked for life.  I still remember reading the first page of Uncanny X-Men #211: "Hi there! I'm Scalphunter. We're the Marauders. We kill mutants. Who's next?!" I read that opening page in the Fürth AAFES Burger Bar within minutes of buying it at the Stars & Stripes bookstore. The grit and darkness that hit the comic book scene in 1986 reached the X-Men with this first major crossover, and I could not have been a happier 16 year old.

Most of the issues in this collection (reprinted in X-Men: Mutant Massacre) are the same ones I bought during the original run making them the oldest comics in my continuous possession: Uncanny X-Men #211-213, X-Factor #10-11, New Mutants #46, Thor #373-#374 and Daredevil #238.  Each of them are worn and well read.

Uncanny X-Men #211 remains my all-time favorite single issue. It is signed by artist John Romita Jr.  I am waiting for Chris Claremont before I finally frame it.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #210 - "The Morning After" The X-Men recover from the damaging battle in Central Park against Nimrod and the Hellfire Club. The team locates the missing Nightcrawler who is in especially bad shape.  Meanwhile, a new threat is approaching the Morlock Tunnels.

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #211 - "Massacre" The Marauders begin their slaughter of the Morlocks. The death toll is staggering by the time the X-Men reach the tunnels. The mutant heroes take heavy casualties but manage to lead many of the wounded survivors to the X-Mansion. Things will never be the same.

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #212 - "The Last Run" Wolverine is left in the tunnels to find a Marauder for answers. He runs into Sabretooth in what becomes the first epic battle between the two.

[4-Stars] X-Factor #9 - "Spots!" Freedom Force chase Rusty into the Morlock Tunnels with X-Factor close behind. The hunt is cut short when Destiny feels death approaching.

[5-Stars] X-Factor #10 - "Falling Angel!" X-Factor venture into the Morlock tunnels searching for Artie. They attempt to help end the carnage by confronting Marauders and leading as many wounded survivors that they can to safety. In the end, one of the original X-Men is brought down in a horrific way.

Thor #373 - "The Gift of Death" Thor returns to Midgard and soon receives word from his frog friend, Puddlegulp, that there is danger and death in the Morlock Tunnels. The Asgardian descends underground to investigate.

Thor #374 - "Fires of the Night" Thor finds Angel pinned to the wall. The Asgardian defends the fallen mutant against the Mauraders.  Thor also deals with the Morlock dead that now fill the tunnels.

[4-Stars] X-Factor #11 - "Redemption!" Freedom Force secretly leaks that the known mutant Warren Worthington is bankrolling X-Factor which raises a lot of questions in the press. The unwanted attention comes at the worst possible time as Angel finally reaches the hospital for much needed medical care. Meanwhile, the rest of the team deals with a group of aggressive Morlocks overwhelmed by the Marauder attack and angry at the X-Factor PR campaign.

Daredevil #238 - "It Comes With Claws" Daredevil versus Sabretooth sounds like a classic match-up in the making, and the actual fight is pretty good. Unfortunately, Sabretooth is portrayed in such an uncharacteristic way that it detracts from the story too much. There are some glimpses of the feral bad guy we eventually know (such as his compulsive need to kill), but he captures a woman to be his mate forcing her to stay in their den (which he protects like a wild animal).

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #213 - "Psylocke" Sabretooth versus Wolverine round two. This time, the Marauder tracks the X-Men to their mansion ambushing most of the team. It is up to Psylocke and Wolverine to protect the wounded and get information from the attacker. Betsy proves her worth, and the feud between Wolverine and Sabretooth is cemented.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #214 - "With Malice Toward All!" The final Marauder attacks through a close ally. Malice is a body possessing mutant who forces Allison to expose herself as Dazzler to create a confrontation with X-Men.

Era #4, Part 04: New Mutants Classic, Vol 6

My Grade: B-

New Mutants Classics, Vol 6 collects New Mutants #41-47 and New Mutants Annual #2. This is a very introspective run that is light on action but very good on character development.

[3-Stars] 41 - "Way of the Warrior" This is a Mirage solo story in which Dani Moonstar returns to her home in Colorado. She must deal with a haunting demon of her past as an old friend turned enemy attracts the attention of Death. This powerful story touches on racism, acceptance and loss.

[3-Stars] 42 - "New Song for Old" This is another solo story focusing on Cannonball. Sam Guthrie is nervous to introduce his girlfriend, intergalactic rock star Lila Cheney, to his family. His struggle reflects his growing awareness that his new life of adventure is leading him further away from the familial responsibilities he has felt since his father's death.

[3-Stars] 43 - "Getting Even" Sunspot returns from his vacation and is angered to hear what Empath did to Sharon and Tom. He convinces the team to teach the emotion manipulating Hellion a lesson. How far are the New Mutants willing to go for revenge?

[3-Stars] 44 - "Runaway!" The team rushes to Muir Island after Dani receives a distress call from Wolfsbane. They discover that Jack Wayne is again in charge of Legion's body and running across Scotland.

Annual 2 - "Why Do We Do These Things We Do?!" When Chris Claremont and Alan Davis get together, they create fantastical yarns that I am unable to truly comprehend. It is either higher level storytelling or insane stream-of-consciousness. You may notice in their later collaborations that I have a difficult time keeping up. In this issue, the New Mutants are ensnared in a twisted plot by a new villain to the X-Men universe, the spineless, ratings-obsessed Mojo. Captain Britain guest stars in tale that introduces Psylocke to the United States.

[3-Stars] 45 - "We Were Only Foolin'" The students of Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters are invited to a dance at the Salem Center High School where they befriend Larry Bodine. Larry is the new kid with a secret. It is a powerful story about the effects of bullying and the struggles of trying to fit in.

[4-Stars] 46 - "Bloody Sunday" The Mutant Massacre reaches the New Mutants. They try to help with the wounded but tempers flair with the mounting death toll. Things get worse as Warlock feels the impending arrival of the Magus, and Karma worries about her siblings.

[2-Stars] 47 - "My Heart for the Highlands" The Magus has struck, and the New Mutants are on the run. When the Magus finds them in Limbo, they flee to ancient Scotland where they meet Robert the Bruce. The repercussions of this chase are felt through the entire era.

Era #4, Part 03: X-Factor #1-8

My Grade:  C

I didn't read any of the first X-Factor issues saving what little disposable money I had for the Uncanny X-Men. Bob Layton starts the series with an anachronistic feel of the 1970s. The stories get better when Louise Simonson takes the reigns towards the end of this short run.  It sets the foundation of the series with an interesting premise.

[3-Stars] 1 - "Third Genesis" Jean Grey is back from the dead, and the original X-Men rally around her.  All five are unwilling to return to the X-Men with Magneto now the headmaster of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngster, so they form their own team. The choose to pose as mutant-hunters with an aggressive PR campaign to investigate mutant activity.  They will then secretly help the mutant following Professor Xavier's original model.  The issue is very wordy and slow, and I have a difficult time accepting that Cyclops ran out on his wife and newborn child.  Still, the set-up that starts the series shows great promise and introduces Cameron Hodges and Rusty Collins.

[3-Stars] 2 - "Bless the Beasts and Children", 3 - "Regression Obsession" Yikes! The OK start in the first issue goes downhill in this second arc. It is an old-school type of tale that seems to serve a single purpose -- revert Beast back into his original human-looking form (and introduce Artie Maddicks).

[3-Stars] 4 - "Trails and Errors" This issue introduces Frenzy. She is part of some villainous group (shown in the next issue) working for some "master" (revealed in two issues). The plot is a little sketchy, but I am a fan on Frenzy who continues to play a role in the X-Men universe.

[3-Stars] 5 - "Tapped Out" Another formulaic story that introduces a new, somewhat pedestrian enemy -- the Alliance of Evil.  A mutant addicted to drugs to suppress his powers was an interesting twist that I would've loved to see explored more.

[3-Stars] 6 - "Apocalypse Now!" Louise Simonson starts with a bang. I have no idea what Bob planned for Apocalypse (who technically makes his first cameo appearance in the previous issue), but Louise creates one of the biggest X-Men bad guys this side of Magneto. He isn't quite fully realized here using the oddly named Alliance of Evil (really, who calls themselves "evil"?) to do his work, but you can see that foundation.

[2-Stars] 7 - "Fallout!" Tensions rise as both pro- and anti-mutant protesters form outside the X-Factor headquarters. Things go from bad to worse as irradiated mutants Bulk and Glow Worm. Yes, I said "irradiated".  Details aren't important (or provided) in a story that you can miss without feeling guilty.

[4-Stars] 8 - "Lost and Found!"  Remember the climatic Central Park battle in Uncanny X-Men #208 & #209? Well, mutant hunting X-Factor is actually called to deal with the problem, but instead, they run into Freedom Force ready to arrest Rusty. It is a second public battle in Central Park.

Era #4, Part 02: New Mutants Classic, Vol 5

My Grade:  C+

Our ages were so close that I often feel like I grew up with the New Mutants. I am continuing this project with New Mutants Classic, Vol 5 which collects issues #35-40 (I will talk about the Asgardian Wars in Era #03). Magneto steps in as the new headmaster of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, and his first challenge is doozy.

[3-Stars] 35 - "The Times, They are A'Changin!" marks the beginning of a new chapter for the New Mutants as the X-Men oldest foe becomes their new headmaster.

[2-Stars] 36 - "Subway to Salvation!" and 37 - "If I should Die" are part of the Secret Wars II crossover. I already said that I did not like Secret Wars II, and this doesn't change my opinion.  It does, however, set up the following story (see below).

[4-Stars] I originally dismissed this story arc (38 - "Aftermath", 39 - "Pawns of the White Queen" and 40 - "Avengers Assembled"), but I recently realized that the plot is much more subtle -- and sinister. Magneto is unable to help the New Mutants deal with death and resurrection at the hands of the Beyonder, and Emma Frost capitalizes on the opportunity demonstrating why she is the White Queen of the Hellfire Club.