Era #7, Part 12: X-Men Unlimited #6-7

Grade: D+

This short run reaffirms that the X-Men Unlimited series is often forgettable and inconsequential. The only bright spot is Uncanny X-Men #318 where we get to see Generation X prepare for their new school.

[2-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #6 - "Primal Scream" The Savage Land Mutates race back to their homeland to deliver a kidnapped Havok to Sauron. Cyclops, Jean Grey and Polaris are in close pursuit leading to a battle to stop Sauron's mad attempt to drain the energy from both Havok and Cyclops.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #318 - "Moving Day" The teens saved (and bonded) during the Phalanx Covenant: Generation Next prepare for a new school for mutants in Massachusetts. Professor X asks Banshee and Emma Frost to be the headmasters. Jubilee says goodbye to the X-Men. 

[2-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #7 - "Memories" Gambit and Jean Grey join Storm as she travels to Cairo to pay her respects to her dying mentor, Achmed El-Gibar. They meet two of his newest street urchins, Jamil and Karima. Achmed's dying wish is for Storm to ensure Jamil follows a righteous path, but the young man's anger attracts a new threat to that promise. Candra attempts to use power to seduce Jamil, and it is up to the Storm, Jean, Gambit, and Karima to save the young boy from himself. 

Era #7: Part 11: X-Force #39-43

Grade: B-

X-Force continues to have a mixed run under Fabian Nicieza. We start with a goofy but well-meaning story that results in the departure of their super-computer and the destruction of their Camp Verde Reservation base of operations. We end with answers to the mystery of Reignfire and the disappearance of Sunspot.

There is a really good story tucked between those two bookends. We often find tales about villains who are misunderstood, and we get that here with Thornn's backstory. It isn't often that we find an anti-hero who is actually a sociopath. Feral's dangerous antics were much more deadly than anybody realized, and X-Force must now deal with the fact that they harbored a murderer.

[2-Stars] 39 - "Letting Go" X-Force returns to their headquarters to find that their sentient computer "Professor" is running around wildly through the desert. An accident during an off-panel Phalanx attack resulted in a mechanical body for Professor. He joins the team with a new name, Prosh, and an uplifting and enthusiastic attitude. Unfortunately, his physical form is also having a devastating effect on Cable's ability to control his techno-organic body parts. X-Force must make a difficult choose between Cable and Prosh.

[4-Stars] 40 - "Holding On" New York City Detective Jose Hidalgo leads Code: Blue into the Morlock tunnels. Code: Blue is the New York SWAT specially trained and equipped to deal with super-powered criminals, and they have enough information to arrest Thornn for the murder of her family members. She uses her free telephone call to reach out to Cable and X-Force for help, but she has also gotten the unwanted attention of Graydon Creed and the Friends of Humanity.

[4-Stars] 41 - "The Fun House" X-Force and Detective Hidalgo continue their search for the truth behind the murder of Thornn and Feral's family years ago.

[3-Stars] 42 - "A Lie of the Mind" X-Force takes a trips to the Massachusetts Academy to visit Generation X. Warpath resolves his issues with Emma Frost; Cannonball checks in with his sister Husk; and Siryn talks about her alcoholism with her father Banshee.

[3-Stars] 43 - "Teapot in a Tempest" X-Force's search program has finally found Sunspot! The team needs to react quickly without Cable and Domino (both of whom are dealing with Legion Quest). They find Rictor and Shatterstar enjoying a night at the club, and Boomer attempting to help a runaway living on the streets. With the help of the sadistic Locus, X-Force finally arrives in time to find Reignfire -- and Sunspot.

Era #7: Part 10: Phalanx Covenant (Final Sanction)

Grade: C

The Phalanx captured the X-Men. We never really know how that happened, but Wolverine, Cable, Cyclops, and Jean Grey are the only ones left to rescue them. Final Sanction ties in the two solo titles (Cable and Wolverine) in a story that reveals the dangers of playing with a technology that isn't fully understood.

Wolverine #85 "Full Shred Thrash" Cyclops and Jean reach Muir Island only to find the facility already infiltrated by the Phalanx. Cable and Wolverine answer the call to help, but the four of them may not be enough to stop the Phalanx.

Cable #16 "The Phalanx Sanction" Cable, Wolverine, Cyclops and Jean Grey fly to Mt. Everest to stop the Phalanx and save the captive X-Men. They have a secret ally in Stephen Lange who is beginning to recognize that the Phalanx has its own agenda to assimilate all life on Earth -- mutant and human.

Era #7, Part 9: Phalanx Covenant (Life Signs)

Grade: D

The second story of the Phalanx Covenant involves the three remaining team titles: X-Factor, Excalibur, and X-Force. Life Signs continues from the Douglock Chronicles (Era 7, Part 6). We learn that the Phalanx is actually an alien race. The techno-organic collective is not quite under the control of the anti-mutant forces led by Stephan Lang.

It is an interesting concept that didn't feel well executed. There were several spots where I thought the characters were acting out of character (especially Forge). The anti-mutant agenda is not touched in this arc which makes this story seem out-of-touch from the real action in the other titles.

X-Factor #106 - "Life Signs Part 1" X-Factor answer a mysterious call to meet Professor X at Mont Saint Francis, but they get a chilly reception from Excalibur and X-Force. Professor X explains that the Phalanx have infiltrated the X-Men computer and electronic systems. They barely escaped Muir Island. They've isolated themselves in a remote area, and everybody must be vetted to ensure they catch any further infiltration which puts the Phalanx generated Douglock under immediate suspicion.

[2-Stars] X-Force #38 - " Life Signs Part 2" Douglock has taken Cannonball, Forge, and Wolfsbane to a small village in the Italian Alps. The replica of Doug Ramsey & Warlock explains that he is no longer part of the Phalanx collective, but his new teammates are having a difficult time fully accepting him. They soon recognize, however, that the picturesque hamlet hides a Phalanx conspiracy. Unbeknownst to the anti-mutant humans involved in the Phalanx attack, this group of Phalanx remains true to their alien mission. They are breeding the next generation of Phalanx and creating a Babel Spire beacon to transmit a message to the rest of their race. Earth is ready for conquest.

Excalibur #82 - "Life Signs Part 3" Shinar leads the Phalanx troops to stop Forge, Douglock, Cannonball, and Rahne from destroying the Babel Spire. Forge's mutant ability tempts him to aid the techno-organic alien race. The rest of Excalibur, X-Force, and X-Factor arrive to help destroy the breeding grounds and bring down the Babel Spire.

Era #7, Part 8: Phalanx Covenant (Generation Next)

Grade: A-

The Phalanx have finally arrive. The techno-organic alien turned anti-mutant weapon can be traced to an interlude found in Uncanny X-Men #291. The first real confrontations, however, can be found in Uncanny X-Men #305-306 (see Era #6, Part 14) and more recently in Era #7, Part 4 and Part 6.

The Phalanx Covenant is broken down into three different stories that are mostly connected. Generation Next is regarded as the first arc to read. It is also my favorite of the set.

The story sets the stage for a new series called Generation X. It introduces most of the new students (Sync, M, and Skin) adding Jubilee and Paige ("Husk") along with the eventual new staff of Banshee and Emma Frost, the former White Queen. It is also the first appearance of Blink who becomes a fan favorite.

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #316 - "Encounter" The Phalanx make their first move by go after Monet, the daughter of a rich Monégasque eccentric. The powerful but non-responsive young mutant will eventually go by the simple codename "M". Banshee returns to the X-Mansion to find the X-Men (Storm, Beast, Archangel, Gambit, Bishop, and Psylocke) acting bizarre. Only Sabretooth, Jubilee, and the White Queen remain unaffected to help Banshee get a message to Professor X at Muir Island, protect the data stored in the X-Mansion's computers, and seek to save the next generation of mutants.

[4-Stars] X-Men (v2) #36 - "Drop the Leash" The Phalanx continue their search for the next generation of mutants easily finding Paige Guthrie at her home in Cumberland, Kentucky. Banshee, Emma Frost, Jubilee, and Sabretooth reach St. Louise to stop the Phalanx from abducting young Everett Thomas ("Sync"). Within the Phalanx, Stephen Lang begins to have doubts that the alien technology will stop at eradicating mutants. He may've doomed the entire human race.

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #317 - "Enter Freely and of Your Own Free Will" Banshee, the White Queen, Jubilee and Everett take a much needed break to regroup at Frost Enterprise's west coast offices. There plan is to secretly enter a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in order to use their tracking devices to find the remaining next generation of mutants. Paige awakens do discover that she is a captive of the Phalanx. She shares a cell with silent Monet, pessimistic Angelo ("Skin"), optimistic Gregor, the young Clarice ("Blink").

[4-Stars] X-Men (v2) #37 - "The Currents Shift" Monet begins to interact with the rest of the young mutants revealing that she has substantial and varied power (with an attitude to match). She recognizes Gregor as a Phalanx plant, and devises a way way for them to escape. They must first pass their jailer, the Phalanx known as Harvest. Banshee, the White Queen, Sabretooth, Jubilee, and Everett arrive to lend a hand, but one of the young mutants will make the ultimate sacrifice for their safety.

Era #7, Part 7: Child's Play

Grade: B-

This run starts with the Child's Play crossover event that pits X-Force and the New Warriors against the Upstarts -- probably the only Upstart story I enjoy. I am a sucker for the old New Mutants and Hellions characters, so it was fun to see them back together.

There is another highlight worth mentioning. Issues #35 and #36 provides a good story that reminds us of the team's original mission -- a paramilitary strikeforce protecting mutant interests.

[3-Stars] X-Force #32 - "Child's Play First Move: With a Roll of the Dice" The Upstarts begin a new competition targeting the remaining New Mutants and Hellions. This "Younghunt" opens with Fenris capturing Magma at a Nova Roma refugee camp. Siena Blaze makes a play for the vacationing Cannonball and Boomer, while Shinobi Shaw convinces Justice (of the New Warriors) to bring in Firestar as a willing participant. Fitzroy is the last to join the game by attacking X-Force to get at Rictor and Warpath.

New Warriors #45 - "Child's Play Second Move: Sleeping with the Enemy" Graydon Creed sends Tribunal mercenaries to grab Firestar as part of the Younghunt. Siena Blaze goes after Empath, Karma, and Moonstar in Madripoor. Shinobi reveals a plan to betray the Gamesmaster. More importantly, Speedball gets a new costume.

[3-Stars] X-Force #33 - "Child's Play Third Move: Rules Were Made to be Broken" X-Force's battle against Fitzroy leads them to Shinobi Shaw's apartment. They learn where the captive New Mutants and Hellions. Paige secretly follows. The New Warriors find their way to the Gamesmaster's lair through a confrontation with Upstart member Graydon Creed. Karma frees here former teammates revealing that she has been playing possum to infiltrate and disrupt the Upstart's deadly game.

New Warriors #46 - "Child's Play Fourth Move" X-Force and New Warriors team up to stop the Gamesmaster and free their friends, but it may be Paige Guthrie that saves the day.

[3-Stars] X-Force #34 - "Guns and Poses" Moonstar reveals herself (yes, she is former New Mutant Mirage), and Magma leaves Empath to find herself after learning the truth of about Nova Roma (a city created by Selena to appear as if it were an ancient Roman city). Shatterstar, Domino, and Cable join Rictor as he returns Guadalajara to visit his family that he has avoided for so long because of their illegal gun running business.

[4-Stars] X-Force #35 - "Beg Tomorrow" X-Force investigates a U.S. government project making significant advancements in artificial intelligence. It is being applied to Sentinel technology at Camp Hayden to create Nimrod!

[4-Stars] X-Force #36 - "Genocidal Tendencies" X-Force versus Nimrod.

[2-Stars] X-Force #37 - "The Young and the Restless" The Externals approach Cannonball at his Kentucky home. They need help from newest "High Lord" after two of their immortal number fall to the Legacy Virus. Saul recounts his first meeting with En Sabah Nur outside a Celestial spacecraft (maybe Ship from X-Factor?). Gideon becomes an External after his death to scurvy as a member of Columbus's crew to the New World. Absolom was hanged as an outlaw in the American West.

Era #7, Part 6: The Douglock Chronicles

Grade: C

With "The Douglock Chronicles" splashed across the top of the page, I knew I needed to get this three part Excalibur story. I was deeply effected by Doug's death in New Mutants #60 (back in Era #4, Part 11: Fall of the Mutants (New Mutants)), so seeing him back was very exciting. Unfortunately, it was in the pages of a title I found too odd to follow. My opinion hasn't changed after reading this.

There is a second memorable result of this three part tale. Professor X returns to Muir Island to help Moria with her Legacy Virus research. She is stressed and growing increasingly despondent as more mutants fall to the fatal disease. He tries to lend both a hand in her investigation and provide support, but she also reveals a deeper problem. She is the first human to be infected.

Excalibur #78 - "Part One: Fire in the Wild" Britanic leads Meggan and Shadowcat to a forest. He doesn't know why, but they wait for something to happen. In the forest, Zero summons a techno-organic version of the deceased New Mutant Doug Ramsey. Despite being a part of the collective intelligence called the Phalanx, "Douglock" seems to retain own consciousness. The two puzzle over the nature of "life" when they are are attacked by Styfe's droids attempting to destroy Zero. Excalibur arrive to protect a family caught in the crossfire. Professor Xavior arrives on Muir Island to help Moira continue her research on the Legacy Virus.

Excalibur #79 - "Part Two: Twisted Logic" Zero manages to save Douglock, Britanic, Meggan, Shadowcat, and a camping family by teleporting them to a safe destination -- an old Stryfe base filled with inert droids. Excalibur attempts to come to grips with the return of Douglock, and Zero reveals that the secrets of the Legacy Virus is inaccessibly buried within his memory. Stryfe's droids awaken.

Excalibur #80 - "Part Three: Out of Time" Excalibur, Douglock, and Zero battle their way through Stryfe's droids to save themselves and an innocent family caught in the crossfire. Zero learns that with his independent thought from his former master comes the knowledge that he may have the secret to the Legacy Virus. Douglock attempts to help Zero retrieve the information, but the data is buried deep and protected with self-destruct mechanisms.

Era #7, Part 5: X-Men (v2) #31-35

Grade: C

We get a few more answers in this run, but we also get some issues that just feel out of place. We start with the conclusion of Psylocke story line that started during the Acts of Vengeance (Era #5, Part 05: Psylocke) and continued with more clues in the last era (Era #6, Part 10: A Skinning of Souls (Part 2)). An adequate end to a very long and dangling thread, but that is about as good as it gets here. Sabretooth spins a yarn about his first run in with Gambit (yawn), and we have a really bizarre story focusing on Cyclops and Phoenix (and S.H.I.E.L.D.).  There is a feeling that the creative team needs some inspiration which is unfortunate because I really like Andy Kubert's art.

[3-Stars] 31 - "Soul Possessions Part One: The Butterfly and the Hawk" Ravaged with the Legacy Virus, Revanche leaves the X-Mansion to confront Matsu'o Tsurayaba for answers on what really happened to the English X-Man Betsy Braddock when she emerged from the Siege Perilous and the Japanese assassin known as Kwannon. She also asks him for one last favor. Revanche secretly leaves her eyes with Psylocke. It is a reminder that she had Betsy's body since those eyes were an unholy gift of Mojo and Spiral (way back in New Mutants Annual #2).

[3-Stars] 32 - "Soul Possessions Part Two: The Leopards and the Cats" Spiral approaches Psylocke with answers (after a obligatory battle, of course), and thanks to Beast's help, Psylocke recovers some images from Revanche's bionic eyes. It is nearly enough information for her to figure it all out, so she travels to Japan to get the final puzzles pieces with Matsu'o Tsurayaba.

[2-Stars] 33 - "The Hearts of Thieves" Sabretooth tells Rogue a story of his first meeting with Gambit. The two were in Paris after the same jewel. The Cajun mutant was 17 and needed to grab it as part of a traditional ritual for acceptance into the Thieve's Guild. He fell in love with the mark, or did he use her to get what he wanted? Sabretooth plays with Rogues emotions as he tells a story of love and betrayal.

[3-Stars] 34 - "Life and Consequences" Sabretooth gives the X-Men information on Mister Sinister's hideout potentially leading the heroes into a trap. It is a hidden scientific complex under the same Nebraska orphanage where Cyclops was raised. They learn that Sinister has a cloning facility to bring back and dead Marauders, and he is using Threnody to find mutants with a the Legacy Virus.

[2-Stars] 35 - "Sunset Grace" Cyclops and Phoenix are back from their unusual honeymoon (detailed in Alt 4935, Part 2: Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix). While they were gone for 12 years, it was only 2 hours in this reality. In that short amount of time, a new threat has emerged from the paradise island of St. Bart. A mutant named Sunset Grace has opened a dimensional rift, and S.H.I.E.L.D. has arrived to try close it before it engulfs the planet. Sunset Grace has asked to see Cyclops and Phoenix to share her tragic story and her connection to their mentor, Professor X.

Era #7, Part 4: Uncanny X-Men #311-315 & X-Men Unlimited #4-5

Grade: B

This run is getting a higher grade because it begins answering some questions. The Phalanx storyline has been been brewing behind the scenes for some time (as far back as Uncanny X-Men #291), so it is good to see it make a move. The same holds true for Emma Frost who has been in a comma since Uncanny X-Men #281. In fact, it was great to see that she expanded the use of Iceman's power opening story opportunities on that front while revealing some deeper humanity from the ice queen herself. We also see some answers on the whole Graydon/Nighcrawler/Rogue/Mystique/Sabretooth family tree thing (I didn't say they were all good answers), and we witness some closure on the relationship between Professor X and Lilandra.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #311 - "Putting The Cat Out" Beast attempts to repair the Shi'ar power core after discovering that it was misaligned during Magneto's last attack. It is much more unstable than he anticipated. The power to the entire mansion shuts off. With most of the X-Men out, it is up to Bishop and Jubilee to find and recapture Sabretooth while Beast attempts to prevent the power core from causing more damage.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #312 - "Romp" Storm flies to Manhattan to meet her long-time friend Yukio. The carefree thief and ronin quickly explains that a new threat is looking for the X-Men. They are the Phalanx, and the followed Yukio to New York and now that Storm has arrived, they attack. Gambit arrives in time to offer some assistance against an unstoppable new enemy.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #313 - "Hands Across the Water" Storm, Gambit, and Yukio continue to battle the Phalanx drawing the new techno-organic enemy away the city. Inside the Phalanx, we see that it is an assimilation of many different people into a single hive-like mind. Some distinct personalities include Stephen Lang, Cameron Hodge and Doug Ramsey. We also learn that the power surge two issues ago put Iceman into a coma next to Emma Frost.

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #314 - "Early Frost" Emma Frost finally wakes to find herself in Iceman's body, and she wants answers. She quickly learns how to use his powers and escapes the mansion to find the Hellions. The X-Men pursue her in an attempt to explain the tragic truth. For more on how Emma ended up in a coma and the fate of the Hellions check out Era 6, Part 02: The Coming of Bishop.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #315 - "Peers" This issue focusing solely on Colossus and Acolytes. Neophyte has been captured and the Acolytes prepare their vengeance on what they perceived as his traitorous assistance to the X-Men (way back in Era 6, Part 09: Fatal Attractions (Part 1)). Colossus convinces them to have a trial with him as Neophyte's Defender and Amelia Voght as prosecutor.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #4 - "Theories of Relativity" Mystique is on the loose and gunning for Graydon Creed. Graydon hired his father, Sabretooth, to kill his mother, Mystique (all found in the Sabretooth limited series which I do not own). Forge suggests that Rogue and Nightcrawler be the ones to bring her in. It is a bit of an odd tale, but we finally learn that Mystique really is Nightcrawler's mother, but she will not be winning any mother-of-the-year awards after also admitting that she tried to throw him off the cliff (and abandoning Graydon because he was not a mutant).

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #5 - " Hard Promises" A Shi'ar invitation to a royal function is late, and Professor X's presence is needed without delay. Professor X is the concubine and lover of the Shi'ar Majestrix Lilandra Neramani. He is joined in this immediate summons by Forge, Storm, and Jubilee to the Kree home world of Hala. The current military governor is Deathbird, and she has not been able to completely quell a resistance movement. The X-Men become embroiled in a conflict that may spell the end of Hala -- and Professor X's relationship with Lilandra.

Era #7, Part 3: The Wedding of Cyclops & Phoenix

Grade: D

Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Jean Grey (Marvel Girl, Phoenix) have been an item in one fashion or another since their first appearance in X-Men #1 (1963). It took 30 years, but they finally get married. It couldn't be more boring. Adding Sabretooth to the mix as a killer house guest (I couldn't resist the pun) didn't really contribute to a better story -- yet.

This run feels like a place holder until something better comes along. Even Samantha found the issues uninteresting giving it a rare thumbs down. Both of us couldn't wait to get through them.

[2-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #3 "The Whispers Scream" The telepath known as Birdy died in the recent Sabretooth Limited Series. She was the only one able to keep Sabretooth's murderous urges under control, and Maverick is out to stopping the killing spree. He eventually reaches out to the X-Men for help in this globe-trotting adventure.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #308 "Mixed Blessings" Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Jean Grey take a walk down memory lane on Thanksgiving morning watching the X-Men enjoy some down time. Jean asks Scott to marry her. Spoiler alert: he accepts.

[3-Stars] X-Men (v2) #27 "A Song of Mourning, A Cry of Joy" Infectia (from way back in Era #4, Part 17: X-Factor #27-32) is near death from the Legacy Virus. Beast, Iceman, and Rogue arrive to offer their assistance, but they are side-tracked by the sudden appearance of Mr. Sinister and a distressed mutant named Threnody. This issue ends with a tender moment in which Beast takes Infectia to the roof to watch the sunrise as she dies.

[2-Stars] X-Men (v2) #28 "Devil in the House" Sabretooth is a "guest" in the X-Men mansion, but he is unable to control his blood lust. He taunts Professor Xavier and scares Jubilee, but what he really needs is a telepathic "glow" that Jean Grey may provide. In the lab, the team confirms that Revanche has the Legacy Virus.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #309 "...When the Tigers Come at Night!" Professor Xavier remembers his past relationship with Amelia Voght. Before she became a member of the Acolytes, Amelia was a nurse who helped Charles learn to deal with the loss of his legs. They became involved, and she was there when he started his search for the X-Men. She revealed her personal views that mutants should hide for their own safety after Xavier learned that she was a mutant too.

[2-Stars] X-Men (v2) #29 "Return to Hellfire!" Archangel and Psylocke are both members of the Hellfire Club and accept an invitation to a gala being hosted by Shinobi Shaw to see what he is up to. They discover it is a bizarre recruitment attempt to form a partnership to rule the notorious secret society.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #310 "...Show Me the Way to Go Home..." The X-Men males set up a bachelor party for Scott, but he is late. Cable arrives to talk to his father after learning the truth about their relationship (see Era #7, Part 2: Fathers & Son), but a new threat sneaks into the mansion setting off alarms. Cable and Cyclops must stop the X-Cutioner (who is perhaps one of the lamest X-Men super-villains). 

[2-Stars] X-Men (v2) #30 "The Ties That Bind" Scott Summers and Jean Grey get married.

Era #7, Part 2: Fathers and Sons

Grade: C

I originally collected Cable, but I found the stories confusing, uninteresting and not really integrated with the X-Men mythos. I was already prepared to drop the title when Steve Skroce joined the creative team. I did not like his art work, so it was an easy decision to remove Cable from my pull list. I kept a few issues when I purged series from my collection.

This arc attempts to explain the relationship between Cable, Stryfe, Tyler, the Askani, Jean Grey and Cyclops. It was published about four months before the the limited series that explores this subject better and with a little more in detail (read all about it in Alt 4935, Part 2: Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix). These issues do clarify a few key points: Stryfe is a clone of Cable (rather than the other way around), and Tolliver's identity (a reoccuring behind-the-scenes villain to Cable and X-Force).

Unfortunately, this three part story is muddled. That may be because I am inadvertently comparing it to The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, but I just couldn't understand some of the character motivations (except for the ever-present comic stand-by of "revenge").

Cable #6 - "Fathers and Sons Act One: Sunset Breaks" Zero confronts Tolliver and learns that the mysterious arms dealer is none-other than Cable's son from the future Tyler who wants revenge on his father. Cable visits the grave of his mother, Madelyne Pryor-Summers when Domino arrives at his invitation. The two are prepared to finally track down Tolliver, but they are interrupted by Mr. Sinister. A member of the Askani arrives from the future to protect Jean and Cyclops.

Cable #7 - "Fathers and Sons Act 2: Illuminated Knights" Tyler captured the Askani and uses his mutant power to interrogate her. He finally learns that Stryfe is the clone of Cable (and not the other way around). Meanwhile, Stryfe is in possession of Cable's body and infiltrates X-Force's headquarters while Domino explains the truth of Cable and Stryfe to the Jean and Cyclops.

Cable #8 - "Fathers and Sons Part 3: Dayspring" Stryfe does not appreciate being used by Tyler, so he takes his revenge against Cable's son and then directs his destructive attention towards the Askani prisoner. Zero explains the relationship between Cable and Stryfe to Jean and Cyclops before he teleports them to Tyler's base. They join Domino in a battle to save Cable from Styfe's continued influence.

Era #7, Part 1: Toy Soldiers

Grade: B-

X-Force finally has a little down time after 25 issues of action and mayhem, but another mission threatens to tear the team apart. This is a good run as Fabian forces the team to finally slow down and reflect on their lives since joining Cable's paramilitary squad. The mission is also good reminder of what the book is suppose to be -- a mutant strikeforce willing to take action when the X-Men can't (or won't). As an added bonus, we see the the possible return of a New Mutant favorite.

[3-Stars] 26 - "Shadows on the Rock" Cable finally awakens after weeks in a coma from the events of Fatal Attractions. The team is still recovering. Cannonball and Sunspot leave for Madripoor to Xi'an of Illyana's death. It is revealed that Siryn is drinking heavily with Warpath quietly taking care of her. Cable is unsure how to proceed with soldiers that are so young yet processing so much death. Meanwhile, a new threat emerges. Reignfire makes his first appearance breaking the MLF out of prison for a special operation.

[4-Stars] 27 - "Liberation Through Subjugation" Reignfire sets the MLF's sights on Henry Peter Gyrich. They breach his highly secure estate, and it is up to X-Force to launch a rescue mission. The team discovers two new members of the mutant terrorist groups: the teleporting sadist Locus and -- Moonstar?

[4-Stars] 28 - "The Axe Falls" Cable leads his team on a mission to rescue Henry Peter Gyrich from the MLF. Some of the members X-Force are not pleased to be saving an ungrateful and unapologetic anti-mutant government agent. The tension leads to a surprising defection.

[3-Stars] 29 - "Toy Soldiers" Shatterstar walks the streets of Phoenix in an attempt to get accustomed to our dimension (he still needs to acclimatize after two years on Earth?). His private time is rudely interrupted by Marvel's flamboyant assassin for hire Arcade. To survive, Shatterstar must find his way out of Murderworld.

[3-Stars] 30 - "Something Worth Fighting For" Shatterstar and Adam-X are forced to fight each other in Arcade's Murderworld.

[3-Stars] 31 - "Cry Uncle!" Warpath joins Siryn on her trip back to Cassidy Keep. She reveals that she is still having a difficult time dealing with the trauma of the Muir Island Saga (again, two years ago?) which has torn open old family wounds regarding her father (Banshee) and uncle (Black Tom Cassidy). The later is also back in Ireland demented from the experimental surgeries that saved his life (he was shot and believed killed by Cable back in the X-Force #4). Both Juggernaut and Warpath look for a way to save their friends.

Starting Era #7: Onslaught

We are back into the main story and the onto Era #7 (January 1994 to October 1996). I end my tour at Fort Irwin after only being stationed there for only a year. I elect to go back to Augsburg, Germany where we stay for 3 more years. My life is back to normal, and I am again going to the Stars & Stripes bookstore on Quatermaster Kaserne.

We begin recovering from the financial burden in which we placed ourselves while living in California. I briefly return to the states to attend Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona (January 1995 - March 1995), but I am back in Augsburg in time to welcomed into the world our second daughter, Rebecca, on April 14, 1995 at the Zentralklinkikum. It was another difficult pregnancy. Samantha was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and Becca is born nearly a month early. Fortunately from there, our lives fall into mundane rut for the rest of the tour with a few exception (like a small vacation to Budapest, Hungary).

The X-Men stories also find a groove with steady writing from Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza. The memorable arcs of this era include the Phalanx Covenant, Legion Quest, Age of Apocalypse and Onslaught. With no cell phones, limited computer access, one TV channel, extra responsibilities and little cash to go out, comics again become a primary form of escapism for me.

X-Force: Toy Soldiers (#26-31)
Fathers & Sons (Cable #6-8)
X-Men: The Wedding of Cyclops and Phoenix
Uncanny X-Men #311-315
Douglock Chronicles (Excalibur #78-80)
X-Force: Child's Play (#32-37)
Phalanx Covenant: Generation Next
Phalanx Covenant: Life Signs
X-Men Unlimited #6-7
Generation X Classic, Vol. 1 (#1-4)
Rogue Limited Series
Legion Quest Prologue
Legion Quest
Gene Nation
X-Force #44-48
Generation X Classic, Vol. 2 (#5-11)
X-Men: In the Red
X-Force #49-51
X-Men: Wrath
X-Force #52-56
Generation X #12-17
Onslaught Prologue
Onslaught Phase 1
Onslaught Impact 1
Onslaught Phase 2
Onslaught Impact 2
Onslaught Epilogue

Ending Alt 928: Marvel 2099

Alt 928: C

I liked the idea of resetting common themes in different setting, so when Marvel announced their dystopian 2099 line that included a version of the X-Men, I remember being pretty excited. The stories started strong and the new characters were intriguing, but I eventually lost interest and wanted to remove the title from my pull list (the number of issues I was paying for each month was getting a bit too hight for me). Samantha became attached to it and wanted to see where it was going, so we kept collecting and reading them until the entire imprint was cut and consolidated into a single series. By that point, even she was over it and ready to move on. At least we had the Hildebrandt Brothers.

X-Men 2099 (C+): Solid start of a team book that ends in a collection of individual stories of interesting characters in uninteresting situations.
John Francis Moore & Ron Lim (C+): The definitive X-Men 2099 creative team.
John Francis Moore & Jan Duursema (D): Unfortunate timing for this duo. Ron Lim leaves as the 2099 imprint folds, and it is up to Jan to help John wrap it all up.

X-Nation 2099 (D): There was a lot of buzz that started flat and fizzled from there. There are too many characters that just can't seem to coalesce into a coherent tale. I can't help but wonder if things would've made more sense had the title been allowed to continue.
Tom Payer & Humberto Ramos (D+):  There is so much happening both in the narration and manga inspired art that it is nearly impossible to find (much less enjoy) the story.

Alt 928, Part 9: X-Nation (2)

Grade: D

A company wide cost-cutting exercise spelled the end of Marvel 2099. The line editor, Joey Cavalieri, was fired which prompted most of the talent to walk away. Ron Lim (artist) ends his run with the X-Men after 31 issues, and both Tom Payer (writer) and Humberto Ramos (artist) leave.

All of the Marvel 2099 stories are wrapping up leading to an apocalypse that nearly destroys the world of 2099. It culminates into a single title called 2099: World of Tomorrow which lasts for 8 issues. I thought about collecting that title, but the end of both X-Men 2099 and X-Nation 2099 was so disappointing, I thought it best to let my collection end here.

[2-Stars] X-Men 2099 #32 - "Old Wounds" Mongrel is the last living member of the Lawless to arrive. He joins Xi'an, Auntie Maim, and Victor Ten Eagles in developing a plan to lure their attacker into the open. The Foolkiller is seeking revenge for what the Lawless did to his town and has already killed one of their members, the Reverend. Metalhead, Rosa, and Bloodhawk are in Halo City. They reveal that Rosa' baby, Joachim, has already revealed some mutant powers.

[2-Stars] X-Men 2099 #33 - "Fools Rush In" The Foolkiller uses Mongrel as draw the the Lawless to his hideout, and they knowingly take the bait. Krystalin, Tim Fitzgerald and La Lunática also arrive to provide their assistance. Meanstreak races to the location but must first deal with the "Zoomers" that started chasing him after being released from Halloween Jack's Virtual Unreality machine. Sham spends some time with Rosa and Metalhead when they mysterious Vulcann and two of his large hellhounds arrive to take Joachim.

[2-Stars] X-Nation 2099 #5 - "Gimme Shelter" X-Nation return to the shelter only to watch it explode. In the ruins, they find Sister Nicholas near death. She is able to give them one last piece of advice before she passes: to make something of their lives before she passes. The grieved kids spend time at the Negative Zone Milk Bar where the Wild Boys decide the get their revenge. The battle is joined by a new threat when Exodus arrives.

[2-Stars] X-Men 2099 #34 - "The Drowning City" Vulcann transforms Joachim from a baby to a young adult and then returns him to his mother. Vulcann explains that Joachim will be the savior to lead the people into a new world. The storm that started raging in earlier issues is getting worse, and the X-Men attempt to save as many people as they can. Xi'an races to the infirmary to use his healing gifts but discovers that all of the Sisters of the Howling Commandments are dead. He finds Shakti and Nostromo after their battle with Exodus and trying to control Nostromo's runaway powers.

[2-Stars] X-Nation 2099 #6 - "Exodus" X-Nation versus Exodus while Shakti tries to help Nostromo regain control of his techno-organic body.

[2-Stars] X-Men 2099 #35 - "Lifeboat" Defeated La Lunática is returned to the X-Men with news that Tim Fitzgerald is dead at the hands of Joaquim and Vulcann. Shakti, Xi'an and Nostromo reach Doom's hidden shelter and find a teleportation unit that sends them to the X-Men. The storm gets worse as the Atlantean warships arrive to attack Halo City. Tim is not quite dead but transformed into a energy being. He joins the X-Men in a final showdown against Vulcann and Joaquim.

Alt 928, Part 8: X-Nation (1)

Grade: C-

It is the beginning of the end of Marvel 2099. John Francis Moore and Ron Lim already started transitioning the X-Men from ragtag band of mutants roaming the desert to the protectors of a mutant haven, but the change comes a little too late to save the title from its looming doom.

The Marvel 2099 imprint launches two new titles: X-Nation 2099 and Fantastic Four 2099.  Shakti leaves the X-Men to mentor a new generation of mutants in X-Nation 2099. One of these young mutants (Clarion, December, Metalsmith, Nostromo, Twilight, Uproar, Willow, and Wulff) is a potential mutant "messiah".

I've been a little worried about how John Francis Moore and Ron Lim have been dealing with a team book. We started seeing the team come back together in the City of Dead. Unfortunately, X-Nation 2099 is much more confusing and disorienting -- especially with Humberto Ramos's artwork. It is hard to keep up so many characters in these frantic issues with so much going on. It is a daring attempt to think outside the panels in what appears to be a manga influenced style, but neither Samantha nor I could keep up.

[3-Stars] X-Men 2099 #30 - "Prophecies of Doom" It is election time in Halo City, and Morphine Somers learns that he has been voted out of office. Shakti leaves her comatose father's side for a walkabout that leads to Doom! The former president in hiding reveals the real reason for Halo City. Doom's calculations indicate that a powerful mutant has been born to this new generation, and he hopes will migrate to his haven. Young mutants Clarion and Nostromo are the first to arrive, but they find themselves in trouble with a gang called the Wild Boys.

[3-Stars] X-Men 2099 #31 - "Book of Revelation" Tim Fitzgerald, Meanstreak and La Lunática go on a mission Mexico City to save a mysterious mutant in captive of Quetzalcoatl Corporation. The mega-corp's CEO, Javier Belize, is using Book's photographic memory and mutant power to analyze mass amounts of data to get rich. Victor Ten Eagles reaches Halo City with a an arm missing and a warning. Somebody is killing the former members of the Lawless.

NOTE: While Clarion, Nostromo & Wulff first appeared in X-Men 2099 #30, most of X-Nation (December, Twilight, Uproar, and Willow) first appear in the 2099 A.D. Genesis one-shot which I do not own. Metalsmith makes his first appearance in X-Nation 2099 #2.

[3-Stars] X-Nation 2099 #1 - "Sixth or Seventh Genesis" Morphine Somers leads a young mutant to the newly formed team X-Nation. One of these teenagers may be the next mutant "messiah". The are mentored by Shakti Haddad and protected by the Sisterhood of the Howling Commandments at the Xavier Shelter for Indigent Children. Morphine introduces Wulff who was until recently a member of the Wild Boys. The other members of the gang aren't ready to let him go leading to X-Nation's first conflict. A second problem is brewing as another threat named Avian learns that one of his runaways, Willow, has also joined X-Nation.

[2-Stars] X-Nation 2099 #2 - "Kicking and Screaming" Sister Nicholas of the Sisterhood of the Howling Commandments punishes X-Nation with community service for missing curfew, and Shakti takes the opportunity to talk to the kids. Avian orders his goon and wacky robots (fun for kids, deadly for enemies) to retrieve Willow.

[2-Stars] X-Nation 2099 #3 - "Vertigo" Halo City's lawyer stops he Sisterhood of the Howling Commandments from launching a violent rescue attempt to retrieve Willow from Avian, so X-Nation secretly set off on their own. Shakti receives a powerful telepathic message from a new threat -- Exodus!

[2-Stars] X-Nation 2099 #4 - "A Turning Point in the Life of X-Nation as Atlantis Draws: First Blood!" The Sister of the Howling Commandments are attacked by Attuma's Atlantean warriors; the X-Nation kids must save themselves from Avian; and Shakti battles Exodus.

Alt 928, Part 7: City of the Dead

Grade: A-

The X-Men 2099 are now protectors of a mutant haven called Halo City. This new city in the desert was originally created by President Doom before his ouster, but the X-Men and Morphine Somers are committed to save it from a new threat. The Graverobber has the mutant ability to bring back the dead. He has a team of deceased mutants many of whom who bear striking resemblances to some of the modern X-Men such as Arcadian (Gambit?), Catscratch (Feral?), Ember (Sunfire?), and the Russian (Colossus?). The Undead also includes a former member of the X-Men 2099 --Serpentina.

It is a fun story that puts the team in a precarious situation. They either protect the city or hand over Shakti's murderous father to another villain bent on revenge. There is plenty of action and mystery in what I believe is the last really good tale of the series.

Samantha was still disappointed that the series continues to tell the tales of individual members rather than a solid tale of the entire team.

[4-Stars] 26 - "Broken Halo" President Doom has been ousted by the mega-corps, and Herod is gunning to eliminate Doom's Black Cabinet. Morphine Somers is Doom's former Minster of Humanity and should be on the run, but he has a different idea. He stays with the X-Men 2099 at the newly opened Halo City. His old friend, an Infonet reporter named Gunnar Heywood, also enters the new haven for mutants looking for a story. Morphine introduces the Gunnar to Halo City's protectors -- the X-Men 2099! Sham and La Lunática are now members while Xi'an Chi Xan has chosen atone for his crimes as a member of the Theatre of Pain by being a healer. The city's new protectorate faces a new threat. Members of the Undead are searching for Shakti's father.

[4-Stars] 27 - "Angel of the Mourning" The Undead has taken their first victim. A revived Serpentina killed Tim allowing her new master, the Graverobber, to resurrect the X-Man. Gunnar Heywood is not so lucky. He is killed by the Undead after they find him eavesdropping. The Undead return with Tim among their ranks still looking for Shakti's father. The Graverobber has a score to settle with the old criminal of the Red Market.

[4-Stars] 28 - "Funeral Party" The Undead return to kill (re-kill?) the legendary long-dead musical band called the Disinterred. The Undead promise to do the same to everyone in Halo City until they have Shakti's father. La Lunática finds Gunnar Heywood still alive, and the two discover that the Undead plan to destroy the city's power plant using Tim's power absorption power.

[4-Stars] 29 - "Undead Zone" Tim and the Undead bring down Halo City's power supply plunging the newly formed X-Nation into darkness. The X-Men arrive to help La Lunática battle the Undead, but they are not enough. Morphine Somers has another plan. He brings Shakti's father to the Graverobber to negotiate despite the X-Men's objections. It is the climatic conclusion with a special appearance of Doom!

Alt 928 Extra: Brothers Hildebrandt

Marvel 2099 produced two additional X-Men 2099 books: X-Men 2099 Special and X-Men 2099 Oasis. Both of them fit right about here in the overarching storyline. What really distinguishes them both is the fantastic work of the Brothers Hildebrandt.

X-Men 2099 Special feels like an annual with three standalone stories that can be missed if weren't for the beautiful Hildebrandt cover. Samantha was even less impressed.

• "Tin Man" - Shakti finds herself in a prospering desert town with a dark secret. 
• "Sylvester & Sally Stay at Home" - Halloween Jack provides some ghoulish entertainment in an obvious node to the classic Cat in the Hat book. This one was my favorite of the three.
• "Frog Prince" - Another Shakti solo tale that her to Colonel Phineas Lynch Amusements. It is a circus featuring a deformed mutant.

Tim and Greg Hildebrandt draw the entire issue of X-Men 2099 Oasis. The story is not especially originally, but the art had me lingering on each page. Bloodhawk, Shakti, Tim, and La Lunática find a hidden oasis in the desert that seems too good to be true. They idyllic commune stresses self-sufficiency and tolerance within their high tech walls. Shakti learns that it was built and led by an old flame she thought died years ago. It is a straight-forward plot, but I liked the glimpse into Shakti's past. I might have also mentioned the outstanding artwork.

Alt 928, Part 6: One Nation Under Doom

Grade: B

This is one of those crossover events in name only. Dr. Doom becomes president of the United States in a storyline that pits him against the mega-corporations. The X-Men 2099 title is largely left alone. The tie-in comes from Doom's desire to put an end to the red-market (traders of pain and other decadent perversions). His Minister of Humanity, Morphine Somers, resurrects Junkpile to deal the Theatre of Pain which is exactly where the X-Men are headed anyway. What a coincidence!

The real impact of this story (other than finally dealing with the Theatre of Pain) is Halo City. One of Doom's final acts as president is to reveal that he had secretly created a haven for mutants. The X-Men accept positions as the city's protectorates.

Samantha liked the fact that the X-Men finally get back together. It is much better to follow a single strong story than a series of unconnected stories that made the title feel more like an anthology than a team book.

[3-Stars] 22 - "Gauntlet of Pain!" Xi'an Chi Xan is about to confirm his place in the Theatre of Pain, but he decides that it is too much of a cult. He chooses to walk out, but Brimstone Love has other plans. The leader of the dark cabal tests Xi'an taking his new recruit through a tough mental journey forcing Xi'an to face his own tortured past.

[3-Stars] 23 - "Junkpile: Agent of Shield" President Doom and Morphine Somers bring back Junkpile and make him an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with full autonomy to enforce Doom's law. His first assignment is to shut down the Theatre of Pain. Tim, Shakti and La Lunática infiltrate the Theatre of Pain to save (or at least deal with) Xi'an Chi Xan. They enter the Floodgate Bio Resource Processing Center where two other mutants, Quiver and Sham, attempt their own escape.

[3-Stars] 24 - "Twitch and Writhe" A gamma bomb is detonated (Hulk 2099) with the resulting earthquake and aftershocks felt at the Theatre of Pain's Floodgate Bio Resources Processing Center. Quiver and Sham effect their escape in the chaos while Tim and La Lunática face off against the Theatre's deadly Norn Sisters. Meanstreak and Krystalin convince Bloodhawk to join them in an attempt to reach and help the X-Men save Xi'an Chi Xan. They may be too late as Shakti watches in horror as Xi'an prepares to unleash the Mindfire Machine (powered by a comatose Master Zhao) against thousands of people in his grand bid to join the Theatre of Pain.

[3-Stars] 25 - "Final Curtain" The X-Men are reunited as they take on Theatre of Pain to save their former leader, Xi'an Chi Xan.

Alt 928, Part 5: X-Men 2099 #14-21

Grade: C-

Xi'an Chi Xan formed the X-Men only to leave them 13 issues later. The team decides to stay together despite his departure, but that seems to be in name only. This post is really a collection of several different story threads about the X-Men (and former X-Men) that weave through each of the issues. It isn't team book, and the stories are actually a bit prosaic. I get a kick out of Halloween Jack's antics, but it isn't enough to recommend the issues in this post. Samantha thought the stories were a little confusing without the team atmosphere that she liked in earlier issues.

[2-Stars] 14 - "All the Glitters" Fitzgerald and La Lunática return to Zhao's ranch with the news that Xi'an Chi Xan left the X-Men to join the Theatre of Pain. Fitzgerald will lead the team, and they will take down the Theatre. Freakshow is holding up in Keewazi Nation where Mama Hurricane is good friends with Dr. Louise Wingfoot. Rosa's prenatal examine reveals that her baby is a boy. She also learns that the baby's father is coming to take their child. He is a ruthless corporate gun for hire called Glitterspike with a violent streak.

[2-Stars] 15 - "Shadows And Light" Glitterspike kidnaps Rosa to take care of her and their child. She manages to escape and finds shelter in a cave. Metalhead, Dr. Wingfoot and Mama Hurricane track Rosa down in the cave just as she finds a strange alien spacecraft and a monster Dr. Wingfoot calls the Shadow Dancer. Their investigation is cut short when the angry Glitterspike reaches the cave.

[3-Stars] 16 - "Scary Monsters" Loki is still in Las Vegas drawing the unwanted attention of the Synge Casino's enforcers -- the Rat Pack. He captured and presented to Desdemona who tortures him in revenge. The painful process interacts with his nanotechnology changing him into Halloween Jack, and he needs the X-Men help.

[3-Stars] 17 - "Strange Daze" Meanstreak and Halloween Jack return to Las Vegas to take over Desdemona Synge's casino. Krystalin travels to Oakland to attend the funeral of her father. Her brother, Zak, now leads the city's street protectors, the Panthers (trained in Wakandan tradition) and tries to convince her to stand by his side. She declines during a dinner that ends in his abduction by the Free Radicals.

[2-Stars] 18 - "Free Radical Chic" With help from some of locals, Krystalin finds the Free Radicals. She is unable to take them on, but they offer her an opportunity to free her brother. They will let him go if she finds a way to release their imprisoned leader, Billy the Kid, from Panther custody. Meanwhile, Xi'an and the Theatre of Pain steal the remains of Master Zhao and the Chosen (still cryogenically stored). In Las Vegas, Halloween Jack and Meanstreak get much closer to taking over the the city as they prepare the volatile and untested Virtual Unreality machine. Desdemona Synge prepares to take the offensive.

[2-Stars] 19 - "Co-Dependent Behavior" Shakti, Fitzgerald and La Lunática get out of their new home just in time before it explodes thanks to a bomb planted by Xi'an and the Theatre of Pain. In Vegas, Desdemona Synge releases her new weapon against Halloween Jack and Meanstreak. She has used her brother chemical addiction to turn him into a monstrous hulk that she can control. Krystalin finds Billy the Kid and must now get him out of the Panther's facilities.

[2-Stars] 20 - "Rust Never Sleeps" Bloodhawk is back from the Savage Lands only to find that a large robot attacking a truck stop is leaking radiation that is destroying the environment. He teams up with a young woman who feels responsible in stopping it. Her name is Jade, and her father was the one who reassembled the metal soldier of the past. He thought it was deactivated when he buried it, but it is now awake with a damaged nuclear engine. Krystalin frees Billy the Kid returning him to the Free Radicals. She learns, however, that they have a much bigger plan that will put the state into a state of anarchy.

NOTE: At the end of X-Men 2099 #20, Doom publicly announces on all broadcasts that he is the new President of the United States. One Nation Under Doom is a 2099 crossover event that touches the X-Men in the next post.

[3-Stars] 21 - "Unreality Bites" Halloween Jack decides proceed with his plan to activate the Virtual Unreality machine. Meanstreak has some reservations, but he goes along with the plan. Lytton Synge is back under his own control, and he wants revenge on Halloween Jack. Krystallin races to Las Vegas after getting a distrubing message from Meanstreak only to arrive in time to see the twisted success of Virtual Unreality, and the arrival of President Doom.

Alt 928, Part 4: X-Men 2099 #10-13

Grade: C

The X-Men 2099 fall apart in this run. Xi'an formed the team, but thanks to his recent battle with Master Zhao, his personality reverts to his former, self when he was the leader of the outlaw gang called the Lawless. The rest of the X-Men find themselves in a holding pattern waiting.

The series is loosing its steam with run-of-the-mill stories. We get a glimpse into Xi'an's former life and there is some tension when Junkpile returns, but the team dynamics that mark X-Men books (even in the first nine issues of this title) has evaporated.

[3-Stars] 10 - "Roadwork" Xi'an has been changed by his encounter with Master Zhao. While the rest of the X-Men have reverted to their normal selves after their recent battle with Master Zhao and the Chosen, Xi'an has reverted to his outlaw personality. He is leaving the X-Men to find the Driver. Fitzgerald decides he better go with him, and the two run into La Lunatica while at a roadhouse. The rest of the team try to save the Master Zhao and the Chosen from further deterioration. Blookhawk departs for the Savage Land (that story continues in Doom 2099).

[3-Stars] 11 - "Crossed Signals" Fitzgerald agrees to help La Lunática run from the Theatre of Pain, and he convinces Xi'an to allow her to join them on their quest to find the Driver. The X-Men continue to deal with Xi'an's departure. Victor Ten Eagles leaves in disgust that Shakti is helping the Chosen after their massacre of innocent people issues earlier. Frostbite also leaves knowing that her time is up since her power will not allow her to be cryogentical saved until a cure is found. She runs into the Driver.

[3-Stars] 12 - "Hit and Run" La Lunática reveals to Fitzgerald that she has also asked Junkpile for help in running the Theatre of Pain. Fitzgerald is still understandably angry that Junkpile killed Serpentina (X-Men 2099 #4). Xi'an talks to a person from his past as an outlaw, but Broken Haiku has information that will lead Xi'an to the Driver. She gives him the location but also informs the Driver that he is about to have company. Metalhead (now with Freakshow) gets closer to Rosa.

[3-Stars] 13 - "Dead End" Xi'an, Fitzgerald, Junkpile and La Lunática find the Driver, but thanks to Broken Haiku, he is prepared for them. Brimstone Love also arrives. He has been tracking La Lunática, but he soon finds someone better and more willing to take her place in the Theatre of Pain.

Alt 928, Part 3: X-Men 2099, Vol. 1 (2)

Grade: B

There was only one X-Men 2099 trade paperback -- X-Men 2099, Vol. 1. It collected X-Men 2099 issues #1-9 along with the first two parts of the Fall of the Hammer (Spider-Man 2099 #16 and Ravage 2099 #15). This is the final part to what was a good read with the exception of of the Fall of the Hammer.

The X-Men start searching for answers about mutants from the past. That journey leads them to two new teams: Freakshow and the Chosen. Freakshow are a groups of "failed" genetic experiments (Breakdown, Contagion, Dominic, Psyclone, Tantrum) lead by Mama Hurricane. The Chosen are genetic recreations of the the original X-Men lead by Master Zhao, one of the great X-Men leaders of the past. The Chose includes Frostbite (Iceman), Monster (Beast), One-Eyed Jack (Cyclops), Psycho-K (Marvel Girl), Wingspan (Angel).

[3-Stars] 6 - "Freakshow" Tim, Meanstreak, Krystalin and Bloodhawk return to the the X-Men in time for a new time for a new mission. Krystalin is sent on a solo job while the rest of the X-Men head to Arizona to find Mama Hurricane. Hurricane was a member of the Mutant Underground Support Engine (MUSE) during the Great Purge. She might have information on where all those escaped mutants might be. The X-Men must pass her protectors, the Freakshow!

[3-Stars] 7 - "Hurricane Force" It is the X-Men versus Freakshow in battle that leaves Metalhead damaged and deformed. Xi'an learns as a member of MUSE Mama Hurricane lead mutants to the Driver who would take them the rest of the way to Avalon. Meanwhile, Krystalin meets Victor Ten Eagles. He is her contact, and he has a surprise to show her.

[3-Stars] 8 - "Ghost Winds" The X-Men and Freakshow go their separate ways. Metalhead stays with Freakshow while the rest of the X-Men start their search for Avalon and the Driver. Krystalin and Victor Ten Eagles's investigation leads them to a warped version of the original X-Men who call themselves the Chosen.

[3-Stars] 9 - "Brand X" The X-Men reach Krystalin after they receive a disturbing message from her. They find her under the sway of the Chosen's leader, Master Zhao. Zhao was the powerful leader of the last generation of X-Men. When they died (by his paranoid hand), he created a new team to resemble the original X-Men, but their genetic makeup made them unstable. He wants the Xi'an's X-Men to join him as his new followers, and if they don't, he will force them.

Alt 928, Part 2: Fall of the Hammer

Grade: F+

A mysterious floating city called Valhalla arrives with beings who claim to be the Norse gods of old. The heroes of 2099 need to get to bottom of what is really going on to prevent further damage to the environment and learn what truth behind the sudden appearance.

This first 2099 crossover event was very confusing. The numbering sequence implied that The Fall of the Hammer was a self-contained arc told in five parts, but that didn't seem to be the case since much of the leading backstory was in earlier issues of the various 2099 titles. Without any indication that I needed any other comics, I only bought those with The Fall of the Hammer logo. As a result, I had a hard time understanding what was going on.

Normally, a crossover across titles will read like a single story told from the perspective of the lead characters. That did not happen here. The reading order was jumbled and unfocused which only added to my confusion. Only some of the X-Men were part of the story and then for only the first three part.

Part 1: Spider-Man 2099 #16 - "The Hammer Strikes" Valhalla hovers over the city with boastful "gods" terrorizing the people. Spider-Man 2099 confronts Heimdall and Thor convinced they are not the same champions from the Heroic Age.

Part 2: Ravage 2099 #15 - "Horns of Dilemma" Ravage 2099 meets members of X-Men 2099 in their search for Meanstreak's friend Boone whom they believe is a captive in Valhalla. Ravage decides to join them in their attempt to sneak onboard so he can learn more about the floating city that is destroying the environment. He soon discovers that the new Hela may be an old friend.

Part 3: X-Men 2099 #5 - "Lightningstrike" The X-Men 2099 learn the fate of Boone and the truth behind the new Norse "gods".

Part 4: Doom 2099 #14 - "The Anvil or The Hammer" Doom 2099 works with Spider-Man, Punisher and Ravage to battle the new Norse "gods" while keeping the Valhalla afloat.

Part 5: Punisher 2099 #13 - "All for One" Alchemax is one of the world's biggest corporation, and they plan to use the Norse "gods" to usher in a new era of heroes that they control. Their plan is unraveling as Valhalla threatens to crash and their "heroes" slip further into insanity. Punisher 2099 continues to work with Doom, Spider-Man and Ravage to keep the floating city afloat and put an end to Alcehmax's plans.