Alt 4935, Part 1: Phoenix

Grade: D

I may have already mentioned that Rachel Summers is not one of my favorite X-Men, so I picked this title for the sole purpose of learning more about the Askani timeline. John Francis Moore delivered just enough on that front with only one obvious continuity error, but he does not provide any real character development or deeper insight. The uninspired story is drawn by Pascal Alixe whose art I do not like.

The series ties things together from different bits and pieces revealed through the years. It explains the origin of Clan Askani, Blaquesmith and Ch'Vayre. The only obvious inconsistency involves Madame Sanctity. The story implies that she is from this timeline (a child they saved in the third issue) though all other references identify her as Tanya Trask from Earth-616.

[2-Stars] 1 - "Askani Rising Part One" Rachel has been a prisoner in the timestream as a result of earlier Excalibur story. She emerges 2,000 years in the future to find a world in which Apocalypse and his mutant prelates ruthlessly rule over humans. Diamanda Nero is his most trusted high counselor who takes great joy in eliminating any challenge to mutant dominance.

[2-Stars] 2 - "Askani Rising Part Two: Contagion" Rachel forms a new resistance movement called the Asakani (for "outsider"). They confront Diamanda Nero whose power continues to grow.

[2-Stars] 3 - "Askani Rising Conclusion: Sacrifice" Diamanda Nero wants to possess Phoenix Force to become more powerful than Apocalypse, so she sets up a confrontation with Rachel and the Askani.