Era #5, Part 14: Muir Island Saga

Grade: B-

It is the final showdown with the Shadow King. The powerful telepath has been the major villain of Era #5 consolidating his power base on Muir Island. This chapter brings the X-Men and X-Factor together in order to reshape both for the next era.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #278 - "The Battle of Muir Isle" The X-Men have returned to Earth and decide that they need to go to Muir Island. Moria MacTaggert has not been acting normal for awhile, and it is time to investigate. They find that many of their allies (Rogue, Siryn, Guido, Maddrox, Amanda Sefton) are under the same dark influence.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #279 - "Bad to the Bone" Professor X is back on Earth looking for the X-Men. He finds Stevie Hunter on the run from Colossus who is under the control the Shadow King. The X-Men have also come under the influence of the Shadow King on Muir Island.

[3-Stars] X-Factor #69 - "Clash Reunion" The entire world is beginning to feel the dark touch of the Shadow King catching the attention of Val Cooper and S.H.I.E.L.D. Professor X recruits his original students, X-Factor, to help him infiltrate Muir Island.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #280 - "One Step Back -- Two Steps Forward" Professor X's schizophrenic  and extremely powerful son, Legion, becomes Shadow King's new host. The X-Men regroup and join X-Factor in a final assault against the telepathically strengthened villain.

[3-Stars] X-Factor #70 - "Ends and Odds" Professor X is back in a wheelchair after his battle with the Shadow King. He may have also lost his son who's mind is no longer reachable. The members of X-Factor decide to return to the X-Men fold while Val Cooper takes the name to create a new team of mutants to work for the government to replace Freedom Force.