Era #6, Part 8: A Skinning of Souls (Part 1)

Grade: B

This is part one of two that make up the trade paperback A Skinning of Souls. This story takes place in Russia which I would normally really enjoy if I got to see more of the Russian heroes (Vanguard, Ursa Major, Darkstar). As it is, we only see a glimpse of Darkstar and Blind Faith (a Russian priest with psi powers). It is nice follow up to the X-Cutioner's Song weaving a sad tale of loss with a healthy dose of Soviet era paranoia.

Colossus takes a personal life beating here. His brother commits suicide a few issues earlier. His parents are killed here, and his sister's life is threatened. It is clearly setting the groundwork for the huge shocker in the Fatal Attractions arc.

We also see some teasers for the second part of the trade paperback. Another purple haired ninja woman that looks eerily like the original Psylocke is in Japan working for the Yakuza.

[3-Stars] 17 - "A Skinning of Souls Part One: Waiting for the Ripening" The X-Men finally make their trip to Russia. It weighs heavy on Colossus's mind since the trip was originally set up to return his brother Mikhail (now dead) home. Darkstar and Blind Faith investigate the small town Neftelensk where the citizens are in suspended animation.

[3-Stars] 18 - "A Skinning of Souls Part Two: The Crops Mature" Omega Red is sent to Neftelensk to learn what happened to Darkstar and Blind Faith, but when Colonel Vazhin doesn't hear from the Russian powerhouse, he enlists the visiting X-Men to help him investigate. They quickly encounter a possessed Omega Red ready to deliver them to the Soul Skinner.

[3-Stars] 19 - "A Skinning of Souls Part Three: Harvest of the Innocent" Colonel Vazhin and the X-Men discover that the Soul Skinner is responsible for the town, Darkstar, Blind Faith and the Omega Red. The X-Men also learn that the Russian government has been watching Colossus's sister Illyana (you might remember her as Magik) as part of a mutant surveillance program. To help stop the Soul Skinner, the Russians plan to accelerate Illyana's body to force her mutant power to manifest. The soldiers killed her parents, kidnapped Illyana and take her to Neftelensk to start the process that may kill her. Colossus must save his sister, rescue the X-Men and stop the Soul Skinner.