Era #6, Part 16: Bloodties

Grade: A-

Where did Fabian Cortez go? His Acolytes abandons their founder and leader back in X-Factor #92, and after the events of the Fatal Attractions, we find that Fabian is still as dangerous as ever attracting unwanted attention of both the X-Men, the Avengers and Exodus!

Avengers #368 - "Bloodties Part One: Family Legacy" Civil war has broken out in Genosho after Magneto's EMP created chaos and confusion within the island nation. Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. talk to the Avengers in an attempt to prevent the heroes from interfering. Fabian Cortez is leading the mutate rebellion holding Quicksilver and Crystal's child, Luna, as a hotage. Val Cooper asks Peter Henry Gyrich to lead a diplomatic team that includes USAgent, Professor X and Beast to see if they can diffuse the situation.

[4-Stars] X-Men #26 - "Bloodties Part 2: Civil Disobedience!" The X-Men fly to Genosha in the Blackbird. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. try to stop Avengers from going to Genosha. Crystal is especially heated after learning that Fabian Cortez is holding her daughter hostage. In the war torn country, Xavier's diplomatic entourage (with Beast, US Agent and Peter Henry Gyrich) are ambushed. It is a staged attacked allowing Xavier and Beast to sneak away and regroup with their in-country allies lead by Renee Majcomb. The rest of the X-Men fly to Genosha in their Blackbird and quickly run into the Unforgiven -- mutates following Fabian Cortez.

Avengers West Coast #101 - "Bloodties Part III" Hawkeye leads some of the Avengers to confront the United Nation's Security Council about their response to the crisis in Genosha. The remainder of the Avengers reach the island nation at the same time as Exodus who introduces himself as Magneto's heir. His disregard for human life is evident when he incinerates a human resistance fighters. The Avengers attempt to stop the powerful mutant. Professor Xavier's team discover a mutate concentration camp, and the X-Men battle Fabian Cortez and the Unforgiven.

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #307 - "Bloodties Part Four: Night and Fog" Professor Xavier's team defend the mutates held in a concentration camp by Genoshian magistrates. Sersi battles Exodus creating even more damage to the capital Hammer Bay than the civil war. Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Crystal's search for their daughter Luna leads them to Fabian Cortez.

Avengers #369 - "Bloodties Finale: Of Kith and Kin" It is a climatic conclusion as Exodus finally confronts Fabian Cortez and the heroes (S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers and the X-Men) try to quell the civil war destroying the island nation of Genosha.

Era #6, Part 15: Gambit Limited Series

Grade: D

We learned a little about Gambit's mysterious past in the X-Men / Ghost Rider crossover Brood Trouble in the Big Easy (Era #6, Part 04). In his first limited series, we get more insight into the X-Man's estranged relationship with his family in the Thieve's Guild and his wife's family in the Assassin's Guild. This four part arc takes place in the middle of Era #6, Part 14 between Uncanny X-Men #304 and X-Men (v2) #25 and introduces a new cast of supporting characters and another X-Ternal, Candra.

I liked the story a little less than I did the first time we traveled to the Big Easy. It is unoriginal, confusing, and uninteresting. Fortunately, Becca loved it, so I gave her all four issues to keep. I am glad she enjoys them.

[2-Stars] 1 - "Tithing" Henri LeBeau infiltrates the X-Mansion to ask for help from his brother, Gambit. Guild thieves are being killed as they prepare for "The Tithing". It is an ancient ceremony in which they receive the gift of immortal life from a benefactress through an agent calling himself the Tithe Collector. Julien Boudreaux is Gambit's brother-in-law and believed died. He is very much alive and killing thieves including Henri. Rogue joins Gambit for a trip to the Big Easy.

[2-Stars] 2 - "Honor Amongst Thieves" When Gambit and Rogue reach New Orleans, they hit the Assassin's Guild for answers and learn that Bella Donna is still alive. The defeated assassins watch the two X-Men take Gambit's comatose wife to a safer location. Gambit realizes that the Tithe Collector's gift to the Thieve's Guild, the Elixir of Life, is her only hope to be revived. He must travel to Paris to find the Candra, an X-Ternal with ties to Gideon and the Guilds' benefactress. Meanwhile, Julien visits the Assassin's Guild also after the Elixir of Life.

[2-Stars] 3 - "The Benefactress" Gambit's search for Candra in Paris is successful. She has a romantic past with the Cajun thief that ended badly, so she is not inclined to give him any of the Elixir of Life. Rogue stays in New Orleans to care for Bella Donna with Tante Mattie.

[2-Stars] 4 - "Thief of Time" Gambit and Julien have a final showdown at the Church of the Lost Thieves in New Orleans. Gambit wants the Elixir of Life to save Bella Donna, and Julien needs it to save himself. The Elixir gave Julien additional life, but it also made him visually hideous and addicted to the gift. The Thieve's Guild and the Assassin's Guild confront Candra about their long-standing pact.

Era #6, Part 14: Fatal Attractions (Part 3)

Grade: B

Magneto is back! There were plenty of hints and clues along the way, so the big reveal isn't momentous. Still, the Fatal Attractions storyline has three other surprising moments that make this crossover event a big deal. Unfortunately, there are other less interesting issues stuck in-between the good stuff. If you want to just focus on Fatal Attractions, I recommend focusing on the following issues (in order): X-Factor #92, X-Force #25, Uncanny X-Men #304, X-Men (v2) #25, Wolverine #75, and Excalibur #71
They are easily identified with their hologram covers. All of the other issues in the Fatal Attractions posts supplement this main arc, but they are not necessary to enjoy the big showdown and resulting fallout.

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #304 - "...For What I Have Done" Exodus reveals to the Acolytes that Magneto is alive with a new haven for his followers. The mysterious mutant will lead them to Avalon, but he first informs the faithful that Fabian Cortez is a traitor who attempted to murder their lord and savior. The X-Men hold a funeral for Illyana Rasputin, but the ceremony is interrupted by Magneto who offers Xavier's students a place in Avalon as well. Only one accepts -- the heartbroken Colossus.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #305 - "The Measure Of The Man" Iceman, Rogue and Bishop stop an attack on Opal Tanaka (remember, Iceman's girlfriend?). Opal is furious to learn that she was bait, and Rogue discovers that the assailants are organic constructs from a mysterious new threat. Meanwhile, Professor X and Storm attend a party where they meet Ambassador St. Croix, a member of the Mutant Underground. Xavier then asks Storm to steal for him. It is something she is uncomfortable doing, and she makes it clear it will be the last time.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #306 - "Mortal Coils" Archangel and Jean Grey spend some time together at his Colorado home when they are joined by a Candy Southern. Candy was killed by Cameron Hodge in X-Factor #34 (in Era #4). She is not the only one who has returned from the dead. Cameron Hodge is also back and much more dangerous. At the X-Mansion, Professor X and Quicksilver continue to train for their assault on Avalon. In the West Village, Storm and Forge finally make amends.

[4-Stars] X-Men #25 - "Fatal Attractions: Dreams Fade" The United Nations Security Council initiate the Magneto Protocols erecting a barrier around Earth protecting them from the mutant Master of Magnetism. Magneto reacts to the provocation by unleashing a electro-magnetic pulse wave across the globe disrupting every electronic item on Earth. Professor X decides it is time to finally deal with his old friend and nemesis. Wearing a specially designed suit designed to protect him from Magneto's powers (designed and build in X-Men Unlimited #2), Xavier leads Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Quicksilver and Jean Grey to Avalon. Unbeknownst to them, Colossus helps them sneak aboard the space station, and the X-Men reach the control room without a problem only finding the healed Rusty and Skids (both of whom wish to stay with the Acolytes). Professor X uses Avaolon's teleportation system to send all of the Acolytes off the station leaving the X-Men alone to confront Magneto. It is a showdown with two big consequences (SPOILER ALERT): Magneto rips the adamantium from of Wolverine's bones, and Professor X turns off Magneto's mind. Colossus chooses to stay and care for the comatose super villain.

Wolverine #75 - "Nightmares Persist" The X-Men do everything they can to prevent Wolverine from dying of his injuries. His body is in extreme shock after the trauma from Magneto's attack. They discover that the adamantium encased bone claws, and that there is a limit to his healing factor . SPOILER ALERT: Wolverine decides he is too much of a liability to the team and leaves the X-Men.

Excalibur #71 - "Crossing Swords" Professor X, Jean Grey and Cyclops arrive at Muir Island to ask for Shadowcat's help. They believe that the accident that trapped Colossus in his metal form was also responsible for his decision to join the Acolytes. They plan to use his love for Shadowcat to lure him Muir Island so that they can repair the damage. She reluctantly agrees, and Colossus does indeed return to Earth at her request. SPOILER ALERT: The X-Men are able to repair the damage, but Colossus remains committed to being an Acolyte and serve as Magneto's aide.

Era #6, Part 13: X-Men Unlimited #1-2

Grade: C+

There weren't enough X-Titles: Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants (turned X-Force), X-Factor, X-Men, Wolverine and Excalibur. A new bimonthly anthology title was launched called X-Men Unlimited. It provided some insight into the main storylines, but in reality, it was noticeable unremarkable. Different writers and artist got the opportunity to tell some tales about our favorite characters, but in the end, I am not sure anybody really noticed. In this short run, we get the details on Sienna Blaze's attack on the X-Men (mentioned in X-Force #22) and a glimpse into Magneto's impact on a soldier.

[3-Stars] 1 - "Follow the Leader" Cyclops, Storm, and Professor X find themselves stranded in the frozen white tundra of Antarctica. On their way back from the Savage Land celebrating the birth of Ka-Zar and Shanna's newborn, their aircraft was destroyed by a powerful blast from an unknown mutant. They must protect themselves from the elements made worse by the environmental after-effect of the mutant attack. Sienna Blaze makes her first appearance in an attempt to join Upstarts by taking out the X-Men leadership.

[3-Stars] 2 - "Point Blank" Adrian Eiskalt has a score to settle with Magneto. He was an East German soldier with an obsession of getting revenge for the death of his brother at the hands of the Master of Magnetism. He joins an international strike-force responsible for creating a stealth suit that makes him invisible to Magneto in order to exact his revenge. Meanwhile, Exodus offers a place in Avalon to only one member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants -- Phantazia. The rest were unworthy (Toad and Blob) or unclean (Pyro).

Era #6, Part 12: Assault on Greymalkin

Grade: C

Fabian Nicieza continues to write average stories. They are not horrible, but they aren't really that good either. Cable is gone (again) only to return (again). We see more X-Ternals, mysterious Cable technology, Weapon PRIME, and angry Wild Packers. It was cool to see War Machine as a guest star, but it was lackluster. I stuck with it because I love the characters, but their development was practically nonexistent. We see some philosophical debating between Cannonball and Professor X and the beginning and Cannonball and Magneto at the end, but both felt forced. I remember thinking that I wished the title was a little more interesting and a little more integrated into the X-Men stories.

[2-Stars] 19 - "The Open Hand, The Closed Fist" X-Force remains under house arrest at the X-Mansion. Professor X is unsure what to do with his former students turned soldiers. There are no formal charges from the X-Cutioner's Song, and their leader, Cable, has passed away. While Boomer takes the time to redress the team, Warpath and Siryn steal some of the X-Men's secrets for their operations further cementing the team as rouge. Cannonball discusses X-Force's direct "take-it-to-them" approach with Professor X who cautions that they will pay a price to pay for their moral quagmire.

[3-Stars] 20 - "Assault on Graymalkin" A SHIELD exercise in space using Stark Industries technology uncovers a Cable's orbital space station that had been cloaked. Stark Industries has salvage rights, but War Machine agrees to allow SHIELD to accompany him on an exploration mission. Lila Cheney is back and with X-Force at their base in Camp Verde, Arizona. They manage to get a television working, and they immediately recognize it as Cable's home, Graymalkin, from the breaking news footage. Nick Fury, GW Bridge, War Machine and X-Force race to uncover the Cable's secrets. Meanwhile, Domino recruits Grizzly in her search for Cable's team.

[3-Stars] 21 - "War Machines" It is a full battle on Graymalkin as SHIELD, War Machine and X-Force each vie for control of Cable's legacy. The station includes an AI called Professor that sounds eerily like Ship (from the X-Factor adventures back in Era #4 & #5). Warpath, Siryn and Boomer return Camp Verde from a shopping trip. They can not find their teammates, but they do find a powerful intruder. Meanwhile, Domino and Grizzly's search for Cable's young soldiers leads them to another member of the Wild Pack, and Hammer still has a score to settle with their former leader.

[2-Stars] 22 - "Ordinance Weighed in Blood" Professor can not maintain Graymalkin after the damage the station sustained from battle between SHIELD, War Machine and X-Force. Lila teleports most of the team to safety leaving the humans to find their own way back to Earth. Cannonball and Sunspot take a shuttle escorting much Cable's ordinance to their base at Camp Verde. They are unable to save Professor. Meanwhile, Hammer helps Domino and Grizzly break into Canada's Department K to search for clues as to the location of Cable's many safe-houses. Deadpool finds Vanessa (you remember -- the woman who posed as Domino for a year).

[2-Stars] 23 - "Compromising Positions" X-Force learns that the X-Ternals kidnapped Warpath, Siryn and Boomer in an effort to lure Cannonball. X-Force plans an attack that allows Sam to keep his word of non-interference in X-Ternal affairs while still sending a message to leave X-Force alone. Meanwhile, Domino and Grizzly run into Weapon PRIME at Canada's Department K.

[3-Stars] 24 - "Prisoners of Fate" Professor X asks X-Force for a favor. Rusty and Skids were arrested as part of the MLF during the X-Cutioner's Song, but Dr. Cooper believes that the two former New Mutants were brainwashed. She was having them secretly transported to the X-Mansion for therapy when the convoy was attacked by the Friends of Humanity. X-Force has been asked to locate and rescue their friends. Meanwhile, Domino and Grizzly arrive in Boston to save Vanessa from Deadpool. While Domino may want to kill the woman who impersonated her for a year, Vanessa offers to help them find X-Force.

[3-Stars] 25 - "Fatal Attractions: Back to Front" This issue is part two of the Fatal Attractions storyline. X-Force returns to Camp Verde where they find another trespasser. This time it is their thought-to-be-deceased leader Cable. His return is interrupted  by yet another mutant intruder. Exodus has arrived and announces that the former New Mutants have been offered a place in Avalon. Cannonball and Sunspot accept taking Rusty and Skids with them. Sam secretly leaves a homing device with Cable so that his team can find them. X-Force learns that Magneto is back and transformed the remains of Graymalkin into a mutant haven. Magneto is also able to deactivate the brainwashing device Stryfe implanted within Rusty and Skids (both of whom choose to become Acolytes of their own free will). Cable and the rest of X-Force arrive to reclaim Graymalkin from Magneto and the Acolytes.

Era #6, Part 11: Fatal Attractions (Part 2)

Grade: C

It is a bit more Upstart silliness. I just never really got behind the idea of a rich, spoiled mutants looking to have some fun by killing other mutants for points in an undefined game led by an omnipath. There are simply too many holes to count, not the least of which is that most of the players aren't actually all that rich or spoiled.

The Upstart story is followed by an overly sentimental story of Illyana's passing to the Legacy Virus. It is two issues of sadness and tears with no real direction or development. Colossus's reaction is saved for Uncanny X-Men #304.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #301 - "Dominion!" Trevor Fitzroy tortures the Black Queen Selene to get the attention of the Gamesmaster and the Upstarts. He wants a new target for game, and the Gamesmaster selects Forge and Mystique. The X-Men are desperate for answers to slow and cure the fatal Legacy Virus that has infected little Illyana. Storm leads the Gold Team to Dallas to ask Forge for help, but they arrive at Eagle Plaza in time to see Fitzroy's explosive assault.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #302 - "Province" Storm attempts to protect civilians from the damage caused by Fitzroy's attack on Eagle Plaza while the rest of the X-Men help Forge and Mystique against Fitzroy. It is Colossus that finally let's loose after all he has been through -- his parent's death, his brother's suicide and his sister's fatal illness.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #303 - "Motions" Kitty Pryde arrives as Professor X and Dr. MacTaggert desperately try last ditch efforts to save Illyana. They are unsuccessful, and Illyana succumbs to the Legacy Virus. Jubilee takes it particularly hard after growing close to the former New Mutant. The Gold Team returns home to hear the sad news. It is a the last straw for Colossus who simply shuts down.

[2-Stars] 24 - "Digging Deeper Between Hope and Sorrow" This slow issue continues to deal with the Illyana's loss. Gambit and Rogue attempt to enjoy a date (that isn't interrupted by any villain) and the rest of the team tries to come to grip with the tragedy.  

X-Factor #92 - "The Man Who Wasn't There" This issue is the first part of the "official" Fatal Attractions crossover. It opens with the Acolytes attacking a hospice in Virginia killing several humans. Val Cooper and government employed X-Factor are called in when one of the Acolytes, Spoor, is captured. Spoor bows to Quicksilver and agrees to lead Magneto's only son to the Acolytes' next target -- Camp Hayden. The mutant bounty hunter Random joins Quicksilver and Dr. Cooper to a the sleepy military installation with a dirty government secret. It warehouses mutant-hunting Sentinels as part of a reinvigorated "Project Wideawake" program. The rest of X-Factor disobey Val's orders not to follow, and they arrive as the Acolytes attack the base. During the fierce fighting, Fabian Cortez tries to convince Quicksilver to join the Acolytes. Val also reveals she was aware of "Project Wideawake" explaining that it was a back-up contingency if X-Factor failed.