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.