Era #8, Part 12: Trial of Gambit (Part 2)

Grade: C+

Gambit's cryptic past is finally revealed, and it is a real dozy! I think I was shocked when I first read Uncanny X-Men #350 and learned about his complicity in the Mutant Massacre (which remains one of my favorite stories). I was pleasantly surprised to see that it all made sense. It was Gambit that formed the Marauders for Sinister, and it was Gambit that lead them into the tunnels the day they massacred the Morlocks.

This big reveal felt anticlimactic. Erik the Red (who had nothing to do with the Mutant Massacre) is holding Gambit accountable? Two unknown bounty hunters bring him in? No Marauders or Sinister? It was an isolated "trial" that felt detached from the "crime".

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #347 "Big Night" The X-Men's return trip to Earth is disrupted, and the team lands in a strange unknown location. They wake up separated slowly realizing that they are on Earth with bounty hunters Spat and Grovel hired to capture Gambit.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #348 "Because, I Said So" The X-Men Spat, and Grovel are prisoners of the robot known as Nanny built by Magneto. Rogue is forced to confront the growing memories she absorbed from Gambit back in Cable #20 (Era #7, Part 16: Legion Quest).

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #349 "The Crawl" Maggot arrives in New York City looking for the X-Men. He finds Psylocke and Archangel who see the mysterious newcomer as a threat. The rest of the X-Men are Nanny's prisoner without their powers and hidden in her underground liar once owned by Magneto. It is up to Trish Tilby to find a way to save them.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #350 "Trial & Errors" Erik the Red holds a trial accusing Gambit of crimes against mutants. It was Erik the Red who hired Spat and Grovel to bring in Gambit in order to hold trial. He forces the captured X-Men to serve on the Jury and teleports Psylocke, Angel, and Maggot to participate. The verdict is not in question, but the punishment is a surprise.

Era #8, Part 11: Zero Tolerance (X-Force)

Grade: B+

I always like to see X-Force in the more para-military role. It is a reminder for me that the younger generation will not always take the same path as their predecessors. Violence is rarely the best path, but the anger of slow moving equality often creates a need for more active resistance.

We X-Force in this role one last time before John Francis Moore takes the team in a new direction with a new roster. Dani Moonstar returns after her departure back in New Mutants #87 (Mar 90) as Caliban, Domino, Shatterstar, and Rictor leave. The new team heads out on a road trip separating themselves from Cable and their ties to the X-Men.

[4-Stars] X-Force #67 "Stand-Off" The Mutant Liberation Front (MLF) received information that the Wakeman Oncological Research Center is a cover for a project to eliminate mutants. They attack the facility and take the scientist and doctors hostage. The brazen move has attracted the attention of both the media and Operation Zero Tolerance. X-Force is called to exfiltrate an undercover SHIELD agent within the MLF before the Sentinel Prime units take the center back by force.

[4-Stars] X-Force #68 "Girl Talk" X-Force and MLF learn that Dani Moonstar has been with the MLF as an undercover SHIELD agent. Both teams feel betrayed for different reasons, but they quickly realize that they must work together. The entire event has been a trap orchestrated by Operation Zero Tolerance. The Sentinel Prime units begin their assault to retake the Wakeman Onocological Research Center and eliminate two dangerous mutant teams.

[3-Stars] X-Force #69 "Roadside Attractions" Commander Gryaznova joined Operation Zero Tolerance and became a Sentinel Prime to get revenge on Domino. Meanwhile, Warpath begins his mission for the mysterious Sledge by looking for the Vanisher in a bizarre alternate dimension populated by demon prairie dogs.

[3-Stars] X-Force #70 "Transitions" X-Force versus Commander Gryaznova of Operation Zero Tolerance.

Era #8, Part 10: Zero Tolerance (Gen X)

Grade: B-

Generation X deals with the consequences of the attack on their school. Bastion saved and then kidnapped Jubilee. Black Tom sends to the remaining students to across the globe. That leaves Banshee and Emma Frost to find them.

There are two tie-ins to the Operation Zero Tolerance crossover event. Bastion tries to pry information about the X-Men and the X-Mansion security protocols from Jubilee. The other students are attacked by Sentinel Prime units.

Scott Lobdell co-created Generation X and wrote every issue up to this point. He finally hands over the duties to James Robinson who only stays on for 3 issues (#29-31) before returning it to Scott Lobdell.

[3-Stars] Generation X #26 "Adrift" Generation X deals with the impact of Black Tom Cassidy's attack in Generation X #25. Black Tom Cassidy mourns the death of Emma Frost and the disappearance of the students. Bastion and his Operation Zero Tolerance have Jubilee in custody, and the rest of the team wake up on a tiny, unprotected, and disintegrating island in the middle of the ocean.

[3-Stars] Generation X #27 "The Last X Man" Bastion uses some extreme measures to extract information about the X-Mansion's security from Jubilee.

[3-Stars] Generation X #28 "Oh, Now I Get It..." The students wake to find themselves in another location (again). They've been saved by Glorian who uses his immense power to convert an abandoned boat into a place where each of teenager can explore their deepest dreams -- except Skins.

"Ye Double Feature" Banshee and Emma Frost continue their search for the students.

[3-Stars] Generation X #29 "No Surrender" Glorian transported the students to L.A. Skins takes his classmates to his cousin's home in Venice Beach, but a dangerous surprise follows them. Tores finds her old rival and brings her new allies -- Sentinel Prime units of Operation Zero Tolerance.

[3-Stars] Generation X #30 "Some Things Hurt More than Cars and Girls" Generation X versus Sentinel Primes. Emplate's manservant DOA arrives with an offer of where to find the students in exchange for Penance.

[3-Stars] Generation X #31 "Rites of Passage" Generation X continue to defend themselves against Operation Zero Tolerance. Despite Banshee's protests, Emma Frost considers exchanging Penance for Emplate's information on the location of the students. Jubilee attempts a daring escape from Bastion's stronghold with the help of her newest friend Daria. 

Era #8, Part 09: Zero Tolerance (X-Men)

Grade: B+

Bastion made his first appearance in X-Men #52 as the leader of an international task force created to finally deal with the mutant question. It is called Operation Zero Tolerance, and we watched it grow in power over the last year as tensions rise to fever pitch with Graydon Creed's divisive political campaign and his eventual assassination. Bastion finally makes his move!

With that much planning and preparation, you would expect the villain to have a decent head start in making their nefarious plan a reality. Scott Lobdell does not disappoint as Bastion easily deals with the X-Men forcing an up-hill battle for the heroes left standing. Operation Zero Tolerance can not account for the wildcards such as Iceman's return to field duty and new players like Dr. Reyes, Marrow, and Sabra (who first appeared in that pages of the Incredible Hulk #256 back in February 1981).

This crossover event does a good job of exaggerating the point of a government taking extreme actions to protect its citizens at the expense of our collective civil liberties. It is a relevant story written 20 years ago that seems more prophetic as we continue to struggle with finding a balance between safety and civil liberties. In the end, it is a normal human conscience that turns the tide rather than a superhero battle.

[4-Stars] X-Men #65 "Operation: Zero Tolerance Prologue: First Blood" The X-Men are flying back from Hong Kong when advanced Sentinel Prime units intercept them over Colorado. It is an all-out battle televising Operations Zero Tolerance's opening move to eliminate the mutant menace.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #346 "Meet The Uncanny X-Men" J. Jonah Jameson has been investigating Bastion and Operation Zero Tolerance, so when photographer Peter Parker finds Peter Henry Gyrich walking the streets shortly after the Sentinel Prime attack on the X-Men, he follows. It is a good thing since the anti-mutant government agent is attacked by the Morlocks Callisto and Marrow. It is a special Spider-Man issue (no X-Men).

[4-Stars] X-Men #66 "Start Spreadin' The News..." Operation Zero Tolerance begin targeting hidden mutants identified in Xavier's secret files. ER doctor Cecilia Reyes just wants to live a normal life, but that becomes impossible when Sentinel Prime units out her as a mutant and attempt to apprehend her. Iceman comes out of "retirement" to to help protect her from the attack.

[4-Stars] X-Men #67 "The End of Days" Detective Charlotte Jones helps Iceman and Dr. Reyes hide from the Sentinel Primes that are hunting them. The mutant Mossad agent named Sabre discovers incriminating information about Bastion and Operation Zero Tolerance and makes her way to the X-Men.

[4-Stars] X-Men #68 "Heart of the Matter" Detective Charlotte Jones and Marrow help Iceman and Dr. Reyes against another Sentinel Prime assault. The televised Sentinel Prime attack on the X-Men and other mutants on US soil has Senator Robert Kelly rethinking his support of Operation Zero Tolerance.

[4-Stars] X-Men #69 "Last Exit" Iceman, Dr. Reyes, Marrow, and Sabre take the fight directly to Bastion.

[3-Stars] X-Men #70 "Homecoming" All the X-Men return to the X-Mansion (completely barren thanks to Operation Zero Tolerance), but the reunion is bittersweet. Iceman arrives with newbies Dr. Reyes and Marrow. Beast, Rogue, and Joseph return from their space adventure missing Bishop and Gambit but include another new face in Maggott. The X-Men recently released from Operation Zero Tolerance custody (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Cannonball, and Wolverine) have a more pressing problem. The entire team must work together to defuse and remove a bomb Bastion's agents planted inside Cyclops. Things are complicated when Juggernaut arrives with a lawyer to legally claim the X-Mansion itself.

Era #8 Extra: Flashback

Marvel Comics gave their Silver Age fans a little nostalgic gift throughout July 1997. Every title took the month off from their normal stories to give readers an untold flashback tale with art that often paid homage to the classic Marvel house style of Jack Kirby. Each Flashback issue was given a number of minus one "-1" and featured Stan Lee as the narrator.

It was a fun distraction, and the creators were able to plant Easter Eggs and even a few clues to their current runs. I missed Excalibur somehow, but I picked up the rest of the X-Books.

Cable (Minus One) - "The Devil's Herald" It is Cable's first trip to our time. He arrives on Muir Island where he meets Dr. Moira MacTaggert and her young ward Rahne Sinclair. The mysterious man from the future learns to speak English, and he quickly discovers the intolerance of being a mutant thanks to Reverend Craig.

Generation X (Minus One) - "The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship!" Young Emma Frost begins to use her new mutant powers of telepathy at the infamous Hellfire Club. She strolls the gala floor stealing insider information from legendary members such as Harry Leland. She eventually runs into Dark Beast recently from the Age of Apocalypse without his memory. He takes her to his underground lair in deep in the tunnels (future home of the Morlocks), but NYC Detective Sean Cassidy races to save her.

Uncanny X-Men (Minus One) - "The Boy Who Saw Tomorrow!" Rachel Summers returns to our time as the Mother Askani. She is in pursuit of a rogue member named Sanctity who is the lost daughter of the Bolivar Trask. She hopes to stop him and her brother, Larry Trask, from creating Master Mold. The first Sentinel is nearly complete in their lab, but she manages to secretly implant a file labeled "The Twelve".

Wolverine (Minus One) - "A Whiff of Sartre's Madeleine!" The Hudsons (future Vindicator and Guardian of  Alpha Flight) send their friend to the US for answers about his adamantium implants. His arrival draws the attention of Victor Creed (Sabretooth), Hydra, SHIELD, and the Black Widow.

X-Factor (Minus One) - "A Summers Tale" Stub

X-Force (Minus One) - "Brothers Proudstar" John Proudstar (the original Thunderbird) returns home from a tour with the Marines and reunites with his family to include his little brother, James (Warpath). His mother is diagnosed with cancer, but a local journalist, Michael Whitecloud, is investigating the reservation's oncology center. The brothers join their friend in looking for more information about the center's true purpose.

X-Man (Minus One) - "Breeding Ground" The Age of Apocalypse Sinister awakens his proudest achievement -- Nate Grey. The dark geneticist teaches the young mutant some valuable lesson before returning powerful mutant weapon back into the development chamber.

X-Men (v2)  (Minus One) - "I Had a Dream" Professor X attempts one last time to talk Magneto out of committing any crime on behalf of mutants. Amelia Voght transports Professor to the concentrate camp Magneto was held as a child. Magneto arrives with Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch (neither are yet aware of their relationship to Magneto). It is their final conversation before the Cape Citadel event in X-Men #1 (1963).

Era #8, Part 08: Trial of Gambit (Part 1)

Grade: B

There are two separate stories that are very (very) loosely tied together for this run. The Uncanny X-Men find themselves back in space to save the Shi'ar from the Phalanx. It is oddly condensed for an intergalactic empire version of the Phalanx Covenant.

"Games of Deceit & Death" is an interesting take on the hunt for the Legacy Virus cure. Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu, joins the X-Men in an investigation into a Hong Kong's criminal connection to Fu Manchu's mythical "elixir vitae". This legendary potion may be able to cure the deadly mutant disease, and that promise catches the attention of the notorious Kingpin. This is a glimpse into the darker side of using personal tragedy for financial gain.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #341 - "When Strikes a Gladiator!" Beast, Bishop, Cannonball, Gambit, Joseph, and Rogue enjoy a quiet evening Christmas shopping in New York City. Gladiator arrives unannounced to teleport the X-Men to space leaving Cannonball to face the powerful praetor of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard alone.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #342 Beast, Bishop, Gambit, Joseph, Rogue, and Trish Tilby are transported to a starship speeding for the Shi'ar Empire where they discover that they may be too late. Everybody aboard a huge space station has been massacred, and there is only one survivor -- Deathbird.

[4-Stars] X-Men #62 - "Games of Deceit & Death" (Part 1) The X-Men are introduced to Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu. His evil father's mysterious Elixir Vitae may be able to cure to the Legacy Virus. They travel to Hong Kong where they find Sebastian Shaw already ahead of them.

[4-Stars] X-Men #63 - "Games of Deceit & Death" (Part 2) The X-Men and Shang-Chi versus Sebastian Shaw's cyber-ninjas, but there is a bigger criminal mastermind pulling the strings.

[4-Stars] X-Men #64 - "Games of Deceit & Death" (Part 3) The X-Men, Shang-Chi, Sebastian Shaw, and the Kingpin all vying for the Elixir Vitae and its promise as a possible cure to the Legacy Virus.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #343 - "Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!" Deathbird reveals that Phalanx are responsible for the massacre at the space station, but the X-Men must deal with a more immediate threat before they can save the Shi'ar Empire from invasion. The Phalanx have infiltrated their ship.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #344 - "Casualties of War" Deathbird and the X-Men versus the Phalanx to save the Shi'ar Empire.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #345 - "Moving On" The X-Men celebrate their victory and prepare for their trip back home. On Earth, a new mutant named Maggott makes his first appearance, and he is looking for Joseph.

Era #8, Part 07: X-Men Unlimited #13-16

Grade: C+

X-Men Unlimited had so much potential, and on occasion, I see some relevant and interesting stories. In most cases, however, I read average tales that neither advanced the mythos or provided a deeper insight into the characters. It is X-Men commercialism at its most obvious.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #13
"Fugitive From Space" Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Bishop, and Beast join the Lilandra, Deathbird, and the Shi'ar armada in finding Binary and the Silver Surfer. In doing so, they find a legendary threat ready to destroy the galaxy.

"Junction" It is Halloween, and Gomurr the Ancient shows Juggernaut the human damage his rampages causes the innocent people around him.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #14 - "Innocence Lost" Beast, Gambit, Joseph, and Storm take the Leech, Artie, and Franklin to the McCoy's farm for some time to unwind after the events of Onslaught. Franklin has other intentions, however, and sets in motion a plan to get revenge on Joseph. Franklin sees the Joseph as part of Onslaught responsible for killing his parents (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four). Mutant phobic neighbors arrive to complicate things.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #15 - "Second Contact" Chris Bradley's life has gotten worse since X-Men Unlimited #8 (see Era #7, Part 17). It has been difficult living as a mutant with the Legacy Virus, but when his home is torched, Chris finally runs away. He is disappointed with Iceman and the X-Men who he felt abandoned him, but he finds a new friend in the international mutant spy Maverick.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #16 - "Primal" Banshee and Emma Frost search for highly qualified human students to recruit into the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. They find two exceptional candidates, but they quickly learn that both have their own secrets. One is a mutant and the other is one of Bastion's Prime Sentinels.

Era #8, Part 06: Truth of Death

Grade: C+

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. I remember being excited when I heard that there was going to be a reunion of the New Mutants. As is often the case with extreme anticipation, the actual result didn't meet the hype that I built up in my head.

The New Mutants get together for a weekend together away from the current lives, but they come face-to-face with their younger selves. Ben Raab starts strong with each character attempting to reconcile their young dreams and aspirations with the realities of unexpected tragedies and difficult life decisions. Unfortunately, that solid lead-in quickly fades when Magik learns that her older brother Mikhail influenced her decision to attempt time-travel at the risk of a paradox. He has a plan to save her from her fatal fate as a victim of the Legacy Virus.

It isn't that this is a bad story, but I really hoped for more. I am not a big fan of Bernard Chang's art, and Mikhail is another character that I don’t find interesting.

SPOILER: This is still a worthwhile read. We get to see the New Mutants back together -- both past and present. We also learn HOW Illyana contracted the Legacy Virus in the first place (while confirming that Mikhail really is a selfish jerk).

[3-Stars] New Mutants: Truth or Death #1 - "Truth or Death" In the past (probably just before New Mutants #29 (1985)), the New Mutants decide to play a game of Truth or Dare that sends them to the future. They arrive in the present as Cannonball, Sunspot (both now with X-Force), Dani Moonstar, Wolfsbane, Douglock (both with Excalibur), Dani Moonstar, and Karma have the X-Mansion to themselves for a small class reunion.
- Signed by Bernard Chang!

[3-Stars] New Mutants: Truth or Death #2 - "Family Matters" Illyana learns that the Legacy Virus took her life. Her oldest brother Mikhail (whom she thought was dead) appears and explains that he may be able to save her from that fate. The present-day New Mutants do not trust Mikhail because of his past crimes (such as the death of the Morlocks back in Era 6, Part 05), but the younger New Mutants are willing to do anything to save their friend. The result is the inevitable battle between two hero groups -- New Mutants versus New Mutants.

[3-Stars] New Mutants: Truth or Death #3 - "Letting Go" The New Mutants watch as Mikhail begins a risky procedure to save Illyana from the Legacy Virus. It is a process that introduces the Legacy Virus into his younger sister in hopes that her body will develop an immunity. Spoiler alert: it does not.

Era #8, Part 05: Beast Limited Series

Grade: F

Karma lost her younger brother and sister during a mysterious explosion of her apartment during the Mutant Massacre back in New Mutants #46 (Era #4, Part 04). Leong and Nga Coy Manh have been forgotten characters for a decade, so I am glad that there is an attempt to address their disappearance. With that much time to plan, they couldn’t come up with a better story than this?

The twins recently resurfaced in X-Force #62 (Era #8, Part 04) where they were again kidnapped -- from their kidnappers. Viper contracts Spiral to take the twins and transform them into weapons that can be used against Karma. With so many enemies that Viper has to deal with, she chooses a special, high-cost plan against ... Karma?

Why is this series even called Beast? While he plays an important role in this series, it isn't a solo adventure. It focuses on Karma with Cannonball and Beast rounding out the team.

The twins are transformed by Spiral into grown adults with some odd (and kind of creepy) powers. It is made even more disturbing when Viper makes sexual innuendos with the adult Leong who was a pre-adolescent boy just a few hours earlier.

[2 Stars] Beast #1 - "Bad Karma" Viper arrives to meet Spiral and set in motion a plan to take revenge against Karma. Karma possesses Beast to force answers out of the Hellfire Club regarding the whereabouts of her brother and sister.

[1 Star] Beast #2 - "Body Shopping" Beast, Cannonball, and Karma are transported to Spiral's Body Shoppe where they find the twins grown up, transformed by their unusual mutant powers, and under Viper's control.

[1 Star] Beast #3 - "Closing Shop" Beast, Cannonball, and Karma versus Viper, Spiral, and the twins.

Era #8, Part 04: X-Force #59 - 66

Grade: D+

If every title goes through ups and downs, then this set is decidedly near the bottom for me. Jeph Loeb ends his tenure with one of the most bizarre origin stories that I've ever read (and I've read some extremely weird ones). I think I understand the Shatterstar reveal told in X-Force #59-61, but I doubt I could explain it to anybody.

There is a fill-in issue that reintroduces Karma's twins Nga & Leong Coy Manh who have been missing since New Mutants #46 (Era #4, Part 04). This sets up the Beast limited series.

John Francis Moore takes the helm here. I liked his work with X-Men 2099, and while he doesn't do a bad job with X-Force, it is clear that he is a comic book fan who is going to write standard comic book stories.

[2 Stars] X-Force #59 - "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?" This issue begins an arc explaining Shatterstar's origin. It starts strong as Cable looks for clues on how Shatterstar can be both an arena warrior from another dimension (Mojoverse) and a teenager named Benjamin Russell in a coma at the Weisman Institute as hinted throughout Loeb's run. Rictor returns to the team in time to help X-Force battle Gog and Magog.

[2 Stars] X-Force #60 - "I Know You Are But What Am I" Cable and Shatterstar are captured leaving X-Force to find a way to Mojoworld. They reach out to Dr. Strange (really?). Other guests include Longshot and Dazzler which makes a little more sense.

[2 Stars] X-Force #61 - "Ask Me No Questions and I'll Tell You No More Lies" X-Force versus Mojo. Shatterstar dies but his soul enters the comatose body of Benjamin Russell. I think. Seriously, this one was confusing for me, and I am not sure I want to think too deeply about it.

[1 Stars] X-Force #62 - "Human Nature" X-Force investigates some reports of suspicious activity from Shinobi Shaw. They discover that he is developing a machine to turn mutants into humans, and he is using Karma's long-lost twins Nga &  Leong Coy Manh as guinea pigs. Shaw's body guards are two new characters (that we will never see again) named Mindmeld and Clear-cut. During the battle, Spiral arrives and takes the twins setting up the storyline in the upcoming Beast limited series.

[3 Stars] X-Force #63 - "Wish You Were Here" Dr. Doom disappeared with Marvel's heroes during Onslaught, so X-Force and Nathaniel Richards go to Latveria to secure Doom's technology stored in Castle Doom. They find agents of SHIELD lead by G.W. Bridge already in the castle with the same goal in mind.

[3 Stars] X-Force #64 - "The Haunting of Castle Doom" A scuffle with SHIELD sends G.W. Bridge and his agents, Nathaniel Richards, X-Force, and Castle Doom back to World War II. They are out of sync, so they appear as ghosts unable to directly interact with the people. Instead, they watch Baron von Strucker and his Nazi soldiers prepare a machine that will harness the power of the cosmos.

[3 Stars] X-Force #65 - "Lower East Side Story" Risque is back and on a secret mission. She needs to get close to Warpath, so she invites him to go dancing with her. Once at the club, however, the two find the Blob and Mimic waiting for them.

[3 Stars] X-Force #66 - "Tragic Kingdom" Risque delivers a drugged Warpath to the mysterious Sledge in order to pay her debt. She immediately goes into hiding choosing a public place -- Florida's Wackyworld. It is not enough. X-Force easily finds her with Caliban's mutant-hunting ability, and they have no qualms about exposure. They are hellbent on finding Warpath!

Era #8, Part 03: X-Men (v2) #60-61

Grade: D

This short run concludes a storyline that started back in X-Men Unlimited #7 (Era #7, Part 12). Storm learns then that Candra also has ties to Cario's criminal world where she plans to use her influence to recruit two young mutant street thieves Karima and Jamil.

I have yet to like any of the Candra based stories, and this one is no exception. The only bright spot is that Candra dies (and hasn't returned).

[2 Stars] X-Men (v2) #60 - "Night" Storm reveals to Cyclops that during her youth as a thief in Cairo, she stole a valuable gem that possessed the soul of the X-Ternal known as Candra. The immortal mutant wants her "heart" back and holds the young street urchin Karima as a hostage to ensure Ororo delivers.

[2 Stars] X-Men (v2) #61 - "Bolt" Storm versus Candra as both learn that there is much more Karima's mutant power.

Era #8, Part 02: Generation X #20-25

Grade: C+

The impact of Onslaught ripples through Generation X in this low key run that ends with an explosive revelation. Howard the Duck makes a special guest appearance in most of the issues adding to the fun.

Franklin Richard joins the antics of the often forgotten younger mutant students Artie and Leech. Franklin's parents (Reed and Sue Richards of the Fantastic Four) are gone after sacrificing themselves to stop Onslaught, so his grandfather, Nathaniel Richards, puts the powerful young boy in Banshee's care. The three little ones immediately find themselves an adventure of their own when they discover a stranger that needs their help in the Danger Grotto in Generation X #20.

Bastion begins to look into Emma Frost's finance which leads him to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and Generation X. He eventually makes his move in the chaos of Generation X #25.

Scott Lobdell continues to display an uncanny ability to capture the mood and feel of teenagers learning how to deal with growing up. While they appear stereotyped, they are deceptively complicated characters navigating their way through relationships, past decisions, and being different from both the world and each other.

M is especially interesting. She represents the "perfect mutant" but is secretly dealing with her own struggles. She is diagnosed with autism, and her recollections of her own past seem too good and idyllic to be true.

[3 Stars] Generation X #20 - "Bodies in Motion" The kids enjoy a picnic except for Skin and Chamber. They re on their way to LA.

[3 Stars] Generation X #21 - "To Live and Die and Molt in L.A." Beast arrives to administer a test to the students, but he notices that M has many of the signs of being autistic. Skin and Chamber reach LA with the help of Howard the Duck, and Skin is able to secretly see his family since his "death".

[3 Stars] Generation X #22 - "All Hallow's Eve" Banshee and Husk take Franklin, Artie, and Leech to Rutland, Vermont where the kids can enjoy the annual Halloween Parade without needing to hide their appearance. Emma Frost gets a visit and a warning from Nightmare.

[3 Stars] Generation X #23 - "For All This...We Give Thanks" Paige returns home to Kentucky to enjoy Thanksgiving with her family. Chamber accepts her invitation to join her, but his insecurities about his appearance are too big for him to overcome.

[3 Stars] Generation X #24 - "Home for the Holidays" It is an all girls issue as M, Husk, Jubilee, and Emma Frost stay up talking on Christmas Eve at M's Monaco home. They share their personal stories about when their mutant powers first manifested.

[3 Stars] Generation X #25 - 25th Anniversary Spectacular! Black Tom Cassidy is back, and he has had a mole within Generation X for months. After secretly observing the school, Banshee's twisted cousin launches an attack in this action-packed, double-sized issue that includes Howard the Duck, the Man-Thing, and Bastion.

NOTE: Franklin, Artie, Leech, Howard the Duck, Tana Nile, and Man-Thing are transported to the Nexus of All Realities and their own limited series call Daydreamers (that I did not collect or read).

Era #8, Part 01: Uncanny X-Men #338-#340 & X-Men (v2) #58-59

Grade: C

The X-Men are still feeling the impact of Onslaught. The Fantastic Four and Avengers are gone after sacrificing themselves at the end of Era #7, and Graydon Creed uses the increased fear of mutants to strengthen his bid to become the next President of the United States.

Graydon's pro-human campaign (and secret financial backing from the mysterious Bastion and Operation Zero Tolerance) is gaining substantial support from the public and the scrutiny of the media. Trish Tilby interviews him in X-Men (v2) #58, and Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson starts his own investigation. Both reporters are very concerned about the level of fear-mongering and hatred coming from the dark horse candidate. Even the X-Men take the unusual move of placing two of their own (Cannonball and Iceman) undercover into the campaign. There is a potentially explosive secret that Bastion will do anything to keep hidden. Graydon Creed is the human son of mutant terrorists Sabretooth and Mystique.

This is a really interesting storyline that just doesn't come together well. Readers must buy both titles to keep up, and there are too many "wha...?" moments (like Gambit vs. Joseph, Cyclops vs. Havok, and Hercules’s goofy recruitment drive).

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #338 - "A Hope Reborn a Past Reclaimed" Ozymandias watches as Archangel again transforms regaining his feathered wings, but is this part of Apocalypse's plan? Pyro appears at a church and accidentally sets it on fire. His powers are uncontrolled due to the Legacy Virus, but the X-Men are unable to figure out who send him there in the first place.

[2-Stars] X-Men #58 - "Testament" Gambit versus Joseph over Rogue.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #339 - "Fight and Flight" Cyclops versus Havok over the Atlantic Ocean with a passenger plane full of innocent people.

[2-Stars] X-Men #59 - "Touched" Hercules is forming a new Avengers team. He arrives at the X-Mansion to ask Beast and Quicksilver to join him.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #340 - "Relativity" Iceman's bigoted father publically defends mutants at a Gradyon Creed for President and is nearly beaten to death by campaign's men.

Starting Era #8: Reassembled

Meanwhile, back in the "normal" X-Men continuity.... :)

Era #8 runs from October 1996 through March 1999. I completed my second tour in Augsburg, Germany, and I selected a joint duty assignment at Naval Security Group Activity Northwest in Chesapeake, Virginia. I worked my way from the operations floor to running the management center (or "day shop").

Samantha and I continued to look for as much stability as we could get on an E-5 paycheck. We found a small two-bedroom place at Waterfront Apartments in Virginia Beach, and Samantha started working at the 7-11 across the street. The girls were still very young, but Tori began here education at Christopher Farms Elementary School.

I was unable to find a favorite comic shop. I bounced around from Trilogy Comics to Comic Kings and eventually Fantasy Escapes. I spent a lot of time learning how to create, manipulate, and manage relational databases. This helped me a lot with my job and with my growing hobby of organizing my growing comic collection. It was from here that I attended my first actual comic convention: Heroes Convention (HeroesCon) in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The X-Men stories saw a big transition in this era. Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza leave. They are replaced with Steven Seagle and Joe Kelly.

Part 01: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #338-340 & X-Men (1991) #58-59
Part 02: Generation X (1994) #20-25
Part 03: X-Men (1991) #60-61
Part 04: X-Force #59-66
Part 05: Beast Limited Series
Part 06: New Mutants: Truth or Death Limited Series
Part 07: X-Men Unlimited #13-16
Part 08: The Trial of Gambit (Part 1)
Extra: Flashback
Part 09: Operation Zero Tolerance (X-Force)
Part 10: Operation Zero Tolerance (X-Men)
Part 11: Operation Zero Tolerance (Generation X)
Part 12: The Trial of Gambit (Part 2)
Part 13: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #351-355 & X-Men (1991) #71-75
Part 14: X-Force (1991) #71-81
Part 15: X-Force (1991) #82-86
Part 16: Generation X (1994) #32-40
Part 17: Generation X (1994) #41-45
Part 18: X-Men Unlimited (1993) #18-20
Part 19: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #356-359 & X-Men (1991) #76-79
Part 20: The Hunt for Xavier (Part 1)
Part 21: X-Men: Liberators Limited Series
Part 22: The Hunt for Xavier (Part 2)

Ending Alt 295: Age of Apocalypse

Alt 295: A

It all ends with X-Men: Omega. Each of the storylines come together as the X-Men confront Apocalypse in a final, epic battle while the human's nuclear armada approaches.

Several characters escape the Age of Apocalypse making their way into the "normal" reality.

• Beast: The psychopathic Beast returns to our continuity, and we learn that he has been playing a much bigger behind-the-scenes role in the X-Men mythos. In addition to his successful attempt assume the real Beast's life for a time, we discover his involvement with the Morlocks and the infamous Mutant Massacre. To distinguish between the two Beasts, the AoA Beast is often referred to Dark Beast. 
• Bishop: Already displaced in time, Bishop returns with locked memories of his time in AoA slowly revealed later.
• Holocaust: Found in space by the Acolytes in X-Men (1991) #42. He was not used as much as I thought he might've been. 
• Sugar Man: I was surprised to see this unusual character make the leap into the normal continuity. We later learn that the Sugar Man has also been a player in the Genoshian shadows for 20 years responsible for the mutate bonding process.  
• X-Man: X-Man (1995) is the only series to continue after the events of X-Men: Omega.  

I recently heard complaints about comics being written by "committee". I think they can be entertaining when telling a big tale with so many moving parts. The Age of Apocalypse was a comprehensive story that required the coordination and collaboration of the entire team.

• Astonishing X-Men (A+): Scott Lobdell & Joe Madureira
• X-Calibre (B): Warren Ellis & Ken Lashley
• Factor X (B): John Francis Moore & Steve Epting
• Generation Next (A+): Scott Lobdell & Chris Bachalo
• Amazing X-Men (A+): Fabian Nicieza & Andy Kubert
• Weapon X (A-): Larry Hama & Adam Kubert
• X-Man (A-): Jeph Loeb & Steve Skroce
• X-Universe (B): Terry Kavanagh & Carlos Pacheco

They created a completely immersive reality using familiar characters, and it was popular enough to spawn more stories. We will return to the Age of Apocalypse two more times. The first will encompass the various stand-alone books and series (mostly prequel) from 1996 to the 10 Year Anniversary in 2005. The second will be AoA after Apocalypse as told in the ongoing series Age of Apocalypse (2012).

The Age of Apocalypse really is one of my favorite X-Men events. It describes a horrifying possibility in which the oppressed wrest the power from their oppressors and choose to repay cruelty with even more cruelty. More importantly, it reaffirms that the dream of harmony is not single-sided but rather represents equality regardless of who is in power.  

Alt 295, Part 10: X-Men Chronicles

Grade: A+

The Age of Apocalypse starts in the middle of the story. Apocalypse has taken over Western Hemisphere, and the X-Men have emerged to stop him. X-Men Chronicles takes us back in time and tells us about two key events in the X-Men's history.

We will see more history later with follow-on issues like the Tales from the Age of Apocalypse (1996 & 1997). This helps flesh out the characters and creates a more complete and immersive atmosphere.

[4 Stars] X-Men Chronicles #1 - "Origins" Magneto has been training his X-Men: Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Iceman, Colossus, Storm, Jean Grey, and the new addition Weapon X. Mystique brings Rogue to Magneto. Rogue is a troubled mutant with no control over her power and troubled after permanently absorbing Polaris's magnetic power.

Apocalypse makes his first move. He leads his Horsemen (Sabretooth, Gideon, Candra, and Death) to take the nuclear arsenal at Cape Citadel. The X-Men arrive to stop them in an alternate version of the original X-Men #1 (Sep 1963) in which the original X-Men must stop Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants at Cape Citadel.

Scarlet Witch and Rogue stay behind at the Wundagore base. They are attacked by another agent of Apocalypse named Nemesis (later to become Holocaust).

[4 Stars] X-Men Chronicles #2 - "Shattered Dreams" This issue captures one of the tumultuous times in the X-Men's history. It starts with Weapon X and Jean Grey leave the team after the X-Men's refusal to save Jean. Weapon X did it himself off panel loosing his hand in the process. That leaves the roster with Colossus, Gambit, Iceman, Magneto, Quicksilver, Rogue, Sabretooth, and Storm.

Gambit wants to confess his love to Rogue, but he can't find the right time. Holocaust sends Wolverine (not Logan) after the X-Men. During the battle, Gambit learns that Rogue has chosen Magneto over him, and also leave the team.

Alt 295, Part 09: X-Universe

Grade: B

The Age of Apocalypse focuses on mutant domination of the world under Apocalypse's rule, but what happened to the rest of Marvel's heroes? We learn in Weapon X that the humans centralized their strength in Europe under the Human High Council. In this two part series, we learn that they have their own band of heroes that include Gwen Stacy, Clint Barton (Hawkeye), Tony Stark (Iron Man), Don Blake (Thor), Ben Grimm (Thing), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Victor Von Doom (Dr. Doom), Bruce Banner (Hulk), and Thunderbolt Ross.

Mikhail Rasputin arrives in Europe offering peace with the humans. He is the fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, and he has a much more sinister plan in mind. It involves amplifying and using Empath's mutant power to manipulate the emotions of the humans. Matt Murdock (Daredevil) is part of Mikhail's entourage as an altered human tragically in service of Apocalypse.

[3 Stars] X-Universe #1 - "Last Stand" Members of the Human Resistance attempt to save as many people from Wakanda from Mauraders. The Mauraders are normal humans in service of Apocalypse and include Arcade, Dirigible (Kingpin), Owl, Red (Norman Osborne). In Europe, the fourth Horseman Mikhail arrives with an unexpected peace offering.

[3 Stars] X-Universe #2 - "Dying Breath" Not all the members of the Human High Council trust Mikhail's good intentions for peace with Apocalypse. They send in a team to investigate.

Alt 295, Part 08: X-Man

Grade: A-

One of the biggest reveals in the Age of Apocalypse was that Sinister was developing an ultimate weapon to defeat Apocalypse (which stands to reason he was doing the same in our own reality). Here, he was finally successful in using his genetic breeding program to create Nate Grey -- the X-Man. Unlike Cable, Nate does not have the techno-organic virus to keep in check nor does he have the Askani training to temper him. He is a young adult with untapped power, full of post-adolescent rage, and a desire to prove himself.

Nate escaped Sinister's pins (with the secret help of Cyclops) and raised by Forge. The former member of Magneto's X-Men formed his own resistance group posing theatre performers. The Outcasts include Soaron (Sauron), Toad, Brute (Sunder), Mastermind, and Sonique (Siryn).

[4 Stars] X-Man #1 - "Breaking Away" Nate finds refuge with the Outcasts but chafes at Forge's rules. During a battle with an Infinite patrol, Nate uses his powers despite his mentor's warnings. Unbeknownst to him, it draws the attention of Apocalypse who sends his best hunters to recruit or kill the powerful mutant.

[4 Stars] X-Man #2 - "Choosing Sides" Forge reluctantly agrees to allow the mysterious Essex join the troupe, but the guest proves to be a negative influence on Nate. Apocalypse's assassins Domino, Grizzly, and Caliban close in on their prey.

[4 Stars] X-Man #3 - "Turning Point" Nate, Forge and the Outcast defend themselves against Domino and her hunters, but the real threat is revealed from within.

[4 Stars] X-Man #4 - "The Art of War" Nate learns the truth about his origins and decides to take on Apocalypse himself after he deals with Sinister.

Alt 295, Part 07: Weapon X

Grade: A-

Wolverine (still called Weapon X) and Jean Grey left the X-Men (briefly explained in X-Men Chronicles #2), but they are still fighting Apocalypse on their own terms. They eventually aligned themselves with the Human High Council in Europe who have their own plan to deal with Apocalypse.

• Weapon X: Deeply in love with Jean Grey, Logan is driven to destroy Apocalypse by any means necessary. He lost his hand in a battle against Cyclops. It was the same battle  Cyclops lost is eye to Weapon X.
• Jean Grey: As X-Man, Jean was captured by Apocalypse's forces and held in Sinister's breeding pits. Logan saved her, but we later discover that Cyclops also secretly contributed to her escape. She has been loyal to Logan ever sense, but she does not agree with the Human High Council's plan to end the war.
• Human High Council: Moria and Bolivar Trask, Emma Frost (lobotomized), Brian Braddock, and Mariko Yashida.
• Gateway: The Aboriginal mutant was taken to the Berkley. He eventually finds his way to Wundagore where he stays in seclusion absorbing as much knowledge as he can from every media source possible. He is protected by Carol Danvers. 

[4 Stars] Weapon X #1 - "Unforgiven Trespasses" Weapon X and Jean use a Sentinel to breach the Mid-Atlantic sea wall. This allows for the mass infiltration of Sentinels needed for the human evacuation in Amazing X-Men. There is little time to celebrate. The Human High Council is attacked by Apocalypse's agent Magma, and it is the final act that convinces the humans to agree on a final solution to deal with the mutant despot.

[4 Stars] Weapon X #2 - "Fire in the Sky" Weapon X stops an attack from mutants Box and Copycat posing as humans saved in the mass evacuation. Donald Pierce and his altered human Reavers also slip into Europe as refugees.  Jean decides to return to America and warn her friends of the Human High Council's plan to use nuclear weapons to destroy Apocalypse's empire.

[4 Stars] Weapon X #3 - "The Common Right of Toads and Men" Weapon X travels to Wundagore Mountain to convince Gateway to help the humans in their last desperate strike against Apocalypse.

[4 Stars] Weapon X #4 - "Into the Maelstrom!" Weapon X and Gateway lead the nuclear armada into Apocalypse's empire, but they must first pass through Donald Pierce.

Alt 295, Part 06: Amazing X-Men

Grade: A+

The X-Men still have their hands full before Bishop arrived. The first half of this short run is the completion of a mission already in the works before Bishop's arrival X-Men: Alpha. The second half is much more dangerous as the team attempts to infiltrate Apocalypse's strongholds.

• Quicksilver: Pietro has perhaps the most changed personality of any character in the Age of Apocalypse. Without the anger towards his father (and the death of sister that we will read about in X-Men Chronicles #1), Quicksilver becomes a capable leader without the arrogance or brashness (though he is still quick to act). 
• Banshee: Sean was already retired when Magneto convinced him to rejoin the X-Men. 
• Dazzler: The Age of Apocalypse ruined a promising musical career. Allison is now a bitter woman who smokes heavily. She is also in a relationship with Exodus.  
• Exodus: Much like his real-world counterpart, Paris devoutly follows Magneto who saved him from Apocalypse's experimentation. He is still unaware of his full potential.
• Iceman: Bobby was one of the first X-Men and he still retains a sense of humor (even if it is darker and much more sarcastic). Magneto pushed Iceman harder than in the normal reality, so he is able to do much more with his power to include pulling his body back together after it has been shattered and transporting people long distance.
• Storm: Another one of Magneto's original X-Men, Storm is much quieter but no less deadlier in the Age of Apocalypse. She is more than a friend to Quicksilver and often provides him with balance.

[4 Stars] Amazing X-Men #1 - "The Crossing Guards" Magneto has sent many of the X-Men and their allies on different missions to confirm Bishop's story, he still needs to save humans from Apocalypse. He sends Quicksilver's team to prepare for an evacuation that has mutant-hunting Sentinels to ferry the refugees to relative safety in Eurasia.

[4 Stars] Amazing X-Men #2 - "Sacrificial Lambs" The X-Men must defend the human evacuation from an attack by Apocalypse's fanatical followers called the Brotherhood and from Abyss, Apocalypse's newest Horseman.

[4 Stars] Amazing X-Men #3 - "Parents of the Atom" Apocalypse learns the location of the X-Men's base of operations (the destroyed mansion of the long-dead Charles Xavier). Magneto and Bishop are the only ones left to repel the assault and protect Magneto's son.

[4 Stars] Amazing X-Men #4 - "On Consecrated Ground" The X-Men must rescue Bishop from the Madri and Abyss. The Madri is a religious order in blind service to Apocalypse with most of their members forced duplicates of Jamie Madrox whose power is beyond maxed out and his sanity nearly gone.

Alt 295, Part 05: Gambit and the X-Ternals

Grade: A-

Gambit was an X-Man until his heart was broken. We will learn more about the love triangle later in X-Men Chronicles #2, but it is clear that thief quit and formed his own team to get away from Rogue and Magneto. His skills are needed, however, and despite their past difference, Gambit agrees to lead his motley group of bandits to the Shi'Ar Empire and retrieve the M'Kraan crystal.

• Gambit: Still the incorrigible thief with a silver tongue harboring a deeply broken heart.
• Lila Cheney: Gambit's girlfriend and completely unaware of her mutant power of galactic teleportation -- until now.
• Guido: Not quite as fun but still secretly in love with Lila Cheney.
• Sunspot: The only member of X-Force to be on the X-Force replacement title. Go figure.  
• Jubilee: I guess it makes sense for rather than Generation Next. 
• Rictor: A member of Apocalypse's Madri religious order, Rictor is focused on improving his station within the ranks by capturing Gambit and the X-Ternals.

We get to see the Age of Apocalypse versions of both the Imperial Guard (still under the rule of D'Ken) and the Starjammers, but it seems very quick and forced. What really makes this title memorable is the heartaches and betrayals.

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #1 - "Some of Us Looking to the Stars" Magneto asks Gambit and the X-Ternals to teleport to the Shi'Ar Empire and retrieve the M'Kraan crystal. They need Lila Cheney to unlock and learn how to use her mutant ability.

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #2 - "Where No External Has Gone Before" Gambit and the X-Ternals versus the Imperial Guard.

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #3 - "To the Limits of Infinity" The Starjammers help Gambit and the X-Ternals, but at what cost?

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #4 - "The Maze" Back an Earth and in the Morlock tunnels, Gambit and the X-Ternals are forced to deal with the ultimate betrayal.

Alt 295, Part 04: Generation Next

Grade: A+

This is perhaps my favorite story of the entire Age of Apocalypse, and it is perhaps the saddest. Don't worry -- no spoilers. It is in the title that we learn more about Magneto's training program to prepare young mutants for the conflict against Apocalypse.

With Bishop's information, Magneto needs a teleporter, and only one still exists. Illyana Rasputin is a prisoner in one of the most productive and most secure energy facilities within Apocalypse's empire. It is up to this next generation of mutants to infiltrate "The Core" and rescue her.

• Colossus & Kitty Pryde: These battle harden veterans of the war against the Apocalypse. They have been selected to train their students hard, but they go beyond teaching and are willing to kill them in the process. If the young can't survive the exercises, then how can they survive real world conflicts? Once Colossus realizes his little sister is still alive, he is willing to do anything to save her. It is up to Kitty to keep him from being too dangerous.
• Chamber, Husk, Mondo, and Skin: Most of the students in Generation X are members of Generation Next.
• Vincente: Vincente makes his first appearance here. He doesn't appear in the "normal" continuity until Generation X #12 (Feb 96).  

Who is missing? You can find Banshee in Amazing X-Men, Emma Frost in Weapon X, and Jubilee in Gambit and the X-Ternals. Know-It-All may be a version of M, and both Synch and Penance are presumed dead.

[4-Stars] Generation Next #1 - "From the Top" Magneto arrives after a brutal training session. He needs the team to retrieve Illyana Rasputin from "The Core". It is likely a suicide mission, but Colossus doesn't hesitate to accept the mission the find the sister he believed died in one of Apocalypse's Russian cullings.

[4-Stars] Generation Next #2 - "Hither Comes the Sugar Man!" Generation Next finds a way to infiltrate "The Core".

[4-Stars] Generation Next #3 - "It Only Hurts When I Sing" Generation Next continues deeper into "The Core" and into the arms of the facility's ruthless mutant in charge -- the Sugar Man.

[4-Stars] Generation Next #4 - "Bye" Generation Next find Illyana and must fight their way out of "The Core".

Alt 295, Part 03: Factor X

Grade: B

For his part in the Apocalypse's ascension, Mr. Sinister is given his own genetic playground for continued experimentation. He selected the best set of twins to become his personal Elite Mutant Force to protect his "Breeding Pens".

• Cyclops & Havok: Cyclops is the solid, stoic, and respected leader (with a heart), but Havok's ambition threatens to destroy his tenuous relationship with the brother -- and the team. It is a case of unchecked sibling rivalry as Havok learns about his brother's soft-heart -- and then uses it to destroy him.
• Northstar & Aurora: Canada's most well-known twins are ruthless in their service to Sinister.
• Cannonball & Amazon: Two of the Guthrie family are plucked from their Kentucky home to serve without remorse. We will see their younger sister, Husk, in Generation Next.
• Bedlam Brothers: Jesse and Terry Bedlam will make their first appearance in the regular continuity much later under John Francis Moore's run of X-Force. Here, they are a carefree, party hard duo loyal to Cyclops.

Two notes of betrayal to add here. Sinister disappears to set in motion his plot against Apocalypse. We will see that unfold in X-Man. Jean Grey makes an appearance to save as many people as she can after learning about what the Human High Council has planned to end the war (as seen in Weapon X).

[3-Stars] X-Factor #1 - "Sinister Neglect" Sinister disappears to work on his secret plot to bring down Apocalypse. He leaves Cyclops in charge of the Breeding Pens further inflaming Havok's jealousy.

[3-Stars] X-Factor #2 - "Abandoned Children" Tension between the Summers brothers gets worse, but Havok may have soon the upper hand. Cyclops is secretly helping Polaris and other mutants escape the Breeding Pens.

[3-Stars] X-Factor #3 - "Open Wounds" Jean Grey arrives to warn the remaining humans of the impending Sentinel attack. Cyclops attempts to help her.

[3-Stars] X-Factor #4 - "Reckonings" Apocalypse discovers that Sinister has abandoned his post. The Dark Lord orders Havok and the EMF to eliminate every prisoner in the Breeding Pens. Cyclops and Jean Grey attempt to stop the bloodshed.