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).