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.