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.