Era #9, Part 04: Rage Against the Machine

Grade: C

Marvel used the X-Men titles to introduce their new M-Tech imprint that launched three new hi-tech focused titles: X-51 (Machine Man), Deathlok, and Warlock (from the New Mutants).

It all started with Rage Against the Machine story arc that runs through Uncanny X-Men #371 and X-Men (v2) #91, and X-Men Annual 1999. I don't buy annuals, so I only have the first two parts. The premise was intriguing. SHIELD restarts the Project: Deathlok using the technology found in Machine Man and Douglock, but the Red Skull has a different agenda.

I like Machine Man, Deathlok, and Douglock, and the story is an improvement over the last several issues. It just isn't enough to get me interested in spending more money on additional comics. Apparently, I was not alone. Warlock runs for only 9 issues, Deathlock for 11, and X-51 makes it to 12.

[3-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #371 - "Crossed Wires" The X-Men finally make it back to Earth. Kitty, Nightcrawler, and Colossus decide to take a small break to visit their old Excalibur home, but something has happened to Douglock. Meanwhile, SHIELD operatives hunt down Machine Man.

[3-Stars] X-Men (v2) #91 - "Technical Difficulties" The techno-virus infiltrates the SHIELD Helicarrier, and it is up to the X-Men to find the real culprit.

Era #9, Part 03: Uncanny X-Men #368-370 & X-Men (v2) #88-90

Grade: D+

Alan Davis continues his run with some peculiar adventures here. The X-Men are transported to an alien dimension to stop a bigger(er) than life Juggernaut. As a reward for their heroic efforts, they are then taken to the Skrull Homeworld just before it is devoured by Galatcus (way back in Fantastic Four #257 (1983)). If you sit back and really analyze both stories, you might eventually realize that they are pretty deep concepts. I just don't think they work within the pages of the X-Men. They come off way too cheesy for me.

I have another big complaint -- it is one story told in two different books. The X-Men titles have always been closely tied together, but they tell their own adventures. When done well, a reader can read one series without reading the other. There are references and Easter Eggs between the two, but it is not required to buy both (except during the crossover events like Magneto War). That mold is broken here. The issues must be read in this order since they are each chapters to the same tale.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #23 - "Lessons" Professor X runs the X-Men through a difficult test and finds them unprepared for what they will soon face.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #368 - "Mansions in Heaven" The X-Men hold a funeral for Joseph while Wolverine looks for a way into Genosha to take care of Magneto once and for all.

[2-Stars] X-Men (v2) #88 - "A World Apart" The alien Ejulp teleports the X-Men to his surreal reality to stop the Juggernaut from destroying his dimension.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #369 - "Collision Course" Professor X is stuck inside Wolverine's body while he leads the X-Men to save a mind-bending dimension from the rampaging Juggernaut.

[2-Stars] X-Men (v2) #89 - "Yesterday's News" Ejulp accidentally teleports the X-Men to a secret infiltration camp on the Skrull Homeworld -- only days away from being devoured by Galactus.

[2-Stars] Uncanny X-Men #370 - "History Repeats" The X-Men attempt to warn the Skrulls about the impending destruction of their home world at the insatiable hunger of the Galactus.

[2-Stars] X-Men (v2) #90 - "Eve of Destruction" The X-Men try to change history by stopping Galactus from destroying the Skrull Homeworld.

[3-Stars] X-Men Unlimited #24 - "Search and Destroy" Stub