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.