Era #10, Part 14: The Draco (Uncanny X-Men)

Grade: C-

Attempting to retcon an established character is tricky in the best of times. I applaud Chuck Austin's audacious goal to shake things up while providing solid origin-story answers, but he creates a bit of a mess with The Draco.

There have always been hints as to the mother/son relationship between Mystique and Nightcrawler that were finally confirmed in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #4, but who is his father? Enter the demon Azazel. I am not even sure where to start with this story since it seems so unnecessary and out of place. While Azazel eventually appears in the movies (X-Men: First Class), I simply refuse to see him or this story as canonical.

A touching second tale threads through this run that saves the collection from complete obscurity. Juggernaut visits his young friend, Squidboy, but the reunion does not go well. Juggernaut violently reacts to the signs of physical abuse but things escalate quickly when Alpha Flight arrives to protect the family. Unfortunately, none of them are able to stop themselves from the irreparable collateral damage caused by their assumptions, rage, and ego. Juggernaut learns that raw power is not always enough to win the day, even if you are on the side of angels. It is a heartbreaking story of domestic abuse and the unintended consequences of good intentions. 

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #428

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #429

[4-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #430

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #431

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #432

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #433

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #434

Collected in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 4): The Draco

Era #10, Part 13: Riot at Xavier's (New X-Men)

Grade: A-

What a story! Grant Morrison captures the tumultuous generational transition of a group already marginalized by society. It is a departure from the approach seen with the New Mutants and Generation X in which the students often complained about their elders but accepted their teachings. We see how differently a new generation sees the world, and how unpredictably they respond.  

Telepathic prodigy Quinten Quire has had enough. Mutant fashion icon Jumbo Carnation is murdered by humans, and the U-Men continue to hunt mutants to harvest their powers for themselves. The X-Men teach a growing number of mutants how to use their powers and preach peaceful coexistence, but where are they against all the injustices? Quinten has finally had enough after learning that he is adopted, so he begins acting out and soon forms his own gang. Fueled by a new addictive drug called "Kick", their crimes escalate to a full riot at Xavier's School. The world watches the chaos that leads to the death of a student.

Quinten does not come across as a villain but as angry and misguided. He is done with being lied to and told what to believe. He even outfits his revolution with a counter-culture "uniform" that pays homage to A Clockwork Orange. The question isn't if the X-Men can end the riot, but how they will deal with a new generation that has a completely different perspective. 

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #134
[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #135

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #136

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #137

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #138

Collected in New X-Men (Vol. 4): Riot at Xavier's