Era #10, Part 16: Intifada (X-Treme X-Men)

Grade: B

I have not been particularly impressed with X-Treme X-Men, but this collection is a bright spot. Chris Claremont presents the unintended consequences of a growing mutant presence in human society from the perspective of regular people caught in the crossfire. 

The first single issue story takes place in the aftermath of the Weapon XII battle in the Chunnel that resulted in Darkstar's death (Uncanny X-Men #130). Sam Guthrie (Cannonball) decides to stay and help the rescue teams searching for survivors -- and the dead. Bigotry is handled in a more realistic and compassionate way as Sam sees them cope with the massive destruction mutants helped cause. 

The five-part arc explores this theme at a more personal level. Rogue and Gambit retire to a small beach town in which humans and mutants live in peaceful coexistence. The X-Treme X-Men prevent a young suicide bomber's attempt to violently disrupt communal harmony. Their investigation into her motives uncovers a shadowy plot. They also learn more about the woman whose lie was shattered by the loss of her family at the hands of callous mutant hoodlums.

Chris Claremont continues to use villains, supporting characters, and plotlines that he developed since his return to the X-Men which gives him creative freedom, but it also gives the run a feeling that it doesn't quite fit into the primary narrative. That is unfortunate since Intifada offers an interestingly different viewpoint of Xavier's Dream.

[7-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #24

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #31

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #32

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #33

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #34

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #35

Collected in  X-Treme X-Men (Vol 6): Intifada

Era #10, Part 15: God Loves, Man Kills Part 2 (X-Treme X-Men)

Grade: C

There is a lot going on in this story, but it does not come together well enough to make it especially memorable. William Stryker escapes federal custody and kidnaps Kitty Pryde. The X-Treme X-Men track him to an isolated enclave of mutant children in the Rocky Mountains protected by a mysterious Reverend Paul. 

I won't spoil the ending, but it is an interesting premise. We have not seen William Stryker since the well-regarded 1982 graphic novel X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills. He is a very pious man who truly believes that mutants are an abomination to God, so it was interesting to watch him, Kitty, and Reverend Paul each reference religion to justify their actions. 

The devil is in the details, and in this case, it is the lack of editing attention. To advance the plot, for example, Wolverine actually dies and is resurrected without explanation. Stryker is able to use Kitty to phase them both and stay in place while the Earth revolves around them (and this somehow hurts Storm from across the country). Even something minor such as the name of the mutant child that the X-Men are attempting to save throughout this run changes in each issue.  

Perhaps the biggest unanswered question is why Lady Deathstrike serves William Stryker. She is normally depicted as a fiercely independent woman, but she suddenly appears to be an underling. William Stryker, Lady Deathstrike, and their unusual relationship are key elements in the second X-Men movie X2. This was unnecessary and disappointing. 

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #25

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #26

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #27

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #28

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #29

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #30

Collected in  X-Treme X-Men (Vol 5): God Loves, Man Kills