Monday, December 31, 2007

UNCANNY X-MEN #302 – July 1993

Province
Credits: Scott Lobdell (writer), John Romita, Jr. (penciler), Dan Green & Dan Panosian (inks), Eliopoulos/Babcock (letters), Steve Buccellato (colors)


Summary
After the explosion, Storm uses her powers to blow debris away from civilians, while Bishop discovers Forge and Mystique hidden within a protective dome. The X-Men arrive as Fitzroy emerges from the rubble. His armor is destroyed by Jean Grey’s telekinesis, and a distraught Colossus begins to beat him mercilessly. When the X-Men attempt to restrain him, Colossus sends Archangel through a window before Bishop finally calms him down. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde arrives at the X-Men’s mansion to visit the dying Illyana.


Continuity Notes
Bishop says that Forge, under the name “Genesis”, created the XSE and “came to power after the ‘Summers Rebellion’”. He later describes Fitzroy as “the son of one of the most powerful members of the Hierarchy”.


“Huh?” Moment
Fitzroy’s super-powerful armor that killed so many established characters in his first appearance is shattered in one panel by Jean Grey. Why didn’t she do that the first time they met?


Review
Not a bad conclusion to a story that’s essentially killing time until the next crossover. It’s certainly better than Lobdell’s early soap opera issues, and miles ahead of the “Last Morlocks Story.” Aside from providing mindless action, the story also ties in with the ongoing Colossus subplot so it doesn’t come across as just filler. It’s a decent example of a story arc that stands on its own while laying the groundwork for future events. It’s also nice to see the X-Men helping normal people instead of just defending themselves for a change. Looking back on the issues I’ve reviewed so far, “normal people” hardly ever show up (surprising for a series about heroes “fighting to protect a world that fears and hates them”).

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