Writing: Scott Lobdell
Art: John Romita Jr.
What Went Down: Archangel and Jean Grey decide to take some time off at Warren’s Colorado vacation house on the anniversary of the death of Candy Southern--Archangel’s girlfriend during the days of the original X-Factor. The two friends reminisce about growing up in the X-Men, comfort each other over the death of Candy, and then they are both shocked to discover Candy still alive in Warren’s house.
At the mansion, Xavier is training with Quicksilver in the Danger Room. Beast and Quicksilver are both concerned that Xavier is becoming obsessed over Magneto. In an anti-gravity challenge, the two combatants fight to a standstill. Xavier refuses help from Pietro, and Quicksilver warns him about being too proud to ask for help.
Back in Colorado, Archangel is understandably disturbed, and Jean confirms that whoever she is, this Candy has all of the old Candy’s memories. In downtown New York, Storm meets Forge at a fancy restaurant. Forge has invited her out to ask if they can still be friends, to which she agrees. The couple then proceeds to engage in one of those awkward dancing without music scenes that never comes off as cute as it’s meant to.
Jean decides to take Archangel and herself into Candy’s mind to witness her last memories in order to figure out just who she is. Apparently Candy was aware of being kidnapped by Cameron Hodge the whole time. The next thing she knew, she was under some sheets being resurrected by some shadowy characters. A trap in Candy’s mind stuns Jean and Warren long enough for the Phalanx infected Cameron Hodge to materialize. Hodge reveals that this Candy was created from parts of himself, so that when Archangel attacks Hodge, he hurts Candy. Candy refuses to once again be a pawn of Hodge, so she rips herself apart. Hodge explodes, and Candy’s mangled body lasts just long enough to thank Warren before expiring.
How It Was: Another Lobdell issue where the relationships shine. The interactions between Warren and Jean are pitch perfect for the entire issue, whether they are casually flirting with each other or comforting one another over various tragedies in their past. The back and forth between the two is just wonderful. Once again we also get a chance to see Xavier obsessing over Magneto; however, this particular scene doesn’t resonate as well since it contains a Danger Room exercise that has no real relation to anything that might actually occur in a confrontation with Magneto. The interactions between Archangel and Candy also manage to get some sadness and emotion out of the reader as well. It’s a nice little story that brings some closure to the relationship that never really existed in the original “death of Candy” story. Even though a fake, we discover that Candy’s feelings for Warren were strong enough for her to give her life for his. The only weakness character-wise would probably fall on the villain Hodge, since he has no real motivation for screwing with Warren other than just being a tosser.
John Romita returns after taking an issue off to work on the double sized issue #304. Some pages really shine, especially any page depicting techno-Cameron Hodge or Candy after her body starts to break down. Conversely, there are some spots that feel a little rushed, as if Romita was struggling to get back on schedule. Quicksilver particularly bears little resemblance to what he is actually supposed to look like, and many of the characters’ faces appear too heavily shaded at times. Plus the flashback of Candy’s death is depicted in some truly hideous neon colors. Still, I really like this issue because it is one of the few that manages to make Archangel both likable and interesting, a truly impressive feat.
B+
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