Uncanny X-Men #306

Uncanny X-Men #306
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+

Uncanny X-Men #305

Uncanny X-Men #305
Writing: Scott Lobdell
Art: Jan Duresma

What Went Down: Before I hear any complaints: no this isn’t a mistake and yes there is a storyline that takes place smack dab in the middle of the Fatal Attractions crossover. Today, Marvel probably would have labeled the issues in question as some kind of crossover fallout event, but the 90s were simpler times.

Anyways, mysterious soldiers that somewhat resemble Judge Dredd are camped outside of Opal Tanaka’s house, but they are ambushed by the X-Men. Rogue, Bishop, and Iceman defeat the soldiers, although two of them dissolve into pink slime. Opal is also quite angry with Iceman for being used as bait and at the very absurdity of her boyfriend’s life. She finally breaks up with Iceman, this time permanently.

In Washington, Storm and the Professor are attending a fancy party: among the guests are Senator Kelly and an ambassador by the name of St. Croix (no relation to Monet St. Croix, a character who will appear later in this title). The ambassador turns out to be a human member of Xavier’s Mutant Underground, a group dedicated to preserving mutantkind by keeping Xavier informed. Storm asks the ambassador why he puts his career and life on the line for mutants, and the Ambassador tells the story of his wife Lenore who was injured by a drunk driver, and was denied medical care because it triggered her mutation and scared away the paramedics, resulting in her death.

In the Blackbird, Iceman’s team is attempting to interrogate the surviving member of the soldiers. Rogue tries absorbing his memories, but the result causes her physical form to dissolve. The reason for this is that the soldier is an early form of the Phalanx, an alien race that is made up of techno-organic fibers. Outside the party, Xavier asks Storm to steal data on a power suit that is being tested to use against Magneto. Storm is hesitant to do so.

Bishop uses his powers to absorb some of Rogue’s powers so that she will regain her form. Back in D.C., Storm recalls encountering Xavier when she was a child. As she breaks into the facility, she questions whether or not Xavier might have used his powers to plant a hypnotic suggestion that compelled her to join the X-Men. Storm returns to Xavier with a disk containing the schematics of the suit, but she refuses to destroy it since the humans have every right to try to protect themselves. Storm leaves Xavier and tells him that she will never steal for him again.

How It Was: An odd little interlude that introduces us to the Phalanx (even though we don’t know what they’re called yet), ends Iceman’s go nowhere relationship with Opal, and introduces some potentially interesting revelations about the relationship between Storm and Professor X that are never mentioned again. The fight between the X-Men and the soldiers at the beginning of the issue is enjoyable enough, and I like the twist that the soldiers explode into goo and cause the X-Men to question each other’s techniques. Also the visual of Rogue absorbing the one soldier’s powers is very cool looking. Opal’s rationale for dumping Bobby is understandable, but not necessarily groundbreaking; it’s hard to be affected by this scene knowing that Iceman and Opal were hardly a couple at this point anyway, and the breakup doesn’t exactly affect Bobby long term.

Lobdell gets to show off his character skills with Storm and the Professor; St. Croix is an unremarkable character with a somewhat compelling back story. But what is really interesting to see is a Professor X who has become even more driven to stop Magneto after seeing a driven Magneto who is ready to finally end the conflict between humans and mutants. Storm’s recollections about her childhood seem convenient to the plot, but they do offer some potentially explosive revelations if they ever turn out to be true. Unfortunately the subject is never touched upon again, and the plot with the power suit is dealt with in a back up strip in X-Men Unlimited. A pretty average issue all told.

B