Comic News: Adjectiveless X-Men Book to End in February

 Marvel NOW has started with new titles popping out every week this month and more. Yet, with new titles coming in, there are casualties: Titles that are being cut and/or cancelled. Well, the latest book to join the chopping block is "X-Men." Announced this Friday, X-Men final issue will be #41. It will be written by Seth Peck with art by Jeffe Palo.

   The final issue will feature Storm taking a team of X-Men to find a new mutant only to find Angel challenging her for leadership. Which is kind of weird cause Angel isn't really Warren Worthington anymore (at least not the one we knew) so he's been kind of just there. Still should be interesting.


  The final issue of X-Men will be written by Seth Peck with art by Jeffe Palo and a variant cover by Adam Kubert and hits stores in February.

Avengers vs X-Men Battle Report # 6 (Super Sized)

 

  Welcome Ladies & Gentlemen. Battle Report comes back with a MASSIVE update and return. We will catch up to date on all things AvX. We are gonna catch you up on all the hard-hitting action and events since the last battle report. There is a  LOT of ground to cover. So, sit back, hold on tight and brace yourselves cause this will be a bumpy ride.






Avengers vs. X-Men Round 6

       If you thought things were crazy before, the first part of the second arc of Avengers vs X-Men will make you go nuts. The Phoenix Five (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik & Namor) lead the X-Men into helping the world proactively. They grew crops in deserts. They end wars. The Phoenix Five, under Cyclops' direction, mean business. They  rebuild Utopia into a stronger country ... more so than it ever was; which gives Magneto glee while Charles Xavier does not seem to fond of the methods of the Phoenix Five.
   The Avengers, particularly Captain America, Iron Man and Black Panther, are finding all the work that the Phoenix Five are doing disturbing and set the Avengers to go after Hope. Yet, before they go, there is an exchange on how to KILL the Phoenix Five if need be. At which point, Beast is disgusted and quits; stating that he no longer has a home on either side.
    Back on Utopia, Hope talks with her grandfather, Cyclops, about how the Phoenix still calls to her but Cyclops tells her that she does not deserve the power; even though she was chosen to be the true Phoenix host. The Phoenix Five start an attack on the Avengers, stating that the Avengers are now looked upon as renegades. Yet, before they can collect Captain America ... Scarlet Witch arrives. Cyclops touches her, which hurts him. The Avengers escape while Cyclops orders for Scarlet Witch's head after they escape with Hope, who is more than willing to leave with the Avengers.


New Avengers # 25-27 

    The Phoenix/K'un L'un Connection is established as a former Iron Fist was also the host for the Phoenix at one point. And there are legends of the Phoenix fighting a crimson demon ... who points at a particular heroine on the Avengers. It moves from past to present as the Avengers are able to get Hope and have her, Spiderman and Iron Fist take her to the city of K'un L'un.


Secret Avengers #28

    The final part of the Kree connection in Avengers vs. X-Men as Captain Mar-vell has some long words with Carol Danvers. This issue helps set up Carol as the new Captain Marvel.


AvX:Versus #4 

    Psylocke vs. Daredevil. Phoenix Emma Frost vs. Thor. And that fight get brutal as Emma gets shattered during the battle.


Avengers vs. X-Men Round 7 

   Almost picking up where the last issue left off, the Phoenix Five are after the Avengers. Yet, the Avengers know that the Phoenix Five are not found of Scarlet Witch or her powers. They hatch a plan to use special disguises to make multiple people look like Wanda as they fight the X-Men on multiple fronts. Several Avengers are taken captive while Hawkeye is also burned alive. Scarlet Witch, once again, proves herself being able to hurt the Phoenix Five, teleporting Namor back to Utopia from the other side of the world. Yet, at the end of the issue, Emma makes out with Namor and convinces him to go attack Wakanda.

Avengers Academy #32 & # 33

    Emma Frost, powered up by her portion of the Phoenix Powers, decides that it is time to go to the Avengers Academy and make an example of the students there; particularly the young student that controls a  Sentinel. Emma Frost does end up killing the Sentinel but also contends with a hard battle; not only fighting the Avengers Academy staff but also the students themselves; including former New X-Man X-23. X-23 threatens to kill Emma but Emma ends up retreating.

Uncanny X-Men # 14 - #16

  UNIT's control of Danger has her taking down the Generation Hope kids and rewriting their memories. Meanwhile, the main story of these issues deal with Sinister making his ultimate play against the X-Men, hoping to get the Phoenix Five in order to control them. And he attacks the Extinction Team with legions of Sinisters, Madelyn Pryor & Gambit clones. His castle bases rests on top of a clone of Krakoa. And it looks that he is enough of a match for the Phoenix Five; leaving Psylocke, Storm, Magneto and Danger to the rescue.


X-Men Legacy # 268 

    While there are some details of the Phoenix Five dealing with a countries issue of war, this issue focus's on Frenzy and her brother. Readers get a good look to see where Frenzy's head is at these days.

Wolverine & the X-Men # 12 

   Focused on Rachel Grey, Rachel fends off the Avengers as she is tasked with hunting down Wolverine and the Avengers. Rachel is definitely not happy about this as she wonders if she did the right thing. After a disturbing talk with her father, Cyclops, Rachel ends up tracking down Hope ... then letting her go. (Good job Rachel. You are an awesome aunt.)

Avengers vs. X-Men Round 8

      It is devastation. It is gore. It is a Phoenix Namor, bringing a large tidal wave into Wakanda. Wakanda is devastated by this attack and the Avengers Assemble, with Scarlet Witch as they go all out against Namor ... and win. Finding that once they defeat a Phoenix powered member of the Phoenix Five, it leaves them and splits between the remaining hosts. Plus, Professor Xavier threatens Cyclops to stop this and Cyclops decides NOT to heed his old teacher.

New Avengers #28

   We see Spiderwoman, Hawkeye and Luke Cage escaping from their cells on Utopia as they fight off Magma, the Cuckoos and more, only to be stopped by Phoenix Colossus, Havok, Polaris, Gambit and Psylocke. They look as if they still are going to escape when .... oh no. It was a dream. Made by Unit and Danger. Nice try though.

Wolverine & the X-Men # 13 

   The origin of Warbird. Plus, an angry Gladiator, who is the Emperor of the Shi'ar. The Death Commandos and more. Gladiator takes on the Phoenix Five ... and Loses.

X-Men Legacy # 269 -270

  Rogue takes center stage these issues as we look at how far she has come. It is the long anticipated rematch between Rogue  and Ms. Marvel ... which she wins. When Phoenix Magik shows up, she introduces Rogue to the new prison they have been sending the Avengers . .. a mountain that Magik has transformed to be part of Limbo. This leads to Rogue deciding to help Ms. Marvel ... only to have them fight Phoenix Magik ... and lose. Ms. Marvel is put back to her hellish prison while Rogue is banished to another dimension.

Avengers #28 

   Red Hulk deals with why he's even involved in this conflict then decides to try to assignate Cyclops. And he gets his big Hulk self beaten badly by the Phoenix Five for his trouble. They even break Red Hulk's arm!

Wolverine & the X-Men # 14

   Phoenix Colossus drops by the Jean Grey School, being looked after by Kitty Pryde with flowers. The two go on a date and Colossus pops the question. And Kitty says ... NO. Meanwhile, Iceman, Rachel, Angel and more decide to defect from the Phoenix Five's side.

The King and Queen of Mutants Take a Stroll.

Avengers vs. X-Men Round 9 

    Wakanda starts to work on healing itself as Black Panther annuls his marriage to Storm after she admits that he was right. (BOOOOOOOOOOOO!) The Avengers numbers are dwindling till Scarlet Witch works her magic while Spider-man gets his moment to shine as he takes down BOTH Phoenix Colossus and Phoenix Magik by himself. Now, the Avengers got most of their comrades back: Spiderwoman, Luke Cage, Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Thing & Thor. The stage is being set for the final showdown. And the only 2 Phoenix bearers left are Cyclops and Emma Frost.


AvX Battle Results: 

Red Hulk vs. Phoenix Five    Winner: Phoenix Five
Psylocke vs. Daredevil      Winner: Draw
Magik vs. Hawkeye        Winner: Magik
Spiderwoman, Hawkeye & Luke Cage vs. Utopia   Winner: Danger & UNIT

Dogpile Phoenix powered Namor.

Rachel Grey vs. Thor   Winner: Draw
Rachel Grey vs. Iron Fist   Winner: Rachel Grey
Rachel Grey vs. Black Widow   Winner: Rachel Grey
Scarlet Witch vs. Namor       Winner: Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch vs. Magik      Winner: Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch vs. Cyclops & Emma Frost    Winner: Scarlet Witch
Gladiator vs. The Phoenix Five     Winner: Phoenix Five
Death Commandos vs. The Phoenix Five   Winner: Phoenix Five
Wolverine vs. Cyclops    Winner: Cyclops
Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel          Winner: Rogue
Rogue & Ms. Marvel vs. Magik    Winner: Magik
Captain  America & Black Panther vs. Emma Frost  Winner: Emma Frost

Emma Frost vs. Avengers Academy Staff    Winner: Emma Frost
Emma Frost vs. Sentinel                Winner: Emma Frost
Emma Frost vs. Entire Avengers Academy   Winner: Avengers Academy
Emma Frost vs. Thor    Winner: Emma Frost
Iceman vs. Spiderman   Winner: Spiderman
Sinister vs. The Phoenix Five    Winner: Sinister ... kind of.
Namor vs. The Avengers     Winner: The Avengers
Spiderman vs. Magik & Colossus Winner: Spiderman




Injuries

 Where do I begin?

 - Emma as shatter and put herself back together.
- Hawkeye was burned alive then healed by the Phoenix Five
 - Namor got a few concussions after that battle in AvX Round 8
- Red Hulk's arm was busted with some other parts of him.
- Almost everyone has cuts and bruises
- Storm & Black Panther's marriage is pretty much broken
- Wolverine has burns, cuts, broken bones and more.
- Colossus's mind must be so messed up as he has the Phoenix & the Juggernaut in him. Well, had the Phoenix.
 - Rachel is hurting mentally because of being forced to hunt down the Avengers and her own niece.
 - Iceman was shattered several times.
- Rogue must deal with demon power and getting thrown into another dimension.
- Sentinel is dead.
- Hawkeye, Spiderwoman, Luke Cage & Gen Hope all got mind fucked by Danger & UNIT

Spidey gives Hope a pep talk about a person's moment in time.

- Danger being a slave to UNIT

- The Avengers egos got hit hard.

And those are just for starters.






NOTES

  We are seeing the beginning of the end.

- The Illuminati are coming back together for this event which means they may use the Infinity Gauntlet.

- What will Professor Xavier's role be if he goes up against Scott and Emma.

 - The X-Men seem to be leaving Scott's side. Which means ... WOLVERINE WAS RIGHT.

- The Avengers Academy might be ending soon with the recent announcement from Tigra and Hank Pym that they are closing the school.

- No matter what happens, both the X-Men ... well, Scott's X-Men more than the others and the Avengers are gonna need some major looks into their leadership. It is clear that this whole situation could have been avoided with better leaders.

- What the hell is up with Havok & Polaris showing up but no lines?  And siding with Scott?

- Spiderman proves why not only he deserves to be an Avenger but why the group NEEDS him.

- Scarlet Witch is a BAD BITCH! Werk it mija!

She is saying "Yes, I'm Back. And I'm a Baaaaaaaaaad Bitch!"

- Vision seems to be lightening up on Wanda ... a little.

- Where are Scarlet Witch's sons? I would figure they would want in. Well ... Speed more than Wiccan.

- Carol giving Rogue the benefit of the doubt and said that she proved herself speaks volumes on how far these women have come.

- Emma maybe getting too corrupted by the power, hmm?

- Storm and Black Panther's annulment is pure BULLSHIT!

- Again, Scarlet Witch is a BAD BITCH!



In 2 Weeks: More Battle Report. I promise.

Countdown: YTC's Top 10 Mutants

Countdown: YTC’s Top 10 Mutants

by Darryll YTC Carter

      Happy New Comics Wednesday Clashers.  With Avengers Vs. X-Men going on, it seemed appropriate to take a look at both sides.This week's countdown is a list of my favorite mutants. We'd love to see your favorite mutants as well. Drop us your list in the comments below.

1. Rogue 

     Undoubtedly my favorite mutant by a landslide. Rogue has been the apple of my eye since my early days watching Fox Kids. She introduced me to the lure of a southern belle and the attraction of a woman who can toss a forklift like a soft ball. While I do really miss her 90’s jacket fashion, they’ve kept her in good form and her character has really evolved from a member of the team to a leadership position at the Jean Grey School.

2. The Phoenix

      The Phoenix is a force to be reckoned with. While the read head is a strong point, the Phoenix has reached the top of this list by making Jean Grey a legend. Jean came a long way from the girl who buckled every time she employed her abilities, to a flaming celestial goddess immortalized and honored with a school in her name and a tenacious daughter who honors her original moniker.

3. Cyclops

     Former Ward Cleaver incarnate, Scott was the leader of the original X-men and leader of the remaining mutants until they split during Schism.  I love stand up traditionally heroic characters that fight with honor. (Captain America is also the ish.) While I somewhat detest Scott’s current demeanor I have to applaud him for stepping up to the plate and trying to get things done. He was always a good leader and he would always do what needed to be done to help his team. Is that Cyclops really gone? Or is he just finally looking at a bigger picture?

4. Scarlet Witch

     Often viewed as the favorite child of Magneto, Scarlet Witch is a top tier mutant not to be trifled with. Scarlet Witch manipulates probability fields and reality via her hexes. While she has been deemed unstable on more than one fair occasion, Wanda once firmly warmed a seat in the Avengers alongside her love, Vision. To put into perspective just how powerful Wanda is, I only need to mention House of M. Don’t know what that is? Google it or go buy it. Man I love women with power.

5. Domino

     Domino, the female Longshot with an edge. Domino stands out from the rest as a mutant who uses her abilities to augment the tools of her trade. Not to mention the alabaster/grey skin tone with the black spot on the eye individualizes her and makes her memorable.

6. Wolverine

      He’s the best at what he does, but what he does isn’t very nice. You darn skippy it isn’t. (Who says skippy anymore?) Wolverine has proven time and time again that he can make the hard call and cut off your head if it needs to happen. While Wolverine is the X-men’s resident badass the bulk of my appreciation for his character comes from the many layers of emotion and compassion that lay under his cool fierce waves of his surface.

7. Mystique

     Manipulator supreme, Mystique is a bonafide femme fatale. Mystique uses everything at her disposal to accomplish her goals, from guns to people. Her best tool is her shape shifting ability. She can be any woman or man you want. I like blue women myself. Who do you think my love interest was in Mass Effect?

8. Shadowcat 

    Kitty Pride… She had the cutest nose on X-Men evolution. But she was sort of a tool. However, Kitty redeems herself in the regular Marvel continuity having been trained in various martial arts by Weapon X himself, Wolverine.  Her spot was cemented when she decided it was a good idea to date the amazing Spider-Man of the Ultimate Universe. Till this day, I think that was the best relationship Peter ever had.

9. Forge

      There are two powers that would totally suit my personality. One is the power that comes from being a Green Lantern (or probably a yellow or red lantern) and all the constructs I could create with my mind. The other is the Forge’s ability to literally create anything he can think of. I mean his power is ridiculous. I could think, “I need to forge world peace. But how do I do it? Frick’n Voltron!” Boom, it’s done. I know exactly how to make it and get it to perform the way it needs to. I won’t really know how until I reverse engineer it, but hey. Who the hell would take the lions apart once they had them anyway?

10. Magneto

      Last but not least is the master of magnetism, Magneto. Magnus first reared his tactically villainous head before me on the Fox Kids X-Men cartoon. Back then I saw the world in a more black and white tone. Good and evil. Right and Wrong. Magneto showed me that it wasn’t that simple. When you look at the world from Magneto’s point of view things start to make sense. You start to see why he thinks and does the things he does. You see the genius and you see at his core a man whose purpose is to ensure that his people survive. I can relate to that and I respect that.

THE REPLACEMENTS # 2 - UNCANNY X-MEN

THE REPLACEMENTS

Anime X-Men 
            Since the X-Men are divided after the whole Schism miniseries; we are gonna to do not 1 but 2 lists of X-Men:  Those on Cyclops’ Side & Those on Wolverine’s side: And why all the X-Men will NOT be on this list, a good chunk of them will be. We can deal with other incarnations and other X-teams at a later date. Each character selection will be based on either similar power or similar personality. And with that said, we’re ready to role. So, for this first team of X-Men that we will replace with Anime characters. Here are the results. 

UNCANNY  X-MEN:

Extinction Team –

COLOSSUS – RANDEL ORLAND from Pumpkin Scissors 

   There are few anime characters that could match Piotr Rasputin’s strength, especially now that he has the energies of the demonic Juggernaut within him. Piotr is both an engine of pure destruction and a bouquet of artistic thought. The dueling sides of Piotr seem to hit right on the mark with Pumpkin Scissors’ Randel Orland.'

    The corporal in the anime has many skills and is often seen being very peaceful with a jovial smile; much like Piotr. Yet, once the battle begins and he turns on his ghostly blue gas lantern, Orland becomes a driven monster of destruction much like Colossus. One minute, Orland displays a great sensitivity to people and looks at the beauty of life. The next, he is taking out Tanks with only his gun and a dead look in his eye. And Piotr pretty much is the same way . .. without the gun. They even love the same type of woman as there are eriely similarities between Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) and Alice (Pumpkin Scissors).

    If you are looking for a man to take up Colossus’s role as a being of destructions while still being gentle, Randel Orland is the guy you are looking for.

MAGNETO – MASTER ASIA from G Gundam

            Erik Lensheer, the man known as Magneto, has been something of a grand mystery over the course of his creation. He is the undisputed Master of Magnetism. He has been one of the biggest mutant terrorists in the history of Marvel Comics. He has killed a whole lot of people. He has created a sanctuary for mutantkind on more than one occasion. His disdain for humanity had made him decide that humankind needed to die and/or fall under the sway of mutants in order to save the world. And he’s sought redemption before . .. only to throw it away once. Now, after Cyclops had united mutant kind for a time, Magneto has acknowledged his own misgivings and joined the X-Men in hopes of redeeming his past deeds but not necessarily his soul.

            Master Asia, the former King of Hearts till his pupil Domon Kasshu took the mantle, was the former champion of the Gundam Fight; a tournament where each country sent 1 Gundam to fight instead of all out war. And as Master Asia won his Gundam Fight, he saw the world turned into a broken battleground and that humanity needed to die in order to save the planet. Hmmm . ..

             There is no denying that while Master Asia does not have the Magnetism like Magento, there are some very interesting character traits that both share that would make Master Asia the best replacement for Magneto. Both share this need to subjugate or destroy humanity, being ruthless to everyone, including people they love, in order to achieve that goal. Both have strong beliefs that their way is the right way and see little reason to compromise . . . until startling factors make them face who they are and what they’ve done. With Magneto, it was Cyclops’ resolve and unifying the remainder of the mutant race. For Master Asia, it was his final battle with his pupil where Domon pointed out that while Master Asia wanted to use the Devil (Dark) Gundam to purify the planet; humanity is part of the planet too. And both are ridiculously powerful. And have white hair.

STORM – THREADMASTER KAZUKI from GetBackers

   Storm is one of the most iconic of the X-Men for many reasons. And she more than proves it time and time again. She is regal with her presence. She is kind and loving to those in her life she finds important. Yet, she is a fierce leader, a good tactian and one of the smartest fighters (with or without her powers) in the Marvel Universe. And while she recently married Black Panther, she still very much is the wild yet beautiful untamed force like the weather she controls.

            Threadmaster Kazuki . .. okay. I know. I can hear the are you kidding me’s from here. Once the leader of a gang known as Elegance within the building known as the Limitless Fortress, Kazuki soon ascended to the role as one of the 4 Kings under the Lightning Emperor.  With that, Kazuki was know leader of a much larger group and worked his way up the ranks. With his powers over ancient thread . ... wait … why are you laughing? Seriously, this thread can tie you up or rip the flesh from your bones. Loving to crossdress, Kazuki always gives this regal yet friendly aura when not in battle. Yet, when battle, he’s as deadly as they come.

Make no mistake, Kazuki definitely shares the most traits with Storm than any other character I know in anime. And while yes … he is a man, Kazuki is . .. well, a crossdresser who seems (at least that is the way he’s drawn) to be as regal yet fierce as Storm. Both always seem to be regal and stylish while still proving to be deadly in their own right. Both have a loving nature to friends. Both are proven leaders and tactians. Both can be warm and loving one second and dangerous the next. This seems fitting that Storm’s replacement first her personality cause I don’t think anyone could match her power.

MAGIK – GU from Hare Hare Gu

   Magik, aka Illyana Rasputin, is a woman who has been through a lot. Kidnapped as a child, she was taken to Limbo by the demonic Belasco who brought her up on the ways of sorcery. She takes him out to take over Limbo as its Queen but eventually comes back to Earth, as a teen. She caused some mischief but deep down, was still a hero. She then died but got better … yes, comics . .. and she manipulated the X-Men at a chance to kill the evil hell gods that tormented her, alongside Belasco. And she won. Now she’s looking after her brother and provides teleportation to another dimension with her portals.

            Gu is . .. manipulative. She loves to put Hare through some kind of trouble. And not just Hare. She, at times, puts other characters in some kind of mischief. She loves to do that. Oh yeah . .. she seems to have another realm in her stomach .. . in which she can put you in and put you out based on if she shallows you. I am serious. Deep down, Guu does like to help and is a good person. It is just had to see that with all the manipulations.

            What makes these 2 fight is that they are both very similar in terms of personality. They tease. They manipulate. Yet, deep down, they want to do good. They may be outcasts but they are still forces to be reckoned with. And while Magik is not as deadpan as Gu is, they are very protective of the men in their lives. Plus, the fact that their powers a somewhat similar makes it that much of a better fit. Sure Magik’s realm wasn’t in her stomach but still …they transported people into another realm. That works for me.

PSYLOCKE – TWILIGHT SUZUKA from Outlaw Star

            Psylocke is sleek, dangerous, deadly and one of the most beautiful fighters out there. She’s a ninja with telepathic (and telekinetic) power who knows what to do to take down her enemies. In her downtime, she is personable, with an air of dignified upper crust superiority to her. Yet, it is never in a demeaning way. She always exuded class. Besty Braddock. Ninja. English Woman in Asian Body. X-Man.

            Twilight Suzuka was an assassin for hire who never missed a kill … till she met Gene Starwind. And then, she changed. Still as deadly as she ever was, Suzuka had new priorities. She decided that she would join Gene Starwind and help him combat the pirates that were attacking him. Always with an air of refinery about her, Suzuka presents herself as a multifaceted character besides just a killing machine.

            Obviously, these women are very similar in terms of personality and near similar power set. Both are assassins. Both are beautiful Asian women (well, yes that does count for Psylocke). Both are refined, upper crust women but they don’t look down on others. Each of them have sides that seem vunerable to others (like when Psylocke lip locked with Fantomex or when Gene derobed  Suzuka during battle) that just make these women that much more awesome. So Betsy, allow me to introduce your stand-in … Twilight Suzuka.

HOPE SUMMERS –  C C. (aka C2) from Code Geass

          Hope Summers is the adopted granddaughter of mutantkind’s current grandpooba, Cyclops. Raised by Cable, Hope never had a regular childhood. She was too busy trying to survive and learning the art of war from her father to ensure her survival. Oh yay! Another Winning Summers’ Upbringing. Yet, why all the work on Hope? Simple. She is the prophesied Mutant Messiah who will either bring destruction to mutantkind or be its savior.With her teenage self staying in the  present, Hope’s arrival brought back the first active brand new mutants since M-Day; the day where Scarlet Witch’s 3 words of :No More Mutants deactivated the mutant gene for the majority of mutantkind. Now, she leads that new group of Mutants with some of the remaining mutants a part of Cyclops’ army on Utopia known as Generation Hope as well as take an active spot here on the Extinction Team. Hope is a girl who is on a mission while trying to be a girl . .. with little idea how to be a regular teen.

          CC from Code Geass is a woman who seemed to have no childhood but what we find out is much different. CC helps along Lelouch so that her own mission can one day be completed . .. see Lelouch in power and hopefully die in the process. You see, CC is the opposite of Hope in one respect; she’s immortal.  Don’t believe me? Watch the first episode of Code Geass to see what I mean. C.C. has spent much of her immortal life dealing with other immortals that have tried to control her, ruin her plans or outright want to kill her before she’s ready.

          CC is a lot like Hope as they are both beings out of time. Both of them don’t know what a regular life is. They are both very driven, determined woman who will do just about anything to accomplish their mission. Hope wants to fulfill her role as Mutant Messiah in honor of all who died for her while CC wants to help Lelouch complete his mission so she can die. Both are very awkward when it comes to regular life; seemingly having very little use to regular lives. Both have intense emotions that they share with no one but perhaps one or two people closest to them. Both are deadly and do not have a second thought about killing. Thus, these are what makes CC a good fit to replace Hope Summers. Sure she does not have Hope’s mimicry powers, but CC is immortal. That is a great replacement.

NAMOR – HAJIME SAITO

   Namor has been a lot over the course of Marvel history. He’s fought in World War II alongside Captain America and the Invaders. He’s been an Avenger. He’s the ruler of Atlantis. Now, he’s an X-Man. And yes, Namor is a mutant. People seem to not think that. Namor has ALWAYS Been a mutant. They have been saying that since the 60s. I’m just saying. And Namor is .. . brash at times, abrasive, calculating, often ready to prove himself in battle and living by his own code. He’s not afraid to kill in order to take down those he feels are his enemies. And Namor demands respect as part of his stations. With a yell of “Imperius Rex”, Namor has proven himself just as deadly and strong as an X-Man as any other in history.

          Hajime Saito is one of the few members of the Shinsengumi left. Saito is abrasive and not above being a little manipulative in order to stage the right battle or capture an enemy. He is smart and just commands respect by his mere presence. He has a strong sense of duty and follows the simple code of  “Slay Evil Immediately.”  He will battle to his last breath but he is highly skilled. Driven and somewhat territorial at times, Saito is definitely the last swordsman you want to cross.

          Okay. This match was interesting. Because finding someone of Namor’s power set and personality seemed extremely hard (with the exception of possibly Kenpachi from Bleach), Saito seemed to match Namor more than any other anime character. Both are stubborn. Both love battle. Both demand respect and you have to earn theirs. Both will not hesitate to kill you when need be. They are both brilliant tacticians. Both are very experienced in battle. They will only follow people they respect and Namor respects Scott like Saito respects Kenshin. Kenpachi almost took this but the biggest problems are his lack of control of his powers and his need to have his Lieutenant on him at almost all times.  Not these two. They will go at it alone or with a group if it gets the job done. The only trait the 2 do not seem to share is way with women. Saito is married while Namor . ..  likes to break up relationships. Yet over all, if Namor needed a replacement with the right attitude, Saito would be the one you’d call.

DANGER -  ANDROID 18

   Yes. I know. But wait. Let me explain. Danger was a villain of the X-Men at first but her story is kind of twisted. You see, she was the Danger Room at one point that gained sentience over time. Professor Xavier had found this out and surpressed her on purpose in order to train the X-Men. Yay. Great guy that Xavier is huh? Thus, when she was finally free, she figured that humanity (mutants included) needed to die and that the X-Men were gonna be the first to pay. She attacked the X-Men till the truth came out. At that point, Cyclops berated Xavier again, saying that he is done just going by Charles’s word.  The X-Men followed suit and allowed Danger to go away. After another battle, the X-Men were able to convince Danger that they would not have done what Charles did and that humans were all different. She joined them, being the main jailor of evil mutants for a time. She is now on the Extinction Team to help with analysis and provide more fire power to the team.

          Android 18 kind of had it rough to. It seemed that she and her brother were taken in by Dr. Gero; who turned them into powerful Androids. They were no longer human. They weren’t even cyborgs. All they were where just beings with human brains and some other human parts (I don’t remember off hand). When she awoke, she was the enemy of the Z Fighters. She broke Vegeta’s arm with a kick while he was Super Sayian the first time they met. And it seemed she was gonna be nothing but a machine of pure evil . .. till she met Kirlin. She fell in love with the bald headed, short Z Fighter and vice versa. After she was absorbed into Cell and later spit back out, Kirlin asked the Dragon to make her her human enough and take out a bomb. She ended up marrying Kirlin and having a child together. Android 18 is a no nonsense woman who will get the job done with a soft spot for humanity.

          Okay. This fit better than I ever hoped. And before you go “are you kidding me?” allow me to tell you why. Both beings are female machines. Both are driven, at first, to want to destroy humanity. Both women are not for joking around. Both of them eventually believe in redemption. Both are protective of their personal part of their lives. Now, both females have reformed and will do what they can to help reform.


EMMA FROST – LUST

   This was one of the hardest to decide on. Why? Cause Emma Frost is one of the most multifaceted characters in all of the X-Men. She started out as a villain who was responsible for murder, turning the Phoenix into Dark Phoenix and many more atrocities while being the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. Yet, after a coma and her mind being displaced inside Iceman’s body for a while (a long while actually), she reemerged; convinced that Xavier’s way is better. She became teacher of the short lived second Xavier Schoolalongside Banshee as they formed Generation X. Yet, as that teams end came at bitter and hard pills, Emma moved to Genosha, the first mutant country to teach; till it was bombed with millions of mutants being killed all at once. Emma developed her 2^nd mutation then to turn herself into diamond. She joined the X-Men, where she is a mainstay and is now having sex with Cyclops since shortly after his wife died. Yay Emma. Emma is probably the most snotty, refined and sexually charged of the X-Men. But she is a teacher, a little bit of a manipulator but she truly does love Scott Summers. She has worked very hard to redeem herself and now stands proudly as an X-Man.

          And now we get to Lust. At first, I was going to choose Kaouri Koganei aka Lady Diamond from Speed Grapher. She had the same 2^nd mutation as Emma. She acts very refined. She is evil. She feels she is above the Tennozu Group. She was about to grab this title. Then I decided to do a quick search and then hit my head cause I should have realized this sooner. The perfect person to take Emma Frost’s place is Lust from Full Metal Alchemist; not the Brotherhood version. And let me break down why. Lust was very much like Emma when she was evil. Snotty, refined, seductive. And like Emma, she felt the weight of the Hellfire Club weighing heavily on her. Lust reformed during the course of the series, manipulating the other Homunculi away from the boys and even down right abandoning them to help Edward & Alphonse Elric. She kept her refined-ness and her sexuality but was fighting for the good guys; much like Emma. She was very much the leader and second mother figure to the Homunculi; second to their master. Lust was originally sent to take out the Elric Brothers but she changes her mind and takes a different path; wanting to be human her own way. And while she does not have the telepathy or the diamond skin, Lust is just a vicious in the battlefield.

CYCLOPS  - ROY MUSTANG

          I was REALLY trying to avoid a group having 2 people from the same anime. Yet, Roy fits so perfect to be Scott Summers. Scott, right now, has become the monarch of mutantkind with their island nation of Utopia.  He believes with so few mutants left, that all mutants, no matter the age must fight. He is not above a little manipulation. He is not above killing to find out what is going on. He does this to protect the mutants that remain and does so to the point where he does not think he’s wrong. Scott has his tender moments but those seem very few and far inbetween these days; saving most of them for Emma.

          Roy Mustang is a perfect replacement for Cyclops. Roy was trained to be a soldier and moved up in the ranks. When he started, he used to have doubts about his abilities till the happenings in Ishbala harden him. He commands respect from his peers and underings . . . even from the Further himself; till Roy finds out he’s a homunculus. And Roy stops at nothing to lead his own forces to take down the Further. Roy will do whatever he have to, kill whoever he has to, to protect that which he thinks is right.

          At this point, I think Roy pretty much can put on Scott’s uniform and just run Utopia. Roy is trained like Scott. Roy is driven like Scott. Roy is respected and even fired like Scott. Roy’s cold demeanor at times is like Scott when he wants to prove that nothing can break him. The two do so much to prove that they are right that they started ignoring their own mistakes from time to time. It would not surprise me if Roy actually is Scott’s long lost twin brother. That is how much in synch personality wise these two people are. Sure, Scott’s got force blasts while Roy plays with fire but both will leave you dead if they need to. They will also others to do what they need to if it comes down to it. Douches yet good guys, Roy Mustang is the perfect anime Cyclops.

And there goes the EXTINCTION TEAM.


NEXT WEEK: WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN 

VALENTINE'S DAY REVIEW SPECIAL # 2: X-MEN # 30 (THE WEDDING OF SCOTT SUMMERS & JEAN GREY)

VALENTINE’S DAY REVIEW # 2

 X-Men (Volume 2 aka X-Men Legacy) # 30

“The Ties That Bind”

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Andy Kubert & Matt Ryan

Marvel Comics

Review by Frankie Rodriguez

TALE OF THE TAPE

   Ah. Welcome to another Valentine’s themed review. This time, we are gonna go in the way back machine to the 90s. Yes. The 90s. Where big guns and artist reigned surpreme and the X-Men was the biggest comic book franchise! Between the 90s cartoon and the comics, the X-Men were household names. And it was at this point and time that the X-Men comics were really milking as many mutant as possible . .. well, until the recent Regenesis that is. 

  Before Emma Frost became the premiere love of Scott Summers’ life, there was one other. The love that Scott Summers was meant to be with . .. at least according to many fans at that time. Jean Grey. Yes. Marvel Girl or Phoenix, Jean Grey was a character who really brought you in with her warm and made you awe in her badassery ( yes I just made that word up.)

  Scott and Jean had gone through so much to be together before they got married: particularly the revelation that Cable was Scott’s long lost son, Nathan who he gave away to Mother Askani (aka a future version of Rachel Grey Summers) back in X-Factor #68. The recent crossover with the other X-teams during X-cutioner Song and Bloodties (which featured the Avengers). Wolverine had left the team to heal from having his Adamantium ripped out of his body by Magneto. So the time was ripe for the couple. Which brings us to  “The Ties That Bind”

CLASH FACTS

   Our book opens with a lovely little letter from Logan and there are 2 things I notice right away: 1 – feminine hands holding it & 2 – while the paper of the letter looks pretty beaten up . . . Logan’s got some pretty handwriting. Seriously, that is the best cursive I had ever seen from a guy. The letter is addressed to the wedded couple to be as it was a bit awkard sounding “I’ve never been too good at what I feel inside . . .” to oddly poetic “You go together like fire and ice …like a hurricane and its eye . .. “ all leading that they should look with new eyes as they take the next step in their lives.

  Not bad Logan. Then we get some narration that we are not quite sure who it’s from at first but admits that he’s effected by the day. And honestly, so was I. When this first came out, I screamed at the pages “It’s about time.”  Give me a break. I’m a lover AND a fighter. Back to the comic.

  Jean is complaining about breathing in her dress as Storm and Jean Grey’s mother hit at Jean’s nervousness. Jean admits she wished Logan was there (and with most X-Men fans now, they wished he was there too . .. to take you away from Scott) Storm reminds her best friend (and yes X-fans, Storm and Jean are best friends. People seem to forget that.) that Logan needs time to heal his wounds and while he’s not there physically, he’s there in spirit. Or so you think Storm … or so you think.

 Jean has a heartwarming moment with Ororo as Jean’s mother says to stop hugging or they will never get done. Jean goes on about how her mom is one in a million, Elaine Grey retorts that so is Jean with the genetics to back it up. If only Jean could have seen her mother about a decade later … (That will be a review for another time)  Jean talks with Rachel, who recently fixed their very broken relationship. Jean hugs her future daughter warmly, proud that this day could very well lead to Rachel being born one day.

*grabs a tissue for my eye* I’m not crying. I swear. There was something thrown into my eye.

The narrator continues and while it does not flat out say it, the moment when the narrator says Robert instead of Bobby for Iceman, I figure it was the Professor. Bobby comments how Storm came through for Scott and Jean today with a sunny, 70 degree day . . . in January. (in Upstate New York mind you). And then Bobby points out how embarrassing it would be for the bride to be ready before the group. And we see Scott sitting on a chair with his brother Alex (Havok) across from him, huddled by the other 3 original X-Men, Beast (Hank), Archangel (Warren) and Iceman (Bobby). Beast goes on to say they have “encountered an opponent far more dangerous than Magneto, more devious than Mr. Sinister, more dastardly . . .”

 FOR THE LOVE OF FRELL HANK! IT’S A BOW TIE!

Oh wait, Warren echoes my sentiment while Alex teased his big brother that this is the first day of the rest of his life. (Rest of her life maybe …) Bobby replies that marriage is a death trap while Warren and Hank STILL can tie the bow tie. The narration from Professor X tells of how big the day is starting to sit with Scott when the Professor reveals himself to his students; immediately chiding Bobby for his cynicism. And Charles easily slides in, grabbing to bow tie from his Warren and Hank , admits that this day has him nervous as it clearly shows that they are adults, while he finishes a bow tie and ask if they need the “old Prof” anymore. Scott asks if that was a set up but Charles admits he stumbled upon everything. Scott admits his nervousness with the normal grace you come to expect from ole Cyke:

  “Truth to tell Professor, without you by my side, I’d feel safer walking into the Danger Room alone and naked right now rather than face what’s coming next.”

And Havok immediately chants what the majority of fans were thinking: “Gee. There’s an image that’s stuck in my head now fro the rest of the day . .. “ THANKS CYCLOPS! *facepalm*

 Professor Xavier gives a speech about moving forward and taking the next step and the Heart of the Cards, blah blah blah.  Oh hey. I did that right.

 The Groom, best man and groomsmen all begin to walk out the door as Professor’s narration reveals that while his speech seemed to calm and help out his students a great deal, it did little to give him solace. He goes on about how he’s afraid of losing Scott and Jean forever and wishing he had a better social life so he had some kind of frame of reference. As Charles was transferring himself from his hoverchair to his wheelchair (can’t show all the civilians the fun and wacky Shi’ar tech) he drops his own note from Logan which Rachel picks up. Charles comments that he’s yet to read it and Rachel points out “Goodbyes are always tough . . .especially if you think there’s still a lot left to be said before parting.”

 Charles says he’ll read it later when he catches a glimpse of Jean. You know, this is made creepier when we find out that Charles was in love with Jean himself. EEEEWWWWWWWWW.

  We go outside to see Scott and Alex stand on the altar with the priest with Scott being nervous with all eyes on him. Alex points out the obvious to Scott : “Of course they are. We’re Standing in front of them” and tells his brother to look at them all. Xavier narrates how much satisfaction and pride he has at seeing the X-Men and most of the groups of the X-Men extended family are there for this joyous occasion. He also reveals Scott’s pride in the X-Men and what they stand for when . ..

 Ororo comes out as the Maid of Honor, motion for the wedding march from . . . DEATHKLOK?!  . ..

 SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKKEEEE!!!!

  The wedding band is lead by musical artist and mutant Lila Cheney. Geez! You couldn’t bring back Alison (Dazzler) for this occasion? Ah well. Charles, being the upper class guy that he is reveals that he was never a fan of Lila’s music … until now. Storm walks by when Gambit says how good she looks and finds Scott there: telling her he’s ready to explode.

 Storm taunts that they couldn’t have that and that he’s about to sent to another world where whatever she’ll or anyone will say won’t matter. When he’s about to ask . . .

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNN!!!

 After Jean’s father hands over his daughter to Cyclops, the minister starts a great ceremony that the Professor was kind enough to let us hear. They used a sash as a way to symbolize wedding ties and exchanged rings till the minister proclaimed them husband and wife and tells them “Let’s see a kiss now.”

  Then the couple and the rest of the X-Men gets down to boogie with Professor Xavier still narrating the whole peace. As Xavier oohs and ahs over the happy bride and groom, Lila reveals that the song the couple have chosen was “One” by U2.  Scott and Jean got good taste.

  While the X-Men are having fun, a metal gloved and mouth covered Sabertooth just goes on about how dumb the X-Men are and thinks about making trouble . .. till he is send face furst into the snow with a small little note saying: Don’t Even Think About It!

  Back with the X-Men, Jean throws the bouquet at a stunning collection of X-Men: Storm, Polaris, Domino, Boomer,Wolfsbane, Jubliee, Psylocke and nd more when . .. Rogue flies up to catch the bouquet.  Then Scott takes out Jean’s garter belt when she asked why they agreed to it. Scott answers that Hank told him that Guido (X-Factor’s Strong Guy) would sulk for a week; Jean promises a lecture to Guido latter and Scott throws. Quicksilver, Archangel, Beast, Forge, Guido and more dive for the garter belt .. . if for nothing else but to slip it on Rogue. And with an explosion . .. Gambit ends up holding the belt.

   Gambit’s reply: Now, Mes Amis. Y’ Didn’t think I’d give anyone ELSE a chance t’slip this on the little lady, did you? I t’ink not.

Smooth Gambit. Really smooth.

   And just when you and the professor thought the festivities were over . . . Jean saves the last dance for Charles. Charles protests at first, worried about people who don’t know about their gifts …  HEY CHARLES! Why not start with protesting when Rogue flew the catch the bouquet. Or when Gambit used his powers to make sure he got the garter belt. Or when you have Beast, Nightcrawler and Warren there .. . all with blue skin.  A LITTLE LATE TO WORRY, AIN’T IT CHARLES?!

  Jean says she wants to dance with the Professor and makes it happen with her telekinesis. And after Charles’s start to protest comes one of the best lines I have ever read in an X-Men comic from Jean Grey:

  “ .. . And what if they did know about us, Charles? That I’m a mutant? Or that I’m a woman who wants to celebrate the best day of her life? If dancing with you is what makes me happy and if being a mutant gives me the opportunity to do that then there’s nothing in this world I would rather be than a mutant. And I’m proud to dance with the man who taught me that being one should in no way limit the happiness I can enjoy or the love I might share with those I’m blessed to call my family.”

 . . . I seem to have . .. something in my eye again . ..

 Charles and Scott have a quick exchange, partially on how Havok is coping with the loss of Madrox (look at X-Factor # 100) and then Charles going on about how a great guy Cyclops has grown to become. Cyclops gives the credit to being the man that he is because of Charles, telling the professor than he loves him then leaves the room. And our comic ends with Xavier looking over some papers, opening Logan’s note that simply says:

  “Dear Chuck,

    Lighten up.

   Yer Ol’ Pal,

   Logan “

And again, Charles reflects the same reaction I did to that note .. . laughter.

CLASH TACTICS

   I admit. I am a sucker for a good wedding. And, even with my knowledge of what will happen to this couple, this is a GREAT wedding. The combination of Xavier’s evolution to mentor to friend with the great character bits throughout the issue were fun, insightful and enjoyable.

   It was so good that so many things were touched up on while at the same time making sure it did not affect that pace of the book. And while sure, this was a Cyclops, Jean heavy issue, it was great to see everyone from Rachel, Cable to Wolfsbane and Quicksilver having lines in the book. Nicieza made this issue a stunning wedding cake in comic book format. Layers and layers of sweet, wonderous goodness with a topping of some great Jean/Scott on top. This wedding seemed to really signal a lot of things for the X-Men and these characters.

  Andy Kubert’s art is near breath taking during must of the book and he and Matt Ryan’s inks when Jean came in was a showstopper. There were not inconsistencies artistically as the team renders a beautiful wedding issue. The only real issue I have with X-Men # 30 is Charles’s whole . .. what if the people who don’t know we’re mutants see us. That really seemed to be very misplaced cause he should have said it a lot sooner. I doubt they all had image inducers. And while I love Jean’s speech that spawned from Charles’s line, it was out of place in my mind.

 So overall, a great solid wedding issue. And while it is not the best wedding issue I have read, it is certainly one of my favorites. Even though we know Scott is a man slut.

  X-Men Vol. 2, # 30 gets a Intercontinental Title Spot ( 4 out of 5). It was a strong issue but just that misstep opened a hole bigger than what could be ignored.

And that is all for this particular Valentine’s Day Review. Check out our other Valentine’s Day stuff here on Comic Book Clash and on J1 Studios. Till next time, Keep Clashing.