Uncanny X-Men
# 421-430



May 2003
X-Men # 421: "Rules of Engagement Part 1"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Mark Morales
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
Alex catches up on events since he's been in a coma and is reintroduced to his teammates. Lorna puts him on the spot and asks him to marry her. Juggernaut tells Xavier that he's actually feeling at home here with the X-Men. Nightcrawler steps down as leader and decides to accompany Alex and Lorna on an archaeological dig.


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June 2003
X-Men # 422: "Rules of Engagement Part 2"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Mark Morales
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2

Synopsis:
Chamber returns to the X-Men and walks in on Angel and Paige. Meanwhile, Alpha Flight and the local authorities arrive on the doorstep of the Xavier Institute demanding that it be vacated as recent events haven't exactly made the Institute a safe place. Alpha Flight is involved as they're interested in the young Canadian mutant, Sammy. The Juggernaut's temper leads him and the X-Men into battle against Alpha Flight. Sammy forces them to stop as he doesn't want anyone getting hurt on his account and realizes it's his fault anyway as he didn't tell his mother that Juggernaut had reformed. Meanwhile, Lorna, Alex, Nightcrawler, and and archeological team come across some evidence of an ancient mutant civilization.

Jay's Notes:

  • There's a really great scene of Northstar taking down his former boss, Guardian.
  • The battle between the X-Men and Alpha Flight is rather dull. If you want a great battle, check out Uncanny X-Men #120-121.


June 2003
X-Men # 423: "Holy War Par 1 "
Writer: Chuck Austen
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Mark Morales
Jay's Rating:
J

Synopsis:
A handful of young mutants are found crucified on the campus of the Xavier Institute. They rush them to sick bay where Angel volunteers to provide them all with a transfusion of his healing-factor-embued blood. Cyclops tears a strip of Nightcrawler for failing to really be the team's leader and his lack of follow up with the Church of Humanity. None of the X-Men remember attending Nightcrawler's ordination ceremony while he recalls them all being there. They investigate St. Michael's Church in Brooklyn and find a horrifying mutant lab in its basement.

Jay's Notes:

  • AARRGGHHHH!!!!
  • Marvel does it again and fails to capitalize on the success of a movie. What a horrible issue! X2 shines at the box office and this is the best you can muster to take advantage of the fan interest. Pathetic. It's not even worth the 25 cent cover price.
  • What happened to Juggernaut? Why is Wolverine in this title? Why is Cyclops in this title? Why is Jean Grey in this title? AARRGGHHH!!!! 
  • Despite last issue announcement that Nightcrawler is stepping down as the X-Men's leader, he's suddenly changed his mind and has asked for more responsibility????
  • Alex and Polaris have suddenly turned their back on their passion for archeology and decide to become X-Men????
  • Clearly a blatant attempt to build on the characters from the movie at the cost of destroying the story line and any character integrity. Shame on you Mike Marts. Shame on you Chuck Austen.


July 2003
X-Men # 424: "Holy War Part 2 "
Writer: Chuck Austen
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Mark Morales
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2

Synopsis:
The X-Men do their best to help any of the surviving victims of the Church of Humanity in St. Michael's church. They then make their way to Montana and strike at the Church of Humanity's base of operations. They battle past their priest and confront the Pope of the Church of Humanity. They wanted to make Nightcrawler pope of the Catholic Church and then reveal that he was a mutant to bring about the End of Days. However, faced with defeat at the hands of the X-Men, the Pope of the Church of Humanity takes her own life. 



August 2003
X-Men # 425: "Sacred Vows Part 1"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist: Philip Tan
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
With his wedding to Lorna just days away, Havok has a difficult time shaking free of his feeling for Annie. Annie attends Lorna's bachlorette party, but ends up spending the evening with Iceman and going home with him. At the alter, Havok decides that he can't go through with it which prompts a nasty reaction from Lorna who forms herself an armor similar to Magneto from the wedding silverware.

Jay's Notes:

  • The whole Havok-Polaris wedding thing was just a little too predictable.


August 2003
X-Men # 426: "Sacred Vows Part 2"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist: Philip Tan
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2

Synopsis:
Lorna lashes out on her wedding guests, but Havok manages to get away with Annie and her son. While they're hiding, Alex learns that he has spent time with Annie thanks to the telepathic talents of her mutant son. Lorna isn't impressed with Alex newfound feelings for Annie and she's intent on punishing him. Fortunately, the Juggernaut drops in and takes her down. Alex and Annie finally get to spend some quality time together.

Jay's Notes:

  • This whole issue is just too contrived. Havok escapes with Annie and her son and they have just long enough to discover that they're in love and that her son has facilitated their relationship while he was in a coma. The convenient excuse that Lorna had reversed the blood flow in anyone with powers was pretty lame. And having Juggernaut, in this new costume, come to the rescue was a bit much.


September 2003
X-Men # 427: "The Dead Have No Rights"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Penciller: Steve Kim
Inker: Mark Morales/Dan Green/Sandu Florea
Jay's Rating:
JJ

Synopsis:
Husk, and Jubilee visit Skin's grave and learn, much to their dismay, that his body is to be dug up and bury him elsewhere. Jubilee confronts the cemetery's administrator, but he's adamant about Skin's body being remove because he was a mutant. Meanwhile, Angel visits a nearby hospital and offers his blood in hopes of saving lives. One of the lives his blood saves is that of the cemetery administrator's daughter.

Jay's Notes:

  • Kim's art is alright except that he makes angel look like a 13 year old kid. One the cover, Angel's clearly an adult and not the kid he's drawn as in the comic. I really wish the X editors would get their act together and solidify the art team.


October 2003
X-Men # 428: "How Did I Get Here?"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist: Sean Phillips
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
Twenty years ago, a rather mischievous and disturbed Mystique is frustrated her husband's (Baron Wanger)'s inability to get her pregnant. She turns to just about every male in the village in a desperate attempt to get pregnant, but nothing seems to work. She then meets a mysterious man named Azazel who seduces her and finally gets her pregnant. He  leaves her to face the Baron's wrath. Mystique ends up killing the Baron and when the boy is born, she tosses him over some falls.


Uncanny X-Men #429
October 2003
X-Men # 429: "The Draco Part 1: Sins of the Father"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist: Philip Tan
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
Some external force compels Nightcrawler to abruptly leave the mansion in a blackbird. Professor Xavier discovers that numerous mutants are being summon to a mysterious island, Isla des Demonas. Juggernaut and Professor Xavier finally come to terms over their abusive childhood. Meanwhile, the X-Men make their way to Isla des Demonas where they find Nightcrawler and several other mutants apparently involved in a mysterious ceremony to summon up some demons. 



October 2003
X-Men # 430: "The Draco Part 2"
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist:
Philip Tan
Jay's Rating:
JJ

Synopsis:
Sammy's father hasn't changed his feelings on his son being a mutant and he continues to abuse Sammy and his wife. Back at the Xavier Institute, Professor X and Annie enter Polaris' mind in an attempt to find out why she had changed so dramatically. Meanwhile on Isla des Demonas, the X-Men try to contain the summoning spell that's trying to bring demons to Earth, and discover that Annie's son, Carter has snuck onto the mission. They try to pull Nightcrawler free from the mystical circle, but an explosion rocks the summoning ceremony leaving behind a huge crater.



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