> Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Volume 1
 
 

Click panels for larger images


From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"I got some friends in Valhalla. If this Nefaria's hurt any of 'em, I think I'm gonna cut him into very...tiny....pieces....”

-- Wolverine, pg. 15


Shouldn't Thunderbird be in the middle of this?

(Click panels for larger images.)

 

X-Men #94
August 1975 • 18 pages

Script: Chris Claremont/Len Wein • Letters: Tom Orzechowski
Pencils: Dave Cockrum • Inks: Bob McLeod


Title: "The Doomsmith Scenario!"
Chapter Two: "Death O'er Valhalla High!"

Villain: Count Nefaria, The Ani-Men (Bird-Man, Frog-Man, Ape-Man, Cat-Man, Dragonfly)

Guest Appearance: Marvel Girl, Havok, The Angel, Sunfire, Iceman, Polaris, Joe Harris, General Fredericks

Cameo: The Beast

Leaves group: Marvel Girl, Havok, The Angel, Sunfire, Iceman, Lorna Dane

Letters Page: No letters page in this issue.


Synopsis: All the X-Men from the Krakoa mission are gathered in Professor Xavier's library, where he is about to open discussion on a very important mission. Before he can even complete his sentence, Sunfire abruptly (and rather rudely) departs the scene, saying his duties were ultimately with his country of Japan, and to not bother call him for help in the future. While many of Sunfire's fellow mutants waver in indecision on whether they should stay with the X-Men, others like Storm and Wolverine declare immediately their intention to hang around. Banshee decides to stay with the X-Men to help guide the younger mutants. The Angel, Iceman, Jean Grey, Havok and Lorna Dane declare their intention to leave, however, based on the idea that they are old enough to have their own lives outside the X-Men. Despite an entreaty to join them in leaving, Cyclops rebuffs the "old" X-Men and decides to stay on as leader of the team. As his old teammates gather to leave, he shares a passionate kiss and exchange of "I love you's" with Jean.

No sooner than the new X-Men can wave goodbye to the old, Cyclops calls on them for their first engagement with the Danger Room. It's all in day's work: Storm outruns rocket missiles, Colossus bashes down brick walls, Banshee loops through laser beams and Wolverine, Thunderbird and Nightcrawler take on giant robots and flailing Doc Ock-like arms. At the end of it all, Thunderbird picks a fight with "one eye" Cyclops, revealing his- shall we say- passionate temper. Both men release themselves from their fiery confrontation when Professor X sends them a psychic command to cease.

Meanwhile, at the Colorado mountain headquarters of NORAD (North American Air Defense Command,) aka Valhalla, Sgt. Joe Harris receives a strange package in the mail. Inside is a remote control box with a big red button that says "PRESS ME!" Presumably one who is well-trained to take orders, Sgt. Joe Harris presses the button. All of a sudden, a portal opens up and out pours the Ani-Men: Bird-Man, Frog-Man, Ape-Man, Cat-Man and Dragongly. They quickly subdue the Air Police guard of Valhalla, and turn control over to Count Nefaria, their fearsome leader who has just stepped out of the portal. The next step in Nefaria's diabolical plan is to release an anesthetic gas through the rest of the NORAD base, knocking out all remaining personnel in the facility.

Nefaria flashes back to the time when he assaulted Washington, but was defied by the X-Men (see X-Men #22-23) This time, his plan is much bigger- he's not going to take over a mere town, but a whole world, and he's going to use Valhalla to do it! This plan for world domination comes to the attention of the Beast, who forwards the mission on to the X-Men, saying the Avengers are too busy. In moments, the new X-Men are off, flying to the base in their SR-71 Blackbird. Cyclops reconnoiters with General Fredericks, who's on the ground with troops attempting to regain control of Valhalla. Though Gen. Fredericks declares his mistrust of the X-Men, he fills them in on the evildoers behind the takeover, as well as the prize they seek: the Doomsmith System- the ultimate weapons system that would give Nefaria total control over the entire missile arsenal of the US! The general also explains the system has been started, and once it begins counting down, it cannot be stopped. He also adds that the time limit is 52 minutes and counting!

Nefaria is observing the X-Men approaching, and he cackles in glee that he can face off against his greatest foes. He launches a volley of missiles at the Blackbird, which takes evasive maneuvers to avoid them, missing all but one, which clips a wing. The crew is forced to eject in an escape pod, which Nefaria is able to track down with Valhalla's sonic disruptors, evaporating the pod craft and leaving the X-Men falling from the sky to their death!!!

(continued in X-Men #95)

--synopsis and panel images by Gormuu

--letters pages provided by Avengers Assemble


Issues Reprinted
X-Men #94-100, Giant-Size X-Men #1

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 

GS XM #1

XM #94

XM #95

XM #96

XM #97

XM #98

XM #99

XM #100

 

All cover images are courtesy of the Silver Age Marvel Comics Cover Gallery.

Website design by Doug Roberts and John Thomas. All images on this site are copyright of Marvel Comics. This site is for reference purposes and promotion of the Masterworks line of books as well as Marvel Comics and their properties.


Reader Reviews and Commentary To contribute: Send to Gormuu!
Submit only with understanding your text may be edited by gormuu for
space, content and syntax/grammar considerations!