The  X-Men
Giant Size #1, 94-100
The X-Men Giant-Size # 1: "Second Genesis!" 
Writer: Len Wein 
Penciller: Dave Cockrum 
Inker: Dave Cockrum
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Professor X assembles a new international team of X-Men, Banshee, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm,  Sunfire, Thunderbird, and Wolverine, for a deadly rescue mission. Cyclops explains that he was the only original X-Man that escaped from their first encounter with a strange new mutant menace. He leads the new team, fraught with personality conflicts, to the island of Krakoa. They split up and are attacked only to realized that the island itself is alive. Cyclops also learns that this mutant feeds on other mutants and he has led his new team of X-Men into a trap. However, they free the original X-Men and begin an assault on Krakoa. Professor X joins in and they keep the island busy long enough for Polaris to propel it into orbit.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm, and Thunderbird.
  • First and last appearance of Krakoa.
  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #1, X-Men Special Edition #1, and Marvel Milestone.
The X-Men # 94: "The Doomsmith Scenario!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont/Len Wein
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Dave Cockrum
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Sunfire quits the team, and Angel, Havok, Iceman, Marvel Girl, and Polaris also decide to leave. Cyclops stays behind because he knows his place with the X-Men and he may be the only person that can keep this new team together. His heavy heart, over Jean's departure, is quickly forgotten as he begins to put the new team through its paces in the Danger Room. Meanwhile, Count Nefaria and his Ani-Men seize control of a Norad Command Base and hold the world hostage. The X-Men are called in to deal with the situation.

Jay's Notes:

  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #2.
The X-Men # 95: "Warhunt" 
Writer: Chris Claremont/Len Wein
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Sam Grainger
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men recover from Nefaria's first attack and breach the mountain command base. However, they find the Ani-Men ready and waiting. The X-Men defeat the Ani-Men and discover that Nefaria has locked the base's weapon systems on self-destruct. Banshee and Thunderbird pursue an escaping Nefaria, and Thunderbird and Nefaria are killed in an explosion. The rest of the X-Men abandon the base as it self-destructs.

Jay's Notes:

  • Nefaria does survive however and resurfaces in Avengers #164.
  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #3.
The X-Men # 96: "Night of the Demon!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Sam Grainger/Jack Abel
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men are still shaken by Thunderbird's death, especially Cyclops, who as leader, feels responsible. He lashes out and inadvertently releases an ancient evil. Meanwhile, the rest of the team greet Moira MacTaggert, the new housekeeper. However, their introductions are cut short by a creature called Kierrok. They engage the demon in battle and defeat it, yet it reforms itself in a more powerful form. Professor X sends Storm to destroy the demon's portal into this world. She defeats her own personal demons and destroys the portal. In other events, Scott Lang is putting his plan into motion to revive the Sentinels project.

Jay's Notes:

  • Keirrok is a demon of the N'Garai order.
  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #4.
The X-Men # 97: "My Brother, My Enemy!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Sam Grainger
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Professor X is haunted by strange dreams of a deep-space war. The X-Men see Professor X off on his vacation, but they are attacked by Havok and Polaris under the control of Eric the Red. The X-Men keep them busy long enough for Professor X's plane to leave safely. Eric the Red escape with Havok and Polaris still under his control.

Jay's Notes:

  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #5.
The X-Men # 98: "The Sentinels Have Returned!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Sam Grainger
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men settle down to enjoy the Christmas season, but the Sentinels play the role of party crashers. The X-Men engage the Sentinels and drive them off. However, Jean, Banshee, and Wolverine are taken captive. Meanwhile, a Sentinel interrupts Professor X's vacation and captures him as well. The captured X-Men manage to escape, but they are trapped in an orbiting satellite.

Jay's Notes:

  • Cameos by Nick Fury and the Countessa, as well as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #6.
The X-Men # 99: "Deathstar, Rising!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Colossus, Cylops, Nightcrawler, and Storm, lead by Dr. Corbeau, blast into orbit and fight they way into the S.H.I.E.L.D. orbital platform that's holding their teammates. They destroy a squad of Sentinels and free Wolverine, Banshee, and Wolverine. However, their battle isn't over as they're attacked by the original X-Men and Professor X who claim that the new X-Men are imposters.

Jay's Notes:

  • Cameo by Geraldo Rivera.
  • Shadowy cameo of Black Tom.
  • First mention of Colossus' late brother Mikhail.
  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #7.
The X-Men # 100: "Greater Love Hath No X-Man ..." 
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Dave Cockrum/Sam Grainger
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The new X-Men versus the original X-Men. As it turns out, the original X-Men are actually  Sentinels designed to imitate their powers. The X-Men defeat these X-Sentinels and confront Steve Lang directly. They defeat him as well, but the orbital platform has sustained too much damage. The X-Men escape the exploding platform and make their way to Earth. Unfortunately, a deadly solar flare is on its way and Jean volunteers to pilot the shuttle down. The solar flare hits and the radiation pounds through Jean's telekinetic shields.

Jay's Notes:

  • Partially reprinted in Classic X-Men #8.
  • Lang apparently perishes, but no body is found.

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