Tag: Xi'an

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #22 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #22 (1995)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Issue #21 had a wild story as it reflected the impact of Doom 2099 who took over as President of the United States. Not only did Doom appear (which easily reminded readers about the Fall of the Hammer storyline and the few X-Men members who got involved) in Las Vegas, Halloween Jack was on the verge of causing tremendous chaos on the city and many innocent people within. Quite notably, the series started its movement of gradually getting the futuristic X-Men together again.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #22, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Comic book cover featuring the title 'X-Men 2099' with the subtitle 'Xi'an Joins the Theatre of Pain'. The central character holds a skull-like object, surrounded by fiery background and several other characters engaged in action.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins at the Sangre de Cristo mountains in New Mexico where a government helicopter arrives. Morphine Somers and an armored member of S.H.IE.L.D. appear to inspect the ruins. No lifeforms dead or alive were detected.

Meanwhile at a very dark location lighted by flames, former X-Men leader Xi’an meets with Brimstone Love and his trusted companions Charon and Felicity. The demonic leader of the Theater of Pain tells Xi’an that once he is initiated into the exquisite mysteries and dark truths of their group, he will emerge transformed. The Theater of Pain operates by providing twisted entertainment for an audience of the world’s rich and jaded, and by manipulating their deepest, most decadent fantasies which puts them under control.

Xi’an, who reverted back to his sinister self and abandoned the principles he held as leader of the X-Men, arrogantly tells Brimstone Love that he brought the Chosen and Master Zhao to him without being told what would happen to them. After being told that he must surrender his pride to become part of the Theater of Pain, Xi’an turns his back on the leader and begins to walk away expressing rejection. Brimstone Love suddenly tells him no one leaves the theater and teleports him…

Quality

A comic book panel featuring four characters engaged in conversation, with a focus on a muscular man speaking and a woman with cybernetic features listening intently. The background includes a futuristic environment with technology and containers.
An important meeting between Shakti and Haiku is about to start.

If you have been craving for a powerful tale about Xi’an in the X-Men 2099 monthly series, this is the one to read. This comic book mostly follows Xi’an who at this stage had left the X-Men behind and started his participation with the Theater of Pain. As it turns out, his actual initiation to become a true member of the Theater of Pain really started in this tale and his new superior Brimstone Love is absolutely evil, exploitative and manipulative. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that Xi’an here was portrayed to be very vulnerable and truly disadvantaged as the initiation happens in three different scenarios which instantly reconnects with the painful stages of his past. That said, Xi’an perception of what had happened and how he related with personalities he encountered before truly gets tested. The same goes with his endurance as well as his handling of emotions and trauma. I can also say that the conclusion of Xi’an tale here is absolutely powerful and meaningful to see.

A scene set in a post-apocalyptic environment, showcasing a group of anxious individuals waiting in line at a facility called Floodgate Bio Resource Processing Center, surrounded by ominous flames and armed figures.
Imagine this as the future of woke California.

While Krystalin and Meanstreak are completely absent in this comic book, you will see Shakti, Skullfire and Luna who are still exerting efforts to figure out how to track down the Theater of Pain and save their former leader. Having served as the second-in-command to their leader when the X-Men was still intact, Shakti seeks a meeting with someone who was personally involved with Xi’an. At this stage in the series, Shakti and Skullfire are both focused on finding Xi’an believing that he can be recovered. This adds more to the tension leading towards the events of issue #25.

Conclusion

A comic book page featuring characters in a dramatic conversation about control, manipulation, and ambition, with fiery elements and colorful illustrations.
Symbolically, Xi’an looks like he is already in Hell in the presence of the demonic Brimstone Love of the Theater of Pain.

I really like X-Men 2099 #22 (1995). The struggle of Xi’an is the very meat of the comic book as the Moore-Lim duo set the stage for the reuniting of the X-Men and the major conflict that awaits them all in the 25th issue. Xi’an’s tale here is absolutely compelling to read and there will be moments when you will feel sympathy or confusion as his struggle with the initiation goes on. Symbolically, the mental and personality torture on the former X-Men leader strikes hard on the essence of the futuristic X-Men itself. You might end up speculating Xi’an might have been delusional on following the steps of Charles Xavier and Magneto to lead mutants in 2099’s America. This comic book could make you think deeply how far the futuristic X-Men could exist without their former leader. As such, this issue should inspire you to revisit the first three issues of the series.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #22 (1995) is recommended.

+++++

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A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #7 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #7 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, fans of the 2099 universe of Marvel Comics, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the X-Men 2099 comic book series by focusing on the seventh issue. If there is anything that makes the series of Marvel’s futuristic mutants distinct from other Marvel 2099 monthly series, it is the fact that it shows more of wasteland of America which easily reminds me of the Mad Max movies.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #7, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the middle of an abandoned town with the X-Men in battle with the Freakshow. Xi’an fights their leader Breakdown while his teammates struggle with the other members of the Freakshow. Already infected by one of the Freakshow members, Eddie is suffering severe pain even in his metallic form.

The fight suddenly ends when an old lady fires a blast with her rifle. It turns out she is Breakdown’s superior and she is precisely whom the X-Men have been searching for…

Quality

In the heat of battle.

As one of the early stories showing the X-Men of 2099 exploring the American wasteland, this is a well-written piece of work by John Francis Moore which is expected. While it has the usual superhero elements of spectacle and special moves, discovery and exposition are easily the most obvious elements of the story. What I like most about this comic book is that it reveals more of the history about the mutants’ struggle to survive not only with the harshness of the wilderness but also with dealing with rejection from the people who are not mutants (which symbolizes prejudice). This also reveals that the mutants are still searching for a fabled place called Avalon which could be a better destination for all mutants to live in.

As the narrative about the past gets emphasized, the creative team added some elements of emotion and concern on the X-Men visually. This makes a lot of sense since the mutants are clearly searching for purpose and trying to make the most out of their current situation in the hope of having a brighter future. This is similar to the original X-Men and yet X-Men 2099 has its distinct style and concept about mutant survival.

Conclusion

At an abandoned old town that has government secret facilities.

X-Men 2099 #7 (1994) is indeed a good comic book to read. As the X-Men of the far future encounter more people in the wasteland, the discoveries they get impacts them and their efforts to survive. As discovery and exposition are strong elements in the story, the comic book is definitely not your typical good-versus-evil superhero story. The strong writing by John Francis Moore and his approach on expanding the world of 2099 America to the readers really made this comic book a solid read.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of X-Men 2099 #7 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $30 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $90.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #7 (1994) is recommended!

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #5 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #5 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, comic book collectors, 1990s culture enthusiasts and fans of Marvel Comics! This is the continuation of a look back at the Marvel 2099 crossover storyline The Fall of The Hammer which started in Spider-Man 2099 #16 followed next in Ravage 2099 #15. The 3rd chapter of the said crossover filled the fifth issue of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.

For the newcomers reading this, a few of the X-Men of the far future were officially involved in this 5-part crossover storyline that was meant to celebrate the Marvel 2099 franchise back in the 1990s. This was the reason why Skullfire, Meanstreak, Krystalin and Bloodhawk were separated from their team leader Xi’an and the remaining teammates. Last time around, three of the mentioned X-Men got involved with Ravage and eventually reached the floating city of Valhalla together only to get separated.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #5, published in 1993 (cover dated 1994) by Marvel Comics with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in New York City where a vehicle moves at high speed until it hits a wall and stops. Out comes Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire who moves away and spots Valhalla above him. In the floating city, Krystalin, Meanstreak and Bloodhawk are in confrontation with a powerful enemy called Heimdall who tells them to bow to him and swear allegiance.

Bloodhawk attacks Heimdall only to get pushed back. Krystalin fires crystal bits at him but to no success. Thinking that he’s too fast for Heimdall, Meanstreak tries a sneak attack from the side only to be hit hard, lose control and crashes to a wall. As the X-Men’s fastest member is down, a shadowy figure approaches him nearby…

Quality

This quick flashback explains how the four X-Men 2099 members went to New York.

As an X-Men 2099 tale, this one felt like a catch-up for Skullfire who was absent in the first two parts of The Fall of the Hammer storyline even though it was confirmed in X-Men 2099 #4 that he joined his teammates and help Meanstreak find his friend Jordan. That being said, there is a good amount of scenes focused on Skullfire as he makes his way up to Valhalla. There is also a quick flashback showing that indeed he was with his teammates as they arrived in New York only to get separated (which explains why only Krystalin, Bloodhawk and Meanstreak approached Ravage). More importantly, the flashback also contains additional details that explain what the X-Men discovered before arriving at Valhalla and why they decided to approach Ravage.

As the 3rd chapter of The Fall of The Hammer storyline, this comic book barely moved the present-day narrative forward mainly due to having to use a few but precious pages to tell the short flashback to explain the X-Men’s involvement. Still, key revelations related to what happened behind-the-scenes added a lot of depth to the narrative and this properly sets the stage of for the remaining chapters. The 2099 major figures like Spider-Man, Punisher, Doom and Ravage all appeared here but very sparsely.    

Conclusion

Ravage 2099 helps Krystalin.

X-Men 2099 #5 (1994) pushed the narrative of the crossover a few notches forward but the revelations written saved it from being a throw-away story. For fans of X-Men 2099, there is a lot to like here and Skullfire’s late entry into the crossover will delight them. The writing was good enough and by the end of the story, the explanations were satisfying and the ending suggested that the stakes would be raised for the final two chapters of the crossover. Those who missed the presence of Thor 2099 should be happy to see him here, even though it was clear that he was being conserved for the last two chapters.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of X-Men 2099 #5 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $6 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $18.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #5 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com