Uncanny X-Men
# 131-140

March 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 131: "Run for Your Life!"   
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating: JJJJ1/2
Synopsis: 
The X-Men rescue Kitty from the Hellfire Club's agents. They then infiltrate Frost Enterprise to rescue their teammates. They free their teammates and the White Queen faces off against the Phoenix. The rest of the team takes care of the remaining Hellfire Club agents. The Phoenix defeats the White Queen and the X-Men return Kitty to her parents. Scott & Ororo notice the dramatic change in Jean's character especially when she alters the minds of Kitty's parents.

April 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 132: "And Hellfire Is Their Name!"   
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis: 
Warren (Angel) Worthington III gets the X-Men an invitation under false names to a gala event held by the Hellfire Club. Unfortunately, the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle, Sebastian Shaw, Harry Leland, Donald Pierce and Jason Wyngarde are waiting for them. Wyngarde is revealed to be Mastermind and he asserts full control over Jean as the Black Queen. Shaw takes out Colossus and Storm, while Leland and Pierce capture Nightcrawler and leave Wolverine for dead.

May 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 133: "Wolverine: Alone!"  
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis: 
Wolverine claws back from the "dead" and battles through the Hellfire Club's agents. Shaw spends some time gloating over the Inner Circle's success and Mastermind enjoys using "his" Black Queen. Scott attempts to reach Jean through their psychic bond, but Mastermind is waiting for him. They battle in the astral plane and Mastermind seems to kill Scott.

June 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 134: "Too Late, the Heroes!"   
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin 
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis: 
Cyclops survives the "death" of his astral form, but the shock is enough to losen Mastermind's control on Phoenix. Wolverine finally reaches them and helps free the X-Men. They quickly turn the tables and take down the Inner Circle. Phoenix confronts Mastermind and ravages his mind. The X-Men leave before the police arrive, but they're immediately forced to confront another threat ... the Dark Phoenix! 

Jay's Notes: 

  • Cameo by the Beast.

July 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 135: "Dark Phoenix"  
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis: 
A malicious evil Phoenix attacks her own teammates using her unlimited powers that also seem to be feeding her madness. The X-Men barely survive the encounter. Meanwhile, Sebastian Shaw, after the Hellfire Club incident, gains the attention of Senator Kelly and suggests a permanent solution to the mutant menace: the Sentinels. The Phoenix, under her own power, opens a stargate and travels to another galaxy where her hunger drives her to consume a star. Unfortunately, a planet orbiting the star had over five billion inhabitants and all are destroyed. A Shi'ar Imperial battle cruiser engages the Phoenix and is also destroyed.  

Jay's Notes: 

  • Cameo by the Beast, Empress Lilandra.

August 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 136: "Child of Light And Darkness"  
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis: 
The Dark Phoenix returns to Earth and the X-Men are ready for her. She quickly demonstrates how powerful she is and defeats them. Scott confronts her and appeals to her human side, but his attempt is overridden by Xavier who attacks her mind. Xavier and Jean manage to defeat the Dark Phoenix and put mental blocks in place. Before they're able to relax, they are mysteriously whisked away.

September 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 137: "The Fate of the Phoenix!"  
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ+
Synopsis: 
The X-Men are transported to a Shi'ar imperial starship in orbit around Earth. Lilandra, the Shi'ar empress demands that Jean be put to death to rid the universe of the Dark Phoenix. Xavier counters with a challenge and invokes a ritual duel of honour for Jean's life: the X-men versus the Imperial Guard. The battle takes place on the Blue Area of the moon. The X-Men fight valiently, but they fall one-by-one before the Imperial guard. Unfortunately, the Dark Phoenix overrides Xavier's mental blocks and attacks. Jean momentarily regains control and takes her own life.

October 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 138: "Elegy"  
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis: 
The X-Men lay Jean Grey to rest. Scott goes through X-Men history from the first moment he met Jean through their amazing adventures and romance, and finally to her death. 

Jay's Notes: 

  • A great reference for new readers.
  • Cyclops takes a leave of absence from the team.
  • Kitty shows up on the X-Men's doorstep.

November 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 139: "... Something Wicked This Way Comes!"   
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis: 
Angel, who's been out of practice, has a rough time adjusting to the new X-Men and their teamwork. Wolverine heads up to Canada with Nightcrawler in hopes of patching things up with the Canadian government. Kitty meets up with her new dance instructor Stevie Hunter. Meanwhile, Vindicator, Shaman, and Snowbird are up in the Canadian north  hunting for the monster known as the Wendigo. Wolverine and Nightcrawler hook up with them and avoid a confrontation. Wolverine retells his first mission (Hulk #180-181) where he first encountered the Wendigo. 

Jay's Notes: 

  • Kitty adopts "Sprite" as her code name.
  • Introduces Stevie Hunter.
  • New costume for Wolverine.
  • Wolverine's name is revealed to be Logan.
  • Nice interplay between Nightcrawler and Logan as their friendship develops.

December 1980
Uncanny X-Men # 140: "Rage!"   
Writer: Chris Claremont/John Byrne 
Penciler: John Byrne 
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis: 
Rather than having to hunt for the Wendigo, the creature comes to them. Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Vindicator, Shaman, and Snowbird manage to drive off Wendigo and then regroup and set off after it. They catch up with the monster and take it down thanks to Snowbird. Snowbird, however, has been overcome by her primal form but, Wolverine is able to coax her back to her human form. Shaman dispels the Wendigo curse. Vindicator ensures Wolverine that his resignation from Alpha Flight will be processed. Unfortunately for Vindicator, the Prime Minister has shut down Alpha Flight due to budget constraints. 

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