Uncanny X-Men
# 171-180

July 1983
Uncanny X-Men # 171: "Rogue" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Walt Simonson
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Storm reasserts her control over the Morlocks and forbids them from interfering with the surface world. However, Storm grows concern about her shifting values, seeing that she was willing to kill Callisto. Later at the Mansion, Rogue comes to the X-Men and asks for help because she can't control her mutant absorption powers. Carol Danvers, who had her powers and memories robbed by Rogue, drops in and attacks Rogue. The X-Men stop their battle and Xavier pronounces that he'll help Rogue and that she will join the X-Men. After listening to the team's protests, Xavier reminds them of their responsibilities and they reluctantly agree to let her join.

August 1983
Uncanny X-Men # 172: "Scarlet in Glory" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Paul Smith
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating: JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men make their way to Japan to attend Wolverine's marriage to Mariko (see the Wolverine limited series for more information). Unfortunately, the Silver Samurai, the brother of of Mariko, wants her dead so that he can claim the Clan leadership. His partner, the Viper, poisons the X-Men and all but Wolverine, Storm, and Rogue fall deathly ill. Rogue and Wolverine set out to confront the Silver Samurai and the Viper.

Jay's Notes:

  • The editors have a bit of fun with the letter pages and have one of the X-Men come in each month to "answer" the mail. This issue features Kitty.

September 1983
Uncanny X-Men # 173: "To Have and Have Not" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Paul Smith
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Rogue and Wolverine face off against the Silver Samurai and the Viper. They prevent them from killing the X-Men and Mariko, but the villains escape. Meanwhile, Yukio teaches Storm an important lesson about life which completes the change in character that has been developing and displays a starling new look with leather and a mohawk. The wedding begins, but Mariko, under Mastermind's influence, stops the ceremony and announces that Wolverine is not worthy.
 

Jay's Notes:

  • This month's guest letter columnist is Colossus.

October 1983
Uncanny X-Men # 174: "Romances" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Paul Smith
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Binary joins the StarJammers as they prepare to leave the Earth's orbit. The X-Men actually enjoy a bit of down time, except for Wolverine who's still puzzled at Mariko's change of heart. Meanwhile, Cyclops gives Madelyne an engagement ring and finally builds up the nerve to ask her is she's the Phoenix reincarnated. Mastermind convinces him that she is!

Jay's Notes:

  • This is no letter column this moth.

November 1983
Uncanny X-Men # 175: "Phoenix"
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Paul Smith/John Romita Jr.
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Cyclops is dropped off at the mansion and warns his fellow X-Men that the Phoenix has returned. Professor X is taken out and the Phoenix rises from Cyclops' body and engages in a brief attack. The Phoenix lays waste to New York City. Cyclops. who has mysteriously regained his health, rejoins his team, but Mastermind's illusions make him look like the Phoenix. Cyclops manages to keep his teammates at bay long enough to figure out that Mastermind is behind this and draws him out. They capture him and rescue Madelyne. With all that excitement out of the way, Scott and Madelyne's wedding finally takes place.

Jay's Notes:

  • While this is a great story, I found the illusion bit go too far. How was Rogue grand slammed out of the mansion?
  • This month's guest letter columnist is Professor X.

December 1983
Uncanny X-Men # 176: "Decisions" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
While on their honeymoon flight, Scott and Madelyne's plane suffers a power shortage and are forced down with a nasty storm bearing down on them. They manage to repair the plane but have to fend off a nasty octopus before getting back on their way. Meanwhile, Wolverine confronts Mariko who has been manipulated by Mastermind. She has done wrongs while under Mastermind's influence and must repair them before she is worthy of Wolverine. Deep in the NYC underground, Callisto plots against Storm.

January 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 177: "Sanction" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: John Romita Sr.
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Mystique has an intensive workout with Arcade's X-Men robots and has to deal with her emotions for Rogue and her strange connection with Nightcrawler. Kitty still can't get over Storm's new image. The Starjammers and Lilandra leave Earth. A rare night out for the X-Men is spoiled by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants who cause Colossus devastating damage.

February 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 178: "Hell Hath No Fury ..." 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Bob Wiacek/Brett Breedings 
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Storm and Wolverine join Nightcrawler and Amanda Sefton against the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Their attack, however, is a distraction as Mystique tries to kill Xavier. Before she kills him, Rogue confronts her and convinces her that her decision to join the X-Men was hers and hers alone. Meanwhile, Kitty has apparently fallen from the top of the Baxter Building, where she sought a device to help Colossus, to her death.

March 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 179: "What Happened to Kitty?" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Morlocks have kidnapped Kitty and staged her death. She's reminded of her vow to Caliban and finds herself amid her wedding ceremony. The X-Men interrupt the ceremony and attack Callisto and the Morlocks. Kitty brings an end to the battle. Rogue and the Healer restore Colossus to health. Kitty returns with the Morlocks to fulfill her obligation. Caliban, seeing that Kitty doesn't really love him, frees her from her oath.

April 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 180: "Whose Life is it, Anyway?" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green/Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Xavier continues to be the victim of an unknown alien psychic attack. Storm talks with Xavier about her recent change of style and attitude. She then confronts Kitty and explains that her recent changes are due to her new role as leader of the X-Men. Kitty heads off to the Massachusetts Academy with Doug Ramsey (see New Mutants #15). The X-Men investigate the source of Xavier's strange psychic attacks and are swept up by the Beyonder's gateway.

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