The Uncanny X-Men
# 181-190

May 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 181: "" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating: JJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men return to Earth after the Secret Wars, but their transportation beam sets them down in Japan rather than New York. This disruption was due to Lockheed's lady dragon friend who has dramatically increased in size and of course starts a rampage in Japan. The X-Men rush to help those caught in the dragon's destructive path. Lockheed confronts his lady friend and tells her he's not interested. She flies off with him and then disappears.

June 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 182: "Madness" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Rogue completes her transatlantic flight and checks up on Kitty and the New Mutants at the Mansion. However, before she learns anything, she's sidetracked when she learns that Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers)'s former lover, Michael Rossi is in trouble. Ms. Marvel's persona becomes dominant and she rescues Rossi from two S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltrators working for the Hellfire Club. She nurses Rossi back to health believing herself to be Carol Danvers. Rossi confronts her and when he learns the truth he walks out on her in disgust. 

July 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 183: "He'll Never Make Me Cry" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Peter tells Kitty that while he was away on the Beyonder's planet during the Secret Wars he fell in love with a young woman who gave her life for him, and that their relationship is basically over. Wolverine and Nightcrawler take Peter out for a night on the town. Wolverine is harsh with Peter telling him that he's too busy feeling sorry for himself to realize the pain he's caused Kitty
especially since he's in the wrong. He still thinks Peter needs some 'symbolic' punishment and detects the Juggernaut at the bar. Wolverine picks a fight with Peter and sets him up against the Juggernaut. Colossus engages the Juggernaut and is eventually defeated. Juggy leaves peacefully and Wolverine and Nightcrawler take their friend home.

August 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 184: "The Past ... of Future Days" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Raven (Mystique) Darkholme and Valerie Cooper meet up with the techno-wizard Forge, who has designed a super-being neutralizer. Meanwhile, a confused and disorientated Rachel Summers wanders around New York City. She's taken in by a nightclub owner who unfortunately fall prey to Selene. Rachel does her best against Selene until Xavier and the X-Men show up and force Selene to flee.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Forge.

September 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 185: "Public Enemy" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Gyrich seizes Forge's neutralizer as part of a presidential directive and leads his agents on a manhunt for Rogue. Rogue is enjoying some down time and recovering from her mental laps in issue #182. Storm checks in on her and to show her trust in Rogue lets her absorb her weather powers and memories. Rogue explores Storm's powers and accidentally loses control of a storm. Storm regains her powers and dissipates the storm. Gyrich and his agents show up and uses this opportunity to shoot first and ask questions later. Storm ends up being hit with the neutralizer instead of Rogue. 

October 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 186: "Lifedeath" 
Writer: Chris Claremont/Barry Windsor Smith 
Penciler:Barry Windsor Smith
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Forge nurses Storm back to health after last issue's devastating events which stripped her of her powers, and he tries to reinforce her will to live. Storm finds it difficult to adjust to an environment which she no longer has control of and who intimate relationship and ties have been shattered. She draws on Forge's strength and his experience recovering from serious wounds he sustained in the Vietnam war.

November 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 187: "Wraithkill!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Storm doesn't get too far from Forge's building before she's attacked by Dire Wraiths bent on making sure that Forge doesn't create any more neutralizers which would pose a threat to their plans of conquest. Naze, Forge's closest friend, rescues her and together they reach Forge while his building defends itself from the Wraiths. The X-Men finally show up and join in the battle that continues into the next issue.

December 1984
Uncanny X-Men # 188: "Legacy of the Lost" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker:
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Naze is killed by a Wraith who assumes his form and pleads to a mysterious extra dimensional entity for help in their battle against Forge and the X-Men. This entity, however, has his own plans and seizes control of the Naze Wraith. . Meanwhile, Amanda Sefton and Illyana combine their magical powers to defeat the Wraiths. In the aftermath of their battle, the X-Men discuss the ramifications of an apparent vendetta against mutants by the US government on Xavier's dream. Rachel overhears that her mother in this reality is dead and freaks out. Once she's calmed down, she reveals her true identity as the daughter of Scott Summers and Jean Grey from an alternate future. In light of this horrible future, the team is brought closer together in hopes of preventing this future from ever coming about. 

Jay's Notes:

  • The Naze subplot is actually tied-up over two years later in an event called the Fall of the Mutants.

January 1985
Uncanny X-Men # 189: "Two Girls Out to Have Fun!"  
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Steve Leialoha
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Storm decides to takes a leave of abscence and wants to return to her native Africa. Meanwhile, Rachel spends some time with Amara (Magma of the New Mutants). They come across Selene and realize that they have share a common enemy. They infiltrate the Hellfire Club, but are captured rather easily by Selene. Selene pits Amara and Rachel against each other, but the X-Men storm the Hellfire Club and rescue them.

Jay's Comments:

  • Selene becomes the new Black Queen of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.

February 1985
Uncanny X-Men # 190: "An Age Undreamed of " 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: John Romita Jr. 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating: JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Kulan Gath, recently revived, has cast of spell that has plunged Manhattan into an age of Sword and Sorcery. Gath has Professor X and Dr. Strange as captives and has enslaved the Morlocks as his soldiers. Callisto attempts to arrest Storm, but their battle takes them beyond the range of Gath's spell and they return to normal. Gath dispatches the New Mutants to hunt down Spider-Man and after a brief run-in with the transformed Avengers, they capture Spider-Man. Selene helps Storm and Callisto return, but with their memories partially intact. Selene is captured by Gath.

Avengers Roll Call:
Captain America, Starfox, and Wasp.

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