The Uncanny X-Men
# 221-230

September 1987
The Uncanny X-Men # 221: "Death by Drowning!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Mr. Sinister gives the Marauders another change to kill Madelyne Summers who's recovering in a San Francisco hospital from their first attack. Fortunately, the X-Men learn of her condition and prevent the Marauders from finishing the job. Meanwhile, Storm and Naze begin their spirit quest to find Forge, although Naze is not who he appears to be.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Mr. Sinister.

October 1987
The Uncanny X-Men # 222: "Heartbreak!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men continue their battle against the Marauders and they learn, much to their dismay, that Malice has possessed Polaris. The X-Men secure Madelyne's safety and force the Marauders to withdraw. Meanwhile, Storm and Forge are attacked by Eye Killers, but are up to the challenge.

November 1987
The Uncanny X-Men # 223: "Omens and Portents" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Kerry Gammill
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
The Crimson Commando, Stonewall, and Super Sabre have their prison sentences commuted to the service of Freedom Force. Destiny is overwhelmed by a powerful vision of the X-Men's death. The X-Men are busy working out under Wolverine's leadership. Havok and Madelyne find a bit of friendly comfort in each other. Meanwhile, Naze continues to train Storm to prepare her for the confrontation with Forge.

December 1987
The Uncanny X-Men # 224: "The Dark Before the Dawn" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Mystique approaches Rogue and asks her to abandon her teammate, but she decides to stand among them. Rogue brief the rest of the X-Men, and they prepare to face the upcoming threat. Meanwhile, Storm leaves Naze behind and continues on her journey alone. She battles through hordes of demons to confront Forge. She doesn't hesitate and apparently mortally wounds him. Unfortunately, Storm learns that she's been tricked and that Forge was hoping to close a demon gateway.

January 1988
The Uncanny X-Men # 225: "False Dawn!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Colossus, who is still recovering from his injuries, is drawn into the cosmic battle between the Trickster (in Naze's form) and Roma the guardian of our reality. The X-Men make their way to Dallas where they're confronted by the Freedom Force. Colossus rejoins his teammate in time to join the fight. Their battle is interrupted by a huge, gaping hole that opens in the night sky. Meanwhile, in another dimension, Storm nurses Forge back to health. 

Jay's Notes:

  • The Fall of the Mutants Part One.

February 1988
The Uncanny X-Men # 226: "Go Tell the Spartans" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
As reality around the becomes undone, the X-Men and the Freedom Force call a truce and do their best to help the people caught in this dimensional disruption. Meanwhile, in another dimension where the Trickster placed them, Storm and Forge rediscover their love for each other. Forge helps Storm regain her weather powers and together they return to Earth to confront the Trickster. 

Jay's Notes:

  • The Fall of the Mutants Part Two.
  • Double-sized issue.

March 1988
The Uncanny X-Men # 227: "The Belly of the Beast!" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The X-Men mount an attack against the Trickster and temporarily overwhelm him. Unfortunately, the portal conjured up to banish the Trickster isn't powerful enough. Forge taps into the X-Men's life forces to complete a spell that permanently banishes the Trickster at the cost of the X-Men's lives. However, Roma the guardian of reality restores them to life because the Trickster is a necessary part of life and he can't be permanently banished. The general public believes the X-Men dead and the X-Men take this opportunity to take a low profile and will be able to act without worrying about protecting their loved ones. 

Jay's Notes:

  • The Fall of the Mutants Part Three.

April 1988
The Uncanny X-Men # 228: "Deadly Games!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco/Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Rick Leonardi
Inker: Terry Austin
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2
Synopsis:
O.Z. Chase, a friend of Dazzler, mourns her loss and recalls when she and Wolverine came to his rescue. They freed him from a corrupt Miami police station and tracked down the true culprit. The true culprit was a russian mutant assassin and finally met his match and his just desserts. 

May 1988
The Uncanny X-Men # 229: "Down Under" 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Dan Green
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
The Reavers, a squad of mercenaries who are half-machine, half-human, rampage and loot around the world from to their base of operations in the Australian outback teleported by the mysterious mutant called Gateway. However, Roma the guardian of reality puts the X-Men on their trail and they stop the Reavers. She also gives them a mystical device called the Siege Perilous which judges the life you've lived and gives you a second change. 

June 1988
The Uncanny X-Men # 230: "'Twas the night ..." 
Writer: Chris Claremont 
Penciler: Marc Silvestri 
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
The X-Men settle into the Reavers' base of operations. Longshot discovers the Reavers' treasure hoard and it overwhelms his psychometry (ability to receive images from touching items). He convinces the rest of the X-Men to return all the items in the treasure hoard to their respective owners. And thanks to the teleportation abilities of Gateway, they're able to do just that.
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