Way back when there was only one X-Men book…seriously just one!
There was an X-Factor (the original 5 X-Men reunited) and the New Mutants (with a just introduced Cable, future founder of the first X-Force) but only one X-Book and Chris Claremont was at the top of his game with a thrilling, socially relevant epic.
At my local comic book shop’s 38th Anniversary I picked up the X-Tinction Agenda hardcover (at 38% off thanks to Zanadu) and relived the exciting epic I haven’t read since the original issues first hit shelves.
Genosha was an island nation that considered mutants a national resource and not citizens. Mutants were slave labor that helped make the “green and pleasant land” of Genosha a modern, technological marvel among nations. Wolverine and a younger, inexperienced Rogue go into the country to rescue a friend kidnapped by Genosha’s armed forces. Logan and Rogue soon discover the horrible truth about Genosha and eventually the team (Storm, Havok, Dazzler, Colossus and a pre-ninja Psylocke) bring down the corrupt government.
The first part of the trade demonstrates Chris Claremont’s power to tell an action-packed morality tale. Genosha was clearly an allegory for slavery and South African apartheid. Mutants were called “genejokes” by the hate-mongering humans who relied on them to keep their “perfect” society working.
One of my favorite story threads of this arc was Carol Danvers. The former Ms. Marvel’s powers and psyche were trapped inside Rogue. When Logan and Rogue lose their powers, Carol takes over. The mutant with the power to possess is possessed and Carol’s military background and tactical training get them and Logan out of prison and on the road to discovering the secrets of Genosha.
The first act sets up Genosha and the country wants revenge on the X-Men. The second act finds the insane cyborg Cameron Hodge working with the Genoshan government to kidnap, trap and put the X-Men on trial. Cyclops vs. Havok, the metal-winged Archangel in a rematch with Hodge plus Cable, New Mutants and two generations of X-Men fighting for their lives against an entire nation’s mutant hating army.
Chris Claremont and Louise Simonson wrote a fast-paced crossover featuring an arsenal of future superstar artists including Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri and Rob Liefeld. As the X-Men’s 50th Anniversary draws closer why not enjoy this blast from the past: X-Tinction Agenda.
By Editor