Mutant Massacre (1986 X-Men Crossover Event)

Before I start, I need to reiterate that I did not read these when they first came out.  I didn't read comics until about 4 years later.  So if I'm wrong about some of the landmarks, I apologize, but all I can give are my impressions looking back.  I'm also doing my best to write this review as a whole and I will look at each issue individually in separate blogs.

Mutant Massacre was the landmark event for the X-Men in 1986 and it was easily the biggest shakeup to hit the X-Men since Giant Sized #1.  It was also the first X-Men crossover (not counting Secret Wars II which was a stand-alone series with tie-in issues in several comics).  This was a monumental occurrence and required amazing collaboration between writers and the editors of the various books.  Unlike current cross-overs (or even ones from the late 80's) it is not necessarily linear between the books.  Many occur concurrently, making it difficult when placing it in reading order.

The first two books occur simultaneously.  Uncanny X-Men 210 and X-Factor 9 both begin building up the story and nothing much occurs in either.  They both hint at something horrible on the horizon, but rely on prose and shadows as nothing ever really comes out in the open.  The real action starts in:

Uncanny X-Men 211, X-Factor 10, and New Mutants 46.

Uncanny 211 and X-factor 10 both kick it up a notch, starting right off with the Massacre and quickly dragging in both teams.  Although neither team ever truly meets, both come extremely close, including Wolverine smelling Jean for the first time (he wasn't aware of her resurrection) and dragging Storm down before Cyclops' optic blast flies overhead.  Several Morlocks die, including Cybelle, Annalee and many of the teams are critically wounded, including Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Angel (who is impaled in one of the most iconic scenes EVER) and Beast.  These issues never let up and the action is intense all throughout, making these two issues some of the most intense issues I've ever read, even to this date.

Oh, and Apocalypse makes a guest appearance as he chooses the Morlock Plague as his first Horseman.

The New Mutants help with relief as the X-Men retreat to the mansion and they also deal with the wartime horror that they are simply not used to.  It is the reactions of these teenagers that makes that particular book worth reading, even if it does break continuity (in UXM 211, Illyana leaves with Nightcrawler and other Morlocks...in NM 46, she isn't even aware of any issues and the X-Men arrive through the tunnels, carrying Nightcrawler - but hey, this was Claremont's first crossover so he's allowed some leeway).

The massacre continues in...

Power Pack 27

Uncanny X-Men 212

Thor 374

Power Pack is easily the weak point of this crossover.  I still don't see how kids belong in the world of the Morlocks getting murdered.  but they show up anyways and somehow kick the crap out of the Marauders.  But they can't all be perfect.  Powerpack guest stars Wolverine and most of X-Factor (Angel is still hanging around...get it?).  Uncanny is one of the best issues of this crossover as we finally get to see Wolverine fight Sabretooth.  However, it is only a taste as they really get into it later.  And in Thor, we see the fate of Angel (I have never managed to snag Thor #373 which is actually the issue that brings Thor into this crossover).  Thor and Angel both save each other (Angel provides the necessary distraction in order for Thor to kill Blockbuster).  At the end, Thor cleans out the tunnels which is shown also in Uncanny 212 and X-Factor 11 as the entire Morlock tunnels are cleansed by lightning.  It's a decent issue.  I was never a big fan of Thor talking like he did back then (very old fashioned...or what passes for it in the Marvel U).  I especially enjoy this because I view every Angel issue as a lead up to Angel's transformation into the horseman, Death!

The massacre finally closes out in...

These are a bit more personal issues as the massacre is over and the two teams are now dealing with the fallout.  X-Factor has taken in several mutants, including some not too happy with their arraingements (such as Masque....that ugly mother ^&%*er who has been a pain in the ass since the Morlocks were introduced).  Ultimately, Cyclops is forced to kill a Morlock who is threatening several humans only because he is angry at the world.  X-Factor 11 isn't terribly exciting.  The real gem comes with Uncanny #213.  This is another fantastic issue and drawn by Alan Davis, who is one of my favorite all time x-artists.  This is an absolute must read and focuses on a new mutant (not to be confused with New Mutant) named Psylocke (pre-asian-ninja version).  She stalls Sabretooth long enough for Wolverine to get into the mix.  This issue is just amazing.  It has emotion, it has action, and it has some great development and results in Psylocke joining the X-Men.

So there you have it:  The Mutant Massacre.  This still remains one of my favorite crossovers ever.  Even when stacked up against Inferno, Age of Apocalypse, and Messiah Complex.  Granted, every issue isn't perfect (*cough*Power Pack!) but it's such a game changer.  After this series, the X-men lineup completely changes, the New Mutants are missing, lost in time and limbo, and X-Factor starts spiraling down as Angel begins his transformation into Death.  Even as early as this, you can see the seeds sown that will grow into Fall of the Mutants and that, to me, is what makes this crossover so great.