New Mutants #60 (Fall of the Mutants)

New Mutants #60 (February 1988)
Rating:  ★★★★★★★
Suspended Ani-Mation
Writer:  Louise Simonson
Artist:  Bret Blevins
Inker:  Terry Austin

This issue was a bit more enjoyable than the last, mostly because the big bad isn't a bunch of some animals.  Still, the Ani-Mator still plays a part in here and that, along with Blevins' art, keeps this from being a great issue, instead of just a good one.  Still, we really find out just how low level The Ani-Mator is in his organization as he cowers behind Cameron Hodge (Warren Worthington's best friend who turned out to be the leader of a paramilitary anti-mutant militia, the Right).

Apparently, the mutants forgot that Illyana's sword would be useless here.

Still, the first half of the issue is all about the mutated animals and the Ani-Mator and they remind us that they really are a horribly thought out villain.  Also, Simonson demonstrates that she didn't really seem to care about anything Claremont had already put out there.  The scene above mentions the mutants contemplating getting Illyana's soul sword from Limbo, however they should already be well aware that her sword is only effective against magical creatures.  It would be completely ineffective against these creatures.

The mutants are gunned down by The Right

Cameron Hodge and the appearance of the "Smiley Faces" really ups the tempo.  They show up and it's then when you know that shit's for real.  Cameron Hodge wasn't necessarily a well thought out and complex villain, but I loved him nonetheless.  And his soldiers, with those creepy smiles, were just terrifying.  They bring the true threat of this issue.  They easily take down the mutants with tranquilizer darts.  Now luckily, Bird Brain rallies the remaining mutated animals and they stage a revolt against their masters (who have begun to murder the animals).  Of course, this still comes across as rediculous, but then we get a totally hectic battle, made even moreso when Sunspot and Warlock show up.  Don't even get me started on how they find their team who is on a remote island somewhere in the Pacific ocean.  When Bird Brain led the mutants there, he did so only through his own memory, and yet Sunspot and Warlock find their way through maps left behind?  In the entire ocean?  I guess some things just must be accepted, but this is just silly.

Cypher saves Wolfbane's life - at the cost of his own

During this battle, Cypher notices the Ani-Mator pointing a gun at Wolfsbane who is tussling with a Smiley-Face.  Cypher knocks her out of the way and takes the shot meant for her.  It's poetic in a way because they have been toying around with romance for some time now.  He dies the next panel.

Okay, so here's the thing.  The scene of him collapsing is just heartbreaking.  Reading it now I still get upset.  For one, remember that he's only 15 or 16.  He's a child.  Second, I actually liked Cypher.  I felt that his struggle against being useful versus his lack of physical powers and training made for some great conflict.  I'm also mad about why Louise Simonson killed him off.  She didn't do it to shake up the mutants or because it was planned over years and this was just his time to go.  She did it because he was boring to write.  Seriously.  She said that in an interview.  That is just lazy writing and a disservice to those who've come before her.  Still, I thought his death was handled well, especially in the next panel.

Rahne finding Doug's body was just shocking.  I mean, keep in mind that These are all kids.  The only one who might have been of age was Cannonball, but even he was about 17.  These kids had been through amazing adventures and yet they had never really encountered death like this.  Rahne completely lost control.  Warlock, who didn't understand the concept, even, spoke to him, unable to understand why he couldn't share in the rejoicing.  I really do have to hand it to Simonson.  Her stories may not have been the greatest, but she truly understood children and teens and how they should react to these very adult ideas.