January 2, 2021: Secret Invasion, X-Men, and Excalibur

X-Men Annual 1 by Fabian Nicieza and many artists (1992) We’re finally delving into Longshot’s backstory. I hope we get to see some character development for Shatterstar in the X-Force issue. This issue is somewhat boring, but it’s not bad. Annuals usually aren’t the best, and this is way better than the 1991 story. Grade:

December 30, 2020: Secret Invasion, Excalibur, and Sandman

Excalibur: Air Apparent by Scott Lobdell and many artists (1991) This seemed weirdly rushed for a special edition that reasonably could be placed anywhere in Excalibur mythos. The team splits up and each does their own thing rather quickly. It’s boring. Grade: B- New Avengers Vol. 1 #45 by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung

December 29, 2020: Secret Invasion, Wolverine, and X of Swords

Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure by Walt Simonson and Mike Mignola (1990) This is a very weird issue, but the art is great. There kept being plot twists that didn’t really do anything but were still fun. Grade: B Secret Invasion Vol. 1 #6 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Yu (2008) Nothing really happened this

December 28, 2020: Secret Invasion, Excalibur, and Juggernaut

Excalibur Vol. 1 #50 by Alan Davis (1992) The final fight is a satisfying conclusion to the Necrom storyline. Rachel comes out of it in a coma, though. I hope she isn’t sidelined in the upcoming arcs. Kitty has gotten ignored recently by Davis. Let’s see her in the driving seat soon. Grade: A Mighty

December 26, 2020: Secret Invasion, Excalibur, and Sandman

Excalibur Vol. 1 #48 by Alan Davis (1992) This issue isn’t as interesting as the rest of Davis’s run to this point, but that’s largely because it is serving as a setup issue for what’s upcoming. Having Kitty back is great, though. Grade: A- Secret Invasion Vol. 1 #4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil

December 25, 2020: Secret Invasion, X-Force, and Sandman

X-Force Vol. 1 #10 by Rob Liefeld, Fabian Nicieza, and Mark Pacella (1992) Interesting idea to have the two stories run parallel to each other on the page. I’m not sure if it completely worked, but I didn’t hate it. This issue reveals that Sam is an external, Strife really is (kinda) Cable, and Domino

December 23, 2020: Mighty Avengers, X-Force, and Storm

X-Force Vol. 1 #8 by Rob Liefeld, Fabian Nicieza, and Mike Mignola (1992) While not great, this is the best issue of X-Force thus far, just because meaningful plot happens. Grade: B+ Mighty Avengers Vol. 1 #13-14 by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, and Khoi Pham (2008) I’m really liking the Mighty/New Avengers tie-ins, more-so

December 21, 2020: Secret Invasion, X-Men, and Hellions

X-Men Vol. 2 #8 by Jim Lee and Scott Lobdell (1992) I like the amount of cross-over with Uncanny is in this issue. It was weird that they were living in the same house and would almost never mention each other. Rogue and Gambit are really starting to be an item. Bishop is more of

December 19, 2020: Mighty Avengers, Secret Invasion, Uncanny X-Men, and Sandman

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #289 by Scott Lobdell and Whilce Portacio (1992) Issues like this — favoring character dynamics over chaotic fights — are nearly always the best issues of X-Men. I don’t think this is anyone’s favorite issue, but it’s certainly better than most of what the series was putting out in 1992. I

December 18, 2020: Mighty Avengers, Uncanny X-Men, and Sandman

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #288 by John Byrne, Scott Lobdell, Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, and Andy Kubert (1992) There are FOUR writers credited on this, as well as a plethora of inkers. I can’t imagine how rushed and last-minute the issue was. The possibly explains why the cover does not exactly portray the interior of