May 4 – X-Factor, Osborn, and Excalibur

X-Factor Vol. 1 #98 by J.M. DeMatteis and Greg Luzniak (1994) DeMatteis is writing almost every character in engaging ways, but literally everything that is happening with Rahne is making me hate his run to this point. Grade: B- Osborn Vol. 1 #1-2 by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios (2011) All set-up so far,

Apr. 27 – Excalibur, Fantastic Four, and X-Force

Excalibur Vol. 1 #72 by Richard Ashford and Ken Lashley (1993) I really did not enjoy the Lobdell issues that came after the Davis run. Richard Ashford takes it up a notch, with maybe the worst writing on the series so far. Every character has no nuance. Every page is littered with redundant thought balloons.

Apr. 26 – Sabretooth: Death Hunt, Fantastic Four, and Cable

Sabretooth Vol. 1 #4 by Larry Hama and Mark Texeira (1993) I came out of this series with much less understanding of the Creed lineage than before. The artwork saves it from being boring. Grade: B+ FF Vol. 1 #16 / Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #605 by Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta, Steve Epting, and Ron

Apr. 20 – Gambit, FF, and S.W.O.R.D

Gambit Vol. 1 #2 by Howard Mackie and Lee Weeks (1994) This series would be much better if they focused more on Gambit’s relationships instead of constantly having him dismiss anything Rogue says. Grade: B- FF Vol. 1 #9-10 by Jonthan Hickman, Steve Epting, and Barry Kitson (2011) Just about any two characters in Hickman’s

Apr. 19 – Gambit, FF, and Marauders

Gambit Vol. 1 #1 by Howard Mackie and Lee Weeks (1993) It’s really funny how Mackie is just bringing all these characters that don’t even matter back to life. Why not just create new characters that fill the same role? Rogue joining Remy is a great thing for the rest of the miniseries. I really

Apr. 13 – Uncanny X-Men, Fantastic Four: Three, and Hellions

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #306 by Scott Lobdell and John Romita Jr. (1993) What was the point of this issue? Lobdell brings back Cameron Hodge, previous big bad of large crossover events, and relegates him to a single issue throw-away appearance while also taking away the importance of his death. Candy Southern also comes back,

Apr. 12 – Uncanny X-Men, Fantastic Four, and X-Factor

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #305 by Scott Lobdell and Jan Duursema (1993) Charles is being way more of a jerk than usual, and the X-Men are calling him out on it. Can we get more story for Ice Man past him just being a bad boyfriend? Grade: B+ Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #581-582 by Jonathan

Apr. 6 – Wolverine: Fatal Attractions and Fantastic Four: Solve Everything

Wolverine Vol. 2 #75 by Larry Hama and Adam Kubert (1993) Wait, apparently Hama can write a really good issue if he wants to. Where has this been the last 3 years? The sheer panic on the nearly-crashing plane is depicted very well. Logan leaving the X-Men makes sense at this stage of his character.

Apr. 5 – X-Men and Dark Reign: Fantastic Four

X-Men Vol. 2 #25 by Fabian Nicieza and Andy Kubert (1993) This was a step down from the previous issue (Uncanny #304), and it weirdly never mentions how Xavier had shot Magneto into deep space. I definitely wasn’t expecting Nicieza to immediately shelf Magneto after bringing him back. Colossus remaining on mostly good terms with

Mar. 29 – X-Factor: Fatal Attractions, Ghost Rider, and Marauders

X-Factor Vol. 1 #92 by Scott Lobdell, Joe Quesada, and J.M. DeMatteis (1993) I’m completely unspoiled going into the Fatal Attractions arc, and this first issue is promising so far. I’m really liking X-Factor’s team dynamics, but I want to see more of a focus on Rahne after the last few issues. Grade: A- Ghost