This Issue! Things get Worse! #132

The Uncanny X-Men #132
“And Hellfire Is Their Name!”
Chris Claremont and John Byrne

Synopsis
The X-Men mount an operation on the Hellfire Club’s Clubhouse to figure out what their involvement with Emma Frost is. A bunch of snotty rich dudes can’t be too hard in a fight, right?

Rolling Commentary
Page 2. Yes, that’s a “friendship” kiss. Of course. Despite the fact that back in the day Warren was Scott’s chief rival for Jean’s affections. Nice headband, by the way.

Page 5. Touching moment. Now they’ll get sexy off panel.

Page 6. Told you.

Page 7. Colossus is such a good kid.

Page 10. And the truth finally comes out. Although if you were paying attention you could have recognized him from his appearance way back to Jean meeting him in Scotland. Now it’s time for fun with corsets!

Page 13. Yay for vague hints about Wolverine’s origin!

Page 15. Sebastian Shaw is pretty hardcore, isn’t he?

Page 17. Wolverine rules.

Post Mortem
Sebastian Shaw is quite good here, isn’t he? The whole group of the Hellfire club is rather powerful, really. Oh, and just so you know, Emma Frost’s “suicide” isn’t all that permanent.

Seeing Angel again is something I enjoyed. You have to remember that clones and mental projections aside, we haven’t seen Warren or Bobby Drake at all since issue 94. The characterization between Scott and Warren is excellent; you really get a sense that they’re very old friends. Scott has a relationship with Warren that’s completely different from the rest of the team. Even though he’s known Jean almost as long as Warren, she’s always been the love interest first and friend second. And obviously Charles Xavier is not his friend so much as a father figure. I think Scott has a closer relationship to Warren than even to his own brother.

Now that the power corruption of Jean has really taken control, the series is going to get really interesting. Yay! Time for Wolverine to kick some ass.