Wizard's weekly roundup of all things X-related.
This Week: Charles Xavier comes to terms with events from his past and decides to take his life in a new direction
By Tomer Soiker
Posted 4/30/2008
PREVIOUSLY IN THE X-BOOKS:
Recently the X-Men fought a protracted battle to save the life of the newest mutant baby. To shield the child from those who would do her harm, the mysterious mutant Cable traveled with her into the timestream. Afterward, the rogue X-Man Bishop—who sought to kill the baby and prevent his hellish future from becoming reality—shot Professor Xavier in the head. With their founder and mentor gone, and his dream seemingly dead with him, Cyclops announced that the X-Men are no more.
Meanwhile, Cyclops ordered Wolverine to lead a new X-Force team and take down threats in black-ops missions. Threat number one: the Purifiers—a group of religious anarchists founded by Reverend William Stryker. During their missions the team lost former Morlock Caliban and the Starjammer Hepzibah was severely injured.
Jamie Madrox's X-Factor—his team of investigators and the guardians of Mutant Town—lost young Layla Miller 80 years in the future, where she was left during a mission with one of Jamie's dupes. With the departure of Wolfsbane—who joined X-Force—the team's fate is unclear.
The former member and leader of terrorist group known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Mystique, joined the X-Men. Eventually she betrayed them and joined Mister Sinister and his Marauders. During the final battle for the Messiah she disappeared, unpunished for her crimes.
X-Men: Legacy #210 Written by Mike Carey Art by Scott Eaton and Greg Land
Recently in X-Men: Legacy: The kidnapped, dying body of Professor Xavier is in the hands of Exodus and the Acolytes. Failing to break Xavier's mental shields and awaken him, Exodus turns to the aid of his former mentor: the now human Magneto. Meanwhile, Xavier's damaged mind takes him on a journey down memory lane, where he faces old friends, students, enemies—and his mistakes.
When Frenzy attempts to kill Xavier, Magneto comes to his old friend's help. Exodus then wants to punish Erik for his actions, but is surprised by Xavier who challenges him to mental fight.
What happened:
• Exodus and Xavier are engaged in a telepathic duel. Charles is forced to relive some of his less-than-bright moments from the past, although he is still unaffected by Exodus' attempts to break him.
• Erik seizes the moment and tries to knock Exodus down. Too late, he realizes that the Acolyte is a powerful mutant, even when he's in the middle of a "brainstorm."
• Xavier is mentally going through the first public introduction of the Sentinels by their creator, Bolivar Trask, and their attack on Xavier. It doesn't impress the Professor.
• Then Exodus shows him the extermination of 16 million mutants on Genosha by the Sentinels, one where each and every one of the dead blames Charles for their death.
• Exodus says that Xavier never used his brain to its full potential. He could've prevented the extinction of Genosha and other events by killing Trask and his relatives. Xavier refuses to believe Exodus' murder method would work.
• Elsewhere, Scott Summers and Emma Frost are at a public event. Emma collapses and says that there is a telepath fight somewhere—and Charles is taking part in it.
• Again in his mind, Charles is reliving a training session of a group of young mutants led by Vulcan, his actions are being questioned by Moira MacTaggert.
• Then the flashback goes to Krakoa when the second, secret team of X-Men—the team Vulcan was training with and leading—is slain by the living island.
• The flashback then goes to the death of Jean Grey after she became the Dark Phoenix. Then, Colossus sacrificing his life for the cure to the Legacy virus before other notable deaths in the history of the X-Men. All of the dead say the same thing: "Why did you kill us?"
• It seems that Exodus won the battle and Xavier is about to surrender, but he's still powerful enough to defeat his opponent.
• Exodus then tells Xavier that he helped him to heal and gave him back his memories because he wants him to lead the Acolytes.
• Charles refuses, giving the images of people dying and suffering because of his decisions—images seen by Exodus himself—as a reason to why he shouldn't be trusted.
• On his way out, Charles meets Amelia Voght. He remembers her name but not who she is. Seeing her alive is a good enough reason to believe that she wasn't hurt by him.
• Charles decides to go on a journey by himself to try and recover his memories before he can decide on his future.
• Before leaving Magneto and Omega Sentinel, Charles tells Karima (Omega Sentinel) that Exodus tried to use Xavier's mistakes to his benefit, but the old Xavier is dead. Now he can start anew.
• Eastern Australia: In a gas station a worker attends to the aid of a female motorcyclist. The worker tells the woman that she won't have enough gas to cross the desert. The woman reveals her face—Rogue—and says that she's used to getting into trouble. With that, Rogue gets back on the road.
• Elsewhere, the Hellfire Club in New-York: The Club members are having a dinner when a servant calls Sebastian Shaw outside. He tells him that a secret device in one of the Club's rooms has been activated. The room is full of fire and wreckage. The people who were inside are dead. Shaw orders the butler to clean the place, seal it and bring him a file named "Cronus."
F is for flashback
Xavier is forced to relive one of the most horrible tragedies in the history of Mutantkind, when the potential of the Sentinels came to fruition: The deaths of 16 million mutants and the destruction of Genosha.
No lack of work for Death
Another flashback is of the numerous dead X-Men from the past, all "accusing" Xavier for their demise. The ones showed in the image (L-R, clockwise): Banshee, Sophie (of the Stepford Cuckoos), Thunderbird, Wing and Cypher.
Second career
Exodus is an open-minded employer. He hires workers for their experience and abilities with no age discrimination. What a swell guy!
Tabula rasa
Xavier uses his recent tragedy and experiences as an opportunity to start with a clean slate. Maybe this time he'll grow an afro.
A southern bell going... Down Under
For the first time since "Messiah Complex," Rogue is seen in Australia, likely on a voyage of self-discovery. Hopefully she'll stay aware of recurring numbers and direct flights to LA.
