REVIEW: The Uncanny X-Men #131

Production: Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin
Letters: Tom Orzechowski
Colors: Glynis Wein
Review: Art Bee

The time has come. One of my most favorite comic books is The Uncanny X-Men #131. At one time it was lost to me in the loss of a storage unit, but the issue has found its way back into my possession. It’s not clear whether or not this is the same one I lost, but that is not important. This issue may not be on the top of many comic boys favorites list, but it is on mine. There are several reasons but only three will I discuss.

My first and biggest reason is Jean Grey, a.k.a. Phoenix. Not long ago in the storyline Jean acquired the Phoenix Force. Since the union of these two powerful personas, Jean’s powers had grown immensely, and she liked it. This issue shows us the grandeur of Jean’s power set and the beginning of her descent into the evil of the Dark Phoenix Saga, which happens very shortly thereafter.

The second reason for this being such a great issue is the team up between the X-Men, the Uncanny X-Men, and Dazzler. This makes for a rich story while they are taking on Emma Frost and the Hellfire Club who have taken Storm, Colossus, and Wolverine hostage. Once the hostages are free the X-Men action gets intense. As an added bonus Nightcrawler pulls off his teleporting feat of punching three guys at once for the second time ever…Yay!

Kitty Pryde is my third reason. She was introduced in Uncanny #129, but this issue really reveals her as a person and an X-Man. Kitty Pryde is one of the dearest X-Men characters to me and has been since my youth. Here we see her start as a victim in her flight from Hellfire Club goons and emerge as a hero, letting Wolverine out of his cell at the expense of her own safety.

This issue is packed with action and leads into the Dark Phoenix Saga. Jean’s arrogance is growing and her visions of Jason Wyngarde show it. At the time readers would not have known this, but it is common knowledge now. This issue was printed in the 1980s at one of the pinnacles of Marvel’s greatness. The time of the original Phoenix and Dark Phoenix Sagas is an era of comicdom equivalent to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and The Uncanny X-Men #131 is right in the middle. My collection feels more complete with this issue in it.