Uncanny X-Men (1963-2011) #96

Uncanny X-Men (1963)

by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum (Artist)

Introducing the X-Men's new housekeeper, Moira MacTaggart! But is this mysterious woman as domestic as she seems? And what ties does she have to Professor X's past? Meanwhile, Cyclops accidentally releases two demons with his optic blasts.

Genres: Comics, X Men, Marvel, Comic Book

19 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 1975

About the author

Chris Claremont is a writer of American comic books, best known for his 16-year (1975-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industry's most successful properties.

Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.

Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.

Reviews

[Tiag⊗ the Mutant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can't get into these old Marvel monsters.

[zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s just so fun

[Megan Mollman Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm saving the day like a boss

[Nicholas Descalzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue is a perfect example of why I've always loved the X-Men. I love the serialised, soap opera storytelling. When I was young, I always found it so thrilling when I would pick up a random X-men issue, and I would be plunged into the middle of a story with multiple plot lines going at once.

We have some great character work for Cyclops, Wolverine, and Storm. We have Moira MacTaggert attacking a demon with a machine gun, and we get a fun tease to the next major villain the X-men will have to face.

I just love it.

[Britt Halliburton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible issue with so much characterisation for several X-Men! There’s frankly more in this one issue than the entire pre-Claremont era. Cockrum on art is good, the mind meld of Xavier and the demon is very trippy. We also see how much more mature this stage of comics is as Wolverine savages the demon to death (it got better, mind), without the Comics Code Authority stymying the content. The design of the demon isn’t great, admittedly, though I think the digital recolours don’t do it any favours either.

[luciddreamer99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite issues from the early New X-Men stories. Kierrok is a character right out of Lovecraft, and the N'Garai become X-Men adversaries for years to come. Moira MacTaggert debuts here, and she would become an important character, too, even outside of her inclusion in recent X-stories. The full page spread in the mindscape when Xavier almost goes insane battling Kierrok is Cockrum at his finest. A fine example of comic book storytelling that is recommended for any X-Men fan.

[Sean Korzinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memorable points:
1. Moira MacTaggert's first appearance. I know she sticks around for a bit. Nice intro. Machine gun and all.
2. Wolverine's first berserker rage if I'm not mistaken.
3. Storm got a little backstory for a few panels. Most likely getting explored in later issues.
4. First time several pages were used as setup for stories taking place at least next issue if not several later.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story though weird was okay, and I really licked the thing between Mactaggert and Banshee, She has some spunk, and carries a machine gun? What's not to like, The theme seems to be "one should be careful not to release Demons into the world while throwing a tantrum?" Still I am a big fan, and this was a good read.

[isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cool monster that’s a clear allegory for Cyclops’ guilt over losing a member of his team - and for that the story works pretty well. But its conclusion doesn’t feel related to that conflict in the slightest so unless it gets picked up soon to continue, it somewhat fails.

[James Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moria MacTaggert comes to assist Professor X. Cyclops accidentally frees an ancient demon. And just what is Project Armageddon?

[Robert Hultman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool issue. Still much like the old series, but improving. Cool artwork! Action packed!

[Matt Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filler main story, with some foreshadowing of a future big bad

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now why the hell the X-Men even got the cairn in they backyard anyway

[F. W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

somebody free cyclops from the trenches like hello

[Jogurtowicz]

The claremont run (especially this issue) is my favourite out of all xmen comics i read so far!!!

[salomé · Rating 3 out of 5]

finalement scott c’est le seul qui en a qqc à foutre que thunderbird soit mort

introduction de moira très mystérieuse…

wolverine est clairement le comic relief, il a des répliques bien drôles

[Gilbert Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cyclops is still shaken by Thunderbird’s dead. He lets loose his beans and accidentally frees a demon aka Kierrok the Damned. X Men fight it out, and Storm eventually sends him back by sealing the Cairn.

Steve Lang is trying to get his Project Armageddon approved so he can kidnap and secure all mutants for an “in depth examination.” Colonel Rossi says it’s over, and the issue ends with his chopper in flames and him dead

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one, with a intro to a new inside story, a a monster/demon instead of a vilain it's kind of a interesting change.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uh, oh. The sentinels are returning.