Thread by @ConorReadsXMen

In our last thread before we read the Dark Phoenix Saga, we're flipping through UXM #126-128 where our team faces off against Proteus.

I mentioned back during #123 that with the introduction of Arcade, the book somehow feels darker & the Proteus Saga is certainly no exception.

Logan calls Scott out for leaving for Muir without Hank- to which he replies that there "wasn't time", which is simply not the case. His identity as cautious and prepared is thrown away as soon as he learns Jean is alive.

I wonder what consequences that will have for our team.

It's an interesting departure from the man we've seen drilling his team in the Danger Room over the several issues. Even though he instructs "just like they practiced"- there's no way the team could prepare for what's ahead.

Also, shout out Storm's upper body strength. Damn.

After chasing him from the island and demanding answers, Moira finally reveals that Mutant X is her son- a fact that doesn't phase her as she considers his death.

(CC, ever ready to plant seeds for later issues, uses this powerful mutant to measure Mastermind's power.)

To the best of my recollection, this is the first time we've seen someone murdered in cold blood. We've been able to speculate collateral death in disastrous scenes, but here an innocent man dies.

And to a man with four panels of page time, CC gifts a name: Ferdie Duncan.

It's not that uncommon. CC has named quite a few characters living in the margins of his issues, but the ones with as few panels as Ferdie have been pretty self-referential.

Much like with Angus MacWhirter- Kevin's first victim, Ferdie is given a name to give his death meaning.

Moving the Dark Phoenix story forward- we return to one of Wyngarde's weapons for manipulation, his planted illusions of Jean's past life.

He uses these dreams to feed some of her more sinister emotions and start the process of her corruption.

Also, the horse's name is Satan.

It's not just about manipulating Jean to use her newfound abilities at his & the Club's whims. It's about breaking her spirit & warping it into something wicked.

He isn't going for illusion, he plans the complete destruction of her identity, to be replaced by one of his design.

Moved on from Ferdie, we come upon Proteus now possessing a new body as the team confronts him for the 1st time.

...and CC writes him to be simply terrifying. Beyond Jean, we haven't met a mutant with raw power like this & despite his limitations, he is still impossibly strong.

It's been no secret to any X-fan that the most powerful members of the team have always been its women, and its no secret to Proteus either.

Having failed in earlier issues to possess Lorna, he's moved onto Ororo, who unleashes a full maelstrom to stave this monster off.

Even knowing how the story ends, there was still a part of me that was nervous the team was going to lose a member to Proteus.

Claremont and the artists had me fully engrossed & terrified of Proteus- which speaks to the incredible amounts of talent & craft poured into the run.

#XSpoilers:
When we were introduced to Moira X, I wanted to return to this story to see if her long term machinations fit into the existing canon...

Well, it fits & these panels prove it. She has always been the one with a plan that she's prepared to execute regardless of cost.

Taking a break between battles, we check in with our team to see how they've faired after their encounter with Proteus.

I know Proteus is terrifying because Logan is visibly shaken, and needs to be taunted out of his fear by Cyclops and some old-fashioned provocation.

It's an important moment for the characters, impressive considering the Proteus Saga isn't exactly known for its quiet character beats.

From this moment on, Scott is the unequivocal leader of the X-Men, having finally earned the trust and fealty of their most rebellious member.

Again, Claremont names someone he's going to immediately kill off to feed Proteus. More than just a name- and this was also the case with Ferdie- he's given them just enough of a backstory that they feel... alive.

Jennie is a young woman annoyed by a flat tire. Then she dies.

We get some backstory regarding Moira and learn that not only does she have a son, but she is married to a man who has so awfully harmed her.

Whether or not you mentally fold this into the Moira X retcon, the idea that she's always been a survivor is central to her character.

Joe MacTaggert was always a terrible man. Now possessed & incorporated into Proteus, he is also a terrifying one.

I feel like I've used that word 700 times today, but I really can't understate just how affecting the creators are when it comes to him.

Ever heard a city scream?

Really just need to break up my discomfort with Proteus for a minute and drop some stupid humor into the thread.

Some awesome Claremontian narration showing off how powerful Jean Grey has grown:

"She looks for all the world like some great bird of prey, as beautiful and terrifying as a star... her power a symphony within her, a song of joy that builds too quickly to its cresendo."

After over a year of publication time, Piotr finally gets some closure on his worth to the them through a cleverly planted weakness of Proteus's.

There haven't been too many panels (other than Communism Mario™️) when I've looked at Colossus and been impressed... until now. Wow.

For the first time since UXM #113, our gang is finally back together & not in the heat of battle.

Importantly the team's win isn't called a total success. Instead the writers allow it to *also* be a tragedy, one from which Moira is entitled to the love & time she needs to heal.