X-Men #74

Title: "Rituals”

Writer: Joe Kelly

Penciller: Carlos Pacheco

Inker: Art Thibert

RS/Comicraft/Emerson

Powers/Harras

Marrow is trying to perform a magical healing ceremony for Callisto. Callisto tells Marrow that she wants her to go and that there is nothing that she can do for her now. Marrow tells her to be quiet or the magic won’t work. Callisto tells Marrow to stop it and that she has to accept that her time is coming. Marrow says that they are Morlocks and that they survive and thrive. Callisto says that not this time they don’t. She tells Marrow that she has to go to the X-Men. Marrow tells Callisto not to think of them and to just lie back and let the magic work. A voodoo doll of Archangel lies on the ground as Marrow says, “To he who was reborn… I beg for your life.”

Archangel flies through the air as an escape from his life. He is enjoying his wings… his real wings. He thinks about how long it has been since he has been able to do this. He thinks about how his steel wings just never felt right and that they weren’t alive. As he flies through the air Warren feels the chill on the tips of his wings. He feels whole again… if only on the outside. Archangel lands in front of an entrance to the Morlock tunnels. He says that it was down in the tunnels where the Marauders, and one that he used to call a friend, hunted him down, tortured him, and stole his wings and his life. He thinks to himself, “Down there, I wasn’t good enough a private hell for a public angel. I don’t want to do this.” Warren walks into the tunnels.

A man behind the counter at an upstate New York burger joint bites into an apple and says that the people are saying that it is blood-drinking, spleen-eating, Republican mutants. The counterman, named Harry, tells Logan that any fool can see that it was a wild animal because the alternative is unthinkable, especially here in Salem Center. Logan asks Harry if he has any Worcestershire sauce. Harry asks how he can read that stuff and eat rare steak at 7AM. Logan asks Harry if he didn’t know that he was one of those blood-sucking mutants. Harry says that Logan is a real card. He asks Logan if he thinks that they are going to catch whatever is doing it. Logan says that there is no question about it. He says that he hears that someone new is going to take the case and that he is the best at what he does.

Up at Xavier’s Institute for Higher Learning, Maggot has his two stupid things on one of his hands and a large rock on his shoulder. As Maggot talks about how wonderful he is. Dr. Keyes says that he would be as strong as Maggot is if she had to carry around as big a head as he has. Beast says that narcissism notwithstanding that Maggot exhibits impressive display over his powers. Keyes asks why Beast wrote “… but if the boy doesn’t buckle that yap of his, I may well go psychotic”. Beast says that ‘yap’ is a technical term. Maggot drops the large rock onto the ground. Beast says that he is crafting a few choice idioms for her diagnostic report. Keyes says that she isn’t playing his mutant games and so she will save him the trouble. Beast says, “Please do… oh, Maggot, if you please…” Keyes says, “Cecilia is equipped with a worthless force field, cellulite saddle bags and an…” Suddenly Keyes is hit in the back of the head with a snowball. Keyes says that Beast did not just go there because if he did that she would be forced to break her Hippocratic oath and white wash him. Keyes smashes Beast’s face into the snow. Maggot tells Keyes to get him good, but to save some for him. Beast calls for Maggot’s help, but Maggot has just notices that Eeny and Meeny are missing. Maggot thinks to himself that he can’t let the others know that the maggots aren’t obeying him since the others are just starting to like him. He says that he had better find them before feeding time.

Back at the Morlock shelter, Callisto says that she can remember a time when the tunnels were filled with laughter, but that now they are so quiet. She tells Marrow again to leave there. She tells her not to stay and watch her die, but to get to Xavier so that he can help her claim her birthright on the surface world. Marrow says that they offer nothing, and that she thinks that it is a school for mutants, but that they only want to teach the pretty ones… the ones that they can control. She says that she taught them that no one controls her. Marrow leaves and says that Callisto needs fresh water. As Marrow leaves, Callisto says that what she needs is to know that Marrow is being cared for when she is gone. Callisto tells Marrow not to let her pride keep her from her true destiny.

Nearby in the tunnels, Archangel bobs and weaves through the tunnels as he flies. He says that the smell is enough reason to turn back, but that he isn’t going back until he faces “it… whatever ‘it’ is.” He says that at least the dark isn’t his problem because his mutated avian eyes see everything. He thinks how sometimes they see too well. Archangel recalls Harpoon spiking his wings to the wall. Memories of Harpoon and Blockbuster start flooding back to Warren. He tells himself to stop it and to fly faster and harder. He thinks to himself that there are no Marauders, monsters, or memories down there that can hurt him. Warren pushes himself too hard and one of his wings accidentally hits something. Warren crashes into the sewage at the bottom of the tunnel. He gets the crap in his eyes. He reaches out and stops himself by grabbing on to what he thinks is a post or something. Warren is talking to himself about getting back up while he wipes the sewage out of his eyes. The “post” that helped Archangel stop himself walks away. The foot on the end of the leg only has two large toes on it.

Marrow thinks to herself that even if she wanted to go back, which she doesn’t, that they would never have her, especially not the pretty wind-rider. Marrow says that she will stay there until it is time for her ascension to the upworld. As she walks around the corner with her water she says that she will show them all what ugliness means. Marrow looks up and spots the Abomination standing over Archangel. Abomination says, “What’s this, then? Little lost Gabriel searching for his horn in the wrong neighborhood? In the home of Abomination?! I must be blessed. How very pretty you are.” Marrow thinks, “It’s him! It’s him! Here! He’s perfect… my angel.”

In Salem Center, Logan stands at the crime scene. He says that the newspaper didn’t go into the gory details, and that it is nice that there is still a newspaper that is into reporting news and not “slinging nonsense”. Logan says that they did mention that there were large bite marks in the victims and that is where the wild animal theory comes from. Wolverine says that he isn’t picking up any of the scents that he knows, and that there aren’t any trails either. He says that the site is stale, but that the snow is fresh. A voice tells Logan that he is tampering with a crime scene. Logan says that he noticed, and that it is too bad that she wasn’t there to stop the Keystone cops before they trampled all over it. Logan asks her who she is and that she isn’t Salem Center PD The woman says that he isn’t either so Logan flashes his Nassau Police Department badge. The badge says that this name is Jim Logan, Detective. He says that he thought he would extend a professional courtesy. He says that his family is here and that he just heard about the murders. Logan says that he didn’t want to leave it to the local yokels. Myra Armstrong, the medical examiner, says that she will try not to take that personally. Logan asks her what she knows about all of it. Myra says that she will show him.

Back in the tunnels, Abomination gets right up in Archangels face and shouts, “You do not belong here!” Warren mumbles that it is good that he can speak so they can talk, but no words come. Abomination pulls his fist back and says, “You defile this place!” Warren dodges Abomination’s first punch, which lands on the ground, and then the second punch that drives his fist through the wall. Abomination says, “You make me sick!” Archangel starts to run away, but Abomination calls after him, “Come back Gabriel! Let me bless you before you leave!” Marrow watches it all as she hides. She says that he is so beautiful and that he can’t get hurt. She thinks to herself that left is the way out. Warren tells himself that he needs room to think and fly, but that suddenly he is all turned around and that his chest is tight. Marrow watches him run the wrong way and thinks to herself that he smells like the sun. Marrow hides in the grating as she thinks that Archangel is too good to be down there with the monsters. Abomination goes rushing past the grating. He tells “Gabriel” that he is coming for him. Marrow wonders how she can help him without him seeing her.

Warren comes to a dead end. He thinks about how if he had his metal wings that he would have been able to rocket through the tunnels and been able to fight back against the monster. He says that he is dead now like he was before. Warren’s eyes get very wide as he hears Abomination coming for him. Abomination says, “Fee fi foe fum… I smell the blood of fried Seraphim! Bad move Gabe.” Abomination knows that it is a dead end, but as he comes around the corner he doesn’t see Archangel. Abomination says that he knows these caverns as well as he knows his own black heart. He says that there is no place he can hide for long. Above Abomination’s head, Archangel hides by using his wings to brace himself along the tunnel’s roof.

Back at Callisto’s bed, Callisto is burning with fever and decaying away. A voice calls out to Callisto. Callisto wonders if it is Death come for her, but when she turns she sees Colossus. Colossus says that she isn’t ripe enough to pick yet. Callisto says, “Colossus?! Oh, Piotr… you cared… you came… I”. The visitor says, “Piotr? Eh, why not? If it lifts up your skirt, sweetie, you can call me Baryshnilov… just as long as you don’t die.” Callisto promises that she won’t. The visitor says, “At least, not until it’s convenient for all interested parties… namely, me.” Two gnarled hands prepare a needle for Callisto. The voice tells her to remain still and that “Mr. Happy Needle wants to give you a kiss.”

Marrow watches Archangel struggling to stay up. She wonders why he came back there since everything is so polluted and withering. She wonders if he came to answer her prayers only to “go with Callisto”. Warren feels a drop of sweat coming down his forehead. Abomination says that Gabe has to move sometime and that when he does he is going to grab him by his wings and pull. The drop of sweat drops, but as it hits Emil’s neck so does the manhole sized grating that Marrow was hiding behind. Marrow tells Abomination that he is trespassing. She says that these are Morlock tunnels and that he is no Morlock. She says that whatever he is seeking that he won’t find it there. Abomination says, “Well… perhaps I’ll have to reassess my goals then, won’t I? What’s your name, little girl?” She tells him to catch her and maybe she will tell him. Archangel thinks to himself that the girl sounds like a child. Abomination says, “Your voice… as old as these tunnels… you belong here, don’t you? Like me. Like my lost family… ugly… alone…” Marrow says that he will never know if he keeps talking. Marrow starts running and Abomination follows her. Archangel says that he is being saved by a kid and wonders what he has allowed to happen there. Abomination stands over Marrow and says, “Ah! Now this is a suitable prize for my trouble! Look at you! So young, so powerful… you remind me… of those I have lost in these caverns… My dear Forgotten Ones… taken from me.” Marrow tells him to get off of her, but Abomination says that they can rebuild down there away from where people can hurt them… people with wings. Archangel tells Abomination that it is bad enough that his face could stop a bull elephant at forty yards, but that with his pick-up line that he ought to just pack it in. Archangel tells Abomination to step away from the girl.

Back at Xavier’s, Maggot is struggling because it is far after his “lunch” time. He tells his “girls” that they are really tuning him up. Maggot spots his stupid little things. He says that they are cutting it a little too close. He says that they will have to have a long talk about their “stroppy habits”. Maggot leans over and sees that the things are covered in blood. He asks what they have done.

In downtown Salem Center, they find a body dead behind the police station. Myra tells Logan that the man was a transient that had made nice with the police and was sleeping out in the garage. Myra says they the killer cut through a steel door without leaving any burn residue or cut marks, and that no one heard a thing. Myra asks Logan if he is weirded out yet. Logan sniffs the air and says, “Nope. Not anymore…” He thinks to himself, “Got you, you little creeps.” Myra turns to Logan, but he is already gone.

Back in the sewers, Abomination says that he thinks that Marrow would rather he stay. Marrow asks Archangel why he didn’t escape. Archangel says that the thought had crossed his mind, but that he is thinking clearly again and that he isn’t running anymore. He asks Abomination if he didn’t speak clearly enough for him. He repeats himself and tells Abomination to back off. Abomination tells Archangel says that this isn’t one of Archangel’s “fallen lot”. He says that she is more his style. Abomination tells Marrow to show him. Marrow hides her face and says that she doesn’t want to. Abomination tells her to never hide from the likes of Archangel. He says to show him the creature that she is with pride. Abomination says, “So the last thing he’ll see is your demon’s face… as I pluck the life from his body.” Marrow tells Archangel not to look at her and to just go. Archangel says that Abomination has it wrong. He says that she is a young woman that tried to save his life, and that to him she is the most beautiful person in the world. Abomination says that Archangel is lying and that she is ugly and humanity’s refuse. He says that Archangel’s pity is an insult to her. Abomination tells Marrow to watch and that this is her first lesson. Abomination smacks Archangel in the face and says that this is what you have to do to garner respect. Abomination says, “Fight against the light! Devour it! The more you consume, the more you will grow, until you can show them… show them all that ugliness is strength! Darkness breeds power… and then you will know triumph! Then you will be just like me!” Abomination stuffs his hand through Archangel’s wing and holds him in the air by the back of his head. Archangel weakly says that it doesn’t have to be like that. Archangel says that he was a monster once too. Abomination says that he lies. Archangel says that it is true. He says that he wasn’t a monster because of how he looked, but because of how he saw himself. Archangel tells Marrow to run and that he will hold him off as long as he can. He says that he doesn’t want to die thinking that it was for nothing. Marrow looks at them and thinks to herself, “Just like him… I can be just like… He said I was beautiful.” Marrow calls out to Abomination and when he turns to look she fires jagged marrowbones at his eyes.

Logan leaps and runs across the plain. He thinks about how the first time he saw Maggot that he “took a shine to him: Logan thinks how despite his baggage that his gut told him that he was all right. Logan says that his gut is never wrong. Twenty minutes ago at the second murder scene, he picked up the scent of the “unmistakable spoor of two carapaced critters”. He thinks about how Maggot disappears to “feed the girls”, but that he never says what they eat. Logan says that slug tracks with a hint of blood is giving him a hint. Logan suddenly smells something. He stops for a second and a hand grabs him from behind.

In Manhattan, Abomination clutches his bleeding eyes. He calls Marrow a “filthy strumpet”. Marrow tells Archangel to get up and that they have to run. Warren says that he knew that she was beautiful where it mattered. Marrow puts his arm around her shoulder and tells him to be quiet. Warren asks her what she used and how she hurt him. Abomination stands up and says that she didn’t… not permanently. He takes the bones out of his eyes. Abomination says, “Where are you going to run to now? Up to the surface? You’ll blend in nicely with the picket fences and carpools and pretty girls up there, for sure. NOT. Face facts. There is no place for you up there. You know this.” Warren says that Abomination has no right to treat her like this. Abomination says that he has no right to give her false hope. He tells her to choose where she thinks that she belongs. Marrow turns to Warren and tells him to help her. Warren says that she has to decide for herself what she believes in. Abomination says, “Bah! Your hesitation tells all! I thought that I had found a kindred soul in you…but now, I see clearly. See you… see the angel… and you are the same. Enjoy your surface time, child. And when you suffer tenfold the barbs of “humanity”… you may still find a place by my side. We will face the dark together.” Abomination walks off.

Archangel says that was a monster with some issues. Marrow agrees. Archangel asks her why she saved him. Marrow says that she doesn’t know, but it’s not the kind of thing she normally does. He says that she will get used to it. Warren holds her face in his hand and introduces himself. He asks what her name is. Marrow says her name. Warren says that he knew she was called that when he saw her face, but wants to know her real name. Marrow says that her name is Sarah. Warren says that is a pretty name. Warren says that Abomination dropped her knives and that he wouldn’t want her to lose them. Marrow says that she has more, but as Warren bends over to pick them up she begins scratching something in the wall. Warren says that he heard what happened at Xavier’s, and that if she is still interested that he could put in a good word for her. Marrow asks if he means it. Warren starts to say that there is always room for more X-Men, but then he notices that Marrow’s knives aren’t knives at all but that they are in fact one of his old feathers, a flechette from when he had steel wings. He turns to ask her where she got it, but finds that she is gone. On the wall is scratched, “LIGHT NEVER DIES EVEN IN MONSTERS” Warren looks at his old feather and says that he guesses that it doesn’t. He thanks Sarah.

Logan wakes up with what feels like a hangover. He says that it isn’t like him to black out and that someone must have gotten the drop on him. Logan says that he doesn’t know who it could be and that his senses should have tipped him off. Logan looks at his hand and sees blood. He looks and realizes that he is almost nude. He has what appears to be a gigantic scar down his body. Maggott keeps telling Wolverine that he is sorry and that he didn’t mean it.

Leader’s Lair rating: 8.5 out of 10

Well if you’ve looked at any of my other X-Men reviews you know that I’m not much of an X-Fan, but I have to give Kelly credit… this is easily the best Abomination appearance outside of a Hulk book. He handles Emil perfectly, with proper characterization and an actual reason for Emil to appear in the book. I have to say that I loathe the concept of the Forgotten Ones though. Leave it to the X-writers to assume that any gathering of sewer dwellers should be mutants… none of the ones that I saw within the Hulk books were mutants, but while Kelly addresses this it isn’t really his fault. Carlos Pacheco does a magnificent job drawing this issue. It’s kind of a shame that the characters annoy me so much I would have liked to see what else this pair had to offer.

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