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CLASSIC COMICS

The Uncanny X-Men #190 & 191 Year: 1985 Creative Team: Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr., Dan Green Publisher: Marvel Comics by Chris Ching

Almost twenty years before The Passion of the Christ, Marvel Comics sadistically tortured and crucified their own messiah- the Amazing Spider-man. Spidey's punishment at the hands of villain Kulan Gath was so brutal he actually croaked in the last few pages of Uncanny X-Men #191. Luckily for Aunt May's fragile heart, the circumstances that brought about her nephew's demise were reversed and Spider-man rose from the grave... so to speak.

This was just one of the many grisly scenes in a gripping 1984 two issue X-men story arc by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. with inks by Dan Green. Kulan Gath, a reincarnated centuries old demon sorcerer, gives New York City a Dungeons and Dragons makeover. Not only is the cityscape transformed, but all of its inhabitants (including super heroes) are likewise changed into extras from Conan the Barbarian. No one remembers their true selves although previous relationships remain; the X-Men and the Avengers are still bands of warriors. As his power grows stronger, Kulan Gath readies to widen his master spell to engulf the entire world - a world he of course will rule.

Kuley previously tried to pull the same trick in Marvel Team-Up #79 (scripted also by Claremont), but was defeated by Spider-Man and Red Sonja. To insure his plans don't crumble for a second time, the sorcerer marks for death Spidey, Dr. Strange, the X-Men, and anyone else who might step in his way. Kulan Gath definitely gets props for torturing skills: he splices Professor Xavier with the Morlock Caliban and turns Doc Strange into ribbon like flesh. The worst is saved for Spider-Man - or "Man-Spider" - as Kulan Gath refers to him. Never before or since have I ever seen the Web Spinner so methodically f**ked over by a baddie.

In fact our heroes go through the proverbial ringer in their quest to save the world: Colossus and a Kulan Gath possessed Vision spontaneously combust each other in their clash of titans, Rogue is impaled with a broad sword, and the Wasp is turned into a soul devouring harpie! All this death and destruction made for one one of the most compelling X-men story arc's ever.

Of course, good triumphed over evil in the end, and Dr. Strange with the help of New Mutant Magik used Kulan Gath's own spell to turn time back on itself as if nothing had ever happened. As usual only the heroes themselves knew that the X-Men had once again saved a world who hates and fears them.

These issues arrived during the height of Chris Claremont's 80s success and popularity as X-Scribe while artist John Romita Jr. was finally stepping out of the shadow of his comic legend pop John Sr. to be recognized in his own right. Aside from the all time classic Claremont-John Byrne run, I'd venture Claremont and Romita Jr. were the quintessential X-Men creative team. It's not a coincidence that the last X-Men story to feature the two was Uncanny X-Men #211 where Wolvie and the Gang were decimated by the Marauders. After Romita jumped ship, the comic was never quite the same again.

***Uncanny X-Men #190 & 191 will be included in Essential X-Men coming out this summer in July.