Uncanny X-Men Annual 14 Review

Reaching into the really big comic book box of doom, we have Uncanny X-Men Annual 18 from 1994. In this two story annual comic book issue, Jubilee is kept hostage, for a trade situation and in the second story, Bishop goes into a potentially problematic situation with reckless abandon.

Uncanny X-Men Annual 14 Review

The first story in Uncanny X-Men Annual 14 released by Marvel Comics in 1994 was titled "Trust is a Two Edged Sword." This story was written by Gleen Herdling, Pencilled by Ian Churchill, with Hilary Barta and Bud LaRosa on inking, Richard Starkings as letterer, and Diane Moreshead and Mike Thomas as colorists.

The mood and tone of the first story was a rather moody one to see the last. As with many X-Men stories, a little backstory is required. Years ago, the Mutant Massacre occurred with the vast majority of the Morlocks underneath the tunnels of New York were slaughtered. This was lead by the Marauders a group of sadistic mutants, put together by Mister Sinister, to take care of the genetic mistakes of the mutant race. Caliban was one of the survivals and he had since been transformed into something far more sadistic, by Apocalypse.

Jubilee is captured and used as bait for a trait, for Caliban who wants his revenge on Sabretooth. Sabertooth is not too happy with this situation. Around this time, he has been offered sanctuary for the X-Men and given some of the people who he has hacked up over the years. His crude and rude comments do not endear himself. Especially to one Kitty Pryde, who has been entrusted to be the only one to make the drop and she is not taking any crap from Sabretooth.

The visuals in this story with the abandon Morlock tunnels were rather amazing. Jubilee does her best to escape but she is just out of her league one hundred percent of the way. Caliban finds her easily and we have a situation with Sabretooth who is being difficult. It is an intense moment that would leave the fans right on the side of their seat.

I will say that just with that story alone this annual issue would be worth it. Lots of action and story but we have another tale. "And Nothing Will Ever Bet he Same" written by Jeph Loeb, time Sale on the art, Joe Rosen as the letterer, and Greg Wright as the colorist.

This is very much the back up story and it is a nice supplement. We get some more visuals but none of the substance for the main story. However, back in 1994, fans got a bit more bang for their buck with sixty four pages at slightly under three dollars. As opposed to twenty two pages of barely any dialogue for about four bucks these days.

The times were different back them. And I enjoyed both of these stories. X-Men Annual 18 from 1994 might be a good issue to take a look at. Not a must read mind you but just something where you are going to really want to pick up and read. This is one in the win pile in the Random Comic Book Reviews.