Uncanny X-Men #330
March 1996

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STORY: "Warriors of the Ebon Night, the conclusion: Quest for the Crimson Dawn" (19 pages)  Wolverine, Archangel and Doctor Strange fight their way to the Crimson Dawn, whose guardian Tar is sulking and refuses to help.  Archangel surrenders the part of Psylocke's soul which she has entrusted to him, and she is healed by the Crimson Dawn.

What you need to know:
Archangel saves Psylocke's life by giving to the Crimson Dawn "that part of [Psylocke] which she has entrusted to you", which we're rather confusingly told is a part of her soul.  This bizarre literalisation of their love affair is the springboard for Psylocke to develop several new and rather curious powers, start acting weirdly again, and generally be a bit mysterious until it all gets resolved in the Psylocke & Archangel: Crimson Dawn miniseries.

Gambit is kind of hoping Psylocke doesn't make it, although he's very conflicted about the whole thing.  He's worried Psylocke might have found out what he was keeping from the other X-Men when she scanned his mind in issue #324.

Comments:
See the entry for issue #329, basically.

This storyline was apparently seen by Scott Lobdell as an attempt to refocus Psylocke as a character to save her from being overshadowed on a team with two telepaths who were more powerful than she was.  He thought it would be a good idea to focus on the martial arts aspects of her character.  So far, so sensible, but unfortunately it all goes a bit pearshaped.  For one thing, this story does not herald a refocusing on Psylocke's martial arts skills.  It drags in something altogether new instead, and turns her into an unfathomable character with vaguely defined mystical powers.  For another, it means that the focus of the character has drifted hopelessly.  Now shoved through two physical and mental transformations, it's very difficult to put your finger on quite who she's supposed to be any more.  For all the good intentions, many would argue (myself among them) that this is the storyline that finally put an end to Psylocke as a usable character.


FEATURE CHARACTERS
Archangel (next in Archangel, then in Cable #31, then in X-Men vol 2 #50)
The Beast (last in X-Men Unlimited vol 1 #10; next in X-Men vol 2 #50, then again in X-Men Unlimited vol 1 #10, then behind the scenes in X-Men vol 2 #51, then in X-Men vol 2 #53-54, then in the second story in X-Factor vol 1 #125, then in Fantastic Four #416, then in issue #337)
Gambit (between X-Men vol 2 #48 and #50)
Professor X (last in X-Men vol 2 #48; next in Cable #29, then in Cable #31, then in X-Men Unlimited vol 1 #10, then in X-Men vol 2 #50)
Psylocke (next in Archangel, then in Cable #31)
Wolverine (next in X-Men vs Brood #1-2, then in X-Men vol 2 #50, then in Wolverine vol 2 #97-100, then in issue #332)

GUEST STAR
Dr Strange
(next in Thor vol 1 #500)

VILLAINS
Tar
(next in X-Men Unlimited vol 1 #12)
Undercloaks (first appearance in the mainstream timeline; others were previously seen in Generation Next #2; next in X-Men vol 2 #61)

OTHER CHARACTER
Gomurr the Ancient
(next in X-Men Unlimited vol 1 #12)

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Copyright 2003 Paul O'Brien.  This web site is a work of critical comment and review. All characters and publications referred to, and artwork reproduced, are ™ and © their respective owners.
 

UNCANNY X-MEN #330
Marvel Comics
March 1996
$1.95 US / $2.75 CAN

Cover by Joe Madureira and Tim Townsend (signed)

"Warriors of the Ebon Night, the conclusion: Quest for the Crimson Dawn"
Writers: Scott Lobdell
and Jeph Loeb
Penciller: Joe Madureira
Inker: Tim Townsend
Letterers: Comicraft
Colourist: Steve Buccellato and "Team Bucce!"
Editor: Bob Harras