Operation: Zero Tolerance - 25 Years Later part 9: Iceman Steps Up and the Rest Fall Down

The real action of "Operation: Zero Tolerance" unfolded in X-Men and Wolverine. The plot threads running through Generation X, despite the series more or less kicking off the whole event, proved uninspired and there was the sense that new writer James Robinson was just trying to get through the whole thing so he could concentrate on the stories and characters central to the series.

X-Men writer Scott Lobdell and Wolverine writer Larry Hama, on the other hand, embraced the story in their series and delivered fast paced, high energy issues that advanced the plot at breakneck speed while including a great deal of character development. These issues would see the introduction of Cecilia Reyes, a mutant with no attachment to the X teams who provides the point of view of an ordinary person caught up in the assault on mutants. Iceman would move into a major leadership role, continuing the strong character arc that had been running through the X-Men books since before "Phalanx Covenant". And a number of big name X-Men would find themselves removed from the main thrust of the fight, pushed more into a position of needing to survive rather than fighting back against the primary threat.

And it all started with quite a bang.

The following contains major spoilers for X-Men 64-66 and Wolverine 115-116.

Open Fire

X-Men 65

The strongest "Operation: Zero Tolerance" issue of Generation X was 27 where Bastion interrogated Jubilee. At the end of that issue he gives the command for Zero Tolerance to begin. That carries over into the final pages of X-Men 64 when Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Wolverine, and Cannonball run into Zero Tolerance forces on their flight back from Japan.

The encounter between the X-Men and Zero Tolerance's new sentinels is barely a fight. Zero Tolerance's forces make short work of the team, knowing just how to disable Cannonball, Storm, and Cyclops. Jean has been rendered temporarily powerless thanks to burst of psionic power that sent her to the Heroes Reborn universe (part of a storyline that Lobdell was building but which was never resolved after his departure from the title). Wolverine's major contribution is to save Jean's life when the team's plane crashes.

The captured X-Men are taken back to Bastion's Hulkbuster base where he taunts Jubilee (he previously lied to her in Generation X 27 about having defeated them). The Zero Tolerance troops think Wolverine is dead and let their guard down as they prepare to dispose of his body (given Bastion's apparent knowledge of the X-Men's abilities, this seem unlikely). Wolverine seizes the opportunity and makes short work of getting the rest of the team out. At a key moment Jubilee, still being taunted by Bastion, slows him down just enough to help the X-Men escape.

Alone in the New Mexico desert, the five X-Men stumble on a small encampment and are greeted by a man Wolverine at first suspects is a sentinel. The X-Men don't know much about the sentinels beyond their new appearance as ordinary people with technological enhancements. The man explains that he was simply the survivor of a plane crash and is up and about thanks to a nearby doctor helping him with things like leg braces and metal plates. Wolverine, not sold on the story, investigates the doctor's facility at night and discovers that it's full of materials needed to transform people into sentinels.

X-Men 66

Welcome to the X-Men Cecilia Reyes, etc. etc.

Operation: Zero Tolerance isn't just interested in the X-Men; they're after every mutant. Shortly after the announcement that Zero Tolerance's forces have engaged the X-Men, Doctor Cecilia Reyes--after listening to several colleagues talk about how bad the mutants are and how much they approve of these moves against them--is attacked by a sentinel who she thought was an ordinary dead man. Her colleagues are horrified (both because they were working alongside a mutant and because the sentinel is threatening them to force Cecilia's surrender.

Iceman, back in action after taking time away to be with his father who was attacked in Uncanny X-Men 340, arrives just in time to save Cecilia. Iceman reveals that Xavier, after approaching Cecilia to train her and being told she wants nothing to do with the X-Men, charged him with protecting her if anything happened. 

Rubbing Xavier's Nose In It

X-Men 65

At the same time as the X-Men are being attacked and Cecilia is being outed, Bastion and his forces are securing the mansion. Using the information he received from Jubilee, Bastion accesses the secret portions of the mansion and gains access to the Danger Room files, the Xavier Protocols, and the mutant underground files. They're encrypted, but Bastion expects he'll be able to break the encryption.

Bastion also taunts Xavier with images of the captured X-Men.

Jubilee, File Shenanigans, Xavier's Not So Secret Secret, and an Unlikely Rescue

These issues are great overall but there are a few things that stretch believability. The first is Jubilee's appearance in Wolverine 115. Her portrayal in Generation X 27, an issue written by Lobdell, was one of a strong character. Even if Lobdell asserted that she wasn't an X-Man the issue before, he wrote her as a strong, defiant character. This was effectively undone by James Robinson in issues 29-31 where Jubilee appeared week and unable to contribute meaningfully to her own escape. Meanwhile here she resisted Bastion's efforts to break her down even in the face of the X-Men's capture, and she ultimately contributed to their escape. I specifically left this moment out of the Generation X entry because Larry Hama's writing was far more in line with Lobdell's characterization while James Robinson's effectively undid the strength she showed in Generation X 27.

Wolverine 115

Connected to the Jubilee story thread was Bastion's ability to get into the X-Men's facilities in the mansion and access the encrypted files. Cable 40 established that much of the mutant underground files had been deleted (and were continuing to be deleted) which was the reason he went looking for Renée Majcomb. Moira was worried Majcomb might be unreachable once the files were gone. And including the Xavier Protocols required a bit of slight of hand. While previous X books established that the Xavier Protocols were stored on Muir Island (seemingly only on Muir Island) and that they were sealed after an attempt to steal them, they are now conveniently available in full at the mansion necessitating further security measures (as seen in a future entry). As we'll later see, Bastion's announcement to Xavier that he has access to the files seems purely for dramatic effect in the story as they ultimately play a limited role.

While on the topic of Xavier, it's important to remember that at this point in time Xavier's status as a mutant was not generally known. This was one of the most frustrating aspects of Onslaught Epilogue. Larry Hama presented Bastion as though he couldn't quite decide whether Bastion knew Xavier was a telepath or not. He definitely didn't seem to know Xavier was Onslaught. And at no point in any issue leading up to this did he give an indication that he knew Xavier was associated with the X-Men. As a result his clear awareness of Xavier's relationship with the X-Men and his telepathic abilities (now lost) seems to come out of nowhere.

X-Men 66

The final criticism isn't a revision of previous stories but a simple exercise in convenience. That Xavier would charge Iceman with the protection Cecilia Reyes in the event of some kind of attack doesn't really pass the smell test. Did Xavier assign various X-Men to protect every mutant that refused his offer to join up. Does Iceman have a responsibility for other mutants (he doesn't mention it). Unquestionably I'm in favor of Iceman's continued development, but this is a little difficult to believe.

Checking in with Bastion

It's worth noting that there is variation between these issues in how Bastion is portrayed. He ranges from being certain of his purpose to reconsidering it (though ultimately deciding it is the right course of action). That he's certain of his purpose is consistent with his origin as later revealed. Second thoughts are absolutely not. But it's unclear whether Lobdell knew what Bastion's origin was at this point and even if he did, Lobdell had left the X books by the time it was revealed so there's no way of knowing if his origin was changed.

Despite the criticisms listed here, these four issues are a strong beginning to "Operation: Zero Tolerance", and they do a very good job establishing the stakes and subverting expectations by removing the major characters from the primary conflict.

Additionally, the art is top notch. Carlos Pacheco handles the X-Men issues and (in concert with with Art Thibert's inks and assorted colorists) creates high energy issues that accompany the urgency of the script These issues are fun and go quickly. The Wolverine issues are rougher by comparison. Leinil Francis Yu applies a great deal of detail to the characters. Edgar Tadeo's heavier inks and Joe Rosas's subdued colors make the issues feel a little more desperate and in some ways more intense. These are the A-list X-Men, and they aren't really in a position to fight back. The art reflects the dark times they are facing.

Like "Onslaught" before it, "Operation: Zero Tolerance" has a surprisingly strong beginning considering the state of Marvel's writing at the time. The question is...will it fare any better than "Onslaught" when it ends?

~~~

For an index of the entries in this "Operation: Zero Tolerance" retrospective, jump back to the landing page here. And for an issue-by-issue commentary check out Twitter @theroncouch #CompleteOZT.

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The Kids Aren't Alright

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Immortal X-Men #4: Spoiler Free Review

Writer: Kieron Gillen

Art: Michele Bandini

Colors: David Curiel

Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles

Design: Tom Muller & Jay Bowen

Cover: Mark Brooks

Variant Covers: Phil Noto; Meghan Hetrick; Betsy Cola

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: 3.99

Release Date: July 13th, 2022

By day she’s the elegant head of the Hellfire Trading Company and a member of Krakoa’s Quiet Council. By night she’s…a diamond? Emma Frost is front and center this issue, recovering from the Hellfire Gala and dropping a bombshell revelation on the council. Plus–more machinations with Mister Sinister!

A.X.E. Eve of Destruction #1: Spoiler Free Review

Writer: Kieron Gillen

Art: Pascual Ferry

Colors: Dean White

Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles

Cover: Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Fonteriz & Rachelle Rosenberg

Variant Cover: Ashley Witter; John Cassady & Laura Martin; Lucas Werneck; MR Garcin; Peach Momoko; Phil Noto

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: 3.99

Release Date: July 13th, 2022

Judgment Day approaches! Why are three of Marvel's most powerful groups on a collision course? And as the conflict approaches, how united are the Eternals? A.X.E. Eve of Judgment #1 addresses both questions as it pulls back the curtain on recent battles, personal relationships, and political machinations motivating those charged with correcting excess deviation.

Operation: Zero Tolerance - 25 Years Later part 8: The Kids Aren't Alright

Generation X was the vehicle that really get "Operation: Zero Tolerance" going. Yes, Bastion had been making provocative moves as far back as X-Men Unlimited 11, but none of them amounted to anything and no one in the X books ever brought up Bastion as a threat. In fact, until Cable 40, none of the X teams were forced into a conflict with Operation: Zero Tolerance. Despite Bastion's encounter with Rogue, it was somewhat unclear how much the writers believed Bastion knew about the X-Men (this was especially evident in Onslaught: Epilogue). Even when his investigation began in Generation X 20, Bastion's information seemed somewhat contradictory--for instance knowing Banshee's identity and Chamber's codename but having no idea that the school was connected to the X-Men. Lobdell finally settles on Bastion having a great deal of knowledge about the X-Men, something made clear in Generation X 27 when the event proper begins via the Jubilee plotline.

From there the series somewhat meanders through the event as the three plotlines spinning out of issue 25 (the capture of Jubilee, the students getting lost, and Banshee and Emma searching for their lost charges) spin their wheels. Unfortunately Generation X's involvement feels somewhat perfunctory (though not as much of a cash grab situation as their "Onslaught" issues). This series of issues would also see the departure of Scott Lobdell as writer and a drastic change in Chris Bachalo's art style.

The following includes major spoilers for Generation X 27-31.

Generation X 27

The Plight of Jubilee

Following Jubilee's failed escape attempt from the lab (in an undisclosed snowy location), she is returned to Bastion's repurposed Hulkbuster base in Generation X 27 where Bastion interrogates her. Using a series of projections he tries to convince Jubilee that she is the last surviving X-Man. He produces an apparently wrecked visor from Cyclops and a seemingly captured Wolverine who is being tortured.

The analyst Daria, who assisted Bastion's investigation into the Massachusetts Academy, is working with him again here. She is able to prompt Jubilee to relive memories with the goal of shaking her mentally and pushing her to reveal intelligence about the X-Men. Over the course of the interrogation Daria finds herself sympathizing with Jubilee and disapproving of Bastion's actions (though she keeps that to herself for the time). At one point Jubilee is able to push Bastion into inadvertently succumbing to his own memory scanning technology, and Daria finds herself watching a brief image of Bastion's past that suggests he is an artificial person.

Bastion pushes his ruse a little too far when the projection of Wolverine begs for the torture to stop. This convinces Jubilee that she's being lied to and prompts Bastion to abandon his efforts to gain intelligence and order an attack against the X-Men (which commences at the end of X-Men 64).

Jubilee's significance drops considerably after this issue. Bastion loses interest in her and Jubilee's only contact is with Daria. When Jubilee uses her powers in an attempt to escape it triggers Daria to release nanites from inside her that she didn't know were there. Jubilee talks her down until she can regain control of the technology within her. By the end of issue 31 Daria has built up a strong enough connection with Jubilee that she frees her, drops her off some distance from the base, and provides a distraction so Jubilee can evade recapture (Jubilee's story continues in Wolverine 117).

Escape to Los Angeles

Generation X 31

The other students, last seen lost at sea in Generation X 26, would be rescued via an encounter with Glorian, shaper of dreams. Finding the team worthy, he makes each of their fondest dreams real (though they don't realize they're living in a fantasy made manifest). These events take place on a ship at sea with Glorian explaining that he raised the ship from beneath the ocean and brought the team to it. Skin is the only one of the team not under Glorian's spell and he pushes back against the idea that these fantasies are really want the teams wants. As Glorian gets agitated the fantasies fall apart and in the end Glorian grants Skin's unspoken wish and transports the whole team to L.A.

Once in L.A. Skin takes the team to stay with his cousin. While there the team is betrayed by an old enemy of his and are subsequently attacked by Operation: Zero Tolerance's Prime Sentinels. The team is able to evade the sentinels for a time but ultimately face a full assault. This is resolved off panel in a battle that sees Monet split into two younger girls (which begins leads to the explanation of her origins).

It's 10 O'clock--Do You Know Where Your Students Are?

The Banshee and Emma plot doesn't intersect with "Operation: Zero Tolerance". In the wake of the fight with Mondo they're searching for their students. Banshee believes they've somehow become trapped on Krakoa, so the two headmasters set off in Emma's jet. On route they pick up a distress call from the X-Men (this corresponds to the sentinel attack on the X-Men in X-Men 64-65). The two don't actually link up with the X-Men and instead travel to Florida to one of Emma's last undiscovered safe houses in order to hide from Bastion's forces. While in hiding Banshee and Emma are contacted by D.O.A., a servant of Emplate, who offers a trade: in exchanged for Penance being turned over to him, Emplate will reveal the location of the rest of the students. Emma seems to agree only to be punched out by Banshee before the trade can be finalized (though Emma insists she was never going to go through with it).

Though all of these characters remain separated at the end of Generation X 31, they will have reunited by the beginning of issue 32.

What's My Age Again

Left and center: Generation X 25. Right: Generation X 30

Bachalo's work on Generation X was distinctive from the beginning of the series, with a somewhat exaggerated style to the various characters he drew. This style changed radically beginning with issue 27 as Bachalo begins drawing every main character beside Banshee as shockingly young. The students appear almost as pre-teens with Emma being drawn not much older looking--perhaps an older teenager. It's a somewhat bizarre choice, and an odd way for Bachalo, whose last issue on the series is 31, to go out.

Speaking of going out, Lobdell would also leave the series during this time with his last issue being 28, practically in the middle of "Operation: Zero Tolerance" given the Jubilee story that became so much more serious in issue 27. Lobdell's choice to leave the series was motivated by a desire to put a greater focus on the two X-Men books. However, he wasn't interested in the direction editorial chose to take the X books and he left both titles shortly after "Operation: Zero Tolerance" ended. Probably the most significant story departure from Lobdell's original plan was Monet's origin which became somewhat more convoluted than Lobdell had intended (though he has said the changes were an editorial decision rather than the writers').

In the end Generation X proved an underwhelming addition to the event. The issues were not quite as minimal in their contribution as X-Force and X-Man, but they were unimpressive. Whether that was a result of Lobdell's departure there's no way to know, but given his connection to both Generation X and Bastion I would consider it a possibility.

~~~

For an index of the entries in this "Operation: Zero Tolerance" retrospective, jump back to the landing page here. And for an issue-by-issue commentary check out Twitter @theroncouch #CompleteOZT.

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And So It Begins

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Iceman Steps Up an

And the Rest Fall Down