X-Men Epic Collection: Legacies
Collecting Uncanny X-Men 297-300, Annual 17, Adjectiveless 17-23, X-Men Unlimited 1
Words: Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza
Pencils: Andy Kubert, Brandon Peterson
The book opens with a quiet, personal issue as the epilogue to the previous crossover. This issue was absolutely delightful - heartfelt interactions between Archangel and Beast, Gambit and Rogue (Gambit is not a sex pest but a believable romantic partner), and Jubilee and Professor X. This issue lifts far beyond its weight in building and establishing characterization and relationships.
The Blue Team has two adventures - they take Colossus to Russia and show how the Russians deal with mutants. Colossus goes through more loss as the government kills his parents and threatens his sister Ilyanna. Then they jaunt to Japan to discover why the British Betsy Braddock is now Japanese. There are body-switch shenanigans that are not repaired or simple.
The Gold team hunts down the Acolytes after a terrorist attack on a nearby school. These guys are bland and forgettable; they worship Magneto. This era is not making memorable villain ensembles - Acolytes, Dark Riders, and Mutant Liberation Front - the ensembles are just minions for their leaders (Fabian Cortez, Apocalypse, and Stryfe).
We also get the first victims of the Legacy Virus - Mastermind and Magik
Calling out an early Chris Bachalo as the artist of X-Men Unlimited. It is still reminiscent of his later work - but it's cleaner and tighter. The story is simple - Cyclops, Storm, and Professor X suffer a plane crash in Antartica and must survive until help arrives - but it is still a great read.
However, JRjr provided the anniversary #300 artwork. I was not a fan here - I usually like him, especially in this era - but The Acolytes were too boring to distinguish, and his sci-fi guns are awkward and blocky.