X-Men - Season 3, Volume 4 [DVD]

This is the conclusion of the double-length season 3. Following the epic outer-space battles of the Dark Phoenix Saga, the X-Men have no relief. The first episode, "A Deal with the Devil" has the US reviving Soviet super-soldier Omega Red to recover a lost Russian nuclear sub. Not having read enough comic books, the spooks believe that they can use Omega Red to do their dirty work. Storm and Wolverine, with a little help from some depth-charges, have to sort out the resulting mess.

This is followed by the two-parter 'Sanctuary", in which Magneto, tired of mankind's hatred and distrust for mutants, decides to creat an orbiting mutant homeland in the form of his Asteroid M. Sadly not all who join him are sincere in their desire for peace. This is one of the best Magneto stories. The Master of Magnetism is always at his best when he is portrayed as a complex man who really desires good, but often believes the ends justify the means. The message at the end of many of these Magneto stories is that it doesn't, and that the use of the wrong means can only defeat good ends. But "Sanctury" shows Magneto defeated by his own idealism. The fate of his betrayer is just wonderful. The full pay-off would not come, however, until the final season of the show.

"Xavier Remembers" is a little weird, as there are a lot of events in it that only take place in people's minds, or on the Astral Plane. "Courage" features the return of the Sentinels - and of Morph, last seen at the end of Season 2. Finally, "Secrets, Not Long Buried" is a spotlight episode on Cyclops that uses classic Western tropes.

All in all a good solid collection of workmanlike episodes.

Season 3 of X Men concludes with Volume 4 and it is a good one. The series starts out with the return of Omega Red, goes through a fantastic two-parter with Magneto, plunges into the Astral Plane, brings back Morph, and then gives Cyclops another solo outing to finish up. In a series with plenty of space based action, the two-parter Sanctuary featuring Magneto is the stand-out but overall it is another great volume in this excellent series.

Omega Red's return in A Deal With The Devil is a terrific start. The plotline is entirely predictable but the moment in time it captures is composed superbly. Omega Red is the archetype of Soviet-era threat and his presence is called upon to deal with Soviet-era nuclear weaponry in the post-Soviet world. Of course, Omega Red is not interested in pandering to the US cause even after the end of the Cold War and his actions reflect so well the hesitation and mis-steps the West took in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism. Red's antagonism with Wolverine remains still a little unexplained but it is good Wolverine fare. Storm and her claustrophobia are a nice reminder that the greatness of X Men is in the depth of the characterisation - having tangible weaknesses sets these characters apart from much of the comic pack.

Sanctuary is the major part of this Volume with Magneto seeking to create an alternative living space for mutants on an asteroid. Magneto plays his cards wrongly though because he seeks to create security by having the ability to launch deadly attacks should Sanctuary come under threat. Magneto makes the classic mistake of not understanding the reality behind Mutually Assured Destruction which is that it brings peace only as part of a balance of powers. When the balance is disturbed as Magneto has done by setting up Sanctuary with its weaponry, the likelihood of conflict escalates massively. Magneto also fails to secure power effectively and his reliance on Fabien Cortez is at the core of his problem. Sanctuary also provides an opportunity to press on with the Rogue/Gambit love story.

The volume continues with Xavier's return to the Astral Plane to take on Shadow King. It also gives an introduction to Storm's childhood. Xavier and Jean have been on the Astral Plane in the previous Volume, their return here is partly in that context as they battle a very powerful psychic mutant.

Perhaps the most touching episode in this volume features the return of Morph. A few characters have made brief returns during the X Men seasons but Morph's is the most endearing. Master Mold provides the threat and Morph must test himself against the enemy he fears the most. His human-ness is emotive and his own lack of faith in his abilities is very realistic.

The series concludes with a bit of a strange one as Cyclops makes another solo expedition. Taking on a group of villains who have assumed control of a quintessentially Wild West desert town, Cyclops exhibits and exhorts the values that he stands for. The enemies are less likeble than some of the main villains so the bravado and bluster of Cyclops is not too grating. It is an unusual end to what is arguably the greatest season in cartoon history, a season that confirmed the overall series in its position of greatness.

A Deal with the Devil
Sanctuary 1
Sanctuary 2
Xavier Remembers
Courage
Secrets not long buried

Not a bad selection sanctuary is probably the best and includes a cameo with Apocalypse who will have a major impact on season 4 volume 2. The reintroduction of the sentinels in Courage is also welcome. Secrets not long buried is basically A Bad Day at Black Rock with mutants. Overall worth getting as it features every major xme villain.