Children of the Atom

• Writer - Steve Seagle
• Penciler - Chris Bachalo
• Inker - Jordi Ensign
• Inker - Aaron Sowd
• Inker - Peter Palmiotti
• Inker - Tim Townsend
• Lettering - Richard Starkings
• Lettering - Comicraft
• Colorist - Mike Rockwitz
• Colorist - Shannon Blanchard
• Editor - Mark Powers
• Editor in Chief - Bob Harras
• Inker - Jonathan Sibal

Summary

  At Cape Citadel, the Benassi rocket causes a protest because it carries a nuclear reactor. It also has a secret anti-mutant satellite. A reporter notes this is the anniversary of Magneto's attack (iss. 1, Sept. 1963), when the world first learned of mutants. She mentions Sentinels, Onslaught, and OZT.

  Cerebro imitates Xavier and collects new X-Men: Grey King, a psi who can negate mutant powers; Chaos, autistic with a blast; Mercury, a mercenary who make his body metal; Rapture, a nun with wings and a sword; Crux, who runs hot and cold; Landslide, with super-strength. (Resembling Phoenix, Havok, Colossus, Angel, Iceman, and Blob, resp.)

  Excalibur has disbanded, so Kurt, Kitty, and Piotr are on a cruise, and they wonder where their lives would have taken them if there hadn't been a mutant problem. The false X-Men attack the ship and capture Kitty.

  The real X-Men are in sewers under the Pentagon, planning to meet Corbeau, but they are attacked by defense lasers. They break through and overhear that Corbeau has been abducted by the X-Men.

  The X-Men meet Val at the Lincoln Memorial; she says they are wanted by the Feds, especially the Benassi team. She gives them a Lear jet and a mini-TV.

  Kurt and Piotr go to the empty mansion. Kurt finds Marrow's detritus in his room; Piotr sees Ororo's attic is overgrown. Cecelia pulls a shotgun on them.

  The false X-Men want Kitty to save Cerebro, which she embraces as Xavier, then realizes something is wrong. It says it was taken by Bastion and altered, has been collecting non-viable mutants in tanks, and is dying of a computer virus. Kitty takes a look.

  Cecelia realizes Kurt and Piotr are good guys and says Ororo asked her to keep an eye on the mansion. She sends them to the Cape, and Kurt repairs the original Blackbird (iss. 353).

  Koppisch, the launch director, is shot by his own team to divert attention from the satellite, which can identify and kill mutants.

  Kitty captures the virus, Cerebro is healed, and the false X-Men put her in deep storage.

  The X-Men's jet falls apart. They expect Magneto but find the false X-Men instead. Mid-air battle ensues. Grey King turns off Marrow's power, and she is suddenly agonized by bone growths. Ororo backhands Crux with hailstones. Landslide beats on Rogue. Rapture tosses Logan down, but Kurt arrives just in time to catch him. He gets the X-Men to the Blackbird, but Grey King attacks from a distance, and Mercury shoots at them from his craft.

  Note: continued in X-Men II:80, and a tribute to the 35th anniversary and a pin-up of the original X-Men are included.