Marvel Triple Action #45
Published and © by Marvel, December 1978
Title: “When Mutants Clash!”
Synopsis: As Angel races to recruit the Avengers, Cyclops escapes Magneto’s dungeon and attempts to free the X-Men.
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist (layouts): Don Heck
Penciler: Werner Roth and Sal Buscema
Inker: John Tartaglione and Mike Esposito
Review: Originally published in 1968, this story from X-Men #45 is a tricky one to grade. It exists in the liminal space between the Silver and Bronze ages. This outing looks like a Bronze book but has a more rudimentary story sense, particularly when it comes to characterization. But key story elements are already in place, such as Magneto’s desire to establish a separate country for mutants. And Quicksilver is Marvel’s Rosetta Stone, unlocking stories in the X-Men, Avengers and Fantastic Four franchises. This issue is ultimately nonessential, but provides a fun glimpse of the X-Men’s development during their foundational years.
Grade: B-
Cool factor: A retro treat for X-fans who came aboard during the all-new, all-different relaunch.
Notable: Three new pages – drawn by Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito – were added to this reprint from X-Men #45.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 12p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “Enough! I will listen to no more of your Homo-sapiens-sympathizing blasphemy!” – Quicksilver, mutant supremacist
Editor’s note: This review was written June 20, 2024.
