* ASTONISHING X-MEN - Is a new mini-series slated for this year that will big effects on the regular X-Men team. Here's what Editor Mark Powers had to say about it: "Well, we're trying to keep as much of this project under wraps as we can right now, because we think we've got some incredible surprises in store for readers. Basically, the thrust of the story is that a crisis has occurred within the X-Men -- something that's lead to the apparent dissolution of the regular team. Xavier is behaving erratically. There's strife between him and his team, there's disagreement between various team members as to what they should actually be doing, especially in regards to the Magneto situation. So, when Nina -- the young "Mannite" we last saw in "Hunt for Xavier" sends out a desperate telepathic S.O.S., Cyclops and Phoenix must assemble an emergency team to deal with the threat. The villain they'll face will have a profound impact on the future of the X-Men, tying directly into events later in the year. If you miss this one, you're missing the start of something huge."

* THE ADAMANTIUM IS BACK!

Or so it seems! Check out Wolverine's 25th Anniversary is issue #145, on sale in October to find out!

BISHOP: THE LAST X-MAN

Joe Casey/Ladronn/Juan Vlasco/cover by Ladronn & Juan Vlasco

Archangel guest-stars in a story that leads into next month's surprise X-Men event! Once, he was a follower of the Askani... now, he has renounced their ways-and the laws of the Chosen One-and has become the Heretic! And Cable must stop him from eliminating his small network of allies... simple, right? Except for the fact that Archangel, once the Horsemen of Death, is in deep trouble too-trouble that could involve Apocalypse!

Gambit no. 7

Fabian Nicieza/Steve Skroce/Rob Hunter/cover by Steve Skroce & Rob Hunter

You've met the repulsive villain known as the Pig... you've discovered his connection to Gambit's past... now watch as the ragin' Cajun squares off with the ugliest, meanest fiend this side of the Big Easy! Meanwhile, one of Remy's oldest and most bitter enemies has stumbled upon a startling secret within the X-Men, something that could swallow Gamit-and the entire team-whole!

Generation X no. 54

Jay Faerber/Terry Dodson/Rachel Dodson/cover by Terry & Rachel Dodson

When Generation X and guest-star Paladin hit Madripoor, it's all out Hong-Kong style action and adventure! Sent by their new Headmistress Adrienne Frost, the Gen X kids have gone to Madripoor to retrieve a special sword, but the all-new group of mutants called the Rising Sons are out to make sure that they don't leave with the sword-or their lives! Meanwhile, back in Massachussetts, White Queen is none too pleased with how her sister is using her students!

Mutant X no. 11

Howard Mackie/Cary Nord/Andrew Pepoy/cover by Cary Nord & Andrew Peopy

It's Bloodstorm vs. Havok for the life of his son! The Goblin Queen's lust for power grows, and with the help of Reed Richards and a dimensional gateway, she may get whatever she desires! But before she begins, Madelyne wants her son at her side, and that means she has to steal him away from the protection of Havok and the X-Men. So who better to send against them than the former X-Man herself, the vampiric Bloodstorm!

Uncanny X-Men no. 371 "Rage Against the Machine" part 1

Alan Davis/Jimmy Cheung/Mark Morales/cover by Adam Kubert

The X-Men have returned from space, only to find a new menace looming over them! The Phalanx known as Douglock has disappeared, leaving behind a techno-organic "ground zero" at the Muir Island Research Center. What has happened to him, and who is responsible for his disappearance? Meanwhile, something very wrong has happened to the team upon their return. What is the terrifying secret that only Professor Xavier suspects-and how could it destroy the team? Continued in X-MEN #91!

Wolverine no. 141

Erik Larsen/Leinil Francis Yu/cover by Leinil Francis Yu

Like CABLE #70, this issue leads into next month's surprise X-Men event! Something bizarre occurred when the X-Men returned from space last month... something that has created mistrust amongst the team. Now Wolverine finds himself hunted by someone he's long counted on as an ally-and caught in a conflict that will result in the death of one of them!

X-Force no. 93

John Francis Moore/tbd

At long last, Domino returns-and finds X-Force in a state of shock! Siryn has left the team, Sunspot is in government custody, and the remaining members of the team have joined up with the person you'd least expect! Yes, Domino and X-Force have indeed reunited, but they've done so in one of the most unpredictable stories of the year!

X-Man no. 54 "Strange Relations" part 2

Terry Kavanagh/Luke Ross/Bud Larosa/cover by Andrew Robinson

Cyclops and Phoenix team with X-Man to take on escapees from the Age of Apocalypse! Following the events of last issue, Nate, Scott Summers and Jean Grey travel to a remote mountaintop to investigate a breach from the Age of Apocalypse. Now the bizarre "family" must find a way to stop the AOA Infinite Soldiers from replicating and escaping into our world! But stopping them won't be easy-since their powers have been nullified by Hatchet-9!

X-Men 1999 "Rage Against the Machine" part 3

Alan Davis/Rick Leonardi/cover by Adam Kubert

The X-Men's enemy stands revealed -- and he has control of the techno-organic virus, potentially the most deadly weapon on the planet! And if that wasn't bad enough, the X-Men find themselves fighting a battle on two fronts when the new Deathlock targets Douglock in an effort to contain the spread of the alien virus! Are even the combined forces of the X-Men, X-51 and Nick Fury enough to prevent the destruction of Deathlok and the enslavement of the world's populace?!

X-Men no. 91 "Rage Against the Machine" part 2

Alan Davis/Andrew Robinson/cover by Adam Kubert

Nightcrawler, Colossus and Shadowcat have infiltrated the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier-which has been hijacked by someone or something using Douglock and the techno-organic virus to control the entire crew! Meanwhile, two wild cards roam the deadly halls of the floating fortress: the enigmatic X-51, a.k.a. Machine Man, and the all-new Deathlok! And back in Salem Center, something strange is going on with Professor X!

A new mini-series scheduled for this summer, X-Men: True Friends, will feature Phoenix and Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat). Chris Claremont resurrects this tale that was meant to be told years ago with the help of penciller Rick Leonardi. It seems unclear at this time if it will be the Rachel or Jean Grey Phoenix that is featured, but bets are on that'll be Rachel.

LIFEDEATH III

In the mid-80's, there was supposed to be third Life-Death installment in Uncanny X-Men but the story was shot down by the editors because they felt it condoned suicide. But Barry Windsor-Smith has recently taken the original plot and revamped it, putting his Young Gods character, Adastra, in Storm's place. (Thanks to Andy at the BB for this tidbit)

TIDBITS

* Look for the Red Skull to appear as the major villain in the X-Titles this summer.

After the cataclysmic events of "Sign of the End Times," Cable is presumed dead. With Apocalypse's hideous scheme just begun, Blaquesmith reaches out to the one man left alive who has the most experience with the world's first mutant: the X-Man known as Archangel! Plus: Who is Madame Sanctity - and what does she know of The Twelve?!

Uncanny X-Men #370
Alan Davis/Adam Kubert/Tim Townsend/cover by Adam Kubert & Tim Townsend

The X-Men have returned to their own dimension, but they've got a few problems on their hands. It seems they've been deposited someplace that only resembles Earth - several years in the past! Now, not only do they have to survive a showdown with half of the super heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe, but they must also choose whether or not to interfere with an event of cosmic proportions! Continued in X-MEN #90!

Generation X #53
Jay Faerber/Terry Dodson/Rachel Dodson/cover by Terry & Rachel Dodson

The villainous new team known as the Rising Sons strike as the mercenary called Paladin guest-stars! When a wounded Paladin shows up at the Academy's doorstep, Adrienne Frost takes control, sending him and the kids of Generation X on a secret mission to Madripoor to retrieve an ancient - and possibly mystical - sword. But where these young mutants go, trouble follows, and it isn't long before they confront a new team of super-powered teens who answer by the name of the Rising Sons! And it seems that this evil ensemble has a mission of their own: retrieve the sword themselves - and kill anyone who gets in their way!

Magneto Rex #3 (OF 3)
Joe Pruett/Brandon Peterson/Matt Banning/cover by Brandon Peterson & Matt Banning

It's the Master of Magnetism vs. all his foes to determine the future of the human/mutant conflict! He controlled the Brotherhood, but can Magneto rule an entire nation? Rogue has come to Genosha to sway her former paramour from his path of darkness - while Quicksilver has come to destroy everything his father has built! Will Genosha be Magneto's first step towards total dominaiton of the planet - or his ultimate downfall?!

Mutant X #10
Howard Mackie/ Cary Nord/Andrew Pepoy/cover by Cary Nord & Andrew Peopy

The X-Men vs. The Six - it's a stalemate on a twisted world! The Goblin Queen may have The Six in her thrall, but Havok has some allies of his own. They're the X-Men, but they aren't Xavier's students! This team of mutants are under the leadership of Magneto - and the Master of Magnetism does not like to lose!

X-Man #53
"Strange Relations" part 1, Terry Kavanagh

Guest-starring the X-Men's Cyclops and Phoenix! After the startling events of last issue, Nate finds himself face-to-face with his "parents," Jean Grey and Scott Summers! How will the X-Man react now that he's lost everyone close to him?! And why is Nate the only telepath who hasn't recovered from the effects of the Psi-War?!

X-Men #90
Alan Davis/Alan Davis/Mark Farmer/cover by Alan Davis & Mark Farmer

Continued from UNCANNY X-MEN #370 - the star-spanning, time-tossed conclusion! While Magneto plots his ascension in present-day Genosha, the X-Men are trapped years in the past! Forced to decide the fate of the entire world, they are now faced with a choice that could alter history - and change the tragic consequences of the Magneto War!

Gambit #6
Fabian Nicieza/Steve Skroce/Rob Hunter/cover by Steve Skroce & Rob Hunter

Who is... the Pig?! The mysterious underworld figure known only as the Pig has a grudge against Gambit and a homicidal mad-on for the Thieves Guild. So what tragic event in Gambit's past was this foul foe responsible for? And can Remy LeBeau confront his deepest fears - and some of his worst memories - to defeat the Pig and save his family?

Wolverine #140
Erik Larsen/Leinil Francis Yu/cover by Leinil Francis Yu

Springing directly from the events of X-MEN #90! The X-Men have returned from the backroads of time and space - but something is very, very wrong with the world they've come back to. Now, while the team deals with an increasingly paranoid Charles Xavier, the duo of Wolverine and Nightcrawler battle a foe they never thought they'd see again!

X-Force #92
John Francis Moore

Former Excalibur writer Ben Raab reports that he and artist Cary (Mutant X) Nord have gotten approval on a 4-issue Hellfire Club limited series entitled Hellfire Club: Inner Circle. The series will reveal the secret origin of the Hellfire Club as told to Cable's reporter pal, Irene Merriwether, by an all-new (sort of) never-before-seen member of the Club's Inner Circle...the White King, a character first mentioned as footnote back in the 1982 version of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. “Now he's gonna come to life...with a vengeance! exclaimed Raab.

The story chronicles the rise to power of the Shaw family over the generations, from their arrival in the Colonies during the Salem Witch trial to their role in establishing the Hellfire Club and all the internecine family wars along the way,” revealed Raab. “It's a series about power and its corrupting influence on one of the history's most influential families, and covers everything from the Revolutionary War to the American Civil War to WWII to Vietnam to the events of Uncanny X-men #100.

Raab hopes the series will be released in late 1999.

TIDBITS

* Joe Casey recently announced that he will be leaving the title Cable along with artist Jose Ladronn. What this means for "The Twelve" storyline is anyone's guess. He did say that he would still be working on the X-Men: Children of the Atom mini-series, starring the original X-Men, with Steve Rude.

* Joe Casey will be writing a mini-series starring the original X-Men, which will be pencilled by artist Steve Rude.

* Peterson will be the artist for Magneto Rex, the three issue mini series, and will help out in Oct Uncanny X-Men 375 which will be a double size issue, and the X-Men will go bi weekly beginning that month. Hmm...can this mean another huge crossover storyline?

Marvel editor Ruben Diaz has confirmed some preliminary details regarding the Contest of Champions II. Writer CHRIS CLAREMONT, and penciler Oscar Jiminez are the creative team for the summer '99 release, 4-issue weekly mini-series. And according to this week's Marvel newsletter, the series will be interactive, allowing online fans to vote and determine the outcome of a series of hero vs. hero match-ups with 3 participants, each drawn out of a distinct pool of contestants - the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-MEN!

* LIEBIG MOVES UP