Title Page
Part of the "Inferno" X-Over
"Strike the Match"
by Chris Claremont and Mark Silvestri
Synopsis: The Rainbow Room: Alex and Madelyne dance across the empty floor. Madelyne grabs a bottle of wine and pulls Alex outside. They toast and talk but noise from back in the room draws Alex's attention. A group of "ghostbusters" have set up inside and are currently arguing and talking about how the Empire State Building is growing. Alex asks if they need any help and in return one of the "ghostbusters" snaps at him. Because of that, the maitre d' throws the four scientists out. They leave into an elevator with demon faces on the inner walls. They scream in terror as the doors close. Outside Madelyne, dressed as the Goblin Queen watches the growth on the nearby skyscraper. When she turns to Alex, she is in wearing the dress she had on before. Inside the elevator Alex finds the scientist's glasses. Alex and Madelyne kiss, then find themselves back in Australia, teleported by Gateway. Madelyne curtly ends her conversation with Alex and teleports away, Alex thinks he knows why Madelyne left in a rush and decides to try to do something to help her.
St. Stephen's Chapel, Bard College: Goblin Queen watches a vision of her and Scott's wedding as she stands amongst the tombstones. She blames her failed marriage on Jean's return. She destroys Ms. Grey's tombstone. Dr. and Mrs. Grey catch Madelyne, and the Goblin Queen blasts them with some form of energy. It is then that N'astirh interrupts as he flies overhead. The Goblin Queen presents to him Jean's parents, reduced to demonic beings, and tells him that she wants Nathan. N'astirh wraps his wings around the group and they teleport away.
Australia: Dazzler lets loose a photon blast. She is furious at Rogue for wearing her clothes and flirting with Longshot. Though Rogue apologizes, Dazzler still attacks with more photon blasts.
Inside the house, Colossus sketches as Betsy poses for him. Rogues crashes into the room, making a mess of the whole scene. Outside, Longshot rebukes Dazzler for talking about him as if he is her property. Upset, he walks away.
Scenes of the whole incident play in the media room, but Havok has other things on his mind. It is not until he smells smoke, that he notices Storm and Wolverine are behind him. He tells them he has found the Marauders. Storm and Wolverine agree that it's time for payback.
An orphanage in Nebraska: The Goblin Queen and her demon companions find a rather interesting facility. Madelyne sees visions of her son in a cocoon that she encountered in Uncanny 238. She also sees an image of herself. Brushing the dust off the metal pod, she find the words: Codex Ident: Madelyne.
The Alley, Manhattan: The Marauders, having been transferred to the Alley by Sinister, are cleaning the place up. Blockbuster walked in the dark with a large load until he runs into something. Wolverine illuminates the area by lighting a cigarette. Blockbuster is face to face with Colossus. The X-Man introduces himself with loud wards and a fist.
The other Marauders are disturbed by Blockbuster crashing through. The X-Men and the Marauders fight, and it seems the X-Men have the upper hand. Blockbuster gets ready to enter the fray, but demon hands drag him into a dirt wall.
Storm and Malice are using their powers trying to throw Colossus at each other. Havok has a clear shot at Malice, but can't bring himself to blast Lorna. Malice redirects the magnetic flow, and combined with Storm's wind, Colossus punches through to the surface. The Marauders climb out, but the X-Men are not far behind. However they all stop in shock at what they see on the surface.
The Goblin Queen is furious with N'astirh for bringing her there and she wants answers. The demon points behind Madelyne and states that *he* can provide answers. Enter Mr. Sinister in all his glory. He tells Madelyne that she can call him "Father."
Review: Plenty of action, even though the plot is just starting. I'm not really sure if there is a whole lot in this issue that I personally respond to, but it is a good start to the story, none the less. The dramatic moments leave the reader hanging with what the X-Men find on the surface and Madelyne's meeting with Sinister. Of course, the last panel of Sinister is by far my favorite shot in the issue.