In which Jean commits genocide, the Shi’ar are total dicks (again), we have feelings about X-Men #137, Claremont and Byrne do what they do best, shit gets real on the moon, Kitty joins the team, and the Dark Phoenix Saga concludes.

X-Plained:

• Inhumans


• The Kree


• The Terrigen Mist


• Teamwork


• The Dark Phoenix


• Cameos with cosmic implications


• The Phoenix event horizon


• Establishing scale


• Psychic battles


• The winged never-nudes of the Marvel Universe


• Danger-room exposition


• The Shi’ar’s really dubious justice system


• Why X-Men #137 is the definitive issue of X-Men


• Pacing


• The power of friendship


• Quiet moments


• The blue area of the moon


• The best last stand


• Moon vandalism


• The Phoenix Retcon

You can find a visual companion to the episode – and links to recommended reading – on our blog.

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