New Mutants #36 Review - Secret Wars II

Issue Review
New Mutants #36

Direct Market Release Date: October 8, 1985

Credits

Title: Subway to Salvation
Writer: Chris Claremont
Artists: Mary Wilshire & Bill Sienkiewicz
Colorist: Michael Higgins
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Ann Nocenti
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary

During a Danger Room exercise, Sunspot destroys some equipment after being pushed to far by Magneto. Sunspot, Robert DaCosta, is only at the Mansion to come to terms with his mutant abilities, not to train to be a super hero. Disgusted with Magneto and depressed since meeting the Beyonder, DaCosta retreats to private quarters where he mourns the loss of his girlfriend, Juliana.

The Beyonder appears in from of Illyana Rasputin on a subway car, who summons her soulsword and attacks him. Impossibly, he proves immune to it's effects. The Beyonder is convinced that he will find meaning in revealing to others their true roles in life, and purges Illyana's Darksoul from her, restoring her to her true self. He then sends her and the subway car through the street up into the air, towards the X-Men's mansion.

Meanwhile, Illyana's Soulsword, no longer connected to Illyana, manifests itself in front of Kitty Pryde who is studying at the library. Pryde grabs the sword and Illyana's Eldritch Armor and Beatrix Medallion appear on her. Pryde remarks that the only other time this had happen was when the Beyonder had appeared on Earth. Suddenly, demons attack and subdue her.

Back at the mansion, a demon also attacks the New Mutants. After defeating the creature, the subway car carrying the enlightened Illyana, who spreads the message of the Beyonder, lands on the mansion grounds. Illyana tells them that the Beyonder removed all evil from her, and gave her back her true existence. She mentions that the demon appearances are occurring because the barriers between their dimension and ours are breaking down, but not to concern themselves with this threat as it will all be over once they all see what the Beyonder has to offer. Having already convinced Cannonball to join her, Illyana begins to forcibly convert Warlock.

Suddenly, the massive demon who attacked Kitty Pryde at the library attacks the New Mutants. They notice that Kitty hangs like a trophy on a necklace around the demon's neck. The New Mutants try to rescue her, but their attacks are ineffective. Illyana realizes that Kitty took her place as possessor of the Soulsword after the Beyonder removed all her Magicks, and that in order to save her friend, she'd have to reassume the mantle of Darkchylde. Conflicted, she does so, and dispels the demon, saving Kitty Pryde.

Quotes

Sunspot: You speak as if I was one of the X-Men! But I'm NOT, Magneto, and I don't wish to be! I can't to Xavier's to learn how to cope with who and what I am. I've done that! All I want now is to live as sane and normal a life as I can. I don't want to be a super hero, I don't want any part of that crazy existence! I want to be left alone -- is that too much to ask?!

The Beyonder: Why do you wish me harm... when I seek to do you only good?
Illyana Rasputin: GASP! I though -- only Kitty and I could hold my sword!
The Beyonder: I am beyond such petty strictures.

Illyana Rasputin: I was evil, Doug. I don't deny it. But no more -- thanks to the Beyonder. I'm the girl I should have been. Is that so awful? Should he have left well enough alone -- and me as I was? Thanks a lot pal.He didn't... DO anything to me, like brain washing. He showed me a small part of what he is, and we might be.

Dani Moonstar: Is this the price the Beyonder demands for your devotion -- an innocent girl's soul?! Kitty'd do ANYTHING for you -- make any sacrifice, without hesitation or regret -- because you're her FRIEND! Why can't you do the same?!
Illyana Rasputin: (in thought) She's there in my place! When I was cleansed -- my magicks and the responsibility that go with them -- must have transferred to Kitty. I've got to save her, I've got to take them back. Become EVIL.

Commentary

Taking place shortly after the Beyonder has convinced himself that he is a savior to the peoples of earth, his first action is to visit one of the first humans he encountered when he manifested himself on earth, Colossus' sister Illyana Rasputin. It is interesting to see the consequences of what should have been a good deed go awry, as separating Illyana from her Darkchylde self has some terrifying consequences for Kitty Pryde and the rest of the New Mutants.

The issue, along with many other religion themed crossovers this month, compares religion to brainwashing, depicting the Illyana as more of an single-minded zombie rather than a happily enlightened and emancipated disciple.

New Mutants #36 features a beautiful cover of Kitty Pryde as part of a collection of trinkets on the necklace of a gigantic demon. Masterfully executed by Barry Windsor-Smith, it's one of the best covers in the series, and marks his only participation in the Secret Wars II crossover.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in The New Defenders #152!