Uncanny X-Men 245 with Jean Grey

There is a lot to be said about Uncanny X-Men 245. The series itself was popular in its prime, but this issue is especially interesting for several reasons. In 1988 and into 1989 DC Comics had a three-issue miniseries called Invasion. By June of 1989 this issue of Uncanny X-Men was published with a clear indication that it was a parody of the Invasion story DC had done. But more than that is seeing early artwork by Rob Liefeld (or “Leifeld”, as his name is misspelled in the credit sequence on page 2). And what is so interesting about this art? For one it appears Jean Grey is naked on page 11.

Beyond the parody, the issue is a treasure trove of references to other comic series and media. Characters and creatures from various franchises make appearances, enriching the narrative with intertextual nods. You’ll spot Thanagarians, recognizable from the Hawkman series, alongside pop culture icons like Alf and E.T. The xenomorph from the Alien films also makes an appearance, as do Yoda and Jabba the Hutt, adding to the vibrant alien coalition.

The action primarily unfolds inside a bar named Muden’s, a nod to the GrimJack series, previously referenced in New Mutants 50. The bartender, named Ostrander, subtly pays homage to John Ostrander, the creator of Grim Jack.

Additionally, the issue cleverly integrates elements from the Superman universe, featuring the Daily Planet TV station with characters reminiscent of Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Clark Kent. These references are woven into the story even as the invasion plot is humorously sidelined to cover the inauguration of Bush the Elder and Dan Quayle. This issue is not just a parody; it’s a playful intermingling of comic lore and pop culture, making it a standout edition worth exploring.

Main Plot

Uncanny X-Men 245 kicks off with an impending alien invasion, poised to strike Earth from orbit. These extraterrestrials are led by a coalition intent on conquering the planet. However, their preparations hit a snag when an archivist uncovers Earth’s track record of overcoming alien threats. His attempt to warn the invasion leader ends in tragedy as he is silenced for his efforts.

Meanwhile, back on Earth in Australia, Havok finds himself lost in thought while observing his fellow X-Men via a computer system. Tensions rise when he clashes with Storm and Wolverine over their surveillance methods. To lighten the mood, Wolverine proposes a guys’ night out, thinking a change of pace will benefit the team.

While the male X-Men unwind at a bar in Sydney, dancing and drinking ensue. Longshot steals the spotlight, captivating women on the dance floor. Their evening is interrupted when the alien attack finally commences, triggering chaos throughout Sydney.

The city’s inhabitants, surprisingly unfazed, display unexpected acceptance of the invasion, with the mayor even offering his position to take a break. Amid the chaos, Colossus ends up in a skirmish with alien troops, while Longshot’s charm wins over a group of female adversaries.

Frustrated by repeated failures, the alien leader decides to unleash the devastating Jean Bomb, a weapon of mass destruction. However, the invasion is thwarted when Havok destroys the leader’s ship and the bomb, bringing the invasion to an end.

The X-Men head back home, having emerged from the confrontation with renewed vigor and camaraderie. Simultaneously, in Kentucky, Tessa conducts her own investigation into a brutal attack at a Shaw Industries site, uncovering that Donald Pierce has escaped.

Exploring Connections in This X-Men Issue

This particular X-Men issue cleverly weaves comedic elements into its storyline while simultaneously maintaining connections to the series’ broader narratives. Although the primary focus is a humor-filled adventure featuring the male X-Men combating an alien threat, there are several intriguing links to the larger series’ arcs.

1. Dazzler’s Evolving Abilities: One key connection is the subtle development of Dazzler’s powers. The issue plants seeds for future storylines by hinting at her potential growth, ensuring readers remain curious about her journey within the series.
2. Post-Inferno Atmosphere: The issue picks up in the aftermath of the intense “Inferno” storyline. While embracing a lighter tone, it captures the team’s ongoing struggle with the emotional and psychological fallout from those dramatic events. This continuity adds depth and context, allowing readers to see the team’s recovery process.
3. Foreshadowing Future Arcs: The final page epilogue teases upcoming storylines, maintaining the readers’ anticipation for what lies ahead in the X-Men saga. This subtle nod ensures that even a comedy-driven issue stays relevant to the overarching plotlines.

Though the primary narrative is a comedic detour, poking fun at character stereotypes like Longshot’s charm and Wolverine’s ruggedness, these elements serve to enrich the characters and provide a momentary shift from the intense themes that have previously dominated the series. By incorporating humor, the issue offers a refreshing pause while maintaining momentum within the larger narrative structure.

Wolverine’s cameo in this comic book is situated chronologically after the events of the 16th issue from his standalone series. This means that readers following Wolverine’s personal adventures will find that the storyline in this comic takes place subsequently, offering continuity for dedicated fans. For anyone keeping track, this appearance reflects where he is in his journey following his recent solo exploits, adding a layer of depth to his character’s narrative arc within the broader universe.

The Jean Bomb

It is hard to take Uncanny X-Men 245 seriously since it is a parody to the point where even the main villain closely resembles the one shown on the front cover of DC’s Invasion. Beside this there are some silly jokes cracked such as the “Jean Bomb”, a weapon floating in liquid that is obviously intended to look like Jean Grey. What got reader’s attention, however, is the apparent coloring error that made it seems as if we were observing Jean Grey Naked. Under close inspect though we can see that there are lines indicating her outfit and the skin-tone coloring was probably not what was originally intended. Some peculiar though is that when this story was reprinted and recolored, it continued to have the skin-tone look that made her appear to be nude. No nipples though, sadly. (Storm is also nude on page 4, if you’re interested.)

The “Jean Bomb” is a playful take on the “Gene Bomb” from the DC Comics crossover event “Invasion” in 1988-1989. In the original storyline, an alliance of alien races, led by the Dominators, launches an attack against Earth, targeting its metahuman population. Their grand plan includes the detonation of a “Gene Bomb” designed to manipulate or neutralize the genes responsible for superpowers, either eliminating the metahumans or transforming them into tools for their own purposes. This concept introduces the idea of the “metagene,” explaining the origin of superpowers in humans within the DC universe.

In contrast, the parody in question introduces the “Jean Bomb,” cleverly reimagined to have an entirely different effect: the potential to “destroy relationships.” This twist not only injects humor into the narrative but also satirizes the dramatic stakes of the original storyline. The depiction of the “Jean Bomb” as a character bearing a strong resemblance to Jean Grey posed provocatively amplifies the humor. This satirical element pokes fun at how, during that era, even minor transgressions of comic book decorum, including suggestive imagery, were often sensationalized to boost comic book sales during the booming collector market.

Would you believe me if I told you that Rob Liefeld’s artwork in Uncanny X-Men 245 is actually pretty good? It’s true. I don’t know if he had any help on this one but all the characters look totally decent with feet and everything. The backgrounds and environments look nice as well. Overall I would seriously consider adding this issue (Affiliate Link) to your collection due to its controversial imagery at the time it was printed. It’s also a fun read and an interesting stamp in comic history.