X-Men #102

Cover: Leinil Francis Yu (pencils) Mark Morales (Inks) Liquid! Graphics (Colors)

Title: The Cruelest Cut (23 pages)

Writer: Chris Claremont
Pencils: Leinil Francis Yu
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Liquid! Graphics
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft's Saida Temofonte
Editor: Mark Powers
Editor in Chief: Bob Harras

Feature Characters: Wolverine (last in Iron Fist/Wolverine #3), Nightcrawler, Rogue, Colossus (next in X-Men 2000), Psylocke, Thunderbird III

Supporting Characters: Archangel, Cecelia Reyes; Dani Moonstar (next in X-Men 2000), Forge (behind the scenes); Tessa (last in X-Men: The Hellfire Club #4); Robert Kelly (last in X-Men #72, next in Amazing Spider-man Vol.2 #20); Morlocks

Villains: Domina (also in flashback between X-Men #99 and #100), Salvo, Antaeus, Static, Barbican (last two both behind the scenes) the Neo; Rufus Delgado (first appearance, a drug dealer); Sabretooth (in flashback, last in Gambit Vol.3 #11, next in Uncanny X-Men #388), Mr Sinister (in flashback, last in Gambit Vol.3 #15)

Wolverine and Moonstar investigate the orphanage used as a base by Mr Sinister where they find evidence of another attack by the Neo. Meanwhile in the Neo compound, Cecelia Reyes withstands the attacks of the Neo long enough for the arrival of the X-Men and the return to the battle of Archangel. The two groups battle but the Neo, in particular Domina prove to have the upperhand, able to neutralise the X-Men's abilities and draw on the abilities of their fellow Neo. Wolverine's arrival allow the X-Men to flee as the beo Barbican begins to seal the building up. While the X-Men flee Cecelia turns back to save the missing Charlotte Jones and remains trapped inside.

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