The cover of Uncanny X-Men #156
The Deathbird Saga is a 1981-1982 Uncanny X-Men (1963) storyline written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Dave Cockrum. Covering issues #154-157, the storyline is a prologue to The Brood Saga, introducing the titled parasitical aliens and adding Deathbird to the X-World.
As the X-Men move their base of operations from the School for Gifted Youngsters (badly damaged by a N'Garai demon's rampage as well as a recent attack from the Hellfire Club) to an ancient city in The Bermuda Triangle, they receive several alien visitors. First it's Corsair of the Starjammers and then the Shi'ar. The Majestrix Lilandra has been kidnapped and all paths of her captivity lead to Earth. The Shi'ar intends to attack the planet in order to find their ruler. Professor Xavier uses all the political clout he possesses as Prince Consort to convince the Fleet to delay the attack until the team can find her. Thus starts a Space Opera where the X-Men discover the real kidnappers: Lilandra's sister Deathbird, who intends to take the throne for herself with the help of her allies the Brood. Although this kidnapping will be resolved & Earth saved, this is just Round One.
For completist sake, this site will include issues #158-160.
The Deathbird Saga consists of Tropes as:
- Assassin Outclassin': Lord Semedar sends assassins to kill Kurt & Kitty in their quarters. Fortunately, Kitty had secretly escaped the room, and attacks them from behind.
- Big Damn Heroes: Just as the Shi'ar fleet projects the first shot on Earth, the Starjammers' ship appears and deflects the blast.
- Bittersweet Ending: Lilandra has been rescued and Earth is saved. But Professor Xavier is in a coma, with something very wrong. And thanks to Deathbird, the Brood intend to capture the X-Men.
- Conveniently Empty Building: The X-Men’s first fight with Deathbird & the Brood happens at a construction site that gets totaled when the enemy escapes.
- The Coup: Deathbird seeks to usurp Lilandra as Majestrix of the Shi’ar Empire. She has several followers from within like Admiral Lord Semadar, and Imperial Guard members like Warstar, Fang, and Hussar.
- Disappeared Dad: Scott feels betrayed about his father Corsair never coming back to save him from the orphanage.
- Disney Death:
- Colossus gets impaled through the heart by Deathbird. Fortunately the Starjammers' advanced medical technology saves him.
- Chancellor Araki is killed by Lord Semedar. However later appearances outside Claremont’s run revealed he transferred to another body.
- Exact Time to Failure: A countdown is made on how much time the Starjammers can rescue Storm from space.
- Exposition Beam: Xavier does this to Kitty, imprinting all his knowledge of the Shi’ar into her mind.
- Friendly Rivalry: Scott and Ororo discuss this after a friendly game in the Danger Room. Specifically Ororo taking over Scott’s place as leader.
- Gorgeous Garment Generation: As a hostage in the Shi’ar ship, Kitty toys with a clothes-making machine. Later she uses it to make a space-suit, a disguise as Dark Phoenix, and a Robin Hood outfit.
- He's Back!: Gravely wounded by Deathbird, Colossus makes his reappearance during battle within the Acanti.
- Hope Spot: Nightcrawler and the Loyalist Imperial Guard have been defeated. It’s up to Kitty to sabotage Semedar’s plan to attack Earth! Nope.
- Hostage for MacGuffin: Deathbird will give the Brood the X-Men in payment for helping her usurp the throne.
- Kick the Dog: Admiral Samedar shows Kurt and Kitty images of Deathbird impaling Colossus.
- Love Makes You Crazy: Seeing Lilandra threatened by the Brood, Professor Xavier recklessly attacks them. Cyclops has to admonish him for doing such actions.
- Luke, I Am Your Father: Cyclops learns that Corsair is his father.
- A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read: While attempting a long-distance mind link to Kurt and Kitty, Professor Xavier notes some sentient anomaly. Attempting to probe it, he receives a mental shock that puts him in a coma.
- Mummy Wrap: The Brood project a Tangle-Web that puts Storm in a variation of this trope. Wolverine rips her free, although her cloak suffers for it.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain!:
- Perhaps if Deathbird hadn’t attacked Storm and Corsair, then her role in kidnapping Lilandra would never have been revealed.
- When the X-Men & Starjammers attack the Brood’s vessel, the latter causes a null-gravity effect. Fortunately, the teams are able to neutralize this through special gravity boots, while the crippled Xavier is granted greater mobility.
- Old Friend: Wolverine reveals to Carol they were partners in combat years ago. Unfortunately, Carol can’t remember because of Rogue stealing a good amount of her memories.
- Political Hostage: The Shi’ar have Kurt & Kitty as this trope as a matter of good faith while the X-Men are allowed to search for Lilandra.
- Space Whale: The Starjammers get swallowed up by a giant creature which turns out to be the Brood's imperial cruiser.
- Superman Stays Out of Gotham: Although the X-Men uses the Avengers Mansion as their temporary base of operations, only Tigra is present to help. Cap, Iron Man, and Thor are absent (in the case of Wasp and Yellowjacket, this story is set after the former threw out the latter and is in Reno for a divorce). The Fantastic Four are likewise absent.
- Time to Move: The constant damages to the School For Gifted Youngsters, the lack of money, and expertise to repair, plus growing anti-mutant sentiment in the country have Professor Xavier decide to change their base of operations to the much secluded ancient city at the Bermuda Triangle.
- Thou Shalt Not Kill: Cyclops is shocked by Corsair killing the Sidri Hunters. This, plus Corsair being Disappeared Dad, doesn’t quite endear the son to the father.
- Tranquil Fury: Shocked by Samedar's image of Colossus seemingly killed, Kitty holds back her rage & despair.
- Transplant: Deathbird becomes an antagonist to the X-Comics whoever the Shi’ar is concerned.
- Trash the Set: The School for Gifted Youngsters has been put through the wringer of late: First, a N’Garai demon left a road of rampage that wrecked the Danger Room. Then Sentinels put a few holes. Then more damage from a huge Gale caused by a White Queen-possessed Storm. Now it gets completely trashed by Sidri Hunters.
Uncanny X-Men# 158
As Professor Xavier continues to be in a coma, the X-Men deal with a new threat at home. Senator Kelly is planning a federal pursuit on the Mutant problem. This may prove threatening to the team because when Xavier first formed the X-Men he had the help from the FBI. This means the US Government has secret files about the Team. Carol Danvers leads Wolverine, Storm, and Nightcrawler to the Pentagon to erase those files. So far so clear, until Carol bumps into Rogue.
This issue consists of Tropes like:
- Affably Evil: Rogue, when she and Carol bump into each other, was apologizing for it when recognition set in.
- Alas, Poor Villain: Claremont mentions that Rogue was equally scarred by absorbing Carol’s mind & powers.
- Bittersweet Ending: The X-Men have successfully erased all federal information about them and Carol decides to move on. However, the commotion at the Pentagon will give them bad press.
- Brought Down to Badass: After a workout test with the Starjammers, Carol Danvers still maintains the Kree DNA that renders her in perfect physical shape.
- Computer Virus: With help from Kitty & the Starjammers, Carol Danvers sends this trope into the Pentagon computers, erasing all federal information of the X-Men.
- Contrived Coincidence: Rogue, the woman who very nearly destroyed Carol, just happens to be at the Pentagon while Carol herself is there.
- Driven to Suicide: Using Quasar, the comatose Xavier tries to damage the medical unit keeping himself (and the anomaly inside him) alive. Averted by Wolverine.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Rogue's first ever appearance in an X-Men book sees her as a villain, and looking like she is a homely spinster.
- Flashback:
- Kitty remembers her emotional reunion with Peter after The Coup is thwarted.
- Seeing Rogue, Carol remembers when the assailant attacked and stole her memories & powers.
- Love Epiphany: Seeing Colossus alive (after seeing an image of his death) freaks Kitty out about how strong her feelings are for the guy.
- Luke, I Am Your Father: Now it’s Alex Summers turn to meet his father! Corsair and Scott visit Alex and girlfriend Lorna Dane at their home.
- Metal Detector Checkpoint: Logan passes this at the Pentagon, using documents that clear him over any questions.
- A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read: Quasar attempts to awaken Xavier, but this backfires.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: The X-Men rescue Senator Kelly from assassination. Kelly calls them outlaws and intends to lawfully oppose them.
- Say My Name: Rogue and Carol both shout out each other's name when they bump into each other.
- Shapeshifter Guilt Trip: Mystique tries to disorient Carol by taking Storm’s form.
- That Man Is Dead: Downplayed. Carol accidentally accesses files of her civilian identity and Ms. Marvel. She sadly resolves that both persons are dead, and that she might as well move on to her new life. She erases both files.
Uncanny X-Men# 159
In a story written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Bill Sienkiwicz, the X-Men return to New York City and stay at Misty Knight’s apartment. One night, after seeing Kitty off to a weekend with her parents, Ororo gets attacked in an alley. When Kitty returns, the once vibrant wind-rider is wasting away. Clues point that Ororo has been bitten by a vampire. And not just any vampire: their lord himself, Dracula! Can the X-Men prevent their friend from becoming a Bride of the Undead?
This comic contains Tropes like:
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Dracula’s influence on Ororo has her act violently on Kitty. Fortunately, she breaks free of it.
- Clap Your Hands If You Believe: Unfortunately for Jewish Kitty and Atheist Wolverine, a cross is not an effective weapon for them.
- Cliffhanger: Our heroes return to Misty knight’s Apartment, and get a phone call from Moira: Professor Xavier’s condition is worsening!
- Fastball Special; Colossus throws Wolverine After Dracula.
- Get Out!: When Kitty insists on staying at Ororo’s bedside, the woman pushes her away.
- Heroic Willpower: Thanks to Kitty’s Actions, Ororo is able to overcome Dracula’s influence. Even if she becomes the undead, she will not be Dracula’s slave or kill for him. Instead, she will end him.
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Kitty faces Brainwashed and Crazy Ororo. She reminds her of her sanctity for Life and becoming a vampire is an anathema to her beliefs. Kitty employs the Kill Me Now, or Forever Stay Your Hand, finally stopping her.
- Improvised Cross: Atheist Wolverine does this with his claws. Believer Nightcrawler uses two sticks. Guess who is more effective?
- Kill Me Now, or Forever Stay Your Hand: Initially bearing a stake against Brainwashed and Crazy Ororo, Kitty drops it. If Ororo wants to kill her, she won’t stop her. Fortunately this gets to Ororo, overcoming her vampiric influences.
- The Power of Friendship: Kitty manages to get to Ororo to successfully resist Dracula.
- Silver Bullet: Kitty’s silver Star Of David necklace burns her free of Dracula’s neck grip.
- Staking the Loved One: Kitty bears this struggle when she opens a coffin that might have Ororo inside it. Averted when she finds it empty.
- The Reveal: Kitty makes a Kill Me Now, or Forever Stay Your Hand stand to Brainwashed and Crazy Ororo. The next we see Ororo, she arrives to Dracula alone, looking as vampiric as ever. Did she kill Kitty? Nope. Rather than take Dracula’s offer to kill the unconscious X-Men, she attacks him.
- Trespassing Hero: The issue opens with the X-Men barging into Misty Knight’s Apartment to stay for a while. Unfortunately, her roommate Harmony Young didn’t get the memo.
- Turning Back Human: Zig-Zagged. Dracula releases Storm of his control. She is no longer undergoing the changes or suffering weaknesses like sunlight or silver. However, in Uncanny X Men Annual 6, it is revealed that Dracula had not lifted his curse on her. So if Storm had been killed in action, she would come back as a vampire. It’s only after Dracula suffers another temporary death in that story is his curse on Storm completely broken.
- Virus-Victim Symptoms: Kitty notes the changes in Ororo: a drained appearance, aversion to sunlight & her Star of David necklace. Logan’s information that Ororo has neck wounds confirms her fears.
- Worthy Opponent: Admiring Storm’s strength & courage to stay true to herself, Dracula removes his influence, allowing her not to waste away, die, & become a vampire. This gets subverted, when in their next encounter, Dracula reveals he never released her of his curse.
- You Don't Look Like You: Seinkiewicz eschews Gene Colan’s standard design for the Marvel character. Although Dracula still bears a cape, he wears a Puffy Shirt & vest. He also sports a beard.
Uncanny X-Men# 160
In a story written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Brent Anderson, the X-Men return to the Bermuda Triangle city over news of Professor Xavier’s worsening condition. During a training exercise, Peter’s little sister Illyana disappears. The five X-Men also disappear into a Limbo dimension dominated by the demonic sorcerer Belasco. The team face demons & altered counterparts like themselves in order to rescue Illyana from Belasco’’s evil plans for her. They will not be successful.
This issue possesses Tropes such as:
- Alternate Self: In Limbo, the X-Men encounter different version of themselves: Limbo-Storm is now an elderly sorceress. Limbo-Nightcrawler is an evil minion.
- Censor Steam: Storm creates a shower and bathes in the nude. The rain and steam cover her up.
- Clothing Damage:
- Sym rips off Wolverine’s shirt.
- Storm’s clothing gets ruined, forcing her to wear garments given to her.
- Déjà Vu: Storm notes a familiarity in Limbo. This is due to her Alternate Self.
- Demon Lords and Archdevils: The antagonists of this story are the sorcerer Belasco and his demon servant Sym.
- Discovering Your Own Dead Body:
- Belasco magically removes Kitty’s skeleton & shows it to her.
- Colossus sees a corpse of himself hanging on a wall.
- Downer Ending: The X-Men fail to keep Illyana from spending seven years in a hell dimension.
- Empathy Doll Shot: The final panel Shows Belasco crushing Illyana’s Fozzie the Bear doll, symbolizing his corruption of the girl’s innocence.
- Entitled to Have You: Limbo-Nightcrawler thinks Kitty’s gratitude in seeing him means sexual reward, an action Kitty quickly rejects.
- Evil Doppelgänger: Limbo-Nightcrawler is an evil servant of Belasco.
- Evil Overlooker: The story begins with Belasco viewing the X-Men through a screen.
- Identical Twin Mistake: Happens twice to Kitty: she first hugs Limbo-Nightcrawler (who proceeds to grope her), then Limbo-Storm.
- Impersonating the Evil Twin: Nightcrawler defeats his Limbo counterpart and takes his clothing to attack Belasco.
- Invasion of the Baby Snatchers: Belasco kidnaps Illyana for a dark purpose.
- Jewelry Accessory: Storm receives several magical trinkets in Limbo. An armlet that gives her the powers of her teammates. An amulet that teleports the X-Men home.
- Killed Offscreen: One panel shows Wolverine clawing up to an appearing demon. The next panel shows a few seconds later with Wolverine sheathing his claws.
- My Future Self and Me: Storm is prevented from attacking Belasco by an elderly counterpart of herself who did a similar action and suffered for it.
- Portal Door: Stepping Discs send Illyana & the X-Men to Limbo. The place is full of them, accidentally separating the team. Colossus throws Sym into one.
- Robbing the Dead. Limbo-Wolverine is only a skeleton. Sym breaks off one of his claws and uses it as a toothpick.
- Time Skip: This story occurs a day after fighting Dracula.
- Undressing the Unconscious: After being knocked unconscious, Storm wakes up in bed without her clothes. The person responsible turns out to be a future self.