From the Ashes (comics)

"From the Ashes" is a storyline in the comic book Uncanny X-Men issues #168–176, published by Marvel Comics in 1983. It was written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Paul Smith and Bob Wiacek, with guest pencillers Walt Simonson and John Romita Jr. The storyline is known for introducing Madelyne Pryor, as well as Lockheed, the Morlocks, and Valerie Cooper. It also featured Rogue joining the team. In addition, issue #175 marked the 20th anniversary of the X-Men.

Plot
Kitty Pryde is upset that Professor Xavier has transferred her from the X-Men roster to the New Mutants. After attending dance class with Magik, she detects an intrusion at the X-Mansion and discovers the alien dragon Lockheed in the maintenance tunnel leading to the sub-basement. Sidrian Hunters suddenly appear, having remained in the sub-basement since their last attack months ago to lay their eggs. With the help of Lockheed and Colossus, Kitty defeats the Sidri and is reinstated in the X-Men on a provisional basis while Lockheed becomes her pet.

Scott Summers plans a trip to his grandparents in Alaska with his father Christopher and brother Alex, when he meets the pilot, Madelyne Pryor, who bears a striking resemblance to the late Jean Grey. This promptly results in a romance between Scott and Madelyne, who reveals to him that she was the sole survivor of a plane crash on September 1, 1980 – the same day Jean died. Because of this revelation, Scott begins to dig through files on Madelyne's background, and Lilandra Neramani suspects that she may somehow be connected to Jean as the Phoenix.

Back in New York, Warren Worthington III goes missing, and the X-Men search for him beneath the subways when they encounter the Morlocks, having abducted Warren for their leader, Callisto, to marry. During the initial battle between the X-Men and the Morlocks, Kitty falls ill after contact with Plague. In order to save both Warren and Kitty, Storm must fight Callisto to the death. Despite having been infected by Plague prior to the fight, Storm defeats Callisto and assumes leadership of the Morlocks; later in the storyline, she sports a mohawk and a different outfit to reflect her new attitude.

Rogue runs away from Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and arrives at the X-Mansion to ask Xavier for help, as she has difficulty controlling the powers she absorbed from Carol Danvers. Despite skepticism from the rest of the team, as well as a sudden attack by Danvers (who gained new powers as Binary), Xavier makes Rogue a probationary member of the X-Men. The team travels to Japan for Logan and Mariko Yashida's wedding, but it is revealed that Kenuichio Harada are Viper are plotting to overthrow Mariko to take over the Yashida Clan. Logan initially distrusts Rogue for stealing Danvers' powers, but when Rogue sacrifices herself to save him from a lethal ray gun blast by Viper, he offers his healing factor to her. On the day of the wedding, Mariko suddenly calls off the event shortly after meeting Mastermind and tells Logan to leave her sight forever.

Scott proposes to Madelyne, but when he asks her if she is the Phoenix, she suddenly punches him and runs away. As he looks for her, he is knocked out by the Dark Phoenix, who sends him back to the X-Mansion before attacking the X-Men. Scott realizes the Dark Phoenix attack is a mental illusion by Mastermind, who plotted his revenge after Phoenix left him in a catatonic state. When he tries to warn his teammates of the scheme, they attack him when Mastermind makes them think he is the Dark Phoenix. Following a grueling battle in the Danger Room, Scott has Rogue take Xavier's telepathic powers to help his teammates break free of Mastermind's illusions. Mastermind shoots Scott, but Storm defeats Mastermind with a monsoon. Scott discovers Madelyne in a pool of water and resuscitates her. Several weeks later, Scott comes to terms with Jean's death before marrying Madelyne.

Scott and Madelyne fly to the South Pacific on their honeymoon when a storm disables the plane's engine and forces them to land on the ocean. While the couple repairs the engine, they are attacked by a giant squid. After losing his glasses during the attack, Scott kills the squid with the full power of his optic blast before he and Madelyne get the plane fired up and fly off to safety. Meanwhile, Logan returns an honor blade to Mariko, but she reveals to him that while she was under Mastermind's control, she reverted her clan back to a criminal organization. She tells him he is not allowed to be with her until she restores her clan's honor.

Background
"From the Ashes" was part of Paul Smith's run as penciller on The Uncanny X-Men, having replaced Dave Cockrum in issue #165. He gave Storm a mohawk and a black leather outfit, which became her signature look for the majority of the 1980s. Smith's design was inspired by an incident when his colleague Walter Simonson shaved his beard and his daughter was upset by his new appearance.

Despite his short run on The Uncanny X-Men, Smith's artwork proved to be influential to other artists. His front cover for issue #173 inspired Arthur Adams to draw his iconic Wolverine art, which became a bestselling poster and was used on t-shirts, standees, and other merchandise. Smith's splash page for issue #168, featuring Kitty Pryde in a ski jacket sharply turning towards the reader while yelling, "Professor Xavier is a jerk!", has been the subject of numerous homages and imitations.

Collected editions

 * From the Ashes (TPB) ISBN 0-8713-5615-5 collects The Uncanny X-Men #168–176
 * Essential X-Men (TPB) Vol. 4 ISBN 978-0-7851-2295-1 collects The Uncanny X-Men #162–179, The Uncanny X-Men Annual #7, and Marvel Graphic Novel #5
 * Marvel Omnibus: The Uncanny X-Men (hardcover/TPB) Vol. 3 ISBN 978-0785199229 collects The Uncanny X-Men #154–175, Marvel Graphic Novel #5, Wolverine #1–4, X-Men Special Edition #1, and Magik #1–4