The X-Men #25

And ... back to sucking. I take it in the late '60s, people didn't think about things like "would the Spanish-speaking population of the world be offended by our belittling everything about them from their language to their beliefs to their behavior?" Okay, yes, Kukulkan is a real Mayan deity, and Roy Thomas knew that 40 years before user-constructed encyclopedias - one point for him. However ... there's everything else about the issue. It starts off extremely promising: in nice continuity, the X-Men are returning Jean Grey to college after their recent run-in with the Locust. No indeterminate amount of time between issues, good. Unfortunately, they are interrupted by the most random thing: an orphanage in the middle of rural New York is burning down, and the X-Men, who have defeated Magneto, the Blob, the Sentinels, Unus, and some other beings, can't somehow conquer a burning building. Iceman, who uses a near-magical ice slide everywhere he goes (including within a hotel later this very issue), suddenly feels compelled to use an ice-ladder on the side of a - yes, I say again - burning building. The Beast, who has strength enough to heft giant robots and machines and transports galore, hasn't the strength to carry little children off a building. Marvel Girl, who can lift dozens of women onto a theater marquee, hasn't the strength to catch Iceman and one boy child in the air, nor can she carry little children off a burning building. But it's all okay, since Professor X knows the orphans are getting a brand new orphanage soon anyway. (I mean, honestly....) Again, Mr. Thomas, it's nice you know your Marvel history, but some meaningful continuity within the abilities of the X-Men would be appreciated. Have they been training to use these abilities for over a year or not? Cyclops can't close his eyes tight enough to prevent his ocular beams from spilling out? Since when? Iceman can't actually stop himself from sliding down his own slides, or even change direction before hitting a brick wall? Did the X-Men pay for their cab ride or not, and if not, does that make them no better than El Tigre/Juan Meroz/Kukulcan? I suppose Cerebro not working is sort of consistent with its inability to identify The Stranger, since the power of the amulet is deity-related, but still, no need to send them to wander aimlessly in NYC and hope to stumble upon someone or something suspicious. Fortunately, after the first page, this issue has far less "we don't actually take our work seriously" editorial nonsense as the previous issue, though some still persists. Warren is ready to move on, despite never actually voicing his affection for Jean. Start fishing, big boy. Hopefully you will find something good to hold on to. If you do, show Roy Thomas how it is done.