Synopsis / Summary / Plot
This issue contains 3 stories.
Story 1:- Namor/Norman
Script: Paul Cornell, Pencils Leonard Kirk, Inks Jay Leisten, Colours Brian Reber
Norman Osborn and Victoria Hand discuss Sub-Mariner who has just (Dark Avengers #7) head-butted Sunspot during a fight between X-Men and Dark X-Men. Norman is more worried whether Namor is planning any retaliation over Sentry killing Atlantean terrorists (DAv#6), but Hand says the bugs they've planted indicate he's ignoring it. (The successful anti-terrorist operation in DAv#6 persuaded the President to let NO go ahead with his solution to the "mutant situation", ie the Dark X-Men he's recruiting in this series.)
Osborn decides to venture into the lion's den/shower (possibly more for Subby to renew his contact with water than to get clean). He reminds Namor (and us) that he virtually supported the terrorists in DAv#6 and effectively quit Osborn's Cabal. But now he's let Emma Frost recruit him for the Dark X-Men (Uncanny XM #513). And apparently Sub-Mariner is a mutant.
Norman wonders what's going on in Namor's head. He empathises because they've both evolved from villain (Green Goblin in NO's case) to hero (he claims). And now on top of dealing with that duality Subby has to choose between Atlantean and mutant. He believes that Namor has chosen to defend mutants as a member of Osborn's X-Men, and that he is now willing to follow Norman's orders. Namor doesn't exactly deny it.
We see an image of the Dark X-Men. As well as Subby and Emma Frost (symbolically in black rather than her usual white, and in the Dark X-Men she's called the Black Queen instead of the White) there's Wolverine's son Daken, Cloak & Dagger, Prof X (not really), Mimic and Weapon Omega.
Story 2:- Mimic
Script: James Asmus, Pencils Jesse Delperdang, Inks Andy Lanning & Jesse Delperdang, Colours Rain Beredo
Mimic (Calvin Rankin) provides a voiceover for most of this tale. He claims to have been dead and buried but recovered several times. (But I only remember 1 instance where he was 'killed' in Hulk #161 and revived by Wolverine in Marvel Comics Presents #56-60.) He also recalls having his memories erased by Prof X (after his 1st appearance in XM#19). It reveals here that while he was with Excalibur (#122-125) Dr Moira MacTaggert diagnosed him as bipolar for which he now takes meds.
We are reminded of his power to mimic the superpowers of people near him (but long exposure means he now permanently has the powers of the 5 original X-Men). Gaining a power that he doesn't know how to control has sometimes led to him injuring people, so he tries to lead a solitary life.
It turns out he's been speaking to Osborn who says he's perfect for his new team.
Story 3:- Dark Beast
Script: Shane McCarthy, Pencils & inks Ibraim Roberson, Colours Matt Milla
Iron Patriot (Norman Osborn) has located Dark Beast using a run-down shack as his laboratory, experimenting on a young girl whose rich uncle traded her for a cure for his terminal illness. Beast had tried to induce a mutation in her but she died.
Osborn wants DB to help him control the mutant population. As a refugee from an alternate timeline (Age of Apocalypse) *this* Hank McCoy isn't concerned about the mutant threat to the USA, and anyway *he*'s a mutant. But the amoral scientist perks up when Norman asks him to experiment on a mutant, Michael Pointer, whose superpower Norman needs to be modified.
McCoy is ready to agree but he can't resist 1st needling Osborn about how he turned himself into the superhuman Green Goblin. And how he's now suppressing that side of himself. But Norman counters that Beast indulging his own dark side has only led to this decrepit lab, whilst *he* is in a position of power and authority ... 1 where he can offer Beast the best of facilities.
McCoy will also be allowed to pursue his own experiments as long as he's discreet. (The same deal Osborn gave to all the villains who now work for him pretending to be heroes in the Initiative.) Dark Beast accepts.