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Uncanny X-Men #3

Cover Date: January, 1964.

"Beware of the Blob!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Paul Reinman

Notes: 1st appearance of the Blob.



Synopsis

This issue opens up with a training sesssion in the Danger Room. Professor X tells Scott that he is concerned about how he is the most powerful X-Man, yet he is so grim all the time. He responds by saying it's because he worries about the awesome power he holds in his eyes, and he's afraid something bad will happen if he ever loses control of it, to which Jean tells him never to say that again. The X-Men begin practice again, and start majorly arguing. Xavier breaks it up and tells Jean it's her turn to be tested. She manages to fit a wood block through several metal slits in 7 seconds using her telekenesis. She asks the Professor if she is ready for bigger tasks, but is cut off by him, as he has detected a new mutant. He commands his team to get into street clothes so they can begin a search for it.

Once they have changed, all rush to get to Jean first, so they can search with her. Xavier cautions Jean that the new mutant may be dangerous. The next panel there is a thought bubble with the Professor thinking about how he loves her (the dirty old man.) Jean says she wants to go along with Scott, but is "kidnapped" by Warren, the three other guys chasing behind in protest.

Later, everyone is out searching, mentally being guided by Xavier. Bobby thinks he has found the mutant -- it's just a guy burning a piece of paper with a magnifying glass. Hank thinks he's found him floating next to a building-- it's just a worker setting up an ad display, standing on a glass case. Scott, at a carnival, is notified by Xavier that their mutant is nearby. He thinks it's a carnie shooting targets without looking, but it turns out there's another man behind the counter who's really hitting them. Scott destroys the gun to teach the guy a lesson and also to drain some of his power. Finally, Scott sees a barker announcing a performer: The Blob. Xavier tells Scott that he is the mutant they've been seeking. On stage, Blob performs several stunts that show off his power, like being able to stop bullets with his bare skin.

After the show, Scott tries to get the Blob to come with him to the mansion, and isn't doing the best of jobs. Warren and Jean show up, and after hitting on Jean, and getting zapped by Scott, Blob agrees to go back to the school.

Once they've all arrived, Xavier tests the Blob, and finds his powers extraordinary. Iceman gets tired of the Blob's attitude, and asks Xavier if he can take him on. He says yes, and Bobby tries freezing the Blob to the ground. He breaks free from the ice simply by wiggling his big toe. Xavier says he has seen enough, and asks Blob to join the X-Men. he refuses, and Xavier gets quite annoyed, sending Angel after Blob so he can erase his memories of the X-Men. Angel simply bounces of off him when he tries tackling him, and the Blob begind attacking. The Professor tells his X-Men that they're being too careless. Even when they do, the Blob still manages to escape.

When he arrives back at the carnival, he decides that he'll attack them first before they get him. He takes charge of the carnival by force, and puts together a team of performers to be his henchmen. Angel is flying overhead spying on them, and he is almost shot down. He manages to get away though and warn the Professor. Xavier is putting together a machine that will allow him to wipe out the memories of an entire crowd.

While Angel goes around getting the team ready, a giraffe pops it's head through Bobby's window. He looks out the window, and sees that the mansion is surrounded by the carnies. The Blob orders them to attack. A bunch of them try using a battering ram to get through the door, but Jean simply opens it for them using her TK. Once inside, the men are face to face with Cyclops, who blasts them back outside. Blob commands them all to attack from every side of the mansion. Some tightrope walkers are trying to get into a 2nd story window, when Beast throws them off. All of a sudden he is getting shot at, but dodges the bullets by swinging around a pole. He lands right in front of the Blob and prepares to fight him, but instead ends up having a gorilla sicced on him. Beast manages to subdue it, while Angel is attacked by a lassoer, but is able to fly out of the noose. Suddenly he is tackled by the Flying Zamboobas. Jean, Cyclops, and Iceman rush to his rescue, but are attacked by an elephant. Cyke blasts it away from them, but is weakened by such a strong blast. Iceman and Jean soon are subdued also.

Meanwhile, inside his lab, Xavier nears completion of his power intensifier. Outside, all the X-Men save Beast have been captured. Suddenly, Cyclop's power comes back, and he blasts through his net. He shoots the ground underneath the Blob, knocking him over. He is caught again though. Beast finishes fighting the bear, and attacks the Blob. It's no use though, and he's also caught. The Blob and his lackeys break intro the mansion. Xavier, from his lab, telepathically tells Jean how to free herself. She uses TK to cut the other X-Men loose. Just as the villians break into Xavier's lab, Iceman makes an ice wall to protect him. A giant canvas is dropped over the carnies to trap them, leaving only the Blob free. Cyclops makes a hole in the floor under the Blob. The henchmen break out, and are scared away by the X-Men. Finally, Xavier uses his intensifier, wiping out everyones memeories of this whole affair.

The Blob returns to being a sideshow.

Review

Heh, what can I say about it? Another Stan Lee classic. The clowns and stuff were extremely campy, just the way I like 60's comics.


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This review was written by Krispy

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