Issue(s): Morbius #17
Cover Date: Jan 94
Title: "Sacrifice and redemption"
Credits:
Gregory Wright - Writer
Isaac Cordova - Penciler
Andrew Pepoy - Inker
Bobbie Chase - Editor

Review/plot:
A footnote on the opening page of this issue tells us that this is part 13 of Siege of Darkness and (like every issue) tells us to see the lettercol for more information. But there is no lettercol. Just another small way in which this crossover is riddled with mistakes. And it's a shame for me because i have been relying on the recaps in the lettercols to tell me what the fuck is going on in this crossover.

This issue is relatively straightforward though, thanks to this being part of the period where the Midnight Sons have broken into smaller groups to seek out the Bloods and prevent them from getting killed by the Crips Fallen. In this one, Morbius and Hannibal King are paired up. On their way to their Blood, they first have to stop and deal with a threat even greater than all the Siege of Darkness stuff: the insanely amped up crime levels in the 1990s Marvel universe.

Morbius is our hero for these dark times.

The gang leader is apparently part of a cult. As Michael notes in the comments, "Mandy" will turn out to be Mandy Tyler, Morbius' secretary/girlfriend.

Anyway, the member of the Blood that Morbius and Hannibal King is supposed to protect is James Raydar.

And don't let the fact that they stuck a "James" on at the front of the name lull you into a false sense of security. He does indeed have radar powers, so he's as literally named as all the other ridiculous characters in this story.

The Fallen that is sent after him is his daughter, Embyrre. She (did you guess?) burns stuff.

Terrible concepts to go with the terrible art.

Martine Bancroft has been lurking around in the shadows behind Morbius for a while now, hoping that Bloodthirst will come out again. She takes on an active role in this issue. Morbius has to fight her after getting all his clothes burned off by Embyrre.

He goes wild and seemingly kills her, which releases the Lilin names Parasite that has been animating her since her resurrection.

But Embyrre has been watching Morbius struggle with having to fight his former lover, and she's inspired to switch sides.

Embyrre is also able to return the spark of life to Martine.

Despite the horrible art and the goofy names, this is one of the more tolerable issues of the crossover, thanks to the smaller scale. Which among other things allows for a little more development of the Fallen and Blood characters, making Embyrre's face turn a decent moment. To be clear though, i'm very much talking on a relative scale here.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This is part thirteen of Siege of Darkness. Part fourteen is in Marvel Comics Presents #146 (and don't be fooled by the incorrect information on the cover of Spirits of Vengeance #18, which also claims to be part 13).

References:

• Morbius fought Martine Bancroft in Marvel Comics Presents #144 but held back because of who she used to be.
  
• When Martine "dies", Morbius says that he's brought death to her twice now. The first time was in Morbius #1.

Crossover: Siege of Darkness

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Re: Mandy- the Mandy the cult member mentioned is intended to be Morbius's girlfriend. This is setting up next issue's storyline.

Thanks Michael.