Uncanny X-Men # 421 2003 Rules Of Engagement: Part 1 pg 12 by Ron Garney & Mark Morales

Uncanny X-Men # 421 June 2003
"Rules Of Engagement: Part 1" pg 12
Pencils: Ron Garney (Signed lower right)
Inks: Mark Morales (Signed lower right)
Writer: Chuck Austen

Havok finally awakens from his coma! How will he react to the strange events that have transpired since his incident? Also, a surprise marriage proposal!

Xavier is telling the recently awaken Havok about some of the most important events that have happened in the time he was in a coma, while Nightcrawler, Juggernaut and Annie Ghazikhanian are waiting to see Xavier also. The original X-Men walk past the queue and enter to see Havok. Inside the office, Havok tells them all how much he missed them, and Polaris proposes to him, surprising the X-Men, and upsetting Annie. Juggernaut tells the Professor that he wishes to teach at the institute and join the X-Men, Xavier welcomes him, but tells him that he will have to ask Nightcrawler about joining the team, to which Nightcrawler tells Xavier he is stepping down as team leader and going on vacation with Havok and Polaris, who are taking leave before the wedding.

Before he leaves, Havok goes to talk with Annie, launching Annie into a very embarrassing monologue. Ready to leave, Havok comes over to thank Annie, and tells her that he feels like he knows her somehow, before he is interrupted by Polaris telling him to go.

Two days later Husk and Annie are chatting, when they are interrupted by the arrival of Alpha Flight, who order them to hand over all the children in their care… Alpha Flight’s reason for being wanting the children removed from Xavier’s custody can be seen in X-Men Unlimited #45.

Havok was believed to have died in a plane accident in X-Factor #149 (September 1998), whiles his consciousness was actually shifted into the body of an alternate self in another reality (see Mutant X). At the endof that series, Alex was once more floating between realities. It is unclear whether this is Havok in the other Havok’s body (as he was during Mutant X) or whether he has been restored to his original body.

This was the first time the seven "original X-Men" have been together for a very long time.

Polaris and Havok had quite a few relationship troubles going on in the pages of X-Factor. Havok seemingly betrayed the team and injured Lorna in the process (X-Factor #125) and when he later wanted to make it up again she told him their relationship was over (X-Factor #147). However, after his seeming death, Lorna once more became obsessed with finding Alex (X-Factor #149; Magneto. Dark Seduction #1-4).

Iceman and Polaris had a little something going on in the later of Uncanny X-Men, (before the series became reprints) until she met and instantly fell for Havok. Iceman never quite got over his feelings for Lorna.

Husk is not twelve; according to Chuck Austen she is approximately nineteen years old.

It is unclear whether Husk is being sarcastic or truthful, when she claims that mutants cannot get HIV.