Issues 172-173 are really a continuation of the Wolverine mini-series, only Logan is finally joined by the rest of the X-Men for his wedding. But the Silver Samurai and Viper aren’t happy about Mariko’s plans.

Logan manages to save Mariko with the help of Rogue, who is starting to integrate into the group by proving herself an ally. Finally we get to the wedding, where a few important things happen. Madelyn finally meets the X-Men, I loved Lilandra’s reaction. And Storm shows up with a new look. Kitty’s reaction was very dramatic.

But the most important thing that happened was Mariko rejecting Logan in front of everybody, humiliating him again. Of course we all knew it was Mastermind behind all this, but it was still a shocking moment.

Next we have a nice issue focusing on the various relationships in the series. Lilandra keeps threatening to leave Earth. Logan is not giving up on Mariko. Kitty and Peter finally make out. More development in the Scott/Maddy relationship, culminating in Scott’s proposal (curiously off panel). But Mastermind is following them, and the issue ends with Phoenix!

175 is another great double sized issue. Phoenix is back, which is a very big deal, they even think that the Starjammers are dead, as well as the Avengers in NY. But it’s all a ruse, Cyclops is the only one who realized it, so he has to fight against the X-Men. The way Cyclops uses the danger room was very clever, it really shows his strategic skills. Ororo really shows how much she’s changed, risking everyone’s life in order to defeat Phoenix. The issue concludes with Scott and Maddy’s wedding, though I wonder who accompanies Maddy to the altar? Is that her father? I thought there was no record of Maddy’s existence before the crash. What about her father?

This issue also sees Paul Smith leaving the title and John Romita Jr starting his first long run. Their styles were actually similar in that period, so I hardly noticed the difference.

Another great batch of issues. As much as I love the Byrne era, story-wise it felt slightly dated. These issues feel more modern, and there is a lot of drama.