Even compared to UXM, New Mutants has been an incredibly queer book thanks to CC's subversion of Shooter's mandates and indulgence of subtext.

To that point, two relationships have started to really cement themselves in the book–Rahne and Dani (here twice-noted as soul-mates)...

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The issue juggles an impressive number of threads – providing resolution on dangling story elements (such as Rahne’s mutate transformation or Gambit’s allegiance) whilst also foreshadowing forthcoming storylines, including the long-simmering Shadow King conflict. 3/8

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...absent Rahne and Dani's suspicions, the adults in the room (i.e. Charles & Moira) seem unconcerned and willing to trust the "adult" Jack.

Couched within David's presumption of Charles' abandonment and Moira & Cyndi's earlier conversation about parents using their children...

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Got a lot of Rahne fanart too! (an underappreciated X-Cutie)

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...willingness to abandon her if he can at least have Zsaji. But ultimately, he can't... leaving him in a despondent state close to giving up before Rahne's intervention.

The Professor, Rogue, and the New Mutants arrive at the church, where a terrified Rahne reverts to her...

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...but it leads Rahne to realize that she can rescue Piotr from within Bobby's darkness.

One thing I love about Claremont's time on both titles is that his casts are truly interwoven and unsiloed, giving Piotr (who otherwise doesn't get to do much emotionally in UXM) a chance...

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...Cloak's all-consuming hunger. Bobby, now possessed by this same hunger, immediately becomes the more tragic of the two figures, yet Rahne's forced position of codependent caretaker all hurts.

The metaphor of a substance disordered person and their "caretaker" cutting...

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Well, it might have ended, if not for the quick intervention of Rahne. There's something truly sad about seeing the two youngest members of the New Mutants warped in this way.

Cloak and Dagger's origin story is deeply tied to drug addiction, especially within the context of...

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...the missing Rahne.

Whereas Bobby is rendered monstrous by whatever darkness remains with them, Rahne's transformation is quite the opposite–the girl becoming some internally idealized hyper-femininity.

It's heartbreaking when Dani finds her crying at the door, practically...

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Back at the mansion, Charles and Moira investigate Bobby and Piotr's inexplicable unconscious states as the New Mutants co-leaders try to figure out what's happening around them.

The phone rings, and Dani runs in horror to Rahne's bedroom, only to find it empty and not slept in.

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Rahne strikes against her two foes gleefully, delivering what seem to be fatal blows against the sorceress and baron.

After slashing at throats and biting with murderous intent, Rahne returns home, stolen locket in hand, to peacefully fall asleep, a girl again.

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Her prince charming returns, only to collapse as Rahne's fantasy turns nightmare.

This is no story–despite the fantasy trappings–this is all a carefully crafted delusion, meant to lure Rahne into the city to face an almost familiar woman in white and man in black.

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...and nothing at all to do with the queer chemistry between nearly all of these characters other than Amara.

Captured by the Slavers and facing probable death after Lila's drummer is straight up killed by the aliens he betrayed them to, Dani and Rahne make time to mock Sam's...

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...to the reasons Rahne will be among the first to recognize Warlock's pain, and perhaps ironically, humanity.

The New Mutants pull a *break glass in case of emergency*, revealing to Doug Ramsey that he's a mutant and bringing his linguistic abilities into their mission.

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...putting both on an inevitable collision course with the New Mutants.

Back at the mansion, Illyana's mischievous nature leaves Rahne with a reason to dislike her other than her daemonic origins, with the gender politics of this (even playfully) forced feminization...

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fine designs rahne and doug’s outfits myself

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Queen Ty’rahnee and Lord Dominator going out for a date! Commission by @/Cad ! ❤️❤️❤️

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...attack to distract the monster's warped minions while Illyana works to relinquish the Demon Bear's control over them.

Illyana doesn't know her sword will disrupt the curse when she impales Corsi on it, but after it renders him human, she and Rahne understand what comes next.

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...suspects herself to be evil at her core. The attention to her ongoing struggle–tortured, but quieter than Logan's self-torment, for example–is some of Claremont's best emotional work, and at the core of why Magik will always be my favorite character.

(Also: Shut up, Rahne!)

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