Neal Adams, a legend in the comic book realm, had an impactful tenure on X-Men beginning with issue #56 and culminating with issue #65. His dynamic collaboration with writer Roy Thomas breathed new life into the mutant heroes, introducing ground-breaking visuals that set a new standard for the time. This partnership was a significant leap for the art of storytelling in comics.

During this era, they introduced a memorable antagonist: Sauron, or Dr. Karl Lykos. Lykos, an exceptional Argentinian hypnotherapist, transformed into a human-Pteranodon hybrid, aspiring to dominate the “Savage Land,” a prehistoric haven hidden within the icy expanse of Antarctica. As a youth, he survived an attack by a mutated Pteranodon, which cursed him to become an energy vampire, dependent on siphoning life force from others to endure. When he drained a mutant’s energy, he metamorphosed into the formidable “Sauron.”

Sauron emerged as Karl Lykos in X-Men #59 and took on his monstrous form in issue #60. He’s frequently portrayed as the master of the Savage Land’s concealed, ancient jungle. In the climactic season 2 finale, Reunion, he cemented his status as a formidable foe by ensnaring the X-Men with his hypnotic abilities, exploiting Charles Xavier’s telepathy.

Now, in a compelling two-part narrative, Sauron returns, vowing to purge the Savage Land of interlopers following his pledge in Reunion. The story kicks off with sharp, memorable dialogue, particularly showcasing Beast’s wit.

And Sauron, like all great villains, has a backstory filled with anguish, loss, and remorse, adding depth to his villainous transformations.

In the Savage Land, Sauron is fighting with Ka-Zar when the Mutate is saved by Zaladane. Zaladane informs Sauron that she serves Garokk, who is considered a god in the Savage Land. Sauron has been ordered by Garokk to leave the Savage Land in a jet left behind from Magneto, due to the lack of mutants in the Savage Land to be fed on. Sauron turns into his human ‘Karl Lykos‘ form and flies off to New York.

In Central Park, Storm and Rogue are doing some horseback riding while Beast, Wolverine and Jubilee are visiting the Museum of Natural History. Leaving the museum, the trio are approached by Lykos, disguised as a homeless man, and he uses his powers to drain Wolverine. Draining Wolverine’s mutant life force turns Lykos back into Sauron and Rogue and Storm fly after him. Sauron uses his powers on Rogue, making her see Storm as a witch. The X-Men are defeated by Sauron and he takes Storm back to the Savage Land with him.

In pursuit, the other X-Men travel to the Savage Land and, almost immediately after arriving, are attacked by a T-Rex. However, the dinosaur is caught up in a trap set by Ka-Zar and the team reunites with their ally and Zabu. Ka-Zar informs the team that Sauron has been kidnapping his tribe members, rebuilding the fortress Mister Sinister was using and that a statue of the god, Garokk, has appeared in his village. Sauron then arrives and attacks the village and the X-Men go on the offensive. Zaladane begins praying to the statue of Garokk, who tells her to free Storm and she flies up into the sky and fires lightning all around, possessed by the apparent ‘god’, her powers completely out of control…

In the episode’s opening, Ka-Zar’s allies against Sauron’s army are the Fall People of the Savage Land, first introduced in 1970’s Astonishing Tales #3, appearing alongside Zaladane and Garokk without any X-Men involvement. The two-part story arc is not derived from X-Men concepts. Additionally, some scenes in this episode are flashbacks from Uncanny X-Men #115, themselves a retelling of the previous tale.

Speculation arose that Zaladane and Polaris (Lorna Dane) might be sisters. In Uncanny X-Men #250, Zaladane transferred powers with Polaris, a process Moira MacTaggert later confirmed required a biological connection. However, Polaris’ father, Magneto, killed Zaladane in Uncanny X-Men #275, casting doubt on Moira X’s revelations. Obviously.

Magneto’s jet lists Asteroid M as a location, indicating its construction predates its introduction in Sanctuary.

Sauron hypnotizing Rogue during their aerial battle echoes his fight with Angel in Uncanny X-Men #59.

As Storm pursues Sauron among New York’s skyscrapers, they fly past an art studio— featuring series art director Larry Houston in a cameo. Sauron also refers to Storm as ‘Wind Rider.’

Beast is unable to contact the other X-Men on Muir Island, where Logan says they’re “Testing Jeannie like some kind of lab-rat.” This brief mention is the only update on Jean’s situation from No Mutant is an Island to Dazzled.

Jubilee, who did not visit the Savage Land in Reunion, loses her uniform in this episode, mirroring Storm’s experience in Uncanny X-Men #114, where she dressed in native attire to the others’ delight.

Wolverine, Rogue, and Jubilee were dispatched to the Savage Land to verify reports of Magneto but encountered Sauron instead in Wolverine #69-71.

Jubilee expresses surprise at her newfound mastery over her powers, revealing her lack of awareness of the extent of her plasma abilities, similar to a scene from Uncanny X-Men #258.

Cold Comfort | Savage Land, Strange Heart (Part 2)