No synopsis available for this story arc.
The CMRO lists 39 separate stories as part of Inferno Of those 39, I gave the Spectacular Spider-Man story 5 stars, fifteen 4 stars, twenty 3 stars, two 2 stars, and one particularly odious issue of Power Pack 1 star. This is well better than average for the comics in this part of the Order.
Inferno on the whole is fun, but confusing as hell. There are three main streams in it.
* N'astirh and the gateways: this is handled mostly in X-Terminators/New Mutants, with bits in Power Pack and Excalibur. It is fun when you see the X-Factor teen mutants and the New Mutants interact, and there are some good "save the baby!" bits. There is also some good stuff around Illyana. But that focus on Illyana also puts the focus on the really grim nature of her character arc; she is literally a demonically abused child. These writers just aren't able to write about that without that with any gravity. Combine this with a leering male gaze on the young teen women mutants (Jon Bogdanove and Bret Blevins should feel a little ashamed) makes the whole thing feel exploitative.
* Mr. Sinister and Madeline Pryor. This is mostly in X-Factor/Uncanny X-Men. This storyline simultaneously gives Madeline some of the respect she deserves, and at the same time pulls the rug out from under her. She stands up for herself against those that have betrayed her. But she is revealed to be a shell of a person. She takes charge of her life. But she does so by trying to kill her own child. She becomes powerful and forceful. But she also is saddled with one of the most absurdly objectifying costumes so far in the Order (a picture of which should be found next to the word "underboob" in the dictionary). Overall, Louise Simonson and Chris Claremont resolve and lay to rest the worst editorial decision Marvel ever made; bringing Jean Grey back from the dead. So overall, this story line is enjoyable. But really, Madeline deserved better.
* Nanny and the Orphan-Maker. This plotline is pointless. Seriously, what was the point?
Oh yeah, and Kang shows up in FF, because, who knows?
Inferno is at its best, though, when it focuses on the experience of the inhabitants of New York during the horror show that is Inferno. And it is horrific; we are well into the Iron Age here, true believers. Besides this issue of Spectacular, Daredevil #265 is a good example of this. But there are good, albeit gruesome, bits all over the place.
And of course, in the end, everything mostly goes back to normal.
Inferno is a confusing and messy thing, flawed, but an admirable effort.
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