The New Mutants (graphic novel)

The New Mutants team was intended to debut in their own series. As the first issue was nearing completion, Jim Shooter ordered it to be reworked into a graphic novel so that Marvel Graphic Novel could make its deadline for the next issue. Thus, the New Mutants debuted in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (December 1982), which continued a plotline from Uncanny X-Men. (Despite this, the graphic novel missed its shipping slot by two weeks due to artist Bob McLeod's honeymoon.)^[2]

Donald Pierce monitors several teenage mutants whom he wishes to kill as their powers develop. Rahne Sinclair is shot by Reverend Craig in Scotland after she transforms into a wolf, but she is saved by Moira MacTaggert. Roberto da Costa plays a championship football game in Brazil when another player attacks him for being half-black, but he transforms into an energy being and defends himself with superhuman strength, causing the spectators to panic. Sam Guthrie is caught in a mine collapse in Kentucky when he discovers the power to propel himself with intense energy, rescuing one of his fellow workers. Moonstar of the Cheyenne in Colorado is told by her grandfather Black Eagle that she is to learn to control her ability to create psychic images under Professor X, but she protests due to her anti-white sentiment. That night, Moonstar discovers that her grandfather has been murdered. At the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor X has the Vietnamese refugee Xi'an Coy Manh practice her mind control abilities on MacTaggert. Professor X is reluctant to take on new disciples, as the X-Men had recently been captured by an alien race and he fears they had died.

Professor X, Rahne, and Xi'an go to meet Moonstar and learn of Black Eagle's death. They are attacked by armored men, but Moonstar and Xi'an use their psychic abilities to stop them. Professor X uses his own powers to freeze Moonstar, preventing her from killing their defeated foes. MacTaggert, Rahne, and Xi'an then go to Brazil to find Roberto. Roberto and his girlfriend Juliana are held captive by cybernetic men, so Moonstar and Xi'an arrive to rescue them. Mistaking her for an enemy, Roberto activates his powers and strikes Xi'an. This releases her mind control over one of the cyborgs, who then shoots at Roberto. Juliana takes the bullet for him and dies. Meanwhile, Professor X is captured by Sam, who has been hired by Pierce.

In her wolf form, Rahne tracks Professor X's scent and enters the facility where he is held. Pierce holds Professor X captive with a device that can nullify his powers and read his mind. Sam attacks Rahne as Moonstar, Roberto, and Xi'an arrive. The new mutants confront Pierce, but he is resistant to the psychic attacks of Moonstar and Xi'an. Professor X breaks free as Pierce and Sam fight the new mutants, and he uses his stronger telepathic abilities to overpower Pierce's mind. Two weeks later, the new mutants try on their superhero uniforms. Sam arrives on Professor X's request so he can redeem himself by joining their team. Professor X finds himself hopeful for the first time since he lost the X-Men.