1st Appearance | Origin Story | Main Publication History | Secondary Publication History | Key Storylines | Media Source Material | Key Issues | Compilations
by snowbi-wan, updated Jun 2019
Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X) had a dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants--those born with fantastic, superhuman abilities, some with self-serving motives. A powerful mutant telepath himself, he recruited a team of young mutants to defend humans against mutants who would harm them and the world. He founded the X-MEN, and created a community of mutants living on his Westchester County estate and in his mansion, the Xavier Institute. The original X-MEN were: Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl/Phoenix (Jean Grey), Angel (Warren Worthington), Beast (Hank McCoy) and Iceman (Bobby Drake). A second team would be assembled as well with other well-known members such as: Colossus (Peter Rasputin), Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner), Storm (Ororo Monroe), Wolverine (Logan). The individual members of the X-Men have all undergone (sometimes dramatic) character changes, and the roster has always been a rotating one. This has been part of their enduring appeal in the Marvel Universe. But, the team has strove--many times at great cost to themselves--to keep Professor X's dream alive...even as the human public has most often "feared and hated" them.
Interestingly, the X-Men had a tenuous start in popularity. X-MEN [1963] #67-93 are reprints of earlier issues in the series and do not contain any new material within that run. Nearly canceled, GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum revived the series with a new team that linked to the original team, and X-MEN [1963] #94 picks up with new stories from Chris Claremont, his first scripting in X-Men. This revival opened the door for follow-on co-creator John Byrne--with Chris Claremont--to sculpt the X-Men into one of Marvel's most popular series. Claremont's stint on the X-Men from 1975-1991 is far longer than any other writer, and he can be credited with the creation of dozens of characters and many strong storylines, including vaulting Wolverine to one of the most popular individual Marvel characters ever.
1st Appearance
The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in X-Men, if it's within your budget.
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- X-MEN [1963] #1 (origin/1st appearance of the X-Men, 1st appearances of Professor X, Jean Grey/Marvel Girl, Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Magneto)
Origin Story
The original presentation of an origin story or a retelling/recounting of it can be a good place to get started with a character or subject. The X-Men's origin has been retold several times, especially through reprints, but it has remained fairly constant even where it is recreated. Much of the attraction of following the exploits of the X-Men is seeing how the team changes over time, and creators have a lot of lattitude in this without tinkering with the team's initial origin. This section focuses on the original five X-Men from 1963 and includes some origins of the individual characters. Reprints, such as those in AMAZING ADVENTURES [1970], AMAZING ADVENTURES [1979], and MARVEL SAGA [1985] are not included.
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- X-MEN [1963] #1 (origin/1st appearance of the X-Men)
- X-MEN [1963] #12 (origin of Professor X)
- X-MEN [1963] #15 (origin of Beast)
- X-MEN [1963] #38-43 (origin of Cyclops in THE ORIGINS OF THE UNCANNY X-MEN 5-page backup stories)
- X-MEN [1963] #44-47 (origin of Iceman in THE ORIGINS OF THE UNCANNY X-MEN 5-page backup stories)
- X-MEN [1963] #48-53 (origin of Beast in THE ORIGINS OF THE UNCANNY X-MEN 5-page backup stories)
- X-MEN [1963] #54-56 (origin of Angel in THE ORIGINS OF THE UNCANNY X-MEN 5-page backup stories)
- X-MEN [1963] #57 (origin of Jean Grey/Marvel Girl in THE ORIGINS OF THE UNCANNY X-MEN 5-page backup stories)
- X-MEN [1963] #117 (origin of Professor X)
- X-MEN [1963] #138 (history of the X-Men recounted)
- X-MEN: THE EARLY YEARS [1994] #1, 12, 15 (reprints of X-MEN [1963] #1, 12, 15)
- PROFESSOR XAVIER AND THE X-MEN [1995] #1-18 (contemporary remake of X-MEN [1963] #1 with new art and dialog, retellings and flashbacks from classic era in subsequent issues)
- UNCANNY ORIGINS [1996] #1, 3, 6 (origins retold respectively of Cyclops, Angel, Beast)
- X-MEN: CHILDREN OF THE ATOM [1999] #1-6 (origin retold)
- MYTHOS: X-MEN [2006] #1 (origin retold to bridge gap between comics and a recent crop of movies)
- X-MEN ORIGINS: JEAN GREY [2008] (origin retold)
- X-MEN ORIGINS: BEAST [2008] (origin retold)
- X-MEN ORIGINS: CYCLOPS [2010] (origin retold)
- X-MEN ORIGINS: ICEMAN [2010] (origin retold)
- ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS: X-MEN [2010] #1 (one-page origins of X-Men team members)
- X-MEN: SEASON ONE [2012-HC] (origin retold for modern audiences, hardcover graphic novel)
Main Publication History
Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for X-Men comic books. The X-Men have had at least one monthly series in publication nearly continuously since 1963. At times, there have been up to four different monthly titles being issued. The first issue of the launch of a second monthly X-Men title in 1991 (X-MEN [1991] #1) was one of the best-selling comic books of all-time. Mid-run title changes are not uncommon in the X-titles, with the numbering typically continuing in the newly re-titled series.
Interestingly, the X-Men had a tenuous start in popularity. X-MEN [1963] #67-93 are reprints of earlier issues in the series and do not contain any new material within that run. Nearly canceled, GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum revived the series with a new team that linked to the original team, and X-MEN [1963] #94 picks up with new stories from Chris Claremont, his first scripting in X-Men. This revival opened the door for follow-on co-creator John Byrne--with Chris Claremont--to sculpt the X-Men into one of Marvel's most popular series. Claremont's stint on the X-Men from 1975-1991 is far longer than any other writer, and he can be credited with the creation of dozens of characters and many strong storylines, including vaulting Wolverine to one of the most popular individual Marvel characters ever.
This list contains only the most significant series with lengthy runs that contained an iconic X-Men roster. Not included are series which focus solely on the younger X-Men recruit teams. See the secondary publication history for additional series that fall outside of what is presented in this list.
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- X-MEN [1963] #1-141
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #142-544
- X-MEN [1991] #1-113
- NEW X-MEN [2001] #114-156
- X-TREME X-MEN [2001] #1-46
- X-MEN [2004] #157-207
- ASTONISHING X-MEN [2004] #1-68
- X-MEN: LEGACY [2008] #208-275
- X-MEN [2010] #1-41
- WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN [2011] #1-42
- UNCANNY X-MEN [2012] #1-20
- X-TREME X-MEN [2012] #1-13
- ALL-NEW X-MEN [2013] #1-41
- X-MEN: LEGACY [2013] #1-24, 300
- UNCANNY X-MEN [2013] #1-35, 600
- X-MEN [2013] #1-26
- AMAZING X-MEN [2014] #1-19
- WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN [2014] #1-12
- ALL-NEW X-MEN [2016] #1-19
- EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN [2016] #1-20
- UNCANNY X-MEN [2016] #1-19
- X-MEN: BLUE [2017] #1-36 (Jean Grey leads the original five X-Men brought from the past to the present)
- X-MEN: GOLD [2017] #1-36 (Kitty Pryde leads several other original second-generation X-Men)
- ASTONISHING X-MEN [2017] #1-17 (team of the most popular modern X-Men additions)
- X-MEN: RED [2018] #1-11 (Jean Grey leads a mix of seasoned X-Men and newbies)
- X-FORCE [2020] run (second ongoing X-Men title w/Beast, Jean Grey, Wolverine as the CIA of the mutant world)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [2019] #1-22 (relaunch effectively replaces the four ongoing X-Men titles)
- HOUSE OF X [2019] #1-6 (The core of another wholesale X-Men relaunch; Xavier reveals his plan for mutantkind)
- X-MEN [2019] #1- (DAWN OF X relaunch)
- X-FORCE [2020] #1- (DAWN OF X relaunch; second ongoing X-Men title w/Beast, Jean Grey, Wolverine as the CIA of the mutant world)
Secondary Publication History
If you've already enjoyed some of the series listed in the Main Publication History above, series from this secondary publication list are very good places to further your exploration. The popularity of the X-Men has allowed Marvel to feature them in multiple series simultaneously throughout the years. In addition to the core series presented in the main publication history, the X-Men have appeared in many other lengthy series. Beyond this (and too exhaustive to include here), the X-Men have had countless mini-series, crossovers, graphic novels, and one-shots.
This list contains other significant series with lengthy runs that contained some kind of X-Men roster, including series which focus solely on the younger X-Men recruit teams.
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- X-FACTOR [1986] #1-150 (original five X-Men reunite under new team name)
- CLASSIC X-MEN [1986] #1-45 (reprint series (plus new material each issue) covers GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1 through UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #206 (series continued in X-MEN CLASSIC [1990]))
- X-MEN CLASSIC [1990] #46-110 (continuation of CLASSIC X-MEN [1986])
- X-FORCE [1991] #1-129
- X-MEN UNLIMITED [1993] #1-50
- X-MEN: THE EARLY YEARS [1994] #1-17
- PROFESSOR XAVIER AND THE X-MEN [1995] #1-18
- X-MEN: HIDDEN YEARS [1999] #1-22 (Byrne art and stories of original X-Men filling in the years from X-MEN [1963] #67-93, when that series was issuing reprints)
- X-STATIX [2002] #1-26 (story continued from X-FORCE [1991])
- NEW X-MEN [2004] #1-46
- X-MEN UNLIMITED [2004] #1-14
- X-FACTOR [2006] #1-50
- X-MEN: FIRST CLASS [2006] #1-6
- X-MEN: FIRST CLASS [2007] #1-16
- YOUNG X-MEN [2008] #1-12
- X-MEN FOREVER [2009] #1-24 ('period' series continues continuity-wise from X-MEN [1991] #3, but proceeds in an alternate universe)
- X-FACTOR [2010] #200-262 (return to original 1986 numbering)
- UNCANNY X-FORCE [2010] #1-35
- X-MEN FOREVER [2010] #1-16
- ALL-NEW X-FACTOR [2014] #1-10
- X-MEN '92 [2016] #1-10
Selected Key Storylines
This section contains a curated list of some of the best storylines for the X-Men, any one of which can be a good place to get started. The X-Men have a very large publication history, and this is a curated list of some of the best and most iconic storylines. If you already have some familiarity with the X-Men, these stories can be a great place to deepen your exploration of the X-Men.
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| 1980 | X-MEN [1963] #129-138 (DARK PHOENIX SAGA, apex of John Byrne/Chris Claremont collaboration, one of the most iconic X-Men story arcs of all time) |
| 1981 | DAYS OF FUTURE PAST storyline (most notable Claremont story arc) |
| 1982 | MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL [1982-GN] #5 (X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS, quintessential X-Men (subsequently reprinted under the title X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS in standard sizes in soft- and hardcover)) |
| 1986 | MUTANT MASSACRE storyline (an essential and iconic X-title crossover) |
| 1988 | UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #232-234 (BROODFALL, classic X-Men vs 'monsters' storyline with strong Silvestri art) |
| 1991 | X-MEN [1991] #1-3 (MUTANT GENESIS, Claremont ends his unmatched tenure with a bar-setting bang) |
| 1992 | X-CUTIONER'S SONG storyline (convoluted encapsulation of everything--both good and bad--that represents a 90's X-title crossover) |
| 1993 | FATAL ATTRACTIONS storyline (Fabian Nicieza and Scott Lobdell's X-title crossover featuring the mind-blowing extraction of Wolverine's adamantium skeleton by Magneto; adorned with extravagant 90's-era hologram covers) |
| 1995 | AGE OF APOCALYPSE storyline (daring storyline that is arguably the best X-title crossover storyline of the 90's, a template for all future X-title crossovers) |
| 2001 | NEW X-MEN [2001] #114-116 (E IS FOR EXTINCTION, Grant Morrison's clever sci-fi take on the X-Men begins a run through #154 which catapults the X-Men into the modern era) |
| 2004 | ASTONISHING X-MEN [2004] #1-6 / 7-12 / 13-18 / 19-24 (GIFTED / DANGEROUS / TORN / UNSTOPPABLE, modern X-Men masterpiece story arcs from Joss Whedon/John Cassaday) |
| 2005 | HOUSE OF M [2005] #1-8 (Brian Michael Bendis scripts a What If? story on a publishing-wide scale that is in-continuity) |
| 2007 | MESSIAH COMPLEX storyline (13 chapter X-title crossover storyline is the climax of events set in motion by the HOUSE OF M mini-series) |
| 2010 | X-MEN: SECOND COMING storyline (14-chapter X-title crossover storyline (with additional prologue and tie-ins) finishes what was started in HOUSE OF M and continued in MESSIAH COMPLEX) |
| 2013 | ALL-NEW X-MEN [2013] #1-5 (YESTERDAY'S X-MEN, jump into Brian Michael Bendis' new status quo as the original X-Men are brought to the future...and stay) |
Key Issues
A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with the X-Men, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags.
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- X-MEN [1963] #1 (1st appearance/origin of the X-Men, 1st appearances of Professor X, Jean Grey/Marvel Girl, Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Magneto)
- X-MEN [1963] #2 (1st appearance of the Danger Room)
- X-MEN [1963] #4 (1st appearances of Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Toad)
- X-MEN [1963] #7 (1st appearance of Cerebro)
- X-MEN [1963] #12 (origin of Professor X, 1st appearance/origin of Juggernaut)
- X-MEN [1963] #14 (1st appearance of Sentinels)
- X-MEN [1963] #28 (1st appearance of Banshee)
- X-MEN [1963] #49 (1st appearance of Polaris)
- X-MEN [1963] #54 (1st appearance of Alex Summers)
- X-MEN [1963] #58 (1st appearance of Havok (in costume))
- GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1 (1st appearance of the new X-Men team, 1st appearances of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Thunderbird)
- X-MEN [1963] #94 (new X-Men team begins in this series, 1st Chris Claremont script in X-Men)
- X-MEN [1963] #95 (death of Thunderbird)
- X-MEN [1963] #101 (1st appearance of the Phoenix Force)
- X-MEN [1963] #108 (1st John Byrne art in X-Men)
- X-MEN [1963] #109 (1st appearance of Guardian)
- X-MEN [1963] #120 (1st appearance of Alpha Flight, 1st appearances of Northstar, Aurora, Sasquatch, Shaman, Snowbird)
- X-MEN [1963] #129 (1st appearances of Kitty Pryde, Hellfire Club, Sebastian Shaw (Black King), Emma Frost (White Queen))
- X-MEN [1963] #130 (1st appearance of Dazzler)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #158 (1st appearance of Rogue in X-Men)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #168 (1st appearance of Madelyne Pryor)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #171 (Rogue joins the X-Men)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #184 (1st appearance of Forge)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #193 (1st appearance of Firestar (in Marvel continuity))
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #201 (1st appearance of Cable (as baby Nathan))
- X-MEN ANNUAL [1970] #10 (Longshot joins the X-Men)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #221 (1st appearance of Mr. Sinister)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #244 (1st appearance of Jubilee)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #248 (1st Jim Lee art in X-Men)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #266 (1st full appearance of Gambit)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #281 (new team line-up; Whilce Portacio covers and art begin)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #282 (1st brief appearance of Bishop)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #283 (1st full appearance of Bishop)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #390 (death of Colossus)
- X-MEN [1991] #25 (Magneto extracts the adamantium from Wolverine's skeleton, revealing he has bone claws)
- NEW X-MEN [2001] #128 (1st appearance of Fantomex, a Weapon Plus subject)
- UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #450 (1st appearance of X-23 in X-Men)
Compilations
In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of X-Men comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with X-Men. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list).
Marvel's EPIC COLLECTION are economical, black and white compilations of the early X-Men material. The volumes have not all been published yet, and they are not being published in numerical order, so the list below will appear to have gaps in the Epic Collection series. The reality is that you could start with any of the Epic Collection volumes without too much disorientation even if you are brand new to the X-Men. Additionally, key X-Men story arcs are being compiled under an 'X-MEN MILESTONES' banner. Any of these or any of the arcs in the Key Storylines section would be great places to start with the X-Men.
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| Cover | Release Month | Series / Number / Storyline | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Quick View | Jul 2018 | X-MEN ORIGINS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2018-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING |  | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Dec 2014 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 01: CHILDREN OF THE ATOM CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Dec 2016 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 02: LONELY ARE THE HUNTED CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Nov 2018 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 03: SENTINELS LIVE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jul 2019 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 04: IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Mar 2017 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 05: SECOND GENESIS CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jun 2020 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 06: PROTEUS | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Dec 2015 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 12: THE GIFT CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jul 2019 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 17: DISSOLUTION AND REBIRTH | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Nov 2017 | X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 19: MUTANT GENESIS CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Oct 2019 | X-MEN: STARJAMMERS BY DAVE COCKRUM [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Jun 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: DARK PHOENIX SAGA [2019-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jul 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: MUTANT MASSACRE [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Jul 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: FALL OF THE MUTANTS [2019-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Aug 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: X-TINCTION AGENDA [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Aug 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: INFERNO [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Sep 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: X-CUTIONER'S SONG [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Oct 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: FATAL ATTRACTIONS [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $29.24 | |
 Quick View | Nov 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: PHALANX COVENANT [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Dec 2019 | X-MEN MILESTONES: ONSLAUGHT [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Mar 2019 | X-MEN: ONSLAUGHT AFTERMATH [2019-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Feb 2020 | X-MEN MILESTONES: OPERATION: ZERO TOLERANCE [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Jan 2019 | X-MEN: UNSTOPPABLE [2019-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Oct 2019 | X-MEN: TRIAL OF THE JUGGERNAUT [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Apr 2020 | X-MEN: RELOAD [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Dec 2018 | X-MEN: RELOAD BY CHRIS CLAREMONT [2019-TPB] VOL 01: END OF HISTORY CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Nov 2019 | X-MEN: RELOAD BY CHRIS CLAREMONT [2019-TPB] VOL 02: HOUSE OF M | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Apr 2019 | X-MEN BY PETER MILLIGAN [2019-TPB] VOL 01: DANGEROUS LIAISONS CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Feb 2020 | X-MEN MILESTONES: MESSIAH COMPLEX [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Apr 2020 | X-MEN MILESTONES: NECROSHA [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | May 2020 | X-MEN MILESTONES: SECOND COMING [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $22.74 | |
 Quick View | Feb 2019 | UNCANNY X-MEN BY KIERON GILLEN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2019-TPB] VOL 01 CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jan 2020 | UNCANNY X-MEN BY KIERON GILLEN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2019-TPB] VOL 02 | UNAVAILABLE | $25.99 | |
 Quick View | Aug 2017 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 01: BACK TO THE BASICS CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Nov 2017 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 02: EVIL EMPIRES CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jan 2018 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 03: MOJO WORLDWIDE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Mar 2018 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 00: HOMECOMING CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Mar 2018 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 04: THE NEGATIVE WAR ZONE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | May 2018 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 05: CRUEL AND UNUSUAL CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Aug 2018 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 06: 'TIL DEATH DO US PART CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Nov 2018 | X-MEN: GOLD [2017-TPB] VOL 07: GODWAR CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Aug 2017 | X-MEN: BLUE [2017-TPB] VOL 01: STRANGEST CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Nov 2017 | X-MEN: BLUE [2017-TPB] VOL 02: TOIL AND TROUBLE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Mar 2018 | X-MEN: BLUE [2017-TPB] VOL 03: CROSS TIME CAPERS CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | May 2018 | VENOM AND X-MEN: POISON-X [2018-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jul 2018 | X-MEN: BLUE [2017-TPB] VOL 04: CRY HAVOK CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
| Quick View | Oct 2018 | X-MEN: BLUE [2017-TPB] VOL 05: SURVIVING THE EXPERIENCE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Feb 2018 | ASTONISHING X-MEN BY CHARLES SOULE [2018-TPB] VOL 01: LIFE OF X CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Aug 2018 | ASTONISHING X-MEN BY CHARLES SOULE [2018-TPB] VOL 02: A MAN CALLED X CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Jan 2019 | ASTONISHING X-MEN BY MATT ROSENBERG: UNTIL OUR HEARTS STOP [2019-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Sep 2018 | X-MEN: RED [2018-TPB] VOL 01: HATE MACHINE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Mar 2019 | X-MEN: RED [2018-TPB] VOL 02: WAGING PEACE CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Mar 2019 | UNCANNY X-MEN [2019-TPB] VOL 01: X-MEN DISASSEMBLED CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Oct 2019 | WAR OF THE REALMS: UNCANNY X-MEN [2019-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $10.39 | |
 Quick View | Jun 2019 | UNCANNY X-MEN: WOLVERINE AND CYCLOPS [2019-TPB] VOL 01 CURRENT PRINTING | | Go to Amazon | |
 Quick View | Aug 2019 | UNCANNY X-MEN: WOLVERINE AND CYCLOPS [2019-TPB] VOL 02 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
 Quick View | Mar 2020 | X-MEN BY JONATHAN HICKMAN [2020-TPB] VOL 01 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Jan 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 01 | UNAVAILABLE | $16.24 | |
| Quick View | Feb 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 02 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Feb 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 03 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Mar 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 04 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Mar 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 05 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Mar 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 06 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Jun 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 07: NATION BUILDING, PART 1 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 | |
| Quick View | Jun 2020 | DAWN OF X [2020-TPB] VOL 08: NATION BUILDING, PART 2 | UNAVAILABLE | $11.69 |
Media Source Material
If you've enjoyed non-comic media for the X-Men, this section describes the comic book source material for some of the most popular non-comic media. The X-Men are one of Marvel's most recognizable superhero teams and have appeared in countless forms of media, including animated television series, books, video games, and a film series. This section concentrates on the theatrical movie releases. If you are a big fan of the movies, you can use the information here to get started in X-Men comic books. WARNING: This section may contain spoilers!
The X-Men film series from 20th Century Fox, begun in 2000 and continuing to the present, comprises multiple team-focused films and several character-focused films. This section concentrates only the team-based films. The stand-alone Wolverine and Deadpool movies have significant interconnections, but this article focuses on the team of X-Men. The success of the first X-Men film could arguably be the catalyst for the proliferation of the many comic book-based film franchises we see today.
X-MEN (2000) was directed by Bryan Singer and introduced movie audiences to Professor X, his X-Men, and the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto. Present from the very beginning of the comic book series, the film leans squarely on the iconic clash of ideologies of these two men, Professor X, determined to help mankind even in the face of humanity's fear and hatred of mutants, and Magneto, determined to conquer mankind as an inferior race. Along with Professor X and the X-Men themselves, Magneto was introduced in the very first issue of X-Men, X-MEN [1963] #1, and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants was introduced in X-MEN [1963] #4. Magneto's origin was not fleshed out in the comics until much later. UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #150 established that he was a Holocaust survivor. The Mutant Registration Act (MRA), a key plot device of the film, could be traced back to a brief suggestion in the DAYS OF FUTURE PAST storyline of X-MEN [1963] #141 and UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #142 (the series changed titles between these two issues). But, the act was introduced by name in UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #181 and continued to be a background plot device throughout Marvel's entire publishing line--especially the "X" family of titles--during the late 80's and early 90's. It still has some relevance in the Marvel Universe today, as it has never been acknowledged in print to have been repealed and as CIVIL WAR was fought over the similar Superhuman Registration Act (SRA). Cerebro, Professor X's mutant location device appears in this film and nearly every subsequent film. This device was introduced in X-MEN [1963] #7. This film also sees Wolverine and Rogue join the X-Men. Wolverine's first appearance was in INCREDIBLE HULK [1968] #181. His first appearance in X-Men was the key book, GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1, where he also joined the team. Rogue's first appearance in comics was actually in AVENGERS ANNUAL [1967] #10. Her first appearance in X-Men was UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #158, and she joined the team in UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #171. The character of U.S. Senator Robert Kelly is abducted in the film, used as a test subject for the Brotherhood's mutation machine, and subsequently de-molecularizes by the end of the movie. In the comics, Sen. Robert Kelly first appeared in X-MEN [1963] #135 as an anti-mutant antagonist for the team. He would have the pivotal role as the subject of assassination by Mystique in the DAYS OF FUTURE PAST comic book storyline, a role Dr. Bolivar Trask filled instead in the 2014 film adaptation. Mystique herself, one of the most important characters throughout the film series, appeared first in MS. MARVEL [1977] #16. Her first appearance in X-Men was X-MEN [1963] #141 as part of the DAYS OF FUTURE PAST storyline.
The second film in the series, X2 (2003), was also directed by Bryan Singer and is largely based on Marvel Graphic Novel #5, X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS [1982]. Published outside of the comic book series, this graphic novel had an uncertain status until it was officially acknowledged as canon in 2003, the same year the film was released. Continuity-wise, this original graphic novel is usually placed between UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #167 and #168. The movie depicts military scientist Colonel William Stryker learning about Professor X's Cerebro machine from Magneto. Stryker attacks and captures Professor X, forcing him to locate every mutant on the planet with a second Cerebro machine in order to kill them. In the end, the X-Men must team up with the Brotherhood to foil Stryker's evil plan. In the comic books, William Stryker first appeared in the source graphic novel, X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS [1982], but he was a religious fanatic with a military history (which may have involved the Weapon X project, but was never explicitly stated), instead of a military scientist. A phoenix-like shape in the lake at the end of the film alludes to the DARK PHOENIX SAGA, which was published in X-MEN [1963] #101-108, 129-138. Some elements of this storyline would play out in the next film of the series.
The third team film of the X-Men film series, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (2006), was directed by Brett Ratner with a plot that revolves around a "mutant cure" and the resurrection of Jean Grey. The "mutant cure" is based on the GIFTED storyline contained in ASTONISHING X-MEN [2004] #1-6 and the resurrection of Jean Grey is pulled from the DARK PHOENIX SAGA from X-MEN [1963] #101-108, 129-138. Angel, one of the original X-Men from their very first comic book appearance, finally makes his first appearance in a movie with this film installment. He'll have a larger role in the subsequent film, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE. The Juggernaut appears in this film as one of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. His first appearance in comics was X-MEN [1963] #12, and he's appeared sporadically in Marvel publications for over four decades. Dr. Moira MacTaggert has a cameo at the end of this film and will have larger plot involvement as a CIA agent in subsequent films. Her first appearance in comics was X-MEN [1963] #96, although she is a geneticist in the comics, not an agent.
The first three films in the series share most, but not all, cast members and form a loose trilogy by themselves, albeit with some unresolved plot threads. The next three team-based films in the series form a loose trilogy also, going back in time to tell stories from earlier decades as well as tidying up some plot threads. A new group of actors and actresses have taken over, but the time jumps help alleviate some character confusion for audiences.
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011), directed by Matthew Vaughn, is the fourth team-based film and takes place in the 60's. It's tempting to think this film is an adaptation of the X-MEN: FIRST CLASS [2007] comic book series, but the movie does not follow the comics closely, just sharing the overall concept of telling the early origin of Professor X and his X-Men and Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The film's main villain is the Hellfire Club, led by Sebastian Shaw and containing other canon and non-canon mutants. The Hellfire Club was introduced in comics during the DARK PHOENIX SAGA in X-MEN [1963] #129 with Sebastian Shaw as the Black King and Emma Frost as the White Queen. The movie departs from Shaw's comic book origin by having him involved in Magneto's childhood and the immergence of his mutant powers. The cruelty that movie-Shaw shows Magneto sets him up as an antagonist for the self-serving Magneto and the evil that Shaw demonstrates sets him up as an antagonist for Xavier, allowing the two to join forces against Shaw. Moira MacTaggert plays a larger role in this film. But, as previously mentioned, her first comic appearance was in X-MEN [1963] #96 as a geneticist, not a CIA agent.
The fifth team-based X-Men film, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (2014), was directed once again by Bryan Singer and takes place in the 70's. Based squarely from the DAYS OF FUTURE PAST storyline from X-MEN [1963] #141 and UNCANNY X-MEN [1981] #142 (the series changed titles between these two issues), the plot differs primarily in that Kitty Pryde travels back in time in the comics, whereas she sends Wolverine back in the movie. Mystique's assassination target in the comic is Senator Robert Kelly. But since his character was already used in the first film installment, this film uses Dr. Bolivar Trask, designer of the Sentinels, as her intended target. Both Trask and the Sentinels made their comic book debut in X-MEN [1963] #14.
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE (2016), directed by Bryan Singer, is the sixth team-based film in the X-Men film series and takes place in the 80's. The plot is based on the X-Factor storyline presented in X-FACTOR [1986] #5-6 (introduction of Apocalypse), #10-13, 17, 19 (recruitment of Apocalypse's horsemen), and #24-26 ("Fall of the Mutants" crossover event) with Apocalypse's origin presented from the mini-series RISE OF APOCALYPSE [1996] #1-4. The X-Factor comic book series was first published in 1986 and reunited all the original X-Men for new adventures under that team moniker, while the team of current X-Men were fighting evil simultaneously in their own comic book series.