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.

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.

• 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)

• 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)

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.

• 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)

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.

• 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   

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.

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.

    *As an eBay Partner, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure

• 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)