10 Old X-Men Comics Actually Worth Reading

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The X-Men are dominating the superhero community right now, with a brand-new comic era underway following the success of the Krakoa era, emerging roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a stellar relaunch of the X-Men ’90s animated series in X-Men ’97. With all their success, fans should take a trip to the past to check out older X-Men comics that are still worth reading.

The X-Men have starred in high-quality comic titles since day one, from their first appearance battling Magneto to the rise of the Sentinels and Juggernaut to Wolverine’s first solo comic series. Marvel published many epic storylines and legendary foundational comics in the first few decades of the X-Men’s existence.

10

The X-Men’s First Fight With Magneto

What better place to start than where the X-Men all began? X-Men #1 is a must-read old X-Men comic. It is, after all, the very first. Meet the X-Men: Beast, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel and Iceman, all led by Professor Xavier. Meet Magneto, the mutant extremist with an ideology that clashes with Professor X’s.

All the foundation and framework a fan would ever need is right here in one of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s greatest collaborations. Those looking to visit the X-Men’s greatest older comics should read X-Men #1, if only for the novelty.

9

The Origin Of Professor X & Juggernaut

In the golden era of X-Men comics, Lee and Kirby produced hit after hit. So many characters who debuted in these early X-Men issues would have legendary careers at Marvel Comics. One of the most notable X-Men antagonists debuted in X-Men #12, and Juggernaut provided a surprising backstory for his half-brother, Charles Xavier.

Nothing can stop the Juggernaut. Spider-Man tried, and the young, first-class X-Men learned that lesson in this issue. X-Men #12 quickly established that Xavier hides many secrets from his X-Men, and Juggernaut’s existence would be the tip of the iceberg.

8

Rise Of The Sentinels

Only two issues after the first appearance of Juggernaut, the Sentinels debuted in X-Men comics. The Sentinels are the manifested struggle between humans and mutants. Humans built the Sentinels as mutant-hunting robots but unintentionally created a third party in the struggle for Earth.

The Sentinels have grown far beyond their makers, leading to organizations like Orchis and their Mother Mold and futuristic Nimrod creations in modern X-Men titles. Readers looking to gain more insight into the Sentinels’ creation and origin should check out X-Men #14.

7

New X-Men For A New Era

Cyclops had led the original X-Men for over two decades, but in 1975, writer Len Wein sped things up a bit. Giant-Size X-Men #1 was a monumental issue that changed the team dynamic and set the X-book on a new path with more mature stories and complex character journeys.

Colossus, Storm, and Nightcrawler debuted in this issue, and Wolverine, who had previously battled the Hulk, officially joined the X-Men. When many fans close their eyes and picture their ideal X-Men team, this is the roster they see, making Giant-Size X-Men #1 one of the most memorable and integral “old” X-Men comics.

6

Rise Of The Phoenix

The Phoenix Saga has appeared on big and small screens for decades. Though X-Men: The Animated Series came the closest to a perfect adaptation, dedicating 10 episodes to the saga, nothing beats the original comic arc. Beginning in X-Men #101, Jean Grey officially became the Phoenix, rising from the ashes (water) with godlike powers.

The Phoenix Force was originally a vague concept. Readers would learn more about the Phoenix and its connections to Jean as the story progressed, but X-Men #101 is a tremendous starting point that felt like the beginning of a cosmic era for the X-Men.

5

The Fate Of The Phoenix

As the Watcher stated, the Dark Phoenix lived and destroyed as a monster, but it died as Jean Grey, a human and a hero. Comic fans should read the “Phoenix Saga” and “Dark Phoenix Saga” in their entireties, but X-Men #137 is an amazing destination after an incredible journey.

The X-Men fight for their lives, then they fight for the safety of the Earth, and then they finally fight for Jean Grey’s survival. The Phoenix had caused them all a lot of grief and heartache, prompting Jean Grey to sacrifice herself and take the Phoenix with her, quelling the Shi’ar’s aggression and vengeance.

4

The Dark Future Of The X-Men Universe

The “Days of Future Past” is definitely worth the read, even for fans who have watched the various adaptations, either in the X-Men animated series or through the live-action X-Men: Days of Future Past film. Those adaptations veered from the source material in interesting ways.

In the original “Days of Future Past” Uncanny X-Men comic, Kitty Pryde was the main character who traveled back in time to warn the X-Men of their dark future. Wolverine had seemingly perished in the future along with most of the X-Men. Interestingly, “Days of Future Past,” for all the fame and recognition it’s received since, was only a two-issue story arc––a quick reread for present-day fans.

3

Wolverine’s First Solo Series

Wolverine first appeared in his own comic series in 1982, several years after he joined the X-Men in their all-new era, and even further from his first appearance ever in the Incredible Hulk comic. Wolverine #1 offered a previously obscured glimpse of Logan’s life before the X-Men.

Readers travel alongside Wolverine from Canada to Japan, discovering the professional and romantic connections he made along the way. Wolverine has since starred in seven comic volumes, so it’s refreshing to read his first solo comic with all-star creators like Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.

2

Madelyne Pryor Brings Hell To The X-Men

All the lies Madelyne Pryor had lived with––all of Mister Sinister’s manipulations and evil plans––come to a head in the first “Inferno” story arc, spread across X-titles like Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor and The New Mutants. Pryor had officially become the Goblin Queen, unleashing the demons from Limbo onto New York City.

“Inferno” serves as a neat time capsule for many modern readers. It was a big era for X-Men comics at the time. The original X-Men had reunited in the X-Factor title, and Mister Sinister was still the stereotypical mad-scientist villain, lacking a bit of the humor and charisma that his character would develop in time for the Krakoa era and Sins of Sinister.

1

Wolverine’s Fever Dream

Take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous cover art by Marc Silvestri and Dan Green. Even fans who haven’t read Uncanny X-Men #251 will find the cover familiar––Deadpool & Wolverine paid homage to it in the film, as Wolverine stood atop a pile of bloody skulls.

As beautiful as the cover is, the story inside is just as gripping. Wolverine experiences an intense dream where he revisits pivotal events from his past. From his time in the Weapon X program to his first mission with the X-Men, Uncanny X-Men #251 reads like a trip down memory lane and is the perfect read for new fans who want to familiarize themselves with the history of Wolverine and the X-Men.

“}]] From the X-Men’s origin to classic events like the Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past, these classic comics still pack a punch for new and old fans.  Read More