Summary

Staring face first at a comics franchise as rich asX - Mencan be as exciting as it is intimidating for new reviewer . Truthfully , ready to dive headlong into a enfranchisement with 61 year ' Charles Frederick Worth of account can be intimidating and even scary more than anything .

1X-Men: Season One(2012)

By Dennis Hallum and Jamie McKelvie

While it would be gentle to advocate starting off with an spark from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby ’s originalX - Menrun , or even just the first matter , the very first footrace of topic of a comic franchise can be tricksy to recommend . Those early years were a period of metre whenX - Menwas still finding its footing . Thus , the themes and ideas that would become a staple ofX - Menaren’t entirely prevalent inX - Men’searliest stories , at least not at the very start .

That ’s when 2012’sX - adult male : time of year Onecomes in handy . It focuses on the original five ’s first year as a team . This graphic novel is toX - MenwhatBatman : Year Oneis to theBatmanfranchise . Readers unremarkably recommendBatman : class Oneas a starting degree for Batman rather than his firstDetective Comicsstories . The same logic applies here , asSeason Onebrings to the cutting edge the franchise ’s most important themes , recontextualizing the story with the cognition of what many of these characters will become in the future tense .

2Giant-Size X-Men#1 (1975)

By Len Wein and Dave Cockrum

A impregnable tilt can be made that if there was a single issue that was essential reading , Giant - Size X - Men#1 is more essential to register than 1963’sX - Men#1.WhileX - Men#1 mark the offset of the entire dealership , Giant - Size X - Men#1 marked the beginning of the franchise as audiences sleep with it today . It localise the point for the modern take on the X - Men that ’s been prevalent not only in comic volume plot line for nearly 50 years , but in all of the enfranchisement ’s onscreen version .

It ’s also worth noting thatthis denounce the beginning of the Chris Claremont era of XTC - valet . Claremont - who render an uncredited plot assistance on the form of address - is very much the godfather of the dealership and his work is extremely influential onX - Mento this day . The introduction of characters like violent storm and Colossus , as well as addition to the team like Wolverine and Nightcrawler , would shew lively to that foot race moving forward .

3The Phoenix/Dark Phoenix Saga(1976-1977, 1979-1980)

Uncanny X-Men#101-108 and #129-138 by Chris Claremont and John Byrne

The concept of the Phoenix itself has examine essential to Marvel lore as a whole , having conduce to the introduction of Cosmic Gods and placeslike the White Hot Room . It all begins here in an fantastically ambitious two - part spark . The first one-half sees Jean Grey avert death thanks to the mysterious Phoenix Force keeping her alive and pass off new life sentence into her , turn her into the Phoenix . The second half focuses on Jean slowly becoming corrupt by the same power that gave her Modern life .

The two Phoenix storylines are essential version for Marvel readers , contribute how full of life of a role it has become in the scope of the Marvel Universe . At the same metre , it ’s crucial for anyone who either want to deal themselves a lover of Jean Grey , or wants tounderstand Jean Grey as a character , specially now that she’smerged with the Phoenix .

4Days of Future Past(1980)

Uncanny X-Men#141-142 by Chris Claremont and John Byrne

Days of Future Pastis consideredone of the most quintessential storylines inX - Menlore , despite only take place over the class of two issues . In this relatively short tarradiddle , Day of Future Pastproduced enough intrigue forX - Menwriters and artists to stay on revisit this humanity over the years , includingin a fair late continuation . Kitty Pryde - who during Chris Claremont ’s rill is basically prim as the dealership ’s fresh main character - has her future self ’s mind send back in time to the body of her present - daylight self in an exploit to avert a history - changing consequence for mutantkind that proves dire for the mutant residential area .

Readers get to see a distant , dystopian futurethat awaits the X - Men if they do not keep the character assassination of Senator Robert Kelly . In this grim future , mutant are track down by scout and either killed or rounded up into camp . We also encounter older versions of familiar character , include Colossus , Magneto and Wolverine ( which itself arguably paved the elbow room for the classic Old Man Logan character).Days of Future Pastwould practically become a template for Marvel storylines that boast a gloomy timeline .

5Inferno(1989)

By Louise Simonson, Chris Claremont, Bret Blevins, Marc Silvestri, and Walt Simonson

Most readers will recognize this chronicle as one that wasdirectly adapted onscreen forX - gentleman’s gentleman ' 97 . This the plot line that reveals Madelyne Pryor ’s condition as a clone of Jean Grey , but there is far more to this company - wide crossing event than just that major reveal . This storyline spanned multiple comical books , affecting not just the X - book , but all corners of the Marvel Universe , admit Spider - Man and Daredevil ’s series .

The storyline focalise on a diabolic invasion of Earth , with Illyana Rasputin playing an essential part , unlike in the onscreen adaption . Magik ’s interdimensional travel powers raise polar in opening a portal between Earth and Limbo . This arc also sees Madelyne Pryor , driven mad by the knowledge that she is a clone , turn into the evil Goblin Queen . Aiding the demons of Limbo in their assay putsch of Earth , she intends to sacrifice her son , Nathan , before she is stopped by the mix might of the Adam - Men and X - ingredient . After her frustration , the dying Madelyne ’s storage and personality are absorbed by Jean Grey .

6Fatal Attractions(1993)

By Fabian Nicieza, Scott Lobdell, Andy Kubert, Adam Kubert, Greg Capullo, Joe Quesada, Ken Lashley, John Romita, Jr.

Fatal Attractionsis another X - Men crossing event that would find its direction into being adapted inX - Men ' 97 . One particular moment that ranks highly among the practiced think back inX - Menhistory is whenMagneto rake the adamantium from Wolverine ’s skeleton . In the comics , this would prove to be one of the most important moment in Wolverine ’s life , as the amnesic character learns that underneath the adamantium , he has pearl claw .

Prior to this , Logan was under the impression that it was his fatal weapon system X experiment that gave him his claws . Learning that he already had them before the experiment is a huge jounce for both the fibre and for reviewer . In plus , this storyline would pave the mode for the creation of Onslaught , the psychical combination of Professor X and Magneto , after Xavier wipes the mind of the latter . This is an arc that puts just about everyone involved on a dark path for the foreseeable future .

After Magneto remove Wolverine ’s adamantium in their iconic clash , Logan had to run for an even defective villain so as to bushel his abilities .

Magneto ripping Wolverine’s adamantium from his skeleton.

7E for Extinction(2001)

X-Men#114-116 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

E for Extinctionis yet another plot line that would greatly influence the result ofX - man ' 97,specifically with the destruction of Genosha . However , the animated serial publication does not feature the eccentric who , in the comics , is responsible for the decimation of the island and its mutant population : Cassandra Nova . Most readers will recognize the name as belong tothe evil twin of Charles Xavieras seen inDeadpool and Wolverine , but her source and ego - detest mutant motivation arefar dark than even the movie implies .

Even outside that connective thread , this is a must - record for the simple fact thatit label the beginning of Grant Morrison ’s run onNewX - human beings , considered by many to be one of the most classic that the franchise has to pop the question . Among many elements , this run and a figure of its storylines introduce what would become a staple of the franchise : the mind ofmutants gaining powerful lower-ranking mutation .

8House of M(2005)

By Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel

This result is just asimportant toAvengersloreas it isX - Menloreand , arguably , it ’s another all important case in the Marvel Universe as a whole . However , what makes this such an essential piece of reading material for 10 - Men lover is the infamous " No more mutants " contract from the Scarlet Witch that sends ripple effects across the mutant biotic community . This one moment brings the mutant race to the brink of extinction , as the Scarlet Witch ’s magic causes most of the world ’s sport to recede their ability .

Layla Miller , who seems like a minor character , actually has a major purpose in House of M due to her power to awaken others to the true reality .

A mutant universe comprised of 1000000 suddenly dwindle away to hundreds . This one panel would pretend at least half of a 10 ’s Charles Frederick Worth of ten - book of account plot line , placing the X - man in a more dire office than they ’ve ever been before . The disco biscuit - Isle of Man have always faced hardship as extremity of the shun mutant wash , but this force them into endurance modal value in a whole new way . Several characters experience reference growth as a termination of lose their powers , while others become so desperate that they start to work out of fictitious character from here on out as a reflection of desperate times .

Captain America vs Cyclops in Avengers vs X-Men Comic Art

9Messiah CompleX, Messiah War, Second Coming(2007-2008, 2009, 2010)

Multiple creators, including writers Ed Brubaker, Craig Kyle, Mike Carey and Christopher Yost, and artists Chris Bachalo, Billy Tan, Humberto Ramos, David Finch and Mike CHoi

Strap in folks : this is a big one . This does n’t just cover one storyline , but a trilogy ofX - Menstorylines that enactment as a whole : Messiah CompleX , Messiah War , and theSecond Coming . Right before this , theDecimationarc details the backwash of the creation ’s mutant population drastically dwindling . However , Decimationisn’t quite essential meter reading , unless someone just wants to witness the direct fallout ofHouse of Mfrom the X - Men side of things . This trilogy , though , serves as a culmination of sorts to thatHouse of Mstoryline , as the surviving mutants are all essay to locate the first kid born with an X - gene since that " No more mutants " second .

The entire future tense of mutantkind flexible joint on this child , with multiple factions vying to either rescue her or kill her . Naturally , this one construct '' ' is ambitious enough to stretch theX - Menfranchise into three years ' Charles Frederick Worth of storytelling . While there would still be room for extra storytelling after this ( see the next debut for book of facts , as well asAvengers : Children ’s Crusade , which is n’t an 10 - Men storyline so it is n’t mentioned , but still advocate ) , it would feel like the remnant is nigh with this ambitious three - part task . This arc would also introduce a polar eccentric in ex - traditional knowledge , Hope Summers .

10Avengers vs. X-Men(2012)

Multiple creators, including writers Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman and Matt Fraction, and artists John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel and Adam Kubert

Speaking of Hope Summers , she would become a focal point for this next plot line . If theMessiahtrilogy in truth is the conclusion of theHouse of Mstoryline , thenAvXexists to tie up any escaped ends from that history electric arc - include restoring the mutant population - with the adage of ram Marvel ’s two biggest super - squad into an all - out free-for-all . When the Phoenix Force is said to be returning to Earth , Hope is suspected of becoming its host .

This being an defunctness - degree crisis event , the Avengers want to handle things their way . However , the X - Men want to keep mutant matters solely among mutants , as everything come out ofHouse of Mhas made the X - Men even more untrusty of others than usual . by nature , a conflict ensues , sparking a monumental war between the two teams . The action coming out of this crossover has been praised , butthe story ingredient go around around the aftermath ofHouse of Mand tying thing upis what makes this a worthwhile read for X - Men readers .

Dark X-Men in Marvel Comics' Age of Apocalypse

Featured Image: collage with many X-Men villains from throughout the years

Jean Grey uses her powers in X-Men Season One comic

X-Men Comic Fatal Attractions with the Wolverine

The Scarlet Witch says “No More Mutants” as the X-Men attempt to stop her.

X-Men Second Coming

X-Men