Chris Claremont turned a failing comic about mutants into one of the most successful comic book franchises of all time. Though, often criticized for being too wordy or having wooden dialogue, Claremont helped create a more literary medium bringing comics into the modern era. Claremont wrote X-men comics for 16 years! Those 16 years form one of the greatest epics ever created. All modern X-men comics use Claremont’s run as a foundation. You won’t be able to truly understand X-Men: Messiah Complex without reading these books first. The good news is a lot of these comics hold up pretty well. In this guide I’ll try to differentiate the *required reading* from the *just for fun*. [Read more…] about The Complete X-Men Reading Order Guide: Chris Claremont Era
Uncanny X-Men
X-Men Chronology: The Kieron Gillen run
Continuing my X-Men chronology, this week I want to explore a range that I personally feel is overlooked a little; Kieron Gillen’s run on ‘Uncanny X-Men’. Gillen took the reins of ‘Uncanny X-Men’ at a time of crisis for the mutant race, and – like his ‘Generation Hope’ series – he propelled the series like an arrow to the target of ‘AvX’. [Read more…] about X-Men Chronology: The Kieron Gillen run
Gambit Reading Order Part 5: Mid-2000s to the Present Day
It all began when a reader wrote in asking for a chronology of the X-Man called Gambit. What followed took me from the Claremont era through the Rogue romance of the ‘90s, with Gambit’s secret ties to Sinister revealed in Uncanny X-Men #350. In the years that followed, he redeemed himself and even led an X-team on occasion.
And then everything changed. [Read more…] about Gambit Reading Order Part 5: Mid-2000s to the Present Day
Gambit Reading Order Part 4: Late 90’s and Early 2000’s
The late 90’s were difficult times to be writing the X-Men. In Wizard #90, Steve Seagle gave vent to his frustrations:
Previously: Gambit after the Age of Apocalypse!
[Read more…] about Gambit Reading Order Part 4: Late 90’s and Early 2000’s
X-Men #1 Review! 100th Anniversary Special – After 51 Years of X-Men
A classic Marvel tale: X-Men in the future. As someone who buys almost every single X-Men title currently on the shelves (about 9), and who loves the old Claremont and Morrison runs, I’ll jump on the chance to buy an X-Men future story. I’m also a large fan of the current era of Cyclops (Yes, I own a “Cyclops Was Right” Shirt) and the Uncanny X-Men comic by Brian Michael Bendis is one of my favorites. So when I see a future where Cyclops ends up on top I’m even more excited. [Read more…] about X-Men #1 Review! 100th Anniversary Special – After 51 Years of X-Men