Summary
Staring face first at a comics franchise as rich asX-Mencan be as exciting as it is intimidating for new readers. Truthfully, preparing to dive headfirst into a franchise with 61 years' worth of history can be intimidating and even scary more than anything.
For a new reader or even an older reader curious to enrich their own knowledge of the material, it can be hard to figure out where to start with such a long-running franchise. It’s even harder when considering how many reboots, revivals, and changes in the status quo theX-Mencomics have been through over the years. These are all important factors to consider that make it difficult to figure out a reading order forX-Men. That’s where this list comes in handy, providing acomprehensive reading order of essential stories for beginners.
1X-Men: Season One(2012)
By Dennis Hallum and Jamie McKelvie
While it would be easy to recommend starting off with an arc from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s originalX-Menrun, or even just the first issue, the very first run of issues of a comic franchise can be tricky to recommend. Those early years were a period of time 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-Men: Season 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 usually recommendBatman: Year Oneas a starting point for Batman rather than his firstDetective Comicsstories.The same logic applies here, asSeason Onebrings to the forefront the franchise’s most important themes, recontextualizing the story with the knowledge of what many of these characters will become in the future.
2Giant-Size X-Men#1 (1975)
By Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
A strong argument can be made that if there was a single issue that was essential reading,Giant-Size X-Men#1 is more essential to read than 1963’sX-Men#1.WhileX-Men#1 marked the beginning of the entire franchise,Giant-Size X-Men#1 marked the beginning of the franchise as audiences know it today. It set the stage for the modern take on the X-Men that’s been prevalent not only in comic book storylines for nearly 50 years, but in all of the franchise’s onscreen adaptations.
It’s also worth noting thatthis marks the beginning of the Chris Claremont era of X-Men.Claremont - who provided an uncredited plot assist on the title - is very much the godfather of the franchise and his work is extremely influential onX-Mento this day. The introduction of characters like Storm and Colossus, as well as additions to the team like Wolverine and Nightcrawler, would prove vital to that run 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 proven essential to Marvel lore as a whole, having contributed to the introduction of Cosmic Gods and placeslike the White Hot Room.It all begins here in an incredibly ambitious two-part arc. The first half sees Jean Grey avert death thanks to the mysterious Phoenix Force keeping her alive and breathing new life into her, turning her into the Phoenix. The second half focuses on Jean slowly becoming corrupted by the same power that gave her new life.
The two Phoenix storylines are essential reading for Marvel readers, given how vital of a role it has become in the scope of the Marvel Universe. At the same time, it’s essential for anyone who either wants to consider themselves a fan of Jean Grey, or wants tounderstand Jean Grey as a character, especially 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 taking place over the course of two issues. In this relatively short story,Days of Future Pastproduced enough intrigue forX-Menwriters and artists to continue revisiting this world over the years, includingin a fairly recent sequel. Kitty Pryde - who during Chris Claremont’s run is essentially primed as the franchise’s new main character - has her future self’s mind sent back in time to the body of her present-day self in an effort to avert a history-changing event for mutantkind that proves dire for the mutant community.
Readers get to see a distant, dystopian futurethat awaits the X-Men if they do not prevent the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly. In this grim future, mutants are hunted by Sentinels and either killed or rounded up into camps. We also meet older versions of familiar characters, including Colossus, Magneto and Wolverine (which itself arguably paved the way for the classic Old Man Logan character).Days of Future Pastwould practically become a template for Marvel storylines that feature a dark timeline.
5Inferno(1989)
By Louise Simonson, Chris Claremont, Bret Blevins, Marc Silvestri, and Walt Simonson
Most readers will recognize this story as one that wasdirectly adapted onscreen forX-Men ‘97. This the storyline that reveals Madelyne Pryor’s status as a clone of Jean Grey, but there is far more to this company-wide crossover event than just that major reveal.This storyline spanned multiple comic books, affecting not just the X-books, but all corners of the Marvel Universe, including Spider-Man and Daredevil’s series.
The storyline focuses on a demonic invasion of Earth, with Illyana Rasputin playing an essential role, unlike in the onscreen adaptation. Magik’s interdimensional travel powers prove pivotal in opening a portal between Earth and Limbo.This arc also sees Madelyne Pryor, driven mad by the knowledge that she is a clone, turning into the evil Goblin Queen. Aiding the demons of Limbo in their attempted takeover of Earth, she intends to sacrifice her son, Nathan, before she is stopped by the combined might of the X-Men and X-Factor. After her defeat, the dying Madelyne’s memories 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 crossover event that would find its way into being adapted inX-Men ‘97. One particular moment that ranks highly among the best remembered inX-Menhistory is whenMagneto rips the adamantium from Wolverine’s skeleton. In the comics, this would prove to be one of the most important moments in Wolverine’s life, as the amnesiac character learns that underneath the adamantium, he has bone claws.
Prior to this, Logan was under the impression that it was his fateful Weapon X experiment that gave him his claws. Learning that he already had them before the experiment is a huge shock for both the character and for readers. In addition, this storyline would pave the way for the creation of Onslaught, the psychic 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.
How Wolverine Got His Adamantium Back After Magneto Removed It
After Magneto removed Wolverine’s adamantium in their iconic clash, Logan had to work for an even worse villain to restore his abilities.
7E for Extinction(2001)
X-Men#114-116 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
E for Extinctionis yet another storyline that would greatly influence the events ofX-Men ‘97,specifically with the destruction of Genosha. However, the animated series does not feature the character 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 belonging tothe evil twin of Charles Xavieras seen inDeadpool and Wolverine, but her origins and self-hating mutant motivations arefar darker than even the movie implies.
Even outside that connective thread, this is a must-read for the simple fact thatit marks the beginning of Grant Morrison’s run onNewX-Men, considered by many to be one of the most definitive that the franchise has to offer. Among many elements, this run and a number of its storylines introduce what would become a staple of the franchise: the idea ofmutants gaining powerful secondary mutations.
8House of M(2005)
By Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel
This event is just asimportant toAvengersloreas it isX-Menloreand, arguably, it’s another essential event in the Marvel Universe as a whole. However, what makes this such an essential piece of reading for X-Men fans is the infamous “No more mutants” declaration from the Scarlet Witch that sends ripple effects across the mutant 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 mutants to lose their abilities.
Layla Miller, who seems like a minor character, actually has a major role in House of M due to her ability to awaken others to the true reality.
A mutant population comprised of millions suddenly dwindles to hundreds.This one panel would affect at least half of a decade’s worth of X-book storylines, placing the X-Men in a more desperate position than they’ve ever been before. The X-Men have always faced adversity as members of the ostracized mutant race, but this forces them into survival mode in a whole new way. Several characters experience character growth as a result of losing their powers, while others become so desperate that they start to act out of character from here on out as a reflection of desperate times.
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 doesn’t just cover one storyline, but a trilogy ofX-Menstorylines that act as a whole:Messiah CompleX, Messiah War, and theSecond Coming. Right before this, theDecimationarc details the aftermath of the world’s mutant population drastically dwindling. However,Decimationisn’t quite essential 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 trying to locate the first child born with an X-gene since that “No more mutants” moment.
The entire future of mutantkind hinges on this child,with multiple factions vying to either rescue her or kill her.Naturally, this one concept ‘‘‘is ambitious enough to stretch theX-Menfranchise into three years’ worth of storytelling. While there would still be room for additional storytelling after this (see the next entry for reference, as well asAvengers: Children’s Crusade, which isn’t an X-Men storyline so it isn’t mentioned, but still recommended), it would feel like the end is nigh with this ambitious three-part project.This arc would also introduce a pivotal character in X-lore, 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 storyline.If theMessiahtrilogy truly is the conclusion of theHouse of Mstoryline, thenAvXexists to tie up any loose ends from that story arc - including restoring the mutant population - with the adage of forcing Marvel’s two biggest super-teams into an all-out brawl. When the Phoenix Force is said to be returning to Earth, Hope is suspected of becoming its host.
This being an extinction-level crisis event, the Avengers want to handle things their way. However, the X-Men want to keep mutant matters solely among mutants, as everything coming out ofHouse of Mhas made the X-Men even more untrustworthy of others than usual. Naturally, a conflict ensues, sparking a massive war between the two teams. The action coming out of this crossover has been praised, butthe story elements revolving around the aftermath ofHouse of Mand tying things upis what makes this a worthwhile read for X-Men readers.
