What do you think?
Rate this book
Astonishing X-Men (2004) (Collected Editions) #1-2
Astonishing X-Men: Ultimate Collection, Volume 1
In Gifted, Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the X-Men with the express purpose of "astonishing" the world. But when breaking news regarding the mutant gene unexpectedly hits the airwaves, will it derail their new plans before they even get started? As demand for the "mutant cure" reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men go head-to-head with the enigmatic Ord, with an unexpected ally - and some unexpected adversaries - tipping the scales! In Dangerous, a tragic death at the Xavier Institute reveals a powerful enemy living among the X-Men that they could never have suspected - and no, it's not Magneto. Things heat up in a way none of the X-Men ever dreamed, but will teamwork save the day when they can't even depend on themselves? Collects Astonishing X-Men #1-12.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
652 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
About the author
Joss Whedon
485 books4,327 followersJoss Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon) is an American screenwriter, executive producer, film and television director, comic book writer, occasional composer, and actor, and the founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures.
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)' and its film follow-up 'Serenity (2005)', and 'Dollhouse (2009–2010)', as well as the web-series' 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)'. Whedon co-wrote and produced the horror film 'The Cabin in the Woods (2012)', and wrote and directed the film adaptation of Marvel's 'The Avengers (2012)', the third highest-grossing film of all time.
Many of Whedon's projects have cult status and his work is notable for portraying strong female characters and a belief in equality.
credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)' and its film follow-up 'Serenity (2005)', and 'Dollhouse (2009–2010)', as well as the web-series' 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)'. Whedon co-wrote and produced the horror film 'The Cabin in the Woods (2012)', and wrote and directed the film adaptation of Marvel's 'The Avengers (2012)', the third highest-grossing film of all time.
Many of Whedon's projects have cult status and his work is notable for portraying strong female characters and a belief in equality.
credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
June 8, 2025
I just got the second volume of the Astonishing X-Men hardcover series that collects Joss Whedon’s and John Cassaday’s entire twenty-five issue run on the title that I thought I’d read again the first volume that I bought a few years back. Reading it again reminded how good Whedon was with the X-Men, abetted by Cassaday's crisp and clean line art, he channels much of the excitement from Chris Claremont’s legendary turn with the characters.
The first twenty-four issues and the giant sized issue of Astonishing X-Men have Whedon’s fingerprints all over it. Ever since his cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie he has been known for his strong female characters. Reading his Kitty Pryde, I can’t help but imagine her as his Buffy analogue, especially her interaction with Emma Frost. Their relationship reminds me of Buffy and Cordelia from the first few seasons of the Buffy television series.
The first volume hardcover contains two arcs. The first, “Gifted”, sets up the characters who will all have important parts to play for the entirety of Whedon’s run. Whedon carries over Grant Morrison’s core X-Men from New X-Men, returning them to their superhero roots as Morrison took them to a more paramilitary direction. There are two key additions as well; one is Kitty Pryde, who is both his Buffy and avatar. This is Whedon returning to the X-Men of his youth, as Shadowcat is returning to the X-Mansion.
He returns Colossus to the team. In a series of a few pages, Whedon and Cassaday drafts an emotional sequence that brought the armored Russian back into the lives of Kitty and the X-Men readers. It brings me goose bumps every time I turn to that page where Kitty and Peter meet again for the first time since his death.
The second arc, “Dangerous” reminds the reader that the X-Men inherited their will to survive from their founder, Charles Xavier. The professor has a gritty turn as an action hero of sorts. This story also planted the seeds that lead to the estrangement of Cyclops and Xavier. In a moment of weakness, Xavier enslaves a sentient intelligence to serve a need the many, essentially bending his principles for his beloved X-Men. The threat they face here is not the only dangerous one, Xavier, despite his physical handicap could be what the title is referring to as well.
This is an excellent collection of the first twelve issues of Astonishing X-Men. It is done in an oversized trim, so to better enjoy Cassaday’s fine work with the pencil and brush. Laura Martin’s colors look better with the slick archival paper. This should be essential reading for every X-Men fan and this is one of the best formats to enjoy it in.
The first twenty-four issues and the giant sized issue of Astonishing X-Men have Whedon’s fingerprints all over it. Ever since his cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie he has been known for his strong female characters. Reading his Kitty Pryde, I can’t help but imagine her as his Buffy analogue, especially her interaction with Emma Frost. Their relationship reminds me of Buffy and Cordelia from the first few seasons of the Buffy television series.
The first volume hardcover contains two arcs. The first, “Gifted”, sets up the characters who will all have important parts to play for the entirety of Whedon’s run. Whedon carries over Grant Morrison’s core X-Men from New X-Men, returning them to their superhero roots as Morrison took them to a more paramilitary direction. There are two key additions as well; one is Kitty Pryde, who is both his Buffy and avatar. This is Whedon returning to the X-Men of his youth, as Shadowcat is returning to the X-Mansion.
He returns Colossus to the team. In a series of a few pages, Whedon and Cassaday drafts an emotional sequence that brought the armored Russian back into the lives of Kitty and the X-Men readers. It brings me goose bumps every time I turn to that page where Kitty and Peter meet again for the first time since his death.
The second arc, “Dangerous” reminds the reader that the X-Men inherited their will to survive from their founder, Charles Xavier. The professor has a gritty turn as an action hero of sorts. This story also planted the seeds that lead to the estrangement of Cyclops and Xavier. In a moment of weakness, Xavier enslaves a sentient intelligence to serve a need the many, essentially bending his principles for his beloved X-Men. The threat they face here is not the only dangerous one, Xavier, despite his physical handicap could be what the title is referring to as well.
This is an excellent collection of the first twelve issues of Astonishing X-Men. It is done in an oversized trim, so to better enjoy Cassaday’s fine work with the pencil and brush. Laura Martin’s colors look better with the slick archival paper. This should be essential reading for every X-Men fan and this is one of the best formats to enjoy it in.
February 6, 2017
I started this review laughing because I finished this book and forgot I'd finished it 10 minutes later. Nothing about this was memorable for me.
I tried letting my feelings on Whedon's take on the MCU films aside to read this. He's definitely not my favorite person when it comes to Marvel products but I like Firefly and Serenity and I like X-men, so I have this a shot. Strangely enough, the problems I have with his shows weren't present here. The problems I have with his films were, however.
One liners.
He loves his one liners. And a lot of them feel like he was just patting himself on the back as he wrote them. Why? Because they came from characters that wouldn't say things like this. Emma Frost is a complex character but her comments are often biting or slightly cold, not quippy. It made her dialogue seem awkward. Even her making blatantly sexual comments about Scott seemed more in character and those were kind of awkwardly placed, too.
Kitty was... interesting. I appreciated the reference to when she first met Emma and she had a few bad ass moments. She didn't stand out the same way she usually does to me and I'm not sure why that is?
I feel like I should give props for an X-men book that didn't focus on Wolverine over everyone else. That's a rarity.
That being said, I must admit that this is certainly not my favorite line up. I'm not sure why but there are no characters of color here. None of my favorite X-Men, aside from Emma, are here. Even Charles is gone for most of this. My excitement was at a 5/10 to begin with.
Anyway, the first plot contains is kind of the plot to the Last Stand. There's a potential cure for mutants and for two minutes, we get the debate over whether it's okay to choose to be cured Scott says it's not because it's they'd be naive to think the government wouldn't force it on proud mutants. Wolverine thinks it'll increase self-hatred. Beast would like the option. It's X-Men Last Stand. But somehow, more bland?
Anyway, of course there's something that kind of kills the choice. The doctor creating the cure is experimenting in dead mutants. So the X-men go to stop them.
The villains here are not memorable. The first one is a dude, I forgot his name, who's trying to cure the mutants for reasons. The second is the fucking Danger Room. Because Whedon thought that would be fun. Then it's a big ass, hybrid Sentinel. No real complexity here.
It's bland. There's nothing exciting about this. I don't think the next volume will excite me more unless they change the line up.
I tried letting my feelings on Whedon's take on the MCU films aside to read this. He's definitely not my favorite person when it comes to Marvel products but I like Firefly and Serenity and I like X-men, so I have this a shot. Strangely enough, the problems I have with his shows weren't present here. The problems I have with his films were, however.
One liners.
He loves his one liners. And a lot of them feel like he was just patting himself on the back as he wrote them. Why? Because they came from characters that wouldn't say things like this. Emma Frost is a complex character but her comments are often biting or slightly cold, not quippy. It made her dialogue seem awkward. Even her making blatantly sexual comments about Scott seemed more in character and those were kind of awkwardly placed, too.
Kitty was... interesting. I appreciated the reference to when she first met Emma and she had a few bad ass moments. She didn't stand out the same way she usually does to me and I'm not sure why that is?
I feel like I should give props for an X-men book that didn't focus on Wolverine over everyone else. That's a rarity.
That being said, I must admit that this is certainly not my favorite line up. I'm not sure why but there are no characters of color here. None of my favorite X-Men, aside from Emma, are here. Even Charles is gone for most of this. My excitement was at a 5/10 to begin with.
Anyway, the first plot contains is kind of the plot to the Last Stand. There's a potential cure for mutants and for two minutes, we get the debate over whether it's okay to choose to be cured Scott says it's not because it's they'd be naive to think the government wouldn't force it on proud mutants. Wolverine thinks it'll increase self-hatred. Beast would like the option. It's X-Men Last Stand. But somehow, more bland?
Anyway, of course there's something that kind of kills the choice. The doctor creating the cure is experimenting in dead mutants. So the X-men go to stop them.
The villains here are not memorable. The first one is a dude, I forgot his name, who's trying to cure the mutants for reasons. The second is the fucking Danger Room. Because Whedon thought that would be fun. Then it's a big ass, hybrid Sentinel. No real complexity here.
It's bland. There's nothing exciting about this. I don't think the next volume will excite me more unless they change the line up.
December 10, 2025
What a birthday present!
July 12, 2024
Whedon's time on X-Men was one of the classic runs of the whole X-franchise, and Cassady's careful and nuanced art was a perfect complement to Whedon's character building and subtle plot development. He makes the Emma-Scott relationship believable, which no one at the time really wanted to happen, and Emma becomes a very sympathetic character. He wrote an X-book that didn't have Logan dominate every page for the first time since Chris Claremont. The real star of the book is Kitty Pryde, and if she sounds a bit like Buffy from time to time that's just fine, it works. (What doesn't work for bibliographers is Marvel issuing multiple editions with the same title and different contents, but that doesn't affect the story. (I read the March 2024 "Epic" edition.)) The story's twenty years old now, but they haven't done anything since that's as good. Excelsior with a capital X!
June 14, 2018
Woah this had me from the get go. Great action packed adventure story telling with some awesome art with the fight scenes. Has everything you wont from an xmen story. This is highly recommended and a must read!!!Read it from start to finish without breaking!!
December 2, 2025
Such a blast. This is clean, character-first X-Men with Cassaday art that absolutely cooks. Kitty, Logan, and Cyclops all shine, and the whole thing feels tight and cinematic from start to finish. High-paced, big action, and just super fun — exactly what I want from a modern X-Men team book.
February 10, 2017
4 1/2 stars
April 27, 2017
I remember picking up the first issue of this and putting it down again in disgust after seeing that Cyclops, who I already thought was a jackass, was now dating Emma Frost. (Who is even worse.) Reading the whole story arc, however, I quite quite liked it. I can see why Scott and Emma would get together (they are both hot and the only ones who reliably act like adults), I liked what was happening with the school. I feel bad for Beast, and was actually interested in Kitty Pryde for the first time in ever. I feel like the end of this collection was a big tease for something that involves people I should know but don't, due to my only sporadic comic reading. Hence the only 4 stars. The overall story, however, was pretty tight and extremely interesting.
February 1, 2014
This may come as a surprise, but Joss is good with snappy dialogue and ensemble casts.
January 5, 2025
Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s critically acclaimed 'Astonishing X-Men' run, a spiritual successor to Grant Morrison’s 'New X-Men', faced a monumental task, as Whedon himself acknowledged in an email included at the back of this book. While Astonishing references Morrison’s stories and features the same core team, it takes the narrative in its own direction. This run is much more accessible than Morrison's, making it an ideal entry point for X-Men newcomers (though I’d recommend reading 'New X-Men' first if possible).
The tone is also notably different—'Astonishing' is more grounded, with a subtle, often hilarious humour throughout, in contrast to Morrison’s space opera drama. While Morrison’s run will always be my personal favourite (especially for the debates it sparked in fan forums), it’s clear that Whedon and Cassaday’s run is the more consistently strong of the two. Morrison’s storytelling, while brilliant at times, was often disjointed, with uneven story arcs and a rotating roster of artists. Whedon’s writing, paired with Cassaday’s stellar artwork, provides a more cohesive and visually stunning experience.
If you haven’t read it already, do so. X-Men comics don’t get much better than this.
The tone is also notably different—'Astonishing' is more grounded, with a subtle, often hilarious humour throughout, in contrast to Morrison’s space opera drama. While Morrison’s run will always be my personal favourite (especially for the debates it sparked in fan forums), it’s clear that Whedon and Cassaday’s run is the more consistently strong of the two. Morrison’s storytelling, while brilliant at times, was often disjointed, with uneven story arcs and a rotating roster of artists. Whedon’s writing, paired with Cassaday’s stellar artwork, provides a more cohesive and visually stunning experience.
If you haven’t read it already, do so. X-Men comics don’t get much better than this.
February 25, 2021
(4.5 rounded up) I haven't read a ton of X-Men content, so there is probably a little nuance that I'm missing, but I really thought this was a super fun collection that felt like watching a miniseries! It's well paced, has an interesting (if slightly familiar) plot, and does a great job of hooking the reader forwards but also providing a satisfying end. Each of the main characters were ones I was familiar with in some capacity and all of them (except Scott, he just annoys me) grew on me throughout this story, especially Emma and Kitty. Also Danger was a very exciting character to get to read - I enjoy AI/sentient beings arcs like that and this one was no exception. I'm eager to read more of this storyline!
June 6, 2025
Like most of the manga and graphic novels recently, they are due to the great program, i.e., Kindle Unlimited. It was nice but a little confusing here and there were some places where I had to stop, hence the reduction of 1 star, but I still enjoyed the saga of X-Men as they try to operate after yet another tragedy, and as new challengers and threats appear on their horizon. There are many nice panels and let's go and Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I can and I have. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and I hope you will always love it. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I can and I have. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and I hope you will always love it. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.
March 17, 2020
Una auténtica maravilla. Sin más.
Josh Whedon (conocido por ser el creador de Buffy Cazavampiros y director de las dos primeras películas de Vengadores) se hizo cargo de la serie principal de los mutantes y decidió dar un gran homenaje a sus propias creaciones y a la historia de los X-Men.
En Ashtonishing X-Men tenemos unos diálogos ágiles, inteligentes, combinados con unas escenas de acción geniales y una trama que trae de vuelta a personajes míticos a la vez que prescinde de algunos totems: todo para girar el foco de atención en otros aspectos de la naturaleza mutante, genialmente explorada a lo largo de los veintipico números que tiene esta saga.
Josh Whedon (conocido por ser el creador de Buffy Cazavampiros y director de las dos primeras películas de Vengadores) se hizo cargo de la serie principal de los mutantes y decidió dar un gran homenaje a sus propias creaciones y a la historia de los X-Men.
En Ashtonishing X-Men tenemos unos diálogos ágiles, inteligentes, combinados con unas escenas de acción geniales y una trama que trae de vuelta a personajes míticos a la vez que prescinde de algunos totems: todo para girar el foco de atención en otros aspectos de la naturaleza mutante, genialmente explorada a lo largo de los veintipico números que tiene esta saga.
August 15, 2023
A lot of Action and Humor to balance it.
Astonishing X-Men' run is my second book from this series. The first one was Grant Morrison's New X-Men. I found myself comparing the two unreasonably. I felt Grant's approach was enlightened and whereas Joss Whedon has a commercial approach. And I am not sold on either. Infact, I enjoy both when done right.
I stopped comparing halfway through and read the book as it was a new story. In some sense it was to me! I am only two books old in X-Men run and so not very familiar with the world and characters. I felt many ongoing stories did not conclude. Or perhaps I missed something. I am not sure if a cure was ever found to fix the mutants. I am also missing the backstory on Emma. She was being elusive in the end and her love life fell apart due to that. Not that I got any romantic feels from them. Wolverine preoccupied this one for me. I especially treasured the dialogues when he appeared.
The action scenes were very well done and also the villain was much more powerful. More than our mutants! Graphics were fantastic and fused with humorous exchange between the characters. Except for when Professor dominated the scene.
I also learned that Joss created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I understand the mercenary reach when compared to Grant Morrison. In conclusion, I would say they have their own appeal and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Astonishing X-Men' run is my second book from this series. The first one was Grant Morrison's New X-Men. I found myself comparing the two unreasonably. I felt Grant's approach was enlightened and whereas Joss Whedon has a commercial approach. And I am not sold on either. Infact, I enjoy both when done right.
I stopped comparing halfway through and read the book as it was a new story. In some sense it was to me! I am only two books old in X-Men run and so not very familiar with the world and characters. I felt many ongoing stories did not conclude. Or perhaps I missed something. I am not sure if a cure was ever found to fix the mutants. I am also missing the backstory on Emma. She was being elusive in the end and her love life fell apart due to that. Not that I got any romantic feels from them. Wolverine preoccupied this one for me. I especially treasured the dialogues when he appeared.
The action scenes were very well done and also the villain was much more powerful. More than our mutants! Graphics were fantastic and fused with humorous exchange between the characters. Except for when Professor dominated the scene.
I also learned that Joss created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I understand the mercenary reach when compared to Grant Morrison. In conclusion, I would say they have their own appeal and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
November 15, 2024
3.5 rounded down
this is a book that is... really hard to separate from the author. The Whedon Speak is omnipresent, it's damn exhausting. This has so many hallmarks of a good X-Men story for me but it simply cannot truly succeed for me just due to that alone. It's worth a read! It's a genuinely good X-Men story and my personal favorite X-Man, Scott Summers, is on full show in this book. Just for your own sanity you have to know that this book reads like a Written By Whedon Meme. No seriously, there's literally a 'dont tell me, he's behind me isn't he' moment. A character says that. For real.
this is a book that is... really hard to separate from the author. The Whedon Speak is omnipresent, it's damn exhausting. This has so many hallmarks of a good X-Men story for me but it simply cannot truly succeed for me just due to that alone. It's worth a read! It's a genuinely good X-Men story and my personal favorite X-Man, Scott Summers, is on full show in this book. Just for your own sanity you have to know that this book reads like a Written By Whedon Meme. No seriously, there's literally a 'dont tell me, he's behind me isn't he' moment. A character says that. For real.
January 14, 2021
Colossus
If you are in X-Men fan of which I am a minor one then you will enjoy this chronicle. I was never a huge fan but I have always enjoyed the comics and the movies. I chose this one at random and I very much enjoyed it. This is a great read for any superhero fan. The storyline is excellent from start to end and is clearly part of the ever-expanding story.
If you are in X-Men fan of which I am a minor one then you will enjoy this chronicle. I was never a huge fan but I have always enjoyed the comics and the movies. I chose this one at random and I very much enjoyed it. This is a great read for any superhero fan. The storyline is excellent from start to end and is clearly part of the ever-expanding story.
September 7, 2021
Una pasada de cómic. Tanto la historia, con dos partes claras, como el dibujo, combinan perfectamente y su resultado es muy cinematográfico. En sus planos, sus iluminaciones, sus giros. Un gran tomo.
August 29, 2018
Now that was a headrush!!
July 31, 2019
I've read these a few times before; they're kind of comic comfort food for me at this point. A fun set of X-men stories with a lineup I really like. Whedon writes the X-men well, gets their team dynamic, and does a good job of exploring a post New X-men world. I did notice this time that both the central ideas of the mutant cure and the Danger Room could have been explored a bit more, but what is there is thoughtful enough to allow the fun bits to feel more meaningful. I kind of wish Whedon's career had followed the path J Michael Straczynski's did so we could now enjoy years of X-men stories. Sadly it did not.
Also, Age of Ultron is basically an adaptation of Dangerous
Also, Age of Ultron is basically an adaptation of Dangerous
October 13, 2014
So. Much. Fun!
I'm sorry, X-Men, I'm sorry I ignored you my entire life. You win. I am yours.
I'm sorry, X-Men, I'm sorry I ignored you my entire life. You win. I am yours.
April 17, 2021
*4.5 stars*
There’s a lot to say so I’ll try to remember and keep it nice and simple. This was my first X-MEN comic...I may have read an issue or two when I was a kid, but this was definitely my first, full read through of one. Joss being the writer aside, this comic is well-written with subtle seeds planted amidst good relationship dynamics, good plot, and so many cool “superhero” beats, all making for an entertaining, engaging, and dramatic read. I can really see you going back for a read through to pick up on those seeds and appreciate the payoffs even more.
Because the films do it too much, I knew some of the themes that X-Men comics had to had explored was isolation, prejudice, rejection, etc. So it felt familiar in the beginning of the book, but to be honest felt better delved into than the films maybe due to the fact that the films have left a bad taste in my mouth haha. And once it got around to Colossus and how he was inhumanely experimented on, not to mention, how Danger began to me, as what felt like an odd villain choice, but got to see her motivation and argument, was when I felt this comic was doing something special.
Full disclosure: I have no knowledge of the X-Men mythos — the very little I had was picked up from the 90s cartoon and the films. But I decided to curate a comic list for myself, one with an emphasis on Cyclops (as he is my fave X-Man), so I started with this. And I do not regret it. The book lives up to the hype. And the reason why I say I didn’t have much X-Men knowledge before was because I can tell there was love thrown into the work that’s come before this book, in little moments and nods. Huge huge credit goes to John Cassaday who illustrated it. You can jump me, but I’ve been reading comics for about 9 years now and have never ran into his work! But I can see why he lives up to the legend. His work has a level of realism to it while still maintaining that comic book feel. I also can’t forget Laura Martin who colors, because I don’t think this book would be as good without her and John’s work. John elevated Joss’s storytelling to another level. This book did its job: made me fall in love with the X-Men and reaffirmed why Cyclops is my favorite X-Man.
There’s a lot to say so I’ll try to remember and keep it nice and simple. This was my first X-MEN comic...I may have read an issue or two when I was a kid, but this was definitely my first, full read through of one. Joss being the writer aside, this comic is well-written with subtle seeds planted amidst good relationship dynamics, good plot, and so many cool “superhero” beats, all making for an entertaining, engaging, and dramatic read. I can really see you going back for a read through to pick up on those seeds and appreciate the payoffs even more.
Because the films do it too much, I knew some of the themes that X-Men comics had to had explored was isolation, prejudice, rejection, etc. So it felt familiar in the beginning of the book, but to be honest felt better delved into than the films maybe due to the fact that the films have left a bad taste in my mouth haha. And once it got around to Colossus and how he was inhumanely experimented on, not to mention, how Danger began to me, as what felt like an odd villain choice, but got to see her motivation and argument, was when I felt this comic was doing something special.
Full disclosure: I have no knowledge of the X-Men mythos — the very little I had was picked up from the 90s cartoon and the films. But I decided to curate a comic list for myself, one with an emphasis on Cyclops (as he is my fave X-Man), so I started with this. And I do not regret it. The book lives up to the hype. And the reason why I say I didn’t have much X-Men knowledge before was because I can tell there was love thrown into the work that’s come before this book, in little moments and nods. Huge huge credit goes to John Cassaday who illustrated it. You can jump me, but I’ve been reading comics for about 9 years now and have never ran into his work! But I can see why he lives up to the legend. His work has a level of realism to it while still maintaining that comic book feel. I also can’t forget Laura Martin who colors, because I don’t think this book would be as good without her and John’s work. John elevated Joss’s storytelling to another level. This book did its job: made me fall in love with the X-Men and reaffirmed why Cyclops is my favorite X-Man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2018
I must confess that I'm not hugely familiar with the X-Men. I used to watch the cartoon when I was young, and watched the first couple of films. This first half of Joss Whedon's run with the X-Men covers two story arcs. In the first, the idea of a cure for mutation is introduced, along with an alien who has a vendetta against the X-Men. In the second, a damaged sentinel attacks the X-Men mansion under the orders of an unseen mastermind and there is danger from within.
The volume focusses on a core group, missing Professor X, who reform the X-Men as a superhero team to be visible and a beacon for the good that mutants can do in the world. Scott Summers and Emma Frost are co-leaders, with Hank McCoy, Kitty Pride and Logan filling out the ranks (superhero codenames are hardly ever used). It's a fun book, filled with Whedon's trademark humour (a particular favourite is a fight where Kitty and have thought bubbles that are mostly angst, and then we cut to Logan who's just thinking how much he loves beer). It's a great way to cut the tension and stop it feeling too "woe is me".
It's also a decent introduction to the characters, even for someone like me, whose knowledge of the X-Men and the universe is limited. We get up to speed with who everyone is, what the setup is and what the factions are quickly, and without infodumping - as you would expect from a writer of Whedon's calibre.
The art is pretty good, although I wouldn't call it special. There are some good splash pages and it fits the superhero style well. The one disconcerting thing for me in terms of the art is that Nick Fury is white. As far as I'm concerned Nick Fury is, and has always been, black (and looked like Samuel L. Jackson). This series predates the MCU by a good four years, but it's still disconcerting for someone who's main entry to Marvel has been the MCU.
So a good entry to the X-Men universe, with good characterisation of the cast and a fun book to read, enhanced by Joss Whedon's ear for dialogue.
The volume focusses on a core group, missing Professor X, who reform the X-Men as a superhero team to be visible and a beacon for the good that mutants can do in the world. Scott Summers and Emma Frost are co-leaders, with Hank McCoy, Kitty Pride and Logan filling out the ranks (superhero codenames are hardly ever used). It's a fun book, filled with Whedon's trademark humour (a particular favourite is a fight where Kitty and have thought bubbles that are mostly angst, and then we cut to Logan who's just thinking how much he loves beer). It's a great way to cut the tension and stop it feeling too "woe is me".
It's also a decent introduction to the characters, even for someone like me, whose knowledge of the X-Men and the universe is limited. We get up to speed with who everyone is, what the setup is and what the factions are quickly, and without infodumping - as you would expect from a writer of Whedon's calibre.
The art is pretty good, although I wouldn't call it special. There are some good splash pages and it fits the superhero style well. The one disconcerting thing for me in terms of the art is that Nick Fury is white. As far as I'm concerned Nick Fury is, and has always been, black (and looked like Samuel L. Jackson). This series predates the MCU by a good four years, but it's still disconcerting for someone who's main entry to Marvel has been the MCU.
So a good entry to the X-Men universe, with good characterisation of the cast and a fun book to read, enhanced by Joss Whedon's ear for dialogue.
January 5, 2026
Whew!! That was tewwww gooddddd
I very much enjoyed Whedon’s X Men more than Morrison’s. Morrison provided a good foundation with New X Men, but he tended to be all over the place in terms of plot and pacing. I think the artwork in Morrison’s run was more dynamic, but Cassaday provides precision and continuity.
Whedon takes good care of the story, slowing it down and building interpersonal tension between characters. The themes of cure, mutation, AI, and oppression worked really well here, especially when several groups go at each theme for different motivations, largely because of the slower pace. The action was great, the artwork was great, no notes. I was gagged several times over!
I very much enjoyed Whedon’s X Men more than Morrison’s. Morrison provided a good foundation with New X Men, but he tended to be all over the place in terms of plot and pacing. I think the artwork in Morrison’s run was more dynamic, but Cassaday provides precision and continuity.
Whedon takes good care of the story, slowing it down and building interpersonal tension between characters. The themes of cure, mutation, AI, and oppression worked really well here, especially when several groups go at each theme for different motivations, largely because of the slower pace. The action was great, the artwork was great, no notes. I was gagged several times over!
June 9, 2021
The X-Men are back and better than ever! Basically, this is reboot that respects the past while embracing the future of your favorite characters. This is off to a great start with a few surprises and a good cliffhanger. Worth checking out if you’re a fan. Plus, the artwork is great for a modern setting.
June 12, 2021
Mi aspettavo qualcosa di più, ma tutto sommato mi ha intrattenuto. Whedon è comunque un grande sceneggiatore, non annoia, fa ridere nei momenti giusti. La prima parte (in cui emerge il tema della cura del gene X) sicuramente è più incisiva della seconda, che è una storia “qualunque” del mondo supereroistico.
September 15, 2025
such a magnificent story absolute perfection,,,,,,,I loved every moment of this ,,,am so glad of how there is less narration in his n more of action,,,,n the fight scenes are magnificent,,,,,,, its a great read ,,,
the only tiny tiny problem I have with is Cyclops/Scott's design didnt like it 😂
the only tiny tiny problem I have with is Cyclops/Scott's design didnt like it 😂
November 16, 2025
Fantastic first volume of this series. Sadly might be the best Kitty’s been written since the Claremont days. Everything with her and Peter was fantastic as it was gross to think about at times but I liked the writing a ton. John Cassady was a wonderful artist and this was top notch stuff from him
August 7, 2018
Joss Whedon wrote an X-Men comic! Really that pretty much says it all--all the sad, funny, painful moments and good fight scenes are already summed up in that one sentence.
March 24, 2025
I think New X-men was slightly better but this was really good. Not sure I like the whole “danger room is sentient” aspect of the story but it was different
November 13, 2025
And to think I got this for three dollars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews