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Uncanny X-Men (1963)
Uncanny X-Men (1963-2011) #1
Professor X continues to train his young students that he has called them the X-men. They are mutants born with abilities that set them apart from normal humans. The X-men are Cyclops (Scott Summers), Beast (Hank McCoy), Iceman (Bobby Drake), and Angel (Warren Worthington III). The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning gains a new student Jean Grey who will be called Marvel Girl.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 1963
51 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,572 books2,353 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
April 10, 2023
It all started here: Stan Lee takes the 'alienated teen' concept from Spider-Man and multiplies it by 5 along with the 'alienated team' concept of the Fantastic Four. First appearance of Magneto - Silver Age (SA) super key (SK) that I rarely see above CGC 5.0 for some reason. This book still has lots of investment potential; have a friend who is buying multiple copies of CGC 2.0 in anticipation of future movies.
April 29, 2019
What a long way the X-Men have come... I'm currently riding my unexpected X-Men fangirl wave out to its fullest degree, so I decided to start where it all started - with the first issue ever released! And I shouldn't be surprised, but this felt as old and dated as it is.
It's still funny to see where it all started. We meet Charles, who is introduced as the Professor and head of his school, which at that date held four students: Cyclops, Beast, Iceman and Angel. As for a sexist male 60s comic necessary, they're joined by one woman (the only female in this entire story), whose being wooed immediately by everyone in her line of sight. It's impossible to imagine that being written today without any form of backlash. But we all knew that comics weren't necessarily the pioneers of sexism, didn't we?
What's with all these exclamation marks? I think Stan Lee was very excited about his creations! Every sentence ends with an exclamation mark! And there's a lot of dialogue anyway! Every action is also explicitly said out loud! Like when Magneto walks! He's gonna say that he is now walking!
Speaking of Magneto... He's our first villain! And he wasn't the conflicted and nuanced anti-hero that he is in later issues yet, but simply a overly-confident mutant with powers that make him consider himself a homo superior, which, naturally, means that men need to be extinguished. It doesn't make him a very interesting opponent, but then the actual X-Men don't feel less like caricatures either, so it's balanced out in that regard.
This isn't good in any way, but fascinating. The charm of this volume lies in being able to see where it all started. It's a solid start, the ideas are out there now, the groundwork is build. I'm still glad we've come a long way since then.
It's still funny to see where it all started. We meet Charles, who is introduced as the Professor and head of his school, which at that date held four students: Cyclops, Beast, Iceman and Angel. As for a sexist male 60s comic necessary, they're joined by one woman (the only female in this entire story), whose being wooed immediately by everyone in her line of sight. It's impossible to imagine that being written today without any form of backlash. But we all knew that comics weren't necessarily the pioneers of sexism, didn't we?
What's with all these exclamation marks? I think Stan Lee was very excited about his creations! Every sentence ends with an exclamation mark! And there's a lot of dialogue anyway! Every action is also explicitly said out loud! Like when Magneto walks! He's gonna say that he is now walking!
Speaking of Magneto... He's our first villain! And he wasn't the conflicted and nuanced anti-hero that he is in later issues yet, but simply a overly-confident mutant with powers that make him consider himself a homo superior, which, naturally, means that men need to be extinguished. It doesn't make him a very interesting opponent, but then the actual X-Men don't feel less like caricatures either, so it's balanced out in that regard.
This isn't good in any way, but fascinating. The charm of this volume lies in being able to see where it all started. It's a solid start, the ideas are out there now, the groundwork is build. I'm still glad we've come a long way since then.
April 21, 2015
I've been gone for quite some time, I know, but not because I was slacking off. I merely had to finish reviewing some novels, and the last issues of three New 52 Batman titles in the meantime; but all the while looking for online copies of certain classics from Claremont's The Uncanny X-Men run, and the very first Stan Lee debut issue. It took me only a few days to locate downloadable sources which are simply glorious.
So in the last two weeks of April I'll be reading and reviewing six storylines, two of which are this debut story and the Giant-Size relaunch, while the rest are as follows: The X-Tinction Agenda (issues #270-272), The Trial of Magneto (#200), Fatal Attractions (UXM #304, X-Men vol 2, #25), and Legion Quest (UXM #319-320, X-Men vol. 2, #40-41). It's worth noting that both X-Tinction and Fatal Attractions also happen in several other X-titles but I'm only choosing to read and review the key issues from The Uncanny X-Men and X-Men volume 2 run (the latter of which is for very Cherik reasons, naturally).
Take a walk with me in the silver-age memory lane with Stan Lee's very first issue of The X-Men illustrated by one of Marvel's holy trinity Jack Kirby. It's only right to include this issue in my roster after all, considering its significance, posterity-wise. This was really the first time I read it again since I was...in high school, I think, and its simple sixties charm hasn't dimmed for me at all, not one bit. Featuring the original five (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, the Angel, and Beast) led by the powerful telepath Professor X, The X-Men debuted as the 'strangest super-heroes of all." Clearly, a lot more eccentric than the Fantastic Four and the Avengers combined whose title runs are comparably more interesting. Most probably, I think.
This is just the first issue and whatever makes the X-Men distinct and special nowadays hasn't been captured yet. Of course, the Chris Claremont era basically defined what the X-Men are, but we still owe it to Stan Lee for creating these characters in the first place. And they are absolutely an astonishing hoot in this debut.
The issue opens with a surly bald man hanging around by the window sill, alone in his private thoughts when he suddenly (and loudly telepathically) summoned his students so they can get some practice. Then came four boys with the youngest of them only at sixteen (Bobby a.k.a Iceman) who were already in their garish yellow uniforms upon entering the professor's room, ready to test out their unique abilities, these so-called "mutant" powers which we find very soon enough are fairly awesome as we spent an ample amount of pages with demonstrations of each of these boys' capabilities. The most appropriate adjective I would describe everything about this issue would be DORKY.
The entirety of it all is just hilarious and oddly endearing in some places. Something about it just tickles me especially the awkward moments in between such as this panel with Angel and Cyclops politely yet sweetly trying to accommodate their dear old mentor with his reclining chair while said mentor sort of looks like he was drawn to look as if he would rather be elsewhere (preferably on a beach with his lover, Magneto, but I digress).
[CLICK FOR BIGGER IMAGES]
I'm giggling throughout the next pages of their "practice" as the professor purposefully does not even talk aloud but rather continues to communicate telepathically, justifying that it's also part of the training regimen but at this point it feels as if this frowning bald man just doesn't want to make any effort to open his mouth and would rather just sit down and watch the dorks almost successfully, sort of but not really attack and kill each other with their dangerous powers. This monotonous excitement was cut short when the professor brings the good news of acquiring another mutant to become a student in where I assume is a reclusive place (seriously, where is this school located?) Also, Iceman looks fucking ridiculous. He literally looks like a cheaply-made snowman. It's a bit distracting especially since he's wearing goddamn boots. Wouldn't the footwear stick to his frozen feet?
Anyway, after a rather seamless transition of the Professor now sitting on a wheelchair in the next panel (I'll just assume Angel and Cyclops once again politely yet sweetly carried him and placed him there), they resume their 'normal' looks to go meet the lady, aiming not to scare her off. But Beast is quite the perv, calling her names like "gorgeous", "doll", "sweetheart" and even trying to peck her cheek out of goddamn nowhere. So...basically acceptable sixties behavior, I guess.
But Jean Grey is not your average lady. She's a telekenetic who can lift things and even a hefty man like Beast is no exception. After he outright attempts to affectionately molest her, she responds by dismissing Angel's chivalrous comments of trying to defend her honor, by casually suspending Beast with mind power alone, demonstrating to the boys that she is not some helpless damsel they can just touch and fondle when they feel like it. She lets him hover around in the air for a bit before she mercilessly brings him down to a sofa. Beast should consider himself warned at that point. Good for Jeannie. Again, I'll just assume that the professor simply did not give a fuck since he did not even react to any of this. He literally looks zoned out during this issue.
And I'm just going to put it out there that it's because he was thinking about what Magneto is up to right now which, case in point, transitions to said super-villain as soon as the professor explains to Jean that there are evil mutants out there who are hell-bent on world domination. So right after that display of mildly amusing sixties sexism aside, the next panels now featured some hilarity concerning Magneto and the military and all that metal. The most impressive feat of which for me is the fact that Magneto can magnetize dust particles, and he then wrote the soldiers some love-me notes in the clear blue sky:
Now any respectable super-villain who can write his name in beautiful calligraphy like that using only dust particles is someone worth taking seriously, do you hear me? Magneto means serious biz. Y'all better surrender or he'll write another threatening letter..in CURSIVE WRITING!
Meanwhile, Jean Grey puts on her costume while the boys, from the corner of the room, watch her admire herself in a mirror, which begs the question: How long have they been there and did they watch her change clothes the entire time? Jeannie caught them in the act and Beast lamely makes an excuse when thankfully Professor X summons them to inform them on the attack from the previous scenes. Now, I assume that the X-Men haven't been training long enough for any sort of mission in the foreseeable future but the Professor I guess, definitely, if not quite literally, wants to throw them in a baptism of fire, including token-girl Jean Grey who JUST GOT THERE.
"Well, sweetheart, since you had the costume on anyway, you might as well join the suicide mission, whatever, seeing as you can also lift things and stuff," chimes the professor nonchalantly.
Also, the professor neglectfully fails to mention that the kids will be meeting a man he has known for a long time (realistically, the Xavier-Magneto connectionlove affair hasn't been made canon yet) but let's just say he recklessly just sent away some youngsters who are very much green and ill-equipped to take on his murderous ex-boyfriend without even bothering to inform the powers of the foe they were going to face. And how do they react to this development? Well, Bobby was thrilled:
First off, "Yaybo!" should make a comeback. Am I the only one who thinks this is a timeless expression that must be utilized in every day life? Second of all, Bobby, you know what would help you get ready faster? Not put on goddamn boots because, really, how is that helping you walk better? Or maybe Bobby just wants to wear the uniform of his teammates even if it's just the footwear so he could still feel like he belongs in the group which would be heartbreaking if that is really the case then.
So then they arrived at the scene of monstrosity (after the Professor flies them in his own private plane using his mind powers--which begs the question: can he not just will himself to walk if he is powerful enough to keep a massive aircraft afloat?). The kids then encountered Magneto for the first time. Pretty amazingly illustrated fight scenes happen as Magneto tries his darndest best to incapacitate the X-Men and almost succeeds too but then Cyclops cleverly dug a hole using his solar beam or something which enabled them to escape underground..or something. I'm really not taking anything about this issue seriously even though it's totes fun and charming all the way.
Especially Mags, who refers to himself in the third person:
*snorts* "Miraculous" Magneto...yeah, I bet that's Charles' pet name for him in the bedroom.
Overall, an uncannily entertaining debut issue. Personally, if you can't read the original run for yourselves, I recommend everyone to listen instead to the Danger Room podcast where the guys made it their personal mission to review each issue of the X-Men from the Stan Lee era. They also provided scintillating commentary along the way as they ask the hard questions concerning the subtlest loopholes in the narrative, characterizations and overall wackiness of the sixties run, all the while enjoying themselves with the content. I know I just did.
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
DO READ MY REVIEWS AT:
So in the last two weeks of April I'll be reading and reviewing six storylines, two of which are this debut story and the Giant-Size relaunch, while the rest are as follows: The X-Tinction Agenda (issues #270-272), The Trial of Magneto (#200), Fatal Attractions (UXM #304, X-Men vol 2, #25), and Legion Quest (UXM #319-320, X-Men vol. 2, #40-41). It's worth noting that both X-Tinction and Fatal Attractions also happen in several other X-titles but I'm only choosing to read and review the key issues from The Uncanny X-Men and X-Men volume 2 run (the latter of which is for very Cherik reasons, naturally).
Take a walk with me in the silver-age memory lane with Stan Lee's very first issue of The X-Men illustrated by one of Marvel's holy trinity Jack Kirby. It's only right to include this issue in my roster after all, considering its significance, posterity-wise. This was really the first time I read it again since I was...in high school, I think, and its simple sixties charm hasn't dimmed for me at all, not one bit. Featuring the original five (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, the Angel, and Beast) led by the powerful telepath Professor X, The X-Men debuted as the 'strangest super-heroes of all." Clearly, a lot more eccentric than the Fantastic Four and the Avengers combined whose title runs are comparably more interesting. Most probably, I think.
This is just the first issue and whatever makes the X-Men distinct and special nowadays hasn't been captured yet. Of course, the Chris Claremont era basically defined what the X-Men are, but we still owe it to Stan Lee for creating these characters in the first place. And they are absolutely an astonishing hoot in this debut.
The issue opens with a surly bald man hanging around by the window sill, alone in his private thoughts when he suddenly (and loudly telepathically) summoned his students so they can get some practice. Then came four boys with the youngest of them only at sixteen (Bobby a.k.a Iceman) who were already in their garish yellow uniforms upon entering the professor's room, ready to test out their unique abilities, these so-called "mutant" powers which we find very soon enough are fairly awesome as we spent an ample amount of pages with demonstrations of each of these boys' capabilities. The most appropriate adjective I would describe everything about this issue would be DORKY.
The entirety of it all is just hilarious and oddly endearing in some places. Something about it just tickles me especially the awkward moments in between such as this panel with Angel and Cyclops politely yet sweetly trying to accommodate their dear old mentor with his reclining chair while said mentor sort of looks like he was drawn to look as if he would rather be elsewhere (preferably on a beach with his lover, Magneto, but I digress).
[CLICK FOR BIGGER IMAGES]
I'm giggling throughout the next pages of their "practice" as the professor purposefully does not even talk aloud but rather continues to communicate telepathically, justifying that it's also part of the training regimen but at this point it feels as if this frowning bald man just doesn't want to make any effort to open his mouth and would rather just sit down and watch the dorks almost successfully, sort of but not really attack and kill each other with their dangerous powers. This monotonous excitement was cut short when the professor brings the good news of acquiring another mutant to become a student in where I assume is a reclusive place (seriously, where is this school located?) Also, Iceman looks fucking ridiculous. He literally looks like a cheaply-made snowman. It's a bit distracting especially since he's wearing goddamn boots. Wouldn't the footwear stick to his frozen feet?
Anyway, after a rather seamless transition of the Professor now sitting on a wheelchair in the next panel (I'll just assume Angel and Cyclops once again politely yet sweetly carried him and placed him there), they resume their 'normal' looks to go meet the lady, aiming not to scare her off. But Beast is quite the perv, calling her names like "gorgeous", "doll", "sweetheart" and even trying to peck her cheek out of goddamn nowhere. So...basically acceptable sixties behavior, I guess.
But Jean Grey is not your average lady. She's a telekenetic who can lift things and even a hefty man like Beast is no exception. After he outright attempts to affectionately molest her, she responds by dismissing Angel's chivalrous comments of trying to defend her honor, by casually suspending Beast with mind power alone, demonstrating to the boys that she is not some helpless damsel they can just touch and fondle when they feel like it. She lets him hover around in the air for a bit before she mercilessly brings him down to a sofa. Beast should consider himself warned at that point. Good for Jeannie. Again, I'll just assume that the professor simply did not give a fuck since he did not even react to any of this. He literally looks zoned out during this issue.
And I'm just going to put it out there that it's because he was thinking about what Magneto is up to right now which, case in point, transitions to said super-villain as soon as the professor explains to Jean that there are evil mutants out there who are hell-bent on world domination. So right after that display of mildly amusing sixties sexism aside, the next panels now featured some hilarity concerning Magneto and the military and all that metal. The most impressive feat of which for me is the fact that Magneto can magnetize dust particles, and he then wrote the soldiers some love-me notes in the clear blue sky:
Now any respectable super-villain who can write his name in beautiful calligraphy like that using only dust particles is someone worth taking seriously, do you hear me? Magneto means serious biz. Y'all better surrender or he'll write another threatening letter..in CURSIVE WRITING!
Meanwhile, Jean Grey puts on her costume while the boys, from the corner of the room, watch her admire herself in a mirror, which begs the question: How long have they been there and did they watch her change clothes the entire time? Jeannie caught them in the act and Beast lamely makes an excuse when thankfully Professor X summons them to inform them on the attack from the previous scenes. Now, I assume that the X-Men haven't been training long enough for any sort of mission in the foreseeable future but the Professor I guess, definitely, if not quite literally, wants to throw them in a baptism of fire, including token-girl Jean Grey who JUST GOT THERE.
"Well, sweetheart, since you had the costume on anyway, you might as well join the suicide mission, whatever, seeing as you can also lift things and stuff," chimes the professor nonchalantly.
Also, the professor neglectfully fails to mention that the kids will be meeting a man he has known for a long time (realistically, the Xavier-Magneto connection
First off, "Yaybo!" should make a comeback. Am I the only one who thinks this is a timeless expression that must be utilized in every day life? Second of all, Bobby, you know what would help you get ready faster? Not put on goddamn boots because, really, how is that helping you walk better? Or maybe Bobby just wants to wear the uniform of his teammates even if it's just the footwear so he could still feel like he belongs in the group which would be heartbreaking if that is really the case then.
So then they arrived at the scene of monstrosity (after the Professor flies them in his own private plane using his mind powers--which begs the question: can he not just will himself to walk if he is powerful enough to keep a massive aircraft afloat?). The kids then encountered Magneto for the first time. Pretty amazingly illustrated fight scenes happen as Magneto tries his darndest best to incapacitate the X-Men and almost succeeds too but then Cyclops cleverly dug a hole using his solar beam or something which enabled them to escape underground..or something. I'm really not taking anything about this issue seriously even though it's totes fun and charming all the way.
Especially Mags, who refers to himself in the third person:
*snorts* "Miraculous" Magneto...yeah, I bet that's Charles' pet name for him in the bedroom.
Overall, an uncannily entertaining debut issue. Personally, if you can't read the original run for yourselves, I recommend everyone to listen instead to the Danger Room podcast where the guys made it their personal mission to review each issue of the X-Men from the Stan Lee era. They also provided scintillating commentary along the way as they ask the hard questions concerning the subtlest loopholes in the narrative, characterizations and overall wackiness of the sixties run, all the while enjoying themselves with the content. I know I just did.
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
DO READ MY REVIEWS AT:
September 23, 2019
The very beginning of the franchise. The original X-Men: Professor X, Cyclops, Angel, Beast and Iceman. Also, a new member is introduced to the team: Jean Grey, known as... Marvel Girl! (?).
Right, there's also a supervillain that can generate and control magnetic fields. You know.
Right, there's also a supervillain that can generate and control magnetic fields. You know.
March 6, 2019
I'm so happy to be back in the mutants' world!
January 30, 2015
I am reading this because my dad loved the X-men (he is a marvel fan). He was always referring to characters/plots in old issues and I thought maybe it is about time I try reading what he loves and have more geeky conversations with him. I have a lot of catching up to do but I try to squeeze in an issue or two when I have the time. :)
December 12, 2011
If I'm not mistaken this is the first X-men comic book ever!! :)
The illustration was a bit funny but still the story is great. A lot of dialogue which I think was the same for all the older comic book.
I love X-men!
The illustration was a bit funny but still the story is great. A lot of dialogue which I think was the same for all the older comic book.
I love X-men!
July 7, 2018
Jean was called Marvel Girl?
October 15, 2017
yes magneto the original x-men villain the villain we all love
August 3, 2019
X-MEN #1-8 (The X-Men's First Arc)
The political and idealogical subtext present in this comic book presents perhaps the greatest argument for their inclusion in larger literary canon; Stan Lee expresses something quite touching, compassionate, and profound in a time when all three were inherently absent from comic books. With his entry into the foray, he returned the medium to the maximum potential of what it was capable of; perhaps it is this intensely skilled craftsmanship to thank for the fact he revitalized a dying medium for decades to come... because this is not purely one of the most profound comic book arcs ever written:
it is quite simply one of the most profound BOOKS ever written.
It's interesting how Stan Lee structure's these character arcs around the metaphor of school; each issue starts with a training montage, with the Professor noting a specific flaw in their combat abilities each time. Then the issue ultimately culminates in the X-Men actually having to confront that combat flaw in order to defeat the villain of that issue... and they do, which shows character growth.
In accordance with this structure, each issue of this arc is tailor made for a specific member of the X-Men; each issue focusses on the weakness of a specific member, and he/she has to confront that weakness to overcome the villain and grow as a character. The arc ultimately culminates in each member of the X-Men having addressed their own unique weakness, until they are a stronger team as a result.
The strength, however, is not just the personalization separating each X-Member... it's the leader uniting them. Xavier is a leader that brings his family together; on the other hand, Magneto is a leader that tears his family apart. This dynamic of opposing leaders is a great metaphor for opposing philosophies. The X-Men fight for the philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace, which brings them together; the Brotherhood fight for the philosophy that some people can claim superiority over others, tearing them apart. It shows the philosophy of war is weaker than the philosophy of peace.
In fact, that's really the theme of this brilliant little series. We cannot "graduate" from our weakness as a country if we do not unite under the notion we can be united, lest we be divided under the notion we should be divided.
The political and idealogical subtext present in this comic book presents perhaps the greatest argument for their inclusion in larger literary canon; Stan Lee expresses something quite touching, compassionate, and profound in a time when all three were inherently absent from comic books. With his entry into the foray, he returned the medium to the maximum potential of what it was capable of; perhaps it is this intensely skilled craftsmanship to thank for the fact he revitalized a dying medium for decades to come... because this is not purely one of the most profound comic book arcs ever written:
it is quite simply one of the most profound BOOKS ever written.
It's interesting how Stan Lee structure's these character arcs around the metaphor of school; each issue starts with a training montage, with the Professor noting a specific flaw in their combat abilities each time. Then the issue ultimately culminates in the X-Men actually having to confront that combat flaw in order to defeat the villain of that issue... and they do, which shows character growth.
In accordance with this structure, each issue of this arc is tailor made for a specific member of the X-Men; each issue focusses on the weakness of a specific member, and he/she has to confront that weakness to overcome the villain and grow as a character. The arc ultimately culminates in each member of the X-Men having addressed their own unique weakness, until they are a stronger team as a result.
The strength, however, is not just the personalization separating each X-Member... it's the leader uniting them. Xavier is a leader that brings his family together; on the other hand, Magneto is a leader that tears his family apart. This dynamic of opposing leaders is a great metaphor for opposing philosophies. The X-Men fight for the philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace, which brings them together; the Brotherhood fight for the philosophy that some people can claim superiority over others, tearing them apart. It shows the philosophy of war is weaker than the philosophy of peace.
In fact, that's really the theme of this brilliant little series. We cannot "graduate" from our weakness as a country if we do not unite under the notion we can be united, lest we be divided under the notion we should be divided.
August 26, 2020
Where it all started! I'm a late comic reader. There are a lot of first appearances here of the heroes still relevant today. Glad to read their first journey together
February 1, 2013
This isn't a review for Uncanny X-men #1. What I actually read was Uncanny X-men #305-315* (all the stuff between the X-Men: Fatal Attractions and Phalanx Covenant storylines), but that's not the sort of thing that has an entry in Goodreads, so here we are.
These issues deal with a few interesting interesting ideas--the team trying to move on after their life-changing experiences in Fatal Attractions; a gradual introduction into the techno-organic race called the Phalanx; the beginning of Emma Frost's dramatic change in character--but the most enjoyable thing by far was issue #308.
I very vaguely remember reading #308 as a kid. A friend of mine really liked the issue, but I probably thought it was dumb because the X-men didn't even fight anyone! ("And really, how good can a comic book be if there's no fighting?" --11-year-olds everywhere.) But now that I'm older, I'm glad I could revisit this issue and appreciate how great it is.
The book consists of the team relaxing (or trying to, anyway) on Thanksgiving. There are leaves being jumped through. There's a game of "no-powers!" football being played. I loved everything about the laid-back atmosphere--particularly seeing the characters hanging out and being a family. I had a smile on my face through most of the issue, and it wasn't because I was thinking of how delicious donuts are.
(Although, I am now. Damn it.)
Oh, and issue #308 also had a change in Scott and Jean's relationship, which some people might consider kind of important. Just a little bit.
Overall, I'd say this stretch of issues wasn't anything ground-breaking enough to warrant a full 4 stars (maybe something more like 3.5), but #308 was so good that I find myself having to round up.
fin.
*(I also decided to read X-men #30 during this run, which makes sense if you know what happened in that issue. And if you don't, well, I'd hate to spoil it for you.)
These issues deal with a few interesting interesting ideas--the team trying to move on after their life-changing experiences in Fatal Attractions; a gradual introduction into the techno-organic race called the Phalanx; the beginning of Emma Frost's dramatic change in character--but the most enjoyable thing by far was issue #308.
I very vaguely remember reading #308 as a kid. A friend of mine really liked the issue, but I probably thought it was dumb because the X-men didn't even fight anyone! ("And really, how good can a comic book be if there's no fighting?" --11-year-olds everywhere.) But now that I'm older, I'm glad I could revisit this issue and appreciate how great it is.
The book consists of the team relaxing (or trying to, anyway) on Thanksgiving. There are leaves being jumped through. There's a game of "no-powers!" football being played. I loved everything about the laid-back atmosphere--particularly seeing the characters hanging out and being a family. I had a smile on my face through most of the issue, and it wasn't because I was thinking of how delicious donuts are.
(Although, I am now. Damn it.)
Oh, and issue #308 also had a change in Scott and Jean's relationship, which some people might consider kind of important. Just a little bit.
Overall, I'd say this stretch of issues wasn't anything ground-breaking enough to warrant a full 4 stars (maybe something more like 3.5), but #308 was so good that I find myself having to round up.
fin.
*(I also decided to read X-men #30 during this run, which makes sense if you know what happened in that issue. And if you don't, well, I'd hate to spoil it for you.)
January 5, 2013
An awesome start to a fantastic comic book series. I have always wished that there would be a movie or television adaptation that would follow this series in its entirety because Stan Lee did an amazing job laying down the foundation for a truly captivating tale. I remember how enamored I was with the X-Men growing up and that feeling still hasn't changed twenty some odd years later.
It's really interesting to note how confident and somewhat cocky Jean Grey is as every actress that has portrayed her character has turned her into a passive female. I also forgot that she originally went by Marvel Girl. Little tidbits from the comics such as Cyclops being able to harm Magneto simply by penetrating the magnetic shield with his optic vision are things that I wish were incorporated into the Hollywood films. With so much attention to detail in the comics, it's sad to see these treasures get lost in the dust when translated to film. One can always hope for better movies in the future, but until then, this man is enjoying the hell out of these comics.
It's really interesting to note how confident and somewhat cocky Jean Grey is as every actress that has portrayed her character has turned her into a passive female. I also forgot that she originally went by Marvel Girl. Little tidbits from the comics such as Cyclops being able to harm Magneto simply by penetrating the magnetic shield with his optic vision are things that I wish were incorporated into the Hollywood films. With so much attention to detail in the comics, it's sad to see these treasures get lost in the dust when translated to film. One can always hope for better movies in the future, but until then, this man is enjoying the hell out of these comics.
May 9, 2017
You have to love Lee and Kirby, but Stan Lee's overzealous usage of adjectives is both a gift and a curse. Just get to the point already! That being said, comic books needed to be heartier in words back then, because unlike today, they didn't put out 50 titles a month on a bi or tri-monthly cycle, with 18 crossover events that lead to nothing more than anticlimactic and dead end plot points. But, I digress.
January 28, 2016
Love seeing The X-Men for the first time. The writing's entertaining and the art is quite beautiful. The characters look different from the way they're portrayed in cartoons and the new movies alike, but it's nice to see how they started out. Hope to see some more characters. Will definitely be reading the others. :)
November 15, 2018
The X-Men franchise had more influence on my life than any other, even Lord of the Rings. My beliefs stem from the X-Men, my writing of characters--even my identity (BEAST!) is influenced by them.
Thank you, Stan. I can't imagine my life without these characters.
Thank you, Stan. I can't imagine my life without these characters.
December 24, 2019
Great start to the series. I love reading these old comics, it shows a glimpse into society back in their day. Plus comics were kind of basic then. You could just make an entertaining story to enjoy and that was enough.
May 24, 2022
Where it all started:
Honestly it not’s great. It did not age very well. Especially the dialogue. All it does is introduce the main characters of the X men. But hey, who’s complaining every great story needs a starting place!
Honestly it not’s great. It did not age very well. Especially the dialogue. All it does is introduce the main characters of the X men. But hey, who’s complaining every great story needs a starting place!
September 3, 2016
Thats where it all starts...
May 29, 2014
Love the retro marvellousness of these.
Original gang is Professor X, cyclops (Slim Summers, lol), Angel, Beast and Iceman.
Original gang is Professor X, cyclops (Slim Summers, lol), Angel, Beast and Iceman.
May 3, 2017
Nobody panic I have a repressing from the 80's...
February 13, 2018
Old school X-Men, i.e. the first ever X-Men comic. I don't know much about the X-Men, but they certainly are popular, and this was charming.
November 27, 2018
Great story!
December 31, 2018
X-ceptional
Classic Marvel takes me back to my formative years and still just as much fun to read as it was then
Classic Marvel takes me back to my formative years and still just as much fun to read as it was then
May 9, 2020
I have finally read the comic that started a generation.... Thank you, Mr. Lee.
August 1, 2022
My Marvelous Year 2: 1963 pt2
Read for a pretty fun, if sloppy introduction to the x-men, and a high dose of sexual harassment towards Jean Grey.
Other notes:
Character art and development have a ways to go
Everyone wants to be teacher’s pet
The beast and ice man have been pretty much given the thing and human torch’s personalities and dynamic
Magneto’s magnets can do crazy shit.
Read for a pretty fun, if sloppy introduction to the x-men, and a high dose of sexual harassment towards Jean Grey.
Other notes:
Character art and development have a ways to go
Everyone wants to be teacher’s pet
The beast and ice man have been pretty much given the thing and human torch’s personalities and dynamic
Magneto’s magnets can do crazy shit.
October 26, 2023
In the scheme of things...the iconic first story.
Interesting to see the guys flirt with Jean Grey as soon as she walks through the door.
Even 16year old Bobby who hadn't started to question his gender in those early carefree days!!
She can seemingly give as good as she gets.
Interesting to see the guys flirt with Jean Grey as soon as she walks through the door.
Even 16year old Bobby who hadn't started to question his gender in those early carefree days!!
She can seemingly give as good as she gets.
August 7, 2024
I always forget that beast wasn’t always a smart blue creature. Oh how far the X-men have come. Also, it’s weird seeing ice man as a snow man and not a man made out of ice..
September 17, 2024
Yeah, this really didn't age well. I'm so glad they changed Beast's... everything. And the Professor is lowkey mean in this one. Jean and Magneto are the only good ones here.
March 1, 2023
⍋ 4/10 ⍋
A mix between dorky, cliché and cringy. Quite dumbed-down, though I supposed it was originally meant for kids. An adequate introduction with some faulty science to back it up.
Magneto is very much the star of the show in this one.
A mix between dorky, cliché and cringy. Quite dumbed-down, though I supposed it was originally meant for kids. An adequate introduction with some faulty science to back it up.
Magneto is very much the star of the show in this one.
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