X-Men: First Class - Mutant Mayhem

X-Men: First Class (Collected Editions) #2

by Jeff Parker, Roger Cruz (Illustrator)

The early days of mutant fun returns. Unfortunately, the X-Men are a male-dominated group in this early time. Concerned that star pupil Marvel Girl could use a role model, Professor Xavier enlists the world's top female hero - Sue Storm, The Invisible Girl Also, the five young mutants take a trip to Monster Island, where they soon realize that the words "survival" and "Monster Island" just don't have much to do with each other. Collects X-Men: First Class Volume 2 #1-5, and Special.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, X Men, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Ｆｒａｎｋｈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first volume of the second season of Jeff Parker's uber-fun and delightfully dynamic teen series X-Men: First Class, and it's quite another lovely turn-out for the heroes I deem the Original Core Five (OCF, trademark still pending). As I've mentioned in my official review of the first volume, the nineties cartoon series were my X-Men growing up, and Stan Lee's sixties fivesome used to be something I don't care for. But thanks to Jeff Parker, my opinion on that matter has entirely changed. I love my OCF to the depths of my soul!

I just love reading Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman and Angel together, taking on a variety and supervillains, criminals and the usual off-the-kilter monster-of-the-issue, while dealing with the usual problems of fitting in, making connections and embracing the unique things their respective individuality can accomplish. If you're n adult in your twenties like me, or even if you are in your thirties or forties, and you read the first collection of this series AND WERE ABSOLUTELY ENTHRALLED, then you'd be just as in a celebratory mood as I am that the title has continued on with a second season; this time running for a total of sixteen issues.

Comprised of issues #1-5 plus a special, Mutant Mayhem maintains the same balance of fluff, thrill and poignancy as the last one, putting our favorite merry band of crime-fighters in a dangerous island for a two-parter story, Jean Grey having a sisterly bonding moment with Invisible Girl of the Fantastic Four; while Bobby and Henry have a road trip together to get a clean break from all the exhausting vigilantism. It's a great volume that will appeal to the readers who were already established fans to begin with and are more than thoroughly invested to see where the OCF are headed, and hopefully to more wacky adventures and bizarre scenarios that make them grow as friends and as people, and challenge their perspective as well as relationships with one another.

For a PG-13 series with no gore or violence or grim premises and depressing pay-offs, X-Men: First Class still knows how to deliver compelling, remarkable stories by relying on its core strengths which is really about these five lovable dorks and their struggles as mutants and aspiring heroes, and how to balance their lives outside of crime-fighting and the social politics their mentor incorporates them in. It only goes to show that comics could be fun and clean while still having emotional maturity and resonance at the same time.

RECOMMENDED: 8/10

DO READ MY REVIEWS AT:

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure time: This book was written by a very close friend of mine, and one of the illustrators happens to be my wife, so of course I have a bias.

That said, one of the reasons that Jeff IS my friend is because I think he's one of the industry's most talented writers, and one of the reasons I married Colleen is because I find her talent to be beguiling.

So, take my grain of salt with a grain of salt, as it were.

As to the book itself, Parker's writing manages to pinpoint what makes each of the characters tick, and expands on them with warmth and humor. And his stories are just plain fun. I'm glad that he's lately been getting a chance to do some continued stories (as opposed to the all-done-in-one "Marvel Adventure" style writings we've both been doing) so I can see what he's really capable of cooking up.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared to discuss how this series, intended for newer and younger readers, wasn't so much a crash course in the original X-Men as it was a story that assumes a familiarity with the characters. Turns out this is the second series in the First Class line, and my library system just doesn't carry the ones preceding it. Fine.

That said, it's a fun book. Strong characterizations and acceptable art. Especially nice, as I picked this up as a read for my daughter, is the fact that the first story focuses on Jean Grey. Thanks to the old movies and complete absence in old merchandise, she's always gotten the short end of things. Then again, her story grows to be more and more complicated the more you look into it. It's nice that we get the young Jean Grey, treated as her own character who is neither a prize nor someone to approached hesitantly because the Phoenix is a-coming.

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to X-Men 97, I've realized that I've got an X shaped hole in comics (I've got other shapes as well, but that's for another time). And I got Marvel Unlimited so I'm going all in on these comics. It was suggested that I read this version of #1-#93, and honestly, from the bits and pieces I see of Iceman in Claremont's X-Men (he shows up in the Classic X-Men), I see why. He's a giant douchebag. The others are better, but the bar is so low. And #138 is just Scott summarizing everything, every idiotic mutant/alien/just plain evil person they ever fought, so it's good that I read the better, lovable Iceman.

So yeah. Iceman is the best. I still don't like Roger Cruz's art, and I guess I never will.

[Shadow girlie (Aelin’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these X-men first class comics. The found family vibes just drive my friends standards up. Jean and Wanda being besties means so much to me. 🥹 Since when can Warren heal people?! Plus, issue #7 is my fave. Black Widow cameoo?!? And the OG Natasha at that. Though I prefer the redhead one. I mean, this three redheads are carrying Marvel on their backs. Duh.

Update, that’s the first time I come across Madame Medusa, and I can’t help but like her. She’s a perfect addition to the hot-badass-redhead team. Also, now I really wanna see The Bobby, The Johnny and The Spidey together again. Preferably as a team up. In the MCU. Just saying…

[Tshepiso · Rating 3 out of 5]

This extension of the X-Men: First Class limited series was more of the same solid storytelling. This collection in particular has some great character moments. I loved seeing Jean get to bond with Invisible Woman as a female mentor. I also liked Bobby and Hank's spring break bonding session. I think this comic excelled the most in lighthearted character moments. It's never super high stakes so it makes for a relaxing read and the adventures are solid.

I also love the mini-comics illustrated by Colleen Coover at the end of a couple of issues and in the special. There absolutely adorable.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18...

These volumes weren't listed in the chronology that I used to buy the trades for this crazy ride. I ended up with this one because it came in a lot that I picked up on ebay.

After reading this one, though, I wish that I had more of the First Class run. This was a really fun batch of stories. Nothing life-changing or anything that impacts continuity, but definitely fun.

[novoten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vytratila se lehkost a místo zkoumání toho, jak by vypadala první generace v moderní době, se autoři zaobírají vším možným, co už mutanti nabídli dlouhé dekády zpátky. A v případě seznámení (?) s Hulkem nebo ostrovem plným nestvůr to obzvlášť v porovnání s Volume 1 působí jako minimálně dva kroky zpátky. Velká škoda, protože humor i kresba mi pořád přijdou na jedničku.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting updating of the X-Men's origins, filling in some details of the early years of Xavier's first five students and also acknowledging the sliding timescale a bit. Nothing earth-shattering but a pleasant read with some good character bits.

[Joseph Ryan-Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about the original X-Men on a mission to find a volcano which holds secrets of the past important to there next mission.

I like this story because it's full of surprises and I really like superheroes

Yes I would recommend this book

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not So Good You Don't Have To Read The Original Stuff, Just Read This Instead, this is a solid addition to the early X-Men canon. Sure, it provides a little headache, as the technology and cultural references place this in the early twenty-first century instead of the mid-twentieth, but Parker's ability to get the general feel of the early X-books but infuse more personality and character into the, well, characters. I still recommend this as a buffer between the silver age Epic Collections.

[Jamie Lovett · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of what was good about the original X-Men: First Class miniseries, though I'm not sure the concept benefits from the extended, multi-part stories that this volume introduces.

[Mike A · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-Men first class is a nice modern take on the classic 1960s X-Men good story line all and all X-MEN first class is a good read.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colleen Coover's cute cartoons are the best thing in this book. Otherwise, these nostalgic stories of the first five X-Men, all clad in identical blue-and-yellow costumes, are fine. Jeff Parker does a good job playing up what's different between those X-Men and today's--the first X-Men were more of a family and more like classmates. Similarly, Professor X was a great combination of Father Knows Best and Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World.
This volume's stories aren't quite as crossover heavy as the first collection, which is nice. However, the two-part island story (was this a guest appearance by Krakoa from the All-New, All-Different X-Men?) ended on a fairly weak note.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

These issues were packed with cameos from characters around the Marvel Universe: Invisible [Woman] and the Fantastic Four, the Lizard, the Hulk, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. On the annoying side, there's a story set in the future in which Scott tells Kitty a story about Jean, presumably at a time when she's dead, since Kitty thanks him for talking about her even though it's hard. Do the editors not remember that this book is supposed to have appeal to people who aren't familiar with or don't care about continuity? Why bring in an unexplained character and so obliquely refer to an event the comics haven't introduced? Can't the big two produce ANYTHING that can stand on its own?

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comic that should get 4.5 stars, because it has some really great stories. I especially liked the one where Marvel Girl teams up with the Fantastic Four and the one where Hank and Bobby go on vacation together.

[Matt Sabonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, as usual.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and lighthearted. Not quite as good as the previous volume.

[~Trevor~]

Great comic

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

See review for X-Men: First Class

[J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a few nice moments, but this really lacks the charm of the first volume.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good especially because I am not to familiar withe marvel universe.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still fun. Nice to see the class sent off to various locations and to see them in action alone or in pairs rather than as a solid bunch.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and likable. An enjoyable read.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun ride!

[Jeff Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun collection of single issue adventures. A few more sexist moments than the previous volume. But overall a still enjoyable collection.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as single issues

[Jessica Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely adorable.