What do you think?
Rate this book
Uncanny X-Men (1963) #391-393
X-Men: Eve of Destruction
Magneto menaces the world once again - but while he threatens to spread war, the X-Men are trapped in Genosha! It's up to Phoenix to lead a new team to victory, but can she manage it? Can they? Guest-starring Dazzler, Northstar, Corsair of the Starjammers and more! Collects Uncanny X-Men No. 391-393 and X-Men No. 111-113.
152 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
About the author
Scott Lobdell
1,644 books235 followersScott Lobdell (born 1960) is an American comic book writer.
He is mostly known for his work throughout the 1990s on Marvel Comics' X-Men-related titles specifically Uncanny X-Men, the main title itself, and the spin-off series that he conceived with artist Chris Bachalo, Generation X. Generation X focused on a number of young mutant students who attempted to become superheroes in their own right at a separate school with the guidance of veteran X-related characters Banshee and Emma Frost. He also had writing stints on Marvel's Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix mini-series with artist Gene Ha. He wrote the script to Stan Lee's Mosaic and an upcoming film from POW Entertainment featuring Ringo Starr. He also participated in the Marvel Comics and Image Comics (from Jim Lee's WildStorm) crossover mini-series WildC.A.T.s/X-Men.
He is mostly known for his work throughout the 1990s on Marvel Comics' X-Men-related titles specifically Uncanny X-Men, the main title itself, and the spin-off series that he conceived with artist Chris Bachalo, Generation X. Generation X focused on a number of young mutant students who attempted to become superheroes in their own right at a separate school with the guidance of veteran X-related characters Banshee and Emma Frost. He also had writing stints on Marvel's Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix mini-series with artist Gene Ha. He wrote the script to Stan Lee's Mosaic and an upcoming film from POW Entertainment featuring Ringo Starr. He also participated in the Marvel Comics and Image Comics (from Jim Lee's WildStorm) crossover mini-series WildC.A.T.s/X-Men.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 18, 2018
Lobdell manages to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with this one. Magneto is triumphant in Genosha and hosts a huge rally to maybe declare on humanity. Only the X-men can stop him, problem is only Cyclops, Phoenix and Logan are around! What builds up to what should be an outstanding conclusion finishes with a whimper, but the first four parts are still good enough to get a solid 8 from 12 from me... next stop Casey's Uncanny X-Men... and Morrison's New X-Men! ..at last!
October 5, 2019
Dad (UXM #391). This one-off about Cyclops and Corsair reuniting has all the emotion missing from "The Search for Cyclops" and also does a great job of explaining Corsair's curious attitude toward his sons [5/5].
Eve of Destruction (XM #111-113, UXM #392-393). What an entirely bizarre "big event". I mean, it's the big climatic fight against Magneto in Genosha, yet it stars a set of brand-new X-Men who subvert expectations by leaving at the end. Why New X-Men? Because the old ones are all away at something, but I'm not sure what. Oh, except Cyclops and Wolverine who have some pretty great bonding in Genosha. Actually, there's a lot of great characterization and interplay, and then a really dramatic and shocking ending. I just can't imagine why this story was constructed as such (or where the rest of the X-Men are!). [3+/5].
Eve of Destruction (XM #111-113, UXM #392-393). What an entirely bizarre "big event". I mean, it's the big climatic fight against Magneto in Genosha, yet it stars a set of brand-new X-Men who subvert expectations by leaving at the end. Why New X-Men? Because the old ones are all away at something, but I'm not sure what. Oh, except Cyclops and Wolverine who have some pretty great bonding in Genosha. Actually, there's a lot of great characterization and interplay, and then a really dramatic and shocking ending. I just can't imagine why this story was constructed as such (or where the rest of the X-Men are!). [3+/5].
June 14, 2021
The final showdown between mutant and humans is announced by none other than Magneto. Usually, the X-Men are there to stop him, but with only Phoenix, Wolverine and Cyclops around, do they stand a chance?
Well... Jean doesn't think so. So she recruits a bunch of different mutants from around the world - or at least around the US - and takes a page out of Professor Xaviers book, by going all "Giant size X-Men" with it. In other words, the main team is MIA, lets get these fresh recruits to bail them out. And ultimately, to be honest, they aren't even really needed. To me it seemed like the book spends the better half of its time assembling this new crew, who then go on to do not much at all (except bicker with each other) then leave at the end. It really comes down to Phoenix, Cyclops, Wolverine, and Xavier - once he is rescued.
I think this storyline should have been bigger than it was. I mean, this was it! The war that Magneto has been going on and on about, and it feels like instead of a big bang, the story ends with a whimper. Like going to a restaurant and feeling really hungry, but you get your food and you realize you don't really like it, but now you are kinda full and grossed out and don't want to eat.
I would say check this out if you must, but unless you are a die hard X-Men fan, I would probably skip it.
Well... Jean doesn't think so. So she recruits a bunch of different mutants from around the world - or at least around the US - and takes a page out of Professor Xaviers book, by going all "Giant size X-Men" with it. In other words, the main team is MIA, lets get these fresh recruits to bail them out. And ultimately, to be honest, they aren't even really needed. To me it seemed like the book spends the better half of its time assembling this new crew, who then go on to do not much at all (except bicker with each other) then leave at the end. It really comes down to Phoenix, Cyclops, Wolverine, and Xavier - once he is rescued.
I think this storyline should have been bigger than it was. I mean, this was it! The war that Magneto has been going on and on about, and it feels like instead of a big bang, the story ends with a whimper. Like going to a restaurant and feeling really hungry, but you get your food and you realize you don't really like it, but now you are kinda full and grossed out and don't want to eat.
I would say check this out if you must, but unless you are a die hard X-Men fan, I would probably skip it.
January 6, 2025
Revisiting 'X-Men: Eve of Destruction' as an adult, it’s clear this early 2000s “event” hasn’t aged well. Once gripping to my teenage self, it now feels rushed, shallow, and underwhelming. Positioned as the finale to the '90s X-Men era, it sets up the transition to Grant Morrison’s ground-breaking run while offering a long-teased “war” between humans and mutants. Sadly, the execution falters.
With most of the core team absent, Jean Grey assembles a new cast of one-dimensional recruits who add little to the story. The climactic battle with Magneto—hyped as the ultimate showdown—is anticlimactic, hinging on implausible conveniences and an ending that strains credibility. Even worse, these events are largely undone just two issues later.
The volume also includes two preludes: a confusing snippet from an earlier comic and a self-contained story exploring Cyclops’ new reckless persona after merging with Apocalypse. While Cyclops’ character shift has lasting significance in X-Men lore, the story itself feels like filler.
Despite its historical context and nostalgic value, Eve of Destruction fails to deliver a satisfying or cohesive narrative. It's a passable read but ultimately disappointing.
With most of the core team absent, Jean Grey assembles a new cast of one-dimensional recruits who add little to the story. The climactic battle with Magneto—hyped as the ultimate showdown—is anticlimactic, hinging on implausible conveniences and an ending that strains credibility. Even worse, these events are largely undone just two issues later.
The volume also includes two preludes: a confusing snippet from an earlier comic and a self-contained story exploring Cyclops’ new reckless persona after merging with Apocalypse. While Cyclops’ character shift has lasting significance in X-Men lore, the story itself feels like filler.
Despite its historical context and nostalgic value, Eve of Destruction fails to deliver a satisfying or cohesive narrative. It's a passable read but ultimately disappointing.
January 11, 2015
I used this as a jumping on point for reading the main X-Men titles in the 2000s. I'm a fairly new comic reader but I've always been a fan of the X-Men cartoons and movies; naturally I wanted to transition that love into comics. I've tried Ultimate X-Men which was good but after the series ended with 100th issue, I felt kind of lost on where to go to next. I moved on to Marvel NOW X-Men titles which I've thoroughly enjoyed, but, ironically considering the "NOW" part, are terrible jumping on points.
I think I've found what I was looking for with this book. Of the X-Men, I don't recognize much of anyone else besides Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean. I enjoyed being introduced to the interim X-Team (though I wish I knew where the hell everyone else is). Genosha has always been sort of a mystery to me but one of the earlier issue in this TPB did a really good job explaining it through a news broadcaster. All in all, a fun concise read. Not so awesome factor: everyone introduced ends up leaving...
I think I've found what I was looking for with this book. Of the X-Men, I don't recognize much of anyone else besides Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean. I enjoyed being introduced to the interim X-Team (though I wish I knew where the hell everyone else is). Genosha has always been sort of a mystery to me but one of the earlier issue in this TPB did a really good job explaining it through a news broadcaster. All in all, a fun concise read. Not so awesome factor: everyone introduced ends up leaving...
November 14, 2015
In the aftermath of the storyline "The Twelve" and Cyclops' un-merging with Apocalypse, comes "Age of Destruction". This storyline is ok, and mearly sets up the arrival of Grant Morrison as writer and the events of "E is For Extinction", which is an amazing tale. Most of the events take place in Genosha and deal with Magneto's beginning dictatorship. Overall, just middle of the road here.
November 21, 2020
This collection starts with a standalone story in which Cyclops finally confronts his father, the Starjammer leader known as Corsair. Why didn't Corsair return to Earth for his sons? It isn't a bad premise, but Corsair was introduced in 1977. This might have been something they resolved over the last 24 years.
The Eve of Destruction starts with a recap as told by reporter Trish Tilby. It certainly isn't a bad idea to remind the readers of how we got to this stage, but I remember that this felt like a waste of money when I was buying individual issues.
The main story unfolds in four issues. Cyclops leads Wolverine and Polaris into Genosha to save as many humans as they can from the growing death toll. Meanwhile Jean Grey forms a new X-Men team to support a final confrontation with Magneto and his army of mutant and mutate soldiers.
I love the fact that the X-Men can easily add existing Marvel characters and introduce new characters to the roster, so it was fun to watch Jean Grey assemble an assault team. I just don't think It really flowed this time. I was surprised to see the unethical decisions like putting new, untested mutants into danger and altering the mind of an acolyte to join them.
Eve of Destruction has the makings of an epic clash between the X-Men and Magneto on a global scale. It marks the conclusion of Magneto's legitimate rule over a mutant nation (and his ambition to use that power against the entire world), but alas, it falls short. The build-up was hurried and the execution rushed. The character depictions are not quite right (which is a bit odd for Scott Lobdell), and the character development is non-existent. It feels like a basic comic book story to clear the slate for a new creative team.
The Eve of Destruction starts with a recap as told by reporter Trish Tilby. It certainly isn't a bad idea to remind the readers of how we got to this stage, but I remember that this felt like a waste of money when I was buying individual issues.
The main story unfolds in four issues. Cyclops leads Wolverine and Polaris into Genosha to save as many humans as they can from the growing death toll. Meanwhile Jean Grey forms a new X-Men team to support a final confrontation with Magneto and his army of mutant and mutate soldiers.
I love the fact that the X-Men can easily add existing Marvel characters and introduce new characters to the roster, so it was fun to watch Jean Grey assemble an assault team. I just don't think It really flowed this time. I was surprised to see the unethical decisions like putting new, untested mutants into danger and altering the mind of an acolyte to join them.
Eve of Destruction has the makings of an epic clash between the X-Men and Magneto on a global scale. It marks the conclusion of Magneto's legitimate rule over a mutant nation (and his ambition to use that power against the entire world), but alas, it falls short. The build-up was hurried and the execution rushed. The character depictions are not quite right (which is a bit odd for Scott Lobdell), and the character development is non-existent. It feels like a basic comic book story to clear the slate for a new creative team.
September 8, 2018
Yet another Magneto is a teeth-gnashing supervillain storyline where a huge event happens that will be completely irrelevant in a few issues. Yet another new team of X-Men, this one disbanded in a mere three issues. Oh, so, another team disbanding.
The highlights of the book are the continuity that the book hints at but doesn't show. The X-Babies Age Of Apocalypse Destroy The Mojoverse doesn't sound like the best-ever storyline but it would have been way more interesting than this Lobdell snoozefest.
The highlights of the book are the continuity that the book hints at but doesn't show. The X-Babies Age Of Apocalypse Destroy The Mojoverse doesn't sound like the best-ever storyline but it would have been way more interesting than this Lobdell snoozefest.
September 2, 2017
Not bad, as these crossovers go, but I'm more excited about the new direction coming after this storyarc.
March 22, 2018
The last issue was decent. The rest was just dreck and filler.
April 4, 2024
Back to some gritty action in Genosha. Nice to see Corsair and Cyclops reunite and clear some air.
June 20, 2009
Good gravy, is this bad. They definitely needed Morrison to come in and shake things up. (His run starts immediately after this series.) The second issue of Eve of Destruction proper (there's some prelude material) has a special place in my heart, because it was a comic picked up on a whim back in the day just cause I felt like it. At the time, the art (Leinil Yu in this case) was the coolest comic art I'd ever seen, and the issue seemed like good prep work for something big.
I think I picked up the first issue a short while later with the aspirations of maybe collecting the series only to realize how terrible the beginning of the series was. Now Giant Size X-Men #1's recruiting scenes have been copied many times, but never so poorly as they were here. And with characters you'd rather were left out.
Then the ending to the series feels so rushed and forced. I think Lobdell aspired too high for the time constraints he was placed in.
What's more, Morrison would ignore the end of this series altogether. He may be a talented writer but he could care less about smashing continuity.
Art is Salvador Larroca, before he ships off to do Xtreme, and Leinil Yu. I love Yu's art at points in this book.
Overall, this book culminates the 90's X-Men, even though it came out in 2001. By the time it came, the farewell was long overdue.
I think I picked up the first issue a short while later with the aspirations of maybe collecting the series only to realize how terrible the beginning of the series was. Now Giant Size X-Men #1's recruiting scenes have been copied many times, but never so poorly as they were here. And with characters you'd rather were left out.
Then the ending to the series feels so rushed and forced. I think Lobdell aspired too high for the time constraints he was placed in.
What's more, Morrison would ignore the end of this series altogether. He may be a talented writer but he could care less about smashing continuity.
Art is Salvador Larroca, before he ships off to do Xtreme, and Leinil Yu. I love Yu's art at points in this book.
Overall, this book culminates the 90's X-Men, even though it came out in 2001. By the time it came, the farewell was long overdue.
July 27, 2015
Decent X-Men story, especially for Lobdell. Doesn’t really wrap up much of what he’d been doing during the end of the 90s, but does provide a nice ending to his run. Most of what happens is immediately ignored by Morrison and Casey when they took over the two flagship series. I’d probably give this a point higher if the new characters had any personality at all. Art is decent and typical of the era.
September 9, 2008
The only reason I picked up this TPB was to see what storyline led into Grant Morrison's solid swerve of a run. Frankly, I could have done without it, because Morrison un-does a lot of what is established here, and in record time for a retcon.
September 12, 2010
Not an original narrative, but still a successful storyline.
April 28, 2014
Magneto, bad again. Magneto, maybe dead this time.
Some nice art, but still, way too much talking.
Some nice art, but still, way too much talking.
December 14, 2014
Repetitive dialogue, lumpy confusing artwork, and no weight behind the storyline. For the cataclysmic level of what is happening in the story, there is no tension whatsoever.
August 17, 2013
I don't get why people gave this a low rating??? This was a great x-men story.
April 26, 2017
Continuing the great (and foolish) X-men catch-up read...
*sigh*
I don't know what to say about this one. There were fun moments (the new team had some funny moments though immediately disbanding them made the whole thing rather pointless - and the book never once explains where the rest of the X-men are to require a new team anyway...) and the art is good.
The Cyclops/Corsair issue was just awful filler. Jean mind-controlling Cargill was just glossed over with no consequences whatsoever. Magneto's "death" (I'm assuming he will be back soon enough) is anticlimactic as heck. The worst part, though, (in my opinion) is that the writers took what could have been a really interesting and complex story with Magneto running Genosha - imagine the political ramifications alone - and basically tossed it aside without ever making it a true part of the story. It was a huge waste that went absolutely nowhere.
Oh yeah, and we ignore Magneto's power issues completely after building up his relationship with Cortez again... And what about Polaris helping him?... The amount of plotlines that were just dropped for this non-story are monumental.
It was entertaining enough of a read initially but the ending was atrocious and left me reeling with complaints about the handling of basically all of it.
*sigh*
I don't know what to say about this one. There were fun moments (the new team had some funny moments though immediately disbanding them made the whole thing rather pointless - and the book never once explains where the rest of the X-men are to require a new team anyway...) and the art is good.
The Cyclops/Corsair issue was just awful filler. Jean mind-controlling Cargill was just glossed over with no consequences whatsoever. Magneto's "death" (I'm assuming he will be back soon enough) is anticlimactic as heck. The worst part, though, (in my opinion) is that the writers took what could have been a really interesting and complex story with Magneto running Genosha - imagine the political ramifications alone - and basically tossed it aside without ever making it a true part of the story. It was a huge waste that went absolutely nowhere.
Oh yeah, and we ignore Magneto's power issues completely after building up his relationship with Cortez again... And what about Polaris helping him?... The amount of plotlines that were just dropped for this non-story are monumental.
It was entertaining enough of a read initially but the ending was atrocious and left me reeling with complaints about the handling of basically all of it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews