Before popping through a portal into the pages of HOUSE OF X and POWERS OF X, read these seminal X-Men moments that Marvel’s editors and creators consider major parts of mutant history! From the introduction to the modern X-Men, to the dystopian wilds of the Age of Apocalypse, don’t miss these series and storylines that paved the way for the Dawn of X!
The issue that catapulted the X-Men into commercial success. Here, we meet Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm and Thunderbird for the very first time, while Wolverine gains his place among the mutants. Continue with UNCANNY X-MEN (1963) #94 for writer Chris Claremont’s behemoth run that introduced a slew of mainstays, and gave us storylines like the Phoenix/Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past, and so (SO) much more.
The dynamic duo of Claremont and Jim Lee divvied up the X-Men into two distinct squads following the X-Tinction Agenda event, (try the Reading List!). The result? A game-changing #1 that still maintains its record as a best-seller. With a 4-part gatefold cover that showcased the sheen and modernity of the Blue and Gold teams, the '90s kicked off a Golden Age of X.
Try the event in full with our Age of Apocalypse Reading List! Killed twenty years in the past during a freak time-travel accident, Charles Xavier leaves behind a world where the despotic Apocalypse rules with an iron fist. But not all mutants agree with Apocalypse's reign, including a group of ragtag freedom fighters led by Xavier's oldest friend, Magneto! This event is lauded for its creative redesigns.
Creators Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely delivered this bold reboot that put the “freak” in mutant. Innovative, (and ideal for new readers), this run introduced oddball favorites like Cassandra Nova, Fantomex, Quentin Quire and Glob Herman. It also opened on the haunting note of 16 million mutant deaths, all wiped out in a Genoshan genocide.