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X-Men (comic book)

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This article is about the ongoing comic book series. For the original series (originally titled "The X-Men"), see Uncanny X-Men. For the series titled "X-Men" from 1991–2001 and 2004–2008, see X-Men: Legacy.
X-Men
Variant cover of X-Men (vol. 3) #7.
Art by Chris Bachalo.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication date(vol. 3)
September 2010 – February 2013
(vol. 4)
May 2013 – May 2015
(vol. 5) October 2019 – June 2021
(vol. 6) July 2021 – present
No. of issues(vol. 3)
41, plus 1 Giant-Size issue
(vol. 4)
26
(vol. 5)
21
(vol. 6)
35 (as of June 2024 cover date)
Main character(s)See characters list
Creative team as of June 2012
Written by
Artist(s)Various
Letterer(s)Joe Caramagna
Colorist(s)Rachelle Rosenberg
Editor(s)Axel Alonso
Nick Lowe
Jeanine Schaefer

X-Men is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the titular team of superheroes, published by Marvel Comics, beginning in September 2010.

The series was preceded by The X-Men vol. 1 (renamed The Uncanny X-Men in 1978) and X-Men: Legacy (initially known as X-Men vol. 2) from 1991 to 2001, New X-Men from 2001 to 2004 and again X-Men from 2004 to 2008).

Volume 3 began publication in September 2010 and, for most of its run featuring team-ups between the X-Men and other Marvel characters, ended at issue #41 in February 2013. As part of Marvel NOW!, the title was relaunched as a new series (volume 4) written by Brian Wood and featuring an all-female team.[1] X-Men was relaunched as the flagship title again in October 2019 following Jonathan Hickman's House of X and Powers of X, with Hickman writing and art by Leinil Francis Yu.[2] As the fifth volume of the title, the series ran for 21 issues, before it was subsequently relaunched as volume 6 (written by Gerry Duggan) in July 2021.[3] The sixth volume ran for 35 issues through the rest of the Krakoan Age.[4][5] A seventh volume, written by Jed MacKay, is scheduled to launch in July 2024.[6][7]

Publication history[edit]

Preceding volumes[edit]

Main articles: Uncanny X-Men and X-Men: Legacy

The first series (vol. 1) went through several title changes: it started as The X-Men in 1963, switched to just X-Men in the cover title of issue #50, changed to The Uncanny X-Men in 1978 with issue #114 with the cover title in issue #394 becoming Uncanny X-Men.[8][9] In 1991, a second series (vol. 2) titled X-Men was launched alongside the still ongoing Uncanny X-Men.[10] The series title changed to New X-Men in 2001[11] and then switched to X-Men: Legacy with issue #208 in 2008.[12]

Volume 3 (2010–2013)[edit]

In 2010, a third volume of X-Men was launched.[13] To distinguish itself from the other contemporary X-Men titles, this third volume of X-Men was conceived as a title that would focus on the mutants' role in the wider Marvel Universe and "...firmly integrate the X-Men in the Marvel Universe."[14] As a result, the initial story arcs featured a guest appearance from characters from the Marvel Universe ranging from Spider-Man to Blade.[citation needed]

In April 2010, at Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo, it was announced that the relaunched series would be helmed by writer Victor Gischler with art by Paco Medina.[14][15] Gischler commented that "the X-Men have been fighting for survival for a long time, but this is the X-Men team the represents a new era. This team engages the Marvel U more in a proactive, mission-oriented way. [...] The particular situation or villains they face will help dictate which guest star is most appropriate for a particular arc".[16] Gischler wrote the first 29 issues and In 2012, was replaced by Brian Wood who wrote issues #30–37.[17][18] Olivier Coipel joined as the series artist.[19] Wood took the series in a new direction, focusing on Storm leading a security team of X-Men and dropping the 'team-up' element that was previously a part of the book.[17]

The team-up elements were briefly brought back in issues #38 and 39.[citation needed] Seth Peck was the writer for issues #38–41 before it was cancelled in November 2012;[20][21][22] the series ended in February 2013.[18][22]

Volume 4 (2013–2015)[edit]

As part of Marvel NOW!, the series was relaunched and it was the first time in the history of the X-Men franchise to have a series composed entirely of female X-Men,[23][24] with an initial roster of Jubilee, Storm, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Rachel Grey and Psylocke.[1][25][26] The series brought back both writer Brian Wood with artist by Olivier Coipel.[1][27] On the roster shift, Wood commented:

I think this title here will be an interesting test case, to see if a high-profile book with an high-profile artist and marquee characters can indeed overcome what often happens to books starring female heroes. I think we have a good shot, but even now, based only off the announcement, there's all sorts of negative feedback that ranges from generic sexism, to open hostility, and to lame charges of reverse sexism. Chances are this book will launch very high, but if we can keep it high and resist the typical decline that happens to female-led superhero comics, we'll have proved something and maybe even set a precedent, and that would be fantastic.[24]

The first issue was released in May 2013.[28][29] Coipel left the series after the fourth issue; David Lopez and Terry Dodson then rotated on "art duties".[19] Wood left the series in 2014 with issue #17, saying, "I left the title on my own accord, no drama, no pressure, just moving on".[30]

Marc Guggenheim took over the title starting with issue #18 in August 2014;[31] his last issue was #22 in December 2014.[32] G. Willow Wilson was then brought on to write the 4 issue (#23–26) arc "The Burning World" in 2015;[33][34][35] Wilson was the "first female writer to work on X-Men" since the relaunch "with an all-female X-Men roster".[33] The 2014 New York Comic Con "Women of Marvel" panel highlighted that each issue "of the story will be told from a different character's point of view".[34] Marvel then cancelled its entire publishing line, including X-Men, for the Secret Wars (2015) event storyline.[36][37] X-Men was not continued during the post-Secret Wars publishing initiative All-New, All-Different Marvel (2015–2019).[38][39]

Volume 5 (2019–2021)[edit]

See also: Krakoan Age

As part of Marvel's "Dawn of X" initiative following Jonathan Hickman's relaunch of the Marvel X-Men line, X-Men relaunched in October 2019, written by Hickman and with art by Leinil Francis Yu. Although the first cover featured the extended Summers family (Cyclops, Havok, Vulcan, Corsair, Cable, Jean Grey, Rachel Summers) with Wolverine, Hickman had stated that this book is intended to be an "all-encompassing mutant title" and the cast may change.[40]

Volume 6 (2021–2024)[edit]

See also: Krakoan Age

This volume was launched during the "Reign of X" initiative, continued through "Destiny of X" and concluded with the end of "Fall of X" with issue #35 (legacy Uncanny X-Men #700).[4][5] It was written by Gerry Duggan with art by Pepe Larraz and Javier Pina.[4][41] The initial roster included Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Rogue, Wolverine, Synch, Sunfire and Polaris – following the announcement of a new volume, SyFy Wire highlighted that while volume 5 was titled X-Men the "book never actually featured a team of mutant superheroes going out and doing missions for the betterment of the planet. The age of Krakoa has left the mutants more insular, more isolated from a world that still perhaps hates and fears them, but after the events of X of Swords and the near-invasion of Earth that stemmed from that clash, Cyclops and Marvel Girl decided it was time for a change. The world, they argued, needs the X-Men again, and this July we'll see what that new team can do".[42]

It was announced in July 2022 that Joshua Cassara and C.F. Villa would take over art duties for the series.[41]

Volume 7 (2024–present)[edit]

See also: X-Men: From the Ashes

In the post-Krakoan Age, the X-Men will based in Alaska with an initial roster of "Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, Psylocke, Kid Omega, Temper (formerly Oya), Magik and Juggernaut".[6] It will be written by Jed MacKay with art by Ryan Stegman and is scheduled for release in July 2024.[6][7]

Plot summary[edit]

Volume 3 (2010 series)[edit]

The first story arc, "Curse of the Mutants", comprising issues #1–6, involves the X-Men battling the vampire nations and teaming up with Blade.[43]

The second story arc, "To Serve and Protect", comprising issues #7–10, involves the team of Storm, Gambit, Emma Frost and Wolverine returning to New York, where they team up with Spider-Man to battle the Lizard and the Dark Beast in the sewers of Manhattan.[44]

An interlude story then followed with Professor X telling Jubilee of an earlier encounter he had with the vampire Raizo Kodo. This was followed by the "First to Last" storyline, which began with X-Men Giant-Size #1 and saw the original X-Men appear in flashback scenes of a previously untold adventure.

Another one-shot story saw a team of X-Men team up with the new female Ghost Rider to battle a mystical enemy. The most recent storyline featured the Future Foundation teaming up with the X-Men, where they also encountered Skull the Slayer. Following on from the 2011 "Regenesis" event among the X-titles, Marvel have announced that X-Men will be among the titles aligned with Cyclops's vision of the X-Men and feature a more covert group of characters, with Colossus, Domino, Jubilee, Psylocke, Storm and Warpath being the initial lineup. The team-up aspect of the title remained, with the first arc featuring War Machine. This was followed by the return of Raizo Kodo for an arc dealing with Jubilee's vampirism.

The title then took on a change in direction; with the exits of Warpath and Jubilee from the cast and the addition of Pixie, the storyline focused on Storm leading a "security team" of X-Men dealing with potential threats to mutants.[17]

Issue #38 featured a return to the team-up elements of the book and features Domino and Daredevil.

Volume 5 (2019 series)[edit]

Following the events of House of X and Powers of X, the mutants of the world attempt to adjust to their new lives on the Krakoa and face the challenges of building a mutant society. Cyclops, having chosen to live on the Moon, invites his father Corsair to a family dinner and gives him a Krakoan flower so that he is able to visit the island whenever he wants. Orchis, still recovering from their defeat during House of X/Powers of X, are dealt another blow when Cyclops, Storm, Magneto and Polaris liberate captured mutants from one of their vaults; however, their director, Devo, is optimistic about his plans to get revenge on the mutants. Arakko, a new sentient island, appears near Krakoa and the two appear to be moving towards one another, so Cyclops, Prestige and Cable head to Arakko to investigate and find the island swarming with monsters. An envoy is sent to meet with the X-Men, but a miscommunication leads to a fight before Prestige is able to facilitate a parley. The envoy reveals that the two islands are reuniting after a long estrangement and later meets with Apocalypse, warning him of a coming danger. When the guardian of the Krakoan gate to the Savage Land is bypassed, Pixie and Anole are attacked by a group of elderly women wielding advanced weaponry who somehow managed to pass through the gate, despite not being mutants. The compromising of one of its gates causes Krakoa great pain, which is felt by the telepaths on the island, prompting the Krakoan Council to send Cyclops, Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw to investigate. The group, Hordeculture, is composed of radical botanists and bioengineers who, tired of humanity poisoning Earth, have enacted a plan to take control of the world's food supply; however, the emergence of Krakoa has unexpectedly altered their plans and they now require some Krakoan flowers to further their research. They manage to defeat the X-Men and retreat with their samples, while Cyclops and the others report the threat to the council. Meanwhile, Professor X, Magneto, Apocalypse, Cyclops and Gorgon attend an economic conference in Switzerland, where various world dignitaries ask them about their plans as a nation. Professor X senses assault groups closing in on them and sends Cyclops and Gorgon to take care of them while Magneto fields questions, criticising the human race for all of its shortcomings in regards to how it treats its people. Xavier reveals to the dignitaries that their assault teams have been taken care of and that, while he reiterates his love for both humans and mutants, this type of aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated by Krakoa.[45]

While pursuing a posthuman who escaped from the Orchis vault, Wolverine is called back to Krakoa when she returns to the vault and locks herself inside of it. After consultation with Professor X and Magneto, he is redeployed with Cyclops, Storm and Armor to act as a distraction for the vault's defence system while X-23, Darwin and Synch infiltrate it. Five months later, the team still have not returned and Cyclops laments his decision to send them inside. It is revealed that, during their attack on Orchis, Mystique was tasked with planting a Krakoan gateway so that the mutants would be able to spy on the Initiative, with Mystique agreeing on the promise that the council would resurrect her wife Destiny. After subsequently dying during the mission and being resurrected, Magneto tells her that they will not bring Destiny back until Mystique can prove she succeeded and send her back to the Orchis space station. While there, she disguises herself as a researcher and is given a component by Devo to deliver to his chief scientist Doctor Gregor, who is attempting to resurrect her husband who was killed by the X-Men during the attack. Mystique reports what she has learned but Magneto and Professor X explain that she must do more before they will bring Destiny back, enraging her. Mystique remembers one of Destiny's prophecies, telling her about Krakoa and warning that she would be denied of the one thing she wanted. Destiny advises her to bring her back to life at all costs, burning the island to the ground if necessary.[46]

List of characters[edit]

Volume 3 (2010 series)[edit]

Issues Characters Guest star
#1–6 "Curse of the Mutants" crossover storyline Blade the Vampire-Slayer
#7–10 Emma Frost, Gambit, Storm, Wolverine Spider-Man
#11 Jubilee, Professor X Raizo Kodo
Giant-Size #1, #12–15 Archangel, Colossus, Cyclops, Emma Frost, the Iceman, Magneto, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Pixie, Psylocke, Storm, Wolverine the original X-Men
#15.1 Colossus, Cyclops, Gambit, Danielle Moonstar, Pixie, Storm Ghost Rider (Alejandra Jones)
#16–19 Cyclops, Doctor Nemesis, Emma Frost, Magneto, Pixie, Wolverine The FF and Skull the Slayer
#20–23 Colossus, Domino, Jubilee, Psylocke, Storm, Warpath War Machine
#24–27 Raizo Kodo and the Forgiven
#28–29 Domino, Pixie, Storm, Warpath The FF and Spider-Man
#30–37 Colossus, Domino, Pixie, Psylocke, Storm none
#38–39 Domino Daredevil
#40–41 Angel, Chamber, Iceman, Pixie, Storm none

Volume 4 (2013 series)[edit]

Issues Characters
#1–4 Jubilee, Kitty Pryde, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Rogue, Storm
#5–6 "Battle of the Atom" crossover
#7–12 Jubilee, Karima Shapandar, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm
#13–17 Jubilee, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm
#18–22 Cecilia Reyes, Jubilee, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm
#23–26 Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm

Volume 5 (2019 series)[edit]

Issues Characters
#1
#2
  • Cable
  • Cyclops
  • Rachel Summers[a]
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
  • Broo
  • Cannonball
  • Corsair
  • Cyclops
  • Havok
  • Jean Grey
  • Sunspot
  • Vulcan
#10
#11
#12
  • Anole
  • Apocalypse
  • Loa
  • Rockslide
  • Summoner
#13
#14
  • Apocalypse
  • Genesis
#15
#16
  • Cable
  • Cyclops
  • Cypher
  • Emma Frost
  • Exodus
  • Isca the Unbeaten
  • Jean Grey
  • Kate Pryde
  • Magneto
  • Mister Sinister
  • Mystique
  • Nightcrawler
  • Professor X
  • Rachel Summers
  • Sebastian Shaw
  • Storm
#17
#18–19
  • Darwin
  • Synch
  • Wolverine
#20
  • Magneto
  • Mystique
  • Professor X
  • Forge
#21
  • Cyclops
  • Emma Frost
  • Jean Grey
  • Magneto
  • Namor
  • Professor X

Volume 6 (2021 series)[edit]

Issues X-Men members Other credited characters
# 1-3
# 4
  • Cyclops
  • Jean Grey
  • Sunfire
  • X-23[e]
#5
  • Cylops
  • Jean Grey
  • Polaris
  • Rogue
  • Sunfire
  • Synch
  • X-23[e]
#6
  • Cyclops[g]
  • Sunfire
  • Synch
  • Feilong
#7
  • Doctor Stasis[h]
#8
  • Cyclops[i]
  • Jean Grey[d]
  • Polaris
  • Rogue
  • Synch
  • X-23[e]
#9
  • Rogue
  • Sunfire
#10
  • Cyclops[i]
  • Jean Grey[d]
  • Rogue
  • Sunfire
  • Synch
  • Destiny
  • Gambit
  • Feilong
#11
  • Cyclops[i]
  • Jean Grey[d]
  • Rogue
  • Sunfire
  • Synch
  • X-23[e]
  • Cordyceps Jones
  • Doctor Stasis[h]
#12
  • Cyclops[i]
  • Jean Grey[d]
  • Polaris
  • Rogue
  • Sunfire
  • Synch
  • X-23[e]
  • Cordyceps Jones
  • Doctor Stasis[h]
  • Feilong
  • M.O.D.O.K.
#13
#14-17,
Annual #1
  • Cyclops
  • Jean Grey
  • Firestar
  • Forge
  • Havok
  • Iceman
  • Magik
  • Synch
#18
  • Cyclops
  • Jean Grey
  • Firestar
  • Forge
  • Iceman
  • Magik
  • Synch
  • X-23[e]
#19
  • Cyclops
  • Jean Grey
  • Firestar
  • Forge
  • Iceman
  • Magik
  • Synch
  • X-23[k]
#20-21
#22
  • Cyclops
  • Firestar
  • Forge
#23
  • Cyclops
  • Jean Grey
  • Firestar
  • Forge
  • Iceman
  • Magik
  • Synch
  • X-23[k]
  • Doctor Stasis
  • Mother Righteous
#24
#25
  • Cyclops
  • Firestar
  • Doctor Stasis
#26
#27
#28
  • Juggernaut
  • Kamala Khan[o]
  • Kate Pryde[p]
  • Rasputin IV
  • Synch
  • X-23[k]
  • Cyclops
  • Firestar
  • Redroot
  • Sunfire
#29
#30
#31
  • Nimrod
  • Spider-Man
#32 —
#33 —
#34 —

List of creators[edit]

Critical reception[edit]

Early volumes (2010–2015)[edit]

In May 2012, in a review of Gischler's final issue, Matthew Meylikhov of Multiversity commented that this volume was "less marketable" than the other X-Men titles, however, a "big part of the appeal of X-Men is really quite simple: screw it, let's just have some fun with it" and while it was sometimes "a bit too silly", it was "a comic that makes you smile".[54] Meylikhov highlighted that "writer Victor Gischler used X-Men as less of a tool to appease to the litany of fans obsessed with Marvel continuity and has instead used it as an opportunity to accomplish the similar side-canon ideal formerly held by Astonishing X-Men. Unlike Astonishing, though, which focused on X-Men hanging out with X-Men, X-Men's basic goal was to insert the X-Men into the rest of the Marvel Universe. It had a wider scope in its vision, and every arc sought to raise the stakes and use a different enough cast to keep things fresh and lively without rocking any boats".[54] Meylikhov felt that if a reader liked Gischler and "the idea of a story that you can read simply arc by arc, then X-Men works well" but if the reader wasn't looking for that, "the book could leave a lot to be desired, especially held to the quality of books like Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine and the X-Men".[54] On the transition to Wood's run in June 2012, Meylikhov commented that "the adjectiveless title does inherently lose something by giving it such a sharper focus. The X-World did benefit by putting mutants out there a bit more and isolating them less, and taking that aspect away seems potentially detrimental. This isn't to doubt where Wood plans to take the book in the future, since it's not too evident at the moment, and yet with heavy exposition and the loss of little character moments that peppered Gischler's run, the book becomes less 'the fun X-Book' and leans more towards 'another X-Book'".[55] When Multiversity named Wood writer of the month for September 2012, Walt Richardson commented that while "X-Men might not have been everything we hoped for, his other three books are doing just fine. [...] And even though X-Men is not particularly notable, it is hardly a bad comic".[56] In a 2024 retrospective on the early 2010s X-Men comics, David Harth of CBR commented that the initial arc (Curse Of The Mutants) of volume 3 "is usually considered among the worst X-Men stories ever" and the volume "wasn't very popular as its opening story doomed the series".[13] Harth highlighted that the other flagship titles post-Schism – Uncanny X-Men by writter Kieron Gillen and Wolverine and the X-Men by Jason Aaron – "sold very well and are still remembered fondly today, with X-Men (Vol. 3) falling further behind its fellows".[13]

X-Men (vol 4.) was #45 on "CBR's Top 100 Comics of 2013" – Kelly Thompson of CBR opined that "while X-Men unfortunately (and unwisely) got pulled into a massive (and woefully unfulfilling) crossover early on in its run, the first arc of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's 'X-Men' was everything I have been wanting in a comic for nearly twenty years. [...] Wood is a character driven writer that knows how to protect characters while also growing them exponentially. He's also one of the best comic book writers when it comes to flawlessly blending the epic and the intimate – and there's no better book for the epic and the intimate crashing together so beautifully than an X-Men title".[57] Casey Gilly, also for CBR, noted that despite Wood's "recent controversy", he "knows how to write female characters. His all-female X-Men team never felt like this pandering, desperate attempt to INCLUDE ALL GIRLS YAY CHEESECAKE, but instead felt thoughtful, powerful and right. He wrote heroes who just happened to be women, and who just happened to kick miles of ass".[57]

In February 2014, Farid-ul-Haq of The Geekiary highlighted the first ten issues of X-Men (vol 4.) and stated that "you need to pick up the current X-Men series. I like the fact that the series isn't an excuse to give fans some monthly eye-candy and actually has a plot that affects the Marvel Universe. [...] The series shows the female cast in all its glory and kudos to Brian Wood, the writer. He has been careful when it comes to writing the characters as the strong women they are".[58] However, by December 2014, his view had shifted – "the story started to feel like a mess as it went on. I didn't enjoy the rushed end to the Arkea arc and Storm's daughter, Kymera, showing up from the future really didn't add anything too exciting to Shogo's story". He also only enjoyed the first issue of Guggenheim's run as "the rest of the issues felt boring".[59] In January 2015, ul-Haq praised Wilson's first issue, viewing it as "an amazing debut" and that "Wilson has indeed done a very impressive job her very first time writing for the X-Men title".[60] In 2016, Elle Collins of ComicsAlliance commented that X-Men (vol 4.) "floundered between writer changes and crossovers before ending when Secret Wars came around in 2015. It was a great idea, though. There are so many female characters who are essential to the X-Men – Storm, Kitty Pryde, Rogue, Jubilee and so on – that putting a bunch them together in one book was a natural move. Unfortunately, since Secret Wars there's been no mention of a return to that concept".[61]

Krakoan Age (2019–2024)[edit]

Rory Wilding, for AIPT in April 2020, reviewed the first six issues of Jonathan Hickman's run on X-Men (Vol. 5) and highlighted that the "team roster changes" in each issue "which allows Hickman to show a variety of character dynamics. But if there is one character who is closest to being the main protagonist of the book, it would be Cyclops".[62] Wilding felt that Hickman was able to balance the "seriousness" and "politics" with moments of "humor" and that while "there are some recurring threads throughout, each issue has its own identity, based on the sci-fi ideas Hickman wants to explore, some of which are heavy thinkers that set up big things in later issues".[62] Wilding also highlighted the various artists on book – Leinil Francis Yu, with consistent work on the first four issues, who delivers "the big superhero/sci-fi spectacle, but does slightly struggle in the character domesticity" and R.B. Silva, on the fifth issue, "whose breathtaking visuals (colored by Marte Gracia) make me wish he drew more of the surroundings of Krakoa and Ecuador".[62] However, Wilding thought the "standout" was the sixth issue "thanks to Matteo Buffagni's expressive artwork, how it ties into the events of House of X, and being a subtle character drama about one of the most iconic characters in X-Men lore".[62] In March 2022, Micheal Foulk of The Beat commented that Hickman's entire run "is non-linear and focuses on somewhat disconnected world-building vignettes set during the first few months after House of X. Following the timeline can be difficult but definitely not impossible" and that "Hickman is not one for holding the reader's hand through the big ideas, and he is a writer who deals in MASSIVE concepts. If it doesn't all make sense to you immediately, don't feel bad, I'm personally still connecting all the dots and I just reread all of it".[63] Foulk opined that "Hickman's X-Men is expansive and almost overwhelming with all of its new ideas. I'm so excited to have this opportunity to reread these story arcs with a critical lens. This is an era that truly benefits from being read multiple times as each issue takes on new significance with more context".[63]

Hickman's work on House of X (2019), Powers of X (2019), X-Men (Vol. 5), X-Men: Inferno (2022) was #2 on Nerdist's 2023 "The 10 Greatest X-Men Comic Book Runs of All Time, Rabked" list — Hickman "introduced new concepts and ideas to the Marvel mutant universe with practically every new issue. Because of this, the franchise became more exciting than it had been in years. Hickman worked with many artists during this time, primarily Pepe Larraz and Leinil Francis Yu, all of which elevated it to one of the best-looking X-Men runs, along with one of the most innovative and fresh. It might have only lasted three years, but Hickman's time on the X-Men franchise is one fans will still be talking about for decades to come".[64]

David Harth, for CBR in August 2023, highlighted that Hickman's volume 5 was the initial flagship title in the Krakoan Age where he "set down the building blocks that would flesh out" the era.[4] However, when Hickman unexpectedly left, the series was rebooted as volume 6 with writer Gerry Duggan; while X-Men (Vol. 6) "sold well", the series felt "less important than when Hickman was writing" the previous volume.[4] He viewed Pepe Larraz as "Marvel's heaviest-hitting penciler" but Gerry Duggan as a "steady hand" instead of a "superstar".[4] Harth opined that the addition of Immortal X-Men by Kieron Gillen and X-Men Red by Al Ewing led to X-Men falling "further in readers' esteem" as "many fans" assumed the new titles "were the important books" because they had the more "A-list writers" even though all three titles had comparable art teams – "Immortal and Red gave readers more of the high-concept plots they were expecting and those books soon became the ones that most people thought of as flagships. X-Men (Vol. 6) was a fun superhero book, but it wasn't the center of the Krakoa Era anymore".[4] However, Harth thought Dungan had the tools to "shine" in the upcoming Fall of X as a superhero story was what was needed which "should let X-Men (Vol. 6) retake its spot at the top".[4] Then in March 2024, in overview of Fall of X for CBR, Harth commented the volume "hasn't exactly set the world on fire, besides its A-list art. Its simplistic plots, lackluster character development, and basic sense of humor hasn't worked for every X-Men fan, but issue 29 was the most entertaining issue in a long time" by including Doctor Doom.[65] In contrast, Alexander Jones for Multiversity viewed the series' "unique tone" as a core aspect "that makes this modern run on X-Men great" – "Gerry Duggan writes relatable dialogue for his X-Men characters and has a knack for pairing them off in really strange scenarios. One of the other fantastic aspects about this run are the talented artists who have contributed to this series including Stefano Casselli, Pepe Larraz and Joshua Cassara" with Cassara's artwork showing improvement over the course of the series.[66] Jones highlighted how this series has seeded multiple Krakoan Age events and "switched directions a number of times": it "established fascinating plot threads for Judgment Day with Ben Urich's involvement in the narrative", "carried a focus on Sins of Sinister with Dr. Stasis", and foreshadowed "the Fall of X heavily thanks to the influence of Orchis".[66]

Ryan Sonneville, in his review of X-Men (Vol. 6) #19-24 for AIPT, commented that "overall, Gerry Duggan does a fine job getting all these characters to where they need to be prior to the Fall of X event, and their interpersonal interactions and action scenes are satisfying" and that "Stefano Caselli and Joshua Cassara deserve equal praise for the line work they do in this book".[67] Sonneville opined that as the series approaches Fall of X it felt "like the X-Office didn't know what else to say about Krakoa"; however, "even when it feels like it is stalling, Duggan's X-Men was gratifying with plenty for fans to appreciate and enjoy".[67] Sonneville, in his review of X-Men (Vol. 6) #25-29 for AIPT, commented that "Duggan has always excelled at being able to tell personal character stories that deliver those fan-favorite moments of comic book action and comradery. His X-Men run seemed to be a direct response to world-building focused storytelling of his predecessor, and these issues continue to add that same charm".[68] Sonneville also highlighted the while there are multiple artist changes from issue to issue, "each issues looks great, while still feeling consistent with Duggan's script and the overall look for the title".[68] Sonneville noted that he would miss Duggan's work when the series was rebooted after Fall of X – these issues "capture a love and interconnectedness between the cast that effortlessly weaves the larger line-wide plot into each issue. This isn't just a book to read to get caught up, but to celebrate the artistic power the X-Men continues to emanate into the comic community".[68]

Print sales (2019–2021)[edit]

Issue Publication date Comic Book Roundup rating[69] Estimated sales to North American retailers (first month) Notes
Volume 5 (2019 series)
#1 October 16, 2019 8.6 by 25 professional critics 255,724[70] None
#2 November 13, 2019 8.3 by 18 professional critics 117,538[71]
#3 December 4, 2019 8.4 by 18 professional critics 105,708[72]
#4 January 1, 2020 8.8 by 13 professional critics 93,342[73]
#5 January 29, 2020 8.4 by 16 professional critics 80,443[73]
#6 February 12, 2020 8.9 by 16 professional critics 92,287[74]
#7 February 26, 2020 9.2 by 14 professional critics 76,691[74]
#8 March 11, 2020 8.5 by 13 professional critics 75,080[75]
#9 March 26, 2020 8.0 by 16 professional critics 70,208[75]
#10 July 29, 2020 7.7 by 12 professional critics Data not yet available Empyre tie-in
#11 August 26, 2020 8.3 by 11 professional critics
#12 September 16, 2020 8.2 by 10 professional critics None
#13 October 21, 2020 7.8 by 12 professional critics X of Swords tie-in
#14 November 4, 2020 7.5 by 9 professional critics
#15 November 25, 2020 8.2 by 11 professional critics
#16 December 30, 2020 7.7 by 15 professional critics None
#17 January 27, 2021 7.6 by 13 professional critics
#18 February 24, 2021 7.8 by 18 professional critics
#19 March 31, 2021 9.0 by 13 professional critics
#20 May 26, 2021 8.7 by 12 professional critics
#21 June 9, 2021 8.0 by 13 professional critics Hellfire Gala tie-in

Collected editions[edit]

Volume 3 (2010 series)[edit]

Title Material collected Publication date ISBN
X-Men: Curse of the Mutants X-Men (vol. 3) #1–6 March 2, 2011 Hardcover: 978-0785148463

Paperback: 978-0785148470

X-Men: With Great Power X-Men (vol. 3) #7–11; Marvel Team-Up Annual #1 July 6, 2011 Hardcover: 978-0785148487

Paperback: 978-0785148494

X-Men: First to Last X-Men: Giant-Size #1; X-Men (vol. 3) #12–15 November 9, 2011 Hardcover: 978-0785152873

Paperback: 978-0785152880

X-Men: FF X-Men (vol. 3) #15.1, 16–19 March 7, 2012 Hardcover: 978-0785160694

Paperback: 978-0785160700

X-Men: War Machines X-Men (vol. 3) #20-23; Uncanny X-Men (vol. 2) #14 May 9, 2012 Hardcover: 978-0785161875

Paperback: 978-0785161882

X-Men: The Curse is Broken X-Men (vol. 3) #24-29 November 28, 2012 Paperback: 978-0785161899
X-Men by Brian Wood Vol. 1: Blank Generation X-Men (vol. 3) #30-33 February 12, 2013 Paperback: 978-0785164593
X-Men by Brian Wood Vol. 2: Reckless Abandonment X-Men (vol. 3) #34-41 April 30, 2013 Paperback: 978-0785164616

Volume 4 (2013 series)[edit]

Title Material collected Publication date ISBN
X-Men Volume 1: Primer X-Men (vol. 4) #1-4; Uncanny X-Men #244 December 10, 2013 Paperback: 978-0785168003
X-Men: Battle of the Atom X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1-2; All-New X-Men #16–17; X-Men (vol. 4) #5-6; Uncanny X-Men (vol. 3) #12-13; Wolverine and the X-Men #36-37 January 21, 2014 Hardcover: 978-0785189060

Paperback: 978-1846535727

X-Men Volume 2: Muertas X-Men (vol. 4) #7-12 May 20, 2014 Paperback: 978-0785168010
X-Men Volume 3: Bloodline X-Men (vol. 4) #13-17 October 21, 2014 Paperback: 978-0785189725
X-Men Volume 4: Exogenous X-Men (vol. 4) #18-22 March 3, 2015 Paperback: 978-0785192336
X-Men Volume 5: The Burning World X-Men (vol. 4) #23-26 July 28, 2015 Paperback: 978-0785197263

Volume 5 (2019 series)[edit]

Title Material collected Format Publication date ISBN
X-Men by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 1 X-Men (vol. 5) #1–6 Trade paperback April 21, 2020[76] ISBN 978-1302919818
X-Men by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 2 X-Men (vol. 5) #7–12 November 17, 2020[77] ISBN 978-1302919825
X-Men by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 3 X-Men (vol. 5) #16–20 July 20, 2021[78] ISBN 978-1302924911

Volume 6 (2021)[edit]

Title Material collected Format Publication date ISBN
X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 1 X-Men (vol. 6) #1–6 Trade paperback March 1, 2022 ISBN 978-1302927233
X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 2 X-Men (vol. 6) #7–12 September 22, 2022 ISBN 978-1302927240
X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 3 X-Men (vol. 6) #13–18, Annual #1 February 28, 2023 ISBN 978-1302932503
X-Men by Gerry Duggan - Volume 4 X-Men (vol. 6) #19–24 October 3, 2023 ISBN 978-1302947538
X-Men by Gerry Duggan - Volume 5 X-Men (vol. 6) #25-29 March 5, 2024 ISBN 978-1302947545

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b credited as Prestige
  2. ^ credited as the White Queen
  3. ^ Credited as Black King
  4. ^ a b c d e f Credited as Marvel Girl
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i credited as Wolverine
  6. ^ a b Krakoan duplicate of X-23[47][48][49][50]
  7. ^ a b also credited as Captain Krakoa
  8. ^ a b c credited as Dr. Stasis
  9. ^ a b c d credited as Captain Krakoa[51][52][53]
  10. ^ credited as Boom-Boom
  11. ^ a b c d e f g credited as Talon
  12. ^ a b credited as Omega Sentinel
  13. ^ credited as Kid Cable
  14. ^ credited as Moira X
  15. ^ a b c d e f g credited as Ms. Marvel
  16. ^ a b c d e credited as Shadowkat
  17. ^ also credited as Hazel Kendal
  18. ^ credited as Tony Stark
  19. ^ credited as Gold Goblin

References[edit]

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  76. ^ X-Men Vol. 1. ASIN 1302919814.
  77. ^ X-Men Vol. 2. ASIN 1302919822.
  78. ^ X-Men Vol. 3. ASIN 1302924915.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=X-Men_(comic_book)&oldid=1228233095"