With such an extensive collection of popular characters in the X-Men universe, each with their own individual backgrounds and relationships, it would be impossible to squeeze even a quarter of them into a single series. Fortunately, Marvel publishes around 11 X-related titles every month, each with their own storylines and cast of characters. More than just outlets for differing X-Men stories, each series carries a distinct theme or premise that sets them apart from one another. There is an X-book for just about everyone. Here are some details about the best and quick bits about the rest.
“New X-Men”
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Phil Jimenez
The great thing about “New X-Men” is that it is about ideas. Fortunately, talented scribe Grant Morrison is full of ’em. Bringing the X-Men in bold new directions, “New X-Men” features storylines and art fitted to the task of changing the X-Men’s status quo.
Morrison’s X-Men act less like superheroes and more like Mutant Rights Activists. The uptight leader Cyclops, the wickedly fun Emma Frost, the omnipotent Jean Grey, Wolverine, Professor Xavier, Xorn and a transformed feline-ish Beast round out the cast of Xavier’s teachers and X-Men. The way these characters interact carries a maturity and edge that X-Men comics have lacked for some time. They have honest reactions, plausible motives and dark secrets, which all create anticipation for things to come.
Morrison has already introduced readers to the concept of secondary mutation, a creative freedom for writers to play with characters’ powers. Secondary mutation caused Beast to transform into a more graceful and intelligent looking, eh…Beast. It also enabled telepath Emma Frost to transform her skin into pure and indestructible diamond form (not so much anymore, view image). Also, the Phoenix Force has returned to Jean Grey, giving her a God-like quality that has been slowly building up for a momentous event.
Currently, the “Murder at the Mansion” storyline continues, as the X-Men search the Institute for the murderer of one of their own. Emma Frost, while in her diamond form, was somehow shattered. With the Institute locked down during the investigation, the killer hides among them, and could be the last person anyone expects.
“Uncanny X-Men”
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist: Ron Garney
“Uncanny X-Men” is the X-Men’s flagship title. It has been an ongoing series since the X-Men’s creation in the early 1960s. Countless artists and writers have contributed, but now it is Chuck Austen’s turn to invigorate the series to new standards.
The cast of “Uncanny X-Men” features classic characters and newcomers alike. Iceman, Archangel, Wolverine and Nightcrawler bring the experience, while new recruits Juggernaut, Northstar, Stacy X and Husk supply fresh blood. Capitalizing off the relative unfamiliarity of the newcomers allows Austen more creative freedom to play with his team.
Despite the changes in Morrison’s “New X-Men,” “Uncanny X-Men” still has its roots firmly in superhero lore. This X-Men “away team” travels the world, championing Mutant Rights. An upcoming story will return the Church of Humanity, a group of religious zealots out to purge the world of the “mutant abomination.” There is also further exploration of Nightcrawler’s past and his connection to the priesthood. New relationships will be forged while others are forever severed, a major villain returns while a new villain emerges and an X-Man will die. To capitalize on “X2’s” success, issue No. 423 will attempt to draw new readers by costing only 25 cents five days after the film’s release.
“X-Treme X-Men”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: Igor Kordy
Storm, Bishop, Rogue, Gambit, Sage and Thunderbird comprise this offshoot of Xavier’s X-Men. Storm believes that once Xavier exposed his school to the world and declared his mutation for mutant acceptance, he compromised his dream of co-existence. Storm’s X-Men have no home as they travel the world enhancing mutant/human relations.
Chris Claremont, the writer most responsible for who the X-Men are today, writes “X-Treme X-Men.” His knack for spinning epic sagas rife with extreme action, coupled with appealing characterization, adds to the excitement of the book.
Recently, this X-Men splinter group fended off an enormous alien invasion, led by the conquering Khan. Its success in defeating Khan rendered Gambit and Rogue powerless, causing them to leave the team. Thunderbird, Slipstream and Lifeguard also split from the team to pursue other interests, leaving Storm, Bishop and Sage to continue their mission.
“God Loves, Man Kills Part II” is Claremont’s next story-arc for his X-Men. This is the sequel to the original graphic novel that inspired events in the upcoming “X2.” The X-Men’s old enemy Stryker returns, but the X-Men may have to reluctantly join forces with him to face a greater threat. Also, guest appearances by Wolverine, Kitty Pryde and new team member Cannonball only add to this impending classic story-arc.
“Ultimate X-Men”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Andy Kubert
Marvel’s Ultimate Line was introduced three years ago as a means to start from scratch with Marvel’s most popular characters. The idea was to take the core concepts and apply them to modern times without the burden of years of continuity. These “Ultimate” modern retakes of the classic characters are considered by many to be to best comics on the stands.
All of the X-Men are younger, placing them inside Xavier’s School for the Gifted during adolescence. Like horny and competitive teenagers in a private school, these X-Men are a far cry from their classic Boy Scout counterparts.
Millar’s modernized heroes exist in a harsh and realistic world. Wolverine attempts to murder Cyclops to get closer to Jean Grey. After Iceman was injured on a mission, his parents sued Professor Xavier’s school. Magneto ripped a naked President out of the White House by his metal dental work for an execution, only to be nearly gutted by a ferocious Wolverine. Jean Grey is now plagued by visions of a Phoenix God, which possesses her body.
Currently, Magneto caused the meltdown of a Miami Nuclear Power Plant, and the only hope for survival lies in unleashing Jean Grey’s inner Phoenix. With none of the rules that apply to other X-books, Mark Millar has proven that anything is possible, as he recreates X-Men history.
Quick Bits:
“Emma Frost”
Writer: Karl Bollers
Artist: Randy Green
Following the popular comic book trend, “Emma Frost” delves into the early years of the Xavier Institute’s resident telepathic and diamond-skinned teacher. Fans of the ex-villainous White Queen will witness from the very beginning her journey towards evil and eventual redemption to the ranks of the X-Men.
“Exiles”
Writer: Chuck Austen
Artist: Clayton Henry
“Exiles” is a perfect mixture of “Quantum Leap,” “X-Men” and “What If…?” There are countless alternate realities that exist where anything is possible. Marvel’s classic “What If…?” series exposed us to these sometimes blissful, but more often hellish, realities. Wrong choices were made, heroes died, battles were lost and these various worlds crumbled as the outcome. “Exiles” features a continuing cast of X-Men plucked from different realities who travel to these broken-down worlds to alter events and set things right.
“Mystique”
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Artist: Jorge Lucas
“Mystique” is a cross between “James Bond” and “X-Men,” as the shape-shifting mutant terrorist enters the world of espionage. Professor Xavier sends Mystique on clandestine missions all over the world, but Xavier’s pacifist agenda and Mystique’s murderous methods complicate their arrangement. Forge, the ex X-Man with the mutant ability to invent anything, acts as Mystique’s gadget supplier. It seems the notorious blue-skinned mutant criminal has joined Xavier’s mi
ssion for peace, or has she?
“New Mutants”
Writer: Christina Weir
Artist: Keron Grant
The relaunch of the popular series brings much of the original members of Xavier’s youngest mutant class back to school to train a new generation of X-Men. It has been years since the original New Mutants graduated, and now Dani Moonstar (Mirage), Wolfsbane and Magma are recruiting new mutant students to enroll at the Xavier Institute. With a private school backdrop, the New Mutants will be given a chance to learn more about their powers and where they fit into a world that doesn’t necessarily want them.
“Sentinel”
Writer: Sean McKeever
Artist: Udon Comics
Teenager Juston Steyford stumbles across something amazing amongst his father’s salvage yard – a downed Sentinel. “Sentinel” focuses on one of the gigantic mutant hunting robots recently responsible for the genocidal extermination of 60 million mutants. This socially inept high school sophomore is about to make a dangerous new acquaintance, the world’s most vicious and destructive mutant-killing machine.
“Weapon X”
Writer: Frank Tieri
Artist: Georges Jeanty
The Weapon X program, notoriously famous with the creation of Wolverine, has a history of exploiting its mutant agents’ powers for corrupt gains. “Weapon X” focuses on a group of villains, including Wolverine’s nemesis Sabretooth, each a part of the program for their own purposes. Ironically, they are being manipulated by the enigmatic and vengeful Director to eradicate all mutant kind.
“Wolverine”
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Darick Robertson
This series relaunch brings the feral mutant back to his violent roots. Logan ventures solo as he seeks vengeance for the slaughter of an innocent young girl. His quest for answers will give readers the unpredictable and brutally claw-happy Wolverine fans have been waiting for. The intention for “Wolverine” was to create a world outside of the X-Men for Wolverine to interact with and hack away as he sees fit.
“X-Men Unlimited”
Various Artists and Writers
This ongoing anthology series acts more as a character study than an action packed comic. “X-Men Unlimited” is an outlet for creators to lay tribute to their favorite X-characters, alive or dead. Upcoming issues will showcase short stories, featuring Nightcrawler, Wolverine and the deceased pair of Psylocke and Colossus.
“X-Statix”
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Philip Bond
While the X-Men fight for mutant rights and acceptance, the media members of X-Statix are looking to cash in on the mutant culture phenomenon. Caring more about fame and money above all else, this self-destructive, yet effective, mutant superhero team struggles to satisfy their demographics and advertisers. “X-Statix” is an intensely clever satire towards celebrity life, reality television and the fads that dominate the entertainment industry.
