5 ‘90s X-Men Stories Every Marvel Fan Needs to Read

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The X-Men really hit their stride in the 1990s. After becoming incredibly popular in the 80s, the start of the new decade felt like a celebration for the comic books. 1991 alone saw the launch of two huge hits – X-Force #1 and a brand new X-Men series – and for the rest of the decade, X-Men titles consistently dominated comic book sales. Any comic with an ‘X’ on the cover was almost guaranteed to sell well, and even Wolverine was a top ten title. It was an exciting time to be a fan – while not every story was a masterpiece, there was always something interesting to read each month.

As a longtime X-Men fan, I’ve read a lot of stories from the ’90s – some were fantastic, others… not so much. We all know the iconic runs, but I want to shine a light on some hidden gems from that era. These aren’t just good X-Men stories; they really cover the whole spectrum of what makes the team special, and they’ve somehow flown under the radar. I think you’ll be genuinely surprised by how good these five stories are, and honestly, any Marvel enthusiast should check them out.

5) Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #346-350

As a big X-Men fan, I always felt the Uncanny X-Men run from issues #346 to #350 was seriously underrated. It kicks off with a really cool team-up between Marrow and Spider-Man – Joe Madureira’s art on that arc is just incredible! Then things get complicated with Gambit and Rogue returning, plus this Magneto clone, Joseph, and Beast coming back from space. It all builds to a really intense trial for Gambit that digs deep into his backstory. Before that big showdown, we get a breather issue with Psylocke and Archangel battling this new mutant, Maggot, and Chris Bachalo’s artwork there is phenomenal. These were Scott Lobdell’s last issues writing the X-Men, and they’re huge for Gambit’s character development. Honestly, they’re some of the most exciting X-Men stories from the ’90s, and I wish more people talked about them!

4) Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #303

Uncanny X-Men #303, written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by Richard Bennett, is a powerfully emotional story that still resonates today. It depicts the heartbreaking death of Illyana Rasputin (Magik) from the Legacy Virus, and does a remarkable job of capturing the profound sadness of losing a child. The story is told through the eyes of Jubilee, who witnesses Illyana’s struggle with a virus she was born vulnerable to. It’s a story about the helplessness of facing death, especially when those who usually have all the answers are powerless to help. This comic, published in the early 1990s when comics were aimed at younger readers, handles its difficult subject matter with incredible skill. The cover boldly claimed it was the one X-Men issue to read that month, and it absolutely lives up to that promise.

3) X-Men (Vol. 2) #77-78

As an X-Men fan, I always feel like Shadow King doesn’t get the attention he deserves after Claremont’s run. There’s one story I really like that people seem to forget: “Psi-War,” from issues 77 and 78 of X-Men (Vol. 2). It’s by Joe Kelly and German Garcia, and it starts with the X-Men being attacked by the African god Anansi, but things quickly escalate to a planet-threatening level! It’s a short, self-contained story from a period of X-Men history that I think is really underrated. The art by German Garcia is surprisingly good – he didn’t stick around on X-Men for long, but he really delivered here. Plus, the story has a fantastic twist that actually changed things for Psylocke for a couple of years. It’s just a really fun, classic X-Men adventure, and it’s the kind of story you don’t see too often anymore.

2) Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #360 and X-Men (Vol. 2) #80

I’ve always loved the work Steve Seagle and Joe Kelly did on Uncanny X-Men and X-Men. Though their run was cut short, it included some fantastic issues, like the two-part story “Children of the Atom” in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #360 and X-Men (Vol. 2) #80, featuring art by Chris Bachalo and Brandon Peterson. The story begins with Professor X mysteriously disappearing, leaving the X-Men worried about their leader. “Children of the Atom” appears to show his return, but with a completely new team of X-Men. This leads to a great battle and a surprisingly clever twist. It’s a concise and enjoyable story that also sets the stage for another excellent, often overlooked arc called “Hunt for Xavier,” which I highly recommend checking out.

Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #328-330

Issues #328-330 of Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1), written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by Joe Madureira, form a fantastic three-part story arc. It begins with Sabretooth, previously captured by the X-Men, faking a lobotomy after being wounded by Wolverine in an attempt to manipulate Boom Boom and escape. Once his deception is revealed, the X-Men plan to send him to the Raft, but he has one last trick up his sleeve, leading to a fierce fight with Psylocke. The following two issues focus on Wolverine and Archangel’s quest to find a cure for the body-swapped Psylocke, taking them into the gritty underbelly of New York City for a surprisingly enjoyable adventure. These issues are exceptional, featuring some of Madureira’s best artwork and delivering a thrilling, memorable experience for readers.

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2025-11-18 03:16