7 Best Starter X-Men Comics

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The X-Men are poised for a major expansion. Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox was a game-changer, allowing the team to finally integrate into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the upcoming film, likely a farewell to the Fox-era X-Men, a new team is expected to emerge in future movies. Adding to the excitement, season two of X-Men ’97 is coming soon, heavily inspired by the comic books. This will introduce a new generation to the X-Men, and many are already becoming fans – which is where this guide comes in handy.

The X-Men have a famously complex backstory, but it’s surprisingly easy to start reading their comics! These seven stories are ideal for new fans, offering a great introduction to the team and everything you need to enjoy their adventures. They’re perfect jumping-on points and will set you up for future stories.

7) Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #281-286

The 1990s were a defining era for the X-Men, beginning with a fresh start in 1991 with the Uncanny X-Men and a brand-new X-Men series (Vol. 2). We’ll be covering both, starting with issues #281-286, created by Jim Lee, John Byrne, Scott Lobdell, and Whilce Portacio. These issues are a whirlwind adventure, taking readers from the Hellfire Club to the future, Japan, and even another dimension! Expect Sentinel attacks, villains from the future, and threats from other worlds, all challenging Storm, Jean Grey, Iceman, Archangel, and Colossus – plus the debut of the character Bishop. It’s classic ’90s X-Men: visually dynamic, with straightforward stories, and packed with fun.

6) Giant-Size X-Men (Vol. 1) #1

With issue #1 of Giant-Size X-Men, creators Len Wein and Dave Cockrum launched the team on its path to becoming incredibly popular. When the original X-Men are taken prisoner on the living island of Krakoa, Cyclops and Professor X assemble a brand-new team to save them. This issue marks the exciting debuts of Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Thunderbird, and it’s Wolverine’s first adventure alongside them. It effectively passes the baton to a new generation, serving as a fantastic starting point for new readers and leading directly into Chris Claremont’s iconic run beginning with X-Men #94 – a period widely considered the peak of X-Men history.

5) House of X/Powers of X

If you’re interested in the X-Men’s recent Krakoa storyline, you absolutely need to read House of X/Powers of X by Jonathan Hickman and artists Pepe Larraz, R. B. Silva, and Marte Gracia. This story explores the future of the mutant-human conflict and details how the X-Men establish their own powerful nation, with far-reaching consequences. It’s a truly groundbreaking story that takes readers on an incredible journey. While the Krakoa Era eventually had its issues, the initial years are fantastic and essential reading for any X-Men fan.

4) God Loves, Man Kills

Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson’s God Loves, Man Kills is widely considered one of the greatest X-Men stories of all time, perfectly capturing what makes the team so compelling. The story centers around the mysterious deaths of mutant children, prompting an investigation by the X-Men and, surprisingly, Magneto. They soon discover the culprit: a hateful preacher and his extremist followers, known as the Purifiers. Originally published in 1982, the story remains powerfully relevant today, offering everything a great X-Men tale should and sure to impress new readers.

3) “Gifted”

Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3) #1-6 revitalized the X-Men franchise. Following Jean Grey’s death, the team faced new challenges, including a complicated relationship between Cyclops and Emma Frost, and Kitty Pryde’s return. An alien invasion and the development of a mutant cure threw the X-Men into turmoil, culminating in a surprising comeback. Many consider this a high point for the modern X-Men, drawing inspiration from the classic Claremont stories while remaining accessible to new fans. It’s packed with exciting action, well-developed characters, and stunning artwork, making it a perfect starting point for anyone interested in the X-Men.

2) “E Is for Extinction”

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s run on New X-Men dramatically reinvented the team, ushering in a new era for the mutant heroes. The storyline “E Is for Extinction” (issues #114-116) is considered a defining moment. This version of the X-Men traded their traditional costumes for a darker, leather look and shifted their focus from fighting supervillains to educating and protecting mutants. As Beast uncovers a disturbing truth, Jean Grey and Professor X utilize the mutant-locating technology of Cerebra, while Cyclops and Wolverine are on a crucial mission. Meanwhile, a dangerous new villain emerges with a deadly goal: to eliminate all mutants, leading to a particularly violent event in mutant history. This New X-Men is a bold departure from previous iterations, fully deserving of its name.

1) X-Men (Vol. 2) #1-3

1991 marked the end of Chris Claremont’s impressive 17-year writing run on X-Men. He went out with a splash, collaborating one last time with artist Jim Lee on issues #1-3 of X-Men (Vol. 2). This story featured the new X-Men Blue Team battling Magneto and his followers, the Acolytes. It’s a beautifully illustrated and well-written comic that’s perfect for newcomers. This series attracted millions of readers in the early 1990s and helped create a huge wave of X-Men fans – its popularity speaks for itself.

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2026-02-18 03:13