7 X-Men Comic Covers That Made Marvel History

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The X-Men are a key part of Marvel’s legacy. Although the team didn’t initially achieve the same success as other Marvel heroes from the early days, the 1974 release of Giant-Size X-Men #1 launched them toward lasting popularity, and they’ve remained incredibly popular ever since. Many factors contribute to their success, including fantastic writing from creators like Chris Claremont, Grant Morrison, and Jonathan Hickman. However, the X-Men’s striking artwork has always been a major reason for their appeal, particularly their iconic covers.

Comic book covers are incredibly important – they’re often a reader’s first glimpse of a story, and a fantastic cover can make all the difference in getting someone to buy it. The X-Men, in particular, have been featured on some truly iconic covers, ones that are remembered as among the greatest of all time. Here are seven X-Men covers that became Marvel legends and continue to stand out as the very best.

7) Uncanny X-Men #251

Wolverine is one of Marvel’s most popular characters and has appeared on many memorable X-Men covers. However, few are as famous as the cover of Uncanny X-Men #251, illustrated by Marc Silvestri and featuring art by Dan Green. The image depicts Wolverine pinned to an X in the rain, a striking and dramatic scene that immediately grabbed readers’ attention. While the comic book itself is excellent, the cover is truly exceptional, and fans recently saw it brought to life in the film Deadpool/Wolverine.

6) Uncanny X-Men #201

Issue #201 of Uncanny X-Men is famous for its intense battle between Cyclops and Storm, a fight sparked by a power struggle for leadership. The X-Men were at a crucial moment – with Xavier off-world and Magneto now running the institute – and Storm was determined to prove she could lead. The issue’s cover, a stunning piece of art by Rick Leonardi and Whilce Potracio, perfectly captured the drama and immediately drew readers in. It’s a truly iconic cover that remains a classic in Marvel’s history.

5) New X-Men #114

Grant Morrison’s run on New X-Men is considered a landmark achievement, and the cover of New X-Men #114 perfectly embodies that. Illustrated by Frank Quitely and Tim Townsend, the cover features the team—Beast, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Professor X, Cyclops, and Emma Frost—in their updated costumes, dramatically silhouetted against a vibrant orange and yellow burst. The image is instantly captivating, evoking a cool, detached confidence as if the team is walking away from chaos. Despite being only the twelfth issue of Morrison’s run, it’s the definitive cover associated with their work on the series. Its striking design has been frequently referenced and paid homage to, solidifying its place as an iconic and important piece of X-Men history.

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

The first issue of X-Men (Vol. 2) was a massive hit, becoming the best-selling comic book of all time and defining the X-Men’s popularity throughout the 1990s. Marvel invested heavily in the launch, commissioning a spectacular, large-scale illustration of the X-Men battling Magneto by artists Jim Lee and Scott Williams. This image was cleverly split across multiple cover variations, with a special gatefold edition combining all the pieces for the complete artwork. The cover is iconic and instantly recognizable to X-Men fans, and its innovative multi-cover approach has since been imitated by both Image and DC Comics, popularizing the concept of variant covers – a practice that continues today.

3) Uncanny X-Men #135

“The Dark Phoenix Saga” is famous for its incredible comic book covers, and many are considered all-time greats. We’ll highlight two, though honestly, you could include them all and fans would agree they’re exceptional. First is Uncanny X-Men #135, illustrated by John Byrne and Terry Austin. The cover depicts Dark Phoenix towering over defeated X-Men, reaching up to crush the Uncanny X-Men logo. It was a groundbreaking image, unlike anything readers had seen before, powerfully conveying Dark Phoenix’s immense size and strength. The unique detail of crushing the logo was particularly impactful, making this cover a truly memorable and visually stunning piece of art.

2) Uncanny X-Men #141

John Byrne and Jack Austin rightfully dominate the top spots on this list – it’s no surprise, given their legendary status as one of the greatest art teams in comic book history. They consistently delivered incredible covers throughout their work at Marvel, and one of their most iconic is from Uncanny X-Men #141, which launched the “Days of Future Past” storyline. The cover is simply perfect: an older, hardened Wolverine and a panicked Kitty Pryde are featured in front of a wanted poster, dramatically lit by a spotlight. It powerfully conveys the story’s premise in a single, beautifully drawn image. It immediately grabbed readers’ attention, making them eager to discover what the new story was about. This cover is truly iconic, endlessly imitated, and a definitive piece of comic book history.

1) Uncanny X-Men #136

The cover of Uncanny X-Men #137 is famous, showing a heartbreaking final moment for Jean Grey and Cyclops. But in my opinion, Uncanny X-Men #136 is even better. Another brilliant issue from creators Byrne and Austin, the cover depicts Cyclops cradling a weakened Dark Phoenix, with the shocked faces of the X-Men and her parents looking on. It’s clearly inspired by Michelangelo’s Pieta and the Sistine Chapel ceiling – images that have been referenced in countless comic book covers. This cover is a true classic, a work of art that perfectly captures the sadness of the story.

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2025-12-16 19:12