The 7 Best X-Men Comics to Start With Before Their MCU Debut

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Marvel fans have a lot to anticipate throughout the year, but December is set to be especially thrilling! That’s when “Avengers: Doomsday” comes out, officially bringing the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While these heroes have appeared in movies before, their arrival in the MCU – the largest Marvel movie franchise to date – is a moment fans have been waiting for.

As a huge movie fan, I know not everyone follows the comics like I do, but with the X-Men joining the MCU soon, now’s the perfect time to dive into their world! I’ve put together a list of seven X-Men comics that are a great starting point. Honestly, even if you already know and love the mutants, these are fantastic stories worth revisiting – some are just straight-up must-reads for any comic book fan.

7) House of X/Powers of X

For decades, the X-Men’s stories have generally followed a familiar pattern: mutants striving for acceptance in a world that often fears and despises them. However, the 2019 series House of X/Powers of X, written by Jonathan Hickman, completely changed the status quo. It redefined everything about the X-Men and launched a new era known as the Krakoan Age.

The recent House of X and Powers of X storyline dramatically changed the X-Men’s place in the Marvel Universe. The mutants established their own independent nation on the living island of Krakoa, separating themselves from the rest of the world. This move introduced a strong science fiction element to their stories – think resurrection technology – and shifted public perception, with some now viewing the X-Men as potentially hostile.

6) Days of Future Past (Uncanny X-Men #141-142)

Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s Days of Future Past is a cornerstone of X-Men history and essential reading for any fan. This two-part story depicts a grim future for the X-Men, one that unfolds if they fail to protect Senator Robert Kelly. His assassination sparks widespread anti-mutant hatred, leading to mutants being hunted or imprisoned. Beyond its thrilling plot, the story offers a glimpse of older versions of beloved characters and laid the groundwork for many future, darker storylines in the X-Men universe.

This story was already brought to life in the 2014 movie X-Men: Days of Future Past, which is part of the X-Men film series. Because of that adaptation, and how important the story is to the overall X-Men universe, it’s definitely worth reading.

5) X-Men #1 (1991)

The 1991 relaunch of X-Men, by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, was a major event, both in terms of sales and the story itself. While Magneto started as the X-Men’s enemy, he’d evolved over time, even becoming a member and leader at Xavier’s School. X-Men #1 brought him back to his villainous roots, but presented a more nuanced and complicated version of the character.

Magneto’s depiction as a nuanced villain has deeply impacted how the character has been portrayed in X-Men stories ever since, especially in movies and TV shows. And, of course, Jack Kirby’s artwork in the first issue of X-Men was incredibly groundbreaking.

4) New X-Men

Grant Morrison’s run on New X-Men is a game-changer for the X-Men, and it’s consistently recommended for any fan of the series or comic books in general. A key part of this run is the ‘E for Extinction’ storyline, which introduced Cassandra Nova and the devastating destruction of Genosha. This arc is a pivotal moment in X-Men lore, significantly reshaping the franchise and altering the lives of mutants. Notably, it introduced the concept of ‘secondary mutations,’ exemplified by Emma Frost gaining her diamond form.

I just finished reading E For Extinction, and honestly, it feels like familiar territory – especially if you’ve been following X-Men ’97. That show is increasingly tied into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, so this story feels like essential backstory before we finally see the X-Men properly introduced on screen. It’s a good read, but you’ve likely seen variations of this plot before.

3) Astonishing X-Men

Joss Whedon’s work on Astonishing X-Men (2004-2008) is highly recommended, especially as it builds directly on Grant Morrison’s story. What makes it special is its focus on the X-Men themselves—their personalities, relationships, and struggles—rather than just the villains they fight. This run really explores what makes these heroes human, showing their flaws and complicated dynamics as a team.

Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men makes these famous heroes feel more complex and relatable than usual. It’s a story that allows readers to truly connect with the characters. This series also adds new ideas to the larger X-Men story, most notably introducing the organization known as S.W.O.R.D.

2) Giant Size X-Men #1

Giant-Size X-Men #1 is often considered the most important single issue in X-Men history. It introduces the team most modern fans recognize. Though written by Len Wein, Chris Claremont heavily contributed to the story, marking the beginning of his long run with the series. The issue centers on Professor X assembling a new group of mutants to find the original X-Men, who vanished while investigating the mysterious island of Krakoa. It’s revealed that Krakoa isn’t just land, but a living mutant itself.

Giant Size X-Men #1 introduced the concept of a bigger X-Men team, bringing in memorable characters like Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird. This issue fundamentally reshaped the team, changing its lineup and how the members interacted with each other for good.

1) The Dark Phoenix Saga (Uncanny X-Men #129-138)

To fully appreciate this story, it’s best to include issues #101-108 of Uncanny X-Men alongside The Dark Phoenix Saga (issues #129-138). While the saga officially runs from #129 to #138, the events in those earlier issues are essential because they show how Jean Grey first connects with the Phoenix Force, setting up everything that happens later.

Jean Grey returns from the X-Men’s space mission, but the immense power of the Phoenix Force quickly overwhelms her, starting to change her for the worse. Used by the villain Mastermind, she betrays the X-Men, helping the Hellfire Club capture them. This leads Jean to fully embrace the Phoenix power she’d been struggling to control. Transformed into the Dark Phoenix, she attacks her teammates, travels to another galaxy, and ultimately becomes a danger to entire worlds, even destroying a planet’s civilization. While there’s much more to the story, this arc is a pivotal moment for Jean Grey, and it’s a must-read for any X-Men fan. It has significantly impacted countless other X-Men stories and adaptations and remains one of Marvel’s greatest storylines.

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2026-01-14 03:15