Chris Claremont’s X-Men Stories Are Still the Best (& You Should Read Them)

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In 1975, following the success of the renowned “Giant-Sized X-Men,” writers Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum took on Marvel Comics’ least popular book at that time: “X-Men.” Along with editor Louise Simonson, they turned it into a bestseller. For nearly a decade (until 1991), Claremont remained the writer for the series while Simonson moved on to pen the spinoffs “The New Mutants” and “X-Factor.” Let’s discuss how and why this transformation occurred, as well as its lasting impact on the X-Men. To put it simply, Claremont significantly changed the X-Men in a manner never thought possible before with one of the most celebrated comic book runs ever – and even today, you should definitely read them.

Claremont took on the role of writing the mutant characters’ stories when they were unknown entities. With a fresh crew of minor and newly introduced characters, he elevated them to become key figures in the Marvel Universe. While Professor Xavier, Cyclops, and Jean Grey continued with the X-Men, the rest of the original team departed. The remaining members, consisting of Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Thunderbird, and Banshee, formed a new iteration of the team known as the Uncanny X-Men. This marked the beginning of some of the most memorable mutant tales ever told, introducing fresh adversaries, allies, and concepts that have become indispensable parts of the Marvel Universe’s narrative.

Dark Phoenix Changed Everything.

The pivotal tale that marked a significant shift is the Dark Phoenix Saga, and if there’s one narrative that has left an indelible impact not just on the X-Men but on Marvel as a whole since its introduction, it’s this one. In this story, Jean Grey transformed from the weakest member of the original team to the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix. The dynamic within the X-Men was forever altered by this narrative. At first, everything seemed harmonious. New members quickly bonded, Wolverine and Nightcrawler forged one of Marvel’s strongest relationships, Storm distanced herself initially before growing closer to Jean, forming another cherished friendship, and Cyclops and Jean’s relationship was stronger than ever. Essentially, the school for young mutants became a family forged from outcasts, and it was wonderful. However, after several years, everything changed when Jean transformed into the Dark Phoenix in 1980, becoming the greatest threat to the team yet. The struggle against the Dark Phoenix not only tested the team in battle but also exacted a heavy personal toll. Even after the Dark Phoenix was defeated, the X-Men were left with devastating losses. This was a defining moment for the characters and the comics.

For the first time, the team’s narrative deviated significantly from the recurring appearance of familiar villains, offering an unexpected twist that surpassed readers’ previous expectations. Establishing early on Jean’s immense power proved to be a masterful stroke, as Claremont skillfully used this to leave readers spellbound when she transformed into the Dark Phoenix. This story also seemed more expansive than any preceding X-Men tale, giving off an epic finale vibe, though in reality, it marked the beginning of a new epoch. The story’s impact was so profound that nothing was ever the same afterwards, making it incredibly exhilarating.

Enter New Mutants & X-Factor

Initially successful, Claremont chose not to abandon mutant stories and introduced a second series titled “The New Mutants“. This new cast consisted mainly of younger mutants who were students at school, altering the trajectory of the X-Men. Characters like Magik, Mirage, Wolfsbane, Sunspot, Cannonball, Karma, Magma, Cypher, and Warlock joined the team, creating a fresh take on the X-Men universe for readers. Essentially, this new lineup represented different generations of mutant heroes. The two series complemented each other with their respective stories about mature superheroes and the next generation honing their powers. However, Claremont eventually departed from “New Mutants” after issue #56, handing over the reins to Louise Simonson, a longtime editor. But this change only brought further growth to the X-Men world as it continued to evolve.

As the original lineup underwent frequent changes, an array of new characters like Rogue, Madelyne Pryor, and the Morlocks emerged, adding excitement to the comic era. Notable stories such as “Days of Future Past,” “The Mutant Massacre,” “Fall of the Mutants,” and “Lifedeath” were born during this time, contributing to the bi-weekly sales surge of Uncanny X-Men. The success and creative liberty led to a plethora of additional X-Men stories. Later, Simonson would assume control over the third title, X-Factor, introducing a new antagonist, Apocalypse, who would eventually become a significant figure for the team and the Mutants as a whole. All this would have been unimaginable without Claremont’s initial leadership on Uncanny X-Men.

Claremont’s Stories Became the Key to Everything X-Men (Even Now)

Chris Claremont transformed a struggling series about the X-Men into an unprecedented comic book empire, much like Marvel had never seen before or since. The X-Men are centered around the theme of found family and how each member can shape their own unique experience. During his run, Claremont made readers feel as if they were part of the X-Men family in every relevant way possible. His work on the X-Men not only redefined the team but also continues to influence them today. Claremont’s contributions are foundational and have left a lasting impact for decades, even reaching the most recent major X-Men era, Krakoa. It can be argued that without Chris Claremont, there would be no X-Men whatsoever, making his work some of the finest stories ever told in comic books and essential reading for any fan.

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2025-07-25 22:12