A trueX-Menfan is defined by the books they’ve read. It would be snobby to say that someone is only a real fan if they fit a specific criterion, but knowledge is important. Ergo, to fit the"fan"part of"fanatic,“one must fantastically be in tune with understanding the biggest X-Men books. That’s whenX-Men reading orderscome in handy.
Crafting the perfect reading order is always tricky. It’s not just a matter of namingthe bestX-Menstories, but it’s about compiling the most vital pieces of information that it takes to understand the core values and characters behind the franchise. In no particular order,below are just some examples that any so-called fan needs to read to understand the X-Men better.
10Giant-Size X-Men#1 Set the Tone for Modern X-Men
Giant-Size X-Men#1 (1975) by Chris Claremont and Len Wein
When it came time to reboot the X-Men in the 1970s, Chris Claremont was brought on board at the helm,introducing characters and ideas that would come to define the franchise for years to come.While older staples like Cyclops and Jean Grey remained on the team,new heroes like Wolverine, Storm, and Nightcrawler became instant standouts and fan-favorites just as quickly.
Furthermore, concepts like Krakoa, the living island, would become further fleshed out in later years.A singular one-shot comic has become the tentpole of X-Men content,one that’s quick and easy to read while still being all-important.
9The Dark Phoenix SagaHelped Establish the Cosmic Power Hierarchy
X-Men#101-108 andX-Men#129-138
Chris Claremont paved the way for how the X-Men are understood today, but arguably his magnum opus was crafting what is collectively known as the"Dark Phoenix Saga.“The introduction of the Phoenix Force single-handedly expanded the understanding of cosmic powerin the Marvel Universe, as well as introducing terms and concepts to lend itself deeper into that cosmic world.
Readers knew from the get-go thatthe Phoenix was always stupidly strong, butits placement set the tone for the hierarchy that rests within Marvel’s cosmic totem pole.To understand Marvel’s cosmic world, one must first read this whole saga.
8House of MChanged Marvel History, Not Just X-Men History
House of M#1-8 by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel
Everyone has talked to death about Scarlet Witch’s"No more mutants"moment to cap off"House of M,“and rightfully so.One thing that doesn’t get said often enough is that"House of M"isn’t significant for its story itself, but for its aftermath.That ending birthed several follow-up events and storylines,includingAvengers vs. X-Men.
It affected the lives of multiple superheroes, even those who aren’t X-Men or mutants. Pivotal scenes likeCyclops garnering the Phoenix Force and killing Professor Xwould not have been possible if Wanda Maximoff hadn’t said those three magic words.
7Age of ApocalypseStill Affects Modern X-Men Stories
Several X-Titles Between 1995 and 1996
The fact that Marvel is currently working on releasing aspiritual sequel called"Age of Revelation"should tell readers all they need to know about the impact of"Age of Apocalypse.“This wasn’t just a dark timeline for the X-Men, but one that, as an alternate reality,briefly replaced the world of Earth-616 as Marvel’s main continuity.
As such,“Age of Apocalypse"had a domino effect across the entire Marvel Universe. Most X-Men events tend to have ramifications across all X-titles, but for one toaffect all titles within Marvel as a whole? That emphasizes its importance in the grand scheme of lore.
6Days of Future Pastis the Peak of Marvel Time-Travel Stories
The Uncanny X-Men#141-42 by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
The foundation of Marvel’s time travel stories was largely built through the"Days of Future Past"storyline. At the very least, it’s a story that sets a standard forhow time travel works in the Marvel universe.
It’s not just because additional Marvel time travel stories use the same blueprint, but because X-fans loved"Days of Future Past"enough to hold it to the highest standard possible for such stories. It also set the standard for dark post-apocalyptic storylines, especially in the X-franchise, as theX-Mentitles continue to revisit such a concept in arcs over the years.
5God Loves, Man KillsHighlights the Franchise’s Mission Statement
X-Men: God Loves, Man Killsby Chris Claremont and Brent Eric Anderson
TheX-Menfranchise is all about using mutanthood as an allegory for the dangers of racismand, truly, prejudice at large. No story better gets that message across than this graphic novel, featuring the debuting Rev. William Stryker.
Stryker isa villain without anysuperpowers, except for the power of the gospel on his side and the power of his tongue, whichhe usesto push an agenda to eradicate mutant civilization.God Loves, Man Killswould serve as a source of inspiration for the screenplay ofX2: X-Men United,often hailed as the bestX-Menmovie, making it all the more essential reading for fans.
4E is For ExtinctionKicks the Morrison Run Off with a Big Bang
New X-Men#114-116 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Grant Morrison is considered to be just as much of a modern pioneer of theX-Menfranchise as Stan Lee or Chris Claremont.“E is for Extinction"certainly helped Morrison make an impression, not only by introducingCharles Xavier’s evil twin, Cassandra Nova, but also byestablishing her as an immediate threat to the X-Men by committing genocide on Genosha.
It was the most shocking way imaginable to kick off a new era ofX-Menstories. Morrison’s run only gets better from here, but if nothing else,it’s especially a must-read to see how the entire Morrison era all began.
3The New Mutants, Vol. 1:A Trailblazer for What Was to Come
The New Mutants#1-100 (relaunched as X-Force thereafter)
In 1983,The New Mutantsemerged as one of the first spin-offX-Menbooks. Nowadays, the Marvel catalog is littered with X-books, but they were a rarer commodity to come by in the 80s. Not only didThe New Mutantsstand out in that regard, but it also remains one of the more successful of the lot, lasting all the way until 1991 (longer if counting books from its relaunched title,X-Force).
Introduced as thejunior division of the X-Men,it is also among the first to establish tiered roster expansions, watching younger heroes slowly earn their way into the official X-Men’s ranks.
2House of X/Powers of XReboots the Franchise Entirely
House of X/Powers of X#1-6 by Pepe Larraz
This ambitious 12-part odysseylaid the foundation for the Krakoa Era, establishing the mutant population’s own nation. The characters had the luxury of knowledge of how a mutant paradise failed last time, and this time, they were ready to build a united front for the mutant population rather than a divided one.
At this point, seeing the franchise dive full speed ahead into sci-fi exploration with such unique ideationmade for the most refreshing the X-Men has been in years. A year removed from Krakoa’s finale, fans are still fondly remembering it,grateful that it existedat all.
1X-Men: Season Oneis the Real Gateway to the X-Men’s Beginnings
X-Men: Season One#1 by Dennis"Hopeless"Hallum and Jamie Mckelvie
Many would think that it’s a no-brainer toconsider the original line ofUncanny X-Mencomics from the 1960s as essential reading, but that’s hard to recommend as a starting point when the franchise was still trying to find its footing and identity in its early stages.
Instead, a better alternative would beX-Men Season One, a condensed retelling of those beginnings that offers a deeper understanding of franchise themes and what the Original Five’s futures hold. It’s the X-equivalent toBatman: Year One,andone of the bestYear Onecomics,too. It’s an essential for anyX-Menfan hoping to expand their knowledge of the franchise.
