Essential Classic X-Men - Volume 1

Marvel gets lots of flak for the format of their Essential editions: I can agree with the mid-stream format change - just like the Masterworks, you have to start over if you want a uniform set. I can also agree with the flimsy paper, to a degree, as it tears easily during the binding process. The ink bleed results in ghost images on facing pages. And the lack of color leaves out some of the visual appeal. Yet, with all of this, I still LOVE this line, as it is hands-down the cheapest way to educate yourself on the Silver Age of Marvel Comics. I will gladly pay the low price for these 500-page books! Anyway, on to the meat of this volume: Uncanny X-Men #1 - 24, by Lee, Kirby, Thomas, Gavin, et al. I guess most folks today prefer post-Giant-Size-X-Men, but whatever your preference, check out this book, as this is where it all began! These stories are from the early '60s, so of course the dialogue is cheesy; of course the characterizations are stereotyped; but by gum, you just can't get innovative stories like this anymore. Here we have the original X-Men, as kids no less, setting the stage for the uneasy coexistence of humanity and mutants. It's super-hero action combined with teen angst, and some little oddities that, to my knowledge, were not carried into later issues (Professor X loves teen-age Jean Grey? Eeeugh!). Featured villains include, in their first appearances, Magneto, the Blob, the Vanisher, Unus, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Juggernaut, the Sentinels, Lucifer, Mimic, and the Stranger, plus a few others I won't mention. Plus, you get a great Kirbyesque cover by Bruce Timm (this guy should do all of the covers for Kirby's reprints). The Marvel Essentials line is one of the best bargains in comics. Why not fill your shelves with them?

This book rocks! It's better than the essential x-men in my opinion. The whole point of the essential line is to start from the beginning isn't it? The characterization is excellent for such old comics. The love triangle between Cyclops, Angel, and Marvel Girl is quite interesting and realistic. And the scenes showing Iceman and Beast's growing friendship are nice. I've always disliked Professor X and this book didn't change a thing. I hate how he acts like he's above everybody else. What gives him the right to read other peoples minds and erase them? All in all he's a pretty 2-dimensional character. And if he cares about people knowing he's the X-men's teacher so much why doesn't he just wear a costume? As for the villains they're pretty good as a whole. They range from the ultimate bad(Magneto)to the ultimate corny(The Vanisher). I was extremely impressed with Magneto. He wasn't the amazing character he is today but fantastic for the 60s. He takes over a missile base in his first appearance. Yes, "takes" as in he actually does it! That's the great thing about Magneto, he actually goes through with his plans. He also adds themes like bigotry and racism. Very lightly of course, but better then the stories of fake one-sided communist countries that were popular with marvel back then. The Vanisher is just pathetic. I mean he vanishes! The Blob. Don't even get me started on him. I mean, even his name! So whose idea was it to have him in 3 issues! The Brotherhood is pure genius! It was a great idea to have reluctant members. The Stranger is by far the most creative one-shot character ever! There are plenty of other villains too. The art. This is probably the most controversial thing about the essential line. Yeah it's in black and white. I say get over it! Jack Kirby does most of the art. Friggin' Jack Kirby! The book has its funny moments also. The scenes at Greenwich village are hilarious. Beast becomes pretty funny also.BUY THIS BOOK!

I'm one of those few people that prefer the original X-Men over the new. This book which covers the first 24 issues, is awesome. Granted, it's in black and white, but that's the only thing wrong with it. I'm still waiting for Marvel to make a Volume 2(c'mon Marvel, get with it!) so I can read more of these classic adventures like the first appearance of Banshee. I'd also like them to make Essentials for more Marvel characters like Daredevil and Sub-Mariner(God knows they deserve it).

For those of us too young to have even been alive in the '60's, this book is an excelent way meet some of the legends of the comic realm for the first time. Yes, the lack of color is something of a detraction, but having grown up on manga, I can't say that it' s enough to put me off of this book and others like it. In fact, I think the lack of color lets the characters stand out on their own. The only complaint that I have is that they haven't come out with a second collection of the early X-men.

If you can get past the lack of color (it's not hard), and the fact the pages feel like coloring book paper, this collection is a must have for any X-Men or comic fan. I used to think the 70's Claremont issues or the 90's Jim Lee issues were the best X-Men stories, but after reading this I realize this is what the X-Men are all about. Unlike Claremont's stories, there are no ridiculous aliens, no outer space adventures, hardly any fantasy elements - it's pure, street level, mutant action. Best of all, the strongest part of the X-Men mythos - the mutant/human issue - is portrayed in a way that doesn't get boring or tiresome, like most current X-Titles. In these early issues, the X-Men fight fascist mutants and humans trying to exterminate mutants...the things the X-Men should do! The Brood and the Shi'ar are fun, but this is why the X-Men were formed. Why do you think the current revamping of Uncanny X-Men and "New" X-Men features the Sentinels and mutant-human bigotry as the opening storyline? Why do you think the new "Ultimate" X-Men comic (set in another timeline) features the Sentinels and Magneto in the first story-arc?This is the meat, the foundation, the bread & butter of the X-Men. Although it may have been a side project by Lee and Kirby, these stories are ten times better than any X-Book produced after 1994. Cyclops is moody, depressed, and damn near suicidal. The Beast isn't blue and furry, although he's still "bestial" with the mind of an intellectual. Angel is the gallavanting playboy before he was transformed by Apocalypse, while Jean is just a telekinetic. And if you thought Iceman had a low range over his powers now, just wait until you see his big transformation - from snowman to iceman! Granted, the comic shows its age. There is "simplistic" artwork with some dynamic shots thrown in, and everything feels like the 1960's. However, despite all of that, the comic still feels timeless and is a cherished part of my comics collection. I hope they get around to reproducing more of these classic tales very soon.