GREATEST 40 X-STORIES OF ALL TIME, PART 4: #10-1

[Joel Phillips]

<a href="http://pages.sbcglobal.net/harahap/top40xs3.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://pages.sbcglobal.net/harahap/top40xs3.gif" align=left alt="Top 40 X-Stories"></a>Greatest 40 X-Stories of All Time, Part 4: #10-1
Edited and assembled by Joel Phillips

Our 40th anniversary celebration concludes with stories 10 through 1 on our Top 40 X-Stories countdown. Read our previous installments: Part 1 (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21443), Part 2 (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21688), and Part 3 (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21936)!

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/188/uxmen165.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/188/uxmen165.jpg" align=right alt="Uncanny X-Men #165 - The Brood Saga"></a>#10: The Brood Saga
Uncanny X-Men #161-167
Written By: Chris Claremont
Art By: Dave Cockrum & Paul Smith

Sometimes the unlikeliest of materials come together to form something great. That's exactly what happens in The Brood Saga, where a grand mix of cosmic sci-fi and the subtle intrigue of a sleeper thriller combine for a memorable story.

The Brood Saga works for a number of reasons. First of all, it's a classic Claremontian space epic with all the trappings. The Shi'ar Empire has always been one of my favorite settings, particularly under Claremont's skillful pen, because of the vast majesty in everything they do. Claremont's Lilandra acts exactly like the ruler of a vast empire would, both in her strong convictions and her weaknesses for the fineries of upper class. Cockrum and Smith do a marvelous job illustrating Shi'ar parties and Shi'ar vessels, perfectly capturing that mix of out-of-this-world high tech with the opulent trappings of royal life.

Another reason for this story's success is the Brood themselves. The insect-like alien is one of the oldest sci-fi antagonists, but it's one that, in the right hands, never seems to wear out its welcome. There's something undeniably creepy about the idea of what the Brood do, of giant insects laying their eggs inside our bodies, waiting for their embryos to hatch and take us over from the inside. The idea still makes the flesh crawl.

Plus the fact that the embryos, while growing, are able to exert influence on their hosts, and even contact the Brood collective, adds a thriller element to the story. We know early on that the X-Men have all been infected, but we don't know how bad it is. Are the X-Men still themselves? Are certain characters anxious about fighting the Brood because they are scared or having a crisis of conscience, or are they already under Brood control? That element of uncertainty as to whether or not your friends have become foes ratchets up the tension, particularly when any two characters find themselves alone in the dark corridors of a spacecraft, far out of range of anyone else's hearing...

This story is also the source of some rather influential changes in X-history. It's his infestation with a Brood Queen embryo that leads to Xavier's consciousness being transferred into a new cloned body. Brood experimentation leads to Carol Danvers being transformed into Binary. Deathbird takes over the Shi'ar Empire, exiling Lilandra. Back on Earth, Xavier pulls the New Mutants together and Kitty is demoted into the junior team upon her return from space. And the story marks the first appearance of a certain as-yet-unnamed purple dragon that comes to Kitty's aid.

The Brood Saga is one of those old-fashioned cosmos spanning adventures you just don't see in most comics anymore. And that's a shame, because this story is a prime example of how sci-fi concepts can really be made to work in a superhero comic book, blending the conventions of both into something grander than the sum of its parts.
This entry written by Joel Phillips

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/188/uxmen274.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/188/uxmen274.jpg" align=right alt="Uncanny X-Men #274 - Crossroads"></a>#9: Crossroads
Uncanny X-Men #274-275
Written By: Chris Claremont
Art By: Jim Lee

There’s a copy of Uncanny X-Men #274 sitting in front of me right now. Its cover is worn and tattered, the staples have started to come loose, allowing the pages to shift listlessly up and down if the comic is held open, its pages and colors have started to fade. This is an artifact from my own personal archaeology, a milestone in my past. You see, Uncanny X-Men #274 was the first X-Men comic I ever bought, the first one I ever read. And it would be the beginning of a love affair with a medium and a mythos, one that has spanned over a dozen years. But it is also the beginning of my admiration for the talents of its two primary creators, Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, and my fascination with the tragic hero who’s second fall from grace this two-issue tale depicts: Magneto.

This is the story of a man haunted: by ghosts, by memories, by a past that will not die but lives on in his nightmares… and in the consequences of actions long forgotten. At his inception, Magneto was little more than a standard megalomaniacal villain. His motivation at the time seemed to be mere domination for its own sake, standard powerful mutant out for world conquest, no matter what cause he claimed to espouse. It was under the pen and psychological deconstruction of Claremont that Magneto became a noble and tragic figure of great complexity, one whose passion and pride had been warped by the events of his life: his persecution and the death of his family in the Nazi death camps; the Russian mob that prevented him from saving his daughter Anya, allowing her to perish in flames simply because he was a mutant; and the fear that drove his wife Magda away from him as he consequently massacred the crowd. Suddenly, Magneto was a sympathetic character, a great man brought low by the evils acted upon him. His belief that mutants should rule the Earth was no longer a quest for dominance, but a preemptive strike for survival. His anger and arrogance sprang not from villainy, but from a spirit nearly crushed by the past and steeled against the future. A hero, locked into the guise of a villain.

My good friend and fellow staffer Tan K. has chronicled Magneto’s journey to break free of that guise in previous entries; a heroic cycle, destined to end in tragedy. It begins in prologue with I, Magneto as Magnus is defeated not just with force but also with ideas, a loss that would leave him questioning his own plans. We then see him take up the mantle of X-Man and hero in a vow to his old friend Charles Xavier at the end of The Trial of Magneto. And yet with failure and death appearing to punctuate his time as headmaster of Xavier’s school, Magneto’s belief in the dream begins to waver as he argues philosophy with Moira MacTaggert in All New, All Different…Here We Go Again. The rift between Xavier’s students and himself growing, Magneto took up seclusion in the Savage Land. And it is there that a play for power by the villainous Zaladane led Magneto to where he stands in this story…at a Crossroads. Between good and evil, between justice and vengeance, between the past and the future. And like Oedipus, Robert Frost, Robert Johnson and every other weary traveler to come to such a crossroads… the path not taken would lead to consequences not foreseen.

The story takes on the form of a soliloquy, told as much through Magneto’s personal monologue as through the actions of the story. We go deeper into his thoughts, passions and drives than ever before, and it is a heart breaking journey. As Zaladane rallies troops (including Magneto’s own creations, the Savage Land Mutates, yet another ghost come back to haunt him) and makes her move for global conquest, a ragtag group of natives led by Magneto, Ka-Zar and a powerless Rogue prepare for her siege on their citadel. In the Mutates, Magneto sees his arrogance and manipulations, his belief that the ends always justified the means. In Zaladane’s mad lust for power, he hears Hitler’s voice crackling through a radio. In the anticipation before battle, he feels the anxiety and fear that his own foes must have felt when facing him. And in Rogue, he feels a passion stirring inside that has long been denied. During the battle, Magneto is struck down, the natives are routed and captured, and only the timely intervention of Nick Fury and a cadre of SHIELD agents saves Rogue and Ka-Zar. A wounded Magneto makes his way to them and is immediately confronted with more dead from his past: a Russian agent named Semyanov turns out to be the father of one of Magneto’s victims, a crew member of the sunken submarine Leningrad. Like everything in Magneto’s past, this action leads to dire consequences as Semyanov betrays their last ditch attempt to take out Zaladane, shooting Magneto down (along with a helicopter full of soldiers) to present him to Zaladane. Fury, Rogue and Ka-Zar survive and make their way to Magneto’s rescue as Zaladane drains his powers, pulling forth more ghosts and memories as Magneto relives each one. Sucked of life and power, on the very edge of death, Magneto is saved as his trio of rescuers storm in. Rogue gains her powers back and takes on Zaladane, a battle that leaves her vulnerable to Zaladane’s increased powers. Magneto pushes aside the temptation to save her, instead using the opportunity to regain his full powers and cursing himself for not being faster. With Zaladane’s life literally in his hands, Magneto stands at the very crux of his journey. To be the better, stronger and more honorable man Xavier believed he could be and allow the villainess to stand trial as he once had, or to give in to his ghosts, his hatred and arrogance and take the life of Zaladane once and for all. Which path does he choose? Well, I did say his journey ended tragically. As he impales her with several metal spikes, Magneto forever renounces the dream: “I am NOT Charles Xavier. I will never BE Charles Xavier. I was a fool to try. As was he, for believing I could succeed.” And with that, Magneto the hero is no more. (I do find it odd that the final chapter in this cycle, X-Men (Vol. 2) #1-3, featuring his full return to super-villain status, the shocking revelations of exactly why he would ever believe in Xavier’s dream and his finest [and given his treatment in the 90s, what probably should have been his final] death didn’t make this Top 40 list.)

And oh yeah, there’s another little story in these issues about the X-Men battling the Shi’ar in outer space and being reunited with Professor Xavier, only nothing is as it seems. It’s pretty cool too. Y’know, if you LIKE that kind of thing…

I’ve compared a lot of characters and stories in these top 40 lists to the likes of Shakespeare, Sophocles and other great masterworks here. But there is only one name to invoke that properly captures the majesty and gravity of this tale: Claremont. The truth is, had this level of prose and depth of character been presented in almost any other medium, it would be regarded as an instant classic. And Jim Lee is of course no slouch either. With the barrel chest, powerful gaze and squared jaw, Lee probably draws one of the finest Magnetos I’ve ever seen. And there aren’t many who draw a sexier Rogue. He handles the emotions of the character with the same dramatic tension of the action scenes, the lush greenery and tribal patterns of the Savage Land with the same level of detail as SHIELD’s technology. In story and art, the synergy created to present this tale is breathtaking.
This entry written by Jordan T. Maxwell

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/188/uxmen212.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/188/uxmen212.jpg" align=right alt="Uncanny X-Men #212 - Mutant Massacre"></a>#8: Mutant Massacre
Uncanny X-Men #210-213, New Mutants (Vol. 1) #46, X-Factor (Vol. 1) #9-11, Mighty Thor (Vol. 1) #373-374, Daredevil (Vol. 1) #238 & Power Pack #27
Written By: Chris Claremont, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson & Ann Nocenti
Art By: Sal Buscema, Alan Davis, Jackson Guice, Rick Leonardi, Steve Leialoha, John Romita Jr. & Walter Simonson

Every once and a while, a story comes along that ups the stakes. This was one of those stories.

Death and injury were common in superhero comics, just rarely on this scale. In the Mutant Massacre you had a brand new group of villains, the Marauders, making their way through the Morlock tunnels, killing or maiming everyone in their path. What made this even more startling was that, at the time, they didn't seem to have a reason to be doing it. These mutant killers, whoever they were, seemed to have just taken it upon themselves to begin culling an entire group of people from the face of the Earth on a whim.

What's more, the Marauders were tough. Real tough. A new group of villains had never been given an intro like this. Besides slaughtering most of the Morlocks, the Marauders dolled out some of the most serious injuries the X-folks had ever had to endure. Nightcrawler was put in a coma. Colossus' metal form was sliced open, and the "cure" left him temporarily paralyzed. Kitty was left stuck in phase, and had to be put in a containment unit to keep her molecules from dispersing. And Angel sustained one of the most infamous X-injuries: his wings were pinned to the wall by Harpoon, resulting in their needing to be amputated.

This story changed the roles of many of the X-folks. Angel's injuries led directly to his becoming Apocalypse's blue-skinned, metallic winged Angel of Death; and even once he returned as the heroic Archangel it would be years before there would be any happiness in his life again. Nightcrawler and Shadowcat would leave the X-Men, and the U.S., to recover from their injuries, and would stay gone for years after founding Excalibur. And Psylocke, who had been a hanger-on until now, was made an official X-Man during the ordeal.

History, however, has not been particularly kind to the Mutant Massacre. There was a stretch in the early nineties where the once mighty Marauders joined the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants as regular whipping boys for the various X-teams. What's worse, since the Marauders can be eternally cloned, they were not only being regularly beaten, they were being regularly killed. There was also a resurgence of Morlocks in the Marvel Universe. What had initially been depicted as a slaughter that left a comparatively small group of survivors has become less and less impressive as more and more clusters of surviving Morlocks began popping up here and there.

I did, however, enjoy Trial and Errors, from Uncanny X-Men #350, where the Marauders and Mr. Sinister are finally given something of a reason for the massacre, and where Gambit is tied into it. The story is a worthwhile addendum to the original saga, since it manages to supplement the original story without reducing its impact.

Some may think the Mutant Massacre has lost some of its teeth now that times have changed and bloody slaughter has become commonplace. If anything, however, I think it remains a prime example of the way it ought to be handled, of how a story can utilize injury and death to real effect, rather than just to splatter the pages with gore and up the body count.
This entry written by Joel Phillips

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen121.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen121t.jpg" align=right alt="New X-Men #121- Silence: Psychic Rescue in Progress"></a>#7: Silence: Psychic Rescue in Progress
New X-Men #121
Written By: Grant Morrison
Art By: Frank Quitely

Ladies and gentlemen…welcome to the first Jungian comic book.

After storming the X-Men scene with sweeping changes and with two story arcs and an annual (in Marvelscope!) under his belt, Grant Morrison was presented with something of a challenge by a marketing stunt. For those of you too young to remember way back when, in 2001 Bill Jemas and Joe Quesada decided it would be a unique challenge for creators, a fun treat for the readers, and a few more doubloons to swell the Marvel war chest, if for one month no title released by Marvel could use spoken words. And thus, “Nuff Said” month was born. A startling failure on most fronts, with confusing artwork and stories that looked like they’d only had the word balloons deleted, Silence: Psychic Rescue in Progress stood at the forefront of a select few titles that month that got it right. With an actual reason for the silence, a narrative that furthered the main plot of the series, and a story told almost entirely through visuals, Morrison and Quitely cemented this issue as a success for the stunt and their run on the series. They also produced one of the most surreal and hypnotically engaging pieces of sequential art that mainstream comics has ever produced.

In the aftermath of the revelation that Professor Xavier’s mind was trapped in the body of genocidal villainess Cassandra Nova, the team’s resident telepaths Jean Grey and Emma Frost travel into the Dali-esque depths of Xavier’s psychic prison to free their mentor. As Emma battles evil doors (no, seriously), Jean crosses a pinkish sea with a telekinetically constructed bridge to gain entrance to a tower. There she finds Xavier, bearing up his overly swollen cranium like a post modern Atlas, confined by chains and subconscious symbols of oppression, stewing in the same pinkish liquid that surrounds his tower (though whether this is meant to be ectoplasm, blood or placenta depends on just how Freudian you want to get. But then, so does the phallic tower jutting out of it as well.) Jean travels deep into levels of memory and consciousness most are not even aware of to witness Xavier’s conception in the womb… alongside Cassandra Nova. Their prenatal battle ends with Xavier victorious, Cassandra miscarried and their mother collapsing down a flight of stairs as the glow of psychic energy permeates her pores. Armed with this mysterious truth, Jean demolishes the tower, rescues Xavier and saves Emma from the slimy attack of the doors (I’m serious, the doors are evil!). Morrison bends the rules slightly by having Jean form letters out of the slime, facetiously thanking Emma for all of her help. Of course, the best storytellers know when to bend the rules… and when to break them. The psychic rescue complete and the need for silence past, Jean exits the chamber with a rather understated and terse summation of her discoveries: “Professor X tried to kill his twin sister while they were both still in the womb. We ought to talk…”

The charm and power of comic books is that they are a visual medium, telling stories through pictures as well as through words. Take away the words, and one has only pictures to tell stories with. But Morrison understands the relationship between the two better than most, that words are really not much more than pictures that we have assigned aural significance to. He understands the power of symbols, and uses that understanding with Quitely to construct a landscape of dreams, where symbols are the only reality that exists. Jean and Emma communicate only through pictographs that give the reader a vague idea of what’s being discussed, but leaves it wholly in the realm of abstraction. The doors resemble the withered face of Cassandra, as do the statuesque sentries encircling the top of Xavier’s dark tower. But the doors come to life and bite, the statues fire destructive beams of energy. Jean’s hair becomes fluid and expansive, taking on the shape of the Phoenix raptor. Xavier’s prison chamber is adorned with gas mask wearing dummies, skeletal birds in cages, locked up books, crutches, leg braces and the ruins of his wheelchair arranged symmetrically around his oversized head. To witness Xavier’s conception, Jean first holds a snow globe of his parents, then swims with a school of sperm… and upon Cassandra’s death, the snow globe fills with plumes of blood. Quitely handles these layers of symbolism and iconography quite well, but also handles subtler moments such as Jean kissing Scott’s cheek, Emma’s tongue sticking out, or Wolverine and Cyclops waiting impatiently outside the chamber door… all with a beauty and style that leave them imprinted in your mind. Many don’t like the artistic style of Frank Quitely. I love it, and rarely as much as in this issue. This is a visual story, meaning the artist is front and center, and this showcase lets him shine bright. (So we’ll forgive the fact that he had to leave the book for four issues just to get it done.)

Many may question why this story, with only slight narrative progression and providing only a bit of background exposition for the story arc to come, has outranked more classic and traditional X-Men stories. Because it serves as a singular and unique collaboration in the medium; because it is a wholly different kind of story and a milestone in the storytelling of Morrison and Quitely’s New X-Men; because it was an experiment that succeeded; because it is a simple story, told in a complex way that engages your mind and senses on different levels; and because it is in and of itself a work of art. And works of art deserve to be celebrated. 'Nuff said.
This entry written by Jordan T. Maxwell

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/8/uxmen127.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/8/uxmen127.jpg" align=right alt="X-Men (Vol. 1) #127 - There's Something Awful on Muir Island"></a>#6: There's Something Awful on Muir Island
X-Men (Vol. 1) #125-128
Written By: Chris Claremont
Art By: John Byrne

This is the story of a mutant monster, one that escapes from his holding cell on Muir Island. It is a powerful mutant, one that possesses people, killing them in the process. It can manipulate reality itself, and its only weakness is metal. Power mad and on a rampage, the X-Men must destroy this monster before it destroys everything and everyone around it. There's only one problem: this monster happens to be Moira MacTaggart's son.

The story of this monster, Proteus, is one of those underappreciated gems hidden amidst the more obvious classics from Chris Claremont's epic run. It's Proteus himself that is the main reason this story is so good. In Proteus, Claremont created a villain that was both sadistic monster and vulnerable child at the same time. Though subsequent revisiting of the character would focus heavily on the hurt child aspect, it was Claremont's downplaying of that aspect that made it so effective. In this tale, Proteus does some horrible things. Besides the usual awful villain things of rampaging, killing innocent bystanders and trying to do the same to the X-Men, Proteus possesses and kills his own father, and attempts to do the same to his mother. Why does he do these things? Though it's not hammered into us the way it would be in later tales, Proteus is just another hurt child... albeit one with fantastically destructive powers. His father abandoned him and his mother, and was an overall awful human being. His mother, though trying to help him with his raging powers, locked him up for the latter half of his life. The toll this took on him, emotionally and psychologically, effectively turned him into a monster, filling him with rage and giving him the urge to lash out. And when you have the kind of power Proteus had, lashing out can include some wildly terrible things.

But Claremont spares us maudlin speeches about how Proteus feels his folks have done him wrong. The topic is there, but it remains more a subtext than a flashing plot point, giving the character more subtle motivations for his evil behavior. Is Proteus evil or simply emotionally shattered? Rather than making Proteus so sympathetic that we have to excuse him, Claremont makes him evil enough that the question requires some heavy consideration.

The resolution to the conflict, though fairly straightforward, does serve as a point of growth for one X-Man in particular. In the end, it's Colossus who uses his metallic form to disrupt Proteus, effectively killing him. Until this point, Colossus had always had that farm boy innocence around him, but much of that was lost after this. Colossus grew up a little following the Proteus ordeal, realizing just how serious this mission he had undertaken as an X-Man really was.

Though sometimes lost in the shadow of the story that immediately followed it, The Dark Phoenix Saga, Proteus' story is a classic in its own right, if only for its surprisingly complex antagonist.
This entry written by Joel Phillips

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/193/xfact087.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/193/xfact087.jpg" align=right alt="X-Factor (Vol. 1) #87 - X-aminations"></a>#5: X-aminations
X-Factor (Vol. 1) #87
Written By: Peter David
Art By: Joe Quesada

X-Factor #87 is the greatest single-issue of an X-Men comic book ever created.

It's not enough to say that when it was released in 1993, X-aminations was ahead of its time. If it was published today in 2003, it would still be ahead of its time.

There was and is a formula to these things, you see, which the creative team of Peter David and Joe Quesada completely ignored. "In the aftermath of massive battles and huge all-inclusive crossover events," the Marvel rule states, "it's important to write the next issue as a winding-down story, filled with meaningless philosophical platitudes, gratuitous swimsuit shots, or horribly bad jokes." After David was forced to delay his own ongoing plots to script three chapters of The X-Cutioner's Song in X-Factor, the veteran writer was ready to try his hand at something completely different.

You see, way back in the day, the Havok-led X-Factor (lineup to come) was a government-sponsored mutant team. And federal guidelines clearly stipulated that after any potentially distressing or traumatic events, all employees had to see a psychiatrist to deal with their emotions. X-Aminations showed us Havok, Polaris, Quicksilver, Wolfsbane, Multiple Man, Strong Guy, and Valerie Cooper opening their minds to one Doctor Leonard Samson. As if that wasn't enough, we were also treated to the two-page "Rahne & Simpy" short as Wolfsbane told Doc Samson about her dreams!

The beauties of this single issue are far too many to do justice to or even list in the limited space available here. One thing that really stood out to me ten years ago (and still does today) was the flawless way in which David managed to explain the individual neuroses of each and every member of the team. For the first time in the thirty year history of Quicksilver, a writer took time out to explain why he's always been so arrogant and snotty. Sure, writers had written him with that attitude, but nobody ever seemed to understand why he acted that way. Similarly, David perfectly psycho-analyzed long-time X heroes like Havok, Wolfsbane, and Polaris, showing us these characters at their core. His breakdowns of the members of X-Factor served as the definitive character resource for future writers of all of the impacted characters.

Of particular interest was Doc Samson's session with team/government liaison Val Cooper at the end of the book: when asked to describe each member of the team, Val gave the exact same impression of the characters that most fans had of them: Havok was the great leader, Guido was the shallow party guy, Pietro was a jerk, and Lorna was a team player. David wrote this section brilliantly, because Val's answers, as well as the average fan's impressions, had just been proven to be absolutely wrong. In the space of one issue, Peter David challenged everything we'd thought we knew about characters that had been around for up to thirty years... and it all made so much blessed sense!

Another thing that really stood out in this issue was the perfect working relationship evident between David and the book's penciller, Joe Quesada. A lot can be said about the story here, but let's be honest: without Quesada rendering this tale, it would never have made it to #5 on the list of the greatest X-stories of all time. Quesada's attention to detail made the book feel less like a comic book and more like you were sitting in on the therapy sessions as a guest. Quesada's Polaris was beautifully unstable (or unstably beautiful), his Havok was intense, his Guido was bittersweet, and his Multiple Man was moody and undeniably cool. His layouts of Guido's childhood still bring a pang of sadness to the reader, and his image of Pietro standing proudly in a flawless business suit and high top running shoes remains iconic ten years later.

I could easily write pages about the brilliance of this single issue of a forgotten X-spinoff. The art was beautiful, the script insightful, and the merging of the two seemed to surpass the two dimensions that comics are forced to work within. Superheroes have rarely, if ever, been as real and as deep as they were in X-Factor #87. X-Aminations remains to this day a veritable bible on perfect, and human, superhero characterization.
This entry written by Jim Lemoine

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/185/newxmen114.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/185/newxmen114.jpg" align=right alt="New X-men #114 – E is for Extinction"></a>#4: E is for Extinction
New X-Men #114-116
Written By: Grant Morrison
Art By: Frank Quitely

E is for Extinction was anticipated with much controversy as part of the May revamp of the X-Men titles in 2000. Grant Morrison and Joe Casey looked to change the status quo of the X-Men along with longtime fellow artists Frank Quitely and Ian Churchill. Once Morrison’s first arc was over with, everyone knew Morrison would carve his name into the history of the X-Men.

Morrison altered everything from little to big: the X-Men received cool new uniforms that were sensible for combat; Beast mutated from ape to feline; the “wild” Sentinels were introduced, able to adapt to any combat situation; and both secondary mutations and the human extinction gene was introduced. Those were just some of the more major changes in the X-Men’s revolution.

The story centers around a new evil: Cassandra Nova, a strange elderly woman, who has a secret past with Professor Xavier. Armed with a forgotten weapon of mass destruction (a Master Mold rested in Ecuador, housing “wild” Sentinels), Nova seeks out Donald Trask (nephew of Bolivar Trask, creator of the Sentinels) and “educates” him on evolution. After copying his genetic code into herself, enabling her to command the Sentinels herself, she kills Trask. Scott and Logan are sent to the jungles of Ecuador to investigate a spike of mutant energy detected by Cerebra, which turned out to be Nova. Before being able to capture Cassandra, she voice-activates the Sentinels and unleashes them on Genosha, an island nation mostly populated by mutants. The result: the deaths of 16 million people, including Genosha’s president, Magneto. After being brought in to the mansion, Cassandra breaks loose from an anti-gravity chamber previously containing her and gives the X-Men a fight like never before. Out of all people, Emma Frost saves the day by breaking Nova’s neck. Taking desperate measures, Charles unloads a pistol on Cassandra, ensuring her death… or maybe not. In the grand finale, Xavier reveals that he is a mutant on national television. (Today, of course, it is known that Cassandra swapped bodies with Charles and exposed him, but Xavier’s disclosure was still unbelievable.) All this created an original and amazing story.

This arc set these characters up to undergo major changes not only physically, but emotionally and personally as well. Scott, still suffering from his merging with Apocalypse, became an even more bitter and brooding man. His marriage with Jean became more turbulent as the couple began to feel more distant with each other, physically and emotionally. Beast continued to adapt to his transformation, which would be touched on in the next story. Xavier slowly began a more aggressive push for “the dream”. And in the most extreme of changes, Xavier was prepared to take a life to end a threat, killing Cassandra. Not to mention the upgrading of the school and Emma Frost’s return to an X-titles following Generation X, complete with a secondary mutation enabling her to don a diamond-hard exterior.

Morrison really makes minor details shine in the reader’s mind, and provides excellent dialogue. The first page of this story, with Wolverine going berserk on an already-destroyed Sentinel, features both of these strengths as Scott tells Logan to quit. Turn to the next page and we witness a scene from 30,000 years ago as the Homo Sapiens wipe out Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis, watched by Nova and Donald Trask. Each issue is stuffed with those kinds of exciting and fun moments.

Apply the distinctive pencils of Frank Quitely, and you have a story of unmatched quality. Morrison and Quitely together create an unbeatable team, Quitely being the perfect match for Morrison’s style. I really cannot express the immense visual power of Quitely’s art. He goes into painstaking detail and creates unique designs for everything from the characters to the X-Planes. The scene of Master Mold nestled within Ecuador’s vegetation is brilliant. Quitely contributes to the value of E is for Extinction just as much as Morrison does. Then again, Frank Quitely is my favorite artist, so what do I know ;)?

Overall, E is for Extinction was the end of an era, and a new beginning for the X-Men titles and Marvel Comics in general. E is for Extinction impressively laid the foundation for the future of Morrison’s run. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely brought a new sense of style to the X-Men with an amazing debut story, one that will no doubt go down in X-Men history.
This entry written by Omar A. Safi

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/88/mgn05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/88/mgn05.jpg" align=right alt="Marvel Graphic Novel #5 – God Loves, Man Kills"></a>#3: God Loves, Man Kills
Marvel Graphic Novel #5
Written by: Chris Claremont
Art by: Brent Anderson

Creating the definitive X-Men story… this was the task Chris Claremont faced when asked to write the X-Men's entry into Marvel's graphic novel line. There have been a lot of elements that defined the X-Men during the height of its popularity in the ‘80s: intricate subplots, deep characterization, soap opera appeal, a grim and gritty atmosphere, etc. However, Claremont wisely chose to focus on the theme that truly defines what the X-Men is all about - discrimination. The X-Men, after all, represent the champions of the ultimate minority. The result? An X-Men tale for the ages.

A brief overview: Anti-mutant sentiment is sweeping America, and hate crimes against mutants are being perpetrated by a new militant group known as the Purifiers. Behind this latest wave of bigotry is a very influential man, Reverend William Stryker. Mixing anti-mutant rhetoric with his evangelical crusade, Stryker is dangerously gaining a following all over the country. And to forward his mission, he sets his eyes on eliminating and discrediting the public figures of the mutant struggle: Professor Charles Xavier and his X-Men.

“Because you exist. And that existence is an affront to the Lord.”

I'm living in a country where hundreds have died, and are still dying, just because of differences in faith. I've seen first hand how devout fundamentalism in one's religion could result to an exclusionary attitude. This penchant for intolerance in the name of one's faith is the heart of God Loves, Man Kills. The X-Men has always been an allegory to racism through its discussion of geneticism, but Claremont upped the ante by adding blind faith into the equation. Hence, we are rewarded with a story that is not only entertaining, but socially relevant as well.

Claremont delivers a well thought-out script that's obviously the result of an enormous amount of research. A lot of Claremont fans revel in his emphasis on characterization, but personally, my favorite Claremont moments always involve his philosophical discussions, and God Loves, Man Kills has philosophical discussions aplenty. From Stryker's hateful rhetoric, to Magneto's militant views, to Cyclops' defense of the X-Men's plight, Claremont shows incredible eloquence in presenting each party's arguments. I am of the impression that Claremont did not wish to provide us with answers within this graphic novel, but rather he wanted us to think about the questions. Whose stand do you espouse? Whose side presented the most sensible argument? That's the special appeal of the X-Men. The underlying theme of discrimination often encourages us to think. Under very capable hands, the X-Men is a smart man's comic.

“Supposed he'd called me a ******-lover, Stevie?! Would you be so damn tolerant then?!!”

Behind all the serious philosophical discussions, Claremont managed to infuse the story with his trademark characterization. GLMK featured the popular ‘80s X-Men cast of Charles Xavier, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde. Each character had their moment in the spotlight, a balanced approach that takes a special understanding of team-book dynamics. Personally, though, it was Kitty Pryde that stole the show. Her fiery, youthful, and innocent personality was just so appealing.

“Sheathe your claws, Wolverine. Magneto is here as a friend and, if you'll have me, an ally.”

One of the fan-favorite moments here was the team-up between Magneto and the X-Men. Personally, I don't think that it's too big a deal, but I guess seeing the X-Men ally with their most feared enemy was indeed a fanboy's delight at the time. Beyond the novelty of the concept, though, Claremont took the opportunity to provide an interesting contrast between Magneto and Xavier's ideals. The exchange in views actually showed that their causes were more similar than they originally thought.

“The irony of God Loves is that it was very much of its time and place, and yet, almost twenty years later, the sentiments - and the inspirations that brought it into being - retain their relevance. People are still judged more by the color of their skin, and the nation of their origin, and the faith they espouse, than their character. And I still find myself dreaming of a time when all of that is behind us and saying, why not?” - Chris Claremont, in his afterword

God Loves, Man Kills is the definitive X-Men one-shot: a nice story which captures the heart of this franchise. More than being a mere source of entertainment, the X-Men will always be a potent vehicle for social commentary. Claremont realized that potential with this amazing tale, a tale which definitely deserves to be in the Top 3 X-Men stories of all time.
This entry written by Erwin Rafael

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/8/uxmen141.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/8/uxmen141.jpg" align=right alt="X-Men (Vol. 1) #141 - Days of Future Past"></a>#2: Days of Future Past
Uncanny X-Men #141-142
Written By: Chris Claremont & John Byrne
Art By: John Byrne

I am not a fan of alternate future stories. Welcome to the best example going of how to do it right.

First of all, there's the cover of Uncanny X-Men #141: an aging Wolverine, facing off against an unseen foe, standing before that backdrop detailing the fates of his fellow X-Men, the words "apprehended" and "slain" coldly slapped across the faces of our favorite mutants. My God, what had happened? These were the days before the Internet, before we knew six months in advance what story was coming up. Chris Claremont just dropped this in our laps... right next to our jaws. We soon learned the truth: this story took place in an alternate future, one where the world of mutants had become what Magneto and Xavier had both always feared. This was a place where mutants are imprisoned and killed just for being mutants.

Which brings us to another reason why this story was great: the Sentinels, the tools with which mutants were being hunted, were badasses. Think Grant Morrison made the Sentinels into a real threat? Sorry, but Claremont already beat him to it. The Sentinels had appeared only a few times before DoFP (this was still fairly early in X-history, after all), but they had never really lived up to the concept of unstoppable, mutant-killing machines. Here, Claremont showed us what these things were really capable of, and why they were a force to be reckoned with.

The other thing that makes this story so good is that it contrasts between the future, which has long since fallen into chaos, and the present, which has the potential to similarly spiral out of control. The future Kate Pryde has her consciousness sent back in time, into the body of her young counterpart, Kitty. Through Kitty, she warns the X-Men in the present of the horrors of the future, and enlists their aid in stopping the event largely seen as having triggered those horrors: the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly. In the second half of this story, we go back and forth between the present X-Men battling to save Kelly, and the future remains of the X-Men fighting for their very survival.

One thing to remember is that at this time the alternate future was not so devalued as it is today. At this point in X-history, when we were told that failure meant the world would follow down a given path towards a specific future, we believed it. That gave added weight to what the X-Men were trying to do, since their inability to save Senator Kelly could very well mean the end of them all.

There are even a number of milestones tied into this story. It marks the first appearance of Rachel Summers, a future X-Man and founding member of Excalibur, and the first appearance of Mystique's incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, including then-newbies Pyro and Avalanche. Also, #142 is the issue that officially added "Uncanny" to the title (though it had been appearing on the cover for a while).

Days of Future Past is suspenseful, dramatic and original. Only a story of such high quality could spawn the number of imitators this tale has spawned.
This entry written by Joel Phillips

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<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/media/8/uxmen134.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/4images/data/thumbnails/8/uxmen134.jpg" align=right alt="X-Men (Vol. 1) #134 - The Dark Phoenix Saga"></a>#1: The Dark Phoenix Saga
X-Men (Vol. 1) #129-137
Written By: Chris Claremont & John Byrne
Art By: John Byrne

If you’re surprised by this, you haven’t been paying attention. Dark Phoenix Saga is one of those works that is so talked about, so universally praised as the vanguard of its artistic medium, that the uninitiated often think that there’s no possible way it can live up to all of its hype. Casablanca. Hamlet. The Beatles’ White album. The Mona Lisa. That is, until they experience it for themselves and realize that they were wrong.

It really is just that good.

As comic book fans, and especially as X-Men fans, we throw around the word “saga” rather loosely nowadays. It’s almost become like a catchphrase for any story lasting more than five issues. But a saga is something special, something different. It’s about the highest aspirations of the human spirit, the grandest stakes and conflicts to be overcome, and darkest despair and tragedy that lead us through cathartically to a new hope. It is storytelling distilled to its purest and most potent essence. And the Dark Phoenix Saga certainly earns that name.

At its heart, this is a story about power, passion and love. It begins simply enough, with the X-Men returning home and Scott Summers and Jean Grey rekindling their romance. But unbeknownst to Scott, Jean’s been having strange visions, “timeslips” where she assumes the life of a supposed ancestor and is the wife of a handsome young man named Jason Wyngarde. In reality, Wyngarde has been sending her these visions, weakening her resolve, to bring her vast powers as Phoenix under his control. Detecting two mutant signatures, the X-Men split up to investigate both: a disco singer by the name of Dazzler, and a young prodigy in Chicago named Kitty Pryde. Both teams are ambushed by a new common enemy, the Hellfire Club, and the Club’s representative, the White Queen. With one team captured, the others rush to their rescue but are shocked by the ferocity that Phoenix uses with the White Queen. After spending a week investigating, the team goes undercover to infiltrate the Hellfire Club. Unfortunately, the Club’s Inner Circle is a cadre of ambitious mutants who have been keeping close tabs on the X-Men. Jean falls under the thrall of Jason Wyngarde, revealed to be Mastermind of the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Taken by surprise, the team is taken prisoner, except for Wolverine who is believed dead. As Logan maneuvers his way through the Club’s guards, Cyclops uses his rapport with Jean to infiltrate her psyche and remind her who she is. But Wyngarde is so completely in control that he soon discovers Cyclops’ presence and dispatches him with great ease, seemingly killing him. The shock of Scott’s “death” shakes Jean out of her illusion, tipping the conflict back into the X-Men’s favor. The battle sends out an alert to Avengers Mansion, where former X-Man Beast is on guard duty. Rather than report the incident to his current team, he erases the report and rushes to help his friends and former teammates. On the verge of defeat, the members of the Inner Circle make their escapes... except for Wyngarde who is cornered by Phoenix . She opens his mind to the madness of the universe, to omnipotence. His human mind too frail to comprehend it all, he collapses and the X-Men make their getaway, thinking they have rescued their friend. But for Jean Grey, it is far too late. The Phoenix has had a taste for evil, and it is hungry for more…

The story shifts into overdrive here, as Dark Phoenix thrashes her teammates, reveling in the power of destruction before taking her hunger to the stars. Her new levels of power draining her, she takes sustenance in a star, causing it to go supernova and eradicate an entire solar system… including a planet inhabited by an entire civilization. A Shi’ar scout ship witnesses the act and investigates only to become her next victim. Then, her hunger filled and her thirst slaked, she returns to her home. Not just Earth, but her childhood home, clinging desperately to what remains of her humanity. Jean’s mind is flooded with the thoughts and feelings of her family. Overcome, she reverts to Dark Phoenix. It’s then that the X-Men choose to strike, using a mnemonic scrambler of Beast’s design to disorient her powers. In the end, it’s Wolverine who is able to pin her down. For a moment, she regains some clarity and begs him to end it… but his love for her prevents him from harming her. The scrambler melts away and the only X-Man left to oppose her is Cyclops. He reaches out to her on the simplest of levels, appeals to her love. She begins to listen, to let her guard down and, when seemingly defenseless, she is assaulted by Professor Xavier’s mental powers. Engaged in a war of wills, Xavier declares he must win as Dark Phoenix is “power without restraint, knowledge without wisdom, age without maturity, passion without love.” In the end, Phoenix is brought low by Xavier’s power and her own humanity fighting against the corruption within. Her powers contained, Scott rushes to her side. Everything seems like it’s going to be all right… until a moment later the team is teleported to the bridge of a Shi’ar ship. Lilandra, empress of the Shi’ar and Xavier’s lover, declares that Phoenix must be put to death. But Xavier challenges Lilandra’s decision with a duel to the death that cannot be refused. Conflicted on whether or not it’s right to fight in Jean’s defense, each X-Man comes to the answer in their own way. She is their friend, and right or wrong they will fight, and die if need be, for her. Facing off against the Imperial Guard on an isolated area of the moon, the X-Men are overwhelmed until only Jean and Scott are left standing. Taking a moment to catch their breaths, the two lovers share a kiss and then run headlong into the fray, prepared to die for one another. But when Scott is seemingly brought low, Jean’s passion and love rip through her psychic restraints, letting the Phoenix free. Despite their love for her, the X-Men know they have to bring her down. Wolverine is able to launch Colossus at her, nearly knocking her out. Depowered for a moment, she begs her friends to kill her and when they refuse she flees with Scott running right behind. She tells him she can’t go on like this, with the power inside of her and the thirst for destruction. Then, telling him she loves him, she raises a cannon out of the dust and blasts herself to ashes, leaving Scott to weep alone. The Watcher steps in with the epilogue, noting that this sacrifice is a sign of what makes humanity great, that Jean Grey would rather die a human than live as a goddess.

How can you comment on that? What can you say? The story speaks plainly for itself, a moving opus of power, passion and love. Claremont is a master of long-term storytelling, not just in the seeding of clues but in the harvesting of their fruit. Here, he has a windfall crop. Whether it’s the simple love story of Scott and Jean, the introduction of the utterly charismatic Kitty Pryde, the treachery and might of the Hellfire Club, or the operatic majesty and awe of the Phoenix unleashed, conflicted with herself.

John Byrne defines himself here, with iconic images like Wolverine in the sewer, or Cyclops and Phoenix holding hands and making that one last run into battle. The man is a master visual storyteller, grabbing your eyes and making you believe what you see on an emotional level. One of the best examples of this is the fight scene between Xavier and Phoenix. There’s a sense of quietness, like the only sound is your own breathing and pulse inside your ears, the tension just jumps off the page at you and builds… and builds… and builds… until you have to turn the page, just to know what happens. That’s the true sign of great storytelling.

This is the story of the struggle of one woman, of two lovers, and of a family. It is the smallest and most essential conflict we all face everyday, the choice between good and evil, love and hate, played out on the grandest stage. For all its cosmic trappings, tight spandex and colorful powers, it is a story of what it is to be human.
This entry written by Jordan T. Maxwell

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Hope you enjoyed our list of the Top 40 X-Stories! For more special articles, features, and columns celebrating the 40th Anniversaries of the Avengers and X-Men, click here! (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21464)

[ronaldmcdonald]

i had a feeling that the dark phoenix :jeanphnx: saga will be at the number 1 spot. i'm glad it did and i agree - 101%. :worthy:

[GuyX]

I gotta disagree with #7.

The "Nuff said" issue of New X-Men the 7th greatest X story OF ALL TIME?!?!! Uh no. AoA was much, much difficult to execute and a much better story overall.

The rest of the list rocks though. Dark Phoneix number one? who would have thunk it ;)

[Brian Wilkinson]

Yeah, I disagree with #7 as well. Honestly, I didn't even like the issue that much at all. I can think of a hundred issues that I'd rank above that one. The rest of the list seems pretty rock-solid, though....


I probably would have placed AoA much higher on the list as it's still one of my all-time favorites. Just an amazing storyline.

[eLIAS bOGAN]

While "Psychic" and "Extinction" are certaintly better than the dribble of the 90's they don't deserve to be in the top 10

Top should be:
5) There's Something Awful on Muir Isle
4) From the Ashes
3) Days of Futures Past
2) God Loves, Man Kills
1) Dark Phoenix Saga

These stories have lasting impact some 20+ years later. I don't see Extinction not that silent issue having a far reaching impact even 5 years from now

[Frank Castiglione]

i like god loves man kills, but i wouldnt of put it that high in the list.. i also agree with #7 not being worthy of top10 status

im oh so glad that days of future past is #2, it really is an awsome story.... and as for #1, there really was no doubt about this being #1.

[FrodoLives]

I'm glad to see X-Factor got the praise it deserved. #87 was a plesure to read. Fantastic list!

[Kavalier]

Well, I guess we all knew where this was going to end up.

I have to thank X-Fan so much for reminding me of that brilliant x-aminations. I truly loved X-Factor when Quesada was still on it and it was practically a funny book. I read those issues over and over and over again, but have long since forgotten specifics like that.

Thank you for the surprises like x-aminations as well as the edifying obvious choices (any of us could have predicted #s 1 and 2).

Though I would never say this to an outsider (mostly because I think it is an excellent intro into the world of the x-men, and any newbie should read it), I never really cared for God Loves, Man Kills. I thought it was a little on the trite side.

Thanks for this awesome list!

K

[Gat0r-ManX]

Hmm.. i gotta buy those classic X-men compilations.... I gotta check these stories out. :)

[Kevin Sutton]

Plenty of surprises here, but I guess I agree with most of them.

[gatorgav]

Great stuff guys!! Makes me want to run over to the ole' garage, dig through my back issue boxxes and stay up all night reading. I love the inclusion of the silent issue! These lists have been fun as heck all month! Keep up the good work.

[spinarakboi]

#7 seemed way out of place. That shouldn't have been anywhere near the top 10 in my opinion. Though E is for Extinction I thought fit in with the rest but #7... Someone should check for hanging chads.

[Dylan McKay]

Great list, but I disagree with #8. Mutant Massacre should be top 5, if not #2. It, along with fellow '86 story, Batman: Return of the Dark Knight marked the turn in the industry towards darker and more brutal stories. Dark Pheonix Saga is really the only other X story to have a definative effect on the industry itself and for that I think it should be up the with Dark Pheonix.

[Dragon]

I completely DISagree with #7 and #4 the AOA and Onslaught were far better then Morrison's stories. the rest of the I Agree with, of course the greatest one of all is the Dark Phoenix Saga

[zookeeper]

Sorry X-Fans, I have to disagree here on the Phoenix Saga at #1. While by itself it's a great story, it's completely undermined by a bad trend in comics: bringing Jean back to life.

By itself, I love the story. Taken into context of the whole Marvel universe, who cares? Jean is alive and well now. What was the point? This may be a harsh and unfair criticism, but I personally can't let this editorial decision pass by without pointing out the mistake. It's unfortunate that the story suffered for it.

Also, I believe The Brood Saga is highly underrated as an arc. I can't name a more favorite storyline in all of the X-Books written to date. Claremont was at his best with no inconsistencies, unresolved plot lines, and excellent characterizations that had not yet been seen in the X-Books. UXM 162 was groundbreaking in developing Wolverine as the preemptive force in Marvel comics, even more so than the original Wolverine mini and Origin... I'll argue that point all day long. Cockrum gave us brilliant background work, and Smith broke the mold in comic art and gave us something great. I believe it should have placed far higher on the list.

On a more positive note, the fact that the mid 1980's X-Men seemed to place high on the list sits very well with me. After the mess that was the 90's, we at least had these back issues to fall back on. They are required reading by all X-Fans.

Finally, you may like Morrison or you may hate him. However, he still gave the X-Men a necessary edge that had not been seen in the X-Books in a long time. You may not like it, but you can't deny his impact. I'm not sure about his exact placement on the list, but I'm glad to see he received the credit he deserved for the work he did do.

All in all, a fantastic job by Comix-Fan writers and contributers. Thank you.

[Mutant_Genesis]

Originally posted by Dragon
I completely DISagree with #7 and #4 the AOA and Onslaught were far better then Morrison's stories. the rest of the I Agree with, of course the greatest one of all is the Dark Phoenix Saga

Same here. AOA and Onslaught are definitely two of my favorite crossovers and deserve to be higher. Massacre and Crossroads were definitely better NXM #121. Never read X-Animations or GLMK, so can't judge those. Proteus and Brood were very entertaining. I liked E is for Extinction, but #4 is WAY to high. If it replaced #7, then it would have been better.

Definitely no surprise with Dark Phoenix and Days of Future Past. Those two stories definitely deserve #1 and #2.

Thanks a lot you guys, for a GREAT column! Enjoyed every part of it! Keep it up! Can't wait for top 10 characters!

[TracyNichols]

Originally posted by zookeeper
Sorry X-Fans, I have to disagree here on the Phoenix Saga at #1. While by itself it's a great story, it's completely undermined by a bad trend in comics: bringing Jean back to life.

By itself, I love the story. Taken into context of the whole Marvel universe, who cares? Jean is alive and well now. What was the point? This may be a harsh and unfair criticism, but I personally can't let this editorial decision pass by without pointing out the mistake. It's unfortunate that the story suffered for it.



Believe me, I am NO fan of Jean Grey (I'm sure many have guessed that by now), and I fully agree that the impact of DPS was ruined years later by Jean being resurrected, then being killed again, then being resurrected again, and so forth. But at the time it was a great story, and it had a huge impact on the Marvel Universe and the X-Men for years. I'm not sure I would have made it #1 either...personally, I think that spot should have gone to God Loves, Man Kills. But it's still a good story, and at least worthy of the top 3. At the time, Chris made a very solid point...now a days, it's been downplayed, but given the original intentions behind the story at the time, it was done beautifully.

[Tan K.]

Originally posted by GuyX
I gotta disagree with #7.

The &quot;Nuff said&quot; issue of New X-Men the 7th greatest X story OF ALL TIME?!?!! Uh no. AoA was much, much difficult to execute and a much better story overall.

The rest of the list rocks though. Dark Phoneix number one? who would have thunk it ;)


Originally posted by Brian E. Wilkinson
Yeah, I disagree with #7 as well. Honestly, I didn't even like the issue that much at all. I can think of a hundred issues that I'd rank above that one. The rest of the list seems pretty rock-solid, though....


I probably would have placed AoA much higher on the list as it's still one of my all-time favorites. Just an amazing storyline.


Originally posted by spinarakboi
#7 seemed way out of place. That shouldn't have been anywhere near the top 10 in my opinion. Though E is for Extinction I thought fit in with the rest but #7... Someone should check for hanging chads.


Originally posted by Dragon
I completely DISagree with #7 and #4 the AOA and Onslaught were far better then Morrison's stories. the rest of the I Agree with, of course the greatest one of all is the Dark Phoenix Saga

Me four on our #7 issue! I don't think I even had it rated, BUT again, folks, this is a compilation of all types of readers. In that respect, we got a fair viewpoint.

What I really mean to say is that ya'll are so lucky Joel and I were present otherwise the Morrisononites would have had the top 5 be E, Silence, Riot, Murder, and Imperial.

Seriously, as a fan, Silence I thought was very good, but more worthy of somewhere between 40-60 range.

E (though I didn't think it was great) obviously hit a cord with a lot of fans, started the resurgence, and had a lot of significance in the X-Canon truly deserved to be in the top 10.

Inferno shoulda been top 10 too (I haven't mentioned this before, so this is as good a time as any...silly me, tricks are for kids)

What I am very proud of is X-Aminations being in the top 10. Very underappreciated.

[Fantomex]

I'm not a huge know it all X-men fan but I agree that #7 seems way out of place, a nuff said issue at #7 of all time...come on now.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Originally posted by eLIAS bOGAN
While &quot;Psychic&quot; and &quot;Extinction&quot; are certaintly better than the dribble of the 90's they don't deserve to be in the top 10

Top should be:
5) There's Something Awful on Muir Isle
4) From the Ashes
3) Days of Futures Past
2) God Loves, Man Kills
1) Dark Phoenix Saga

These stories have lasting impact some 20+ years later. I don't see Extinction not that silent issue having a far reaching impact even 5 years from now

There's no way to know the impact that stories will have way on down the line. Dark Phoenix Saga did not set out to drastically change the way X-Men comics were done...it just did. Impact can't be measured in the short term. The fact is, plenty of us saw Morrison's stories as not only having the potential for lasting impact but just as plain good stories. And better than a lot of stuff we'd read in the last ten, twenty, thirty years. Quality in and of itself does have to count for something. So when a big enough group of seasoned and varied X-fans go through a lengthy process of nominating, voting and ranking forty years of stories, many of which are outstanding, to make it into that top forty, let alone the top ten, i think a title has proved that it "deserves" to be where it is.

Originally posted by gatorgav
Great stuff guys!! Makes me want to run over to the ole' garage, dig through my back issue boxxes and stay up all night reading. I love the inclusion of the silent issue! These lists have been fun as heck all month! Keep up the good work.

You...you LIKE the lists? They've been fun for you? Oh sweet Jesus, we're appreciated. Thank you so much! :D Oh, happy days are here again. Ahem. Yes, well. We're glad to be of service here at ComiX-Fan. Please come again. Good day.

;)


Originally posted by spinarakboi
#7 seemed way out of place. That shouldn't have been anywhere near the top 10 in my opinion. Though E is for Extinction I thought fit in with the rest but #7... Someone should check for hanging chads.

::checks:: Um, nope, no Chads...i think Joel's hanging himself after arranging and organizing this entire process. But we'll cut him down...in a minute. :p

Originally posted by Nalyd Psycho
Great list, but I disagree with #8. Mutant Massacre should be top 5, if not #2. It, along with fellow '86 story, Batman: Return of the Dark Knight marked the turn in the industry towards darker and more brutal stories. Dark Pheonix Saga is really the only other X story to have a definative effect on the industry itself and for that I think it should be up the with Dark Pheonix.

Yeah, Mutant Massacre did that so much more than that little DC series...what was it called? Watchguys? Clockmen? Eh, who remembers? I just remember Sabretooth killin people! lol

Originally posted by Dragon
I completely DISagree with #7 and #4 the AOA and Onslaught were far better then Morrison's stories. the rest of the I Agree with, of course the greatest one of all is the Dark Phoenix Saga

Onslaught? Really? I never thought i'd hear "Onslaught" and "far better than" in the same sentence. Ugh, what a horribly executed story. If that had made it into the top ten, i'd have handed in my badge. If we had badges. Which we don't. Eric, can we get badges? that'd be cool. :D

[Joel Phillips]

Now that the entire list is out, and there are no secrets to be kept, I can speak my mind on a few subjects.

First, this was a blast. It was hard, yes, but it was still one of the most fun projects I've undertaken in a long time. I'm really happy with the diversity of tastes represented on the list. It doesn't mirror my own personal top 40, or anyone's... it's a cumulative effort, one that is intentionally diverse in the stories selected and in how they ranked.

I've got few complaints on this list. I'm no Morrison fan, but E is for Extinction is a top ten story, no question. And I absolutely defend the silent issue's inclusion in the top ten as well. I've never been so thoroughly blown away by the sheer artistry of an issue before, and the manner in which Morrison and Quitely worked it into the 'nuff said event was genius. It's on the list at #7, and I'm sleepin' just fine.

As for stories you folks have tossed out there that didn't make the cut, we considered over 120 stories if memory serves me correctly, so odds are unless your suggestion is really ought of left field it was at least on the ballot. In the end, though, these were the forty that got the most votes. There are stories I'd have included had I been able (Larry Bodine's suicide and the Demon Bear saga both pop right to mind), but they didn't get the support they needed. And I'm okay with that, because I don't think any of the stories on our list are any less deserving of a position.

Oh, and on a personal note... Onslaught? It was on the ballot, but it didn't even come close to making the cut. And there's a reason for that.;)

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

As for us Morrisonians (Morrisonites, Tan? C'mon...lol) on staff, the only other Morrison story i personally pushed for that didn't make the top 40 was Imperial. New X-Men 126 is one of my all time favorite issues, the rest of the arc aside. But like Joel said, there were a lot of good stories that just didn't make the cut. Nothing against them, but i think we've got a fair and diverse sampling of different kinds of X-Men stories across the board. Everyone gets their slice of the pie, and everyone gets full.

Personally, if i'd had a few "buys" on to the list, i'd have included Imperial, X-Men: Children of the Atom, X-Men: True Friends, the Asgardian adventures and X-Men (second series) 1-3...and i managed to sneak in a reference to that last one. VICTORY IS MINE!

[Wolverine]

YES! a perfect list!!!!!!

[GuyX]

And I absolutely defend the silent issue's inclusion in the top ten as well. I've never been so thoroughly blown away by the sheer artistry of an issue before, and the manner in which Morrison and Quitely worked it into the 'nuff said event was genius. It's on the list at #7, and I'm sleepin' just fine.

Yes I enjoyed the issue. Yes it was well executed. But you base it in the top 10 because of that? It just stands out so bad, like a tacky button on a nice suit. The fact is it didn't change or shake the X-mythos in the way all the other top 10 (and some of 11-20) did. Top 50? Yeah I could buy that. But top 10? Before AoA which still blows me away at some parts? Sorry, no dice.

But overall way too good of a 40 list to knock because of one bad choice.

[Joel Phillips]

Originally posted by GuyX
Yes I enjoyed the issue. Yes it was well executed. But you base it in the top 10 because of that?

In a word... yes. Overwhelming high quality isn't a good reason to rank something high on the list? Remember, this list is "greatest" X-stories, meaning it is based primarily on story QUALITY. Influence is just a bonus. Notice that several highly influential issues, like Giant-Size X-Men #1, are totally absent from the list. On this list it's quality first, everything else second.

[Jim Lemoine]

Personally, I think X-aminations (X-Factor #87) should have been #1. I'm right there with those who'd like to see Inferno higher and Onslaught nonexistent... but this finished product is a fine, quality, representive list, overall.

For all those dedicated enough to read this far down in the thread, please provide rounds of applause and mad props to the man who made all of this happen... mucho appreciation for Joel Phillips! Without Joel, this list never woulda happened. So whether you agree or disagree with the finished product, admit that it at least interested you and was filled with some darn good, thought-provoking writing... and thank Joel!

[Joey Meyers]

Originally posted by Joel Phillips
There are stories I'd have included had I been able (Larry Bodine's suicide and the Demon Bear saga both pop right to mind), but they didn't get the support they needed.

Yeah, personally I was very surprised to not see either of those two stories on the top 40, I meanafter I gave an exta copy of #45 to my high shool English teacer he's actually used it as part of his curriculum!

But hey, like you said, apparently they just didn't get the support. What can you do, eh? Still, all in all, I thought it was a fine list.

Oh, and i'm pleasantly surprised to see X-Aminations to high on the list.

[magiklover]

Welp i am very pleased with My top three stories making the err um well top 3 ;). God loves Man Kills is such a great story and something that is often forgotten about that story is the fact that Illyana is in it(YAY).

lIke so many others had said, #7 just wasn't a top ten story, but diverse tastes are why there are so many different comics available for sale so its ok by me.

E is for Extinction i thought really was over rated... BUT! I understand why it is in the top 5 and can appreciate the impact it had and that it was a quality work... just not my cup of tea.

Dark Phoenix was the first trade(and comic story) i ever read when i was at the library one time... and its prolly the worst and best thing ive ever done(worst because of the oodles of dollars ive spent on getting all the back issues) It was such an engaging story, and made me fall in love with the x-men. Anything else at the number one story would have made this list a farce. But since it is number one any disagreements with this list i might have are forgiven and i want to thank the staff at Comi-X-fan for making me remember all these great stories which except for a handful i have in my collection.

O and i Am glad New Mutants 45 was at least considered for this list, as it was very impactful on me.

I think I'll Go in the basement now and dig through the long boxes now :D

[Cyclopian Visions]

Gotta hand it to ya Comi-Xfan guys...this list is amazing and long awaited. Loved reading through it and getting others opinions of stories I've loved and read many, many times.

Looking through the top 40...I own original 1st printings of all of them except 39, 35, 28, and 12...sorry...had to brag a bit.

I was kind of surprised to see some of the following not make the list although I don't know exactly what they would have displaced (trying to get the issue #'s off the top of my head):

- Wolverine Limited Series and the lead-in to UXM with the invitation to Wolvie and Mariko's wedding 172 and 173 where Rogue and Wolvie team up...VERY VERY surprised this didn't crack the top 40
- Uncanny 171...Rogue's joining of the team
- Uncanny X-Men #97...first clash of the Summers brothers.
- Giant Size #1...the formation of the classic team.
- X-Factor:Endgame...one of my all-time favorites with the sending of Nate into the future....VERY VERY surprised about this one though I may be biased
- Uncanny #201...Storm vs. Cyke for leadership of the X-Men...VERY VERY surprised about this one as well
- Uncanny 256-258...Acts Of Vengeance with Psylocke
- The death of the original Thunderbird...UXM #94?
- Uncanny X-Men #340...not sure about the # but the issue where Iceman's father gets hospitalized.
- Uncanny X-Men #313-314...Emma Frost takes over Iceman's body.
- Prelude to the Eve of Destruction with Cyke and Wolvie in Genosha.
- Don't have this one but read it off of someone where Wolvie has to kill Mariko
- New Mutants Wildways Annual

Can't think of anymore off the top of my head...but maybe next time we could have a top 100. ;-)

[spinarakboi]

I have no complaints about any of this except issue 7. Yeah I know it's just personal opinion but I guess I'm just surprised that since X-Men started way back when, there are only 6 stories better than that silent issue? I know it was just a poll of people here at comixfan but... but... ah well, what's done is done.

Nevertheless this has been fun so I appreciate everyone who put forth the effort. Plus I now know which stories out there too keep an eye out for. The only ones on the top ten that I’ve read are E is for Extinction and Psychic Rescue (if that even counts as reading.) To me the top three sound very interesting as well as the Brood Saga. I will hunt them down if I can or ask for them for Christmas.

[Patrick James]

Okay, Morrison's stories haven't really hit their solidarity, IMO, until recently. I do not agree with #7, as I found it impossibly hard to follow and just boring once I did get it.

Also, I think E for Extinction is HIGHLY overrated.

I wish that X-Men #110 and Uncanny #351 had made the top ten. They are my personal favorite X-Men stories I ahve ever read.

Then again, I've only read a few of these classics, so...

[DragoonKain]

These lists were great. For the most part I agree. I wish Inferno were higher, but it was the first x-story I ever read so I'm biased. Anyway, I loved #7, it is one of my faves (though maybe not in the top ten). And I love how you added #5 to the list, Peter David's run on X-Factor was incredible, and I wish he'd come back to write more for the X-Men. I'd love to see him on Uncanny or New.

[harlekein]

Kinda predictable in a way but I can certainly disagree with some, how Inferno could possibly rank lower then for example that Nuff' Said issue or E for Extinction.

[Stapler]

"Silence" was not as good the X-Force 'Nuff Said. Pretty similar in their concepts actually. Silence was better as part of the arc, as the X-Force NS was stand-alone. But that was what this was about right? Stories, not parts of them. And Nova/Imperial just wasn't great in my opinion. Great ideas, pat execution marred by constant art problems.

But I guess in the end, lists like this are totally unneccesary. I appreciate the work that went into it, and writing articles about important stories is fine. But putting them into an order is just inviting division and fighting.

[magiklover]

I See alot of of the younger posters have never read some of the classics... I suggest they invest the 15 bux for the essential x-men trades... So many classics that are on this list are collected on those pages(dark phoenix, days of future past, brood saga, proteus come to mind off hand). Granted Its black and white. But much cheaper than Buying back issues and the stories are so great and the cheap price lets you read it over and over again without worrying about creasing the pages.

Also I wanted to Thank Joel :D

[Mike Gonzalez]

My personal list woulda' been-

10 The Legacy Virus [Uncanny and X-Men] Fabian Nicieza and Scott Lobdell.
The single benefit of the Legacy Virus is that it actually made me care about Illyana, Kwannon, Moira, and Pyro. Still, they should have used the characters right instead of just offing them. This drink is for you guys.

9 X-Factor 072 [Multiple Homicide] Peter David/Larry Stroman
Just for those spectacularly hilarious lines by Quicksilver.
"SLIPPED YOUR MIND?!". I love that cocky bastard.

8 Uncanny X-Men 390 [The Cure] Scott Lobdell/Salvador Larocca
On one hand, it's a great send-off to Colossus. On the other hand, there was really no need or want to see him go. If he ever was to die, though, THIS was how he should have went.

7 Uncanny X-Men 350 [Trial & Errors] Steve Seagle/MAD
Gambit is put on trial for his crimes, giving us a reason to love Gambit and hate Rogue, or love Rogue and hate Gambit, or wanting to see them together. If anything, this closes up any hole created in Mutant Massacre and makes us not despise Marrow so much after we see what she's gone through. The best drawings of Rogue EVER are in this issue too. I wish Joe would come back and draw X-Men again =(

6 Alpha Flight 004 [Resolutions] John Byrne/John Byrne-
The frst hints of Northstar's sexuality, the first meeting between the tragic twins, Northstar and Aurora, an appearance by Namor and Sue Storm make this a spectacular issue to read

5 Giant Sized X-Men #1 [Second Genesis] Len Wein/Dave Cockrum
This is the first "gimme" for the top 10. How could an issue that simultaneously changed an era, introduced minority characters that were actually lovable instead of vengeful, and are STILL around not be in the top 10? How can you put anything from the past couple year above this when just about every story now feeds off of these characters and their archetypes that have changed little in the past couple decades?

4 Inferno [Inferno] various/various
I love how absolutely every major issue with the X-Men came together simultaneously and was solved in a manner that satisfied everyone at the same time. Yeah, some of you love Maddie, but didn't she go out with the best and biggest bang possible? Wasn't it tragic and wonderful at the same time? Isn't Sinister a great villian now that we get to see his true agenda revealed over time? Sinister schemes... ignite Inferno.

3 Fall of the Mutants [Fall of the Mutants] various/various-
New Archangel, Apocalypse, the Horsemen, revenge on Cameron, a new direction for X-Factor, and a prelude for things to come. READ X-FACTOR 024!

2 Dark Phoenix [Dark Phoenix Saga] Chris Claremont/John Byrne
I don't even think I need to justify this.

1 Mutant Massacre [Mutant Massacre] various/various-
A freaking ungodly set of issues dealing a huge blow to the X-universe. For the first time, you can actually really feel the sorrow of a character (Angel). Poor guy.

[Michael Fisch]

[i]
For all those dedicated enough to read this far down in the thread, please provide rounds of applause and mad props to the man who made all of this happen... mucho appreciation for Joel Phillips! Without Joel, this list never woulda happened. So whether you agree or disagree with the finished product, admit that it at least interested you and was filled with some darn good, thought-provoking writing... and thank Joel! [/B]

Thank you Joel...and all the rest who had a part in making the month of X-Men's and Avenger's 40th anniversary worth celebrating. Without ComiXfan, I probably would have forgotten it was their anniversary.

And when it comes to all the disagreements on what placed where, keep in mind that it's been said that the purpose of Top # lists are to provoke discussion and interest. Everyone will disagree with one point or another. It doesn't mean that we don't enjoy the list or appreciate the effort behind it! If anything, take the debates as a pat on the back...you got us talking about and reliving some of our favorite stories of all time. Thank you very much.

With all that said, I couldn't believe some of my favorite stories didn't make the list...The Asgardian Wars! X-Men/Alpha flight 1-2, New Mutants Special Ed. 1, X-Men Annual 10(IIRC). Great story, great art (Go Art Adams! Get him a regular job at Marvel!)...if this arc isn't the epitomy of quality, I don't know what is. I'll just have to assume that it made $41...

[Justice Daye]

I have to agree on 7 and 4. They don't deserve those spots. E wasn't really important to the overall x-universe and could be ignored. 7 did it's job. It was a silent issue and it was supposed full of darkness and symbolism (though I saw more weirdness and Fruedian symbols than Jungian), but as one of the best issue of all time, it's sort of lacking since all it did was explain Nova whose quite dead, now. I t may be cool symbolism, but did it affect anything outside of it's pages? I think a top 10 story should have an overreaching effect that cannot be ignored.
While Morrison's ideas that were presented did affect the x-universe and his needlessly thrown-out ideas, have been taken up by others, it wasn't anything new or original. Besides which the E, didn't progress the x-u, only GM's later stories(I'm thinking mostly the very next arc). It was the ideas that Morrison used later and sporadically presented that changed things. The only real merit I can give the issue(besides it's notable level of sublety) was that it was different, not great, but different.

And thanks for the list, Joel.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Okay, the final tally on entries (for those who care about such trivial things) is as follows:

Joel Phillips: 13 entries
Jordan T. Maxwell: 10 entries
Jim Lemoine: 5 entries
Omar A. Safi: 4 entries
Tan K.: 4 entries
Erwin Rafael: 2 entries
Al Harahap: 1 entry
Anthony Lucynski: 1 entry

Curse you Phillips...i'm tired of playing second fiddle to you. You'll rue this day!

Seriously, it was a blast. Hope y'all enjoyed us. (man, that did not sound right at all...)

[Douglas Cuckler]

Thank you Jim for writing the text for #5. X-Factor 87 was one of my favorites of all time. Classic IMO. Can we have David back on a X-title please!

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Great list, ComiX-Fan staff ;) The 'Nuff Said ish was okay. And so was E is for Extinction. I'm glad the Dark Phoenix Saga took #1 spot. That's AWESOME! GOOOOOO :jean:

[JayQ]

First a big thank you to all of the people that worked on this section of the top fourty lists, they really are enjoyable to read and everything.
Second I agree with most of the choices. Especially after reading all the reasons and everything, considering I dont own most of the books listed here. Looks like I gotta pick some up though. One complaint though, more my own personal favourites, why x-men 45(the one where rogue and gambit talk about everything after AoA) and uxm 350 with the trial of gambit were left offIts not that big of a deal, besides Im sure they were 41 and 42 respectively:) :D

[Dylan McKay]

Originally posted by Jordan T. Maxwell
Seriously, it was a blast. Hope y'all enjoyed us. (man, that did not sound right at all...)

I don't know if I enjoyed you guys, heck, I never even tried you out. But I did/am really enjoying these lists. Even if all my comments are critical, I can't help it. As a non-Morrisonian, I do find it hard to have E and Nuff Said before Inferno, Mutant Massacre, Extinction Agenda and X-Force 19(Hey, I'm a die hard Cannonball fan and that is the definitive Cannonball issue...)

[lavar78]

Originally posted by lockheed


With all that said, I couldn't believe some of my favorite stories didn't make the list...The Asgardian Wars! X-Men/Alpha flight 1-2, New Mutants Special Ed. 1, X-Men Annual 10(IIRC). Great story, great art (Go Art Adams! Get him a regular job at Marvel!)...if this arc isn't the epitomy of quality, I don't know what is. I'll just have to assume that it made $41...

Tell me about it. That's always been my favorite comic story -- it's perfect in every way.

I'm glad to see New Mutants #45 is getting support somewhere. I still can't believe it didn't get enough votes to break the top 40! Ridiculous! But y'all knew I was going to say that.

I agree with Tan WRT the silent issue. It was good (better than E IMO), but it's definitely not #7. Maybe it was switched with "I, Magneto"? ;)

Anyway, I definitely enjoyed the list! I love a good argument (er, debate) -- especially when I get to defend the New Mutants. If anyone buys NM #45 and doesn't think it belongs on this list, I'll pay you double what you paid. OK, maybe not, but still, go buy it!

[salvador]

This chart is perfect. I agree abosolutely with GLMK, DOFP and DPS in the top 3. And see Morrison in the top 10 is also very nice. Especially his mute story was something to remember. I'll miss him...

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Originally posted by Nalyd Psycho


I don't know if I enjoyed you guys, heck, I never even tried you out. But I did/am really enjoying these lists. Even if all my comments are critical, I can't help it. As a non-Morrisonian, I do find it hard to have E and Nuff Said before Inferno, Mutant Massacre, Extinction Agenda and X-Force 19(Hey, I'm a die hard Cannonball fan and that is the definitive Cannonball issue...)

Well, i mean enjoyed our entries. Y'know, those weren't processed in a machine. They were the creations of individual creativity, though and analysis...and a lot of hard work. I nearly fell into a coma after finishing off the Dark Phoenix Saga entry. :D

But it was a really nice excuse to go back and read some amazing comic books.

[mic]

Originally posted by Jordan T. Maxwell


Onslaught? Really? I never thought i'd hear &quot;Onslaught&quot; and &quot;far better than&quot; in the same sentence. Ugh, what a horribly executed story. If that had made it into the top ten, i'd have handed in my badge. If we had badges. Which we don't. Eric, can we get badges? that'd be cool. :D

Yea Onslaught was badly executed but it should have been rated much higher on concept alone.

Oh and just wanted to say AoA was the shiznit.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Concept is nothing without execution.

[Marty P]

This was a great read, all 4 instalments. I would have thought that X-force # 19 would be on it though, I really did.

I also don't agree with # 7.

The rest was pretty good (exept for the X-force issue not being in it):p

[angel1]

hey, great list there guys! I too would have liked to see at least one New Mutant story in there (the Demon Bear story is one great piece of work as far as I'm concerned) but apart from that I was left satisfied. Great work!

[bmack]

Just wanted to add my :2c:

The entire list was great! I wish AoA was a little higher on the list. It was really my favorite "alternate reality" story, and probably the most thought out one. I also agree with some of the previous posters... the two Morrison stories should not have been in the top ten. The Nuff' Said issue, IMO, should not have been in the list at all. I found it confusing, especially for an issue where so much was to be revealed, in an arc that was already confusing. The Avengers Nuff' Said... now there is a story!!! Great work on this list guys and gals!

~ The Mack

[2ndchance]

I complelty agree with #7.

[Stormy]

I think the silent issue was placed too high. I'd have liked to see AoA in that spot or even higher. No surprise that Dark Phoenix was #1.

But I was very pleased to see X-aminations ranked so high. Deservedly so.

[ChaosPhoenix]

Well I think this has been an awesome list. I pretty much agree with it without any major criticisms.

I definitely do agree with New X-Men 121 being on the list. It is one of my absolute favorite issues of X-Men ever. It was a very innovative tale with great interactions between the characters. Also the mindscape/astral plane has never been done this good, imo. The symbolisms were cool and we got cool stuff like murder in the womb and Jean swimming with sperm. Like I've said anyone who doesn't think Morrison is talented should read the script for page 5 (the one where Jean digs into Charles mind).

I'm glad E is for Extinction made the list. I don't think it is overrated. People can dislike Morrisons run but you can't deny the impact it has had on the X-Men, the way we see them, and the universe in which they live. I wouldn't have been surprised if Riot or Imperial had made the list. Morrison's run is going to be the New Claremont/Bryne run for the younger generation of fans, imo.

Anyways glad to see Dark Phoenix as #1. It is one of the most beautiful and emotional stories in comic history. Its a mix of romance, tragedy, and sacrifice. Its also Jean Grey's defining story. I don't think the story was as tainted by Jean's return as it was by the retcon that tried to say it wasn't Jean and the creation of other "Jeans". Theres when the story looses all meaning. But we all know that the story was about Jean Grey and when you read it, it still has an impact.

Kinda wished that X-Men #53 made the list instead of Inferno though....

[Alex Guillen]

the psychic rescue in #121 was one of the best stories in recent memory, just having it without any dialogue made it better, Morisson just told it through Quitely's pencils like an opus and created a fantastic story, did it have to rank so high? well that's Joel's opinion but I do think it ranks very high.
Also E is for extinction changed the x-men to the 21st century and it desrves its spot and the Dark phoenix saga, the definying moemnt in x-history, it was one of the best stories in comic ever.

[vheart]

Hmm... boy am I glad that Onslaught didn't even get mentioned in the Top 40. ;)

I dunno why so many people disagree with Morrison's run, I thought they were some of the best X-stories in literally years! The silent issue is probably the best one-shot issue of the new millennium. I love Morrison for his lateral images and iconism, as well as his dynamic cinematic way of presenting it. Ok, so it does have something to do with the artist as well, but from reading the script, it seems Morrison gave VERY specific details. I LOVE the little subtleties in every issue of his, like the glowing SILENCE sign, Jean's "shush" sign, Emma taking a shot of tequila (THE best Emma moment, like, EVER!), Wolverine reading and Cyclops listening to the discman while waiting... not to mention Jean's "....we've gotta talk". Breaking the rules, but it's sooooo appropriate for this issue. It's these subtle things that really shows off each characters' personalities... I mean, since when in 40 years have you seen Scott listening to music? Or wolvie READING for crying out loud! Or Jean munching on a bag of potato chips in the Cerebra? (Which I think, shows her anxiety...) Or Emma's shot of tequila before entering a mind, or powdering her face in the taxi in E? How about her excuse for going back to the mansion, because she left her "Louis Vitton"? Wow! From these little things, we can tell that Jean's got doubts, while Emma is a very vain and adventerous woman... no words need to be spoken. Apart from "Phoenix Must Die", I don't think there are any issues quite as memorable as this issue! Go Morrison!

However, with all the praising, I'm not sure whether the 2 Morrison stories should make it to Top 10. I love them to death (Nova is scary!!! I'm getting goosebumps as I'm typing) but they simply don't have the luxury of time on their side for them to develop into classics. There are too many great X-stories. Definately in the Top 20 though. I also enjoyed Imperial more than E is for Extinction. ;)

I'm a little peeved that Dream's End didn't make it to Top 40. It's a little moviefied, but the story is still great... and dramatic like GLMK, not to mention the dramatic deaths and the impact of the story. Pyro's last request and how it took one man's life to change Kelly, which no one has been able to do for a decade! Moira's cure that costed her life, how Xavier almost died with her, and how Kelly got shot by one of his former supporters, and Cable arrived seconds too late to save his life because he was trying to save Charles'. Wow! I read all 4 issues in one sitting and I was silent and stunned for like 5 minutes after reading the whole thing.

I also don't think Brood should've been #10. It's good, but... well... it's long... REALLY longwinded and it just sorta runs dry after a few issues. It gave the feeling that it just keep dragging on. And unlike Dark Phoenix, which is long but it took place during 3 different different storylines (Proteus, Kitty/Dazz, Hellfire Club) where as the same old Brood threat every issue.

I also think that AoA should've made Top 10. But that's just me... I guess everyone's different. ;)

[FreakyFlyBry]

I'm not at all surprised by the top 3. However, I am surprised that 2 quite recent stories were in the top 10... I personally didn't find them to be that good, especially the silent issue.

[X-iom]

Yah, X-Factor # 87 made it to the top 5, Peter David's run on X-fCator truly is underrated

[Mike Gonzalez]

Really underrated-

Archangel [Phantom Wings] Milligan/Manco
Longshot Dematteis/Zulli

[Nessie]

Loved the choices... take Morrison's stories out and it will be perfect!!!!

Well... what can i say... i didn't appreciate his line, but he's growing on me... still gonna take long enough to reach my top ten though.

Nonetheless, i must admit that maybe it is the art that i didn't enjoy. Or maybe it's just that i'm a pacifist, and the entire idea of killing ppl just because you want to shock the readers is not what makes my comic worth something.

By this, i don't mean that some deaths were not accepted, for example, Colossus died the most noble death. And that i can accept. Moira died also in a plausible way, and Senator Kelly... yada yada yada.

The Morlocks massacre by the Marauders was a great story - i only am sorry for the way the survivors were handled - given to Mikhail and Calisto in some alternate dimension. And although they've came back, it still doesn't count as the underground society it once was. True, most of them were slaughtered, but that doesn't mean the society couldn't be rebuilt. And Ororo would have a great impact in such action as their leader.

Genosha's geocide was an old story - morlock's ringing bells - in a more global approach. And although Magneto had to lose his weight someway, still doesn't seem right, since Magneto is still alive - again. I'd prefer to see more fights amongst the X-Men and Genosha to protect humans. Yes it has been talked, like once, but i don't think we've actually seen it.

Anyways, i did enjoy Zero Tolerance and didn't find it here. Much better than any of Morrison's runs if i may say so!

[Tan K.]

Originally posted by Jordan T. Maxwell
Concept is nothing without execution.

Is that why more of Morrison's stuff didn't make the list (:clown: ....just a friendly jab).

Originally posted by Cyclopian Visions

- Wolverine Limited Series and the lead-in to UXM with the invitation to Wolvie and Mariko's wedding 172 and 173 where Rogue and Wolvie team up...VERY VERY surprised this didn't crack the top 40

- X-Factor:Endgame...one of my all-time favorites with the sending of Nate into the future....VERY VERY surprised about this one though I may be biased


I can't remember all of the ones I felt should have been included, but these two for sure shoulda been on their. still can't believe Origin made it but Wolverine's LS didn't

[bmack]

Originally posted by Nessie
Loved the choices... take Morrison's stories out and it will be perfect!!!!

Well... what can i say... i didn't appreciate his line, but he's growing on me... still gonna take long enough to reach my top ten though.

Nonetheless, i must admit that maybe it is the art that i didn't enjoy. Or maybe it's just that i'm a pacifist, and the entire idea of killing ppl just because you want to shock the readers

I agree with you 100%!

I have not been a fan of the art in either UXM or NXM lately at all. Maybe its the leather jackets and matching pants. Maybe its how Quitely drew Wolverine to look like a shorty, chubby, asian guy and Cyclops to look like he is anorexic. Maybe its the whole anime look over in UXM (WHY?!? WHY?!? WHY?!?). Maybe it is all of the above.

I also am not a fan of having to use shock value to win over readers. Death, violence, sex, swearing does not a good comic make. However... a good story does. (see Chris Claremont)

~ The Mack

[n25philly]

My only question about this list is what were you guys smoking when you made it, I want some!

If you guys want to put some of Morrisons's cap in the list, that's fine, but two stories in the top ten? How the hell did that happen. All I know is that Morrison is the first writer to make me stop reading an X-Book. The only good thing he's done since taking the books over is sign an exclusive deal with DC. Maybe we could pay them to keep him there. I'd rather re-read the horrible Onslaught storyline than ever read a Morrison X-Story again. That's how bad I find his writing.

GLMK = most overrated book ever. Everyone wants to make it sound like it's the best book ever. It's average at best.

Dark Pheonix saga is only considered good because they "killed Jean" in it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, just not a great one. Then again, I usually cringe anytime aliens are part of an X-story, because it almost always translates into bad. I'm not commenting on the brood story at number 10 with that comment because I never read it.


Overall, this list is good, but not great. The other lists have been very good though. (Except for the best artist list. How did Bachelo make it into the list? Every book I've read that's he's done the art for, I have no clue whatn the hell is going on.)

[Storm_1118]

Originally posted by n25philly

GLMK = most overrated book ever. Everyone wants to make it sound like it's the best book ever. It's average at best.

Overall, this list is good, but not great. The other lists have been very good though. (Except for the best artist list. How did Bachelo make it into the list? Every book I've read that's he's done the art for, I have no clue whatn the hell is going on.

I agree. I never saw why GLMK was so great. I read it and I was just like "okay, whoopidee doo." :) I agree about Bachelo was well. I just look at the page and I'm lost. No clue what's going on.

[bmack]

Originally posted by n25philly
My only question about this list is what were you guys smoking when you made it, I want some!

If you guys want to put some of Morrisons's cap in the list, that's fine, but two stories in the top ten? How the hell did that happen.

Apparently because he is the current writer, and there is a need to appeal to newer fans. This is what Marvel is trying to get us to believe is good stuff.

I know they have to do something different to try and get kids to stop playing Playstation and pick up a comic book, but I think they could do a little better.

As far as grand aspirations to "drastically change the world of the X-Men" goes.... it has been done by every writer who ever touched the book... or any book for that matter. Every new writer who comes in tries to shake up a book in such a way that their stuff will always be remembered and drastically felt. Unfortunately, their work often-times negated the next time a new writer, editor, or film/cartoon opportunity comes on board.

~ The Mack

[nekretaal]

This was a shocker!

I was so sure that, say, Uncanny X-men #1 would both make the list and be very close to the TOP, featuring the introduction of a new girl into a strange new world and setting up the Magneto / Professor X mutant-activist rivalry. Some things were later found to not work, like the Beast character, and the 'teenaged superheores' focus, but the core concept of what the X-men are about is a brilliant idea, and It's first stated here.

I wonder about Giant Sized X-men #1 too, although that It can be said that, after introductions, the actual story of that issue occured on only one panel, and that today a lot of what we understand to be the "plot" (like how Krakowa, exactly, was defeated) was not in the issue and was given to us by later issues and encyclopedias.

I wonder about the relative lack of issues on the list from the "Drawn by Jim Lee" era that saw more people get initially interested in the book than any other era. Only one issue on the top 40 list??? Give the man his due.

Just my initial thoughts

One more thought. If this list were done 6 months from now, or, heck, even today, I don't think that the Xorn origin story (On this list at #30, was it really better than X-men #1?) would still be on the list.

[Joel Phillips]

Originally posted by n25philly
My only question about this list is what were you guys smoking when you made it, I want some!

We were eating Rotisserie chicken. [Simpsons reference #494 completed!]

If you guys want to put some of Morrisons's cap in the list, that's fine, but two stories in the top ten? How the hell did that happen.

Well, it all starts when a writer and an artist love each other very much...

We voted, that's where they ranked. That's how it happened. There's really no massive pro-Morrison conspiracy at work here, especially not with me running the show. I need only direct you to the second edition of my column to show you I'm not a fan of Morrison's run. But these stories were really, really good. It doesn't matter to me who wrote them if the quality is there.

GLMK = most overrated book ever. Everyone wants to make it sound like it's the best book ever. It's average at best.

It's not the best book ever. It's third... ;)

Dark Pheonix saga is only considered good because they &quot;killed Jean&quot; in it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, just not a great one.

I'd disagree. Vehemently.

Then again, I usually cringe anytime aliens are part of an X-story, because it almost always translates into bad. I'm not commenting on the brood story at number 10 with that comment because I never read it.

You should, it's some great stuff. And Claremont's space epics have made for some great stories over the years, and not just the ones on the list. Aliens don't in and of themselves ruin a story. That's just silly.

Originally posted by bmack
Apparently because he is the current writer, and there is a need to appeal to newer fans. This is what Marvel is trying to get us to believe is good stuff.

I hope you don't mean that we included him because he's new, because nothing could be farther from the truth. For God's sake, guys, there are 19 stories from Claremont's original run in the Top 40! I don't see how acknowledging that there have been great RECENT stories as well means we are somehow catering to new fans.

[Erwin Rafael]

actually, New X-Men #121 is the one of the rare times that the X-Men COMIC BOOK was written as a COMIC BOOK, not a freaking short story that happens to be accompanied by pictures.

for that alone, it deserves a place for being one of the highest quality X-Men COMIC BOOK ever written.

[n25philly]

Well, it all starts when a writer and an artist love each other very much...

We voted, that's where they ranked. That's how it happened. There's really no massive pro-Morrison conspiracy at work here, especially not with me running the show. I need only direct you to the second edition of my column to show you I'm not a fan of Morrison's run. But these stories were really, really good. It doesn't matter to me who wrote them if the quality is there.

I wasn't accusing you guys of a pro-Morrison conspriacy or anything like that. I stayed with his run up until the end of imperial trying to give to guy a chance but his writing is horrible. The guy has great ideas, but they turn to crap as soon as they hit paper. I may have been able to stick with the title if they would have put some halfway decent art into the book.



It's not the best book ever. It's third... ;)

Good point!


I'd disagree. Vehemently.

We all have our own opinions, and I certainly respect yours.


You should, it's some great stuff. And Claremont's space epics have made for some great stories over the years, and not just the ones on the list. Aliens don't in and of themselves ruin a story. That's just silly.

I didn't say aliens ruin any and all stories. I usually prefer stories with no aliens, because I like more realistic stuff. Plus, most of my comic reading had been post Claremont, so I was mostly talking about how bad space/alien storied have been the past 5-10 years. To be honest one of my favorite stories is a claremont Space epic.

[Topper Harley]

First of all, many thanks to all involved in such an ardous process. Top quality reading, and also thought provoking.

Interesting to note that #7 and #5 were present, as I had hoped they would be, as I feel both issues show opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to enjoyment of a comic book.

I think they are both absolutely unique. I can offer no better compliment than that. Oh, and I want a Joe-Q designed Lorna costume for my wife....and quite frankly, frank quitely's wonderful work on NXM 121 is one of my fave reads ever.

I'd agree with E is for Extinction being there too. Onslaught, zero tolerance and particularly the decade-spanning "will rogue and gambit get to do it?" plot drove me away from not only the X-books but comics in general during the 90s. Preacher brought me back, and then when i had nothing to read on the train, a friend chucked me his copy of NXM 114.

I was astonished. Sure, subsequent work was shaky (and annoyingly late) but this was the X-Men in a different light.

I can understand people, particularly those who enjoyed the 90s plots, not being fans of Morrison, nobody has the same taste. This list isnt being rammed down their throats as "you MUST like this", so although i disagree wiht the quality of some, I can understand their inclusion....

The top ten is marvellous though, thanks again.

[dasklein83]

This is a really, really well done list. My only complaint so far was that I, Magneto was so far down, but that dosen't undermine the fact that these are all incredibly influential stories. Crossroads was Lee and Claremont doing some of their best work. Silnence was the best artistice performance of Quitely's carrer, even more so than his recent contribution to Endless Nights. The Massacre changed everything and was the first story to demonstrate that the X-Men were playing for higher stakes than they ever have before. X-Aminations is the textbook on how to write the one-shot character spotlight issue. And, E, well E is going to have lasting ramifications no matter how you slice it.

Originally posted by eLIAS bOGAN
While &quot;Psychic&quot; and &quot;Extinction&quot; are certaintly better than the dribble of the 90's they don't deserve to be in the top 10

Top should be:
5) There's Something Awful on Muir Isle
4) From the Ashes
3) Days of Futures Past
2) God Loves, Man Kills
1) Dark Phoenix Saga

These stories have lasting impact some 20+ years later. I don't see Extinction not that silent issue having a far reaching impact even 5 years from now

Hm...gotta disagree here. X-men go public...check
Genosha, a 15 year old plot device destroyed, 16 million dead...check
The Scott Jean relationship that Niceza so eloquently wrote dissmantled...check
Humanity's days are numbered...check
Yeah, this book set the standard for the X-men in the 21st century. It deserves to be exactly where it is. Oh, and everyone be sure to note that 19 stories on the top 40 are Claremont penned. Give credit where credit is due, kids.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

First of all, to those complaining about more recent stories making the list...remember, we weren't going for impact. Of course Giant Sized X-Men #1 and the first issue ever had huge impact on the mythos. But then again, so did Onslaught and The Twelve. It doesn't exactly make them great stories. We were looking at quality of the craft here (which knows no bounds of time, so we have two Milligan era X-Force entries and yet no Liefeld/Nicieza) and that is, of course, going to be subjective. But this list isn't one person's opinion. I can't remember the official count, but several members of the staff made their nominations of what were in their opinion great stories. We nominated as many as we wanted (well over forty in some cases...and in some, less than five) and all nominations were given equal weight. Then everyone voted on the forty that should make it. In the case of myself and others who nominated upwards of the forty mark, that meant eliminating some of your personal bests...and particularly for me, when looking over other nominations and remembering other stories, replacing some of your own nominations with others. Once we had the forty down, everyone voted on where they thought the stories should rank. Then Joel did all the math in his head while chewing gum and playing a drum solo and came up with the list. ;) So for all the "shouldn't be heres" and "don't deserve its" out there...yes, they do. Heck, i'm not that big a fan of Inferno and i ranked it as close to the bottom as i felt justified in doing (there's a FEW single issues on here i haven't read, so i couldn't very well vote them very high). But am i upset that it made it on here, even though i only half enjoyed it? Of course not, that would be silly. :p

as for anyone who doesn't like Morrison's stuff...well, heck. I could sit here and defend the brilliance of his work all day long and most of you wouldn't listen. You've already made up your minds, and that's cool. Read what you like. It just seems to me like a lot (not all, but a lot) of the reasons i hear for not enjoying his work really don't stand up to even cursory examination. Besides...if i can make an even partial believer out of Joel Phillips, then my work here is done.

But still...i don't understand how you can complain that Morrison's run is confusing, yet praise the continuity glitch and temporal paradox ridden Age of Apocalypse (flawed masterpiece that it is...hey, i voted it pretty darn high. just saying...) or the mind numbing Gordian entanglements of the Jean/Phoenix/Madelyne/Phoenix Force/Rachel (also a fan of Jean and the Phoenix...again, i'm just saying...). Personally, there hasn't been a thing in his run that i haven't understood completely. You want a screwy mindjob, try making sense of the Filth. It's like moonshine...great stuff with a lot of kick, but it'll leave you cross eyed if you take it