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The Best X-Men Comics to Read

The X-Men stories most often recommended, from Giant-Size X-Men #1 to House of X, with issue numbers and creators, plus the X-Men comics in stock.

Updated

The best X-Men comics to read include Giant-Size X-Men #1, The Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past and House of X. These are the stories readers and critics recommend most, listed in the order they came out, with the issues they’re in. The X-Men first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The covers started calling the book The Uncanny X-Men in 1978, and the title officially changed with #142 in 1981.

The essential X-Men stories

Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

Len Wein and Dave Cockrum introduce the new team: Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Thunderbird, with Wolverine joining them. Chris Claremont took over the series soon after and wrote it for the next sixteen years.

The Dark Phoenix Saga (X-Men #129–137, 1980)

Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s story of Jean Grey’s fall. Its first issue also introduces Kitty Pryde and the White Queen.

Days of Future Past (X-Men #141 and The Uncanny X-Men #142, 1981)

Two issues set in a future where mutants are hunted by Sentinels, and a warning sent back to the present.

God Loves, Man Kills (1982)

Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson’s graphic novel about a preacher’s crusade against mutants, the basis of the second X-Men film.

The Mutant Massacre (1986)

A crossover through Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor and other titles, in which the Marauders attack the Morlocks.

X-Men #1 (1991)

Chris Claremont and Jim Lee launch a second X-Men title. It’s often listed as the best-selling comic book of all time.

Age of Apocalypse (1995)

An event that replaced every X-book for four months with an alternate world ruled by Apocalypse.

New X-Men (#114–154, 2001–2004)

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s reinvention, starting with the destruction of Genosha.

Astonishing X-Men (2004)

Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s run, which brought Colossus back.

House of X and Powers of X (2019)

Jonathan Hickman’s twin series that remade the X-Men around the mutant nation of Krakoa. It’s the most recommended modern starting point.

X-Men key issues in stock

These are the X-Men comics in stock that collectors look for as key issues: first appearances and major events. Every copy is photographed as it is, and its grade is on its listing.

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X-Man #1 (1995)

1st appearance of Nate Grey

Hi Grade 9.0–9.4 $9.38

Where to start collecting

Chris Claremont’s run is the backbone of most X-Men collections. Our Uncanny X-Men page lists the Claremont-era issues we have in number order, and the X-Men comics page has everything else, from X-Factor to the new series. Not sure what a grade means? See the grading guide.

X-Men comics just listed

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