X-Men (vol. 2) October 1991 – June 2001 Issues #1 to #113 New X-Men July 2001 – June 2004 Issues #114 to #156 X-Men (vol. 2) July 2004 – January 2008 Issues #157 to #207 X-Men: Legacy February 2008 – October 2012 Issues #208 to #275 X-Men: Legacy (vol. 2) November 2012 – March 2014 Issues #1 to #24, #300
No. of issues
List
Total: 300 X-Men: 164 New X-Men: 43 X-Men: Legacy: 93
X-Men (vol. 2) Scott Williams Mark Pennington Art Thibert Mark Morales New X-Men Prentis Rollins Danny Miki X-Men (vol. 2) Tim Townsend Carlos Cuevas X-Men: Legacy Andrew Hennessy Jay Leisten Jordi Tarragona
The title began its publication in October 1991 as X-Men. From 2001 until 2004 it was published as New X-Men. It had reverted from issue #157 to its original title X-Men, but changed again from issue #208 to X-Men: Legacy. Prior to the name change, the series is usually referred to as X-Men (vol. 2) because the first series, Uncanny X-Men, was titled The X-Men prior to 1981.[1] In addition, a new unrelated ongoing series titled X-Men was later released starting in 2010, and is generally referred to as X-Men (vol. 3).
X-Men: Legacy was relaunched in 2012 as part of Marvel NOW! with a new issue #1. The new volume, written by Simon Spurrier, focuses on Legion, son of the recently deceased Professor X, and his mission to preemptively help mutantkind while attempting to get his many personalities under control.[2] The volume ended its run after 25 issues in March 2014,[3] but not before reverting to its original numbering with the final issue, X-Men: Legacy #300.[4]
Title history
Title
First issue
Last issue
Start date
End date
X-Men (vol. 2)
#1
#113
October 1991
June 2001
New X-Men
#114
#156
July 2001
June 2004
X-Men (vol. 2)
#157
#207
July 2004
March 2008
X-Men: Legacy
#208
#275
April 2008
October 2012
X-Men: Legacy (vol. 2)
#1 (#276)
#25 (#300)
November 2012
March 2014
Publication history
X-Men (vol. 2)
The tetraptych cover of X-Men (vol. 2) #1 (October 1991). Art by Jim Lee and Scott Williams
In 1991, Marvel launched X-Men (vol. 2) as a spin-off of the parent title Uncanny X-Men, with co-writers Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, previously the penciler on Uncanny, moving over to X-Men, while studio mate Whilce Portacio took over penciling duties on Uncanny. X-Men #1 is still the bestselling comic book of all time, with pre-order sales of over 8.1 million copies, according to Guinness Book of World Records, which presented honors to Claremont at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con[5][6] It is estimated that somewhere between 3–4 million copies were actually sold.[7] The sales figures were generated in part by publishing the issue with five different variant covers, four of which showed different characters from the book that combined into a tetraptych image, and a fifth, gatefold cover that combined these four, large numbers of which were purchased by retailers, who anticipated fans and speculators who would buy multiple copies in order to acquire a complete collection of the covers.[8] Chris Claremont left after three issues due to creative differences with editor Bob Harras.[9] Writers John Byrne and Scott Lobdell handled dialogue to Lee's plotting after Claremont's departure, and Lee himself left the title after issue #11 to form a new company, Image Comics with several other Marvel artists. Various creative teams contributed to the series from 1992 to 2001, with notable writers including Fabian Nicieza, Scott Lobdell, and Joe Kelly, with Chris Claremont returning to the title for a short run ten years after his original departure. Artists included Andy Kubert, and Carlos Pacheco among many others.
Initially, the book focused on the Blue team led by Cyclops, with the other members forming the Gold team led by Storm. This premise has at times faded from mention, only to be resurrected, with the X-Men divided at times into two and even three separate squads. Important events and crossovers covered by the series include the wedding of Jean Grey and Cyclops, X-Cutioner's Song, the Legacy virus, Fatal Attractions, Legion Quest and Onslaught. The series was interrupted and replaced by Amazing X-Men for four issues in 1995 as part of the Age of Apocalypse crossover.
In July 2001 during a revamp of the X-Men franchise, X-Men (vol. 2) was retitled to New X-Men starting with issue 114, featuring an ambigram logo. Along with these modifications, a new writer, Grant Morrison, was assigned to the title. These changes by the newly appointed Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada, reflected his idea for flagship titles like X-Men to regain some of their former glory, as well as regaining critical acclaim.[10]
Morrison's tenure on the title dealt with Cyclops, Wolverine, Phoenix, Beast, Emma Frost and Xorn. While the second squad of X-Men in Uncanny continued on as (now undercover) super heroes, Grant Morrison redirected these X-Men's mission to that of teachers. Additionally, New X-Men artist Frank Quitely redesigned the look of the team, giving them sleek, leather / polyester outfits instead of their traditional superhero uniforms for a more contemporary look and feel.[10]
Some more of the long-lasting changes that occurred during Morrison's run were the secondary mutation of Beast to resemble a lion-like rather than his former ape-like appearance, and Emma Frost introduced as a member of the team, recreating the ties between Jean Grey and the Phoenix (retconning the retcon), and the death of Phoenix. The school expanded from simply a training center to a legitimate school with dozens of mutant students, a story idea that was first explored in the X-Men film. One of the more controversial events of New X-Men happened in issue #115 when the island of Genosha and its inhabitants, including Magneto, were completely destroyed. This set the tone that dominated the rest of Morrison's tenure on the book.[10]
In June 2004, Chuck Austen, previously the writer of Uncanny X-Men, moved to New X-Men with issue #155. The title of the series reverted to its original title of X-Men in July 2004 with issue #157 during the "X-Men Reload" event. Peter Milligan became the new writer of the series with issue #166 and was replaced by Mike Carey with issue #188.
X-Men: Legacy
Volume 1
The title was renamed X-Men: Legacy starting in February 2008 with issue #208. The new title reflects a shift in the series direction to focusing on solo X-Men characters versus being a team-based book as the title was previously.[11]
The re-titled series follows on from the conclusion of the Messiah Complex crossover, where Professor X was accidentally shot in the head by Bishop. Shortly after the X-Men presumed him deceased, his body disappeared and his whereabouts were unknown. X-Men: Legacy initially followed the Professor's presumed road to recovery as well as the encounters he faced, such as a battle with the mutant Exodus on the psychic plane[12] and discoveries about his past that include Mr. Sinister.
Many characters have been featured in the title, including Rogue, Magneto, Gambit, and the Acolytes. The title also featured flashbacks relevant to the ongoing present story as well as answered dangling plot lines throughout X-Men continuity.[citation needed]
As of issue #226, Rogue replaced Professor Xavier as the central character. Having now achieved control over her absorption powers, Scott Summers (Cyclops) has repositioned Rogue as mentor to the younger mutants under the protection of the X-Men on Utopia. Rogue is in the unique position to be able to help the students, due to her abilities, allowing fresh insight to their use and control. She has so far, also, been shown to face off against notable deadly adversaries including: Emplate and Proteus. She also took part in the X-Men: Second Coming crossover, acknowledging her special link to Hope.
As part of the Marvel NOW! relaunch event, Volume 1 of X-Men: Legacy ended with issue #275. The X-Men: Legacy title was relaunched as a new series with a new issue #1, written by Simon Spurrier and penciled by Tan Eng Huat. The new series focused on Legion, the son of the recently murdered Charles Xavier, who is struggling to keep his multitude of personalities under control while trying to honor his father's legacy by preemptively fighting off threats to mutants using his many powers.[2]
The 25th issue of the volume was renumbered #300 to commemorate the longevity of the series. Issue #300 features a plot by a collaboration between the three X-Men: Legacy writers, Mike Carey, Christos Gage and Simon Spurrier. This is also the final issue of X-Men: Legacy.[4]
A third volume of X-Men: Legacy was planned, to be written by Chris Claremont. However, that series was renamed Nightcrawler after its featured character.[13]
Relationship with other X-Men titles
Since the introduction of X-Men, the plotlines of this series and other X-Books have been interwoven to varying degrees. For most of its run, X-Men has featured a completely different team of X-Men than other titles featuring the X-Men. While it was not uncommon for characters of one book to appear in the other, any major stories concerning characters were dealt with in their own team book.
X-Men and Uncanny X-Men have shared two periods of time where they were more or less treated as a single, fortnightly series. In both of these cases they shared an author: 1995 to 1996 by Scott Lobdell and 1999 to 2000 by Alan Davis. During these times, the plotlines from X-Men and Uncanny X-Men led directly into each other.
In July 2004, the cast of New X-Men was moved to the newly relaunched Astonishing X-Men, and most of the cast of the Uncanny X-Men was transferred to X-Men, vol. 2. With three main X-Men series running concurrently, members from each book continue to appear in the other titles.
Note Uncanny and X-Men (vol. 2) became tightly linked Dark Beast replaced Beast in X-Men Unlimited #10 and started impersonating Beast from Uncanny #331 and X-Men #50
All mutants are rendered human by the High Evolutionary and Mister Sinister, leading the X-Men to briefly disband; this issue shows many X-Men characters adjusting to their now-human lives
Professor X is the Headmaster of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and mentor to the X-Men, but he is rarely a field operative of the team. In his role as mentor he has typically been present in the book, but he has notable absences, including issues #59–71 (in government custody after the Onslaught crisis) and #99–106 (educating Cadre K in space).
At many times the team roster has been the same as that appearing in Uncanny X-Men and during two periods, the two books have even been treated by their writer as a single bi-weekly title (issues #46–69 by Scott Lobdell and issues #85–99 by Alan Davis).
Other artists, including Igor Kordey and Ethan Van Sciver, often illustrated issues because Quitely was running very far behind on deadlines.
No regular artist, 2003–2004
Several illustrators, notably Phil Jimenez and Marc Silvestri, completed brief stints on the book due to deadline complications with previous art teams.
plus Fantastic Four #416; Onslaught: Marvel Universe one-shot; Cable #36; Uncanny X-Men #337; Onslaught: Epilogue one-shot; Iron Man #6; X-Men: Road to Onslaught one-shot
plus Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia one-shot, Uncanny X-Men #513–514, Dark Avengers #7–8, Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus one-shot, Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1–3, and Dark X-Men: The Confession one-shot
plus Uncanny X-Men #307-310; Avengers (1963) #368-369; Avengers West Coast #101; Cable (1993) #6-8; X-Men Unlimited #3; Uncanny X-Men Annual #18; X-Men: The Wedding Album; What If? #60; The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix #1-4; material from Marvel Valentine Special
plus Uncanny X-Men #320–321, Cable #20, X-Men Alpha, Amazing X-Men #1–4, Astonishing X-Men #1–4, Factor X #1–4, Gambit & the X-Ternals #1–4, Generation Next #1–4, Weapon X #1–4, X-Calibre #1–4, X-Man #1–4, X-Men Omega, Age of Apocalypse: The Chosen and X-Men Ashcan Edition #2
plus Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia one-shot; Uncanny X-Men #513–514; Dark Avengers #7–8; Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus one-shot; Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1–3; Dark X-Men: The Confession one-shot
Jean Elaine Grey is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #1. Jean Grey is a member of a subspecies of humans known as mutants who are born with superhuman abilities. She was born with psionic powers. The character has also been known as Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix at various points in her history.
The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist/co-writer Jack Kirby and editor/co-writer Stan Lee, the team first appeared in The X-Men #1. Although initially cancelled in 1970 due to low sales, following its 1975 revival and subsequent direction under writer Chris Claremont, it became one of the most recognizable and successful franchises of Marvel Comics. They have appeared in numerous books, television shows, Disney's 20th Century Studios X-Men films, and video games. The X-Men title may refer to the superhero team itself, the eponymous comic series, or the broader franchise including various solo titles and team books such as the New Mutants, Excalibur, and X-Force.
Christopher S. Claremont is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 16-year stint on Uncanny X-Men from 1975 to 1991, far longer than that of any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters as well as introducing complex literary themes into superhero narratives, turning the once underachieving comic into one of Marvel's most popular series.
Rogue is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Michael Golden, she first appeared in Avengers Annual #10 (1981). In her comic book appearances, Rogue is depicted as a mutant, a subspecies of humans born with an "X-gene" that grants superhuman abilities. She is capable of absorbing the life force, attributes, memories, and superpowers of anyone through physical touch. Rogue is initially portrayed as a reluctant supervillain, but she soon joins the X-Men as a superhero and has since endured as one of its most prominent members.
X-Men, also known as X-Men: The Animated Series is an animated superhero television series that debuted in the United States on October 31, 1992, on Fox's Fox Kids programming block. It was Marvel Comics' second attempt at an animated X-Men television series after the pilot X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men was not picked up.
Storm is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, the character first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1. Descended from a long line of African witch-priestesses, Storm is a member of a fictional subspecies of humans born with superhuman abilities known as mutants. She is able to control the weather and atmosphere and is considered to be one of the most powerful mutants on the planet, and one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe.
Gambit is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. The character was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee. Drawn by artist Mike Collins, Gambit made his first appearances in The Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 and The Uncanny X-Men #266. Gambit belongs to a subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. Gambit has the ability to mentally create, control, and manipulate pure kinetic energy to his desire. He is also incredibly knowledgeable and skilled in card throwing, hand-to-hand combat, and the use of a bō staff. Gambit is known to charge playing cards and other objects with kinetic energy, using them as explosive projectiles.
Excalibur is a fictional superhero group appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are depicted as an offshoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. Conceived by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer Alan Davis, they first appeared in Excalibur Special Edition #1 (1987), also known as Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn. Stories involving this team have featured elements of both the X-Men and Captain Britain franchises, frequently involving cross-dimensional travel.
New X-Men is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics within the X-Men franchise. Whereas other X-Men comics mostly dealt with adult mutants, this series concentrated on the lives of young students residing at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
Uncanny X-Men, originally published as The X-Men, is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics since 1963, and is the longest-running series in the X-Men comics franchise. It features a team of superheroes called the X-Men, a group of mutants with superhuman abilities led and taught by Professor X.
X-Treme X-Men is the name of two comic book series published by Marvel Comics, the first from 2001 through 2004, and the second from 2012 through 2013. All 46 issues of the first series were written by Chris Claremont, and featured a globetrotting X-Men team led by Storm. The first 24 issues were drawn by Salvador Larroca, and the final 22 issues were drawn by Igor Kordey.
X-Men: Reload was the name given by Marvel Comics to their May 2004 revamp of the X-Men titles with new looks for the characters and fresh plot points. The revamp was prompted by Grant Morrison's departure from New X-Men.
"Days of Future Past" is a storyline in the Marvel Comics comic book The Uncanny X-Men issues #141–142, published in 1981. It deals with a dystopian future in which mutants are incarcerated in internment camps. An adult Kate Pryde transfers her mind into her younger self, the present-day Kitty Pryde, who brings the X-Men to prevent a fatal moment in history that triggers anti-mutant hysteria.
"X-Cutioner's Song" is a crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics' in twelve parts from November 1992 to early 1993. It ran in Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force, and featured Stryfe as the central villain.
"Eve of Destruction" is an X-Men crossover storyline in the fictional Marvel Comics Universe. The storyline was written by Scott Lobdell and features artwork from Leinil Francis Yu, Salvador Larroca, and Tom Raney.
"X-Men: Messiah Complex" is an American comic book crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics from October 2007 to January 2008, which ran through the various X-Men books.
X-Men Forever is the name of three comic book series published by Marvel Comics featuring the mutant superhero group the X-Men. The first is a 2001 miniseries, unrelated to the others. The second and third are the work of writer Chris Claremont.
"Nation X" is a 2009–2010 crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics featuring the X-Men. Published in the aftermath of the "Utopia" storyline and dealing with the return of Magneto, the story appeared across several different books, including Uncanny X-Men #515–522, Nation X #1–4 and X-Men: Legacy #228–230. Its writers include James Asmus, Matt Fraction, Grace Randolph, Scott Snyder, Simon Spurrier, and Chris Yost, and its artists include Leonard Kirk, Mike Allred, Terry Dodson, Greg Land and Whilce Portacio.
X-Men: Regenesis is a comic book branding used by Marvel Comics that ran through the X-Men family of books beginning in October 2011, following the end of the X-Men: Schism miniseries. This realignment of the mutant population is ahead of the 2012 Marvel event Avengers vs. X-Men which begins during Regenesis with the mini series Avengers: X-Sanction and brings back Cable, who was previously thought to be dead following the events of X-Men: Second Coming.
Excalibur is the name of several superhero comic books published by Marvel Comics since 1988, generally featuring the team of the same name.
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