Favorite Incarnation of the Original 5

[Brian M.]

Through out the years we've had several times where the Original 5 have teamed up or tales of them have been told. So, which one did you like best? Which version made them feel more like a family to you? What were some of the highlights from that run?

Uncanny #1-66?
http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/uncanny-x-men/1-3.jpg

X-Factor #1-70
http://images.wikia.com/marveldatabase/images/thumb/8/8d/Xfactor_1_1.jpg/350px-Xfactor_1_1.jpg

X-Men Hidden Years
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/f/fa/200px-X-Men_Hidden_Years_1.jpg

X-Men: First Class
http://www.sickosbasement.com/images/productimages/48148_ful.jpg

[Karl H]

Seagle Kelly.

Requires no further explaination. Crows - lots and lots of crows.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

mostly the Simonsons' run on the title.
was Jackson Guice the original penciler? I think he was.

[Dagger]

I'm going with the Seagle/Kelly run, even though I love X-Factor, it's bittersweet for me because Weezie changed my Warr into !@#$ing Archangel! And I never really cared for Hidden Years or First Class.

[Brian M.]

mostly the Simonsons' run on the title.
was Jackson Guice the original penciler? I think he was.

I have to agree, X-Factor for me was the O5 at their best. The Uncanny run got better towards the 30's and on, but X-Factor was hands down just awesome. Espically towards the end w/ baby Nathan and stuff. Great stuff.

[jarrod]

Days of Future Past... time for the old fogeys to follow Jean's lead. :evilsmile

[Brian M.]

Here's the two other images from the other two respective appearances:

Seagle/Kelly in Uncanny
http://www.allsf.net/Images/SFbd/US/Uncanny%20X-Men%20356.jpg

X-Men: Civil War
http://comicbookonline.net/comics/Civil-War-X-Men-4.jpg

[The Sword Is Drawn]

It's X-Factor for me, but with Archangel Warren, Perma-Ice Bobby, and Beast fighting to keep his intelligence. Those were good times development wise.

[Babylon23]

I'd say X-Factor, especially issues 10-40 (from Walt Simonson coming on board up to Inferno). The Fall of the Mutants story in X-Factor was the abolute high point for me.

[Karl H]

Yeah the whole Beast struggle to keep his intelligence circa Fall of the Mutants was compelling storytelling.

[Pach!]

I vote Civil War: X-men since it is by far the best mini the x-men have been in.I am totally kidding by the way, I voted for X-Factor.

[Brian M.]

I vote Civil War: X-men since it is by far the best mini the x-men have been in.I am totally kidding by the way, I voted for X-Factor.

I expect it from jarrod, but you...:evilangry

There are two good scenes in that mini though.

The end of issue #1 where they are preparing to leave and are standing at the edge of the cliff saying that it feels like the end of an era.

The end of #4 where Cyclops tells them all to leave him and Bishop and Bobby and Warren start getting all sarcastic about leaving and Hank tells Scott if he really thought they would leave him. Only two good scenes of the whole mini imo.

[Karl H]

I vote Civil War: X-men since it is by far the best mini the x-men have been in.I am totally kidding by the way, I voted for X-Factor.

you are a funny man!

[Pach!]

I expect it from jarrod, but you...:evilangry

There are two good scenes in that mini though.

The end of issue #1 where they are preparing to leave and are standing at the edge of the cliff saying that it feels like the end of an era.

The end of #4 where Cyclops tells them all to leave him and Bishop and Bobby and Warren start getting all sarcastic about leaving and Hank tells Scott if he really thought they would leave him. Only two good scenes of the whole mini imo.

LOL..I was kidding Brian! That mini was not worth the paper it was printed on. I voted X-factor with all its O5 goodness.

[caney]

X-Factor!!! Before they started up with X-Factor the O5 were all feeling lost (or dead :)) and without any kind of direction for their lives. When they got back together it just felt right. Suddenly they refound their purpose and got out there helping to protect and teach young mutants. I loved watching them carry on with Xavier's dream in their own way by acting as mentors for the next generation.

[Brian M.]

X-Factor!!! Before they started up with X-Factor the O5 were all feeling lost (or dead :)) and without any kind of direction for their lives. When they got back together it just felt right. Suddenly they refound their purpose and got out there helping to protect and teach young mutants. I loved watching them carry on with Xavier's dream in their own way by acting as mentors for the next generation.

They did a better job of Xavier's dream then the actual X-Men did.

[Dagger]

X-Factor!!! Before they started up with X-Factor the O5 were all feeling lost (or dead :)) and without any kind of direction for their lives. When they got back together it just felt right. Suddenly they refound their purpose and got out there helping to protect and teach young mutants. I loved watching them carry on with Xavier's dream in their own way by acting as mentors for the next generation.
:eek: :eek: Did you read the New Defenders? Warren, Bobby and Hank were awesome in that series!!! That series made me fall in love with Warren!!

[Brian M.]

http://www.basehead.org/files/shots/original_x-men.jpg

My biggest disappointment is we had a shot at seeing the O5 on screen, but didn't happen. If the final battle included them...awesome movie.

Nice line-up from the end of the Uncanny run
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/earthnewxmenneverwere6.jpg

[Karl H]

Why is Beast wearing a read suit in that movie photo Bri?

[Brian M.]

Why is Beast wearing a read suit in that movie photo Bri?

I think it's just the way the light was hitting the yellow in the scene where they captured the image from.

[caney]

:eek: :eek: Did you read the New Defenders? Warren, Bobby and Hank were awesome in that series!!! That series made me fall in love with Warren!!

Yes I did, and it was fun stuff! But it didn't really end up too well for them with most of the team dying, so after that happened all three of them were sort looking at doing something other than being superheros for a while. X-Factor gave them back their purpose after New Defenders.

[Dagger]

Yes I did, and it was fun stuff! But it didn't really end up too well for them with most of the team dying, so after that happened all three of them were sort looking at doing something other than being superheros for a while. X-Factor gave them back their purpose after New Defenders.
True, it didn't end the greatest, but it was a wild awesome ride! I loved Candy Southern, and fricken X-Factor had to ruin the best relationship Warren ever had.

[Brian M.]

True, it didn't end the greatest, but it was a wild awesome ride! I loved Candy Southern, and fricken X-Factor had to ruin the best relationship Warren ever had.

Yea, that was pretty sad. Warren seems so happy before Hodge screwed it all up.

[caney]

True, it didn't end the greatest, but it was a wild awesome ride! I loved Candy Southern, and fricken X-Factor had to ruin the best relationship Warren ever had.

That wasn't X-Factor's fault. That was all Cameron Hodge (and Warren's the one who brought him in :eek:). I hate that guy more than any X-Villain ever. He's suck a prick.

[Dagger]

That wasn't X-Factor's fault. That was all Cameron Hodge (and Warren's the one who brought him in :eek:). I hate that guy more than any X-Villain ever. He's suck a prick.
AHe was. Such a fake bastard!

[caney]

OOOooooh. One of my favorite parts in New Defenders was when Manslaughter dressed up Candy in a super whorish looking uniform. Good times!

[Brian M.]

OOOooooh. One of my favorite parts in New Defenders was when Manslaughter dressed up Candy in a super whorish looking uniform. Good times!

I think I gotta gather the New Defender Hank/Bobby/Warren issues.

[Dagger]

I loved how Bobby had Cloud dressing, not even realizing how uncomfortable she was, and posing so pin-upish! It's no wonder s/he left yo ass for Moondragon!

[Omega Alpha]

X-factor #1-70. Amazing stories and everyone at their top form. Simonson was fantastic.

They did a better job of Xavier's dream then the actual X-Men did.

Yep. And better than Xavier too. They even had their own parades, like the Avengers

[DDM]

The original X-Factor #1-70, particularly the Louise Simonson & Walter Simonson issues. I also like the John Byrne story from X-Factor Annual #4 featuring Beast & Marvel Girl. Louise Simonson did not ignore any of the primary characters, although Scott & Jean have the most attention, but she gave enough of spotlight to Warren, Bobby, & Hank with interesting story lines.

Of the original series, the highlight is X-Men #56-63 by Roy Thomas & Neil Adams:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.56.GIFhttp://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.57.GIF
http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97792366288.62.GIF

[Brian M.]

DDM isn't it true that the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams issues actually rose in sales but back then reporting wasn't instanteous and the book was cancelled before those numbers came in?

Personally out of the Original run I liked 28-40. The Factor Three stuff was cool and the reappearance of the Juggernaut was great.

[DDM]

DDM isn't it true that the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams issues actually rose in sales but back then reporting wasn't instanteous and the book was cancelled before those numbers came in?

Although sales spiked during the Roy Thomas & Neil Adams run, X-Men was already scheduled for cancellation. Neil Adams wanted to be put on Marvel's lowest selling book which, at the time, was X-Men.

[Beast]

While I love X-Men: First Class, I gotta give it to X-Factor.

They took the Original 5 and told some really great stories with them. Sure there was a lot of angst in the issues, from pretty much everyone of the characters... especially Warren, Bobby, and Hank. But they balanced it well so it didn't get overwhelmingly dark and moody like the X-Books are currently.

[Affinity]

I voted for First Class! It's a fun mini that's pretty cool and well done. This is also seeing as I haven't read X-Factor, Uncanny's 1-66, but do remember a lot of crows that I just didn't get in Seagle/Kelly run. Lols.

[Diablito]

X-Men First Class is a fun, happy, and easy-to-read book. That's why I voted for it.

[Brian M.]

X-Men First Class is a fun, happy, and easy-to-read book. That's why I voted for it.

That it is.

I was wondering, why no love for Hidden Years...I've not read that, but I hear it wasn't bad.

[Ryan K]

The incarnation where Cyclops stayed and the rest of them left.

[Brian M.]

The incarnation where Cyclops stayed and the rest of them left.

Get out of my thread.

[Kid Seven]

X-Factor all the way for me. Remember when Portacio could actually be bothered to draw? And I loved Archangel.

[Brian M.]

X-Factor all the way for me. Remember when Portacio could actually be bothered to draw? And I loved Archangel.

Portacio's art was amazing. His arc w/ Askani, baby Nathan, Inhumans, Apoc, Horsemen, Dark Riders was just awesome. Destruction of Ship was so sad.

[rilokyle]

I loved the Seagle/Kelly Original 5 issues. Good times had by all!

[Brian M.]

I loved the Seagle/Kelly Original 5 issues. Good times had by all!

I would think you'd be a fan of the Thomas/Adam's run in Uncanny...Havok, Polaris...good times.

[rilokyle]

I would think you'd be a fan of the Thomas/Adam's run in Uncanny...Havok, Polaris...good times.

True true, but not having read those issues, I can't really say. Actually, aside from the X-Factor issues from the x-overs in the 80s, the only issues of the O5 that I own ARE the Seagle/Kelly ones. So perhaps I'm biased.

I do need to get my hands on the Thomas/Adam issues someday though. But aside from Lorna's intro arc and Havok's intro arc, didn't they basically not show up in any other issues? BUM deal.

[Kalen O.]

X-Factor all the way baby!

It had Doppelganger!! And Lev, Bobby's best girlfriend ever!

Plus, in context of Carey's run, its too funny looking back on all those issues where Uncle Bobby babysits baby Nate and changes his diapers. Man, what I wouldn't give for some writer to bring THAT particular bit of continuity up in current issues.

[scottv]

I haven't read X-Factor so out of the ones that I have read the original Uncanny was the best. It may not have been the art that we are used to today but it was still one of the first and still the best!

[Kid Seven]

X-Fatcor also gets my vote for the (shallow) reason that I enjoyed their costumes the most. I can't think of Jean during that period without picturing Art Adams' trading card, and also the annual he did with X-factor in it.

Great stuff.

[Omega Alpha]

That it is.

I was wondering, why no love for Hidden Years...I've not read that, but I hear it wasn't bad.

But it wasn't that good either... The main problem to me at least is that Byrne was so worried about fit everything in continuity that he forgot to enjoy the ride. First Class is pure fun and screw everything else.


Plus, in context of Carey's run, its too funny looking back on all those issues where Uncle Bobby babysits baby Nate and changes his diapers. Man, what I wouldn't give for some writer to bring THAT particular bit of continuity up in current issues.

Yeah, i was dying for Carey to mention it too, but i don't think it's gonna happen.

[Brian M.]

I never even thought of Iceman changing Nathan's diapers...damnit. I knew he use to watch him while Scott/Jean tried to make Ship rock and all but...that would have been funny as hell.

[DDM]

True true, but not having read those issues, I can't really say. Actually, aside from the X-Factor issues from the x-overs in the 80s, the only issues of the O5 that I own ARE the Seagle/Kelly ones. So perhaps I'm biased.

I do need to get my hands on the Thomas/Adam issues someday though. But aside from Lorna's intro arc and Havok's intro arc, didn't they basically not show up in any other issues? BUM deal.

Lorna Dane & Havok helped defeat the Z'Nox with the original X-Men. Basically, they were supporting characters after their respective introductions & offically joined the X-Men in X-Men #65 (the last Neil Adams X-Men story) before the book was cancelled with X-Men #66.

[Brian M.]

I wonder what the plans were for the series if it had continued...you always hear of abandoned Claremont plots...wonder what Roy Thomas and Neal Adams wanted to do.

[DDM]

I wonder what the plans were for the series if it had continued...you always hear of abandoned Claremont plots...wonder what Roy Thomas and Neal Adams wanted to do.

Roy Thomas' heart was never with X-Men, but since the book was scheduled for cancellation, I don't think any unused plots were found elsewhere as with Chris Claremont. Thomas wanted another mutant to officially join the X-Men, but Stan Lee told him "no." That mutant was to be Sunfire who appears in only one issue, X-Men #64.

Neal Adams did not have any faith in the book; otherwise, he would have penciled X-Men #64 & X-Men #66.

[Brian M.]

Roy Thomas' heart was never with X-Men, but since the book was scheduled for cancellation, I don't think any unused plots were found elsewhere as with Chris Claremont. Thomas wanted another mutant to officially join the X-Men, but Stan Lee told him "no." That mutant was to be Sunfire who appears in only one issue, X-Men #64.

Neal Adams did not have any faith in the book; otherwise, he would have penciled X-Men #64 & X-Men #66.

Bummer. I do like that they were expanding things w/ Havok and Polaris and potentially Sunfire. I wonder if the Cyclops/Havok relationship would have been different had the series continued and they got to be on the same team.

[Dagger]

Neal Adams did not have any faith in the book; otherwise, he would have penciled X-Men #64 & X-Men #66.
That's not true. He had the choice of drawing any book he wanted, and chose X-Men because he felt he could make it a top seller. Turns out, he was onto something, but they cancelled it before they realized it was gaining sales. Don't believe me, check out the Wizard X-Men 30 year anniversary special with the interview with Roy Thomas.

[DDM]

That's not true. He had the choice of drawing any book he wanted, and chose X-Men because he felt he could make it a top seller. Turns out, he was onto something, but they cancelled it before they realized it was gaining sales. Don't believe me, check out the Wizard X-Men 30 year anniversary special with the interview with Roy Thomas.

Regardless, X-Men was still scheduled for cancellation, despite the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams stories. That's why X-Men #66 ends so strange. It seems just like a story just to publish, although it has no real point. The X-Men fight the Hulk to save Professor Xavier. The cancellation of the book is why Neil Adams did not do any of the art in X-Men #64 & #66. Adams was mad that Roy Thomas was not available to write X-Men #65 which is written by Denny O'Neil. Adams hated the names of the aliens, the Z'Nox.

Roy Thomas' heart was with The Avengers over the X-Men.

[Brian M.]

Regardless, X-Men was still scheduled for cancellation, despite the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams stories. That's why X-Men #66 ends so strange. It seems just like a story just to publish, although it has no real point. The X-Men fight the Hulk to save Professor Xavier. The cancellation of the book is why Neil Adams did not do any of the art in X-Men #64 & #66. Adams was mad that Roy Thomas was not available to write X-Men #65 which is written by Denny O'Neil. Adams hated the names of the aliens, the Z'Nox.

Roy Thomas' heart was with The Avengers over the X-Men.


Yea the end of #66 is very forgettable. Sad.

[jarrod]

Actually, I think my favorite O5 story is probably from X-factor 65-68 by Lee, Portacio and Claremont. Ship's destruction, the Askani warrior taking baby Nathan, teaming up with the Inhumans against the Dark Riders and Apocalypse, Charlotte Jones being awesome as usual... good stuff!

[Brian M.]

Actually, I think my favorite O5 story is probably from X-factor 65-68 by Lee, Portacio and Claremont. Ship's destruction, the Askani warrior taking baby Nathan, teaming up with the Inhumans against the Dark Riders and Apocalypse, Charlotte Jones being awesome as usual... good stuff!

You redeem your with that.

[Gene M.]

I'll take any version of the O5 over any other line up, and right now, my favorite is First Class.

[Slung]

X-Factor all the way baby!

It had Doppelganger!! And Lev, Bobby's best girlfriend ever!

Ahh, Lev. The only girlfriend Bobby had that he really loved. Of course, he also had amnesia at the time and thought he was an alien. :)

[Brian M.]

I'll take any version of the O5 over any other line up, and right now, my favorite is First Class.

Make sure you buy it tomorrow.

[Dagger]

Regardless, X-Men was still scheduled for cancellation, despite the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams stories. That's why X-Men #66 ends so strange. It seems just like a story just to publish, although it has no real point. The X-Men fight the Hulk to save Professor Xavier. The cancellation of the book is why Neil Adams did not do any of the art in X-Men #64 & #66. Adams was mad that Roy Thomas was not available to write X-Men #65 which is written by Denny O'Neil. Adams hated the names of the aliens, the Z'Nox.

Roy Thomas' heart was with The Avengers over the X-Men.
lol Long winded speech about nothing. When they came on the series it wasn't slated for cancellation, and the increase in sales was a big reason why they put out the reprints of earlier issues until they decided they wanted to bring them back, and Len Wein and Dave Cockrum were going to bring out the new X-Men in G.S. X-Men 1. Stating that Adams and Thomas had a little tiff really doesn't add anything to the conversation, just as saying that Thomas liked the Avengers more than the X-Men.

[Cam Man]

Um, don't know if it's been mentioned but how can X-Men Civil War be on the poll if its about the original 5? There's no Jean to be found at all. As Emma said in it its just a boys night out kind of thing.

Just me being anal is all.

[Beast]

Um, don't know if it's been mentioned but how can X-Men Civil War be on the poll if its about the original 5? There's no Jean to be found at all. As Emma said in it its just a boys night out kind of thing.

Just me being anal is all.
Four out of Five is better than nothing. Even though the story was horrid and barely featured them. :)

[Hank Parlor]

Unquestionably for me, the choice Uncanny #1-66. Even though that run does have it's share of pitfalls (*cough* The Porcupine) The fact that there were three runs that I thouroughly enjoyed (Lee/Kirby, the very short Arnold Drake run, and of course THomas/Adams) puts it ahead. I find the issues Drake did are constantly overlooked, which is a shame, as I thought his gothic narration added to the stories and is similar to what Claremont later did. I always wondered what a longer Drake run would've been like.

[Brian M.]

Yea, I know CW: X-Men isn't all of the Original 5, but it did have 4 of them, using that method of thinking I guess New Defenders should be up there since it had a majority of them aswell.

[Jack Flash]

i voted kelly/seagle. I liked them all at that point. too bad it was so short.

My favorite Cyke is Fall of Avalon.
My favorite Jean is Dark Phoenix.
My favorite IceBoy is OZT.
My favorite Beast is with WonderMan.
My favorite Angel is pinned to a subway wall. or Red Dawn Search!

[xgeek52]

how do i choose after reading them since the beginning...

i loved the seagle/kelly run and xfactor, they were among the best by far...didn't really care for the hidden year...i found children of the atom truly unique...

and i really enjoyed first class and can't wait to pick up the ongoing...

but it's always going to be the lee/kirby run for me...

color me nostalgic...

[Brian M.]

Sh#$ forgot Children of the Atom...I knew there was a few I forgot.

[caney]

Children of the Atom isn't my favorite, but I did think it was a fun take on their beginnings. I loved the parts when the four guys got all together at Xavier's for the first time.

You can sort of count Mythos X-Men as another version, but I guess it's really just an expansion on what happened in the first issue.

[Hi-Fi]

I loved Children of The Atom. Story and art (especially the art in the first few issues).

[xgeek52]

what i liked about children of the atom it dealt with them as teenagers not teenagers who happened to be heroes...

[Beast]

What about the O5 of "Lock and Key" from X-Men: Evolution. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/MasterSplinter/EvoO5.jpg

[Arrjay]

X-Men 1st Class is definitely my favorite.

[Karl H]

Children of the Atom was so much better than Casey's subsequent Uncanny run.

[xgeek52]

true...i would've like to have seen more o5 back story of that nature...

oh well, one can dream...

[Jack Flash]

Children of the Atom rocked socks. The art was so pretty!

[xgeek52]

i just dug up my copies...

think i'll read them again...

[Arrjay]

What about the O5 of "Lock and Key" from X-Men: Evolution. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/MasterSplinter/EvoO5.jpg

Side note:

Is season four of this out on dvd yet?

I desperately await it's availability.

[Beast]

Side note:

Is season four of this out on dvd yet?

I desperately await it's availability.
Sadly no. Because Marvel controls Season 4, not WB. So no release as of yet.

At least I believe that was what Kyle or Yost said was the reason.

[Arrjay]

Sadly no. Because Marvel controls Season 4, not WB. So no release as of yet.

At least I believe that was what Kyle or Yost said was the reason.

Well that sucks total balls.

Thanks for letting me know though mate.

[DDM]

lol Long winded speech about nothing. When they came on the series it wasn't slated for cancellation, and the increase in sales was a big reason why they put out the reprints of earlier issues until they decided they wanted to bring them back, and Len Wein and Dave Cockrum were going to bring out the new X-Men in G.S. X-Men 1. Stating that Adams and Thomas had a little tiff really doesn't add anything to the conversation, just as saying that Thomas liked the Avengers more than the X-Men.

Neil Adams & Roy Thomas say differently in Comics Creators on X-Men. Where do you think I got my information? I just made it up as I went along? I think you cannot accept the facts. Roy Thomas never liked X-Men & he did prefer The Avengers. Neil Adams wanted to be put on the lowest selling title (as I said earlier) which is X-Men. Yes, it went up in sales, but Marvel already decided to cancel the book.

[jarrod]

You redeem your with that.
Well, I do have a reputation to uphold... so... uh.... PoLex >>>>>>>>>>> O5!


Yea, I know CW: X-Men isn't all of the Original 5, but it did have 4 of them,
They should've had Ray tag along in mommy's place! :evilsmile





pssps: I'm not baiting, don't ban me plz! Cronin is god, I throw myself down at yr ever attractively masculine feet!

[DDM]

lol Long winded speech about nothing. When they came on the series it wasn't slated for cancellation, and the increase in sales was a big reason why they put out the reprints of earlier issues until they decided they wanted to bring them back, and Len Wein and Dave Cockrum were going to bring out the new X-Men in G.S. X-Men 1. Stating that Adams and Thomas had a little tiff really doesn't add anything to the conversation, just as saying that Thomas liked the Avengers more than the X-Men.

Marvel noticed the sales spike with X-Men #62; however, outside of the creators, Roy Thomas & Neil Adams, the people at Marvel--particularly Goodman--thought it was a fluke. The cancellation came around this issue in which the final issue is X-Men #66.

Here's Roy Thomas in his own words from Comics Creators on X-Men:

"It's weird, I remember the sales figures looking a little better and yet Goodman cancelled it [the X-Men] based on--maybe--projected numbers for the next issue. So sales on #62 were up and a month later we were cancelled."

The Roy Thomas/Neil Adams stories kept the X-Men book from being cancelled earlier, but once the idea came down, the cancellation train could not be stopped.

Oddly, they decided on these spiked in sales to keep the book in reprints from X-Men #67-93 so the readers would not forget about the X-Men.

Remember, the original X-Men book never sold well compared to The Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, & The Avengers. The X-Men did not sell well until the momentum from Giant Size X-Men #1 & slowly gained new readers every month in the revived X-Men book.

[UniqueFrequency]

i voted for the Kelly/Seagle run, but First Class comes a very close second