Positive X-Stuff (2000-present)

[Puunk]

With so many 90s' readers always discussing how X-titles and X-characters were great in the past, I was wondering what they and/or modern-age readers felt was positive about this decade (so far).

Compared to most users on this site, I'm still a relatively a new reader (so don't judge my opinions harshly x)) but I felt one of the greatest titles this decade had to be Peter David's X-Factor. It was the first major X-title I've read (not really counting New X-Men as something major) and I felt this volume was one of the few very consistent titles - it was never really great one time, then bad the next -> it was always consitently good. Sure, being a new reader, I had to do quite a bit of character background research, but it was worth it. A great title with pitch-perfect dialogue and a cast of brilliant characters (my favourite being Rictor). I guess thanks to X-Factor, I was able to warm up to other X-titles. :) Just picked up Legacy not too long ago.

Characters I felt were great additions to this decade ... Dust and Hellion (though I must admit I'm kinda biased - I love the two). I was also glad to get to know Selene and Daken. Both pure awesomeness.

[Goshin]

selene is an 80s character

[Deus ex Chris]

Some of my favorite stories:
Grant Morrison's run
The second half of Joe Casey's run
Whedon's first arc (Gifted)
Mike Carey's first arc (SuperNovas)
The first fourteen or fifteen issues of X-Factor
Kyle, Yost, and Young on New X-Men
Worlds Apart

Other positive things:
costumes finally look like they have texture and depth
they are finally hiring writers who can write dialogue

[Majinoaw]

selene is an 80s character

1. Astonishing X-Men (Whedon and Cassady run).
2. Grant Morrison's epic run on New X-Men
3. The transformation of Cyclops
4. Wolverine's memories restored
5. Art went from action poses to cohesive storytelling;
6. Mike Carey's run;
7. The return of Mr. Sinister as a major bad guy, who actually did something menacing...

[Puunk]

selene is an 80s character

I said I was glad to get to know Selene this decade.

If I said she was a great addition this decade, I would have included her in the sentence with Dust/Hellion. x)

[Goshin]

i liked that blood of apocalypse storyline even though gambit went back to normal afterwards, death gambit was kick-ass

[boodha]

For me, it would be:

- Morrison's Run
- Wheadon's Astonishing
- Carey's X-Men
- Messiah Complex (the only crossover in comic history I really liked and was excited about, since... well, since X-Cutioner's Song - and I was 10 then)
- Kyle and Yost stuff
- I even enjoyed Tierri's and Millar's Wolverine Runs

All in all, ever since Morrison took over, I personally feel the X-Men were so good as never before (at least since I started reading back in the 90's).

[Majinoaw]

i liked that blood of apocalypse storyline even though gambit went back to normal afterwards, death gambit was kick-ass

It was different. I thought they were trying to make Apoc a good guy or something, or a savior to his people.

The art was ok, and there could have been so much more done with Death Gambit...

[Goshin]

It was different. I thought they were trying to make Apoc a good guy or something, or a savior to his people.

The art was ok, and there could have been so much more done with Death Gambit...

at least we got AoA sunfire in the 616 now

[jarrod]

Morrison's New X-Men
X-Statix
Wolverine: Enemy of the State
early X-Factor
End of Greys
Carey's X-Men
Quest for Magik
X-Force
Captain Britain and MI:13

[Majinoaw]

at least we got AoA sunfire in the 616 now

No I liked the story... I just reread my post and it sounded all negative. Sorry about that...
No what I meant was that it was a different Apoc tale, which I liked. The art was different -Larocca was trying a different technique... but the issues were great, even a different take on Apoc...
Death Gambit was cool and did his thing. I wish he would have had more exposure after the storyline ended though.

[Naira K]

Mike Carey. That's the best thing that happenned to the X-men lately. In my opinion, of course.

[NewMutant]

Morrison's New X-Men
Claremont's X-Treme X-Men
Whedon's Astonishing X-Men
Carey's X-Men
Millar's Wolverine
Messiah Complex
Phoenix - Endsong
PAD's X-Factor
New Mutants/New X-Men/Young X-Men characters

What I liked about the 90s X-Men was that the story felt on-going instead of arcs and the books seem to tie-in to each other creating a stronger X-verse and better continuity.

[Goshin]

No I liked the story... I just reread my post and it sounded all negative. Sorry about that...
No what I meant was that it was a different Apoc tale, which I liked. The art was different -Larocca was trying a different technique... but the issues were great, even a different take on Apoc...
Death Gambit was cool and did his thing. I wish he would have had more exposure after the storyline ended though.



maybe gambit can join x-force, turn into death again, and bond with the other two deaths on the team

[Deus ex Chris]

X-Statix
X-Force

Yes and yes. I'm really digging X-Force, and I can't believe I forgot the mad scientist team of Milligan and Allred!!!

[End of Time]

X-statix.
X-treme X-men
New X-men ( Morrison)
Astonishing (Whedon)

But with those titles the same rule seems to be in place... scratch the stuff near the end.

As for the more global elements of this decade...

The art, we're getting more and more artists who have their own unique style. I find this... preferable to the 90's and even the 80's where there seemed to be a house style firmly set in place that made everything look similar.

...

That's basically it I'm afraid... I can't really say that we've been given new and unique characters that will stand the test of time. X-23 and Daken are knock offs, with Daken being a knock off of a knock off.

[Bronze Badger]

i liked that blood of apocalypse storyline even though gambit went back to normal afterwards, death gambit was kick-ass

NO.

The art was ok, and there could have been so much more done with Death Gambit...

NO.

Death Gambit was cool and did his thing. I wish he would have had more exposure after the storyline ended though.

NO.

maybe gambit can join x-force, turn into death again, and bond with the other two deaths on the team

HELL NO.

[Personamanx]

Out of all the X-Books I've read since I started reading Comics 4 or 5 years ago There has been only one that I truly despised (Young X-men).

I Have a generally positive opinion about everything else.

[Prodigy55]

New X-Men: Academy X!
Wind Dancer!

[jarrod]

Yes and yes. I'm really digging X-Force, and I can't believe I forgot the mad scientist team of Milligan and Allred!!!
Weren't there hints of an X-Statix revival at SDDC? I want more X-Milligan so bad...

[Deus ex Chris]

New X-Men: Academy X!

Thank god (or Kyle and Yost) for extremists with sniper rifles and rocket launchers.

[Deus ex Chris]

Weren't there hints of an X-Statix revival at SDDC? I want more X-Milligan so bad...
Right??? A revival would be fantastic.

[Talisman]

I'm going to have to go with Fraction's Uncanny. Thank you, X-Men#4. You have shown me the light. I now see the poetry Fraction has been blessing us with. I now read it as I take a dump. Quality craftsmanship, right there.

[jarrod]

Thank god (or Kyle and Yost) for extremists with sniper rifles and rocket launchers.
Ditto. They saved the book, it was pure ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ before (Sage cameo exempted).


Right??? A revival would be fantastic.
I am so netcrushing on you right now. <3 <3

[Free-Man]

New X-Men
Grant Morrison's Run
X-Men: Evolution
The X-Men movies
Wolverine and the X-Men
X-Statix

[Puunk]

Morrison's run is something that's appearing on quite a lot of posts.

I should probably read it. o__.

[Deus ex Chris]

Ditto. They saved the book, it was pure ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ before (Sage cameo exempted).



I am so netcrushing on you right now. <3 <3

I'll send you a pm with my xtube links.

[JohnSD]

I felt one of the greatest titles this decade had to be Peter David's X-Factor. It was the first major X-title I've read (not really counting New X-Men as something major) and I felt this volume was one of the few very consistent titles - it was never really great one time, then bad the next -> it was always consitently good.

Out of interest, why do you talk about X-Factor in the past tense? :smile:

[Puunk]

Out of interest, why do you talk about X-Factor in the past tense? :smile:

LOL.

I get that a lot.

I'm not sure really, but for some reason I have a habit of talking about things like they're already gone and cancelled (past tense). Not sure why. x)

[ExodusCloak]

- Whedons Run/Morrisons Run
- New X-Men C&C (Target X mini), X-Force. Blinded by the Light (Carey)
- Carey's X-Men run/ X-Men Legacy/Carey Secret Invasion/Gage World of War - Hulk: X-Men
-Messiah Complex/ Ellis Run/Some of PADS X-Factor.
- Fraction Utopia

[JohnSD]

LOL.

I get that a lot.

I'm not sure really, but for some reason I have a habit of talking about things like they're already gone and cancelled (past tense). Not sure why. x)

No problem - I'm not flaming you or anything, but I'm sure I've seen you do it a couple of times and it intrigued me...

[Puunk]

I have to say, one of the coolest characters introduced this decade has to be X-23. Her Innocent Lost mini was nothing short of astounding.

No problem - I'm not flaming you or anything, but I'm sure I've seen you do it a couple of times and it intrigued me...

LOL. Again, I'm not sure why.

[Personamanx]

The works of Chris Yost/Craig Kyle, and Joss Whedon whould have to be my particular favourite.

[JohnSD]

Oh, and I'm a new reader as well, so things are biased more towards the last few years for me, but from what I've read the things from the last decade that stand out are:

PAD's X-Factor (and Madrox mini) - great storytelling and character development that manages to live fairly independently of the baggage of X-history (or at least did for the first few dozen issues).

Mike Carey - has produced consistently enjoyable, well written work. The pre-Messiah Complex arcs were engaging and entertaining, but really it's...

X-Men Legacy - on its own that has stood out. Fantastic analysis of decades of X-history and the character of Xavier, and probably marking a turning point for the character and in some way the entire franchise.

Whedon's Astonishing - I missed it "live", but looking back at the context this was needed like a dose of adrenaline to the heart of an OD'd junkie. I think it was never quite as good as some of the praise suggests, but it was great to reintroduce the concept of a small, highly skilled team of A list heroes carrying out well defined missions.

I've not read much from the first half of the decade, and I'm underwhelmed by Morrison's run, so I'll watch this thread and pick up tips for what else to read.

[Hakael]

Kyle and Yost New X-Men and X-Force
PAD's Madrox mini and X-Factor
Carey's X-Men run and X-Men Legacy
Cornell's Wisdom mini and Captain Britain and MI:13
Cable & Deadpool
Messiah Complex

[Faded]

Grant Morrison's New X-Men
PAD's first 30 issues on X-Factor
Mike Carey's X-Men
Kyle & Yost's X-Force
Milligan's X-Force
Second-half of Joe Casey's run on Uncanny X-Men
Kyle, Yost, and Young on New X-Men
DeFilippis and Weir on New Mutants
Milligan's X-Men
Boom Boom, Greymalkin, and Dazzler's Manifest Destiny stories

Anything Chris Bachalo drew

[SayOcean]

MOrrisons New Xmen
Whedon's Astonishing
K&Y's Xforce
and K&Y's The Bus

[NickFury90]

Morrison's X-men: I've explained my love for this many times in the past; best X-men run ever, Claremont stories with an intelligent 21st century style, etc.

Whedon's X-men: Second favorite X-men run. Really, really fun stuff. Makes me happy just thinking about all the fun moments.

Messiah Complex: One of the few crossovers I actually enjoyed

Ultimate X-men: I guess it doesn't count here, and I hated some of the characterizations, but I enjoyed most of the Millar/BKV stories

[Nevets F]

Morrison's run is something that's appearing on quite a lot of posts.

I should probably read it. o__.

I think it is awful as an X-Men story. As a random story about a bunch of people, it is much better.

[coconutphone]

Yeah there'll be some repetition of others:

-PAD's new X-factor/Madrox mini
-Carey on X-Men/Legacy
-Whedon for giving some buzz to the franchise and some good quality stories
-Kyle/Yost on NXM and definitely X-Force
-X-tatix
-Messiah Complex
-the return of the New Mutants
-Excalibur pre-M Day
-controversial I know but also: M Day. People complain about the lack of keeping the status quo after a major event. This was major and it's stuck still several years later. You may not like what it did but give them props for sticking to their guns rather than just erasing it with a new event 6 months later.

[wolvie616]

good things from the 2000's

x23
dust
astonshing x men
wolverine: enemy of state, get mystique, manifest destiny
messiah complex
new x force
x factor
deadpool(series)

[Azure]

Grant Morrison's New X-Men
PAD's first 30 issues on X-Factor
Mike Carey's X-Men
Kyle & Yost's X-Force
Milligan's X-Force
Second-half of Joe Casey's run on Uncanny X-Men
Kyle, Yost, and Young on New X-Men
DeFilippis and Weir on New Mutants
Milligan's X-Men

All of these AND Peter David's other 20ish issues of X-Factor.
And Messiah Complex.

[Azure]

And Mystique!

[Ratstar]

DeFilippis & Weir's New Mutants/ New X-Men: Academy X
Carey's X-Men
Some of Morrison's New X-Men
Brian K Vaughan's Mystique
Kyle, Yost & Young/ Ramos' New X-Men
Kyle & Yost's X-23
Peter David's Madrox mini and first 30 issues/ 4 volumes of X-Factor
Messiah Complex
Kyle & Yost's X-Force
Jason Aaron's Wolverine (Get Mystique, etc)
Warren Ellis' Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes
Divided We Stand mini
Mike Choi's art on X-23, Uncanny X-Men, X-Force

Whedon's Astonishing was my biggest let down

[Norman O]

whedons run hands down

[lockerogue]

X-Factor
Carey's X-Men and Legacy
Milligan's X-Men
New Mutants
New X-Men (both versions)
X-Force
Divided We Stand stories
Riot at Xaviers
Murder at the Mansion

[Puunk]

Divided We Stand stories
Murder at the Mansion

I loved the DWS stories! :biggrin:

"Murder at the Mansion" sounds appealing.

[Majinoaw]

I loved the DWS stories! :biggrin:

"Murder at the Mansion" sounds appealing.

Emma is shattered to pieces in her diamond form and Bishop and Sage investigate each X-Man in this classic take on who dunnit to see if they killed her.

[Brother Justin Crowe]

Astonishing X-Men (Whedon and, yes, Ellis too)
Cable & Deadpool
Ultimate X-Men (Millar, and later BKV)
Old Man Logan
Logan by BKV
X-Men Forever

[yanapryde]

I loved Carey's run with Rogue's X-team.
His choices for the team roster were fantastic and he gave Cannonball some much appreciated (by me) attention!

The mass murdering done by Yost and Kyle was inspired.
Really a much needed jolt of reality regarding the rest of the population's seemingly dormant fear/hatred of mutants.

The House of M storyline was brilliantly executed, although many felt it was a disservice to some of their favorite characters (Jubilee, Polaris, Wind Dancer, etc) and the artwork was spectacular! Alternate versions of characters we know are always a fun read for me.

OF COURSE the Quest for Magik (another big win for Yost and Kyle) led to further Magik-centric stories eventually leading to her becoming a regular cast member among her former classmates/ now teammates.

The Young X-Men stories, although less stirring, gave some excellent characterization/focus to Dust, and brought about some intriguing additions like Cipher and Greymalkin, however impressive or unimpressive their power-sets.

[Puunk]

Emma is shattered to pieces in her diamond form and Bishop and Sage investigate each X-Man in this classic take on who dunnit to see if they killed her.

Sounds like a must read!

The Young X-Men stories, although less stirring, gave some excellent characterization/focus to Dust, and brought about some intriguing additions like Cipher and Greymalkin, however impressive or unimpressive their power-sets.

I agree! The Dust focus was perhaps the best of Young X-Men (for me, of course).

The Dust/Pierce storyline was amazing - and I love Cipher and Graymalkin.

[rwsmith]

Ultimate X-men (at least the Millar and Bendis runs)
New X-men (all of Morrison's run for me, especially E is for Extinction and the Weapon Plus stuff)
Astonishing X-men
Mike Carey's X-men
Rucka's Wolverine run
Wolverine: Enemy of the State
Wolverine: Old Man Logan
Wolverine: Weapon X (new book by Aaron and Garney)
Messiah Complex (War sucked, though)
X-Force

Wow. I've enjoyed more of the X-stuff than I thought over the past 9 years or so. :biggrin:

[tlp0708]

Morrison's X-Men (except for killing Jean)
Endsong
X-Men: Legacy
Whedon's first two Astonishing arcs


I haven't read X-Treme, New X-Men, or any other X-men titles since 1994 except in the last two years.

[Jota]

Morrisson's run in New X-Men.
X-Force.
Tieri, Rucka and Aaron in Wolverine.
X-Factor.
"Logan" mini by BKV.

[Personamanx]

Thanks! I almost forgot BKV's "Logan" Mini.

[Valeria Kementari]

X-Treme X-Men: The Arena

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/thumb/f/f0/X-Treme_X-Men_Vol_1_36.jpg/300px-X-Treme_X-Men_Vol_1_36.jpg

[Jakra64]

Grant Morrison's New X-Men
Deadly Genesis
X-Factor
Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men

That's all I can think of. I don't read any X-Books currently though besides X-Factor.

[Samy]

X-Treme
Claremont UXM
X-Factor
Whedon

[Daniel Mengsk]

No problem - I'm not flaming you or anything, but I'm sure I've seen you do it a couple of times and it intrigued me...

Puunk suffers from the Bishop Syndrome - he lives in the presence, but his mind is stuck in the future. :biggrin: (<3 Puunk).

P, you should really read Morrisons first year; Cassandra-freaking awesome-Nova was introduced then. ;)

You can skip his second-bash on the x-women-year though.

[Prodigy55]

Wallflower

[Quinnhop]

Some of my favorite stories:
Grant Morrison's run
The second half of Joe Casey's run
Whedon's first arc (Gifted)
Mike Carey's first arc (SuperNovas)
The first fourteen or fifteen issues of X-Factor
Kyle, Yost, and Young on New X-Men
Worlds Apart

Other positive things:
costumes finally look like they have texture and depth
they are finally hiring writers who can write dialogue

Quoted for truth.