Click Here If You Want to Know What X-Books to Pick Up

[Muldwych]

I too never read it back in the 90's and read book 1 first and then book 2 and its what i would recommend, it made it a more enjoyable experience for me.

[33peace]

I see lots of 'Essential Read List' type things, but I am looking for a Trade listing of how to move from story to story. With all the epic story arcs (Civil War, House of M, Fear Itself, Age of Apocalypse, etc) how do they all fit it. It doesnt make sense to skip from one event to another. I guess I am looking for a good trade to start off with, and then work my way through all of the big events with enough to understand everything, but not simply "read everything" if that makes sense. I feel like it would be a long list, which is fine, but I appreciate any help.

[Muldwych]

I see lots of 'Essential Read List' type things, but I am looking for a Trade listing of how to move from story to story. With all the epic story arcs (Civil War, House of M, Fear Itself, Age of Apocalypse, etc) how do they all fit it. It doesnt make sense to skip from one event to another. I guess I am looking for a good trade to start off with, and then work my way through all of the big events with enough to understand everything, but not simply "read everything" if that makes sense. I feel like it would be a long list, which is fine, but I appreciate any help.

This sites are great

http://crushingkrisis.com/collecting...raphic-novels/

http://howtoreadxmen.blogspot.co.uk/

[krisis]

I see lots of 'Essential Read List' type things, but I am looking for a Trade listing of how to move from story to story. With all the epic story arcs (Civil War, House of M, Fear Itself, Age of Apocalypse, etc) how do they all fit it. It doesnt make sense to skip from one event to another. I guess I am looking for a good trade to start off with, and then work my way through all of the big events with enough to understand everything, but not simply "read everything" if that makes sense. I feel like it would be a long list, which is fine, but I appreciate any help.

It has been bugging me all day that my site didn't have a good answer to this sort of question, so I made a new page called Become an Instant X-Men Expert that only includes all the biggest X-Men blockbusters with the longest-lasting impact that are going to be relevant to today's storylines. Since not everyone loves TPBs, I also included issue ranges on the page.

Also, my Guide to Marvel Events disclaims very explicitly if the X-Men get involved in every epic full-line story-arc.

[Bernoulli]

Hi guys, which Avenger, X-Men and Crossoverbooks would you recommend to get into Avengers vs X-Men? I really cant dig into the Marvel Universe its very tall and full of TBS and stuff.

A guide with the Keybooks to understand that Avengers/X-Men History would be nice.


bern

[Greger22]

Ok so I started reading uncanny x-men and I'm going to pick up uncanny x-force. Now my question is, is x-men volume 3 worth reading? I heard it's mediocre, but I don't wanna miss out on anything. Im iffy on wolverine and the x-men since the art is terrible and it seems like it wont have any major events. Astonishing and legacy are to far in for me, so are those 3 (both uncanny and x-men) the best x titles right now? Also are both uncany x-force/x-men going to be a long run ongoning series?

[Bernoulli]

I often read that WATX is funny but not really focused on strong arcs, just alot of jokes and stuff. Uncanny is well written very strong Story-arcs related but poor drawn. About the rest of xmen-titles i didnt read much.

I really want to read something that pushes the greater aspect of xmen and tells about continuity.


Which side do you guys choose? What x-men-ongoing are you collecting? And what do you say is the best ongoing?

[Greger22]

I just started reading comics again and so far I've bought all the back issues of current uncanny x-men, uncanny x-force, wolverine and the x-men, and ultimate x-men. My question is should I also pick up x-men? I heard it's ok, but they're getting a new writer in June. If I pick it up I'll get all back issues so it's an expensive investment. So what are your guys thoughts on x-men vol. 3?

[.A²]

Personally I wouldn't recommend getting it until Brian Wood takes over.

[Siryn]

I read a couple issues after Regenesis and didn't like it at all. I like the characters, but the art/writing/story just didn't appeal to me. I think the consensus is that it's one of the weaker X-books being put out right now, although I'm sure some people enjoy it.

I would recommend trying X-Factor or X-Men: Legacy. The characters on X-Factor are less well-known, which can be a turn off for some people, but it's pretty consistent in terms of quality. Legacy just got a new writer, but I'd recommend checking out Carey's run, which I'm sure you can find in trades somewhere.

[MrHalfawake]

Only get Legacy if you want to have rogue ruined for you

regular Xmen eh it's alright. Im mostly on it because Domino and Psylocke is my dream x gal team up but they haven't anything terribly incredible yet still it's kinda cool

[Pixie_Solanas]

Wait for Wood.

[.A²]

I often read that WATX is funny but not really focused on strong arcs, just alot of jokes and stuff. Uncanny is well written very strong Story-arcs related but poor drawn. About the rest of xmen-titles i didnt read much.

I really want to read something that pushes the greater aspect of xmen and tells about continuity.


Which side do you guys choose? What x-men-ongoing are you collecting? And what do you say is the best ongoing?

It depends. What exactly are you looking for? Does humour turn you off in general, or only when it's a disservice to the plot? Personally I think that criticism is a little harsh of WATXM. It's certainly light-hearted in tone, especially in contrast to Uncanny, but its arcs aren't as loose as you describe - they're just generally less important than maintaining the status quo of a school environment. It's a fun, and often zany book. Give it a go, it's great. Uncanny is also great. Its art really isn't that bad unless Greg Land's photo-referencing offends you. They're both the flagship X-titles.

If you like continuity and a comedic tone, then I'd recommend X-Factor. It's about a team that operate a detective agency and deal most often (but not exclusively) with mystic threats. Admittedly it doesn't "push the greater aspect of the X-Men" because it's somewhat self-contained and its cast is predominantly made up of less well-known characters, but it has excellent characterisation, and is generally among the most consistent titles. It's had the same writer for its entire run (coming up to 7 years now) and in that sense probably has the continuity you're looking for: several mysteries and plot points are teased out well in advance of their being explored. It also has great art, but its style has shifted radically since the beginning. Even though this is my sincere opinion, I will add the disclaimer that I am likely biased towards X-Factor. Bear in mind that it tends to be quite a divisive title, those who read it tend to really love it, and those who don't are indifferent to it.

Alternatively, you might like Uncanny X-Force. Though it's not been around as long as X-Factor (2 years in October), it too has had the same writer for its entire run and so shares a similar relation to continuity. The premise is that it's a black ops strike team dealing with dangers to mutantkind before they get the chance to strike. Personally I don't like it, but it's virtually universally lauded, so it's definitely worth looking into. The art is also highly regarded, with the exception of the most recent arc, which some didn't seem to like.

If you're looking for something more traditional that you can jump right into, maybe give Astonishing a try. Although it wasn't formally relaunched, beginning with its most recent issue it has a brand new creative team and cast of X-Men (Wolverine, Gambit, Iceman, Northstar, Karma, Warbird and Cecilia Reyes on the sidelines). In this first arc they're going up against the latest incarnation of the Marauders. It's still a little early for me to tell you much more.

Honestly, the best thing to do is experiment. And probably (unfortunately) avoid New Mutants.

[comicbook man]

I just started reading comics again and so far I've bought all the back issues of current uncanny x-men, uncanny x-force, wolverine and the x-men, and ultimate x-men. My question is should I also pick up x-men? I heard it's ok, but they're getting a new writer in June. If I pick it up I'll get all back issues so it's an expensive investment. So what are your guys thoughts on x-men vol. 3?

If your an x-Fan you will get them all like me and the one I hate wasting my money on is astonishing. I can do without it but damn me being a fan/collector , i still buy it .

[BigDtown]

Save your money and wait for the new writer.