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

[Erik B]

random question. honestly is the X-men Volume 3 series really even in continuity? Same with Astonishing X-men.

[krisis]

random question. honestly is the X-men Volume 3 series really even in continuity? Same with Astonishing X-men.

The supposed point of each of those books is that, while they are in continuity, the books themselves are as continuity-free as possible. So, while things from both are referenced elsewhere (Broo's debut in AXM, Jubilee becoming a vamp in XMv3), neither book truly makes a big deal out of addressing/referring-to outside continuity (Second Coming, Fear Itself, Schism, etc).

A great example is Manifest Destiny. This was a huge theme in Uncanny and other titles. However, in Astonishing it was dealt with simply by showing Storm arrive at a new base in SF, where she had not been previously. Did the change in locale happen? Yes, obviously. But, they didn't tell you to go read some other comic to learn about it. Similarly, Hope appears in XMv3, but they don't do a lot of whinging about whether or not she is the mutant messiah. She's just another mutant, who happens to know about weapons and be time-displaced.

[yobiko]

Tempted at picking up some X-men Legacy trades. What's a good jumping on point?

[krisis]

In general, I'd say either start at the start of it (#208) with Divided He Stands, or jump on with Rogue at Salvage (#220). If you want to read it as a big swath those are the two logical places to begin.

There are few other good onboards, including before and after Second Coming and before or after Age of X, which depend more on your general awareness of what has been going on elsewhere in X.

More info on specific trades on my X-Men Legacy page.

[linkspirit97]

Good New Mutants trades anyone? I want to catch up with the basics before the JiM crossover :)

[krisis]

I am in love with The Fall of the New Mutants TPB from early 2011. It is the first story post-Second Coming. It featured absolutely incredible art and story, and has had a big impact on how the team acts - especially Illyana. The two prior TPBs (Legion, Necrosha) were strong, but not great.

I haven't been reading since #28, so I cannot comment on post-Unfinished-Business arcs.

[Kas]

OK. So I'm slowly making my way from the start. I'm at X-Men 52 (1969) at the moment. I'll be starting New Mutants and Wolverine at around Uncanny X-Men 167. But a quick question I wanna know is about Excalibur? Is it any good? Do I have to read it? It doesn't much appeal to me but someone here might be able to tell me.

[Havok83]

No you dont have to read it unless you love those characters. For the most part, its kept seperate from the X-men for the first several years, not having much of an impact on the overall X-world

[krisis]

Havok83 is right - X-books don't intersect with or reference Excalibur until around #71. I would suggest reading the intro GN and the first five issues sometime after Mutant Massacre to see if you enjoy it. It's a very pithy, British tone, but it's also the book that helped solidify Nightcrawler and Shadowcat as two of the most beloved characters of X-Men. It happens to be my all-time favorite X-title.

[Muldwych]

Im away to add Excalibur and Exiles onto my trade reading order.

[kryptondude]

looking to jump on with a x-men cominc but there seems to be so many different ones out there so i was wondering if someone could give me a hand
what one is the original series?
what is the best series in your opinion?
do they center around the team as a whole or do they have a main character with the team as background?
where is a good jumping on point, prefably without back buying

my favourite characters are wolverine, rogue and gambit if this helps.

thanks for any helpin advance.

[kryptondude]

looking to jump on with a x-men cominc but there seems to be so many different ones out there so i was wondering if someone could give me a hand
what one is the original series?
what is the best series in your opinion?
do they center around the team as a whole or do they have a main character with the team as background?
where is a good jumping on point, prefably without back buying

my favourite characters are wolverine, rogue and gambit if this helps.

thanks for any helpin advance

[Probably_not_a_Nurgling]

The original series is Uncanny X-Men volume 1, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. However, it's generally considered to have really hit its stride when Chris Claremont took over writing duties in the '70s. Uncanny vol. 1 continued until just last year, and volume 2 started a few months ago.

What the "best" series is varies according to personal opinion, but the two most common choices around here (at least according to the best writer poll) are the aforementioned Uncanny by Claremont and New X-Men by Grant Morrison. If you want my personal opinion, I'd also check out pretty much anything from the 2001-2005 era (avoid stuff by Chuck Austen, though), though that period is highly controversial and may not be your cup of tea.

What characters are spotlighted can vary from arc to arc or even issue to issue.

Judging from your favorite characters, though, you'd probably like Claremont or Niciezca (for Gambit).

[Sunbird]

I think Kryptondude is after a current book. Based on your favourites, X-Men Legacy would seem to be the book for you, as all three are in that book. Wolverine and the X-men is also a very fine book. Astonishing X-Men will soon have Gambit in it and be written by the very talented Marjorie Liu, and that new arc would seem to be a good place to jump on.

[kryptondude]

I think Kryptondude is after a current book. Based on your favourites, X-Men Legacy would seem to be the book for you, as all three are in that book. Wolverine and the X-men is also a very fine book. Astonishing X-Men will soon have Gambit in it and be written by the very talented Marjorie Liu, and that new arc would seem to be a good place to jump on.

does x-men legacy have a jumping on point just passedor coming up?

and how big a part do the 3 characters play in this series, are they main characters or not?