Want to get into X-Men but are intimidated by the hundreds of comics?
Get started with these underrated standalone X-Men issues.
Theyre among the best superhero stories ever written.
But theyre hardly the only good stories in X-Men history.
But it need not be so complicated.
Unus cannot be touched.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Every time someone tries, they bounce right off of him.
However, he also cut that dense storytelling with low-stakes moments of the X-Men just hanging around.
Claremont established that model inUncanny X-Men#110, which begins with the X-Men playing a game of baseball.
Photo: Marvel Comics
The result is a delightful beatdown that ultimately makes readers love the characters all the more.
However, the pencils come from Bill Sienkiewicz, whose manic line work better suits a horror story.
And sure enough, Slumber Party becomes just that when a mysterious alien begins stalking the teens.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Does that mean the X-Men leave the mansion and go to the mall, you ask?
Of course they do, I answer.
Where else willmall babes eat chili fries?
Photo: Marvel Comics
If that sounds like a lot, then rest assured, Ladies Night is not.
And, in many ways, it isnt.
Does Wolverine get mad and pop his claws?
Photo: Marvel Comics
Does Rogue freak out when sweaty, shirtless Gambit tries to sneak a kiss?
The basketball storyline inX-Men#4 is pure 90s goodness, all delivered courtesy of Jim Lees overly-crosshatched art!
It wasX-Factor, written by the brilliant and hilariousPeter David.
Photo: Marvel Comics
X-Factor#87 is the standout of Davids run, despite the incongruously flashy pencils by artist Joe Quesada.
That might sound dry, but it shows the depth that David could bring to the characters.
By the end of the new century,X-Mencomics were shallow, self-indulged, and dull.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Scottish writerGrant Morrisoncame in to fix that problem by making mutants hip and weird again.
Also by putting the team in black leather, which seemed like a good idea at the time.
Morrison always does best with their fellow Scot Frank Quitely, who isnt everyones favorite.
Photo: Marvel Comics
But an issue likeNew X-Men#121 shows why Quitely is one of the best of the business.
As the title suggests, X-Statix: The Movie features a movie made about the team.
The issues filming plot carries on the critique of crass media that ran throughout the series.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Sure, Iceman and Angel have their fans, but those guys dont have the same draw as Wolverine.
Even better, it shows that the Original Five dont need a short, hairy Canadian to be cool.
They got even more messy in the mid-2010s, whenCyclopsbecame a radical mutant liberation fighter.
Photo: Marvel Comics
The gruff Wolverine tends to be nihilistic, while the devout and charming Nightcrawler keeps the faith.
The End of the Beginning finds Wolverine carrying out Nighcrawlers last request.
Lifedeath (X-Men #7, 2019)
Of course, Nightcrawler comes back to life.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Because as much as the X-Men die, they also get resurrected on a regular basis too.
The hulking Apocalypse stands in an arena, towering over the depowered wraith Melody Guthrie.
But he also deserves credit for his excellent storytelling chops.
Photo: Marvel Comics
During those years, the two form a bond that becomes deep love and companionship.
Worse, Wolverine has no memory of her relationship with Synch.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Photo: Marvel Comics
Photo: Marvel Comics
