Written by (See Below)
Art by (See Below)
Cover Art by Dave Cockrum & John Cassady
SUMMARY:
Released as a 2006 Target exclusive, this 96-page digest compilation reprints X-Men #1-2 (1963) and Giant-Size X-Men # 1 (1975).
- X-Men # 1 “X-Men.” Writer: Stan Lee & Artwork by Jack Kirby; Paul Reinman; & Sam Rosen. Professor X’s young squad (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Iceman, & the Beast) debuts. After Jean Grey’s Marvel Girl joins the team, their first mission is thwart Magneto’s high-stakes terrorist strike against the Cape Citadel military base.
- X-Men # 2 “No One Can Stop the Vanisher!” Writer: Stan Lee & Artwork by Jack Kirby; Paul Reinman; & Sam Rosen. The team faces public humiliation attempting to thwart the elusive Vanisher’s mutant teleportation powers.
- Giant-Size X-Men # 1 “Second Genesis!” Writer: Len Wein & Artwork by Dave Cockrum; Glynis Wein; & John Costanza. With the X-Men missing-in-action, Professor X recruits a new international generation (Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Sunfire, Storm, Thunderbird, Banshee, & Colossus) of X-Men to rescue them. Cyclops escapes to lead the new recruits into a frenzied battle vs. the living island known as Krakoa. The lives of the captive X-Men (Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, Polaris, & Havok) are at stake.
REVIEW:
It’s no surprise that X-Men # 1-2 suffers from stale dialogue, but the Silver Age nostalgia factor makes up the difference. Even more so, courtesy of its inspired creative team, Giant-Size X-Men # 1 remains a revelation. An added bonus of some Marvel Universe handbook materials serves up another asset. Considering the rarity of these reprints, this kid-friendly X-Men Classic makes a storytelling treat for any X-fan.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The covers are reprinted in a full-page format. From the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: X-Men 2004, two-page entries are reprinted for Beast; Colossus; Cyclops; Iceman; and (three pages) Professor X. Handbook portraits are by artist John Cassady (Beast & Cyclops,) Scott Johnson (Colossus), Carlos Pacheco (Iceman) and Aaron Lopresti (Professor X).
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
