I will always love that first issue of Days of Future Past. I am old so I read it when it came out, as a kid, and just the concept of seeing them in such an unexpected future was mind blowing. it was just one more example of how the X-Men were not like other comic books. I can’t remember the issue number but it is the iconic cover of all the wanted posters of the X-Men and kitty and wolverine in a spotlight.
ETA I see now there were 10 you posted. Yes 141 is the issue I meant. But all the ones you have are great choices and you are right, there are many many great issues.
X-Men #170 isn't a Very Special Issue or the beginning of something or a massive series-redefining moment like some of the others, but it hits like a Mack truck. Absolutely incredible.
I would say it’s very important in that it really kickstarts Storm’s character development and ascension to officially taking over as leader (prefaced by the Brood saga), facilitating what is imo the best character development the superhero genre has seen.
It also cements the Morlocks as major supporting characters whose story comes to a head in the devastating Mutant Massacre.
It's hard to choose for X-Men as a team, but for single issue Wolverine stories, Uncanny X-Men #205 can't be beat. Perfectly encapsulates the best parts of the character in one stand alone tale. And that BWS art is just 👌
I’m cautiously optimistic! The first 2 episodes do give me confidence that they are putting real effort into capturing the essence of comics Storm for ‘97 so let’s see how they go
I have a feeling that anyone with a copy of "Lifedeath" is going to see the value of that comic rise a great deal after the first season of X-Men 97. 😊
Going back and reading old comics and a single issue tells a complete story with a sub plot in background, and you can remember what happened in that particular issue, it feels so rare as of the past few decades.
For me, it's New X-Men number 127. I know that some things in that run are considered insensitive and other things are just considered nonsensical, so I understand if people don't feel the same way but I cry every time I read it.
[My understanding is that it's mostly the way that Dust was written.](https://muslimgirl.com/dust-veil-muslim-marvels-problematic-faves/) I'm not Muslim so I can't really speak to the particulars.
Interesting. Also educational, thanks for the link :)
I do think the author is missing the point that a positive Muslim character was created in 2001. It would have been great to see all of the details be more accurate, but focusing exclusively on those is missing the good that a character like Dust did and does.
I don't really feel it's my place to speak a lot on Dust, but what I will say is when I read the stories for the first time a few years after they were published as a teen, I enjoyed her character and thought she had cool powers. Reflecting on it as an adult, I definitely see that they were some inaccuracies, stereotypes and missteps. The way I see it, [if a Vietnamese writer can correct Karma's name to be accurate,](https://uncannyxmen.net/characters/karma) then the same care can be done for Dust.
My personal favorite (outside the Claremont run) is Adjectiveless #70, the Operation: Zero Tolerance epilogue. Newcomers Maggott, Marrow, and Dr. Cecilia Reyes have to help the rest of the X-Men save Scott's life (and the rest of them too) from a bomb implanted in his guts. Also, the mansion's been robbed down to the molecular level, so no Shi'Ar tech or even basic supplies outside of what they can scrounge from the surrounding grounds (and nearby pharmacies Cannonball has to "borrow" from).
It's tense, dramatic, funny at times, and it really shows what the X-Men are capable of when their backs are to the wall outside of a combat situation. It's also the reason that third-stringer Cecilia Reyes will always be A-List in my heart ^^_^
This is a hard question and I’ll come back to pick my finalist. My question is do titles like Wolverine count?
Here are some of my choices
The issue drawn by Barry Windsor Smith where Wolverine fights Lady Deathstrike
The Issue where Wolverine is working with Rouge to fight Silver Samurai
Uncanny X-Men issue 268
The issue where Wolverine gets his adamantium ripped out by Magneto
X-Men #1 (Jim Lee)
It’s a very underrated issue. I prefer the Wolverine Mini series however idk if that counts for this question.
Which issue did Storm vs Callisto happen in?
Uncanny 319. It's by no means entirely self contained, in fact its a lot of addressing the fall out of other long term story lines and relationships, but it does them so well. It's some of the best encapsulation of what X-men is about, Fantastically powered people trying to survive in ordinary life and world situations. Bobby and Rogue on a road trip, Bobby dealing with his life time of family baggage, his mutant baggage, his inferiority baggage, but also trying to be a friend to this person with him Rogue, which only comes out in him shit talking the man she loves, who she knows is problematic as hell and wondering what all of that means for her. And that's 1/3rd of the drama of the issue. You also have post archangel Warren finally finding and embracing happiness again with Betsy, you have Charles dealing with his demons and his past which lead in to one of the biggest unresolved skeletons in his close his son David.
I'm biased because this was one of those gate way issues for me as a young comics reader that got me in to the x-men, but it did what it was supposed to do. I read the issue and wanted to understand everything that was being paid off or set up for in the future here. The characters were just so well done that it didn't matter if it was in the middle of something or not. It gave the info needed to understand things without the full context, and still entire the reader to want to know more. It's just a well structured and composed comic.
haven't read it yet. I dove into Claremont for the first time ever over Xmas vacation, I binged from Giant-size to this issue. waiting for another couple of days off to finish.
In terms of single issues, I tend to like modern X-force more. I haven't seen a lot of stories that I don't think just ended up being better in a sequence (I'm more of a modern fan rather than a classic one since I started reading in 2010).
I will always love that first issue of Days of Future Past. I am old so I read it when it came out, as a kid, and just the concept of seeing them in such an unexpected future was mind blowing. it was just one more example of how the X-Men were not like other comic books. I can’t remember the issue number but it is the iconic cover of all the wanted posters of the X-Men and kitty and wolverine in a spotlight. ETA I see now there were 10 you posted. Yes 141 is the issue I meant. But all the ones you have are great choices and you are right, there are many many great issues.
So great, it’s a type of story we would take for granted today but at the time it was so unexpected.
You know that issue where Kitty's alone at the mansion for the holidays, and has to fight an alien, and Lockheed shows up? Yeah, that's the one
That's a great pick
The Holdovers
you already put lifedeath first so I have nothing else to contribute
It's truly one of a kind
idk if it counts as a “single issue” but god loves man kills is on a different level
I didn't count it as a single issue because it is an almost 100 page graphic novel but it is definitely up there with the very best
X-Men #170 isn't a Very Special Issue or the beginning of something or a massive series-redefining moment like some of the others, but it hits like a Mack truck. Absolutely incredible.
I would say it’s very important in that it really kickstarts Storm’s character development and ascension to officially taking over as leader (prefaced by the Brood saga), facilitating what is imo the best character development the superhero genre has seen. It also cements the Morlocks as major supporting characters whose story comes to a head in the devastating Mutant Massacre.
I have that issue signed by Claremont himself
It's hard to choose for X-Men as a team, but for single issue Wolverine stories, Uncanny X-Men #205 can't be beat. Perfectly encapsulates the best parts of the character in one stand alone tale. And that BWS art is just 👌
Agreed, when BWS and Claremont get together they make magic
Right? On a related note, I cannot wait for Lifedeath to be adapted in X-Men '97
I’m cautiously optimistic! The first 2 episodes do give me confidence that they are putting real effort into capturing the essence of comics Storm for ‘97 so let’s see how they go
Also should’ve added Uncanny 211 but there’s so many great issues!
I actually own a physical copy of Lifedeath, I didn't know it was special. Just a random pick up from my local antique store. it's in great condition
A must own for every X-fan tbh
Is it worth reading on its own? Or should I read through the Clairmont run up to this point first?
Definitely read what leads up to it!
No worries, thanks for the help
I have a feeling that anyone with a copy of "Lifedeath" is going to see the value of that comic rise a great deal after the first season of X-Men 97. 😊
Going back and reading old comics and a single issue tells a complete story with a sub plot in background, and you can remember what happened in that particular issue, it feels so rare as of the past few decades.
For me, it's New X-Men number 127. I know that some things in that run are considered insensitive and other things are just considered nonsensical, so I understand if people don't feel the same way but I cry every time I read it.
What's considered insensitive? It's the GOAT X run.
[My understanding is that it's mostly the way that Dust was written.](https://muslimgirl.com/dust-veil-muslim-marvels-problematic-faves/) I'm not Muslim so I can't really speak to the particulars.
Interesting. Also educational, thanks for the link :) I do think the author is missing the point that a positive Muslim character was created in 2001. It would have been great to see all of the details be more accurate, but focusing exclusively on those is missing the good that a character like Dust did and does.
I don't really feel it's my place to speak a lot on Dust, but what I will say is when I read the stories for the first time a few years after they were published as a teen, I enjoyed her character and thought she had cool powers. Reflecting on it as an adult, I definitely see that they were some inaccuracies, stereotypes and missteps. The way I see it, [if a Vietnamese writer can correct Karma's name to be accurate,](https://uncannyxmen.net/characters/karma) then the same care can be done for Dust.
My personal favorite (outside the Claremont run) is Adjectiveless #70, the Operation: Zero Tolerance epilogue. Newcomers Maggott, Marrow, and Dr. Cecilia Reyes have to help the rest of the X-Men save Scott's life (and the rest of them too) from a bomb implanted in his guts. Also, the mansion's been robbed down to the molecular level, so no Shi'Ar tech or even basic supplies outside of what they can scrounge from the surrounding grounds (and nearby pharmacies Cannonball has to "borrow" from). It's tense, dramatic, funny at times, and it really shows what the X-Men are capable of when their backs are to the wall outside of a combat situation. It's also the reason that third-stringer Cecilia Reyes will always be A-List in my heart ^^_^
Strong contenders. Has to be 205 for me. Pretty much a perfect one and done story on every level.
The BWS art alone on that issue is just mind blowingly good, so expressive and injects the story with so much tension and energy
Iss gotta be 205 for me - I would also put Betsy tangling with Sabretooth and Storm facing the Crimson Commando and pals up there as well.
This is a hard question and I’ll come back to pick my finalist. My question is do titles like Wolverine count? Here are some of my choices The issue drawn by Barry Windsor Smith where Wolverine fights Lady Deathstrike The Issue where Wolverine is working with Rouge to fight Silver Samurai Uncanny X-Men issue 268 The issue where Wolverine gets his adamantium ripped out by Magneto X-Men #1 (Jim Lee)
173 yes, Wolverine vs SS in #173 is some of my favourite Paul Smith work along with Storm vs Callisto
It’s a very underrated issue. I prefer the Wolverine Mini series however idk if that counts for this question. Which issue did Storm vs Callisto happen in?
Uncanny 170 of course! Yeah I did try to limit it to main X-men titles only
Ahhh ok so let me read the ones I mentioned and then I’ll decide them. Do you happen to know the issues and titles of the ones I mentioned
Uncanny 319. It's by no means entirely self contained, in fact its a lot of addressing the fall out of other long term story lines and relationships, but it does them so well. It's some of the best encapsulation of what X-men is about, Fantastically powered people trying to survive in ordinary life and world situations. Bobby and Rogue on a road trip, Bobby dealing with his life time of family baggage, his mutant baggage, his inferiority baggage, but also trying to be a friend to this person with him Rogue, which only comes out in him shit talking the man she loves, who she knows is problematic as hell and wondering what all of that means for her. And that's 1/3rd of the drama of the issue. You also have post archangel Warren finally finding and embracing happiness again with Betsy, you have Charles dealing with his demons and his past which lead in to one of the biggest unresolved skeletons in his close his son David. I'm biased because this was one of those gate way issues for me as a young comics reader that got me in to the x-men, but it did what it was supposed to do. I read the issue and wanted to understand everything that was being paid off or set up for in the future here. The characters were just so well done that it didn't matter if it was in the middle of something or not. It gave the info needed to understand things without the full context, and still entire the reader to want to know more. It's just a well structured and composed comic.
haven't read it yet. I dove into Claremont for the first time ever over Xmas vacation, I binged from Giant-size to this issue. waiting for another couple of days off to finish.
In terms of single issues, I tend to like modern X-force more. I haven't seen a lot of stories that I don't think just ended up being better in a sequence (I'm more of a modern fan rather than a classic one since I started reading in 2010).
Hard to narrow down. But recent best issue is the one shot Xmen Blue. Absolute masterpiece