Uncanny X-Men, originally published as The X-Men, is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics since 1963, and is the longest-running series in the X-Men comics franchise. It features a team of superheroes called the X-Men, a group of mutants with superhuman abilities led and taught by Professor X.
The title was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, met with a lukewarm reception, and eventually became a reprints-only book in 1970. Interest was rekindled with 1975's Giant-Size X-Men #1 and the debut of a new, international team. Initially under the guidance of artist Dave Cockrum, writer Len Wein, and especially writer Chris Claremont whose 16-year stint began with August 1975's Uncanny X-Men #94, the series grew in popularity worldwide, eventually spawning a franchise with numerous spin-off "X-books" including The New Mutants, X-Factor, Excalibur, X-Force, Generation X, and other flagship titles like the simply titled X-Men (later New X-Men and X-Men Legacy), Astonishing X-Men, All-New X-Men, Amazing X-Men, Extraordinary X-Men, X-Men Blue and X-Men Gold.
Publication history 1963–1970: Original run Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the series launched in September 1963. Lee originally wanted to title the book The Merry Mutants, but Marvel's editorial team insisted on using X-Men instead. The first issue introduced the original five X-Men (Warren Worthington III/Angel, Hank McCoy/Beast, Scott Summers/Cyclops, Robert "Bobby" Drake/Iceman, and Jean Grey/Marvel Girl) and their teacher, Charles Xavier/Professor X as well as their nemesis, the supervillain Erik Magnus Lehnsherr/Magneto. Although Lee would deny it, it was noticed by contemporary writer Arnold Drake, that the concept of the series emulated his own earlier series for National Periodical Publications's (now DC Comics) Doom Patrol, in many respects. However, National's editorial staff did not support Drake's concerns.
Initially published bimonthly, it became a monthly with issue #14 (November 1965). Lee's run lasted 19 issues, and featured the X-Men battling villains such as Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants (which included the siblings Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver);DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 99: "Stan Lee and Jack Kirby decided to try their hands at a pair of reluctant super villains when they created the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver in The X-Men #4." the Sentinels, giant robots programmed to destroy all mutants, and their creator Bolivar Trask; and Cain Marko/Juggernaut, Xavier's stepbrother transformed by a mystical gem and seeking revenge on Xavier.
The series was placed firmly in the Marvel Universe, with guest appearances by Namor the Sub-Mariner in #6 and the Avengers in #9. The jungle adventure hero Kevin Plunder/Ka-Zar and the Savage Land were introduced in issue #10.DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 107: "Originally created for pulp magazines, and then used in Marvel Comics #1 (Oct. 1939), Ka-Zar the Great was brought up by tigers...When Stan Lee and Jack Kirby revived the character, they also paid homage to...[Edgar Rice] Burroughs' ideas: The dinosaur-filled Savage Land is based on Burroughs' Savage Pellucidar." Roy Thomas wrote the series from #20–43 (May 1966 – April 1968). Thomas and artist Werner Roth created Sean Cassidy/Banshee in #28 (Jan. 1967).DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 120: "Writer Roy Thomas wanted to introduce mutants from other countries into the X-Men. His first attempt was Banshee...Drawn by Werner Roth, Banshee was a former Irish Interpol agent who eventually joined the X-Men." The X-Men #45 (June 1968) featured a crossover with The Avengers #53 (June 1968). After brief runs by Gary Friedrich and Arnold Drake – the latter of whom introduced the new X-Men Lorna Dane/PolarisDeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 132: "Lorna Dane's green hair marked her as a mutant...in The X-Men #49, an issue written by Arnold Drake and illustrated by Don Heck and Werner Roth." and Alex Summers/Havok,DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 135: "Alex [Summers] was the younger brother of the X-Man Scott 'Cyclops' Summers. He appeared in The X-Men #54, by writer Arnold Drake and artist Don Heck." and during which the series adopted a new logo designed by Jim Steranko – Thomas returned to the series with issue #55 and was joined by artist Neal Adams the following issue for an acclaimed run of stories.Sanderson, Peter "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 145: "Writer Dennis O'Neil revealed that it was not Xavier who had perished but a shape-shifter called the Changeling...This epic tale provided an appropriately grand finale for the work of legendary artist Neal Adams." After a battle with the Hulk in issue #66 (March 1970),Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 145: "[X-Men #66] would be the series' last issue by writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema." the title ceased publishing original material and featured reprints in issues #67–93 (December 1970 – April 1975).
1970–1975: Other appearances Despite the title going into reprints for the next five years between #67–93, the X-Men continued to appear in other Marvel titles throughout this period in a guest-starring capacity or cameo appearance, either as a team or in solo adventures.X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn
Angel appeared without the X-Men in a three-part story involving the murder of his father at the hands of his uncle, Burt Worthington, a.k.a. the Dazzler, in Ka-Zar #2 (Dec. 1970) and #3 (March 1971), and Marvel Tales #30 (April 1971).Ka-Zar #2, December 1970Ka-Zar #3, March 1971Marvel Tales #30, April 1971<br/ >X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 3: The Sentinels Live
Iceman made a guest appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #92 (Jan. 1971), where he battles Spider-Man after mistakenly assuming he abducted Gwen Stacy. Later, after realizing his error, they team up against corrupt politician, Sam Bullitt.Amazing Spider-Man #92, January 1971X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnAmazing Spider-Man, Vol. 6: The Death of Captain Stacy Iceman appears alone once again in Marvel Team-Up #23 (July 1974), where he teams up with the Human Torch to battle Equinox. Cyclops, Marvel Girl, and Angel also make a brief appearance.Marvel Team-Up #23, July 1974X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn
The Beast starred in his own series in Amazing Adventures #11–17 (March 1972 – March 1973) after accepting a position with the Brand Corporation, and decides to leave the X-Men for good. The original team appeared briefly in a flashback in #11 (March 1972) and in a present-day cameo appearance in #15 (November 1972). Professor Xavier and Marvel Girl briefly appeared in Amazing Adventures #12 (May 1972), and Angel helped Beast defeat the Griffin in Amazing Adventures #15.Amazing Adventures #11, March 1972Amazing Adventures #12, May 1972Amazing Adventures #15, November 1972X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn After his run on that series ended, Beast battled against the Hulk alone in The Incredible Hulk #161 (March 1973), concluding a storyline which began in Amazing Adventures.Incredible Hulk #161, March 1973X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn Incredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 6: Crisis on Counter-Earth
Havok and Polaris, as recounted in a flashback in Incredible Hulk #150 (April 1972), leave the X-Men after a bitter quarrel with Iceman and move to New Mexico. In a present-day appearance in the same issue, they encounter and battle the Hulk, who mistakes Polaris for his former lover Jarella, and a biker gang.Incredible Hulk #150, April 1972X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnIncredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 5: Who Will Judge the Hulk?
As a team, the X-Men assisted Spider-Man in capturing Morbius in Marvel Team-Up #4 (Sept. 1972), written by Gerry Conway, after one of Xavier's colleagues is abducted by the vampire.Marvel Team-Up #4, September 1972X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnMorbius the Living Vampire Epic Collection, Vol. 1: The Living Vampire In Adventure into Fear #20 (Feb. 1974), it is recounted in a flashback how Morbius escaped from the X-Men's mansion. Professor Xavier and Cyclops appeared in a brief cameo.Adventure into Fear #20, February 1974Morbius the Living Vampire Epic Collection, Vol. 1: The Living Vampire
They appeared in The Avengers #110–111 (April–May 1973), written by Steve Englehart, where Professor Xavier and the X-Men are abducted by Magneto after an ambush at Xavier's mansion, and later rescued by the Avengers, Daredevil, and the Black Widow.The Avengers #110-111, April–May 1973X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnAvengers Epic Collection, Vol. 6: A Traitor Stalks Among Us Soon after, members of the X-Men, including Iceman, Angel, Beast, Havok and Polaris, and members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants are secretly being abducted by a group of hooded figures known as the Secret Empire. At this point, only Professor Xavier, Cyclops and Marvel Girl remain active, and, after a brief cameo at the end of Incredible Hulk #172 (Feb. 1974), where they discover an unconscious Juggernaut after a battle with the Hulk,Incredible Hulk #172, February 1974X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnIncredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 6: Crisis on Counter-Earth seek out the help of Captain America and the Falcon. This led to the first "Secret Empire" storyline, which ran in Captain America #172–175 (April–July 1974), also written by Steve Englehart.Captain America #172–175, April–July 1974X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnCaptain America Epic Collection, Vol. 5: The Secret Empire
Professor Xavier made a few brief appearances of his own without the X-Men during this time. In The Avengers #88 (May 1971), written by Roy Thomas and Harlan Ellison, he made a cameo appearance assisting Reed Richards and General Thunderbolt Ross in containing the Hulk,The Avengers #88, May 1971Avengers Epic Collection, Vol. 5: This Beachhead EarthIncredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 5: Who Will Judge the Hulk? and later appeared briefly onscreen in Shanna the She-Devil #5 (Aug. 1973) to warn Shanna of an unknown mutant threat, Nekra.Shanna the She-Devil #5, August 1973 In The Defenders #15–16 (Sept–Oct. 1974), written by Len Wein, Xavier teamed up with the Defenders to battle against Magneto and his reformed Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. It was in this battle that Magneto and the Brotherhood were reduced to infancy by Alpha the Ultimate Mutant.The Defenders #15-16, September–October 1974X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnThe Defenders Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Enter: The Headmen Xavier made one final solo appearance during this period in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 (Feb. 1975), where he assisted the Fantastic Four in subduing Jamie Madrox, the Multiple Man.Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4, February 1975X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 4: It's Always Darkest Before the DawnFantastic Four Epic Collection, Vol. 9: The Crusader Syndrome
1975–1991: Chris Claremont era