| X-Men | |
|---|---|
%2c_Bachalo_variant_cover.jpg) Variant cover ofX-Men (vol. 3) #7. Art byChris Bachalo. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | (vol. 3) September 2010 – February 2013 (vol. 4) May 2013 – May 2015 (vol. 5) October 2019 – June 2021 (vol. 6) July 2021 – June 2024 (vol. 7) July 2024 – Present |
| No. of issues | (vol. 3) 41, plus 1Giant-Size issue (vol. 4) 26 (vol. 5) 21 (vol. 6) 35 (vol. 7) 12 |
| Main characters | See characters list |
| Creative team as of July 2024 | |
| Written by |
|
| Artist | Various |
| Letterer | Joe Caramagna |
| Colorist | Rachelle Rosenberg |
| Editor(s) | Axel Alonso Nick Lowe Jeanine Schaefer |
X-Menis an ongoingAmericancomic book series featuring thetitular team ofsuperheroes, published byMarvel Comics, beginning in September 2010.
The series was preceded byThe X-Men vol. 1 (renamedThe Uncanny X-Men in 1978) andX-Men: Legacy (initially known asX-Men vol. 2) from 1991 to 2001,New X-Men from 2001 to 2004 and againX-Men from 2004 to 2008).
Volume 3 began publication in September 2010 and, for most of its run featuring team-ups between the X-Men and other Marvel characters, ended at issue #41 in February 2013. As part ofMarvel NOW!, the title was relaunched as a new series (volume 4) written byBrian Wood and featuring an all-female team.[1]X-Men was relaunched as the flagship title again in October 2019 followingJonathan Hickman'sHouse of X andPowers of X, with Hickman writing and art byLeinil Francis Yu.[2] As the fifth volume of the title, the series ran for 21 issues, before it was subsequently relaunched as volume 6 (written byGerry Duggan) in July 2021.[3] The sixth volume ran for 35 issues through the rest of theKrakoan Age.[4][5] A seventh volume, written by Jed MacKay, launched in July 2024.[6][7]
The first series (vol. 1) went through several title changes: it started asThe X-Men in 1963, switched to justX-Men in the cover title of issue #50, later changed toThe Uncanny X-Men in 1978 with issue #114 with the cover title in issue #394 becomingUncanny X-Men.[8][9] In 1991, a second series (vol. 2) titledX-Men was launched alongside the still ongoingUncanny X-Men.[10] The series title changed toNew X-Men in 2001[11] and then switched toX-Men: Legacy with issue #208 in 2008.[12]
In 2010, a third volume ofX-Men was launched.[13] To distinguish itself from the other contemporary X-Men titles, this third volume ofX-Men was conceived as a title that would focus on the mutants' role in the widerMarvel Universe and "...firmly integrate the X-Men in the Marvel Universe."[14] As a result, the initial story arcs featured a guest appearance from characters from the Marvel Universe ranging fromSpider-Man toBlade.[citation needed]
In April 2010, atChicago Comics & Entertainment Expo, it was announced that the relaunched series would be helmed by writerVictor Gischler with art by Paco Medina.[14][15] Gischler commented that "the X-Men have been fighting for survival for a long time, but this is the X-Men team the represents a new era. This team engages the Marvel U more in a proactive, mission-oriented way. [...] The particular situation or villains they face will help dictate which guest star is most appropriate for a particular arc".[16] Gischler wrote the first 29 issues and In 2012, was replaced byBrian Wood who wrote issues #30–37.[17][18]Olivier Coipel joined as the series artist.[19] Wood took the series in a new direction, focusing onStorm leading a security team of X-Men and dropping the 'team-up' element that was previously a part of the book.[17]
The team-up elements were briefly brought back in issues #38 and 39.[citation needed] Seth Peck was the writer for issues #38–41 before it was cancelled in November 2012;[20][21][22] the series ended in February 2013.[18][22]
As part ofMarvel NOW!, the series was relaunched and it was the first time in the history of the X-Men franchise to have a series composed entirely of female X-Men,[23][24] with an initial roster ofJubilee, Storm,Rogue,Kitty Pryde,Rachel Grey, andPsylocke.[1][25][26] The series brought back both writer Brian Wood with artist by Olivier Coipel.[1][27] On the roster shift, Wood commented:
I think this title here will be an interesting test case, to see if a high-profile book with a high-profile artist and marquee characters can indeed overcome what often happens to books starring female heroes. I think we have a good shot, but even now, based only off the announcement, there's all sorts of negative feedback that ranges from generic sexism, to open hostility, and to lame charges of reverse sexism. Chances are this book will launch very high, but if we can keep it high and resist the typical decline that happens to female-led superhero comics, we'll have proved something and maybe even set a precedent, and that would be fantastic.[24]
The first issue was released in May 2013.[28][29] Coipel left the series after the fourth issue;David Lopez andTerry Dodson then rotated on "art duties".[19] Wood left the series in 2014 with issue #17, saying, "I left the title on my own accord, no drama, no pressure, just moving on".[30]
Marc Guggenheim took over the title starting with issue #18 in August 2014;[31] his last issue was #22 in December 2014.[32]G. Willow Wilson was then brought on to write the 4 issue (#23–26) arc "The Burning World" in 2015;[33][34][35] Wilson was the "first female writer to work onX-Men" since the relaunch "with an all-female X-Men roster".[33] The 2014New York Comic Con "Women of Marvel" panel highlighted that each issue "of the story will be told from a different character's point of view".[34] Marvel then cancelled its entire publishing line, includingX-Men, for theSecret Wars (2015) event storyline.[36][37]X-Men was not continued during the post-Secret Wars publishing initiativeAll-New, All-Different Marvel (2015–2019).[38][39]
As part of Marvel's "Dawn of X" initiative followingJonathan Hickman's relaunch of the Marvel X-Men line,X-Men relaunched in October 2019, written by Hickman and with art byLeinil Francis Yu. Although the first cover featured the extended Summers family (Cyclops,Havok,Vulcan,Corsair,Cable,Jean Grey,Rachel Summers) withWolverine, Hickman had stated that this book is intended to be an "all-encompassing mutant title" and the cast is subject to change.[40] For example, issue #4 featuredXavier,Magneto, andApocalypse attending theWorld Economic Forum[41][42] while issue #5 featured a team consisting ofX-23,Synch, andDarwin assembled for a mission by theQuiet Council of Krakoa.[43][44] In 2021, X-Men Group Editor Jordan White commented that "from a certain point of view, all Krakoan citizens are X-Men. But officially, there hasn't been a proper team with that name since we ended theUncanny run".[45] The volume was also marked by delays in the release of individual issues.[46][47][48][49]
The series concluded with issue #21 in July 2021.[50][51] Following the end of his run, Hickman explained that a big regret he had was not usingX-Men to "execute the launch of the entire X-Line" as his "initial idea" for the title was for it to be a "springboard for the other books" with each issue weaving in problems that would be addressed by the next new title.[52] On centeringX-Men as an anthology "around Cyclops and his family", Hickman commented that "I dig the whole Summers clan, but the original idea behind the book was kind of atravelogue forKrakoa, with Cyclops being our guide. It was supposed to just be 12 issues and very different when it was first planned out, and that obviously changed a lot by the time I got to write issue one".[52]
This volume was launched during the "Reign of X" initiative, continued through "Destiny of X" and concluded with the end of "Fall of X" with issue #35 (legacyUncanny X-Men #700).[4][5] It was written byGerry Duggan with art by Pepe Larraz and Javier Pina.[4][53] The initial roster included Cyclops (who at one point would operate asCaptain Krakoa), Marvel Girl, Rogue, Wolverine, Synch,Sunfire andPolaris[54] – White highlighted that "the first Krakoan X-Men team will debut to the world at theHellfire Gala".[45] Following the announcement of a new volume,SyFy Wire commented that while volume 5 was titledX-Men the "book never actually featured a team of mutant superheroes going out and doing missions for the betterment of the planet. The age of Krakoa has left the mutants more insular, more isolated from a world that still perhaps hates and fears them, but after the events ofX of Swords and the near-invasion of Earth that stemmed from that clash, Cyclops and Marvel Girl decided it was time for a change. The world, they argued, needs the X-Men again".[54]
It was announced in July 2022 that Joshua Cassara and C.F. Villa would take over art duties for the series.[53]
In the post-Krakoan Age, the X-Men are based in Alaska with an initial roster of "Cyclops,Beast, Magneto,Psylocke,Kid Omega,Temper (formerly Oya),Magik andJuggernaut".[6] It was written by Jed MacKay with art byRyan Stegman; the first issue was released in July 2024.[6][7] On the setup of the series, MacKay explained that Cyclops is "running this team, he's established basically the territory that this group works in and the philosophy they work within. However, this is certainly a position that isn't necessarily meeting with mainstream approval. [...] So as we go on, we're going to explore a little bit what it means to be X-Men in this post-Krakoa world and to be X-Men in such a loud and visible manner. [...] They live in a building with a big 'X' on the front – they're not exactly hiding from anyone".[55]
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2024) |
The first story arc, "Curse of the Mutants", comprising issues #1–6, involves the X-Men battling the vampire nations and teaming up withBlade.[56]
The second story arc, "To Serve and Protect", comprising issues #7–10, involves the team of Storm,Gambit,Emma Frost and Wolverine returning to New York, where they team up withSpider-Man to battle theLizard and theDark Beast in the sewers of Manhattan.[57]
An interlude story then followed withProfessor X telling Jubilee of an earlier encounter he had with the vampire Raizo Kodo. This was followed by the "First to Last" storyline, which began withX-Men Giant-Size #1 and saw the original X-Men appear in flashback scenes of a previously untold adventure.
Another one-shot story saw a team of X-Men team up with the new femaleGhost Rider to battle a mystical enemy. A later storyline featured theFuture Foundation teaming up with the X-Men, where they also encounteredSkull the Slayer. Following on from the 2011 "Regenesis" event among the X-titles, Marvel announced thatX-Men is among the titles aligned with Cyclops's vision of the X-Men and feature a more covert group of characters, withColossus,Domino, Jubilee, Psylocke, Storm andWarpath being the initial lineup. The team-up aspect of the title remained, with the first arc featuringWar Machine. This was followed by the return of Raizo Kodo for an arc dealing with Jubilee's vampirism.
The title then took on a change in direction; with the exits of Warpath and Jubilee from the cast and the addition ofPixie, the storyline focused on Storm leading a "security team" of X-Men dealing with potential threats to mutants.[17]
Issue #38 featured a return to the team-up elements of the book and features Domino andDaredevil.
Following the events ofHouse of X and Powers of X, the mutants of Earth adjust to life onKrakoa and work to build a new society.Cyclops, now living on the Moon, invites his fatherCorsair for a family dinner and gifts him a Krakoan flower for free travel to the island. Meanwhile,Orchis, weakened after its defeat inHouse of X/Powers of X, suffers another setback when Cyclops,Storm,Magneto andPolaris liberate captured mutants from one of their vaults. Orchis' director, Devo, remains determined to retaliate.
A new sentient island,Arakko, appears near Krakoa, and the two landmasses move toward each other. Cyclops,Prestige andCable investigate, battling monsters before Prestige mediates peace with Arakko's envoy. The envoy meetsApocalypse and warns of a coming danger.
Krakoa's defenses are compromised whenPixie andAnole are attacked by elderly women with advanced tech who somehow bypass the gates. Their assault causes Krakoa physical pain, sensed by the island's telepaths. Cyclops,Emma Frost andSebastian Shaw confront the culprits—an eco-terrorist group calledHordeculture. The group, radical botanists seeking control of the world's food supply, defeats the X-Men and escapes with stolen Krakoan flowers. Cyclops and his team report the threat to the Krakoan Council.
Elsewhere,Professor X, Magneto, Apocalypse, Cyclops andGorgon attend an economic summit in Switzerland. As Professor X detects approaching strike teams, Cyclops and Gorgon dispatch them while Magneto addresses the dignitaries, criticizing humanity's failings. Xavier warns that aggression against Krakoa will not be tolerated.[58]
Later, Wolverine tracks aposthuman fugitive from Orchis but is recalled when she re-enters a secure vault. With Professor X and Magneto's approval, Wolverine joins Cyclops, Storm andArmor to distract the vault's defenses whileX-23,Darwin andSynch infiltrate it. Five months pass with no word from the infiltration team, leaving Cyclops to regret the mission.
During the earlier attack on Orchis,Mystique planted a Krakoan gateway for intelligence gathering, on the condition that her wifeDestiny would be resurrected. After dying during the mission and being revived, Mystique is informed by Magneto that Destiny's resurrection will be delayed until Mystique proves her success. Disguised as a scientist on the Orchis station, she delivers a component from Devo to Doctor Gregor, who is attempting to revive her late husband, killed by the X-Men. Mystique reports back but is told she must do more, fueling her anger.
Mystique recalls Destiny's prophecy that she would be denied the one thing she wanted most. Destiny's words urge her to ensure her return “at any cost,” even if it means burning Krakoa to the ground.[59]
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| Issues | Characters | Guest star |
|---|---|---|
| #1–6 | "Curse of the Mutants" crossover storyline | Blade the Vampire-Slayer |
| #7–10 | Emma Frost,Gambit,Storm,Wolverine | Spider-Man |
| #11 | Jubilee,Professor X | Raizo Kodo |
| Giant-Size #1, #12–15 | Archangel,Colossus,Cyclops, Emma Frost, theIceman,Magneto,Namor the Sub-Mariner,Pixie,Psylocke, Storm, Wolverine | the original X-Men |
| #15.1 | Colossus, Cyclops, Gambit,Danielle Moonstar, Pixie, Storm | Ghost Rider (Alejandra Jones) |
| #16–19 | Cyclops,Doctor Nemesis, Emma Frost, Magneto, Pixie, Wolverine | The FF andSkull the Slayer |
| #20–23 | Colossus,Domino, Jubilee, Psylocke, Storm,Warpath | War Machine |
| #24–27 | Raizo Kodo and the Forgiven | |
| #28–29 | Domino, Pixie, Storm, Warpath | The FF and Spider-Man |
| #30–37 | Colossus, Domino, Pixie, Psylocke, Storm | none |
| #38–39 | Domino | Daredevil |
| #40–41 | Angel, Chamber, Iceman, Pixie, Storm | none |
| Issues | Characters |
|---|---|
| #1–4 | Jubilee,Kitty Pryde, Psylocke,Rachel Grey,Rogue, Storm |
| #5–6 | "Battle of the Atom" crossover |
| #7–12 | Jubilee,Karima Shapandar,M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm |
| #13–17 | Jubilee, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm |
| #18–22 | Cecilia Reyes, Jubilee, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm |
| #23–26 | Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, M, Psylocke, Rachel Grey, Storm |
| Issues | Characters |
|---|---|
| #1 | |
| #2 |
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| #3 | |
| #4 |
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| #5 | |
| #6 |
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| #7 |
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| #9 |
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| #11 | |
| #12 |
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| #13 |
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| #14 |
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| #15 |
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| #16 |
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| #17 | |
| #18–19 |
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| #20 |
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| #21 |
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| Issues | X-Men members | Other credited characters |
|---|---|---|
| # 1–3 | ||
| # 4 |
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| #5 |
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| #6 |
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| #7 |
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| #8 | ||
| #9 |
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| #10 |
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| #11 |
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| #12 |
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| #13 | ||
| #14-17, Annual #1 |
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| #18 | ||
| #19 |
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| #20-21 |
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| #22 |
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| #23 |
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| #24 |
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| #25 |
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| #26 |
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| #27 |
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| #28 |
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| #29 | ||
| #30 |
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| #31 |
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| #32 | — | |
| #33 | — | |
| #34 | — | |
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Regular writers
| Regular artists
|
In May 2012, in a review of Gischler's final issue, Matthew Meylikhov ofMultiversity commented that this volume was "less marketable" than the other X-Men titles, however, a "big part of the appeal ofX-Men is really quite simple: screw it, let's just have some fun with it" and while it was sometimes "a bittoo silly", it was "a comic that makes you smile".[67] Meylikhov highlighted that "writer Victor Gischler usedX-Men as less of a tool to appease to the litany of fans obsessed with Marvel continuity and has instead used it as an opportunity to accomplish the similar side-canon ideal formerly held byAstonishing X-Men. UnlikeAstonishing, though, which focused on X-Men hanging out with X-Men,X-Men's basic goal was to insert the X-Men into the rest of the Marvel Universe. It had a wider scope in its vision, and every arc sought to raise the stakes and use a different enough cast to keep things fresh and lively without rocking any boats".[67] Meylikhov felt that if a reader liked Gischler and "the idea of a story that you can read simply arc by arc, thenX-Men works well" but if the reader wasn't looking for that, "the book could leave a lot to be desired, especially held to the quality of books likeUncanny X-Men andWolverine and the X-Men".[67] On the transition to Wood's run in June 2012, Meylikhov commented that "the adjectiveless title does inherently lose something by giving it such a sharper focus. The X-Worlddid benefit by putting mutants out there a bit more and isolating them less, and taking that aspect away seems potentially detrimental. This isn't to doubt where Wood plans to take the book in the future, since it's nottoo evident at the moment, and yet with heavy exposition and the loss of little character moments that peppered Gischler's run, the book becomes less 'the fun X-Book' and leans more towards 'another X-Book'".[68] WhenMultiversity named Wood writer of the month for September 2012, Walt Richardson commented that while "X-Men might not have been everything we hoped for, his other three books are doing just fine. [...] And even thoughX-Men is not particularly notable, it is hardly a bad comic".[69] In a 2024 retrospective on the early 2010s X-Men comics, David Harth ofCBR commented that the initial arc (Curse Of The Mutants) of volume 3 "is usually considered among the worst X-Men stories ever" and the volume "wasn't very popular as its opening story doomed the series".[13] Harth highlighted that the other flagship titles post-Schism –Uncanny X-Men by writerKieron Gillen andWolverine and the X-Men byJason Aaron – "sold very well and are still remembered fondly today, withX-Men (Vol. 3) falling further behind its fellows".[13]
X-Men (vol 4.) was #45 on "CBR's Top 100 Comics of 2013" –Kelly Thompson ofCBR opined that "while X-Men unfortunately (and unwisely) got pulled into a massive (and woefully unfulfilling) crossover early on in its run, the first arc of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's 'X-Men' was everything I have been wanting in a comic for nearly twenty years. [...] Wood is a character driven writer that knows how to protect characters while also growing them exponentially. He's also one of the best comic book writers when it comes to flawlessly blending the epic and the intimate – and there's no better book for the epic and the intimate crashing together so beautifully than an X-Men title".[70] Casey Gilly, also forCBR, noted that despite Wood's "recent controversy", he "knows how to write female characters. His all-female X-Men team never felt like this pandering, desperate attempt to INCLUDE ALL GIRLS YAY CHEESECAKE, but instead felt thoughtful, powerful and right. He wrote heroes who just happened to be women, and who just happened to kick miles of ass".[70]
In February 2014, Farid-ul-Haq ofThe Geekiary highlighted the first ten issues ofX-Men (vol 4.) and stated that "you need to pick up the current X-Men series. I like the fact that the series isn't an excuse to give fans some monthly eye-candy and actually has a plot that affects the Marvel Universe. [...] The series shows the female cast in all its glory and kudos to Brian Wood, the writer. He has been careful when it comes to writing the characters as the strong women they are".[71] However, by December 2014, his view had shifted – "the story started to feel like a mess as it went on. I didn't enjoy the rushed end to the Arkea arc and Storm's daughter, Kymera, showing up from the future really didn't add anything too exciting to Shogo's story". He also only enjoyed the first issue of Guggenheim's run as "the rest of the issues felt boring".[72] In January 2015, ul-Haq praised Wilson's first issue, viewing it as "an amazing debut" and that "Wilson has indeed done a very impressive job her very first time writing for the X-Men title".[73] In 2016, Elle Collins ofComicsAlliance commented thatX-Men (vol 4.) "floundered between writer changes and crossovers before ending whenSecret Wars came around in 2015. It was a great idea, though. There are so many female characters who are essential to the X-Men – Storm, Kitty Pryde, Rogue, Jubilee and so on – that putting a bunch them together in one book was a natural move. Unfortunately, sinceSecret Wars there's been no mention of a return to that concept".[74]
Rory Wilding, forAIPT in April 2020, reviewed the first six issues of Hickman's run onX-Men (Vol. 5) and highlighted that the "team roster changes" in each issue "which allows Hickman to show a variety of character dynamics. But if there is one character who is closest to being the main protagonist of the book, it would be Cyclops".[75] Wilding felt that Hickman was able to balance the "seriousness" and "politics" with moments of "humor" and that while "there are some recurring threads throughout, each issue has its own identity, based on the sci-fi ideas Hickman wants to explore, some of which are heavy thinkers that set up big things in later issues".[75] Wilding also highlighted the various artists on book –Leinil Francis Yu, with consistent work on the first four issues, who delivers "the big superhero/sci-fi spectacle, but does slightly struggle in the character domesticity" and R.B. Silva, on the fifth issue, "whose breathtaking visuals (colored by Marte Gracia) make me wish he drew more of the surroundings of Krakoa and Ecuador".[75] However, Wilding thought the "standout" was the sixth issue "thanks to Matteo Buffagni's expressive artwork, how it ties into the events ofHouse of X, and being a subtle character drama about one of the most iconic characters in X-Men lore".[75] In November 2020, Vishal Gullapalli reviewed the next collection (issues #7–11) forAIPT and stated that it is "composed of mostly standalone stories with some connective tissue, although this one has a couple two-part stories".[76] Gullapalli highlighted issue #7 as the standout and that it "was the source of some of the most spirited discussions and debates among the X-Fandom sinceHouse of X/Powers of X ended" since it "reveals the mechanism forcontrolled resurrections among mutants who lost their powers in the wake ofHouse of M and want them back, and it's something that has become a really divisive issue in the community. Hickman does a fantastic job laying out both the proponents and opponents to this ritual, and really leaving it morality ambiguous".[76] He also commented that "art-wise there isn't really anything stunning, but everyone does a good job executing what they're given".[76]
In reviews of the final issue in July 2021, Jamie Lovett ofComicBook.com called the series "intense" and Dan Spinelli ofAIPT called it an "outlier".[50][51] Spinelli explained that most superhero story arcs are done in five to six issues while "Hickman made his series ade facto anthology, centered loosely around Cyclops and the Quiet Council of Krakoa. That atypical approach bore fruit in some surprising ways. [...] Hickman'sX-Men series has been a reminder that delayed gratification often makes for the best stories".[51] Lovett viewed issue #21 "like acoda" which "puts writer Jonathan Hickman's thoughts about the X-Men into more explicit focus. It's a story of dichotomies, where democracies and empires, dreams and realities sit side-by-side, making for an intriguing turning point in the larger mutant saga and a suitable punctuation mark that makes the often episodic series that preceded it more thematically coherent".[50] In March 2022, Micheal Foulk ofThe Beat commented that Hickman's entire run "is non-linear and focuses on somewhat disconnected world-building vignettes set during the first few months afterHouse of X. Following the timeline can bedifficult but definitely not impossible" and that "Hickman is not one for holding the reader's hand through the big ideas, and he is a writer who deals in MASSIVE concepts. If it doesn't all make sense to you immediately, don't feel bad, I'm personally still connecting all the dots and I just reread all of it".[77] Foulk opined that "Hickman'sX-Men is expansive and almost overwhelming with all of its new ideas. I'm so excited to have this opportunity to reread these story arcs with a critical lens. This is an era that truly benefits from being read multiple times as each issue takes on new significance with more context".[77]
Hickman's work onHouse of X (2019),Powers of X (2019),X-Men (Vol. 5),X-Men: Inferno (2022) was No. 2 onNerdist's 2023 "The 10 Greatest X-Men Comic Book Runs of All Time, Rabked" list — Hickman "introduced new concepts and ideas to the Marvel mutant universe with practically every new issue. Because of this, the franchise became more exciting than it had been in years. Hickman worked with many artists during this time, primarily Pepe Larraz and Leinil Francis Yu, all of which elevated it to one of the best-looking X-Men runs, along with one of the most innovative and fresh. It might have only lasted three years, but Hickman's time on the X-Men franchise is one fans will still be talking about for decades to come".[78] Hickman was nominated for the 2021 "Best Writer"Eisner Award for his work onX-Men (Vol. 5) along with his work on other series.[79] Clayton Cowles was nominated for the 2022 "Best Lettering" Eisner Award for his work on bothX-Men (Vol. 5) andX-Men (Vol. 6) along with his work on other series.[80]
David Harth, forCBR in August 2023, highlighted that Hickman's volume 5 was the initial flagship title in theKrakoan Age where he "set down the building blocks that would flesh out" the era.[4] However, when Hickman unexpectedly left, the series was rebooted as volume 6 with writerGerry Duggan; whileX-Men (Vol. 6) "sold well", the series felt "less important than when Hickman was writing" the previous volume.[4] He viewed Pepe Larraz as "Marvel's heaviest-hitting penciler" but Gerry Duggan as a "steady hand" instead of a "superstar".[4] Harth opined that the addition ofImmortal X-Men by Kieron Gillen andX-Men Red byAl Ewing led toX-Men falling "further in readers' esteem" as "many fans" assumed the new titles "were the important books" because they had the more "A-list writers" even though all three titles had comparable art teams – "Immortal andRed gave readers more of the high-concept plots they were expecting and those books soon became the ones that most people thought of as flagships.X-Men (Vol. 6) was a fun superhero book, but it wasn't the center of the Krakoa Era anymore".[4] However, Harth thought Dungan had the tools to "shine" in the upcomingFall of X as a superhero story was what was needed which "should letX-Men (Vol. 6) retake its spot at the top".[4] Then in March 2024, in overview of Fall of X forCBR, Harth commented the volume "hasn't exactly set the world on fire, besides its A-list art. Its simplistic plots, lackluster character development, and basic sense of humor hasn't worked for every X-Men fan, but issue 29 was the most entertaining issue in a long time" by includingDoctor Doom.[81] In contrast, Alexander Jones forMultiversity viewed the series' "unique tone" as a core aspect "that makes this modern run onX-Men great" – "Gerry Duggan writes relatable dialogue for his X-Men characters and has a knack for pairing them off in really strange scenarios. One of the other fantastic aspects about this run are the talented artists who have contributed to this series including Stefano Casselli, Pepe Larraz and Joshua Cassara" with Cassara's artwork showing improvement over the course of the series.[82] Jones highlighted how this series has seeded multiple Krakoan Age events and "switched directions a number of times": it "established fascinating plot threads forJudgment Day withBen Urich's involvement in the narrative", "carried a focus onSins of Sinister with Dr. Stasis", and foreshadowed "the Fall of X heavily thanks to the influence of Orchis".[82]
Ryan Sonneville, in his review ofX-Men (Vol. 6) #19-24 forAIPT, commented that "overall, Gerry Duggan does a fine job getting all these characters to where they need to be prior to theFall of X event, and their interpersonal interactions and action scenes are satisfying" and that "Stefano Caselli and Joshua Cassara deserve equal praise for the line work they do in this book".[83] Sonneville opined that as the series approachesFall of X it felt "like the X-Office didn't know what else to say about Krakoa"; however, "even when it feels like it is stalling, Duggan'sX-Men was gratifying with plenty for fans to appreciate and enjoy".[83] Sonneville, in his review ofX-Men (Vol. 6) #25-29 forAIPT, commented that "Duggan has always excelled at being able to tell personal character stories that deliver those fan-favorite moments of comic book action and comradery. His X-Men run seemed to be a direct response to world-building focused storytelling of his predecessor, and these issues continue to add that same charm".[84] Sonneville also highlighted the while there are multiple artist changes from issue to issue, "each issues looks great, while still feeling consistent with Duggan's script and the overall look for the title".[84] Sonneville noted that he would miss Duggan's work when the series was rebooted afterFall of X – these issues "capture a love and interconnectedness between the cast that effortlessly weaves the larger line-wide plot into each issue. This isn't just a book to read to get caught up, but to celebrate the artistic power the X-Men continues to emanate into the comic community".[84]X-Men (Vol. 6) was nominated forIGN's 2023 Best Comic Book Series or Original Graphic Novel — Jesse Schedeen commented that whileImmortal X-Men won the award in 2022, "it was the flagship X-Men title that stood out the most" in 2023.[85] Schedeen highlighted that following theHellfire Gala (2023), the "new status quo has been explored brilliantly by writer Gerry Duggan and his artistic partners, with the series taking on a darker and more urgent edge in recent months" in the Fall of X phase.[85] Austin Gorton ofComicsXF focused on theart of Krakoa fromX-Men (vol. 6) #35 – "there's just something about the final image of Krakoa saying goodbye to the mutants staying behind on Earth to be churned up into the latest relaunch that I find achingly beautiful. There are few words on the page, yet it seems to say so much. It haunts me (in a good way)".[86]
| Issue | Publication date | Comic Book Roundup rating[87] | Estimated sales to North American retailers (first month) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume 5 (2019 series) | ||||
| #1 | October 16, 2019 | 8.6 by 25 professional critics | 255,724[88] | None |
| #2 | November 13, 2019 | 8.3 by 18 professional critics | 117,538[89] | |
| #3 | December 4, 2019 | 8.4 by 18 professional critics | 105,708[90] | |
| #4 | January 1, 2020 | 8.8 by 13 professional critics | 93,342[91] | |
| #5 | January 29, 2020 | 8.4 by 16 professional critics | 80,443[91] | |
| #6 | February 12, 2020 | 8.9 by 16 professional critics | 92,287[92] | |
| #7 | February 26, 2020 | 9.2 by 14 professional critics | 76,691[92] | |
| #8 | March 11, 2020 | 8.5 by 13 professional critics | 75,080[93] | |
| #9 | March 26, 2020 | 8.0 by 16 professional critics | 70,208[93] | |
| #10 | July 29, 2020 | 7.7 by 12 professional critics | Data not yet available | Empyre tie-in |
| #11 | August 26, 2020 | 8.3 by 11 professional critics | ||
| #12 | September 16, 2020 | 8.2 by 10 professional critics | None | |
| #13 | October 21, 2020 | 7.8 by 12 professional critics | X of Swords tie-in | |
| #14 | November 4, 2020 | 7.5 by 9 professional critics | ||
| #15 | November 25, 2020 | 8.2 by 11 professional critics | ||
| #16 | December 30, 2020 | 7.7 by 15 professional critics | None | |
| #17 | January 27, 2021 | 7.6 by 13 professional critics | ||
| #18 | February 24, 2021 | 7.8 by 18 professional critics | ||
| #19 | March 31, 2021 | 9.0 by 13 professional critics | ||
| #20 | May 26, 2021 | 8.7 by 12 professional critics | ||
| #21 | June 9, 2021 | 8.0 by 13 professional critics | Hellfire Gala tie-in | |
In 2024, X-Men Senior EditorTom Brevoort revealed plans for 2025 including a storyline for March, a special project for May, a key one-shot for June, and a big X-line event in the fall.[94]
Michael Guerrero, reviewingX-Men #1 (Vol. 7) forAIPT, viewed the opening issue as a "strong relaunch" which introduces a new X-Men era to readers and even though "it may be a bit familiar, I believe it does a great job of leaping over one of the hardest hurdles for the title: following up on the aftermath of the fall of Krakoa. [...] While nothing can last forever, including the prior era of the X-Men, it seems that this series is going to take the importance of Krakoa and what it stood for to use as a moral compass to guide the team to protect mutants from experiencing loss on that level again".[95] Guerrero also highlighted the main cast of characters and thought MacKay delivered "an immediately lovable roster" – "while Scott is as cool and collected as ever, others like Magik and Juggernaut or Kid Omega and Temper have an enjoyable dynamic that adds some comedic relief to the series, while others such as Beast and Magneto provide sharp versatility to the team".[95] In contrast, Jamie Lovett ofComicBook.com thought the first issue lacked "a strong hook" as "characters under familiar circumstances" were not enough to make a statement.[96] Lovett commented that "with Cyclops leading a borderline paramilitary team of mutant heavy hitters with little regard for human rules, it has more in common with theUncanny X-Men run that followed the events ofAvengers vs. X-Men in the 2010s—much of the roster is the even same—but less bold. That may be down to MacKay's writing of Cyclops, who comes off as less revolutionary and more tired and embittered than the last time he played this role".[96]
According toCBR, Marvel now publishes over a dozenX-titles each month.[97]
In 2025, at the Marvel X-Men panel atNew YorkComic Con, a new series was announced launching out of theX-Men Ageof Revelation calledMagik & Colossus from the creative team ofAshley Allen and German Peralta.[98]
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men:Curse of the Mutants | X-Men (vol. 3) #1–6 | March 2, 2011 | Hardcover:978-0785148463 Paperback:978-0785148470 |
| X-Men: With Great Power | X-Men (vol. 3) #7–11;Marvel Team-Up Annual #1 | July 6, 2011 | Hardcover:978-0785148487 Paperback:978-0785148494 |
| X-Men: First to Last | X-Men: Giant-Size #1;X-Men (vol. 3) #12–15 | November 9, 2011 | Hardcover:978-0785152873 Paperback:978-0785152880 |
| X-Men: FF | X-Men (vol. 3) #15.1, 16–19 | March 7, 2012 | Hardcover:978-0785160694 Paperback:978-0785160700 |
| X-Men: War Machines | X-Men (vol. 3) #20-23;Uncanny X-Men (vol. 2) #14 | May 9, 2012 | Hardcover:978-0785161875 Paperback:978-0785161882 |
| X-Men: The Curse is Broken | X-Men (vol. 3) #24-29 | November 28, 2012 | Paperback:978-0785161899 |
| X-Men by Brian Wood Vol. 1: Blank Generation | X-Men (vol. 3) #30-33 | February 12, 2013 | Paperback:978-0785164593 |
| X-Men by Brian Wood Vol. 2: Reckless Abandonment | X-Men (vol. 3) #34-41 | April 30, 2013 | Paperback:978-0785164616 |
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men Volume 1: Primer | X-Men (vol. 4) #1-4;Uncanny X-Men #244 | December 10, 2013 | Paperback:978-0785168003 |
| X-Men: Battle of the Atom | X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1-2;All-New X-Men #16–17;X-Men (vol. 4) #5-6;Uncanny X-Men (vol. 3) #12-13;Wolverine and the X-Men #36-37 | January 21, 2014 | Hardcover:978-0785189060 Paperback:978-1846535727 |
| X-Men Volume 2: Muertas | X-Men (vol. 4) #7-12 | May 20, 2014 | Paperback:978-0785168010 |
| X-Men Volume 3: Bloodline | X-Men (vol. 4) #13-17 | October 21, 2014 | Paperback:978-0785189725 |
| X-Men Volume 4: Exogenous | X-Men (vol. 4) #18-22 | March 3, 2015 | Paperback:978-0785192336 |
| X-Men Volume 5: The Burning World | X-Men (vol. 4) #23-26 | July 28, 2015 | Paperback:978-0785197263 |
| Title | Material collected | Format | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 1 | X-Men (vol. 5) #1–6 | Trade paperback | April 21, 2020[99] | ISBN 978-1302919818 |
| X-Men by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 2 | X-Men (vol. 5) #7–12 | November 17, 2020[100] | ISBN 978-1302919825 | |
| X-Men by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 3 | X-Men (vol. 5) #16–20 | July 20, 2021[101] | ISBN 978-1302924911 | |
| X-Men by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (Leinil Francis Yu cover) | X-Men (vol. 5) #1–11 and #16–21;Giant-Size X-Men:Jean Grey and Emma Frost,Nightcrawler,Magneto,Fantomex,Storm; material fromIncoming! #1[102] | Hardcover | March 29, 2022[103] | ISBN 978-1-302-92998-5 |
| X-Men by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (Russell Dauterman cover) | March 30, 2022[104] | ISBN 978-1-302-93208-4 |
| Title | Material collected | Format | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 1 | X-Men (vol. 6) #1–6 | Trade paperback | March 1, 2022 | ISBN 978-1302927233 |
| X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 2 | X-Men (vol. 6) #7–12 | September 22, 2022 | ISBN 978-1302927240 | |
| X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 3 | X-Men (vol. 6) #13–18, Annual #1 | February 28, 2023 | ISBN 978-1302932503 | |
| X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 4 | X-Men (vol. 6) #19–24 | October 3, 2023 | ISBN 978-1302947538 | |
| X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 5 | X-Men (vol. 6) #25–29 | March 5, 2024 | ISBN 978-1302947545 | |
| X-Men by Gerry Duggan – Volume 6 | X-Men (vol. 6) #30–34 | September 3, 2024[105] | ISBN 9781302957216 |
The next volume ran for 41 issues, and another for 26. X-Men was gone for a while[...]. The book got relaunched post-House of X/Powers of X and ran for 21 issues.
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