Book Review: Marvel Masterworks X-Men Vol. 1 by C. Claremont et al.

Marvel Masterworks The Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 written by Chris Claremont and Len Wein, pencilled by Dave Cockrum

This volume of classic X-Men comics from 1975 starts with the introduction of a new team. Professor X recruits Colossus, Storm, Nightcrawler, Banshee, and Wolverine to go on a rescue mission with Cyclops. The original X-Men went to recruit a mutant on a Pacific Island only to mysteriously disappear. The new crew trains and goes back to the island, only to discover the island itself is the mutant! The new crew saves the old crew. Once everyone is back at Xavier's school, most of the old class heads off on their own as the new roster takes over. They aren't gone for long as future adventures draw them back in. The final issue (#100) leaves a big cliffhanger...in space!

I'll admit the island-is-the-mutant is a weird idea, even for comic books, and sometimes the book has more dialog than it needs. That being said, the new roster of X-Men become very iconic very quickly. They have a lot of friendly and not so friendly interaction with each other, giving them a family feel. I enjoyed this step back into the past and will definitely read more.

Recommended.