X-Men were the first Marvel superheroes I read. I remember picking up the latest release from the shelf, which turned out to be the conclusion of a storyline! From then on, I started exploring the X-Men’s history, following their contemporary adventures and tracking down older stories — from Chris Claremont’s run to the many spin-offs, limited series and maxi-series (I loved Cable back then!).
These days, it’s easier than ever to get into reading good X-Men comics thanks to the different collected editions, which explore the many eras of the mutants’ history. But with over 60 years’ worth of stories, it can also be hard to know where to start!
So, where should you start? The X-Men are a big family with many characters and various types of adventures. Whether you prefer the old comic book styles of the ’80s, epic modern stories, high-concept ideas, or personal and intimate tales, there’s an X-Men comic for you!
To help you find the perfect one, here’s a curated beginner’s guide with several routes you can take to read some great X-Men stories!
Previously on where to start with:
- Where to Start Reading Fantastic Four Comics?
- Where to Start Reading Wonder Woman Comics?
- Where to Start Reading Superman Comics?
1. The Vintage Route: Chris Claremont
The X-Men made their debut in the Silver Age. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, they lived some adventures before the cancellation of the title in 1970 due to low sales. If you really want to go all in, all those stories (and their guest-starring appearances afterwards) have been collected in several collections, including the famous Epic Collection and the X-Men Omnibus Collection.
However, we don’t recommend starting with their Silver Age comics. The best entry point for the X-Men is what we called the Chris Claremont era! This is the longest and most famous era of the X-Men, expanding the universe, introducing iconic characters and full of classic stories. As 17 years’ worth of stories (!) can be daunting, here are what we can call the “Best of” that era:
- Giant-Sized X-Men #1 (1975) – From writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum. This issue introduces us to the All-New, All-Different team to take on the mantle of the Uncanny X-Men (including Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Banshee, Sunfire, and Warpath). This is where this new era starts, with Claremont taking over a few issues later. You can read all of that in X-Men Epic Collection: Second Genesis.
- The Dark Phoenix Saga (X-Men #129-138, 1980) – This is one of the most important and influential stories for the X-Men — and a great one! The twist is that there was a lot of buildup, with Marvel Comics even putting out a Dark Phoenix Saga Omnibus. While not perfect, this was – and still is! – a good idea from their part. You can also simply continue to read the Epic Collection with Vol. 2: Proteus and Vol. 3: The Fate Of The Phoenix or focus on the main saga only. Your choice!
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (Uncanny X-Men #141–142, 1981) – This (way shorter) and iconic story from Chris Claremont is also a self-contained tale introducing us to the dystopian future of 2013 – where Sentinels stalk the Earth, and the X-Men are humanity’s only hope…until they die!
- Wolverine by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller (1982) – Wolvie is the best there is at what he does. But what he does best isn’t very nice. And this is explored in that classic ’80s standalone from Claremont and Miller that establishes Wolverine’s ties to Japan.
- God Loves, Man Kills (1982) – Writing by Claremont to be a stand-alone story that can be picked up by anyone and give you all the X-Men themes. God Loves, Man Kills put the X-Men in direct conflict with William Stryker, a televangelist seeking to eradicate the mutants.
For more books, check out our Chris Claremont X-Men Reading Guide.
2. The Modern Classic Route: Updating the X-Men
The X-Men enter the 21st century! After hitting a rough patch in the late 1990s, the mutants experienced a renaissance in the 2000s, thanks in part to their big-screen debut, which brought them to the attention of a new audience, and the work of Grant Morrison on the main title! The Scottish writer had recently joined the House of Ideas, and he started by revolutionizing the world of the X-Men. It was not your back-to-basics approach to make it easier for new readers! It was a new and original take on the X-Men that propelled them into new territories:
Morrison’s run on the X-Men is still as fresh and different today as it once was, and one of the most recommended starting points for the X-Men. He was followed by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s Astonishing X-Men, which also opened the door for new readers to join the X-Men family.
- New X-Men by Grant Morrison (2001-2004) – New Concepts, new villains, new disasters. Simply put: New X-Men. Grant Morrison’s run is one of the most celebrated and divisive runs on the X-Men, redefining and influencing the mutant world for years to come.
- Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday (2004-2008) – While a continuation of Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, Astonishing X-Men is also a little bit more classic in style, delivering a sort of mix between the classic and modern X-Men, which makes it perfect for new readers who want to have a good take on what the X-Men are.
For more books, check out our X-Men Modern Era Reading Order.
3. The (New) Modern Route: Jonathan Hickman’s Krakoa Era
In 2019, Marvel set out to redefine the X-Men for a new era and entrusted writer Jonathan Hickman to lead the charge. He began with the groundbreaking House of X / Powers of X miniseries, which reimagined the X-Men’s place in the Marvel Universe with a bold new vision: Xavier’s dream of peaceful coexistence gives way to the creation of Krakoa, a sovereign mutant nation offering humanity miraculous scientific advancements in exchange for recognition.
Much like Grant Morrison’s work, Jonathan Hickman took the X-Men in a new direction, moving away from the classic struggle for integration that defined Claremont’s era and turning mutantkind into a global force to be reckoned with. It also served as a major modern starting point for many new readers.
The X-Men line expanded during these years, with interconnected series, new mutant teams, political intrigue, and existential threats, all orbiting the fragile promise of the Krakoan dream. Here’s a selection of some of the most popular comics of the time:
- X-Men by Jonathan Hickman (2019-2021) – X-Men’s flagship from Jonathan Hickman introduces a new mutant culture and explores what they must do to defend what they have built.
- Hellions by Zeb Wells (2020-2021) – Krakoa’s misfits and troublemakers get a chance at redemption—or at least containment—in Hellions. Under the dubious guidance of Mister Sinister, this darkly comedic series features a chaotic lineup including Psylocke, Empath, Havok, and Orphan-Maker as they tackle missions no one else will touch.
- Way Of X by Si Spurrier (2021)– Nightcrawler sets out to define a mutant spirituality in a society that has conquered death, but what does faith mean when resurrection is guaranteed?
- S.W.O.R.D. by Al Ewing (2020-2021)– Operating from the Peak orbital station, the S.W.O.R.D. team manages cosmic alliances, galactic threats, and interstellar strategy, positioning mutantkind as a rising power not just on Earth, but across the universe.
For more books, check out our Jonathan Hickman X-Men Reading Guide: The Age of Krakoa.
4. The B-Side Route: Off-Team Classics
Many X-Men teams are living all kinds of adventures, from X-Files-inspired stories to reality-hopping adventures and everything in between. The following selection of X-Titles shines a light on everything the mutants have to offer, from stories that stay true to their essence to those that take a completely different approach, proof that there is an X-Title for everyone.
- Generation X (1994-2001) – A new class of young mutants made their debut in the nineties at the Massachusetts Academy, mentored by Banshee and the White Queen. This is your classic coming-of-age X-Men story, filled with romance, rivalries, and mutant powers.
- X-Factor Investigations by Peter David (2005-2013) – Peter David reinvented the X-Factor title twice: once in the 90s and again in the mid-2000s. Both are worth your time, but the latter delivers something a little bit different, focusing on a detective agency run by Jamie Madrox (aka Multiple Man) with his best friend and special enforcer, Guido Carosella (Strong Guy), and former teammate Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane). This is The X-Men meets The X-Files you didn’t know you needed!
- Exiles (2001-2007) – From Days of Future Past to the Age of Apocalypse event (see below), alternate realities have long been part of the X-Franchise. Exiles is essentially the Sliders of X-Men comics, following a team of X-characters hopping between realities. Classic adventures with not-so-classic-but-excellent characters.
- X-Statix by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred (2002-2004) – As far away as possible from your heroic X-Men team, explores the pitfalls of acceptance, fame and celebrity — and has a massive body count! We strongly recommend this iconic series, but be warned: it offers a unique take on the X-Men universe. While it won’t give you a real sense of what the X-Men stand for, it will show you how diverse and colourful the franchise has been over the years.
5. The Mutant Spotlight: Solo Adventures
While the X-Universe is vast, focusing on a single mutant has its benefits. These stories can feel less daunting and offer a great way to explore a character in more depth. Here’s a selection of standalone adventures that once again prove just how diverse the mutant world can be.
- Deadpool by Joe Kelly (1997-1998) – Deadpool’s defining classic run. A chaotic, crazy, and unpredictable run full of meta-humour and action.
- Mystique By Brian K. Vaughan (2003-2004) – A standalone espionage series following the exploits of Mystique as a secret agent.
- Wolverine: Enemy of the State by Mark Millar (2004-2005) – Logan takes on the entire Marvel Universe in this action blockbuster comic series from the creator of Kick-Ass and Kingsman.
- Rogue & Gambit by Kelly Thompson (2018) – A Romance/adventure comic starring one of the most emblematic X-Couples.
6. The Current Era Route: X-Men Today
Or… this month, would I dare to say! Following the fall of Krakoa, the X-Men entered a new era that is ongoing, with the Age of Revelation status quo that took the Marvel Universe 10 years into the future. In the aftermath of this event, the X-Men will be “armed with knowledge to prevent one of the darkest futures in Marvel Comics history. United, the X-Men will alter mutantkind’s fate and ensure their dream isn’t darkened by the SHADOWS OF TOMORROW!”
The next era for the X-Men will be launched in the wake of Age of Revelation, with the return of some titles such as X-Men by Jed MacKay, Uncanny X-Men by Gail Simone, and Wolverine by Saladin Ahmed. All-new series have also been announced by Marvel, including Cyclops, Generation X-23, Inglorious X-Force, Magik and Colossus, Rogue, Storm: Earth Mightiest Mutant, and Wade Wilson: Deadpool.