Comics I need some help from some X-Fans

[Punisher RULES]

Alright, I like the X-Men a whole lot, but I've only read a few key stories (Days Of Future Past/Dark Pheonix Saga) and a few recent runs (Astonishing X-Men/Morrison's New X-Men) but I always seem to be almost afraid to delve into the X-Universe because of so many characters and so much continuity and so many titles that I'm in need of some recommendations because I really do enjoy reading X-Men stories but I need to read more to get me comfortable in the current X-verse so basically what I'm asking is , which trades should I buy (preferably more recent runs) and where I should start.

Thanks and I really appreciate it.

 

[mightiest_mortal]

Just to get into recent comics you don't need that much. You could read messiah complex if you want but its not really being referred to that much.

Get...
Uncanny X-Men : Divided we stand Trade.
Its not amazing but sets up the new direction and sure does look very pretty.
Then get hold of Uncanny X-Men issues 500-Present
Then get hold of Astonishing X-Men 25-present.

That at least will get you bang up to date on the current core titles without having to read too much. (is Legacy even a core title anymore?)

As a recomendation i'd grab the X-Force: Angels and Demons trade as well. For some reason I actually really like the New X-Force.

 

[Punisher RULES]

From what I've read here and there, all of Ed Brubaker's X-Men run seems like the way to start.

 

[Congo Jack]

From what I've read here and there, all of Ed Brubaker's X-Men run seems like the way to start.

If you REALLY REALLY want to read the current comics - I'd say start from #500. Brubaker's X-Men has been poor -

The first story (DEADLY GENESIS) was a mini that needlessly killed off Banshee and featured a horribly out of character Professor X.

The second one (RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE) was a long drawn-out story set in space that featured possibly the worst X-Cast ever - Prof X, Nightcrawler, Warpath, Havok, Polaris, Rachel Grey.

The next arc (EXTREMISTS) was also boring.

MESSIAH COMPLEX was the big crossover with all the other X-books - that was OK.

The next arc (DIVIDED WE STAND) featured some great Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus moments but was largely skippable.

 

[danielisthor]

Has there ever been a story that involved Colossus, Nightcrawler and Wolverine together without the rest of the team that was less than great.

 

[Punisher RULES]

If you REALLY REALLY want to read the current comics - I'd say start from #500. Brubaker's X-Men has been poor -

The first story (DEADLY GENESIS) was a mini that needlessly killed off Banshee and featured a horribly out of character Professor X.

The second one (RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE) was a long drawn-out story set in space that featured possibly the worst X-Cast ever - Prof X, Nightcrawler, Warpath, Havok, Polaris, Rachel Grey.

The next arc (EXTREMISTS) was also boring.

MESSIAH COMPLEX was the big crossover with all the other X-books - that was OK.

The next arc (DIVIDED WE STAND) featured some great Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus moments but was largely skippable.

Hm. I guess I'll scratch those books off my list. What's the status quo starting at # 500?

 

[Congo Jack]

Has there ever been a story that involved Colossus, Nightcrawler and Wolverine together without the rest of the team that was less than great.

They really should get their own mini.

Hm. I guess I'll scratch those books off my list. What's the status quo starting at # 500?

There's about 200 mutants left in the world. The X-Men have relocated to San Francisco. There's a main cast of (I think) Cyke, White Queen, Wolvie, Beast, Nightcrawler and Pixie but there seems to be characters coming in from time to time. Written by Bru and Matt Fraction. Art by Greg Land and Terry Dodson.

 

[Punisher RULES]

They really should get their own mini.


There's about 200 mutants left in the world. The X-Men have relocated to San Francisco. There's a main cast of (I think) Cyke, White Queen, Wolvie, Beast, Nightcrawler and Pixie but there seems to be characters coming in from time to time. Written by Bru and Matt Fraction. Art by Greg Land and Terry Dodson.

Woah.

That's one hell of a creative team. Would you say it's something of a relaunch at this point or should I read the books you mentioned to get the full story?

 

[usagicassidy]

If you're interested in reading monthly, like getting into the newest stuff and reading it when it comes out, then I would suggest reading X-Men Messiah Complex. To be honest, Brubaker's entire run thus far has been god-awful. Although the books he penned in Messiah Complex (MC) were great. I personally very much enjoyed Carey's writing leading up to MC, issues 188-204:
http://www.amazon.com/X-Men-Superno...bs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226169015&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/X-Men-Blinded...=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226169015&sr=8-3

If you read that, then read MC:
http://www.amazon.com/X-Men-Messiah...d_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226169055&sr=8-2

Then you'd probably be set for the status quo of the titles at this point. Unfortunately, all the great characters and characterizations in Carey's X-Men title are now being poorly underused, what with Iceman and Rogue not in San Francisco, and Mystique being, well, wherever she is?

Personally, I'm a big fan of the non-core X-books: X-Factor has been solid since issue 1, and New X-Men (not the Morrison one) was fun while it lasted (has now been replaced with the ultimately disappointing Young X-Men). X-Force is finally kicking into full gear, and is a great read as well.

I'd say, if you read MC and like either the X-Factor or New X-Men characters within, pick up those titles. You could start New X-Men with issue 1 or 20, cause 20 completely changes the title in a new direction.
http://www.amazon.com/New-X-Men-Chi...=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226169452&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/X-Factor-Vol-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226169571&sr=1-1

 

[Congo Jack]

Woah.

That's one hell of a creative team. Would you say it's something of a relaunch at this point or should I read the books you mentioned to get the full story?

I think they've set it up with #500 to try and get new readers in. This is the blurb at the start of #500:

"For as long as they've existed, the X-Men have protected a world that hates and fears them. Now with mutantkind reduced to a few hundred, they've fled their former school and rededicated themselves to the survival of their species at all costs."

I'm no fan of the book, but judging from your first post I'd say it's the thing for you. If you want to know why the mutants lost their powers check out HOUSE OF M by Brian Bendis and Olivier Coipel.

If you want to try some of the older trades out there I'd give GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS and (this one is if your willing to spend a pretty penny) UNCANNY X-MEN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 a shot. Both are classics and require little to no prior reading to understand. Also if you're a Logan-fan then WOLVERINE by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller is a must.

 

[Punisher RULES]

I think they've set it up with #500 to try and get new readers in. This is the blurb at the start of #500:

"For as long as they've existed, the X-Men have protected a world that hates and fears them. Now with mutantkind reduced to a few hundred, they've fled their former school and rededicated themselves to the survival of their species at all costs."

I'm no fan of the book, but judging from your first post I'd say it's the thing for you. If you want to know why the mutants lost their powers check out HOUSE OF M by Brian Bendis and Olivier Coipel.

If you want to try some of the older trades out there I'd give GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS and (this one is if your willing to spend a pretty penny) UNCANNY X-MEN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 a shot. Both are classics and require little to no prior reading to understand. Also if you're a Logan-fan then WOLVERINE by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller is a must.

Ah, I'm proud to say I've read all the books you mentioned above. I loved House Of M, God Loves, Man Kills and the core Claremont/Cockrum/Byrne stuff, but like I said, thanks for pointing me in the right direction with the # 500 recommendation, the X-books are the only line major Marvel books I don't follow and I guess now I will

 

[ChaoticPsylocke]

if you ever have any random questions or want a small (or in depth) biography of a random character that pops up, go to:

uncannyxmen.net

they are pretty much amazing and will fill you in about anything you cant get hold of.