Comics New X-Men Collector.. HELP!

[Sieben]

Hey dudes...

So, i'm fairly new to the comic world... (though a long time Marvel fanboy) and i was considering venturing into collecting X-Men stories.

However, I prefer to buy Trade Peperbacks over monthly issues. I've got New X-men (Academy X onwards) and Ultimate down, but i need help with the rest of the 616 universe.

Basically, What is the difference between X-Men, Uncanny, Astonishing and Essential?

I've found Volumes 1-4 of Astonishing and was looking at Essentials... but are Essentials just the same tales as Uncanny? and are all the varients 616?

 

[BMM]

Uncanny X-Men is the original X-Men title dating back to 1963... It alone contains almost all relevant X-Men stories in the 616 universe.

In 1991, X-Men, a 'spin-off' of Uncanny X-Men, is introduced. Both Uncanny X-Men and X-Men go together--same universe (616), shared plotlines, etc.

Astonishing X-Men is introduced in 2004. It also shares the same universe (616) and plotlines as both Uncanny X-Men and X-Men.

Essential X-Men is just a collection of previous Uncanny X-Men issues.

 

[squeekness]

If you want to get more bang for your buck, Sieben, check out 40 Years of X-men on DVDRom. Many details on it here --

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=234588

It's $40 and worth every penny.

 

[mightiest_mortal]

just get this....

http://www.amazon.com/New-X-Men-Omnibus-Grant-Morrison/dp/0785123261

all youl ever need.

 

[Sieben]

Arf! I'm in the UK Squeaky... and tbh... i prefer to have an actual book and relax with it... rather than stare at my laptop screen for hours trying to read...thanks for the link though!

I was going to buy Essential Uncanny X-Men 1 & 2 but it was all in Black n' white

I think for now i'll start at the 90's. So anyone with any advice or tips on what to buy and where from?

 

[Canemacar]

Astonishing X-Men is introduced in 2004. It also shares the same universe (616) and plotlines as both Uncanny X-Men and X-Men.

Not any longer. They've changed it; Astonishing now has it's own "bubble" continuity that doesn't impact other titles.

 

[BMM]

Not any longer. They've changed it; Astonishing now has it's own "bubble" continuity that doesn't impact other titles.

Thanks for the update. I haven’t kept up with Astonishing. I've been waiting for Whedon to finish the entire run before I buy the rest of the books… too many delays.

Arf! I'm in the UK Squeaky... and tbh... i prefer to have an actual book and relax with it... rather than stare at my laptop screen for hours trying to read...thanks for the link though!

I was going to buy Essential Uncanny X-Men 1 & 2 but it was all in Black n' white

I think for now i'll start at the 90's. So anyone with any advice or tips on what to buy and where from?

The 90s are kind of hit and miss, especially the late 90s. It’s also hard to recommend TPBs, as it seems Marvel is more focused on publishing major crossover events from that era rather than the issues in between those big events... so you may miss out on some stuff. Anyway, here are some of the prevalent storylines of the 90s in chronological order. They should all be available as TPBs.

X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda
X-Men: Mutant Genesis
X-Men: X-Cutioners Song
X-Men: Fatal Attractions
X-Men: The Phalanx Covenant
X-Men: The Age of Apocalypse
X-Men: Onslaught
X-Men: Operation Zero Tolerance aka X-Men: Zero Tolerance


Oh, and you should be able to find all of these titles at amazon.co.uk. If not, you may be able to find some of them at a local book store or comic shop.

 

[squeekness]

All the Essentials are in black and white. Kinda cheesy but they don't cost a lot of money. Some early Uncanny collections are available in full color hardcover, but they are hideously expensive. The hardcovers have nearly doubled in price since they were first offered to us, but they are nice if you can get a hold of them. The softcover TPBs are the best way to go and Amazon should have some of them.

It is a shame you are in the UK, I know some really good cheap back issue stores. I do get a newsletter from one of them -- www.milehighcomics.com -- in a recent letter the owner mentioned that with the dollar being so weak against the Euro, many British folks are ordeeing from him anyway because for you guys, it's cheaper to order them in the US and ship them across the pond.

He says --

"At the same time as we were celebrating Easter at the farm, sales absolutely took off on our website. The 20%-30% off sale that I put into effect on Saturday for all of our trade paperbacks and hardbacks prompted a huge response on Sunday, especially from collectors living outside of the USA. After seeing the steep premiums over cover price that UK comics buyers have to pay for both new comics, and for trade books, I am no longer at all surprised when I see so many of you placing orders with us during our book sales. With (almost) free International shipping on orders over $100, buying from our website is a vastly better value than buying through any of the UK stores that I visited. With the US dollar still trading at record low levels, all of our comics and books are now priced at about half of what they would have cost most International buyers just five years ago!"

Might want to at least give the site a peek. They have loads of stuff and I bought oodles of comics from them over the years without a hitch. Everything in great quality and packaged well for shipment.

 

[Sieben]

All the Essentials are in black and white. Kinda cheesy but they don't cost a lot of money. Some early Uncanny collections are available in full color hardcover, but they are hideously expensive. The hardcovers have nearly doubled in price since they were first offered to us, but they are nice if you can get a hold of them. The softcover TPBs are the best way to go and Amazon should have some of them.

It is a shame you are in the UK, I know some really good cheap back issue stores. I do get a newsletter from one of them -- www.milehighcomics.com -- in a recent letter the owner mentioned that with the dollar being so weak against the Euro, many British folks are ordeeing from him anyway because for you guys, it's cheaper to order them in the US and ship them across the pond.

He says --

"At the same time as we were celebrating Easter at the farm, sales absolutely took off on our website. The 20%-30% off sale that I put into effect on Saturday for all of our trade paperbacks and hardbacks prompted a huge response on Sunday, especially from collectors living outside of the USA. After seeing the steep premiums over cover price that UK comics buyers have to pay for both new comics, and for trade books, I am no longer at all surprised when I see so many of you placing orders with us during our book sales. With (almost) free International shipping on orders over $100, buying from our website is a vastly better value than buying through any of the UK stores that I visited. With the US dollar still trading at record low levels, all of our comics and books are now priced at about half of what they would have cost most International buyers just five years ago!"

Might want to at least give the site a peek. They have loads of stuff and I bought oodles of comics from them over the years without a hitch. Everything in great quality and packaged well for shipment.

He got that right!

I can probably buy a car cheaper than i can buy all 17 U.X-Men books!

Anyway, cheers for the site Squeak... I'll check it out a little later and see if i can get a good deal!

 

[squeekness]

The sale he is referring to there is still ongoing until April 1st. Also there is a second sale coincinding with that, that when you check out, if you put FREECOMICS! in the discount code box, you can get your first 10 dollars worth of comics free. I just bought some myself...

 

[Congo Jack]

This all depends on how much you can spend, but I’d recommend:
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus HC
Marvel Masterworks: Uncanny X-Men Vol. 5 HC
Marvel Masterworks: Uncanny X-Men Vol. 6 HC
New X-Men Omnibus HC
Astonishing X-Men: Gifted
Astonishing X-Men: Dangerous
Astonishing X-Men: Torn
Astonishing X-Men: Unstoppable - not released yet.

Not any longer. They've changed it; Astonishing now has it's own "bubble" continuity that doesn't impact other titles.

Colossus is alive. Agent Brand is part of the Marvel Universe.

Spoiler

Kitty is 'lost'

. It's safe to say that ASTONISHING X-MEN is still the 616 Marvel Universe - the delays just make it bloody hard to place in continuity.

 

[squeekness]

I thought Carey said the Astonishing run is supposed to take place just before X-men 200.

 

[Congo Jack]

I thought Carey said the Astonishing run is supposed to take place just before X-men 200.

Spoiler

Kitty Pryde appears in X-MEN #202

, so that doesn't work. Personally, it doesn't really bother me at all.