New X-Men Omnibus

Book Description

Sixteen million mutants dead... and that was just the beginning! In one bold stroke, writer Grant Morrison (The Invisibles, JLA, Fantastic Four: 1234) propelled the X-Men into the 21st century - masterminding a challenging new direction for Marvel's mutant heroes that began with the destruction of Genosha and never let up. Regarded as the most innovative thinker of the current comic-book renaissance, Morrison proceeded to turn the mutant-hero genre on its ear. Gone were the gaudy spandex costumes - replaced by slick, black leather and an attitude to match. Now, his entire Eisner Award-nominated run on New X-Men is collected in one deluxe hardcover! Collects New X-Men #114-154 and Annual 2001

Customer Reviews:

Perfect X-Men Introduction.......2007-08-20

I've been reading comics books since I was 10 but have never really gotten in to X-Men. I've never been a fan of "team" books and tend to read solo titles. But, having heard all the hype about Grant Morrison's revamping of the X-Men and looking to try something new, I decided to pick up the New X-Men Omnibus and give it a whirl. It was exactly what I was looking for. The story was engaging, with Morrison and Quietly weaving an intriguing and suspenseful yarn that really explores who the X-Men are. Aside from the main storylines, I found the de-evolution of Beast to be interesting and would like to hear more of what happens with that. Also, the further evolution of Iceman was a plot device that was introduced but not really expanded upon.

The physical book itself is stunning. Presented in an oversized, coffee-table format allows the comics to be reprinted larger than their originals. The enlargement really allows the reader to concentrate on Frank Quietly's distinctive illustrations and lends itself as a superb guide for aspiring artists.

Overall, Marvel has done an excellent job with their Omnibus books, and this one is no exception. If you can find it for under $100 and are in the market for an excellent read, this is the book for you.

The best X-Men run in at least two decades.......2007-07-10

Remember when Uncanny X-Men was a cutting edge comic? When I started reading the X-Men titles in 1990, they had this mystique surrounding them. X-Men was the dangerous superhero team that the "cool" comic geeks followed. Looking back it seems a bit ridiculous. A lot of that mystique came from a single character (Wolverine), dynamic artwork by Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, etc. and continuity so baffling that only the truly obsessive could keep track. Unfortunately the X-Men titles began to slide into mediocrity shortly after I started reading them. Just when I was ready to stop reading them altogether, Marvel decided to really shake things up.

They brought in Grant Morrison. By placing more emphasis on character development and sharper dialogue than on spandex slug-fests, Morrison, along with writers like Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Millar, Warren Ellis, and Garth Ennis, are responsible for what has to be the best wave of comics since Frank Miller and Alan Moore started deconstructing the genre back in the mid 80's.

It says a lot that of the two X-Men Omnibus volumes released so far, one contains Chris Claremont's initial run on Uncanny X-Men and the other is Grant Morrison's entire New X-Men run. Both runs revolutionized their respective titles, smashing the status quo and challenging traditions. Morrison's run introduced a major new villain, unleashed a new wave of Sentinels, destroyed Genosha, killing 16 million mutants, and made Emma Frost an A-list character...and that's just the first four issues! Throughout the run we're treated to a Scott/Jean/Emma love triangle, revelations about the Weapon Plus program that created Wolverine, Xorn, the U-Men, the destruction of the Shi'ar Empire, a riot at Xavier's School, a completely unhinged Magneto, a disturbing vision of the future, and an unforgettable night on the town with Wolverine and Cyclops. Morrison smashes through the X-Men Universe with punk rock-like abandon and uses the shards to put together something new and exciting that would, for a while, make the X-Men an edgy, must-read comic once again. And his movie-inspired uniforms were a huge improvement over the old costumes.

The artwork sadly, is not as consistent as the writing. Nobody managed to stay on the book for more than four consecutive issues, but at least the artwork was (mostly) high quality. I've come to absolutely love Frank Quitely's quirky style, so his issues are my favorites. Ethan Van Sciver (Green Lantern) also shines here, as does Chris Bachalo, who's drawn pretty much every X-book by now. The occasional issue by Leniel Yu, Phil Jiminez, and John Paul Leon are well done, but Igor Kordey's artwork is the low point of the book. His style is just not suited to this kind of title. The final issues were drawn by former X-Men artist (and current Witchblade/Darkness hotshot) Marc Silvestri, who definitely helps end things with a bang.

This is a shining example of what comics in the 21st century can be, and will go down in history as one of the three most important X-Men runs ever. The fact that you can get all of the issues in one mammoth hardcover volume is just the icing on the cake.

An imaginative, daring run for an established series.......2007-05-27

First off, the presentation of all of Morrison's issues here in this hardcover edition is very well-crafted. Marvel has provided quite a bit of bonus material including scripts, unused art, the "Morrison Manifesto" and an introduction by Mike Carey. As for the stories themselves, the arc consists of about 42 issues, and is as well-executed and thought provoking as any X-men run in recent memory. (I hesitate to say "EVER" because comics were quite a different animal in the late 70s/early 80s when Claremont & Byrne were doing their thing.)
The one drawback or advantage, depending on your personal taste, is that the artwork varies over the course of the book; the product of different artists being utilized throughout. I personally did not find this detrimental; it was nice to see characters/situations presented in different styles while retaining the narrative voice. This collection is a breath of fresh air from one of comics' most distinct talents helming one of comics' premier series.

Dark, edgy, and utterly brilliant.......2007-04-16

In the world of the New X-Men, the oppressed are not ennobled, but embittered. A sainted martyr is nothing more than a failed tyrant. The heroes are simultaneously corroded from within by their own human failings and assailed from without by the forces of evil.

The Nihilistic setting and gruesome plot are not lightened with comic relief, but instead barbed with sardonic humor. Nothing is sacred. Morrison goes so far as to viciously satirize comic book fans in the context of a school shooting. Those of us who have cheered Magneto while dreaming of mutant powers will grimace and chuckle in uneasy self-deprecation. Far from the lighthearted banter seen in other X-Men works, the humor is as twisted as a supervillian's soul.

The stories have the feel of thrillers rather than action movies. The villians are as original as they are disturbing. The empathetic reader is more likely to shudder in revulsion than bristle in righteous outrage. The result is much more emotionally engaging than the usual over-dramatic rush by the "good guys" to defeat the "bad guys" in a flurry of oversized onomatopoeia and droll one-liners.

The characterization is stark and unforgiving. Along with the usual great, tragic flaws, the characters are presented with all cutting edges exposed. Emma Frost particularly shines as a jumble of weakness and strength, selfishness and altruism. With Logan's utilitarian ethics, Jean Grey's telepathy, and Henry McCoy's dry wit, she adds a much-needed "edge" to the X-Men team.

The most brilliant aspect of the New X-Men is also the most subtle. Forgoing the trite and pompous narration employed by most comic authors, Morrison lets the characters' dialogue and actions speak for themselves. With the vividly realistic artwork and seamless, linear layout narration would be an irritating redundancy.

After finishing the New X-Men Omnibus, I had the feeling of waking from a dream, suddenly aware of my physical surrounding for the first time in hours. Only when I emerged from Morrison's world did I realize how thoroughly it had absorbed me.

THE PUNK ROCKER OF COMICS IS IN FULL FORM! .......2007-02-27

The manifesto by the author in the extra features explains it all: Grant Morrison set out to jumpstart the X-Universe in a way that has rarely been seen before. He succeeds in leaps and bounds. Here, he has all the epic grandeur spawning from the teams 40+ year history. But instead of getting bogged down by all that past, he uses it as "window dressing" for great stories about enormous characters.

HAVING THE WHOLE RUN IN ONE COLLECTION IS A DREAM COME TRUE! The oversized, glossy pages are gorgeous, and this is definitely worth the price tag.

And finally, the thing I like best about Morrison, is he made it suck to be a mutant again. For too long, Mutants were mostly beautiful people filling out sexy spandex that were "cursed" by their gifts. Wah. Characters like beak (a scrawny chicken-boy) and Three-Faced John make it easy to see why mutants are outcast, and that's what makes them so interesting.

p.s. I took off a star cause i'm not the biggest Frank Quietly fan.

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
Great X-men Stories
The begginnig of the end of Breakwolrd
A great read... thanks, Joss!
Entertaining In Any Medium

Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3: Torn
Joss Whedon
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785117598

Book Description

They're back! The chart-topping super-team of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday return for more Astonshing X-Men! If you thought their past efforts were full of shocks and surprises, hold onto your eyeballs - because you haven't seen anything yet, as things go from peculiar to just plain bizarre! Emma Frost's erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a non-stop downward spiral. Will an unlikely union be the final straw? After secretly lying in wait for months, the new Hellfire Club makes its move! Plus: The X-Man destined to destroy the Breakworld stands revealed! Who is it, and what will be their fate? Collects Astonishing X-Men #13-18.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-04

Give us more like this.

Easily some of the best X-Men writing for a long, long time. The characters of Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost are done fabulously, and Whedon has pulled out some of the famous X-Men twists and turns, particularly with the Hellfire Club reappearing. This is enough to make you say 'write this more frequently, goddamnit', as you want to find out what will happen.

Very well done.

Great X-men Stories.......2007-06-09

While not quite as good as the first two volumes, "Astonishing X-men: Torn" continues the excellent Breakworld story line. I checked the first volume out from the local library after a good 15-20 year hiatus from reading x-men comics, and after reading it, I quickly purchased volumes two and three from Amazon, and at a price about $5 cheaper than list, it was a bargain. Good story and dialogue overall, coupled with beautiful artwork. The artwork is not like the hyper-muscular figures characteristic of comics, but it works well nonetheless. The pace, in my opinion, is a bit more sketchy/disjointed than the previous two collections, but still better than many other comic story arcs that I've read recently. I think this writing/art team is only together for one more graphic novel (6 comic issues), and I will be sorry to see them go. I could probably hang on reading if the either artwork or story was engaging, but with the Astonishing X-men, you get both. Highly recommended for X-men fans, just make sure you read the first two volumes, "Gifted" and "Dangerous" prior to this book to bring yourself up to speed on the story thus far.

The begginnig of the end of Breakwolrd.......2007-06-08

The volume 3 takes you to the begginnig of the fight betwenn the X-men and Ord, the X-men fight back with Casandra Nova, the killer of the mutants in genosha, cyclops loss his powers, and the end of this volume leaves you wanting more. The art is obviusly excellent and the story is good, if you want to see a crazy cyclops, an soft wolverine and a beast been more bestial than ever, the read this volume.

A great read... thanks, Joss!.......2007-03-30

Author Joss Whedon brings his best game with this fine six-issue run (#13-18) of "The Astonishing X-Men." It looks like the Hellfire Club are back, with Emma Frost leading the way to the utter defeat and debasement of her erstwhile teammates... With consummate grace, Whedon crafts one of the finest scripted mindwarp sagas in comicbook history, and manages to pop off some classic, "Buffy"-esque one-liners that show the old magic is still there. Best of all, he doesn't get lost in all the cluttered, techno-fetishistic bullpucky that's been weighing the X-books down for the last couple of decades -- this is just good, old, character-driven superhero stuff... Nice to see Kitty Pryde kicking some serious butt, too... Yay. Can't wait for the next collection to come out.

Entertaining In Any Medium.......2007-03-19

I've never followed Buffy or Angel, I loved Firefly but wasn't familiar with Joss Whedon. My brother has been trying to get me to pay attention to Joss for years. I also haven't followed the X-Men since the late seventies (about the time John Bryne left the series). These volumes of the collected Astonishing X-Men has been the perfect introduction to Joss Whedon and a revisiting of my favorite superhero team. About the only comic I've read in the past ten or so years is Planetary so I'm very familiar with the great art of John Cassady. This has been a great experience. There is definitely a de-emphasizing of Wolverine which I like. Wolverine has always been my favorite character (like most people) but I've always liked him in a team dynamic best. There have been changes since I last read the X-Men (Colossus was dead!?!) but as it is with most comics you can pretty much jump right back in. Joss's great writing makes it easy. It's light, and engaging with just the right amount of inner soul searching required by comics. The funny stuff made me laugh out loud, and I didn't see the ending coming. Speaking of the ending, while I did love the twist I was somewhat confused and left doing a little head scratching. I plan on re-reading it again, just like I used to do on a lazy summer afternoon when I was a kid. I think that's my favorite aspect of this series. It is just a good old-fashioned comic book story, it has great characters, artwork that begs to be stared at and exciting action. It won't solve any of the world's problems but it helps you forget yours for a few hours.

X-Men: The Complete Age of Apocalypse Epic, Book 1

Average customer rating:

Good series
great storyline
Comics most powerful villian at his best
Book 1 for fans... Book 2 in comparison
First Half is great, but Vol. 2 should be read first...

X-Men: The Complete Age of Apocalypse Epic, Book 1
Howard Mackie , John Francis Moore , Brian K. Vaughan , Scott Lobdell , Ralph MacChio , Terry Kavanagh , and Judd Winick
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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X-Men: The New Age of Apocalypse

ASIN: 0785117148

Book Description

It begins here! The critically acclaimed, fan-favorite storyline that rocked the X-Men Universe to its core is collected across four volumes! In a cracked-mirror world ruled by the genocidal mutant despot Apocalypse, only one hope remains: Magneto and his Astonishing X-Men! The first in a four volume series collecting the entire Age of Apocalypse storyline.

Customer Reviews:

Good series.......2007-09-05

This came out when i went to college and stopped collecting comic books for monetary reasons. I was always a huge X-Fan, and am glad I picked up the whole series. The first book is pretty cool as a retelling of X-Men #1, with Magneto in place of Professor X and Apocalypse filling in for Magneto as the Big Bad.

Read back to back the whole series seems a bit disjointed, but you'll have that with a cross title series. If you are an X-Men lover, and are in for a long story, this is a good series to have.

great storyline.......2007-05-13

this includes all the comic that is associated w/ the AoA storyline so you don't miss a thing. it might be a little confusing for the average reader who has no information to the AoA background, but w/ a little marvel knowledge of the universe and continuities then you will appreciate this collection a lot more.

Comics most powerful villian at his best.......2006-08-16

What can I say Ensabuh Nur is simply amazing as the anti-christ of this book he actually feels that he is God in this Story alot of shocking suff goes on in this story guys who are usually bad are good and the ones who are usually good are bad plus this story arc gave birth to many characters that are around to this day.

Book 1 for fans... Book 2 in comparison.......2006-01-21

Most fans would rather they made this book vol. 2 and the second vol. sould have been first. But this is because everyone likes the other issues (and for good reason) more.

However, If you are a true fan of the AOA series then you should have no problem accepting this as the first vol.

Yes, some of the issues in vol. 1 really art exactly the most important for readers to start with... but like I said if you are a fan then you will appreacate their attempt to lay down some backstory to the characters before you get to the meaty AOA issues.

The most obviously unnecessary series is the 4 part mini Blink seris... however, since she is a more recently added character it is, i feel, important to lay down her character before moving on.

And other back points are important too. Like the death of the scarlet witch, or the examples of the gambit-rogue-magneto love triangle.

To wrap it up... if you are a casual reader... then buy Vol.2. But if your a true AOA fan... this is a Must!

First Half is great, but Vol. 2 should be read first..........2005-11-17

The Age of Apocalypse was the high mark for the X-Men (and company) in the 1990s, and can in many ways be considered the climax of the X-Men saga.

Professor X's mentally unbalanced (yet frightfully powerful) son, Legion, had gone back in time to slay Magneto. Xavier thwarts Legion's efforts and sacrifices himself to save his friend, thus birthing a chain of events that would bring about an age of darkness and genocide. Magnus attempts to fill the void left by Xavier but must face a threat in the form of Apocalypse, an ancient mutant demigod who champions the rule of mutants over humans with the most powerful mutants gathered about his throne of skulls (oddly enough filling the role Magneto would play if not for Legion's manipulation of the time stream). [Note- this back story is not presented in this volume, although it would make much more sense than the inclusion of the Blink series at the end]

In this first volume the Age of Apocalypse unfolds in (mostly) chronological order. The first chapter (and in my humble opinion the one reason that this collection is worth buying) shows us Apocalypse's first (modern) declaration of war against the "genetically inferior", and a time when Magneto's X-Men were at peace in the sanctuary of Mt. Wundagore. The Four Horsemen, along with Sabertooth, strike at Cape Citadel (where Magneto strikes in Uncanny X-Men #1), but the X-Men intervene and save the day, but at a high cost: Magneto suffers a diminishment in power and the loss of a child.

Other items included are the meeting between Cyclops (a high ranking officer in Apocalypse's régime) and (his father) Corsair; the beginning of the romance between Rogue and Magnus; a battle between the X-Men and what has become of the Inhumans on the Blue Area of the Moon; the origin of the X-Man (the AOA's version of Cable); and the Blink mini-series (possibly the greatest flaw in this volume due to its relevance to the Exiles over the AOA overall).

Overall Vol. 1 of the AOA is good but I recommend that new readers to purchase the later volumes and only pick this one up if you can't get enough of the AOA (but even then the New Age of Apocalypse is a better outlet for such a craving).

Average customer rating:

The newest X-men alternative history
Graphic SF Reader
"Marvel Event of the Decade?"
A great story that justifies all the hype
I Dug It!

House of M (X-Men, New Avengers)
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785117210

Book Description

The Marvel event of the decade is here! The Avengers and the X-Men are faced with a common foe that becomes their greatest threat: Wanda Maximoff! The Scarlet Witch is out of control, and the fate of the entire world is in her hands. Will Magneto help his daughter or use her powers to his own benefit? Starring the Astonishing X-Men and the New Avengers! You know how sometimes you hear the phrase: and nothing will ever be the same again? Well, this time believe it, buster! Nothing will ever be the same again! Collects House of M #1-8, and Pulse House of M Special Edition Newspaper.

Customer Reviews:

The newest X-men alternative history.......2007-10-02

In the beggining I bought this book for curiosity because I read de review and I didn't like the story, but when I read this book I changed my mind totally because it was written with a dramatic point of view, I mean, the history is about what happen when the skarlet wich loose her mind and Pietro (quicksilver) manipulate her and she changed the world, now the mutantkind command the entire world, and she gives to all her friends the ability to have the life they always wanted, for example Spiderman is married to Gwen Stacy his uncle ben is alive, Cyclops and the White Queen are married and live together, Magneto is the ruler of the world is his catle in genosha (House Of M) but the only problerm is that Wolverine always wanted to remember everything, and of course he remembers what happened eith the Skarlet Wich, and he recruit all the avengers and the x-men (with the help of a mutant child) and the fight begins, and the final is amazing. This book is relly good, and I now want to read DECIMATION X-MEN: THE DAY AFTER, because I want to know much more. And I almost forget the drawing of Oliver Coipel is excellent.

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Coming out of the events of Avengers Disassembled, the Scarlet Witch has clearly gone completely round the bend. Her bend is a bit of a Mobius strip type doozy, as she recreates the whole world in a manner that her warped mind sees fit.

Everything is now different, and only a few realise it, or begin to realise. Those that do have to work out what to do about it. Save her, or annihilate her.

Generally pretty average.

"Marvel Event of the Decade?".......2007-07-11

This book was hyped as the "Marvel event of the decade" in 2005. Since then, we've been hit with the Civil War, World War Hulk, X-Men: Endangered Species, and (soon) the Skrull War. That's some stiff competition for the best Marvel book of the decade, but "House of M" still stacks up pretty well.

The infamous "no more mutants" decree by Wanda Maximoff led to plenty of great spin-offs after the event, such as "198" and "Son of M". (The cross-overs that occurred during the "House of M" event, however, aren't necessary to the main storyline here and are mostly just of the "What If...?" variety.)

If you haven't read Marvel comics for a while, this is the book to start with.

A great story that justifies all the hype.......2007-05-28

HOUSE OF M is easily one of the most hyped and talked about comic series in recent years. This is the series that took the Marvel universe and turned it upside down and inside out. Following this almost everything you thought you knew about the world of Marvel had to be reevaluated and the fallout still affects a whole range of comic heroes. Even for comics relatively outside all these events, like my favs The Runaways, they take place with the events in this story as background (for instance, Molly Hayes, the group's lone mutant, is one of the world's few remaining mutants).

I won't rehearse the events in the story because so many have already done so. I'll merely state that the story is better than a mere recap can do justice to. I find sometimes in the Marvel world that many stories are conceived better than they are executed. But this is one time when the story exceeds any expectations. One of the things that constantly recurred in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER was the idea that breaking the rules of magic had consequences. That principle is definitely present here. The Scarlet Witch twice reimagines all reality, each time with massive consequences for everyone, hero and nonhero alike. One is impressed by the pathos that drives her two fantasies: first, a mutant utopia in which mutants and heroes reign as lords of the world, second, a world in which she has managed to eliminated all but a couple of hundred mutants. Marvel has sometimes been a somewhat conservative organization, creating a host of characters, but nearly all a variation on a theme. Characters have died and there have been some shocks and surprises, but rarely have they truly shaken things up. But here they did something truly gutsy: the changed all the rules. HOUSE OF M fed directly into the CIVIL WAR stories, which I find pretty exhilarating. Not all agree. Many comics fans are conservative creatures, who would not agree that change is good. Personally, I love for creative artists to take risks.

The hero of the story, to the degree that there is one, is Wolverine, the one Marvel hero you figured would be impervious to manipulation. He says in the story that he had been memory wiped so many times that he had grown immune to it, but you figure that such a prickly soul would have gotten past it anyway. If the Marvel universe has an ultimate survivor, Wolverine would be that.

The cover, interestingly, does not really feature the central characters in the story. A number of characters who play little or no role are featured, like McCoy, Colossus, and Captain America, while some who play major roles, like Cloak, Dr. Strange, and Xavier are not depicted at all. Not really complaint; more of an observation.

If you like comics or graphic novels at all, this is one you should own. It's as good as its reputation would suggest.

I Dug It!.......2007-04-29

Brian Michael Bendis is hands down the best and most prolific writers in comics today. I'll read anything he does (although I may not be able to buy all of them). Another great Marvel Universe bending story from Bendis. I follow the writer in comics more than the title. With following a writer like Bendis you'll enjoy more comics more often. This is a great book and it's got great art.

Average customer rating:

Ultimate X-men good
so/so
Worse than Vol. 1
Just plain good X-reading!!!!!!!!

Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 2
Mark Millar
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785111301

Book Description

This hardcover volume features many key introductions, including Proteus (the evil son of Professor X), Gambit (who enjoyed a large fan-following in the hit X-Men cartoon) and Phoenix (the dark split personality of Jean Grey). The X-Men are cut to the emotional core as they battle their way through an obstacle course of deadly trials. First, Professor Xavier -- the mentor of the X-Men -- is forced to confront his past sins when his own son explodes into a destructive force. The question is, will he sacrifice his team to save his son? Then, the X-Men face another internal conflict when Jean Grey turns to the dark side. To save themselves, and the world, will the X-Men strike down their own teammate?

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate X-men good.......2007-03-09

This seires of X-men give you a whole range of new and interesting possibility with in the X-men world. Storys have all sorts of soicial problem events and tackel all sides of human life.

If you like X-men this seires is for you.

so/so.......2006-12-07

It was really quite nice, I wouldn't say it was extra special but I had also ordered New X men Vol. 1 & 2 and let me tell you those ones make this book look infinitly perfect. So all in all it is worth the money you pay for it and perhaps just a smidge more.

Worse than Vol. 1.......2006-04-05

I was disappointed in the first volume of the revisionist X-Men but I hoped for improvement in the 2nd volume. If anything the second year's worth of stories was worse than the first.

Millar's writing was subpar. The Proteus storyline was a joke. The Hellfire Club/Dark Phoenix storyline was nearly as bad. Character development was nonexistent.

To make matters worse the artwork was wildly inconsistent.

I think I've seen enough of the Ultimate X-Men.

Just plain good X-reading!!!!!!!!.......2005-02-13

I have enjoyed the Ultimate X-Men title as a reader of the Graphic Novels only. I started with the first two books in paperback form, but after this edition of books 3 and 4 in Hardcover I wouldnt buy or recommend anything else! In fact, if I could I would buy the first Hardcover edition of the series.
The book itself is beautifully made and very sturdy. Not to mention looking pretty good on a bookcase. And it's just really cool to have so many pages of good reading in one place.

The stories themselves are pretty good two. Mark Millar's writing page by page (as opposed to just the plot) is really bloody good and I'm getting more into the characters that aren't Wolverine more than ever before. The artwork is mostly good tho I wish Andy Kubert would have done more issues.

Needless to say it was a page-turner and tho I'm not an age-old fan who was dissapointed with the Phoenix intro - I was a fan from the start of the second X-Men series and I really like the return to just plain adventure stories with a writer who has the courage to mix everything up (for the better). And also, in combination with the previous Hardcover (or Vols 1 & 2 of the Trade Paperback) it's a great read for any new readers.

Average customer rating:

Don't Hold This Against Joss
Graphic SF Reader
The astonishing still continue...
Another Astonishing X-Tale!!
Very strong story

Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous
Joss Whedon , and John Cassaday
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3: Torn
House of M (X-Men, New Avengers)
Fray
Those Left Behind (Serenity)

ASIN: 078511677X

Book Description

A tragic death at the Xavier Institute reveals a powerful enemy living among the X-Men that they could never have suspected - and no, it's not Magneto. Things heat up in a way none of the X-Men ever dreamed, but will teamwork save the day when they can't even depend on themselves? Collects Astonishing X-Men #7-12.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Hold This Against Joss.......2007-10-05

While I had nothing but praise for mastermind Joss Whedon's first X-Men trade paperback (Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous), I found the second arc of the series ("Dangerous") to be problematic. The story threads started and unfinished in "Gifted" were hardly touched at all in this arc, and a whole new, very confusing story starts. Those unfamiliar to pre-Whedon X-Men are going to find themselves lost when the mythology of "the Danger Room", Professor Xavier, and Genosha come into play, as they were hardly even mentioned in "Gifted."

This trade paperback collects the entire "Dangerous" arc, made up of six issues, and there are certainly many good points to be spoken of. The first and some of the sixth issue read very well, and--as with any Joss Whedon work--the character interactions are done perfectly. The character of Wing and his situation had a lot of potential for a great story, but what was done with him was convoluted at best. The baddie in this issue (a personification of the Danger Room itself) spends more than half the issue explaining itself, and I'm simply left saying "Huh?" Whedon even admitted his mistakes in this arc, saying that he was "so fascinated with the idea of new intelligence that (he) neglected the action and thus prevented the story from flowing well."

Overall, don't let this trade paperback change your view of Whedon. He was the best writer television has ever seen, and he's making a crater sized dent in the world of comics with this Astonishing X-Men, his arc of Runaways, and his Buffy: Season Eight series. Every writer has a bit of a slip up. This is Joss's.

6/10

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Colossus returns in Astonishing X-Men. Not having read X-Men for a long time before I started with the Astonishing run I had no idea that this had happened, anyway, so if that was cheesy to those that had been following all along, it is proably understandable. Might be a 50% chance now that some of the main X-Men have died and returned. Anyway, not as good as the first trade.

The astonishing still continue..........2007-06-08

This volume presents a new threat. An enemy that lives in the mansion years ago, and Professor X knew their existence, that make the X-men dissapointed about Professor Charles, the hole idea is to show that the Professor had to make many bad choices, terrible ones and kept them as a secret. This book has a good art but the story is not that good as the volume 1. If you like X-men, you probably have to read this book.

Another Astonishing X-Tale!!.......2007-04-13

The X-men are still reeling from "The Cure" scare and the sinister prophecy that one of them will be responsible for destroying the Breakworld. They need to get back in the public eye to promote a better image for Mutant-kind. Along the way they run into the Fantastic Four while trying to stuff some giant Godzilla-like monster back downa hole in th middle of Manhattan. Meanwhile, the newly de-mutated student Wing is contemplating suicide. Kitty Pryde and the resurrected Peter Rasputin (Colossus) are still trying to feel each other out (not literally,not yet). Bang! Some unknown force attacks the X-Mansion, knocking out all the telepaths including Emma Frost. The student children are sent to the Dangr Room for protection...but it's the Danger Room that is attacking them. Danger is born The Danger Room's A.I. becomes it's own living entity. Destruction ensues. Emma Frost is being manipulated by some useen force. Traitor. Danger rushes of to Genosha to kill the father... Professor X. Can anyone say The Return Of The Hellfire Club?

Great story line and once again some killer artwork. This series is so good, it's scary. Not afraid to touch upon subject matter the older comics never would have touched (tee suicide, sex, etc.... This stuff rox!!!

Dig it!

Very strong story.......2007-04-07

This was a very good storyline, that turned a part of X-Men culture into an exciting new character. It also continued the strong characterization and interaction you would expect from Joss Whedon. Definitely recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
Blast From the Past
Pretty scary and shocking near beginning
pretty good
Really complete

X-Men: Mutant Massacre
Chris Claremont , Walt Simonson , and Louise Simonson
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda
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ASIN: 0785102248

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

One of the oustanding X-Men storylines. This collects all the appropriate X-Men and X-Factor and New Mutants and Thor and Power Pack issues that you need to make up the story. If you prefer color to the black and white version in Essential X-Men, this is the one that you should get. Wolverine vs Sabretooh, no holds barred. Lots of things change for the X-Men out of this story.

Blast From the Past.......2007-08-23

This is a good read for people with the case of nostalgia. Even though it was written by the great Chris Claremont it does have its moments were the story moves really slow. But on an up side this is a very cohesive storyline taking place in several books. Unlike Marvel titles today everything seems to fit together pleasently.

Pretty scary and shocking near beginning.......2005-12-21

So , I read this while living abroad but I am thinking about adding it to my collection. It is not better TPB then Dark Phoenix, but it is fast paced and has in your face beginning: a group of superpowered beings who are well trained begins to hunt Morlocks. Not scarier than Inferno but near; end of the book is little slower, but the beginning beats every good action/shocker movie, including Predator, Terminator etc. which were the law when I was the kid.

Anyway, if you like old school X-men, get Essential X-men (where you'll see how a new team of Wolverine, Collosus, Storm etc. was forged), Dark Phoenix Saga OR Essential X-men vol.2 , and then Mutant Massacre. I wouldn't reccomend latter to kids, there is too much cruelty.

SPOILER:
And yeah, if you think you hate Mr. S. after you read M.M. , get Further Adventures of Cyclops And Phoenix ... you'll feel for guy...

pretty good.......2003-08-20

in case you were wondering, this collection includes 10 issues:

Uncanny X-Men 210-213
X-Factor 9-11
New Mutants 46
Thor 373-374
Power Pack 27

technically an issue of daredevil also tied into this crossover, but it's not included here.

crossovers are always fun, but as another reviewer mentioned they tend to meander. the writers didn't seem overly concerned about keeping the crossover self-contained, so a lot of the comics bring up events that don't get resolved until after the events in the books contained here. most of the backstories are explained enough that newbie readers shouldn't be too clueless, although if you're new to the x-men you should start off w/ the essential x-men series.

highlights: great fight w/ psylocke, wolvie, and sabretooth; apocalypse assembling his four horsemen; angel getting overwhelmed by the marauders.

minor gripe: WHY does thor not have a beard on the cover when he does at the time of these comics??

Really complete.......2003-08-18

If you want complete stories, then you are not going to do much better. If you want to see the X-Men in a state of war, then this is a far better storyline than the X-Tinction Agenda. Lots of mutants, lots of fights, and lots of poignant moments, from the injuries that led to the creation of Excalibur and Archangel, to Psylocke joining the X-men, to the death of so many Morlocks. The inclusion of Thor and Power Pack was well-handled. This novel can not be more highly recommended.

Ultimate X-Men Vol. 6: Return of The King

Average customer rating:

Magneto is back for his rematch with the Ultimate X-Men
The Ultimate Tale of The Ultimate Heroes
Contains "Ultimate X-Men" issues 26-33 (Not Just for Kids)
Covers Ultimate X-Men # 26-33
X-cellent!

Ultimate X-Men Vol. 6: Return of The King
Mark Millar , David Finch , and Adam Kubert
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback