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cassie_grace's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty great! This is the first classic X-Men collection I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Comics were so different before Warren Ellis popularized decompression in mainstream American comics. They pack a ton of story into this relatively slim volume. My only complain is that it could have been larger, actually. I felt like I was missing some context regarding the Phoenix's origins since it happened before the volume begins.
sadgirlsidney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
joshuamt's review against another edition
3.0
"Yet when we travelled to the SAVAGE LAND, a freak prehistoric wilderness hidden in the antarctic icecap--and met KA-ZAR for the first time, and I saw Jean about to be sacrificed to a Tyrannosaurus Rex... I realized she was the most IMPORTANT thing in my life. I couldn't-- I wouldn't--lose her."
mrgriffit's review against another edition
4.0
As I read this story I couldn’t help but wonder, when it came out, issue by issue, did the people reading know how iconic of an X-men story it would be? How the story would become the foundation on which decades of stories were told?
This book is, simply put, essential reading for any fan of the X-men. It’s a travesty that it’s taken me this long to read it for myself.
This book is, simply put, essential reading for any fan of the X-men. It’s a travesty that it’s taken me this long to read it for myself.
desiree_mcl's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars.
This is a difficult bind up for me to rate for a few reasons.
First off, I can't stand the character of Jean Grey, in the 90's cartoon I couldn't stand her, in the movies (even though Famke Janssen is one of my favorite actresses), I still couldn't stand her. So the fact that this comic focuses on Jean made it difficult to look passed my view of the character here.
Second, I hit a huge no comic book mood right in the middle of reading this. Even though I only had 3-4 issues left and less than 100 pgs to go I just didn't want to finish it.
However, I was enjoying the story and I wanted to find out what happened, how everything happened, etc. So I pushed myself to finish it which may or may not have been a great idea. Normally when I push to finish a book it lowers the rating a bit.
Let's get into the detail stuff.
Jean Grey/Phoenix/Dark Phoenix: As I mentioned I don't like Jean, but I was actually enjoying her character especially in the first few issues. There were moments here and there when something would happen that would remind me of why I dislike Jean but for the most part I didn't hate her in this bind up. We saw her love of Scott and we saw bits of their relationship that really brought out parts of her personality that I liked. One of the main problems I have with Jean's character (in the cartoon and movies) is that it seems like everyone wants her and I have no idea why. Yes, she has powerful mutant abilities but her personality leaves me feeling very blah. In this collection though I can see why some of the characters want her so much. With Jason Wyngarde he wanted that power for his own purposes, Scott obviously loved her, it made sense. The only moment I didn't understand or like was when Angel kissed her but I think he was doing it to bug Scott or his girlfriend.
Kitty: We're introduced to Kitty in this bind up. I had no idea she was going to be in it but it was great. Not a fan of movie Kitty but I've been really enjoying her character in the comics. Loved that she thought Colossus was cute.
Charles/Professor X: Never thought I'd say this about Charles Xavier but he was a dick in this collection. Since this is the earliest set of comics I've read in the X-men universe I have no idea what happened to him previously but when he came back from wherever he was and was talking to Scott the way he was and then in the last issue when he just volunteered the X-men to fight w/o consulting them, just made me dislike him a little bit more. On the other hand, I didn't mind seeing a different, albeit dicky, side to Charles. It gives him a little more depth then the strong, tried and true leader with no flaws.
The story itself was great. I really liked the evolution of Jason seducing Jean to his side and then the fall out from that. I'm glad I read this collection and I hope when I read it again I'll be more in the mood to read it straight through.
This is a difficult bind up for me to rate for a few reasons.
First off, I can't stand the character of Jean Grey, in the 90's cartoon I couldn't stand her, in the movies (even though Famke Janssen is one of my favorite actresses), I still couldn't stand her. So the fact that this comic focuses on Jean made it difficult to look passed my view of the character here.
Second, I hit a huge no comic book mood right in the middle of reading this. Even though I only had 3-4 issues left and less than 100 pgs to go I just didn't want to finish it.
However, I was enjoying the story and I wanted to find out what happened, how everything happened, etc. So I pushed myself to finish it which may or may not have been a great idea. Normally when I push to finish a book it lowers the rating a bit.
Let's get into the detail stuff.
Jean Grey/Phoenix/Dark Phoenix: As I mentioned I don't like Jean, but I was actually enjoying her character especially in the first few issues. There were moments here and there when something would happen that would remind me of why I dislike Jean but for the most part I didn't hate her in this bind up. We saw her love of Scott and we saw bits of their relationship that really brought out parts of her personality that I liked. One of the main problems I have with Jean's character (in the cartoon and movies) is that it seems like everyone wants her and I have no idea why. Yes, she has powerful mutant abilities but her personality leaves me feeling very blah. In this collection though I can see why some of the characters want her so much. With Jason Wyngarde he wanted that power for his own purposes, Scott obviously loved her, it made sense. The only moment I didn't understand or like was when Angel kissed her but I think he was doing it to bug Scott or his girlfriend.
Kitty: We're introduced to Kitty in this bind up. I had no idea she was going to be in it but it was great. Not a fan of movie Kitty but I've been really enjoying her character in the comics. Loved that she thought Colossus was cute.
Charles/Professor X: Never thought I'd say this about Charles Xavier but he was a dick in this collection. Since this is the earliest set of comics I've read in the X-men universe I have no idea what happened to him previously but when he came back from wherever he was and was talking to Scott the way he was and then in the last issue when he just volunteered the X-men to fight w/o consulting them, just made me dislike him a little bit more. On the other hand, I didn't mind seeing a different, albeit dicky, side to Charles. It gives him a little more depth then the strong, tried and true leader with no flaws.
The story itself was great. I really liked the evolution of Jason seducing Jean to his side and then the fall out from that. I'm glad I read this collection and I hope when I read it again I'll be more in the mood to read it straight through.
obnorthrup's review against another edition
4.0
I find the first half of the saga much more compelling than the second, but it's still a classic X-Men story that deserves its reputation.
timburbage's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of THE comic storylines, especially for the x-men. This is why they keep trying to make movies out of it.
Jean Grey is such a tragic character. The Hell-fire club are such great villains. Cyclops goes through so much heartbreak. There are other things in there that I didn't even know about, like Kitty Pryde's entrance and Dazzler's debut.
The art is great, and I can see through some of the clunky expositional dialogue to remind readers of characters and make up for people missing previous issues.
Jean Grey is such a tragic character. The Hell-fire club are such great villains. Cyclops goes through so much heartbreak. There are other things in there that I didn't even know about, like Kitty Pryde's entrance and Dazzler's debut.
The art is great, and I can see through some of the clunky expositional dialogue to remind readers of characters and make up for people missing previous issues.
jadechurch1983's review against another edition
5.0
So much happens in such a small comic. It's so dense and so action-packed. I can see why this is considered by so many to be one of the best, if not THE best comic of all time. Just fantastic.