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ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
I actually remember remember reading these back in the 70s. It is interesting to see the differences in style of comics written then and comics written today.
scheu's review
4.0
My review of this trade will actually be a brain dump about the X-Men in general - mostly.
I read the X-Men comics monthly for about ten years (let's say 1982 to 1992). I still fondly recall the first half of those stories (maybe up through Inferno, and along with New Mutants) but the older I got the less patience I had with Claremont's writing. People just didn't talk the way he made his characters talk. Not that other comic-book dialogue was BETTER, but it still grated on me. Then the art changed (Marc Silvestri, ugh), random characters like Longshot came in, Fall of the Mutants, and that was before the 90s really started rolling. Lucky, I suppose, that when I started college and ran out of disposable income, I missed out on the worst of 90's-era Marvel.
Recently I decided that since the X-Men are a sort of 'black hole' in my Marvel fandom, I ought to reconcile my dusty appreciation for these stories. I'm not interested in the Lee/Kirby era so I started with Wein, Claremont and Cockrum. Cockrum's art was really dynamic (especially every other face contorted in rage). Wolverine was distinctly NOT IMPORTANT. I would say that every other 'new' X-Man got more screen time. Scott Summers was still a jerk, and somehow built like Schwarzenegger. Most importantly to me, though, was the fact that Claremont's dialogue had not yet become so bad. You might chalk that up to his characters being "early" in the characterization process, but if that's the case, does that mean they were overwritten later?
Anyhow, the popularity and quality of these stories is not lost on me. It's great stuff. I plan on picking up the rest of these Masterworks in trade but once we hit Silvestri I make no guarantees.
I read the X-Men comics monthly for about ten years (let's say 1982 to 1992). I still fondly recall the first half of those stories (maybe up through Inferno, and along with New Mutants) but the older I got the less patience I had with Claremont's writing. People just didn't talk the way he made his characters talk. Not that other comic-book dialogue was BETTER, but it still grated on me. Then the art changed (Marc Silvestri, ugh), random characters like Longshot came in, Fall of the Mutants, and that was before the 90s really started rolling. Lucky, I suppose, that when I started college and ran out of disposable income, I missed out on the worst of 90's-era Marvel.
Recently I decided that since the X-Men are a sort of 'black hole' in my Marvel fandom, I ought to reconcile my dusty appreciation for these stories. I'm not interested in the Lee/Kirby era so I started with Wein, Claremont and Cockrum. Cockrum's art was really dynamic (especially every other face contorted in rage). Wolverine was distinctly NOT IMPORTANT. I would say that every other 'new' X-Man got more screen time. Scott Summers was still a jerk, and somehow built like Schwarzenegger. Most importantly to me, though, was the fact that Claremont's dialogue had not yet become so bad. You might chalk that up to his characters being "early" in the characterization process, but if that's the case, does that mean they were overwritten later?
Anyhow, the popularity and quality of these stories is not lost on me. It's great stuff. I plan on picking up the rest of these Masterworks in trade but once we hit Silvestri I make no guarantees.
sqeeker's review
5.0
- Woo! I'm excited to start this new series with new and awesome members of the team! Even though they aren't really new to me, I loved reading about how they were introduced to The X-Men, and I especially loved seeing Professor Xavier gather up the new recruits.
- When we first meet storm is not wearing much! Yeesh! This is pretty risque for 1975.
- I didn't know Banshee was ever a good guy. I don't know if I trust him. He has a really annoying mutant power. I'd hate to be fighting around him.
- The comics and stories are definitely improving from when The X-Men first started, but some of the writing is still very cheesy. Some of the characters get way more intense than they need to.
- I enjoy Wolverine's snarky remarks and feisty attitude. He has always been a favorite because of that. I love that Wolverine really hasn't changed through the years.
- Cyclops hasn't changed much either. He is and always will be a drama queen!
- I don't understand why some words are bold and others aren't. In fact, I'm not a big fan of the letterer. It is difficult to easily read some of the words. I feel like I have to slow down my reading because letters aren't clear. There are also some wrong words here and there, not a lot, but enough to annoy, i.e. think instead of thing.
- I don't get why Xavier feels like he needs to leave a babysitter for his X-Men when he leaves. They are all adults.
- The beginning of My Brother, My Enemy is about Xavier having weird dreams/visions. I'm pretty sure this is leading up to the Phoenix Saga!
- There is a lot more swearing in this volume. The characters used to not swear at all. Now they are using deity swears a lot.
- The 100th issue is a great one! Hooray for reaching 100 issues of X-Men!!! I wonder how many are out now. The 100th issue has a really sweet spread on the opening page! I love it! I want it framed!
- This volume has quite the cliffhanger! Wow! I'm excited for the next volume!
- I know we are leading up to the Phoenix Saga, but I didn't know it happened so soon in the X-Men comics. Wow!
- When we first meet storm is not wearing much! Yeesh! This is pretty risque for 1975.
- I didn't know Banshee was ever a good guy. I don't know if I trust him. He has a really annoying mutant power. I'd hate to be fighting around him.
- The comics and stories are definitely improving from when The X-Men first started, but some of the writing is still very cheesy. Some of the characters get way more intense than they need to.
- I enjoy Wolverine's snarky remarks and feisty attitude. He has always been a favorite because of that. I love that Wolverine really hasn't changed through the years.
- Cyclops hasn't changed much either. He is and always will be a drama queen!
- I don't understand why some words are bold and others aren't. In fact, I'm not a big fan of the letterer. It is difficult to easily read some of the words. I feel like I have to slow down my reading because letters aren't clear. There are also some wrong words here and there, not a lot, but enough to annoy, i.e. think instead of thing.
- I don't get why Xavier feels like he needs to leave a babysitter for his X-Men when he leaves. They are all adults.
- The beginning of My Brother, My Enemy is about Xavier having weird dreams/visions. I'm pretty sure this is leading up to the Phoenix Saga!
- There is a lot more swearing in this volume. The characters used to not swear at all. Now they are using deity swears a lot.
- The 100th issue is a great one! Hooray for reaching 100 issues of X-Men!!! I wonder how many are out now. The 100th issue has a really sweet spread on the opening page! I love it! I want it framed!
- This volume has quite the cliffhanger! Wow! I'm excited for the next volume!
- I know we are leading up to the Phoenix Saga, but I didn't know it happened so soon in the X-Men comics. Wow!
peggysfondue's review against another edition
3.0
The rating for the volume is 3.5.
Favorite issues: #97, #100
It takes a little bit to get a nice pace, I was afraid the whole volume would be boring, but just took a little more of time, I'm liking the new team, though of course it's not the same. For now my favorites are Ororo and Jean. I'm liking how we get to know more about Scott in this vol and it's getting better.
Favorite issues: #97, #100
It takes a little bit to get a nice pace, I was afraid the whole volume would be boring, but just took a little more of time, I'm liking the new team, though of course it's not the same. For now my favorites are Ororo and Jean. I'm liking how we get to know more about Scott in this vol and it's getting better.
gsroney's review against another edition
4.0
Giant Size X-Men plus the beginning of Claremont’s run is a seminal moment for the X-Men, introducing beloved characters and sewing the seeds of the Dark Phoenix saga. While the stories are a little dated and pale in comparison to the comics they inspire, they still are a lot of fun to read.
asti_64's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
owlreader's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
clarkness's review against another edition
4.0
Strong intro to the new team. My immediate reaction is that they all seem so fully formed right from the start. It was interesting to read these issues back-to-back with the original 20 issues of X-men. The original team took so long to develop into clear individuals and lacked depth. Their stories had no punch or momentum whereas these characters hit the ground running. It's easy to see why this became such a huge series.