While Chris Claremont was making strong leaps as the writer of the adventures of the All-New, All-Different X-Men, it was the addition of artist John Byrne to the creative team as of X-Men #108 that really established the ‘must-read’ status of the series. For a title to go from cancellation to becoming one of the top ten best-sellers in the industry was a leap that was largely unheard of. Claremont & Byrne introduced Alpha Flight, the Shadow King, the Hellfire Club, Proteus, Kitty Pryde, Mariko Yashida and the dreaded future timeline of Days of Future Past, but their best-loved storyline was the Dark Phoenix Saga which turned Jean Grey into a cosmic-level threat. Byrne leaves the title after Uncanny X-Men #143.
For the most part, you can stick to the main series and annuals when reading the Claremont/Byrne era. These were the days when the X-Men weren’t guest-starring in every other title and their overall story was so much better for it. Sadly, it’s one of the eras in Marvel history that people feel the need to constantly embellish. Chris Claremont himself provided most of those embellishments in the reprint series Classic X-Men by adding and ‘fixing’ pages in issues #1-28 also providing back-up features revealing untold tales in issues #1-44. It’s worth noting that Jim Lee’s first X-Men story (outside of Alpha Flight) was in Classic X-Men #39. Those additions are largely skippable, but as always I’ve included everything! You can avoid the unticked stories for a smoother reading experience or just completely avoid Classic X-Men to make it even smoother!
In addition, this entry in the X-Men Family reading order, you’ll also see the introduction of Mystique, the fate of the Champions, the return of the Master Mold Sentinel, the Dazzler failing to avoid the superhero life, the new Alpha Flight line-up and more!
Return to our CHARACTER READING ORDER INDEX for more chronological guides!
I’d like to thank the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators and the Marvel Chronology Project, the Marvel Database for their invaluable assistance.
Chronology: All appearances of the X-Men, New Mutants and other characters from the mutants’ side of the Marvel Universe from this period are included in chronological order, laying out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
Must Reads: Story arcs in bold in the Core List or marked with a ✔ in the Full Reading Order are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a look.
Anthology Issues: When an issue contains multiple stories, the relevant story is denoted with square brackets. For example, [2/5] refers to the second story of the five stories in that issue, so you don’t need to read the other four.
Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
Did we miss something? Let us know!
Previous X-Men Family Reading Order entries:
- X-MEN FAMILY, 1971-1977 – All-New, Different
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the core reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns – just the issues:
- Marvel Team-Up #65-66
- Champions (1975) #17
- X-Men (1963) #109
- Ms Marvel (1977) #16
- Classic X-Men #28 [2/2]
- X-Men (1963) #110
- Marvel Treasury Edition #26 [5/5]
- Ms Marvel (1977) #17-18
- Classic X-Men #13 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #18 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #27 [2/2]
- Spider-Man, Storm and Power Man #1
- Girl Comics (2010) #1 [6/6]
- Marvel Team-Up #69-70
- Classic X-Men #17 [2/2]
- X-Men (1963) #111-113
- X-Men #114
- Classic X-Men #21 [2/2]
- X-Men #115-116
- Classic X-Men #22 [2/2]
- X-Men #117
- Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #17-18
- Ms Marvel (1977) #22
- Defenders #62-65
- Incredible Hulk Annual #7
- Classic X-Men #24 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #23 [2/2]
- X-Men ##118-121
- Classic X-Men #25 [2/2]
- Power Man and Iron Fist #57
- Classic X-Men #26 [2/2]
- X-Men #122-124
- Marvel Team-Up #89
- Classic X-Men #29 [2/2]
- X-Men Annual #3 (1979)
- Bizarre Adventures #27 [3/3]
- Classic X-Men #31 [2/2]
- Marvel Super-Heroes Special (1990) #10 [3/3]
- Marvel Super-Heroes Special (1990) #11 [3/3]
- X-Men #125-126
- Classic X-Men #32 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #33 [2/2]
- X-Men #127-128
- Classic X-Men #34 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #36 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #39 [2/2]
- Classic X-Men #20 [2/2]
- X-Men #129
- Classic X-Men #35 [2/2]
- X-Men #130-131
- Classic X-Men #40 [2/2]
- X-Men #132-134
- Iron Age #3 [2/2]
- Iron Age: Omega #1
- X-Men #135
- Fantastic Force (2009) #2-3
- X-Men #136-137
- Classic X-Men #43 [2/2]
- X-Men Forever (2001) #3
- Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way #1 [2/6]
- X-Men #138
- Classic X-Men #37 [2/2]
- Avengers #189
- X-Men Annual (1979) #4
- Classic X-Men #38 [2/2]
- Marvel Treasury Edition #27 [5/5]
- X-Men #139-140
- Marvel Two-in-One #68-69
- X-Men #141
- Uncanny X-Men #142
- Amazing Spider-Man #203
- Dazzler (1981) #1-2
- Alpha Flight (1983) #1
- Fantastic Four #217
- Uncanny X-Men #143-144
- Marvel Team-Up #100
- Power Man and Iron Fist #66
- Unlimited Access #3-4
- Rom #17-18
- Spider-Woman #37-38
- Marvel Two-in-One #76
- Uncanny X-Men #145-147
- Dazzler (1981) #3-5
- Bizarre Adventures #27 [2/3]
- Uncanny X-Men #148
- Best of Marvel Comics HC(1987) [13/13]
- Uncanny X-Men #149
- Avengers Annual #10
- Dazzler (1981) #6-7
- Avengers #211
- Marvel Fanfare (1982) #1 [1/2]
- Marvel Fanfare (1982) #2 [1/2]
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #5
- Marvel Fanfare (1982) #3 [1/2]
- Marvel Fanfare (1982) #4 [1/3]
- Uncanny X-Men #151-152
- Marvel Team-Up #108-109
- Dazzler #8
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| Marvel Team-Up #65-66 (1978) The Maggia hire Arcade to kill a number of men who they suspect of being Captain Britain, including Brian Braddock; Arcade successfully kidnaps Captain Britain, Spider-Man and Courtney Ross, forcing them to work together to escape his Murderworld. 1st appearance: Arcade, Captain Britain/Brian Braddock (1st US appearance), Mister Chambers, Miss Locke, Sabrina Morrell (possible, unnamed), Courtney Ross (1st US appearance), Murderworld | ||
| Champions #17 (1978) The Blob, Lorelei and Unus the Untouchable seek help from the Champions when the trio are pursued by the mutant-hunting Sentinels; the Vanisher is revealed to be behind the attack, seeking revenge against his old foes Angel and Iceman. | WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CHAMPIONS? | |
| ✔ | X-Men #109 (1978) Department H send Wolverine‘s old friend James Hudson to forcibly bring him back to work for them; as Weapon Alpha, Hudson is outmatched by Wolverine’s X-Men allies. 1st appearance: Minister Araki, Gary Cody, Weapon Alpha/James MacDonald Hudson, Department H Note: This issue is expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #15 (1987) | |
| Ms Marvel #16 (1978) Raven Darkhölme cameo; a mysterious woman watches Ms Marvel, planning her permanent defeat. New identity: ‘Sherlock Holmes’ as Raven Darkhölme (cameo, unnamed) | THE KORVAC SAGA | |
| Classic X-Men #28 [2/2] (1988) The X-Men prevent a murder on Halloween. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #110 (1978) Warhawk is hired to attack the X-Men at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. | |
| Marvel Comic #335 [3/4] (Marvel UK, 1979) In a New York bar, Hercules ridicules Wolverine, leading to a fight breaking out between them; the pair call a truce and drink together. Note:This story was first reprinted for US audiences Marvel Treasury Edition #26: The Rampaging Hulk [5/5] (1980) | ||
| ✔ | Ms Marvel #17-18 (1978) Disguised as Nick Fury then Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the shapeshifting Raven Darkhölme breaks into the SHIELD Helicarrier with CIA agent Geoffrey Ballard to steal the Centurion armour; while Centurion battles Ms Marvel and the Avengers, Raven (showing her true form) is ordered to stand down by her employer. 1st appearance: Sharon Cole New identity: Geoffrey Ballard as Centurion | THE KORVAC SAGA |
| Classic X-Men #13 [2/2] (1987) Misty Knight realises there more to her roommate, Jean Grey (aka Phoenix) than she first thought; Misty and Jean save some dolphins from a shark. | ||
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #18 [2/2] (1988) The X-Men begin to find out just how powerful Phoenix is. | |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #27 [2/2] (1988) Wolverine continues to compete with Cyclops over Phoenix, even while they battle demonic monsters. | |
| Spider-Man, Storm and Power Man #1 (1982) Storm teams up with Spider-Man and Power Man (Luke Cage) to stop Smokescreen from convincing kids to smoke. 1st appearance: Smokescreen | ||
| Girl Comics #1 [6/6] (2010) Phoenix, Cyclops and Wolverine battle Hand ninjas. | ||
| ✔ | Marvel Team-Up #69-70 (1978) The Living Pharaoh steals Havok’s powers for himself and becomes the Living Pharaoh; despite transforming into the colossal Living Monolith, the villain is opposed by Spider-Man; Polaris calls on the Beast to send further help which leads to Thor joining the fight to free Havok. New identity: Living Pharaoh/Ahmet Abdol as Living Monolith | THE KORVAC SAGA |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #17 [2/2] (1988) Mesmero subverts Phoenix in order to kidnap the X-Men. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | X-Men #111-112 (1978) X-Men #113 (pp.1-13) (1978) Beast (Hank McCoy) searches for the X-Men when they’re kidnapped by Mesmero; Magneto is revealed to be behind the kidnapping; Magneto defeats the X-Men and hold them and the Beast prisoner; hints are revealed that Magneto is Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch‘s father; the X-Men take Magneto by surprise and escape… Note: These issues are expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #18-19 (1988) | |
| X-Men and Dr Doom Annual (pp.10-14) (1998) Travelling through time, a younger Doctor Doom witnesses the X-Men’s battle with Magneto. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #113 (pp.14-17) (1978) X-Men #114 (pp.1-9) (1978) Magneto, Beast and Phoenix escape the Master of Megnetism’s exploding volcano headquarters; Beast and Phoenix believe the remaining X-Men are dead, but the team have survived and find themselves stranded in the Savage Land. Note: These issues are expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #19-20 (1988) | |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #21 [2/2] (pp.1-7) (1988) Colossus meets Nereel, one of the Savage Land’s Fall People. | SOLACE |
| ✔ | X-Men #114 (pp.10-13) (1978) Professor X closes the Xavier School, believing his students are dead; the X-Men adapt to life in the Savage Land; Cyclops begins to recall Corsair in his childhood memories. Note: This issue is expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #20 (1988) | |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #21 [2/2] (pp.7-12) (1988) Colossus and Nereel become close when he defeats a T-Rex. | SOLACE |
| ✔ | X-Men #114 (pp.14-17) (1978) X-Men #115 (1978) X-Men #116 (pp.1-16) (1978) Sauron attacks the X-Men before they save the Savage Land from Garokk the Petrified Man and Zaladane; the X-Men cure Sauron, restoring him to human form. 1st appearance: Nereel Note: These issues are expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #20-22 (1988) | |
| Classic X-Men #22 [2/2] (1988) Storm encounters two other-dimensional beings in the Savage Land. 1st appearance: C’Jime, M’Rinn | SOLACE | |
| ✔ | X-Men #116 (p.17) (1978) X-Men #117 (1979) The X-Men leave the Savage Land, but are caught in a storm; Professor X recalls his psychic confrontation with the mutant telepath Amahl Farouk, unaware that he had merged with an entity called the Shadow King; Phoenix goes in search of a new life for herself; it’s revealed that the young orphan Storm grew up as a thief on the streets of Cairo. 1st appearance: Shadow King/Amahl Farouk Note: These issues are expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #22-23 (1988) | |
| Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #17-18 (1978) Peter Parker is sent to report on the disbanding of the Champions; Spider-Man and Angel take on ‘Rampage’ who turns out to be Iceman, under the control of the real Rampage, Stuart Clarke. 1st appearance: Holly Gillis New identity: Iceman/Bobby Drake as Rampage | WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CHAMPIONS? | |
| Ms Marvel #22 (1979) Ms Marvel finds Deathbird trying to rob Stark Industries; Raven Darkhölme continues to plot against Carol Danvers, first by focusing on her love interest Dr Michael Barnett. | ||
| Defenders #62-65 (1978) Havok and Polaris join the Defenders for a Day and clashes with villains (including Blob and Toad), also calling themselves Defenders. 1st appearance: Defenders for a Day, Defenders (villain team) | ||
| ✔ | Incredible Hulk Annual #7 (1978) The Master Mold Sentinel captures Angel and Iceman at Chateau Worthington, but makes the mistake of flying over Gamma Base and attracting the attention of the Hulk. 1st appearance: Chateau Worthington/Angel’s Aerie | FOLLOW THE LEADER |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #24 [2/2] (1988) Phoenix travels to Greece and meets a young man called Nikos, unaware that he’s really the mutant Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde); as Nikos, Mastermind begins manipulating Phoenix. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Classic X-Men #23 [2/2] (1988) Nightcrawler briefly teleports to a desert island on the way to Japan. | |
| ✔ | X-Men #118-121 (1979) The X-Men team up with Sunfire when Moses Magnum holds Japan to ransom; Wolverine meets Mariko Yashida for the first time and reveals he can speak Japanese; Vindicator leads Alpha Flight on a mission to retrieve Wolverine for Department H when the X-Men return to America. 1st appearance: Alpha Flight (Aurora/Jeanne-Marie Beaubier, Northstar/Jean-Paul Beaubier, Sasquatch/Walter Langkowski, Shaman/Michael Twoyoungmen, Snowbird/Narya); Proteus/Kevin MacTaggert (cameo), Mariko Yashida New identity: Weapon Alpha/James MacDonald Hudson as Vindicator Note: These issues are expanded and amended in Classic X-Men #24-27 (1988) |
| Classic X-Men #25 [2/2] (1988) Wolverine goes up against a bear and a hunter. | |
| ✔ | Power Man and Iron Fist #57 (1979) Storm, Cyclops and Nightcrawler and the Daughters of the Dragon offer Power Man and Iron Fist a hand against the Living Monolith. |
| Classic X-Men #26 [2/2] (1988) Wolverine and Banshee swap stories in a bar. | |
| ✔ | X-Men #122-124 (1979) Professor X is revealed to have journeyed into space with Lilandra Neramani of the Shi’ar and is unaware that the X-Men are alive; Mastermind pursues Phoenix under the guise of Jason Wyngarde (actually his real name, though not his true appearance); Colleen Wing makes a move on Cyclops; the X-Men battle Juggernaut & Black Tom Cassidy and are tested by Arcade. |
| ✔ | Marvel Team-Up #89 (1979) Nightcrawler comes to Spider-Man‘s aid when Cutthroat is hired by Amos Jardine to kill him. 1st appearance: Cutthroat/Daniel Leighton |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #29 [2/2] (1989) Storm flies Colossus back home to Russia where he’s reunited with his sister, Illyana Rasputina, only for him to be branded a traitor. |
| ✔ | X-Men Annual #3 (1979) Arkon clashes with the X-Men when they misunderstand his desperate request for help as an attack; Arkon and the X-Men discover treachery on his home planet, Polemachus. |
| Bizarre Adventures #27 [3/3] (1981) Nightcrawler finds himself in a bizarre alternate reality when he tries to rescue the Vanisher. | |
| Classic X-Men #31 [2/2] (1989) Professor X struggles to adapt to life in an alien empire. | |
| ✔ | Marvel Super-Heroes Special #10 [3/3] (1992) Marvel Super-Heroes Special #11 [3/3] (pp.1-25) (1992) Mystique murders Michael Barnett; Ms Marvel apprehends Sabretooth when he escapes SHIELD custody; Ms Marvel and Iron Man discover Mystique’s bid to sell weapons to the Hellfire Club. |
| ✔ | X-Men #125 (1970) X-Men #126 (pp.1-14) (1979) Professor X prepares to return to Earth when he realises how powerful Phoenix has become; Mastermind continues to manipulate Phoenix; Beast discovers the X-Men are alive and inform them Phoenix is on Muir Island, off the coast of Scotland; the reality warping mutant Proteus (the son of Moira MacTaggert) breaks free from his cell on Muir Island; the X-Men head to Scotland where they struggle with Proteus. 1st appearance: Proteus (full) |
| Classic X-Men #32 [2/2] (1989) Wolverine and Nightcrawler struggle to maintain their hold on reality when they face Proteus. | |
| ✔ | X-Men #126 (pp.15-17) (1979) X-Men #127 (pp.1-4) (1979) The X-Men continue to face Proteus; Moira makes the toughest call to deal with her son. |
| Classic X-Men #33 [2/2] (1989) Havok and Polaris reconcile their relationship and join the fight against Proteus. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | X-Men #127 (pp.5-17) (1979) X-Men #128 (1979) X-Men #129 (pp.1-6) (1979-1980) To defeat Proteus, Cyclops decides the X-Men need to cross a line they’ve sworn never to cross; Banshee leaves the X-Men to look after Moira on Muir Isle; the X-Men return to America where they’re reunited with Professor X; Mastermind continues to mentally seduce Phoenix, even when she’s reunited with Cyclops. | |
| Classic X-Men #34 [2/2] (1989) Mastermind enters a battle of wills with Emma Frost. | ||
| Classic X-Men #36 [2/2] (1989) Sean Cassidy talks Moira MacTaggert out of cloning her deceased son. | ||
| Classic X-Men #39 [2/2] (1989) The X-Men confront the murderous mutant Billy Briggs. | ||
| Classic X-Men #20 [2/2] (1988) Storm takes a holiday on a tropical island and uncovers a strange conspiracy. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #129 (pp.7-16) (1980) The X-Men try to recruit Kitty Pryde but are attacked by Emma Frost’s Hellfire Club lackeys. 1st appearance: Carmen Pryde, Kitty Pryde, Terri Pryde, Hellfire Club (cameo), Hellfire Knights, White Queen/Emma Frost | |
| Classic X-Men #35 [2/2] (1989) Emma Frost tries to mentally coerce Kitty Pryde. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #129 (pp.16-17) (1980) The Hellfire Knights kidnap Professor X and the defeated X-Men. | |
| X-Men Origins: Emma Frost #1 (p.30) (2010) Emma Frost inspects her prisoners. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #130-131 (1980) The Hellfire Club are revealed to be behind Warhawk’s recent attack; the mutant singer Dazzler helps Cyclops, Phoenix and Nightcrawler rescue the X-Men; Phoenix displays immense power in defeating Emma Frost. 1st appearance: Dazzler/Alison Blaire, Hellfire Club Mansion | |
| Classic X-Men #40 [2/2] (1989) Nightcrawler takes on a gang of thugs. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #132-133 (1980) X-Men #134 (pp.1-15) (1980) Cyclops learns Jason Wyngarde is Mastermind, but not before he transforms Phoenix into the Hellfire Club’s new Black Queen; the X-Men are recaptured, until Wolverine frees them and Phoenix breaks free of Mastermind’s control. 1st appearance: Black Bishop/Harry Leland, Black King/Sebastian Shaw, Senator Robert Kelly, White Bishop/Donald Pierce New identity: Phoenix/’Jean Grey’ as the Black Queen | |
| Iron Age #3 [2/2] (2011) Iron Age: Omega #1 (2011) Having travelled through time from the future, Iron Man clashes with Sebastian Shaw and the X-Men and teams up with Dazzler; Iron Man accidentally gives Phoenix a new name and tries to talk Phoenix out of her darker urges; Cyclops and Phoenix briefly accompany Iron Man to his present. | THE IRON AGE | |
| ✔ | X-Men #134 (pp.15-17) (1980) X-Men #135 (pp.1-7) (1980) Phoenix transforms into the Dark Phoenix and clashes with the X-Men. New identity: Phoenix/Black Queen/’Jean Grey’ as Dark Phoenix | |
| Fantastic Force #2-3 (2009) Dark Phoenix is either plucked from this moment in time to briefly become one of the Hysteries (alongside the Scarlet Witch and Polaris) or this is the Dark Phoenix of Earth-807128, plucked out of her own time. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #135 (pp.8-17) (1980) X-Men #136 (1980) X-Men #137 (pp.1-21) (1980) On a cosmic murder rampage, Phoenix destroys the inhabited planet D’bari IV, attracting the attention of the Shi’ar; the Beast and the Angel help Phoenix regain control of her mind when she returns to Earth; the X-Men are teleported to the Moon by Lilandra and the Shi’ar; the X-Men face a trial by combat against the Shi’ar Imperial Guard to save Phoenix from execution. 1st appearance: Bel-Dann, Earthquake, Hussar, Raksor, Warstar | |
| ✔ | X-Men #137 (pp.22-23) (1980) / Fantastic Four Annual #18 (pp.1-2) (1984) Wolverine’s confrontation with the Skrull representative Raksor and the Kree soldier Bel-Dann begins a conflict between the two that carries on far past the trial of Phoenix. | |
| ✔ | X-Men #137 (pp.24-35) (1980) Phoenix accepts her fate in order to save the universe. 1st appearance: Manta |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #43 [2/2] (pp.1-6) (1990) Realising she’s somehow still alive, the Phoenix helps a construction worker at the edge of space. New identity: Phoenix/Dark Phoenix/’Jean Grey’ as White Phoenix | |
| X-Men Forever #3 (pp.1-8) (2001) Future Jean Grey‘s mind briefly inhabiting the body of the White Phoenix in her past and uncomfortably chats with Death; future Iceman, Juggernaut, Mystique and Toad also inhabit the bodies of their past selves from this time. | ||
| ✔ | Classic X-Men #43 [2/2] (pp.7-13) (1990) White Phoenix realises the construction worker is Death who talks about her place in the universe. | |
| Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way #1 [2/6] (2010) The X-Men try to help Cyclops through his grief before laying ‘Jean Grey’ to rest. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #138 (1980) A funeral is held for Jean; Lilandra gives Cyclops a holomatrix of Phoenix’s essence; Cyclops leaves the team; Kitty Pryde joins the X-Men. | |
| Classic X-Men #37 [2/2] (1989) A night on the town helps Dazzler decide she categorically never wants to be a superhero. | ||
| Avengers #189 (1979) Hawkeye gets a new job working security for Cross Technological Enterprises; on his first night, he stops Deathbird from stealing from the company. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men Annual #4 (1980) The X-Men receive assistance from Doctor Strange when Nightcrawler’s adoptive mother, Margali Szardos, drags the X-Men to a magical replica of Hell; Magali believes Nightcrawler killed her birth son, Stephan Szardos, and seeks revenge. 1st appearance: Margali Szardos True identity: Amanda Sefton’s real name is Jimaine Szardos | |
| Classic X-Men #38 [2/2] (1989) A sexual predator tries to trap Dazzler. | ||
| Marvel Comic #335 [1/4] (Marvel UK, 1979) Years after his company was bought out by Worthington Industries, Carl Shanken seeks revenge on Angel by pursuing him in an experimental aircraft. Note:This story was first reprinted for US audiences Marvel Treasury Edition #27: All-Time Greatest Team-Ups Starring the Sensational Spider-Man [5/5] (1980) | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #139-140 (1980) Angel rejoins the X-Men; Wolverine and Nightcrawler head to Canada to make peace with Alpha Flight and end up clashing with the Wendigo.; Kitty takes on the codename Sprite; Department H is disbanded due to funding and Alpha Flight are shut down. 1st appearance: Heather Hudson, Stevie Hunter New identity: Kitty Pryde as Sprite | RAGE! |
| Marvel Two-in-One #68 (pp.1-17) (1980) The Thing comes to Angel’s rescue when the Toad is hired to kill him. | ||
| Marvel Two-in-One #69 (1980) Storm cameo; Storm tries to disperse a mysterious dark fog that appears to be generated by young Vance Astrovik when he meets Vance Astro of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Astrovik’s future self. | ||
| ✔ | X-Men #141 (1981) Uncanny X-Men #142 (1981) Mystique forms her own Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with Avalanche, Destiny, Pyro and the Blob; the Brotherhood make an assassination attempt on Senator Robert Kelly; Kate Pryde of an alternate future (Earth-811) inhabits the body of her younger self, Sprite of Earth-616, in order to prevent the assassination. 1st appearance: Avalanche/Demonic Petros, Destiny, Irene Adler, Pyro/St John Allerdyce, Omega Class Sentinels, X-Men of Earth-811 (Colossus, Magneto, Kate Pryde, Franklin Richards, Storm, Rachel Summers & Wolverine), Earth-811 | DAYS OF FUTURE PAST |
| Marvel Two-in-One #68 (p.18) (1980) Angel, Thing and Candy Southern attend the reformed Toad’s new theme park. | ||
| Amazing Spider-Man #203 (1980) Spider-Man leaps to Dazzler’s defence when Lightmaster tries to take control of her. | ||
| Dazzler #1-2 (1981) Dazzler contacts the X-Men and considers membership but decides against joining them; the X-Men attend Dazzler’s live show which is invaded by the Enchantress. 1st appearance: Carter Blaire | ||
| Alpha Flight #1 (1983) Puck and Marrina of Beta Flight join the reformed Alpha Flight when Tundra of the Great Beasts invades Canada; Department H regains its funding. 1st appearance: Marrina Smallwood, Puck/Eugene Judd, Beta Flight (Box/Roger Bochs, Flashback/Gardner Monroe), Richard Easton, Gamma Flight (Diamond Lil/Lillian Crawley, Madison Jeffries, Smart Alec/Alec Thorne, Wild Child/Kyle Gibney), Dan Smallwood, Tundra, Box Armor Mark I/Box Armor Model I | ||
| Fantastic Four #217 (1980) The Human Torch flirts with Dazzler on a night out. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Uncanny X-Men #143-144 (1981) Scott Summers (formerly Cyclops) joins Lee Forrester’s fishing crew; Sprite dispatches a N’Garai demon when it invades the Xavier School; Scott, Lee and the Man-Thing face the demonic D’Spayre when his efforts to study humanity push Lee’s father over the edge. 1st appearance: Aleytys ‘Lee’ Forrester | |
| ✔ | Marvel Team-Up #100 (1980) Professor X investigates the emergence of two new mutants – Xuân Cao Mạnh and his sister ‘Shan Coy Manh’ – one working for crimelord General Nguyen Ngoc Coy and the other using her powers to oppose him; Professor X assists Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four in overcoming General Coy and aiding Shan who is forced to absorb her brother’s powers. 1st appearance: Father Michael Bowen, Leong Cao Mạnh, Nga Cao Mạnh, Trân Cao Mạnh, Nguyen Ngoc Coy, Karma/Xuân Cao Mạnh/Xi’an Coy Manh/’Shan’ | |
| Power Man and Iron Fist #66 (1980) Sabretooth and the Constrictor steal the Jade Tiger, only to be pursued by the Heroes for Hire and the Daughters of the Dragon when they’re hired to steal it back. | ||
| Unlimited Access #3-4 (1998) Mystique and the Blob are plucked from time to fight alongside Magneto and Darkseid in an effort to capture the reality-warping Access. | UNLIMITED ACCESS | |
| ✔ | Rom #17-18 (1981) The X-Men defend Jimmy Marks from Rom the Galadorian Spaceknight, unaware he’s a Dire Wrath-mutant hybrid called Hybrid. 1st appearance: Hybrid/James Marks | |
| ✔ | Spider-Woman #37 (1981) Spider-Woman #38 (pp.1-21) (1981) Spider-Woman and Lindsay McCabe start setting up shop as private investigators in San Francisco with support from Nick Fury; Black Tom Cassidy and the Juggernaut utilise the powers of a new mutant called Siryn to steal a Vibranium shipment; the X-Men help Spider-Woman defeat the villains and learn Siryn is Banshee’s daughter. 1st appearance: David Ishima, Siryn/Theresa Rourke | CRY, MUTANT! |
| Marvel Two-in-One #76 (1981) Iceman, the Thing and Giant-Man face off against the Circus of Crime. | ||
| ✔ | Uncanny X-Men #145-147 (1981) Arcade’s assistant, Miss Locke, turns to the X-Men for help when Doctor Doom kidnaps her boss; when the mission turns sour, Storm calls in reserve X-Men Sean Cassidy (formerly Banshee), Havok, Iceman and Polaris to assist her in taking down Doom and freeing Arcade and the X-Men. | |
| Dazzler #3-5 (1981) Mister Fantastic tests Dazzler’s powers; Doctor Doom’s attempt to obtain a mystical gem from the United Nations is disrupted by Dazzler, only for learn Doom has bigger plans; Dazzler faces Nightmare and meets new vigilante Blue Shield. 1st appearance: Blue Shield/Jospeh Cartelli, Lance Steele | ||
| ✔ | Marvel Super-Heroes Special #11 [3/3] (pp.26-29) (1992) Ms Marvel’s investigation into Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants’ activities ends with Rogue being sent to despatch her… | |
| ✔ | Avengers Annual #10 (pp.1-32) (1981) Rogue, the latest addition to the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, attacks Ms Marvel and steals her powers and memories; Spider-Woman calls on Professor X to help the now-powerless Carol Danvers; the Avengers narrowly defeat the Brotherhood. 1st appearance: Maddy Pryor, Rogue | |
| Bizarre Adventures #27 [2/3] (1981) Iceman stops a robbery. | ||
| ✔ | Spider-Woman #38 (pp.21-22) (1981) Uncanny X-Men #148 (1981) X-Men behind the scenes; Jessica Drew arrives in New York to visit the X-Men; Sprite, Storm, Spider-Woman and Stevie Hunter attend a Dazzler concert; a mysterious mutant kidnaps Sprite and takes her to the sewers; having washed up on a strange island in the Caribbean, Scott Summers and Lee Forrester encounter Magneto; Angel leaves the X-Men. 1st appearance: Caliban | CRY, MUTANT! |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Best of Marvel Comics HC [13/13] (1987) Wolverine heads to Tokyo to rescue Mariko Yashida from her Yakuza kidnappers. | |
| ✔ | Uncanny X-Men #149 (1981) While the X-Men investigate the possible return of Magneto, Scott Summers tries to pretend he and the Master of Magnetism have never met before. |
| ✔ | Avengers Annual #10 (pp.33-38) (1981) Carol Danvers stays with the X-Men to recover and rejects the Avengers due to them abandoning her to Marcus Immortus. |
| ✔ | Uncanny X-Men #150 (1981) Magneto commits what he believes to be an act of self-defence, but his actions are considered an atrocity by a number of nations; Cyclops returns to the X-Men for a showdown with Magneto that nearly costs Sprite her life; the Master of Magnetism hints at parts of his origins. 1st appearance: Margaret Thatcher |
| Dazzler #6-7 (1981) The Hulk Interrupts Dazzler’s performance at Gordon University. 1st appearance: Beefer/Forsythe Wellington, Hunch/Phil Panasci, Techmaster/William Bitzer | |
| Avengers #211 (1982) Angel, Dazzler and Iceman are briefly considered for Avengers membership; Beast leaves the Avengers. | |
| ✔ | Marvel Fanfare #1 [1/2] (1982) Marvel Fanfare #2 [1/2] (1982) Angel goes on a rescue mission to the Savage Land with Tanya Anderson and photographer Peter Parker in search of the missing Dr Karl Lykos; the Savage Land Mutates capture and mutate Angel and Spider-Man and restore Lykos’ Sauron form; Ka-Zar helps restore the heroes. 1st appearance: Vertigo New identity: Spider-Man/Peter Parker as ‘Man-Spider’ (editorial name) |
| ✔ | Uncanny X-Men Annual #5 (1981) A Shi’ar scout seeks the X-Men’s when she’s chased across the galaxy by the warlike alien Brotherhood of the Badoon; the X-Men and Fantastic Four join forces to repel the alien attackers and avenge D’Syndri. |
| ✔ | Marvel Fanfare #3 [1/2] (1982) Marvel Fanfare #4 [1/3] (pp.1-19) (1982) Angel and Ka-Zar summon the X-Men to the Savage Land to rally against Sauron, Zaladane and the Savage Land Mutates when they conquer the hidden peninsula; Storm steps to the fore once more, proving herself as a key member of the team… |
| ✔ | Uncanny X-Men #151-152 (1981) Following her recent traumatic experiences, Kitty Pryde leaves the X-Men in favour of joining Emma Frost’s Massachusetts Academy; Storm and Emma Frost body-swap; the X-Men battle the Hellfire Club; Kitty returns to the X-Men as Sprite. 1st appearance: Sentinel Mk IV, Massachusetts Academy |
| Marvel Team-Up #108-109 (1981) When Spider-Man and Paladin falls prey to the unlikely threat of Thermo the Thermotronic Man, Dazzler pitches in to help take him down. 1st appearance: Thermo the Thermotronic Man/Street Stalker/Walter Michaels | |
| Dazzler #8 (1981) Dazzler has to lie about her mutant origins before facing off against Techmaster and the Enforcers; Dazzler’s held at gunpoint by a member of Project PEGASUS. |
The X-Men Family Reading Order continues…
- X-MEN FAMILY, 1982-1984 – From Broodworld to Battleworld
Notable alternate universes from this time period:
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 (1984) X-Men #141 (1980) Uncanny X-Men #142 (1981) EARTH-811: Days of Future Past – The Phoenix survives the encounter with the Shi’ar and returns to Earth with the X-Men; she and Cyclops have a daughter, Rachel Summers; most of the X-Men are murdered by Sentinels; Kate Pryde travels back in time to try to prevent these events. | DAYS OF FUTURE PAST |
| Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends #1 (1981) Spider-Man, Fire-Star and Iceman #1 (1983) Spider-Man, Fire-Star and Iceman at The Dallas Ballet Nutcracker #1 (1983) Amazing Spider-Man #7 (2014) Spider-Boy #10 (2024) EARTH-1983 – The three amazing friends – Spider-Man, Fire-Star & Iceman – battle the Green Goblin, the Abomination and Daddy Long Legs; the friends are eventually murdered by Morlun of Earth-001; the Spider-Friends are later revealed to have been resurrected somehow. | ||
| What If? #37 [2/3] (1983) EARTH-8320 – The formula Hank McCoy swallows makes him a blue, furry, mindless Beast; the X-Men decide the Beast’s fate. | ||
| ✔ | What If? #27 [1/2] (1981) EARTH-81727 – doesn’t die in the trial against the Shi’ar; she returns to Earth with the X-Men, but the Dark Phoenix soon takes control of her again at the cost of the X-Men’s lives. |
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Uncanny X-Men Omnibus vol.1 | Giant-Size X-Men #1 X-Men #94-131 X-Men Annual #3 |
| Uncanny X-Men Omnibus vol.2 | Avengers Annual #10 Marvel Fanfare #1-4 Marvel Team-Up #100 [1/2] Uncanny X-Men #142-153 X-Men #132-141 X-Men Annual #4-5 |
| Classic X-Men Omnibus Classic X-Men: The Complete Collection vol.1-2 | Classic X-Men #1-44 [part] Marvel Fanfare #60 [part] |
| X-Men Epic Collection: Second Genesis (vol.5.) | Giant-Size X-Men #1 Iron Fist #14-15 Marvel Team-Up #53, 69-70 Marvel Team-Up Annual #1 X-Men #94-110 |
| X-Men Epic Collection: Proteus (vol.6) | Incredible Hulk Annual #7 Marvel Team-Up #89 X-Men #111-128 X-Men Annual #3 |
| X-Men Epic Collection: The Fate of the Phoenix (vol.7) | Marvel Team-Up #100 [1/2] Marvel Treasury Edition #26-27 Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 Uncanny X-Men #142-143 X-Men #129-141 X-Men Annual #4 |
| X-Men Epic Collection: I, Magneto (vol.8) | Avengers Annual #10 Bizarre Adventures #27 Marvel Fanfare #1-4 Uncanny X-Men #144-153 X-Men Annual #5 |
| Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men vol.2 | X-Men #101-110 |
| Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men vol.3 | X-Men #111-121 |
| Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men vol.4 | X-Men #122-131 X-Men Annual #3 |
| Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men vol.5 | Bizarre Adventures #27 Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 X-Men #132-140 X-Men Annual #4 |
| Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men vol.6 | Avengers Annual #10 Uncanny X-Men #151-159 X-Men Annual #5 |
| Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men vol.7 | Uncanny X-Men #142-150 X-Men #141 |
| X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga | X-Men #129-137 |
| X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga Omnibus | Bizarre Adventures #27 Classic X-Men #6, 8, 13, 18, 24, 43 Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 What If #27 X-Men #97-105, 125-138 |
| Phoenix Omnibus vol.1 | Bizarre Adventures #27 Classic X-Men #6, 8, 13, 18, 24, 43 Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 What If #27 X-Men #97-105, 107-108, 125-138 |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Captain Marvel: Ms Marvel – A Hero is Born Omnibus Marvel Masterworks: Ms Marvel vol.2 Ms Marvel Epic Collection: The Woman Who Fell to Earth (vol.2) | Avengers Annual #10 Ms Marvel #17-18 Marvel Super-Heroes Special #10-11 |
| Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Team-Up vol.7 Spider-Man by John Byrne Omnibus Spider-Man: Marvel Team-Up | Marvel Team-Up #69-70 |
| Avengers Academy – Arcade: Death Game Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Team-Up vol.8 | Marvel Team-Up #89 |
| Fantastic Four/Spider-Man Classic Marvel Universe by Frank Miller Omnibus New Mutants Epic Collection: Renewal (vol.1) New Mutants Omnibus vol.1 Spider-Man: The Complete Frank Miller Spider-Man’s Greatest Team-Ups | Marvel Team-Up #100 [1/2] |
| Black Panther Epic Collection: Revenge of the Black Panther (vol.2) Marvel Masterworks: Black Panther vol.2 Marvel Universe by John Byrne Omnibus vol.2 | Marvel Team-Up #100 [2/2] |
| Rom: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus vol.1 | Rom #17-18 |
| Marvel Masterworks: Spider-Woman vol.3 | Spider-Woman #37-38 |
| Avengers Epic Collection: The Evil Reborn (vol.11) Captain Marvel vs Rogue Marvel Masterworks: Spider-Woman vol.4 Marvel Visionaries: Chris Claremont X-Men Firsts | Avengers Annual #10 |
| Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales X-Men and the Amazing Spider-Man: The Savage Land | Marvel Fanfare #1-4 |
| Spider-Man: Strange Adventures | Marvel Fanfare #1-2 |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide, 2024
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