While there are some of the current crop of X-Titles that I enjoy a lot and some that I don’t quite enjoy as much, I will miss the regular line as it goes on hiatus for the next couple of months during the Age of Revelation. To help me get through, I’ve been looking at some past classic X-Men runs. I started by discussing 1200 omnibus Cosmic X-Men, which also acts as a primer for some of the cosmic stories happening in Marvel today. From there I went to an iconic and historical run of X-Men with the X-Men: Bkue and Gold.
Next up, I want to take it all the way to the beginning of the “new” X-Men in a recently released trade. Especially if you’re new to comics, X-Men Epic Collection: Second Genesis is a fantastic place to start. This book marks the moment the X-Men went from underdogs to one of Marvel’s biggest hits. It introduces a bold new team—including fan favorites like Wolverine, Storm, and Nightcrawler—and kicks off the stories that made the X-Men legendary.
Inside, you’ll find over 500 pages of classic issues, including Giant-Size X-Men #1 and X-Men #94–110, plus bonus appearances from Marvel Team-Up and Iron Fist. These stories are packed with action, emotion, and unforgettable characters, laying the groundwork for everything that came after in the X-Men universe.
What makes Second Genesis stand out is the arrival of the “All-New, All-Different” X-Men. The original team steps aside, making way for a diverse lineup from around the world—Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Banshee, Sunfire, and Thunderbird—each with distinct abilities and backgrounds. Their strong personalities and frequent clashes, especially the ongoing friction between Wolverine and Cyclops, bring a bold new energy to the series and set the stage for unforgettable team dynamics.
You get to see characters as they first began. You can look at them from that time and see how they’ve changed and evolved. I’d forgotten that it was Nightcrawler that Xavier recruited first. Storm and Wolverine’s introductions give you the foundation of what they are seen as today. It’s all there, but without decades of continuity, you see everyone through a fresh perspective.
The heart of this collection lies in Chris Claremont’s storytelling, brought vividly to life by artists Dave Cockrum and John Byrne. Claremont’s focus on character development and emotional nuance pushes the X-Men beyond typical superhero tales. Standout moments include Thunderbird’s heartbreaking death, Jean Grey’s transformation into Phoenix, and the team’s thrilling first journey into space with the Starjammers. These stories weave together action, emotion, and science fiction with a scope that’s epic yet deeply personal.
Seasoned X-Men fans will find this collection a rich source of nostalgia, while newcomers will discover an ideal starting point for exploring the team’s most iconic era. Though the storytelling occasionally shows its 1970s roots—with dense dialogue and sudden scene changes—the powerful emotions and compelling character journeys more than make up for it.
Priced at $39.99, this trade paperback delivers exceptional value, offering both timeless stories and a pivotal chapter in comic book history. Second Genesis isn’t simply a reissue—it’s a tribute to the moment the X-Men truly came into their own.
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