Excalibur Vol. 1 (1988–1998): Marvel's British X-Men Adventure
Excalibur Vol. 1 (1988–1998): Marvel's British X-Men Adventure
Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Captain Britain and a dimension-hopping robot. Here is why this offbeat X-Men spin-off still has a following.
Excalibur is one of the more unusual corners of Marvel's X-Men world. The idea was simple: when the X-Men are believed dead, a handful of survivors set up a team in the UK. What followed was a series full of humour, parallel worlds, a very odd robot and a big dose of British weirdness.
We hold a good number of Excalibur issues at Siomic Comics, particularly from the Warren Ellis era, so we went back through the 1988–1998 series to see how it all unfolded.
Excalibur Vol. 1 at a glance
- Publisher: Marvel Comics
- Run: Issue #1 in 1988 to issue #125 in 1998
- Origins: Excalibur Special Edition #1, on sale in December 1987
- Founding team: Captain Britain, Meggan, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Rachel Summers) and Lockheed
- Key writers: Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Scott Lobdell, Warren Ellis, Ben Raab
- Famous debuts: Widget, Kylun, Micromax, Cerise, Daytripper, Pete Wisdom
- Setting: The UK, parallel worlds and later Muir Island
- Final issue: #125, with the wedding of Captain Britain and Meggan
How Excalibur began
Excalibur first appeared in the Excalibur Special Edition #1, which went on sale in December 1987. The monthly series followed with Excalibur #1 in 1988, written by Chris Claremont with Alan Davis as the artist and co-creator. The team formed in the UK because its members believed the X-Men were dead, and it centred on Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Meggan, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Rachel Summers) and Lockheed. #1 also gave readers the first appearance of Widget, a manic robot who hops between dimensions.
The Claremont and Davis years
Claremont wrote the book from #1, and the early issues set the tone: a blend of super-heroics, comedy and travel between realities. He left after #34 in 1991. Alan Davis came back as writer and penciller from #42, bringing new characters such as Kylun (first appearance in #42), Micromax (#44) and Cerise (cameo in #46, full appearance in #47). He also tied up several loose plotlines.
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 1988 | Premiere issue and first appearance of Widget |
| #2 | 1988 | First appearance of Colin McKay |
| #31 | 1990 | First appearance of Vega-Superior |
| #41 | 1991 | First cameo appearance of Strong Guy |
| #42 | 1991 | First appearance of Kylun |
| #44 | 1991 | First appearance of Micromax |
| #47 | 1992 | First full appearance of Cerise |
| #75 | 1994 | First appearance of Daytripper |
| #86 | 1995 | First appearance of Pete Wisdom |
| #87 | 1995 | First mention of the Skinless Man (Weapon III) |
| #96 | 1996 | First team appearance of the Hellfire Club UK |
| #101 | 1996 | First mention of the Department, later renamed MI:13 |
| #125 | 1998 | The wedding of Captain Britain and Meggan |
The Lobdell era and the move to Muir Island
Scott Lobdell wrote part of the middle stretch and moved the team to Muir Island, closer to the main X-Men books. That period also saw the introduction of Douglock and Daytripper, who first appears in #75.
The Warren Ellis era
The last big shift came with Warren Ellis, who wrote from #83 to #103 and brought in Pete Wisdom in #86. Ellis also returned Wolfsbane and Colossus to the cast and built a love triangle between Wisdom, Shadowcat and Colossus. The run includes #96, the first team appearance of the Hellfire Club UK, and #101, which contains the first mention of the Department, later renamed MI:13.
After Ellis, Ben Raab wrote the book from #106 to the end. Sales had been declining, and Marvel ended the series with #125 in 1998, which features the wedding of Meggan and a de-powered Captain Britain, and lets Nightcrawler, Shadowcat and Colossus return to the X-Men.
The creators behind the comic
Chris Claremont
Wrote the original run, up to #34 in 1991.
Alan Davis
Artist and co-creator, and later writer and penciller from #42.
Scott Lobdell
Wrote part of the 90s run and moved the team to Muir Island.
Warren Ellis
Wrote #83 to #103 and introduced Pete Wisdom.
Ben Raab
Wrote the final stretch, from #106 to #125.
Curiosities collectors should know
A special edition first
The team debuted in Excalibur Special Edition #1 in December 1987, before the monthly series.
A robot mascot
Widget, who first appears in #1, is a robot that moves between dimensions.
A flashback issue
The set includes an issue numbered -1 from 1997.
A 2006 reprint
Excalibur #1 was also reissued in 2006.
Excalibur beyond the page
- MI:13: the Department mentioned in #101 was later renamed MI:13, which became the title of a later Captain Britain series.
- Captain Britain: Brian Braddock's British hero background goes back before Excalibur, and the team brought him into the X-Men world.
- X-Men connections: Nightcrawler, Shadowcat and Colossus are among the characters who moved between Excalibur and the main X-Men books.
Why Excalibur still matters
It showed that an X-Men spin-off could feel completely different from the parent book. The humour, the British setting and the sheer inventiveness of the Davis stories are why readers still talk about it.
Where to start reading Excalibur Vol. 1
Start with #1 for the original team. If you like the later era, try Warren Ellis's #83 to #103, which works well on its own.
Excalibur Vol. 1 covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#2
#31
#41
#42
#44
#47
#75
#86
#87
#96
#103
#125Browse our Excalibur Vol. 1 back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#101
Excalibur #101: Quiet
A Warren Ellis issue that mentions the Department for the first time.
View our copy -
#100
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#97
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#98
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#99
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#102
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Excalibur comics.
Frequently asked questions about Excalibur Vol. 1
When did Excalibur Vol. 1 start?
The monthly series began with Excalibur #1 in 1988, after the Excalibur Special Edition in December 1987.
Who created Excalibur?
Chris Claremont and Alan Davis created the team.
Who is on the original Excalibur team?
Captain Britain, Meggan, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Rachel Summers) and Lockheed.
When does Widget first appear?
Widget first appears in Excalibur #1.
When did Excalibur Vol. 1 end?
It ended with issue #125 in 1998.
Who wrote Excalibur in the 90s?
Scott Lobdell, Alan Davis, Warren Ellis and Ben Raab all wrote parts of the run.
Where should I start reading Excalibur Vol. 1?
Start with #1, or try Warren Ellis's #83 to #103.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Excalibur comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Excalibur and all related characters are trademarks of Marvel. Cover images are shown for reference.