Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 (1963–2011): The Complete Collector's Guide
Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 (1963–2011): The Complete Collector's Guide
Nearly 550 issues across almost 50 years. Here is our guide to the series that made mutants a cornerstone of Marvel.
Some comics are important because they were popular. The Uncanny X-Men is important because it changed what a superhero comic could be. It began in 1963 as a modest, bi-monthly title about teenagers at a school for gifted youngsters, spent years as a reprint book, and then came roaring back in 1975 with a brand-new team and a writer who would stay for sixteen years.
At Siomic Comics we handle a lot of X-Men, so we took the time to go through the full run. This is our guide to the history of Volume 1, who made it, the stories that defined it and the issues that collectors hunt for.
Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 at a glance
- Publisher: Marvel Comics
- Run: Issues #1 to #544, cover-dated September 1963 to December 2011
- Original title: The X-Men, which became The Uncanny X-Men on its covers from #114 (1978)
- Created by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
- Landmark writers: Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Chris Claremont (#94 to #279)
- Landmark artists: Jack Kirby, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Paul Smith, John Romita Jr., Marc Silvestri, Jim Lee
- Famous stories: Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past, Mutant Massacre, Inferno, X-Tinction Agenda, X-Cutioner's Song
- First appearances: The X-Men, Magneto, Juggernaut, the Sentinels, Phoenix, Kitty Pryde, Emma Frost, Mr. Sinister, Jubilee, Gambit, Bishop
1963: the first X-Men
The X-Men launched in September 1963, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Lee reportedly wanted a different name for the book, but Marvel's editors overruled him. #1 introduces Professor X's first class of mutant students, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel and the Beast, along with the very first team appearance of the X-Men. It also sets up their enemies, with Magneto arriving in that first issue and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants following in #4, which introduces Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch, the Toad and Mastermind.
The early run is a treasure chest of first appearances. #12 brings the Juggernaut and the origin of Professor X, and #14 and #15 bring Dr. Bolivar Trask, the first Sentinels and Master Mold. The series became monthly with #14. Later in the decade it introduced Banshee in #28, Havok in #58 and Sauron in #60.
The reprint years
Sales were uneven, and from 1970 the series became a reprint-only book, running old stories through to #93 in 1975. The X-Men kept appearing in other Marvel comics, but their own book was in hibernation. It is a curious chapter in the story, and one that makes the next one even more dramatic.
1975: the new X-Men
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975), by Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, introduced an international team: Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Thunderbird and Wolverine joined Cyclops, Banshee and Sunfire. When the main title restarted with new material at #94 (August 1975), Chris Claremont began to write it. He stayed through #279, almost sixteen years, and in that time he built the characters, relationships and themes that define the X-Men.
The early Claremont issues are full of firsts. #96 introduces Moira MacTaggert and the third generation of Sentinels. #101, Like A Phoenix, From The Ashes!, introduces the Phoenix. #107 brings in the Starjammers and the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. In #120 and #121 the Canadian team Alpha Flight arrives. And in #129, Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost, the White Queen, both debut, together with a first look at the Hellfire Club.
Dark Phoenix and Days of Future Past
John Byrne replaced Dave Cockrum as penciller from #108, and he became co-plotter as the series grew more ambitious. The pair's best-known story is the Dark Phoenix Saga, in 1980, with the first appearance of Dark Phoenix in #134 and the death of Jean Grey in #137. The next big story, Days of Future Past in #141 and #142 (1981), follows a time-displaced Kitty Pryde trying to prevent a bleak future. It introduces Rachel Summers, Destiny, Avalanche and Pyro, and it is still one of the most re-read story arcs in comics.
The 80s and 90s: Sinister, Jubilee, Gambit and Bishop
The series kept building. #201 shows the first appearance of Nathan Summers, who becomes Cable, as a baby. #221 introduces Mr. Sinister. #244 brings in Jubilee, #266 is the cover debut of Gambit, and #282 and #283 introduce Bishop. By the mid-80s the book was one of the best-selling comics in America. In the late 80s and early 90s, artists like Marc Silvestri and Jim Lee drew for the series and became stars in their own right.
The 90s also brought huge crossovers: X-Tinction Agenda (1990), X-Cutioner's Song (1992), Fatal Attractions (1993), the Phalanx Covenant and the Age of Apocalypse. In #300 (August 1993), Legacies, the Legacy Virus is introduced, and #303 shows the death of Magik.
Key issues and first appearances
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | September 1963 | First issue, and first appearance of the X-Men, Professor X and Magneto |
| #4 | March 1964 | First appearance of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, including Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch |
| #12 | July 1965 | First appearance of the Juggernaut and the origin of Professor X |
| #14 | November 1965 | First appearance of the Sentinels and Dr. Bolivar Trask |
| #28 | January 1967 | First appearance of Banshee |
| #58 | July 1969 | First appearance of Havok |
| #94 | August 1975 | The new X-Men team's first ongoing issue, with Wolverine's fourth appearance |
| #96 | December 1975 | First appearance of Moira MacTaggert |
| #101 | October 1976 | First appearance of Phoenix |
| #121 | May 1979 | First full team appearance of Alpha Flight |
| #129 | January 1980 | First appearance of Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost |
| #134 | June 1980 | First appearance of Dark Phoenix |
| #137 | September 1980 | The death of Jean Grey |
| #141 | January 1981 | Start of Days of Future Past |
| #201 | January 1986 | First appearance of Cable, as a baby |
| #221 | September 1987 | First appearance of Mr. Sinister |
| #244 | May 1989 | First appearance of Jubilee |
| #266 | August 1990 | First cover appearance of Gambit |
| #282–283 | 1991 | First appearances of Bishop |
| #300 | August 1993 | Introduction of the Legacy Virus |
The creators behind the comic
Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
The creators who launched the series in 1963 and defined the first generation of X-Men.
Chris Claremont
Writer from #94 to #279. Almost sixteen years of stories that shaped the X-Men as we know them.
Dave Cockrum & John Byrne
Two of the great X-Men artists, who defined the look of the 70s team and the Dark Phoenix era.
Paul Smith & John Romita Jr.
Artists whose runs on the series in the 80s, with Smith on covers around #165 to #175 and Romita Jr. around #176 to #196, are still highly rated.
Marc Silvestri & Jim Lee
The artists who defined the look of the series for the late 80s and early 90s.
Later creators
Later issues saw Sean Phillips, Philip Tan, Adam Kubert and others before Volume 1 ended at #544 in 2011.
Curiosities collectors should know
A series on a break
Issues #67 to #93 are reprints, so the Claremont era seems to appear from nowhere at #94.
A title with a long journey
It began as The X-Men and became The Uncanny X-Men on its covers from #114 (1978).
A long list of firsts
From Cable as a baby to Jubilee and Gambit, many characters debuted in this single title.
Plenty of editions
Many issues were reprinted over the decades, including recent facsimile editions, so check the cover date.
An ending in 2011
Volume 1 ended with #544, cover-dated December 2011, after nearly fifty years of publication.
The X-Men beyond the comics
- X-Men: The Animated Series (1992): adapted many of the series' best-known stories, including the Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past, for a new generation.
- The X-Men films: from X-Men (2000) through X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) and Dark Phoenix (2019), the movies drew on stories from this run.
- X-Men '97 (2024): the animated revival brought the 90s era back to a new audience.
Why this run still matters
The Uncanny X-Men turned mutants into one of Marvel's biggest franchises and set the template for the team superhero book: soap opera and big action, with a cast that grows and changes. Many of today's favourite Marvel characters, and plenty of ideas about prejudice, family and identity, trace back to these pages.
Where to start reading Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1
- #1 to #20 for the original team and the first great villains.
- #94 to #110 for the new X-Men and the start of the Claremont era.
- #129 to #142 for Dark Phoenix and Days of Future Past.
- #221 to #266 for the era of Sinister, Jubilee and Gambit.
- #282 onwards for Bishop and the 90s crossovers.
Uncanny X-Men 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.
#4
#14
#94
#101
#121
#129
#134
#137
#141
#221
#244
#266Browse our Uncanny X-Men 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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#26
X-Men #26: Holocaust
A Silver Age issue from the Lee and Roy Thomas era of the series.
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#163
Uncanny X-Men #163: Rescue Mission
Includes the origin of Binary (Carol Danvers), from a high point of the Claremont years.
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#220
Uncanny X-Men #220: Unfinished Business
The first full appearance of the Adversary, in a Claremont-era story.
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#243
Uncanny X-Men #243: Ashes
From the stretch of the series when Marc Silvestri was on the book.
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#249
Uncanny X-Men #249: Prelude, The Dane Curse
Features the first appearance of Whiteout.
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#282
Uncanny X-Men #282: Payback
The first cameo appearance of Bishop, one of the major 90s X-Men.
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#283
Uncanny X-Men #283: Bishop's Crossing
Bishop's first full appearance, along with the first appearance of the Gamemaster.
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#300
Uncanny X-Men #300: Legacies
The 300th issue, and the introduction of the Legacy Virus.
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We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Uncanny X-Men comics.
Frequently asked questions about Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1
When did Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 start?
It began as The X-Men #1, cover-dated September 1963, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
How many issues are in Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1?
Volume 1 ran for 544 issues, from September 1963 to December 2011.
When did it become The Uncanny X-Men?
The word Uncanny was added to the covers from issue #114, in 1978.
Who wrote Uncanny X-Men for the longest?
Chris Claremont wrote the series from #94 through #279, about sixteen years.
What are the key issues of Uncanny X-Men?
Collectors look for #1, #94, #101, #129, #134 to #137 (Dark Phoenix), #141 to #142 (Days of Future Past), #266 (Gambit) and #282 to #283 (Bishop).
What is the first appearance of Jubilee?
Jubilee first appears in Uncanny X-Men #244, cover-dated May 1989.
Where should I start reading Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1?
For the Claremont era, start at #94, then read through the Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Uncanny X-Men comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. X-Men and all related characters are trademarks of Marvel. Cover images are shown for reference.