X-Men Epic Collection: Mutant Genesis (Uncanny X-Men (1963-2011) Book 19)

I loved the storyline

This Epic collection contains the the final issues written by Claremont and is of varied quality. The X-Factor stories frankly stink (though they are relevant to get the bigger picture of what is going on), but the X-Men stories are some of the best I've read. 4.5 out of 5 stars (mainly due to X-Factor)

For many people, including myself, Chris Claremont was THE writer for the X-Men, the one that forged their unique identity within the Marvel Universe and was responsible for their huge success. This volume (volume 19 in the eventual complete Epic chronology) contains the end of his decade-and-a-half-long run, making it enormously bittersweet in many ways. It also represents the beginning of possibly the X-Men's pinnacle of comics supremacy, with looks and plotpoints that formed the basis for the enormously successful cartoon of the nineties.Having said all that, while this is an important X-Men Epic, much of the volume is taken up with issues of X-Factor, the mutant team formed of the original five X-Men. Some may disagree, but the decision to include them here is probably a good one - the stories collected here cover what happens to Cyclops's son Nathan in a confrontation with arch-villain Apocalypse, as well as showing how, when the dust settles after a climactic confrontation with the Shadow King, X-Factor and the X-Men merge into one pool of mutants, setting up the new Blue and Gold team status quo.Also included are the crossovers from the mutant annuals from 1991, featuring the return of villain Proteus and dramatic developments for the semi-reformed villain team Freedom Force. They're okay, but nothing to write home about. The main meat here is the aforementioned Shadow King storyline and the first three issues of the new (adjectiveless) X-men series, featuring Claremont's last hurrah and art by then-superstar Jim Lee.Considering how big the event was at the time, and X-Men #1 still holding the position of Biggest Selling Comic Issue Ever, it's amazing how quaint it all looks now. Featuring the new 14-strong X-Men team and their latest confrontation against nemesis and sometime-ally Magneto, it is fine work that really sets up the direction the X-books would take for the first half of the nineties. Although Claremont was almost certainly pushed rather than jumping, he still turns in a fine swansong for the characters he knew so well, and Lee's art is perhaps still the best of the period's distinctive style.Extras are very pleasingly plentiful - we have lots of features from Marvel Age, and Lee art from Speakeasy, Amazing Heroes, Advance Comics, and Comics Interview, house ads announcing the new book, pinups from the Swimsuit Special, more Lee art from the Mighty Mutant Tour, and cover art from the Wrath of Apocalypse trade, Collectible Classics, the Mutant Genesis trade, relevant Essential X-Men volumes and the 20th anniversary celebration of X-Men #1. It's the kind of comprehensive package we've come to expect from the Epic line, making this volume an indispensable record for one of the X-Men's biggest turning points.

I was missing the book when Scott has to give up Nathan in order to save him. Great story

The book arrived in excellent condition, and fast delivery; very satisfied with the company and its service. I've been a fan of the x-Men for decades , I have the first edition copies sealed and stored, getting the omnibus and epic collections allows me to reread the issue without disturbing the original copy.

Uma das melhores sagas dos mutantes!

This collection had the potential to really live up to the 'epic' name of the series, featuring pretty much all the greatest X-Men from the 90's as well as a collection of their greatest foes in Apocalypse, The Shadow King and Magneto. But in spite of the great raw material, the book has a hard time escaping from mediocracy in several of it's chapters.The storyline with Freedom Force was downright embarrassing and painful to read. It served absolutely no purpose other than being there for the sake of completion, and might as well have been excluded. Nothing positive to say here except that it killed off a few weak characters.The X-Factor stories were better, but could have been much more. The rematch with Protheus, which also involved a heap of other mutant teams, was a disappointment and failed big time to live up to the far better first encounter with Protheus. The battle with Apocalypse for the fate of Cyclops' son was better, didn't live up to it's potential.The X-Men story with The Shadow King was good, but frankly didn't age all that well. It felt like it had huge parts of the story cut and was quick to jump to the final battle. Claremont's final (at the time) work, a classic X-Men vs. Magneto story, is the highlight of the book - although Claremont uses a too conventient and, even for a comic book, somewhat unbelievable plot point to drive the story forward.The artwork is a mixed bag. Jim Lee is, as always, exceptional. Portacio is decent as well, but the rest was mediocre at best.All in all, I give the book 4/5 - mainly due to Claremont and Lee being fantastic, as always.

This collections has the final days of the original X-factor and most importantly jean grey regaining her telepathic power as well as cyclops son infected with the virus that makes them send him to the future. We also what will be the forming of the new x-factor we have professor X loosing his ability to walk and we have the start of the blue and the go.d teams. We have what will be pivotal points in the X-men history. Well worth the read.