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IN Reading Guides, Lists, Reviews
’80s X-MEN STORYLINES RANKED FROM BEST TO WORST
STAR RATINGS:
Best: 5 to 4.5 stars.
Good: 4 to 3 stars.
Bad: 2.5 to 2 stars.
Worst: 1.5 to 0 stars.
BEST: THE BROOD SAGA (1982)
Collects ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #161-167.
Dialogue: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Plot: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Characterization: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Art: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
When Uncanny X-Men (1982) #162, was released, it certified Wolverine‘s iconic status. Indeed, the “Brood Saga,” is Chris Claremont’s best X-Men work, and the best X-Men storyline. At CBR.com, Brandon Zachary confirms the saga as “Marvel’s best horror story.”
To begin, the X-Men have been captured in space by an alien giant insect-like race called the Brood for certainly gruesome reasons. Story-wise, “The Brood Saga” progresses quickly through dreams, flashbacks and moments of introspection for its true leader, Wolverine. When the animal-man is faced with a fight against evolution, he enters a berseker rage. Terribly, Wolverine must face the Brood alone or succumb to their ovoviviparous breeding.
In a sense, the storyline is a commentary on the popularity of sci-fi movies such as Alien in the decade. As a critique, it is importantly a coming-of-age story about teenage years and coming to terms with a hostile world. Certainly, this was the turning point in X-Men continuity portraying them as outcasts and warriors. Moreover, the arc features the wondrous first appearance of Captain Marvel as Binary.
Definitely, this story is essential reading and belongs in your X-Men collection.
A FAN OF CHRIS CLAREMONT’S X-MEN? CLICK ON ESSENTIAL X-MEN, VOL. 4 (MARVEL ESSENTIALS) BELOW TO PURCHASE THE GRAPHIC BOOK ON AMAZON.
BEST: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (1980)
Collects ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #141-142.
Dialogue: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Plot: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Characterization: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Art: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
In 1980, CBG Fan-winning writer Chris Claremont and legendary artist John Byrne collaborated on Days of Future Past. Brilliantly, the work is a masterful illustration of the X-Men, as the future of human evolution.
In an alternate future, the mutant population has been exterminated as well as the superhumans on Earth-811. On Halloween 1980, Senator Kelly, Charles Xavier and Moira McTaggert were assassinated by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in Washington D.C. After, the Sentinel Program is re-activated to exterminate mutants. Now, it’s up to Kate Pryde, Storm, Colossus and Wolverine to change the past.
In some sense, the story reveals a last effort to time travel to alter the past and change the future. For its part, Byrne’s art captures the urgency of the moment. Though the subject matter is serious and dark, Byrne’s art features colorful panels and expressive faces.
To sum, what makes Days Of Future Past work is the heroism of its characters despite the dystopian trope. In addition, it was significant for the merging of Kate Pryde into the prime Marvel timeline and her founding membership of Excalibur. In addition, it has been adapted into the movie X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Definitely, this storyline is a classic X-Men story. Indeed, fans of Chris Claremont will love the political intrigue as well as the advanced warfare.
A FAN OF CHRIS CLAREMONT’S X-MEN? CLICK ON X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST BELOW TO BUY THE GRAPHIC BOOK ON AMAZON.
GOOD: DARK PHOENIX (1980)
Collects ‘X-Men’ #129-138.
Dialogue: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Plot: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Characterization: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Art: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
In 10 Best X-Men Stories Of The 80s, David Harth ranks Dark Phoenix Saga as the best X-Men story of all-time. Though, it is the general consensus among critics, the saga has not received the impact on general audiences that the storylines at the top have had.
Certainly, Dark Phoenix Saga is the most important story and every X-Men storyline since then owes its popularity to the love story. In some respects, the X-Men became men and women in the duel against the Shi’ar Imperial Guard. At the same time, the storyline mired X-Men comics in excessive melodrama involving Scott Summers and his marriage to Jean Grey’s clone.
A few words about the art. For his part, John Byrne’s art is certainly at its best. In fact, the iconic cover of X-Men (1980) #136, created a popular sensation. And Byrne draws the characters’ physiques in distinctive designs and colors. Perhaps, one of the most beautifully-illustrated comics of all-time.
Definitely, the storyline is certainly a must-have for your comic collection, as a comic that appeared in the Hollywood movie plot for X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019), with a blend of adventure, action, drama and sci-fi themes.
A FAN OF CHRIS CLAREMONT’S X-MEN? CLICK ON X-MEN: THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA BELOW TO BUY THE GRAPHIC BOOK ON AMAZON.
WORST: X-MEN ANNUAL (1987) #10
Dialogue: 1.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Plot: 1.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Characterization: 1.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Art: 1.0 out of 5.0 stars.
In many respects, “Welcome To Mojoworld,” is the worst X-Men story of the 1980s. Importantly, the evil villain called Mojo first appears in Longshot (1985) #3. Perhaps, a transition to the 1990s’ more extreme but loose storytelling.
To sum, Mojo rules the Mojoverse, a realm where citizens are either forced to watch television or participate in violent battles. Really, a villain with base motivations. At Screenrant, the story makes the list of X-Men: The 10 Weirdest Comic Book Arcs.
On this list, this story arc is one of the worst X-Men story arcs.
RESOURCES
VISIT THE X-MEN READING ORDERS:
Comic Book Herald: The Complete X-Men Reading Order Guide: Chris Claremont Era.
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