In 2006, Marvel crafted a series of untold tales about the original X-Men titled 'First Class.' The series only lasted 8-issues but it was such a hit, it spawned at least two further sequels as well as a few one-shots. Marvel naturally saw dollar signs and continued to produce more X-titles under the 'First Class' moniker. Wolverine starred in two solo titles that produced over 20 issues. After those successes, Marvel decided to explore its historically most successful line-up of mutants- the original Uncanny X-Men.
This title stars Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Banshee, and Storm. It reveals some of that team's never-before-revealed adventures that take place after X-Men #101 when Jean Grey becomes the Phoenix. Here, the team is having trouble jelling. Cyclops longs for the day to lead his original teammates again. Professor X and Moira McTaggart are attempting to gauge Jean's new physic potential. And the other members of the team are trying to adjust to their lives as superheroes that face more scorn than admiration.
During these episodes of growing pains, the team will travel to the Inhuman refuge of Attilan to defend Nightcrawler, whose being tried for blasphemy, a charge that if found guilty brings a penalty of death. Then Banshee's past comes back to haunt him when he spies what may be the ghost of his late wife. Lastly, Storm and Jean Grey have a ladies night out that results in the girls being held hostage AND forced to break into Nick Fury's helicarrier! Along with a mysterious trio spied dancing on the surface of the sun and a Giant-Sized special that explores the individual origins of the Uncanny X-Men, this volume was pure fun and excitement.
Why this series didn't take off like the other 'First Class' titles is beyond me! The art was eclectic but each artist's style was classic. The writing was just as good and with scores of cameos of several key secondary players of the X-Men series during the late 70s was the icing on the cake. The only reason this series lasted just 8-issues is that it seems to focus more on Banshee, Colossus, and Nightcrawler instead of proven fan favorites Wolverine and Storm.
But if I had to choose my top 10 favorite mutants that trio would all rank on that list. In other words, I liked it. Maybe the only thing this series needed was the masterful pen of Chris Claremont, who without him, the X-Men might have been a footnote in comic book history.
Like the Vulcans say "only Nixon can go to China."
Worth Consuming.
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
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