The
X-Men are a
superhero team in the
Marvel Comics Universe. They were created by writer
Stan Lee and artist
Jack Kirby, and first appeared in
The X-Men #1 (September 1963). The basic concept of the X-Men is that under a cloud of increasing anti-
mutant sentiment,
Professor Xavier created a haven at his
Westchester mansion to train young mutants to use their powers for the benefit of humanity, and to prove mutants can be heroes.
[1] Xavier recruited
Cyclops,
Iceman,
Angel,
Beast, and
Marvel Girl, calling them "X-Men" because they possess special powers due to their possession of the "X-gene," a gene which normal humans lack and which gives mutants their abilities. Early on, however, the "X" in X-Men stood for "extra" power which normal humans lacked. It was also alluded to that mutations occurred as a result of radiation exposure.
The first issue also introduced the team's archenemy,
Magneto, who would continue to battle the X-Men for decades throughout the comic's history, both on his own and with his
Brotherhood of Mutants (introduced in issue #4). The X-Men universe also includes such notable heroes as
Wolverine,
Storm,
Colossus,
Nightcrawler,
Shadowcat, and
Rogue. Besides the Brotherhood of Mutants, other villains that the X-Men have fought include the
Sentinels,
Apocalypse,
Mister Sinister, and the
Hellfire Club.
The X-Men comics have been adapted into other media, including animated
television series,
video games, and a ...
The Phoenix character was definitely a necessary change for Jean, I remember finding her character way too damn boring. She took on Magneto much later afer this, but she didn't lose control, instead, she learned that her power actually had limits.
And yeah, the entire Masterwork's line are in color. In all honesty, I wouldn't bother with them if they weren't. Which is why I skipped the Essential Shadowhawk by Image.