10 Essential X-Men Comics For Beginners

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With Jean Grey (Sadie Sink) having her first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the rest of the major X-Men cast being recently announced at Disney's convention, D23, the X-Men are back and better than ever! Because of this, there are plenty of people out there who are going to want to get into the X-Men franchise before they hit screens post-Avengers: Secret Wars.

But for said newcomers who may want to get into the team's comic book history before the new cast is introduced, and the old cast appears in Avengers: Doomsday, there are plenty of books from said source material that are perfect to read. With decades upon decades of stories to choose from, those looking to get into the X-Men have a ton of work to choose from if they want to become a bona fide fan before the team gets their next solo project in the MCU.

X-Men: Season One (2011)

While one could most certainly go back and read the original books, there's no denying that they're pretty dated. This is why everyone can appreciate a modern retelling that not only modernizes it, but keeps it straightforward, ditching the context of the grander world needed for those older plots. This is exactly what X-Men: Season One (2011) does for anyone looking to read about the first class of X-Men, which may very well be the era they go for in the MCU.

This 2011 Dennis Hopeless graphic novel covers a lot of the essentials of those early 1960s X-Men days. It's a clean, very fresh look at the original team of students. It's fun, action-packed, and loves honing in on the teenage interpersonal drama that comes with being a team of such an age. Not to forget, the art style by Jamie McKelvie is gorgeous and a joy to look at.

Grant Morrison's New X-Men #114–154 (2001–2004)

A panel from New X-Men #139 of Jean Grey Scott Summers and Emma Frost

Alongside the likes of Chris Claremont, Grant Morrison is known as one of the greatest writers to touch the X-Men franchise of all time. A huge reason for this common claim is his time on New X-Men (2001), taking place between issues #114 and #154. Many consider this the best X-Men run since the '90s Claremont run at the time of release, which is, of course, high praise. The New X-Men (2001) run is another series that modernizes the series, taking a lot of risks, while being very friendly for newcomers.

It does things such as put Cyclops and Emma Frost together instead of his typical pairing with Jean Grey, the killing of a gigantic number of mutants in the opening arc to raise the social stakes surrounding mutants, and other big status quo changes to bring about a new era for the team. For those looking to get into the X-Men with a run that's unlike anything else, then New X-Men (2001) is the way to go. Not to mention, with Emma Frost's (Samara Weaving) upcoming inclusion in the MCU, this could be a book they actually end up taking some inspiration from.

Wolverine (1982)

Speaking of Chris Claremont, alongside his main X-Men run, he's incredibly well-known for his four-issue Wolverine (1982) series. Many most likely know of this comic series due to the recognizable imagery that is on the cover of the first issue. Drawn by the iconic Frank Miller in his golden era, this series turns the legendary Wolverine from a two-dimensional, violent, brutish character from the main books into the three-dimensional, tragic character that makes him so compelling in the modern day.

Wolverine (1982) is a cornerstone for a lot of the characterization that's been utilized throughout the years for the three-clawed, animalistic X-Man. The character has benefited so much from the work done in this 1982 plot. This made it important not just for the character, but for the X-Men universe as a whole, thanks to how important it made Wolverine moving forward, finally having more character to work with.

X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills (1982)

There's lots of talk about Claremont's abundantly beloved work on X-Men, and how much it's affected the franchise for the better, and one of the greatest examples is none other than X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills. Look anywhere on the internet, and it'll be found that many fans consider this the pinnacle of X-Men storytelling. X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills is a testament to how to write these characters with prowess, grace, and thought-provoking messaging.

It does need to be noted, however, that due to the era this book was written in, there are some problematic dialogue moments—Kitty Pryde specifically—that, while serving the story, are still quite problematic. When looking past those moments, though, X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills is an absurdly moving story all about how hate is a choice made by humanity. It forces the reader to face some very hard truths about society and discrimination that are still quite prevalent to this day.

Collider Exclusive · Marvel Personality Quiz Which MCU Hero Are You? Spider-Man · Daredevil · Iron Man · Punisher · Thor · Cap

Six heroes. One destiny. Answer 10 questions to discover which Marvel Cinematic Universe hero shares your personality, values, and fighting spirit. Will you swing, fly, or thunder your way to glory?

🕷️Spider-Man

😈Daredevil

🤖Iron Man

💀Punisher

⚡Thor

🛡️Cap

FIND YOUR HERO →

What drives you to do what's right? Choose the answer that feels most like you.

AWith great power comes great responsibility — I protect those who can't protect themselves. BMy faith and my conscience — I believe justice must be served, even in the dark. CLegacy and ego, honestly — but I've learned that others depend on me now. DThe system failed. Someone has to make sure the guilty actually pay. EDuty to the innocent and honour to my name — I was born to protect realms. FThe values I was raised with — freedom, decency, and never backing down from a bully.

NEXT QUESTION →

It's 2 AM. Where are you? Your answer says more about you than you'd think.

ASwinging between skyscrapers, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood. BRunning rooftops in Hell's Kitchen, listening for trouble. CIn my lab, upgrading my suit with a cold cup of coffee nearby. DStaking out a target I've been tracking for three weeks. ESomewhere between the stars, or at a feast that got out of hand. FOn a morning run — I was up at 4, actually. Couldn't sleep.

NEXT QUESTION →

How do you handle a villain who keeps escaping justice? Every hero has a method. What's yours?

AWeb them up and leave them for the police — again. BBuild an airtight case and dismantle their entire operation from the inside. CDeploy a containment system I designed specifically for them. Tech wins. DMake sure they don't escape a third time. Permanently. EChallenge them to single combat. Honour demands a decisive end. FRally allies, adapt the plan, and bring them in — by the book, even if it's hard.

NEXT QUESTION →

How do you feel about keeping a secret identity? The mask — or the lack of one — says everything.

AEssential — my loved ones would be in danger if anyone found out who I am. BCritical — the mask protects my mission as much as my face. COverrated — I announced myself to the world and I'd do it again. DI'm a ghost. The less people know about me, the better. EMy name is known across the Nine Realms. There's no hiding it. FI don't hide — but I understand why some need to. Transparency builds trust.

NEXT QUESTION →

You've lost someone important because of your heroism. How do you carry that? Every hero pays a price. The question is how they pay it.

AWith guilt that never fully goes away — it pushes me to do better, every single day. BI channel it into purpose — their memory is the reason I keep fighting. CI buried myself in work for years. I'm only recently learning to face it. DIt transformed me completely. I'm not the same person I was before. EWith warrior's grief — I honour them by fighting with everything I have. FI keep moving forward. Stopping means letting the loss win.

NEXT QUESTION →

What's your role when working with a team? Who you are under pressure is who you actually are.

AThe enthusiastic wildcard who somehow makes it work — and keeps the mood up. BThe strategist who works best alone but shows up when it matters most. CThe one who funds it, equips it, and occasionally takes over the whole operation. DI don't do teams. I'm more effective operating solo, on my terms. EThe heavy hitter — I crash in, draw fire, and turn the tide of battle. FThe leader — I earn trust, build the plan, and make sure no one gets left behind.

NEXT QUESTION →

Where do you draw the line between justice and revenge? The answer defines what kind of hero you really are.

AClearly — I don't kill, and I wrestle with that line constantly. BI try to hold the line, but I've come terrifyingly close to crossing it. CPractically — I do what's necessary to protect people, including hard calls. DI crossed that line long ago. What I do is justice — the system just won't admit it. EIn battle, victory is justice. Mercy is earned — not automatic. FFirmly. The moment we abandon our principles, we become what we fight against.

NEXT QUESTION →

When you're not saving the world, what does life look like? The person behind the mask is always the more interesting story.

ATrying to juggle school, a part-time job, and not failing my friends. BWorking as a lawyer by day, fighting for justice in court and on the streets. CRunning a global company, attending galas, and pretending I'm sleeping enough. DQuiet. Isolated. Surviving with a clear mission and no distractions. ENavigating a bizarre and fascinating mortal world — coffee is extraordinary. FAdapting to a world decades ahead of everything I knew. Quietly, stubbornly.

NEXT QUESTION →

What keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you're honest about what you're actually afraid of.

AThe people I couldn't save — and the ones I might not reach in time tomorrow. BWhether the monster I fight every night is starting to live inside me too. CThe threats I can see coming and whether my tech is actually good enough. DNothing. Silence is the only peace I get. I've made my choices. EWhether I'm truly worthy — of the hammer, of the throne, of the people I protect. FA world where no one stands up anymore. Where good people do nothing.

NEXT QUESTION →

The battle is lost. You're outnumbered, outgunned, and exhausted. What do you do? This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.

ACrack a joke to buy a second, then find the one web shot that changes everything. BBlock out everything except the sound of the next threat — and keep going. CActivate the emergency protocol I built for exactly this scenario. Always have a plan. DI don't accept that it's lost. I keep fighting until I physically cannot anymore. ECall the lightning. All of it. The storm answers to me. FPick up the shield. Stand up. Because as long as I can stand, it's not over.

REVEAL MY HERO →

Your Hero Has Been Identified Your MCU Hero Is…

Based on your answers, the Marvel hero who matches your spirit, values, and instincts has been revealed.

🕷️ Spider-Man

You carry the weight of the world on shoulders that are younger than they should have to be — funny, loyal, and endlessly self-sacrificing.

You do the right thing not because it's easy, but because no one else will.
You understand that responsibility isn't a burden you choose — it's one that finds you.
Whether it's a neighbourhood mugging or a multiverse crisis, you show up.
Peter Parker's lesson — that great power demands great responsibility — isn't a slogan to you. It's the code you live by, even when it costs you everything.

😈 Daredevil

You fight in the shadows between law and chaos, guided by a fierce moral compass that refuses to let the guilty walk free.

You use every tool available — your mind, your body, your faith — to protect those the system overlooks.
You've looked into the darkness and chosen not to become it, though the line has never been easy.
Matt Murdock's duality — champion in the courtroom, devil in the alley — mirrors your own.
Relentless, conflicted, and unwilling to stop. That is exactly you.

🤖 Iron Man

Brilliant, driven, and occasionally insufferable — but always the person who solves the unsolvable problem.

You lead with your mind and back it up with resources, innovation, and a stubbornness that borders on heroic.
You started out looking out for yourself, but somewhere along the way the world became your responsibility.
Tony Stark's arc — from ego to sacrifice — is your arc too.
You build, you plan, and when the moment comes, you're willing to give everything. Because in the end, you're Iron Man.

💀 The Punisher

You've been through fire that would break most people — and it did change you, completely. What's left is unyielding, relentless, and operating by a code forged in grief.

You don't ask for forgiveness, and you don't expect gratitude.
You see a corrupt, broken world and you've decided to do something about it, consequences be damned.
Frank Castle's war is born from love twisted by loss — and so is yours.
Uncompromising and unflinching — the world may not agree with your methods, but your conviction is absolute.

⚡ Thor

Powerful, proud, and on a lifelong journey to become worthy of the legend you carry.

You lead with strength but have learned — sometimes painfully — that true greatness comes from humility and growth.
You're larger than life, yet more vulnerable than you let on.
Thor's story is one of transformation: from arrogant prince to worthy king, from isolated warrior to beloved protector.
You bring the storm when it's needed — and the warmth when it matters just as much.

🛡️ Captain America

You believe in something bigger than yourself — and you fight for it even when the world has moved on and nobody else will.

You don't bully the small guy, and you never stop when it gets hard.
Steve Rogers didn't become a hero when he got the serum — he was always one. So were you.
Your strength isn't in your fists; it's in your refusal to compromise what's right, no matter the cost.
In a world full of people taking the easy road, you're the one who picks up the shield and stands up — every single time.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

Wolverine and the X-Men (2011)

Like it or not, Wolverine has been and almost always will be the most famous of the X-Men. So, with this in mind, it only makes sense that he'd one day lead his own team of X-Men—a story found in Wolverine and the X-Men (2011). In this Jason Aaron story, Wolverine is now the headmaster at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning and takes the lead, as the title suggests.

This is a story that is easy to hop into, thanks to how accessible Wolverine is—being a favorite for many who haven't read the comics—and allows non-comic readers to feel pretty comfortable with a protagonist they already know and love. In classic spirit for the character, though, he doesn't love the idea of being a headmaster and is quite a reluctant protagonist, which provides some fun dynamics and conflict. Much like Grant Morrison's New X-Men (2001), this is for folks who want something different than what they've already seen in the films and television shows. This team even got involved in the massive "Avengers vs. X-Men" crossover event.

X-Men (1991)

One can't truly talk about X-Men comics without mentioning the ever-iconic X-Men (1991). The proof is in the pudding with this one, with the first issue being the highest-selling single-issue comic of all time. Claremont's first issue, being paired with legendary artist Jim Lee, led to a whopping 8.1 million copies sold, which broke a Guinness World Record—one that Marvel Comics still holds to this day.

If that isn't proof enough of the massive power behind this Claremont and Lee book, then nothing else could be. It has some of the best designs for the X-Men corner of the Marvel Comics universe, some of the greatest storytelling the team has had, and was an all-around critical and financial success that is still marveled over to this day.

House of X (2019) and Powers of X (2019)

Tempus, Proteus, Hope Summers, Elixir, and Egg as depicted by Pepe Larraz in House of X #5

These two books are commonly paired together because, well, they really have to be. This combined story is one that completely reinvents the X-Men for the modern age, and is the perfect stepping-on point for anyone looking to read the current era of X-Men. The new status quo is unlike anything that's ever been seen before for the team, making it the definition of a fresh start.

House of X (2019) and Powers of X (2019) are some of Marvel Comics' best modern works. Written by the modern-day legend, Jonathan Hickman, these two books are everything the team needed for so long, and there's a good chance that, with how popular it is, the MCU could take inspiration from it.

X-Men: Grand Design (2017)

The X-Men: Grand Design series of comics is one of the most essential books for new X-Men fans, period. Each issue of this series covers the large, grand, sometimes messy history of the X-Men, and condenses it into one very understandable run. One could consider X-Men: Grand Design as the ultimate CliffsNotes for the history of this franchise.

Written by the very talented Ed Piskor—who also drew the book—this project is one that is perfect for fans looking to get a quick look at the history of the X-Men before jumping into other stories in the series. It's a true love letter to the franchise as a whole, and is a surefire way to get someone invested in the series in a quick, stylized, and engaging way.

Astonishing X-Men (2004)

Before he jumped into the cinematic superhero world with Marvel Studios' The Avengers, Joss Whedon was a writer for Marvel Comics. In 2004, he helmed the X-Men title known as Astonishing X-Men (2004) and brought forth a story called "Gifted," which is the highlight of the run. With this book, Whedon provided a back-to-basics story and team dynamic that makes it a great jumping-on book for the team.

Astonishing X-Men (2004) is a super fun plot that is filled to the brim with the classic punchy Whedon dialogue that makes his characters so entertaining. Through his writing, it's absurdly clear that Whedon loves the X-Men and had a plethora of fun writing them. The character dynamics are wonderful, and they pair alongside the great storyline perfectly.

Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

While the X-Men have some pretty popular comics that have come out over the years, none are more famous and noteworthy than Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975). This is pretty much known as the X-Men comic. This issue is a huge part of what pushed the team to become the worldwide phenomenon it would soon become, setting up the iconic Claremont run.

This book introduced cornerstone characters of the franchise, like Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus, and the island of Krakoa. Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) acts as the foundation of the Marvel team even to this day. It cannot be denied that this 1975 book is something truly special and a true piece of superhero history as a whole. This could borderline be the perfect place for a new X-Men fan to start their journey with the mutant team.