The Uncanny X-Men, Vol 2

From Goodreads:    Ever-expanding their ranks, the Children of the Atom combat the evils threatening both mutants and humans - like the Juggernaut and Black Tom Cassidy, Magneto, The Imperial Guard. The Starjammers. Weapon Alpha and Warhawk.














My Thoughts:

-    It has been a while since I read Volume 1, so it took me a little bit to figure out what had happened, and who some of the new mutants were. 

-    Even though the series is just more of the same stuff, I still enjoy it. I love seeing the X-Men in action. 

-    The next volume costs about $80!?!? Why? That is crazy. The other volumes don't cost near as much. I hope the price comes down. I'd hate to have to skip a volume.

Previous Volume

The Uncanny X-Men: Volume 1

Goodreads Says:    Celebrate Marvel's 70th anniversary by experiencing the tales of the world's most-famous super heroes from the very beginning The Marvel Masterworks have brought readers deluxe hardcover collections of Marvel's classics from the Golden Age, Atlas Era, and the mighty Marvel Age, and now you can join in the Masterworks excitement with Marvel's new Marvel Masterworks trade paperbacks. Go back to the early days of Chris Claremont's legendary run in Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men Volume 1. Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus; Endowed with unique abilities, these mutants were summoned by Professor X to rescue the original X-Men, an underground organization sworn to protect those that fear and hate them. Relive their original adventures - discover the human within the hero and the truth behind the legend Collects The X-Men #101-110.

My Thoughts:

-    Woo! I'm excited to start this new series with new and awesome members of the team! Even though they aren't really new to me, I loved reading about how they were introduced to The X-Men, and I especially loved seeing Professor Xavier gather up the new recruits.

-    When we first meet storm is not wearing much! Yeesh! This is pretty risque for 1975.

-    I didn't know Banshee was ever a good guy. I don't know if I trust him. He has a really annoying mutant power. I'd hate to be fighting around him.

-    The comics and stories are definitely improving from when The X-Men first started, but some of the writing is still very cheesy. Some of the characters get way more intense than they need to.

-    I enjoy Wolverine's snarky remarks and feisty attitude. He has always been a favorite because of that. I love that Wolverine really hasn't changed through the years.

-    Cyclops hasn't changed much either. He is and always will be a drama queen!

-    I don't understand why some words are bold and others aren't. In fact, I'm not a big fan of the letterer. It is difficult to easily read some of the words. I feel like I have to slow down my reading because letters aren't clear. There are also some wrong words here and there, not a lot, but enough to annoy, i.e. think instead of thing.

-    I don't get why Xavier feels like he needs to leave a babysitter for his X-Men when he leaves. They are all adults.

-    The beginning of My Brother, My Enemy is about Xavier having weird dreams/visions. I'm pretty sure this is leading up to the Phoenix Saga!

-    There is a lot more swearing in this volume. The characters used to not swear at all. Now they are using deity swears a lot.

-    The 100th issue is a great one! Hooray for reaching 100 issues of X-Men!!! I wonder how many are out now. The 100th issue has a really sweet spread on the opening page! I love it! I want it framed!

-    This volume has quite the cliffhanger! Wow! I'm excited for the next volume!

-    I know we are leading up to the Phoenix Saga, but I didn't know it happened so soon in the X-Men comics. Wow!

The X-Men: Volume 8

My Thoughts:

-    Like the previous volume, this was a compilation of other Marvel comics, including Avengers, Hulk, Daredevil, and Fantastic Four.

-    I'm glad The X-Men were kept alive by having appearances in other comics. I can't imagine the Marvel universe without The X-Men. 

-    I only got bits and pieces of a larger story, and I really want to read the Avengers and Daredevil now! I need to know what is going on with Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Daredevil.

-    The Hulk issues were bit slower. I'm not as interested in his story, and the military stuff bores me. 

-    I was also intrigued with Captain America's story. I want read his older stuff too.

-    Since this was a compilation of other comics, the stories were all disjointed. Sometimes there was an overall story, but most of the time it was an issue from some other story line.

-    I LOVED the Wolverine debut!! I didn't now he debuted in a the Hulk. When he appeared, I was geeking out!

-    The issue with Beast and Spiderman was fun. I miss Beast, and I can't wait til he rejoins The X-Men. 

-    I finally collected all the Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men!!!! Wahoo!! I'm so excited to start reading The Uncanny X-Men series. It has been so much fun reading these older comics. This is were these iconic characters started! 

Previous X-Men Volumes

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  
  

The X-Men: Volume 7

From Goodreads:    Collects Amazing Adventures #11-17, Marvel Team-Up #4, The Amazing Spider-Man #92, The Incredible Hulk #150, 161,
plus the covers to The X-Men #67-80 and Annual #1-2

My Thoughts:

-    I'm still angry I can't find the paperbacks anymore. My set doesn't match!

-    It is hard to believe that The X-Men almost disappeared. It is sad that they weren't selling. I'm glad they made a comeback!

-    I love background/origin stories. It is my favorite part about superheroes! I love knowing the legend behind the legend. Learning how Beast was transformed into a furrier version of himself was so intriguing to me.

-    I always believed that Beast made himself blue and furry because he was trying to find a cure for the mutant gene, but it was the exact opposite. He was creating a formula so that anyone could become a mutant. 

-    I liked how this book was a compilation of several different comic book series. The X-Men members made a lot of appearances in other Marvel stories. I liked seeing the different heroes and how they interacted. 

-    The illustrations are definitely getting more defined and detailed. It is so fun to see how these comics progressed.

Previous X-Men Volumes

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  
  

The X-Men: Volume 6

Goodreads Says:    1969: The X-Men, Marvel's poorest selling title, flagging in sales and on the verge of cancellation, was in dire need of a shot in the arm. A new direction. A new vision. Enter Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, and True Believer, you had better grab onto your hat and get ready for one of the most amazing evolutions in Marvel history! These two titanic talents threw caution to the wind with sensational stories that brought the X-Men in synch with the thriving youth culture of the late '60s. Adams' lavish and dynamic visuals merged with Thomas' challenging and contemporary stories to create a comic book series that throbbed with the pulse of the times like none other. Prepare yourself for the introduction of mutant mainstay Havok, the vampiric villainSauron, the Mutates, and X-Man-to-be Sunfire! Not to mention, the Living Pharaoh, a classic team-up with Ka-Zar in the Savage Land, as well as the return of Magneto and Professor X! Unquestionably a high-water mark of the '60s X-Men, this massive volume, loaded with extras, caps off-but will not end-the original team X-Men Masterworks! Collecting X-MEN #54-66.

My Thoughts:

-    What has happened to the paperback versions of these? It is like they never existed! Now my comics won't match!! Grrrrr!

-    This one wasn't as good as others. The plots weren't so great.

-    Learning more about Sauron was cool. I love that he wanted to take on a Tolkien name. Sauron has been in previous issues, but it was like they were introducing him for the first time.

-    The art is getting better. There is more definition.

-    Angel changes his outfit about 3 times in this volume. I like the last one the best. 

Previous X-Men Volumes

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  
 

The X-Men: Volume 5

From Goodreads:    Get ready for a crash course in X-MEN, students! Lesson #1: It ain't easy being a mutant. No sooner has their mentor, Professor X, died than Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants show up! Only a study in teamwork with the Avengers can help our grieving heroes make the grade. Lesson #2: Think twice before inviting family over. A friendly house call from the Juggernaut or Polaris, daughter of Magneto, isn't an appealing off-campus adventure! Lesson #3: Battling enemies including Mesmero, Blastaar, Red Raven, Warlock and Computo may cause cramps. Be sure to stretch before jumping into this pool! And for extra credit, pull an all-nighter with the origins of Iceman and Beast, and a rare Angel solo story! COLLECTING: X-Men 43-53, Avengers 53, Ka-Zar (1970) 2-3, Marvel Tales 30


My Thoughts:

-    This one doesn't have the best stories, but I still enjoyed it. 

-    I want more Juggernaut.

-    Angel's costume is awful!! The colors and the suspenders just kill me!

-    I the love the illustrations and the scenes. The artists are awesome.

-    Magneto looks crazed in a lot of the panels. He needs to tone down the angst.

-    The intro in the the front has spoilers!! Dang it Roy!

-    There is no way these characters are teenagers. They have jobs, they are ripped, and no teen's body is structured like that.

-    The origin stories of Iceman and Beast were really fun to read. I like learning about the character's history and facts.

-    At the end of the book, there are a series of Angel comics. He goes on a solo adventure. I liked it, but I thought Angel was way too intense.

Previous X-Men Volumes

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

The X-Men: Volume 4

Goodreads Description:    Collecting the original tales of Marvel's merry mutants, we have milestone after milestone prepared just for you, and it all starts off-of course-with the Juggernaut! That's not the only earth-shaking tale in store, though. There's the X-Men vs. Spider-Man; an underworld battle against the Mole Man and Tyrannus; and the culmination of the Factor Three epic featuring the Changeling and the unbelievable Mutant Master. Also featured are the "Origins of the X-Men" backup features that reveal the beginnings of Professor X and his teen mutant team supreme! And we're not afraid to go out with a bang. That's right, on top of the X-Men's cool new costumes, in our heartwrenching conclusion the brutal beast Grotesk kills Professor X before the eyes of Cyclops and the X-Men!


My Thoughts:

-    I love seeing how The X-Men comics evolved. They just keep getting better and better.

-    I really liked the Dr. Strange cameo! He is so awesome!

-    Spiderman gets an X-Men ish!?!? That was different, but fun. The X-Men still make an appearance, but the majority of the comic is about Spiderman. What is with the little web wings on Spiderman? That was weird.

-    The new costumes were a surprise! I think Cyclops' and Jean's costumes were a cool improvement, but Angel's costume is awful! He looks like a dork. I'm not digging the colors either. 

-    I love how the origins parts were added. It was fun to read about how Professor X found Scott and made him Cyclops. I hope they keep adding those at the end of each issue. I would like to see origins on all the characters.

-    Along with new costumes, The X-Men get new toned muscles as well. Each of them are more defined. 

-    The last issue is a killer cliffhanger! Professor X cannot be dead!! 

Previous X-Men Volume

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

The Silver Surfer: Volume 1

Goodreads Description:    The Silver Surfer, the Sentinel of the Spaceways, has betrayed Galactus to save the Earth, but now he is trapped there In his breakout series, the Silver Surfer is a misunderstood alien doing his best to protect humankind from whatever threats abound See: the first appearances of the Badoon and Mephisto Witness: the manipulations of Loki Experience: the threats of Quasimodo, the Overlord, and the Stranger All this, and the origins of the Silver Surfer Guest-starring Thor and the Fantastic Four







My Thoughts:  

-    That was my favorite intro by Stan Lee so far! It was really funny and very Stan.

-    The Silver Surfer comics really show the weaknesses of mankind. It is kind of sad.

-    I don' t know if I'd help save Earth after being treated so poorly. Why does the Silver Surfer care for the people of Earth so much?

-    The Silver Surfer is one tormented soul. I feel really bad for the guy.

-    It was really fun and interesting to learn how the Silver Surfer became what he is and how he became the servant of Galactus.

-    I liked all the appearances from other comics as well, especially Thor and Loki. 

-    I loved the artwork! It was very beautiful and well done! The Silver Surfer traveled to so many different places. I was impressed that the artist kept coming up with different scenery. 

The X-Men: Volume 3

Goodreads Synopsis:    Join the original X-Men - Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman - in these early adventures from the days when Marvel's Merry Mutants were more the quirkiest quintet in comics than the worldwide wunderkinds they are today. Across ten issues, you'll see the X-Men confronted by a host of villains weird and varied - from Count Nefaria and his horde of henchmen to the Locust and the Aztec-inspired Kukulcán. You'll also witness the first appearance of X-Men mainstay Banshee and read the rare stories when a sixth mutant member, the Mimic, joined Professor X's squad. Also featured are the beginnings of the long-ranging Factor Three saga, and the classic battle between Mimic and the Super-Adaptoid - and all are painstakingly restored to offer the best presentation of these Marvel classics! Collecting X-MEN (1963) #22-31


My Thoughts:

-    This one wasn't as fun as the previous 2, but I still enjoyed it.

-    Jean should just hook up with Warren!!!!! Why is she wasting her time dreaming of Scott? Scott is so dramatic and emotionally unstable. Warren is good looking, has money, and is more forward about how he feels. 

-    Jean and Cyclops are just getting annoying. I'm tired of the "Oh, I can't tell her how I feel!" crap!

-    I like the new costume change, especially Marvel Girl's.

-    It was fun to see a few cameos in this volume. Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Spiderman make an appearance.

-    The last issue was probably my favorite. The action was good, and the villain was more fun.

-    The villains in these issues were kind of dumb. I want Juggernaut and Magneto back. These 2nd class villains are pathetic!

Previous X-Men Volume

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

The X-Men: Volume 2

Goodreads Description:  Celebrate Marvel's 70th anniversary by experiencing the tales of the world's most-famous super heroes from the very beginning! The Marvel Masterworks have brought readers deluxe hardcover collections of Marvel's classics from the Golden Age, Atlas Era, and the mighty Marvel Age, and now you can join in the Masterworks excitement with Marvel's new, monthly Marvel Masterworks trade paperbacks. Born with extraordinary talents and abilities, five teenage mutants gathered together under Professor Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them. Ever expanding their ranks, these Children of the Atom combat the evils threatening both humans and mutants. They are the strangest super heroes of all - the X-Men! In this second volume, witness some of the earliest appearances of Juggernaut, Magneto, Mimic, and the Sentinels! Collects X-Men #11-21.

My Thoughts:

-    These comics just keep getting better! The geeky side of me is just ecstatic while reading these!

-    I like that Juggernaut is introduced in this volume! He is one of my favorite baddies!

-    I loved that there is some of Professor X's history in these issues. We learn about his family, and how he loses the use of his legs.

-    I don't understand why Johnny Storm was really needed, but it was fun to see him in an X-Men comic.

-    There is still that old 60's humor. It is cheesy, but I still find it funny.

-    I loved that I got to see some of Beast's past. I hope the series continues to show the history of different characters.

-    Magneto's face looks really crazed and different in later issues.

-    Cyclops is such a self righteous baby! He can get annoying!

-    Jean should go after Angel. He is much more swoon worthy.

-    The art is getting better, and the characters are getting more definition.

-    Unus and Magneto's suits are too similar. I don't like it. I wish Unus had his own look.

-    Stan Lee is such a goober! His little notes on some of the frames crack me up.

Previous X-Men Volume

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

The X-Men: Volume 1

Goodreads Bit:    Feast your eyes on the foundation of one of comic's most-famous franchises. It's all here from the very beginning with the debut of Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman and Marvel Girl, Professor X's teen team with a mission of peace and brotherhood for man and mutant, in their first battle with the Master of Magnetism, Magneto. Written by Stan "The Man" Lee and illustrated by Jack "King" Kirby, it's super-hero adventure at its very best! Collecting: The X-Men #1-10








My Thoughts:

-    I'm so thrilled that Marvel has released these comics at an affordable price! Getting old school comics is SUPER expensive, but now everyone can have them in these Marvel Masterworks!

-    I was geekin' out through the whole book!

-    I love the letter at the beginning from Stan Lee. I'm glad you decided to go with the name X-Men too!

-    I can't believe the first issues of The X-Men were 12 cents!!!! I wish they were that cheap now! I'd buy a truck load!

-    The art and dialogue remind me of the old 60's Batman with Adam West.

-    I feel like Stan Lee was still figuring out The X-Men while writing the first issues. Their powers are being defined, and Iceman slowly develops his design. At first, Iceman is just a big man shape snowball, and then he develops a face, and later he starts getting more definition.

-    The X-Men and Avengers issue was EPIC!!! SO AWESOME!!

-    Jean and Scott's thoughts about how they are in love are getting annoying! JUST HOOK UP ALREADY!

-    I tried to make this last as long as possible, but alas, I finished, and now I'll probably have to wait forever before buying the next volume :'(