Jim Lee's X-Men 1: The Best-Selling Comic Book of All Time

[@CartoonistKayfabe]

Jim's Octobriana 1976 Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimrugg/fluorescent-blacklight-outlaw-comic-book Ed's Patreon: www.patreon.com/edpiskor

[@37Kilo2]

This is the book I picture when I think of comics from my childhood. Jim Lee Drew the X-Men as I will forever see them in my head. So classic and gorgeous.

[@chrishaizlip5378]

One more piece I wanted to add about the infamous Sotheby’s auction. I remember an interview where someone said Marvel flew Jim Lee out for the auction but wouldn't buy his wife a plane ticket. So Jim Lee is at the auction, having made the company millions, and had to go out of pocket on travel expenses. You think Todd didn't pour salt on that wound? That single plane ticket may have ended up costing Marvel millions.

[@doomedhuh]

Some people complain that it's all pin ups and no story, but so much of Marvel nowadays just comes off like it's embarrassed of being a super hero comic.

[@luistownmassacre]

I agree. If I were to introduce someone to X-Men I would use this issue or giant size x-men

[@cognitivedissonance8406]

Dexter Garner This very story arc contained the revelation that all of Magneto’s actions throughout the seventies and eighties are now suspect due to Moira’s genetic tampering. People who say this has no story are crazy, this is classic X-Men.

[@Oeeshik]

Because the 80s comics are still better than the 90s regardless of how shite 00 10s and 20s have gotten

[@everainiumeverainium2174]

Somewhere in an alternate universe, Jim Lee sits quietly thinking about how much he loves page 1 of xmen.

[@Armand-ue7om]

Jim Lee's run on the X-tinction Agenda was the most dynamic and action packed worked I have ever seen....

[@jeffbollen5276]

Anyone own the collector’s case as a kid? It had an altered version of the #1 artwork with Banshee, Havok, and Nightcrawler in place of Beast, Psylocke, and Rogue, respectively. Cyclops also had the white X-belt over his torso instead of the yellow Y-belt. I always wondered why those changes were made.

[@thewingedringer]

How does such old art look so good? God damn that' s beautiful.

[@SilofullofcoolRanchDoritos]

I feel a Chris Claremont or Jim lee Shoot interview in the near future?

[@enorb_art8211]

I hope so

[@jrodriguez6]

This being such an art-driven issue, I'd bet it is Jim Lee

[@funnypicturescomics]

Special thanks for this video! I get the criticisms now....but...man this video brings back so many memories. These issues of X-Men not only entertained, but as a aspiring cartoonist I studied these 24/7 back in the day. These are what super hero comics are all about. Good stuff indeed!

[@phily-phil]

I think what happens in the Danger Room sequence is that they are supposed to tag the version of Prof X in the Danger Room. The Robot version. Gambit decides to take the glory for himself and ditches his team mates for the win. He almost has it, but his ego gets the better of him and he makes a move on the danger room Jean. This annoys Cyclops, who detonates the Robot, thus "killing" Gambit for the remainder of the exercise. Wolverine takes the exercise goal as literal as possible and claws his way into the danger room control booth, to everyone's surprise. That's why everybody is so flabbergasted and angered by this. The scenario was supposed to be completely contained within the danger room and Wolverine kinda broke the 4th wall.

[@NoelComiX]

This is visually, one of if not, the greatest comic ever.

[@infinitecontent8001]

The only thing that rivals this is Kingdom Come

[@victornoisette4161]

Just wanted to say thank you guys for all the great vids you keep uploading, finding your channel is truly the best thing that happened to me during confinement! I discovered some awesome stuff thanks to this channel

[@BrianRomeroArt]

I worked at a comic book store when this title launched. A year later there were many boxes of these unsold, stashed in storage. I wonder how many made it into readers hands versus sold to retailers?

[@Danny_Hynes]

Catching up on videos I've missed...the Kayfabe effect was hurting my wallet...had to take a break and learn self control. This is a perfect Kayfabe video...full of gems and with THE book from the era. Love your thoughts and asides in this one (how Kirby comics read, "paid to repeat yourself") So much nostalgia looking through this one. I think I copied more drawings out of this book than any other single issue, I know I'm not alone there. Thanks for this one!

[@doyouevendab77]

Always loved the extra art on the last back pages.

[@driver8sk]

Old guy pespective (a HS senior when this came out). Not even going to pretend that I didn't think this was super-cool at the time, but it was the beginning of the end for me. This is the when I started buying Xbooks that I didn't enjoy or even read just to be a completist. I hung in until until the start of AoA, giving up in the middle of the series.

[@iniisoawak7973]

That's when I gave up too

[@ferrarriohh]

Man Ed pointing out the flawed storytelling and Jim just rattling off the letterer! THIS IS WHY I’M HERE

[@mrtang18]

Jim: “I can’t believe the number of words in these comics.” Ed: “And yet, we never read them.” 🤣

[@whatidoaintnice]

I just noticed that both sets of wolverine's claws have been popped on the deluxe cover

[@TheACcam]

I noticed that as well. Maybe they didn't want it to look like Logan was stabbing Cap in the side of the head of the normal retail version?

[@ckenisell]

@@TheACcam That's a correct assumption. Jim Lee has even said that Wolverine's claws were retracted so as not to be going through Cap's head.

[@omniframe8612]

I got this from a comic shop called "Heroes" in Maryland in 91 this comic and Darkhawk no 8 are the 1st comics i owned

[@NerdNewsToday]

There is also another version of this X-Men #1. It was from Mexico City Comic Con a few years ago, they were foil covers uniquely made for the show!

[@RamirosWhateverVideos]

I bought the first two issues while on vacation in Aguascalientes as a kid. They were in Spanish.

[@megavide0]

7:57 _"Ho-Mage!"_ 😂

[@DerekMoore82]

Can you guys get Jim Lee to agree to an interview? I really love the interview videos you guys do.

[@joelarmour]

Extinction agenda issue 7 is Jim's best art

[@Planetnish]

Probably my favourite comic book of all time. I still refer to it for inspiration. Jim Lee's artwork and storytelling are amazing to this day :)

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

Lee’s X-Men covers for that first issue just feel so bloody ‘Now!’

[@derektyler5817]

The Special Edition also has all the pinups/extras in it. Each of the standard editions only had one or two pin ups, each variant was different.

[@numberrunner3133]

The first comic I ever read was a copy of X-Men #1 that came with an Archangel figure my mother copped me right before the cartoon dropped. This was that first line of X-Men toys around '92 (right before they re-launched the Toy Biz line for the cartoon). Didn't actually finish the Genesis story until I picked up the trade as a college kid years later. Good times.

[@lorcannagle]

I bought toys of Archangel and Magneto on a trip to the US as a teen and got two free copies of the gatefold X-Men 1. And of course I already had all 5 covers at home when they came out initially. It was the first indicator to 15-year old me that maybe you couldn't trust what the hype mags and ads were telling you was going to be worth something

[@NFLDude56]

That San Diego comics x-press address is now a Vons grocery store at an outdoor shopping center.

[@ArtrichStudio]

I was a kid when this came out but an uncle gave me 10 COPIES. Those were his EXTRAS!.. This is how I get into comics. He is also gave a shit ton of New mutants and X-Force issues drawn by Liefeld. Still has a huge influence on me. I draw in a more anime style now but can not stop hatching, lol!

[@darrengregson5421]

Thomas Mason recoloured issues #1-7 for the 20th Anniversary. I would love to hear your thoughts on Mutant Genesis 2.0. I was very happy to find out that I am not the only one who thought it was unreadable. Thank you both. A great video as always. P.s. IDW announced an X-Men #1 artist edition to be released later this year!!!

[@michaelpowell3204]

This issue was my starting point with x-men when I was like 10, which led to me reading it and being a huge fan for several years. They knocked it out of the park as far as that's concerned.

[@soulcraft_84]

I had the deluxe version, definitely wore it out. Good thing replacements are easy to come by.

[@ringokageyama6439]

I ended up getting 2 autographs from Jim Lee without having to wait in line for 8 hours at Wondercon. I hust attended his pannels & got 1 on a Promo Wanted Style Poster for Extinction Agenda. Than went to the end of another pannel to get his First Uncanny X-Men he drew signed while I was previously attending the Stump Mark Waid Pannel right next door

[@ryanm573]

I always liked Fabian Cortez and the acolytes. Such an underused team

[@BarraLibre]

Never knew about the art adams influence on lee. Its obvious, as is a little BWS. Lee made heroes with perfect, athletic anatomies, he had powerful covers, pinups and splash pages, but he does have sequential flaws, cluttered panels and pages that lead to a confusing read. His faces, while badass, are very similar to one another and he only has 3 male body types and only one female lol.

[@ajpennypacker]

I loved Jim Lee on Uncanny X-Men, especially the issue with Cap and Black Widow. When this came out I looked at it, shook my head with disgust at the multiple covers and passed on it. (Don't even get me started on Liefeld's X-Force 1.) Great analysis as always by the boys.

[@kyledamron]

I know x-men 1 is the record holder mainly due to how many were pre-ordered by shops etc. But if it was one book vs one book x-men 1 vs x-force 1 which actually sold more. Which one is worth more?

[@hotelnapkin]

i think its a jim lee shoot interview tomorrow guys

[@KUROSHURA]

I’ve bought these issues twice so far. Going for the 3rd round.

[@Chalk0073]

I took the cover off my 1-E to hang the back side up as a poster, X-Men #1 was probably the 2nd or 3rd comic I ever bought, #9 being the first, I'd spend all day in school trying to draw the panels in my notebook.

[@johnhrvatin3587]

Hope you two cover Jim Lee's Punisher War Journal issues. Those were great.

[@DRat31]

So many copies of this ish in existence. This book is always popping up! So good.

[@socksonfeet8125]

I had/have the edition where it folds out, but how do you guys have vivid memories of 25+ years ago, I barely remember what I did last year lmao. I dont recall what I was feeling or seeing when I was 10-13 years old :p. Hell I dont even remember where I bought it.

[@dodgoblins9513]

I have a signed by Chris Claremont and have it cgc slabbed & also the same for Uncanny X-Men #256 where Psylocke becomes a ninja for the Hand and it's just a really good issue

[@sirlester3]

The Magneto was the version cover I picked first out of the multiples lol I didn't even know back then that there was a fully combined version cover yet Then I got that one as well

[@ljwilliams4662]

Just stumbled on to this channel...obviously, I’m very late to the party. Just wanted to say I’m digging the content. Btw - I’m from Bmore so that blew me away when you mentioned Canteberry. ✌🏾🙏🏾

[@itzzzsss]

Back when $20 bought you alot of comic books

[@jayaguilar2031]

Omg...those comics cemented lee as a comic GOD. Amazing art, story, inks. Imho there will NEVER be a better run than that. And the best part was the end preview of upcoming new characters. Still gives me a chubby. I miss that guys art.

[@chainsawbarbarian]

This book was a gigantic deal for me during my exciting junior high school life!! With Claremont signing down the street at Comics Unlimited Hawaiian Gardens, Ca!! This was a very fun time to collect and read. These books taught me to draw, for sure. Silvestri was my favorite, at this time. Before this era, I was all about Arthur Adam's. Love your guys use of Carny, haha!

[@Undisputed650]

OMG Dude! I walked from Norwalk to that comic shop to get signed copies of that comic book! I was just telling my daughter about that day and what a fond memory it was for my brother and I. We were 15 and 11 and walked 20 something miles LOL

[@DougUnfunny]

The magneto cover came with a Xmen tobiz figure for me.

[@lotsalube]

I remember/got all the cards from "exercutioners song" & got only 1 of X-force.

[@matthewporter5048]

LOL Ed knows X-men characters so well "pat the deer on the ass, man."

[@DRat31]

Have you guys done a review or have opinions on House of X Powers of X? Would be good to hear your thoughts on it.

[@LukeKorolowiczArt]

glory days to some, dark times to others. The early 90s superhero comics instigated by the popularity of Jim Lee.

[@chainsawbarbarian]

Loved Alan Davis on Excalibur, too!!

[@zenbyo]

The thing i never understood about X-Men 1 - 3 is that the other X-Men team has to fight the team with Wolverine, Cyclops etc. I read this a little while ago and i can't find why the other team decides to join Magneto. Was I missing a page or something?

[@augiedb]

Claremont has to have his rights back to those two books by now. He should self-publish them on Amazon. Genre material like that tends to sell well on the Kindle Store. I see that some joker has a paperback edition of "First Flight" on Amazon for over $1000 right now, too.

[@chrishaizlip5378]

I know he has put out a digital version of First Flight on a few platforms, I haven't seen the sequels.

[@austinshyu4585]

"Everyone's a seamstress"

[@shanemontgomery1358]

Boy you guy summed up my feelings for this book. Soo pretty but a real pain in there ass to read. I agree that there are, while gorgeous, is not as good as the UXM issues that came before this.

[@marlonaransibia8766]

I've always felt reading the dialogue in this issue is like wading through molasses.

[@jamiebanner3000]

When I was a kid I used to get my comucs news stands. You don't get anymore. That's where I used to buy my Incredible Hulk and Secret Wars. Beginning of Peter David and it was amazing. I mean to have a 12-year award winning run is one of the best achievements in comic book history. You can't have a 12 year run writing comics if you're writing bad comics, fact he was winning awards shows they wasn't. Goid sales. Again you can't possibly have a 12-year run with bad sales. Most consistent run of all time.. don't think it is possible that it could ever be bettered.

[@basedphantomlord4462]

Dudes description of X Force #1 is 100% accurate to my experience with the book, even down to its location in a drug store LOL

[@ferrarriohh]

From a narrative standpoint, This would’ve been a better starting point for Joseph reborn as Magnus. Erik long dead, Joseph strives to come into his own as a clone of a great man, The Omnipotent Magneto. The Acolytes believing Joseph a resurrected Erik Lenshurr, they pledge themselves to him. Even a reborn & healed Xavier (by Shi’Ar tech) could’ve been included. The later arc adding to Logan tho: oooowheeee Maverick & Omega Red are epic characters introduced & developed in this phase, much like Bishop, & the Upstarts in the Gold Team books.

[@juliofalkenhagen]

this comic marked my adolescence, best cover

[@salvatorebutera8226]

Did the gatefold edition come after the regural ones or at the same time?

[@jonriel3364]

God, I loved this book. There was a pinup on every page. But now, as I’m older, I think it’s funny how bad the writing was. I thought it was just me, but it’s nice to know other ppl feel the same way.

[@chainsawbarbarian]

That X Men 800 number...There was a Spider Man number around that time, as well. A trivia game. Different levels of prizes. Packs of trading cards to sets of Marvel Encyclopedias. I won every level apt least twice. The bill was like 500 bucks. My parents shit Twinkies!! I think they got it waved or something because I was a kid. I received one pack of the original Marvel Super Hero's trading cards. Which were great....would be a cool video! Lots of great art. I loved the swimsuit issues too, haha

[@erikcjones]

Paul Bearer told me he got a dollar for every trading card he signed, and he took a weekend and did over a thousand.

[@dreddbustya2153]

I'd never heard/seen/smelt of Octobriana until I BOTH saw this video advertisement AND read her appearance in Nikolai Dante (2000AD, circa 1999) on the same day. What life throws up, eh?

[@PhantomHarlock78]

Claremont wrote some stories for Wildcats. You should use Indiegogo, Ed. ;)

[@infinitecontent8001]

People still don't understand how epic this issue was....

[@LPjunemark]

So jim lee is the reason why x men design looks different from the marvel characters. X men looks cool, the art design from jim lee is so cool.

[@dclieb]

Jim, we were all the mark : )

[@venvon6433]

I still have my X-Force #1 sealed with the Shatterstar trading card. And I also have 5 of the 8 million X-Men #1 as well. The good ol’ days.

[@ZeroGRacer]

Same here! This was peak Marvel Comics! When Comic Books were truly great! Now not soo much. These Comic Books mean soo much to me today. They have even more personal value. Was asked by several people to sell them. I said no. I love reading my old extra copies! And the mint condition ones never leave the vault/

[@derellcaldwell8653]

I remember this as a kid... Wow

[@1971thedoctor]

You are correct it’s not a well written issue. Most of the time I buy 90s comics for art not for story. I also like to collect comics from the 90s and 2000s on up for just the cover artwork, most of the comics are disappointing when I open up a comic and the art is subpar and the writers have the most boring underwhelming issue, but at least I can show my friends how cool the covers are.

[@comicspov4010]

I have the Magneto cover got it from QVC shopping channel in UK in a wide assortment of comics. It was Ultimate Spider-Man Wizard #1/2 Spider-Man movie adaptation signed by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer, X-Men #1 and just that months issue of Wolverine. I kind of want that deluxe edition after seeing this, bit of a mark for back matter, the story will still suck! I'm not joking but I don't think you would find that deluxe edition in the UK in a £1 bin.

[@Alesae132]

THE comic of my childhood. It made me a fan of comic books and collected them regularly, up until they went woke.

[@gwakon]

Biggest selling = worth littlest today... The key issue right NOW is first Omega Red.. Good copy going for $20

[@NP-io4ol]

To me it's a masterpiece

[@Meatpopsicle2050]

Wolverines claws are out in the deluxe 😂

[@roguedobie]

Man, I def have the magneto and wolvi/cyclops issues

[@BrooksSeanRobinson]

I'm glad you pointed out that his books were hard to read back then. His uncanny x-men books looked great but they didn't flow at all to me when reading, it drove me nuts. I thought I was the only one that felt that way

[@MC_ToyDawg]

I had a Jim Lee swimsuit poster. I think it got wrinkled in a move and tossed. So wasteful, I regret.

[@sadbttru]

I have first flight. I remember it being very good.

[@reepacheirpfirewalker8629]

This was the beginning of the end of my collecting X-Men it was the only comic's made by Marvel. Wasn't ever a fan of Avengers or CA or any of the others. But when the things set up in the X-Men had just ended without any of the storylines going anywhere it was my que to exit stage left.

[@wintherr3527]

I hear you. The confusing 90s. Only AoA and a few other storylines made sense.

[@ichigo_dirkschneider]

original was done on the smooth baxter paper

[@weshayes5444]

I got the fold out glossy

[@matthewkeating-od6rl]

All of the STYLE of that Era was taken from leifild no one did hashing simplifying style in that comic used.

[@eleking16]

This is all a swerve, no offense to Lee/Claremont, the Ralph Snart dude is gonna turn up Sunday I got a feeling.

[@jasonnewsham7724]

It was all because of Jim Lee

[@TheACcam]

Ah yes, best selling comic of all time. A perfect storm. New number 1, already established characters and creative team, a booming speculator market on the value of comics, gimmick cover(s).... but hey, when all the toilet paper of the world is gone, we know an easy to go to replacement source.

[@ALbertoDoriguzzi]

Ok now a Jim Lee interview..? 😉

[@zachjones7192]

I only have 5 of these covers. I'm a fraud

[@josenieves7514]

Looks like the art is battling the word balloons on Evey page...

[@Diamond_Dave_V2]

Not enough credit to Tom Orzechowski ever. Definitive X-letterer.

[@drawrobot]

It took me a while to unlearn all the bad weird layout going on in Jim Lee's pages. Even All Star Batman has some truly unreadable layout. There are panels in X-Men 1 that I would flip because it kills the flow from panel to panel. Not enough panels where the 'camera isn't zoomed out' It took showing my pages to Bendis to snap me out of it.

[@jamestrickingtonIII]

What up fellas! 🙌🏾