Where To Start: X-Men | 10 Best comics for beginners

[@blakekwamin7400]

My entry was Morrison’s new x-men. Been hooked ever since

[@BigT4489]

Solid starting points, a lot of these I ended up reading to get into arguably my favorite marvel property. I had to fill in a lot of holes, but it worked out in the end. I don't think I could have added one missing from this list

[@MaddoggComics]

Thank you mate, it's good to know that others think it's a decent list :) and hopefully it will help more people get into X-Men. I always have to bend my own rules a bit when doing these, because there's few completely fresh jumping on points, but these were some of my favourites :) Is there any other character or group you'd like to see get a Where To Start in future? :)

[@Avarn388]

Astonishing X men was my gateway and I love that run. So much so that I checked out Claremont’s stuff. Specifically Uncanny X men. I’m collecting the Omnibus and I can’t wait to read more. Thank you for the video.

[@MaddoggComics]

Hey Neil! We had the same starting point haha! And yeah, I'm looking forward to collecting Uncanny too :) glad you liked the video, cheers for checking it out, hope you like what I've got coming up too :)

[@captainfach]

Thank you so much for this. I started reading because my wife got me a wolverine figure that was from something called the house of X. I looked up on Google where to start reading for that and I started reading uncanny, and Wolverine and cyclops were dead and then so I decided to try to figure out how Wolverine died and then in one of those comics there was like a different Cyclops or something, and Nightcrawler was dead. So I keep having to go back and forward and sideways to try to figure out what the hell is going on. there so many characters that they don't really introduce that I have no idea who they are. So with all of this, X-Men seems like a pretty daunting thing to get into because so many characters you need to know and people seem to keep dying and coming back all the time

[@theblindjedi41]

Thanks for this. X-Men is so vast now. Very handy to have places to get into them.

[@JimmyBologna]

I just bought the Epic Collection I Magneto, haven't read an X-Men comic but I do know quite a bit about a lot of the characters. Hope I like it!

[@robertsanchez9417]

Never thought I'd get into old man logan but I really liked it.

[@MaddoggComics]

WOOF WOOF! After the positive feedback of the first Where To Start, I'm back with another, this time it's the X-Men! Remember to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already. I've got a special video I plan to release when we reach 250 subscribers. It is a remake of the first video I intended to upload on here, but then deleted because I didn't think anyone would find my channel. Stay safe, keep reading, keep barking!

[@xXxAmyPalmerxXx]

I cant find the astonishing x men omnibus anywhere. 😭

[@Jayke_56_78]

Its amazon for 10 pounds 💷

[@DEATHxTHExKIDx1]

Getting a reprint at the end of the year

[@UnionPlank]

Great video! I could have done with this a few months ago as I was looking for a good way to get started with X-Men, so really happy to see you've made a really nice guide to some that I've missed. I really enjoyed Whedon's Astonishing X-Men recently, but was pretty lost on some of the plot surrounding Genosha and Cassandra Nova etc., so went back and read Morrison's New X-Men - which I loved mostly - felt that it dipped in the middle and didn't end in the best way - but it proved to be a pretty good place for a new reader like you said, as it felt like a pretty fresh take and new direction.

[@MaddoggComics]

Hey Alex! Sorry I couldn't get it out sooner haha, only recently got the idea, but at least there's a few on here you can enjoy :) Yeah, I feel you there, it's just Astonishing for me is such a strong X-Men story that I had to include it on this list, even if some require previous knowledge - sometimes these lists are difficult to do haha. Who's your favourite X-Man so far? :)

[@benvinciblevince4067]

Thanks man! This was exactly what I needed. I picked up age pr apocalypse and new x-men omnibuses pretty cheap, but was worried I’d be lost if I jumped in.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Giant Size or #94 and go from there.

[@azuremonk2221]

really liked the video especially since you mentioned uncanny x-force which I've never heard about and want to get into but don't know where to start for stuff on x-force

[@sciencefirst5363]

Interesting guide; I’m going to use it as I stopped reading the X-books when Claremont left in ‘91-‘92. I’ve dipped back in, I read and loved Astonishing X-Men for example.

[@logansanwolvemeister8925]

Thanks for changing that backround music, the previous one was giving me an anxiety attack lol. Interesting list.

[@MaddoggComics]

Haha, no worries mate, it's just hard finding decent non-invasive background music sometimes :)

[@logansanwolvemeister8925]

@@MaddoggComics Keep it up and also don't overdo it with the lighting, it seems to be bothering your eyes somewhat.

[@wilfredmack3665]

Oh man you're bringing back some excellent memories of my youth , at almost sixty I was the kid buying comics of what I think is referred to as the ( Golden age now) . Collected from mid-seventies to early 2000's and now am trying to restart reading. But I am very disappointed in stories and art , question does any of the cover artist actually do the art of said comics anymore. In my day McFarlane penned and drew Spiderman ect. John Bryne did whole X-Men book not just cover. I am really turned off when I buy a book with a great cover and open it to see a sub-par artist actually drawing the book. Just a thought please humor an old cranky man...

[@7fish7fish7]

Thank you so much for these recommendations! I love everything Marvel but I have never really gotten into the X-Men until now. Great video 👌

[@justinmercado3183]

5 Mutant Genesis- epic story that sparked the animated series. Easy to read and a good Magneto piece. 4 Days of Future's Past- Best alternative story and to the point. 3 Grand Design- Condenses years of convoluted stories that is easy to understand 2 Season One- Modern retelling of 60s X-Men 1 God Loves Man Kills- Explains who the Xmen are and what they stand for. Definition of X-Men Avoid: 1 Dark Phoenix- a "good" story that is messed up by dumb retcons making its "impact" less of a big deal. 2 X-Men Crossovers from mid 80s and 90s- TOO dependent on knowing lore and understanding plot holes and retcons. Confusing mess only rectified by grand design (80s to Xstinction Agenda) 3 Age of Apocalypse- An epic story bogged down by 90s ridiculous story telling. 4 Morrison's Run- A complete train wreck where there is no consistency. Before the later retcon, he wanted Magneto to be the big bad but earlier in the run there are things Magneto would not be able to do. A rushed run from a writer that only cares about his ego. Only good thing were the new characters. 5 Whedon's Run- A fantastic run with the best ending ever but is dependent on knowing what happened in Morrison's run. In summary the best X stories are ones that are self contained stories not bogged down by continuity. Worst ones are DEPENDENT on continuity to the point where you have to have encyclopedic knowledge of its characters.

[@Devilsblood]

The Claremont run is long though but worth going through.

[@robhiro]

Great video. Subbed

[@MaddoggComics]

Thank you Rob! Hopefully you like some of the other videos in this series, or let me know if there's something you'd like to see!

[@jackrosati1438]

This video got me into astonishing X-Men and I love it. I'm reading through the astonishing X-Men unstoppable trade now. Is it worth reading past this trade when new author/artists took over?

[@yanuardilaliwang8013]

Warren Ellis run (Ghost Box & Exogenetic) is good too

[@jackrosati1438]

@@yanuardilaliwang8013 thanks I'll probably check it out!

[@TheConqueror253]

I think someone completely new to X-men could start with the animated series from the 90s for sure.

[@_The_Worst_]

Hummm...🤔...I reckon I'll give The Animated Series a watch sometime...👌🏼💯✔️

[@truthinator5429]

What would you recommend for fans of Cyclops? Pretty much only want to read X-Men for Scott

[@timtaylor6601]

Love the x-men. Thanks

[@ComicsGranPa]

Great video ..as always man!it must come naturally till now to you😂 And great pics as always..love most of them(i understand yr love for the ultimate x men but i dont share it)i believe for a new reader astonishing probably is the best if he cant stand 70s comics,is intimidated by the huge 1st Claremont run,or doesnt like the 90s excess(i personally love mutant genesis for the same reasons you love ultimate) 😉 But all your pics are valid!good job!and thx for the work you put in to continue pumping out vids!cheers dogg!)))

[@MaddoggComics]

Haha I knew that Ultimate was a controversial choice, but I had to include it due to it being my first X-Men comics :P At least we can still be friends haha! Thank you mate, just glad it shows, I keep waking up earlier and going to bed later to get more stuff for the channel done and I'm just glad you're enjoying the videos :) Let me know if there's anything else you want to see on here :)

[@jasper2572]

I started with the Hickman run I loved his fantastic four run and I love his X-Men run

[@MaddoggComics]

I can't wait till its all complete and just binge it haha! Thanks for watching the video mate! WOOF WOOF! 🐶

[@RedRightStrawHat]

Another great vid xmen is still something I haven’t branched to much in but my favourites are astonishing,wolverine & xmen & uncanny x force if that counts

[@MaddoggComics]

You've got Astonishing in your list, which makes me very happy haha! Thanks for checking out the video and sharing it on Instagram brother :)

[@kidzooma537]

I want to get astonishing x-men and age of apocalypse but honestly I have no idea on how to start. Is there a complete edition I can get which has includes the whole story or something?

[@aimer_ame]

Still can't believe HoX/PoX didn't get any Eisner noms

[@MaddoggComics]

Tbf I wish there was another awards ceremony, it's not often that I agree with Eisner awards haha (maybe I have bad taste). Thanks for watching the video mate, hope you enjoyed it :)

[@aimer_ame]

You should do Iron Man next. I just started collecting the Kurt Busiek run.

[@DeeJayGli]

In my opinion any Alternate Universe version is not a good starting point. The reason being these alternates don't exsist anymore so a new reader will start reading only to find out at in the end these characters are totally different from the original versions . Again in my opinion a good starting point would be anything with the feel of the classic versions of the characters a new reader should get to know the core of each character first then proceed to branch out on alternate takes.

[@ComicBound]

I highly recommend starting with the 90s animated series :P but I know... That's cheating a bit! If we're not counting that, I started with Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men. I thought that was a great series and really accessible for new readers. Actually started picking up singles again for the new Hickman House of X/Powers of X... I wouldn't recommend it for new comic readers but if you're seasoned with comics but never got into X-Men, it's a great jump on point if you're not bothered that it's currently ongoing (and the larger story is spread through a million different titles). Great idea for a video, X-Men is very intimidating for new readers!

[@MaddoggComics]

No such thing as cheating if you make the rules ;) I think Astonishing is by far the best, mainly just for the smaller team. But yeah, you make a good point with Hickman, I've only read the start but I just get the feeling this will go on to be something bigger, so it might be good for people who wanted to know where's a good starting point today :) But cheers for checking out the video, I saw your previous comment about Conan and I might do a where to start for him :)

[@ComicBound]

@@MaddoggComics It's funny I'm not sure if you could tell, but I actually began writing my comment right as I started watching the video... Wasn't actually expecting to see HoX/PoX on this list... Or the animated series! Great minds again :P Obviously Astonishing was always going to make the list. I like the sound of the Grand Design series, I may have to check out the omni when that gets released! Yeah a Conan one would be great. I'm sure there's a lot of people like me that would be a bit put off from the fact it's an older property and one that they don't really know anything about other than there was an old Schwarzenegger movie at some point. It would be great if that video had some kind of explanation of Conan rather than just where to start. Since I'm sure people will be less familiar with him even as a concept compared to something like the X-Men. Maybe an intro along the lines of "Who is Conan, and what does he do?"... Bonus points if you get my terrible pun/reference :P

[@MaddoggComics]

Haha, it would've been a crime to not include T.A.S. Like I was worried about doing this one because I know it's very opinion based, and the X-Men fanbase can often be the most opinionated, but all the more reason do it to hopefully bring new voices into the community :) Well I was planning on doing a 'The Basics' or a '101' series so I can get some shorter videos on the channel and not always bombard people with a 20 minute video. Each one would focus on a specific character like Colossus, Conan, Sinestro, or any other and give the necessary facts about them. Especially with books that just throw random characters in, it might help or give people a refresh :) does that sound like a decent concept? :) I did get the reference, it showed up on Netflix again the other day haha! May get the video out in... 2 weeks ;)

[@travhatestrav1729]

Where do you recommend starting in the comics after the 90s animated series? Either chronologically or the best place to start.

[@rotpot2471]

found this helpfull

[@Dennis-xm8uc]

Thank u gonna buy the reprint of uncanny xmen by Claremont

[@MaddoggComics]

Hey mate, thanks for watching! Not a bad shout, the first volume is out in a few weeks :) were you much of an X-Men fan before? :)

[@Dennis-xm8uc]

Maddogg Comics kinda. wolverine is in my top 3 marvel heroes because of the movies and it arched a few episodes of the cartoon

[@kiko4675]

What do ya think about unlimited xmen

[@ellistube8467]

I got Astonishing X-Men vol 1 but I couldn’t find vol 2 so I’ll have to start with something else..

[@tyleryates8508]

Can you do Thor

[@Nimrod336]

If you really want to know where to start xmen. You have to start with avengers disassemble. It's the start of house of m. After you read house of m. Go back and read astonishing xmen I think its 1 -6 where Cassandra nova shows up and kills all of Genova. Now you are caught up go to 06 pick up a book you have uncanny. Xmen. Legendary xmen. Pick one read 1 issue look in the back of the book they show you what is being printed you can go from there. But if your like me just read the events in order by years. After house of x fthe xmen titles where there own thing kinda separate from the main marvel universe because there where only 198 of them. So while reading the events you will want to read cable. X23. MAKE SURE YOU READ XFORCE after that you will have enough knowledge to pick any title up and know where to read and what your looking at. Ok hope that helps. Quick recap start at avengers disassemble into house of m. Then look at all titles printed after 05 and events read in order make sure you look at the back of the comics they tell you where to go from there ✌

[@tyranitar6366]

I never really got into 90s era storylines, the characters were put into really conveluted storylines (clone wars saga, onslaught), or their designs deviated to the point that the characters felt off, the style is just not for me. Im more into old school and 2000s storylines, e.g. Claremont for X-men, and geoff jonns for green lantern

[@nicoli8437]

I want to read all Scarlet which comics and I'm going to read Uncanny X man 1963 because Wanda's first appearance. What would you recommend?

[@Dand40]

the zack snyder take hasn’t aged well

[@jermo1470]

I mean it depends on what he thought of the snyder cut

[@eddy9524]

​@@jermo1470 Does it? I mean he's literally just saying he used his shots for the film when funny enough right here on youtube there's a bunch of videos showing direct shot comparisons pointing out how scenes were completely redone (like the flash & batman exchange about saving people). The Zack Synder comment is only a little tone deaf in light of recent news, that being said it definitely didn't age well now that most fans are aware of the falling out with WB. it's most likely he wasn't completely information on the situation at time (he as in the youtuber we're commenting on). But to get back to what you said let's be honest if he flat out LOVED the synder cut...what he said is still technically wrong literally because the synder cut exists... using his intended shots...not the redone shots BY Whedon... Because if we're all watching the same video here... he's strongly implying Whedon just carried over Synders work...which is still sort of a Yes and No situation... Because of the mentioned reshoots. To sum it up KZbinr made a boo boo about a movie oh well 😅

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

The 90s series and wolverine and the X-Men animated series(seriously why did it not get a second season)🤷was my gateway into X-Men. My first big X-Men story was weirdly Avengers vs X men. Everyone seems to hate it but I love that event. But I like standing out and not follow the crowd.😄 Just started reading stan lee X-Men this week and really enjoying it so far. About to start Roy Thomas infamously terrible run so wish me luck. I might need it ha ha. Definitely starting Claremont soon.😋

[@dathathreyanc.v1514]

Hey woof woof I haven't read any of x men ca I. Start with astonishing x men

[@craigdunn3231]

Great video I like the x mens

[@Doc-ch5oz]

2:06 "most of the work was done by Zack Snyder" Not true at all

[@h.7749esn]

Civil war was my starting point

[@Paradeboy]

Mine was xtreme x men being from uk back in 2000 was not much other than xtreme x men an x men i also think ultimate x men could be MCU introduction too

[@MaddoggComics]

I've still yet to read Xtreme, may give it a go for a fellow Brit haha! :) it could be, but I'm hoping they go more classic costumes when they get into the MCU. Thanks for watching the video mate! :)

[@Paradeboy]

Maddogg Comics binged modt of them yesterday on part 4 of whale i read digitally but fascinated about physical media but adore dc an marvel on my instagram full of x men an comic stuff keep it up 😀

[@EmpireZzzz]

Xmen is cool

[@eroane84]

Thanks for your videos!!!^___< I only watched X=Men the animated series as a kid growing up in the 90’s…I bought a copy of the Marvel Masterworks of the Uncanny X-Men #1❤❤❤❤❤ Super excite to also read Daredevil and Spiderman❤❤❤❤❤❤ Please keep up the Awesome Comic videos!!^____

[@UltimateSpider1385]

Astonishing X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, X-Men: Mutant Genesis, and X-Men: Schism are interesting arcs to start reading X-Men which is why I'm going to read Ultimate X-Men to get started.

[@abzorb999]

The mutant side of the marvel universe

[@MaddoggComics]

Cheers for checking it out! WOOF WOOF! 🐶

[@change023]

Yes all of Justice league is whedons fault. No, if I’m being honest it was more WB and their greediness but Whedon definitely didn’t help

[@parkeranimations3671]

Most of the josstice league was joss whedon dude.. have you seen the Snyder cut? It’s completely different.

[@khomo12]

👍👍👍

[@jogsamson]

A stokie ?!

[@MaddoggComics]

No one's more disappointed about it than me haha!

[@jogsamson]

@@MaddoggComics we’re in this together duck

[@MaddoggComics]

@@jogsamson Tbh, I'm kinda happy you said it, most think I'm a Scouser (No disrespect to Scousers, but it's something I have to correct haha) WOOF WOOF!

[@CaptainRockoBD]

“The marvel side of the mutant universe” lol wat

[@WesleyWyndam-Pryce]

I had to laugh when you were talking about X-Men first Class and said it had Jean Grey, Cyclops, Beast without his fur and couldn't remember the others. I figured any X-Men fan, especially comic book reader, would know the original lineup. Anyway, good video.

[@RunMeThrough]

It’s spelled Millar BUT it’s pronounced Miller. Mark Millar said it himself.