My Trilogy of Star Wars EU Trilogies

It's only one week until May the 4th, otherwise known as National Star Wars Day.  I, along with most Star Wars enthusiasts, are hoping that some news will come out regarding the casting of Episode VII.  For many months it seems like every actor and their sister have been rumored to be up for a part in the next Star Wars film.  However, Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to confirm even that the "Big 3"(Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher) are even locked down to be in Episode VII.  Last week Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, spoke out in regards to the future of Star Wars and the beloved EU(Expanded Universe) that has been thriving for over twenty years; from books to video games.  Kennedy hinted that some ideas of the EU may be cherry picked to be put in the new Star Wars canon.  

This leaves us fan boys with more rumors and hysteria as we ponder, and obsess, as to what of our favorite EU ideas could be put in Episodes VII-IX, Star Wars: Rebels, or even the Star Wars spin-off films.  Growing up I've tried to absorb as much of the EU as I could.  Being a man who enjoys comic books I've definitely read a lot of that, several novels, and even played a few video games based "In A Galaxy Far, Far Away."  If I could whisper into some one's ear these would be the Star Wars tales I would recommend bringing to the big screen.

1) THE THRAWN TRILOGY

Set 5 years after Return of the Jedi this was the first book to really launch the Expanded Universe.  It had been eight years since the last Star Wars film was released so loyal fans were rabid to jump on anything new from the land of Jedi and Wookies.  Heir to the Empire was published in 1991 with Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command being released the following years.  This trilogy blew the door wide-open for the Expanded Universe and it's all thanks to it's writer; Timothy Zahn.

In this trilogy we see Luke training Leia in the ways of The Force and trying to figure out how to jump-start the new Jedi Order.  Meanwhile, in a dark corner of the galaxy, Grand Admiral Thrawn has taken an Imperial Fleet to seek out a Jedi named Joruus C'Boath, who believes can help him reclaim the galaxy for the Empire. C'Boath only agrees to help Thrawn after he learns that Leia is pregnant with potential Jedi twins.  C'Boath seeks out Luke, and after spending some time with C'Boath, Luke realizes the guy it bat sh*t crazy!  But that doesn't stop C'Boath and Thrawn from trying to take down Luke and the New Republic.  

This trilogy also introduced some other classic characters like Talon Karrde and Mara Jade, who has a deep hatred for Luke.  We learn that Mara was the Emperor's hand, and followed Luke when we was in Jabba's Palace in Episode VI.  The end of this series comes down to a climatic lightsaber that Luke has....with himself!  C'Boath cloned Luke using the hand he lost at Bespin!  Young Skywalker must defeat himself, C'Boath, and try not let Mara kill him either.  

This was a great beginning to the EU with great moments.  One of my favorites is when the team crashes the Millennium Falcon.  Lando criticizes Han's landing and he replies, "At least the sensor dish is still on" referring to Lando's time inside the Death Star in Episode VI.  Thrawn and Mara Jade have become classic characters in the Star Wars EU and mythology, and years later, Luke marries Mara and they have a child; Ben.  I love the EU!

2) THE DARK EMPIRE TRILOGY

From 1977-1986 Marvel comics had an on-going Star Wars series that ended with issue #107.  The next Star Wars comic book wasn't published until 1991 by Dark Horse comics titled Dark Empire.  Just has Heir to the Empire had a hand in helping to start the ever expanding Expanded Universe, Dark Empire introduced many comic readers to not only Dark Horse comics, but a darker Star Wars tale.  This story also spun right out of the Thrawn trilogy by recognizing Han and Leia's twins, Jacen and Jaina.

As the story begins Han, Leia, and Chewie are off to save Luke and Lando from a horrific battle.  Luke has been drawn to the battle by The Force and refuses to leave until he finds the power that calls to him.  It turns out to be The Emperor!  Luke then turns to the Dark Side of The Force to try and understand why it engulfed his father, Anakin.  It's up to Leia to save her brother from the Emperor and himself.

After the popularity of Dark Empire is spawned a sequel, Dark Empire II.  The Emperor comes back and seeks out Luke, Leia, and her children.  Meanwhile, Luke is searching for Jedi to help him start the new Order.  It all comes to a head in the final installment, Empire's End, as the Emperor is dying and wishes to transfer his essence into a newborns body: Anakin Solo!

As Star Wars stories go this one was really dark, which some fans may like given their disappointment with Episode I.  Dark Horse has published Star Wars comics for over twenty years now, but soon will be letting go of the property since Disney not only own Lucasfilm now, but also Marvel comics.  Marvel will start publishing Star Wars comics again, and so "the circle is complete." 

3) STAR WARS: LEGACY

Set 126 years after Return of the Jedi, we find the descendant of Luke Skywalker, Cade.  After the New Jedi Order has fallen apart Cade became a bounty hunter.  He uses his Jedi tricks to help him in his profession, and by night dines on death sticks.  When the rest of the galaxy learns that a Skywalker is alive everyone from the Jedi to the new Sith Order rush to find Cade.  But all Cade wants is to be left alone.  This 50 issue series saw the appearance of some of our favorite characters; from R2-D2 to a ghostly Luke Skywalker who tries to guide Cade towards his destiny.  With every move Cade seems to make the wrong decision and it could not be more fun to read!  Cade is a great mix of Han and Luke and the kind of flawed and complex hero today's readers like seeing.  

I've figured out how to break this 50+ part series into three nice pieces.  It has the makings of a great modern Star Wars trilogy.  You wouldn't have to worry about aging actors because you'd have a fresh new cast in a world we're all familiar with.  I recommend this series to anyone who likes Star Wars, but is interested in seeing something totally different in the Star Wars EU.

BONUS:  What I Think Episode VII-IX Should Be:  LEGACY OF THE FORCE

This nine-book series sees Luke, Han, and Leia as the elders while their children, Jacen, Jaina, and Ben take center-stage.  After losing his younger brother, Anakin, Jacen is lured to the Dark Side of The Force.  He becomes Darth Caedus and tries to bring down the Jedi Order and the New Republic.  He even kills his own aunt, Mara, and leaves everyone wondering who did it.  This is an epic series that ended with Jacen facing off against is twin sister, Jaina, in a fight to the death for the fate of the galaxy!

This story takes place within the 30-year time frame Episode VII is set to be told in, and it's got enough edge to keep modern audiences interested.  Plus, it has the "Big 3" in the story, but the next generation at the forefront.  

While I know the next era of Star Wars films won't be any of these stories I do hope Disney and Lucasfilm take notice of these EU stories that people have enjoyed when their wasn't any hope of another Star Wars movie ever being made.  All we ask is a few easter eggs to make us geeks smile as our excitement for more Star Wars punches into hyperspace.

My X-Ratings

With a little over a month left till X-Men: Days of Future Past is released in cinemas everywhere I'm sure I'm not the only fan boy both excited and worried about this new film.  Director Bryan Singer gave us, in my opinion, the two best X-Men movies to date so this instills me with confidence for DoFP.  But there have also been some really crappy X-Men movies, and also a few somewhere in the middle. 

I remember when X-Men was coming out the Kokomo Tribune was asking people to write in about who their favorite X-Man was.  I said Iceman, and my response ended up being published in the newspaper plus, I got free movie tickets to see X-Men.  Ever since I've seen every X-based movie in theaters, and most were midnight showings.  Some I enjoyed, some I thought were ok, and some made me hate Brett Ratner forever!

X-MEN (2000)

Without this film several things would not have been possible.  The superhero/comic book film movement might not have exploded like it did if X-Men hadn't lead the charge.  We never would have seen every geek and nerd's dream come true as Jean-Luc Picard finally became Professor Charles Xavier.  He may never have become bff's with Ian McKelln as well.  Also, the world may have never been able to recognize what an amazing thespian Hugh Jackman is.  Hard to believe Jackman was originally not even supposed to play Wolverine.  Actor Dougray Scott left the role to be in Mission Impossible II.  Some nights, if you listen closely, you can still hear Mr. Scott kicking his own ass for that one.

Based on the popular Marvel comic series, X-Men was about a group of genetically enhanced humans, called mutants, that are sworn to protect a world that fears and hates them.  However, evil mutants are out to cast revenge on mankind for it's fear of them.  This film had a lot of up-and-comers in it like Halle Berry, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, and of course, Hugh Jackman.  Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen played CharlesXavier and Erik Lensherr, two former friends who now are on opposite sides of a war between humans and mutants.  Along with Jackman, Stewart and McKellen's performances were the delight of this film!  Some of the characters didn't shine like I would have hoped, with most of the focus on Wolverine, but I blame the writers, not the actors.  

I could go into more detail about some of the more disappointing things like the female casting or how Iceman is not Mr. Nice Guy, but actually a class clown, but I won't.  This film was exactly what it needed to be to attract a wider audience while staying true to the heart of the source material.  It had some great easter eggs for X-Men fans and left us with a open ending that made us believe there'd be a sequel.  

RATING:  B

X2: X-MEN UNITED (2003)

Bryan Singer returned to the directing chair in this sequel to the successful 2000 film.  Loosely based on the X-Men story line, God Loves, Man Kills, we are introduced to Colonel William Stryker.  Stryker is looking to invade the X-Mansion in hopes of capturing Professor X and the machine Cerebro.  He's planning on using these resources to wipe mutants off the planet.  The X-Men must unite with their nemesis, Magneto, in order to take down Stryker and save mutant kind.

The entire original cast returned and actor Alan Cumming came in to play Nightcrawler.  It was exactly what anyone wants in a movie sequel.  The action and effects were better, the drama was more intense, and it deepened the emotional journey for all our heroes, not just Wolverine.  I loved the addition of Cumming's to the cast and thought he played a terrific Nightcrawler.  Bryan Singer brought everything up a level and set up the third film even better than he did the second film.  Too bad Singer would not return to complete this trilogy.  Again, one of my few complaints is the miscasting of Jean Grey and Storm.  They should have dropped those two early on just like Halle Berry dropped that horrible African accent from the first film.

RATING: A-

X3: THE LAST STAND  (2006)

I remember when I went to see this film in theaters. As I watched it I just kept thinking, "this couldn't get any worse" but then it kept getting worse.  I would barely even call this an X-Men film!  I came out of the theater as disappointed as a man who had been left at the alter.  I walked up to the Superman Returns poster, and in the middle of hundreds of people, cried out, "Please don't suck too!"  I got a few looks, and even though many may disagree with me, I like Superman Returns.

When I say this film is loosely based on the most popular X-Men story of all time, The Dark Phoenix Saga, "loosely" is putting it very loosely.  Brett Ratner stepped in for Bryan Singer in the director's chair and apparently had a goal to kill this trillion dollar franchise before it even hit the billions.  Jean Grey returns from the dead just as a pharmaceutical drug has come out to "cure mutants."   Magneto finds a broken Jean, now known as the Phoenix, and wants to use her to destroy the cure and mankind.  I can't really blame Ratner and Fox for trying to complete a movie trilogy, but they obviously had no idea the potential the X-Men franchise could bring at the time, otherwise they wouldn't have killed almost all of their main characters.  There was also a lot of new characters introduced like Angel, Colossus, and Beast, who really didn't have anything to do because of the focus on Wolverine, Jean, and Magneto.  This movie also crossed plots with one of Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men stories, Gifted, and at one time Whedon was in the running to replace Singer as director.  If only that would have happened!  Read Gifted and The Dark Phoenix Saga, and see how badly they screwed this movie up.

The only thing I can honestly say I like about the film is the Pyro/Iceman fight.  Bobby got all iced up and took down his former friend.  But they also had him arrive on-scene with Kitty like a little bitch instead of using his ice slide like he should have.  Based on the trailer for DoFP, that problem has been rectified!   

RATING: F

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (2009)

As if three X-Men films where Logan was the main character weren't enough for you, he now gets his own film!  Hugh Jackman returns to tell the tale of how Wolverine got to the beginning of X-Men, how he got his claws, how he lost his memory, and what his relationship is with Sabertooth.  Also, more mutants were introduced in this film including the fan favorite, Gambit, played by Friday Night Lights alumni, Tyler Kitsch.

Having lived for hundreds of years Logan and his brother Victor join a government assault team full of mutants led by William Stryker.  Logan walks away after being done with killing, but Victor won't let him go.  He murders Logan's girl, which makes Logan ask Stryker to help in his revenge.  Stryker turns Logan's bones to adamantium and renames him Weapon X.  

I don't know where to begin with this film.  The horrible claw effects, the horrible misuse of Gambit and Kitsch, or the horrible, horrible ending.  You can tell this film was made not to be good, but to cash-in on a popular character from a popular movie.  This film is full of characters that never develop, much like X3, because the main focus is still on Logan.  The final battle and "adamantium bullet" just made me cringe.  I think Wolverine is a somewhat overrated character(like Batman) but he and Hugh Jackman deserved better than this.

RATING: D

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011)

After X3 killed the franchise's potential and the Wolverine origin film killed the franchise's dignity Fox did the only thing they could do; reboot.  This film was supposed to be just a Magneto origin story but ended up becoming much more, although I don't think it needed to be more.

Erik Lensherr is a Holocaust survivor in 1962 who only has one goal; kill the man who murdered his mother, Sebastian Shaw.  While attempting this Erik meets a young Charles Xavier who is working with the government to also bring down Shaw.  Erik joins their cause as he and Charles bring together a team of mutants to stop Shaw from preventing nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Like the first X-Men film, this movie is full of up-and-coming actors like James McAvoy, Michael Fassenbender, and Jennifer Lawrence.  But you could have taken only several of the main characters out of the dozen that were in the film and the message would still have be the same.  Charles, Erik, Raven, and Shaw are the only essential characters.  Everyone else could have just been thrown out of film, and were only in it for the action sequences.  Alex Summers is Cyclops's brother, so I'm not sure why he was a teenager in the 1960's.  The White Queen is supposed to be the fictional mutant version of Angelia Jolie, a powerful bitch who is tries to do good things in bad ways.  And just when you think we'd get an X-Men film without Wolverine, guess who makes a 10 second appearance?

Fox didn't call this film a reboot of the franchise but they should have because it debunks a lot of the continuity of the first three films.  I'm told DoFP will help clear up some of the errors in the franchise, but I'm not going to hold my breath on it fixing every one.  Scrape away all the over-the-top action sequences that were pointless, along with the handful of pointless characters, and what you have at the center of the film is actually quite good.  It's the tale of Charles and Erik's friendship that turns sour.  If they had only focused on it more instead of all the other bullshit the film could have been great; especially with McAvoy and Fassenbender performing it.

RATING:  C-

THE WOLVERINE (2013)

Hugh Jackman returns to play Wolverine in a sixth film.  Thankfully, this semi-sequel was much better than Logan's first solo film.  The plot is loosely based on Wolverine's samauri past and his time in Japan before he joined the X-Men.  But this film takes place after the events of X3.  Logan has distanced himself from the rest of the world, feeling guilty after killing his love; Jean Grey.  But a woman soon arrives to take him to Japan where a man from Logan's past offers him a chance to become mortal and live a normal life.

This X-film features only two other mutants besides Wolverine, which allows the focus to stay more on Logan, and give the supporting characters more to do than just show off their powers.  This movie is basically Logan fighting a bunch of Japanese mafia guys and it's great!  It allows Jackman the ability to make the character shine and helps us remember why he is one of the most popular comic book characters in today's society.  

The ending does become a little silly, but if you watch the Director's Cut there is a ninja/Wolverine fight sequence that was cut out of the theatrical version that is just plain awesome!  Plus, there are a few other deleted scenes that help the film tremendously better in regards to plot and character development.  So my rating of this film is off of the Director's Cut.  The credit scene teases X-Men: Day of Future Past, but I more enjoyed Logan's gift he got at the end of the DC version.

RATING: C+

My X-Men Canon Pt. IV: Back to the Future

As I've been writing these X-Men entries I just remember how awesome some of these stories were when I first read them, and how much I want to go back and re-read them.  But now, we've come to the final part in my X-Men chronological achieving.  As X-Men: Days of Future Past comes closer to it's release date I plan on re-watching all the X-Men films, except X-Men Origins: Wolverine, because that movie, along with X3, blew hard chunks.  My next entry will probably be me rating each X-Men movie and my hopes for DoFP.  Won't that just be the best fan boy bitchfest ever? 

COMIC TITLE INDEX

A= Astonishing X-Men

AN= All-New X-Men

AV= Avengers

Fac= X-Factor

For= X-Force

FF= Fantastic Four

L= X-Men: Legacy

N= New X-Men

U= Uncanny X-Men

UF= Uncanny X-Force

VS Age

This is the Age that is the most different from what we've known.  The X-Men are longer one team, one dream, but rather two separate teams with two separate missions.  Both are very interesting to read and we know it can't last, or can it?

REGENESIS(U)

I'm not a big fan when they went back and restarted Uncanny X-Men.  Just like I hate that DC restarted Action and Detective Comics.  These are long-running staples of the comic book industry.  If you're just going to give another comic the same title, why bother restarting it?  

Anyway, Cyclops and his Extinction Team have a run in with Mr. Sinister that is their first test as a team.  It doesn't go swimmingly for some members, but it sets up the dynamic that will be important later on.  My favorite part is when Storm ask everyone on the team to raise their hand if they've ever been thought of as a 'villain'.  Everyone except her and Cyclops raised their hand.

THE DARK ANGEL SAGA(UF)

Warren Worthington III has been battling his demons ever since he became Apocalypse's horseman many years ago.  Now, with Archangel resurfacing, Warren's darker parts have taken over and he is set out to become the new Apocalypse; complete with his own Four Horsemen.  Wolverine, Psylocke, and the rest of X-Force are out to save their friend's soul, or have him die trying.

WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN

I browsed the first volume of this series trying to find a story title but I just couldn't, so it's just Wolverine and the X-Men I guess.  With the help of his friends, Logan has re-opened the mansion in Westchester, New York but instead of 'Xavier', it's got 'Jean Grey' in the title of the school.  Kitty is Head Mistress and Iceman, Beast, and Gambit are teachers.  When the scholegic board comes to certify the schools authenticity it seems like just a good a time as any for the new Hellfire Club to cause some trouble.

X-SANCTION(AV)

You can't keep a good time-traveler down.  Cable has resurfaced and is back to prevent another apocalyptic future.  But to do that he's got to take down the world's mightiest heroes; the Avengers.  However, Cable has only hours until the techno-organic virus that he's dealt with his who life finally takes him over.  This is a prelude to AvsX and a must-read before you get to the main event! 

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN

This battle royale is almost as juicy as Batman vs. Superman to many fan boys.  The Phoenix is returning to Earth and everyone thinks it's eyes are set on the mutant messiah; Hope.  The Avengers want to lock her way(as if that'd stop the Phoenix) but Cyclops believes this could spark the rebirth of mutants and instead wants to train Hope to control the Phoenix.  With the two conflicting ideas it's a miniseries that rocked the Marvel U for several months.  People switched sides, loyalties were tested, and it didn't turn out how any reader would expect.  If you've only watched the X-Men and Avengers movies you can still enjoy this one!  Now I can't get the James Marsden vs Chris Evans image out of my head! 

AvsX: CONSEQUENCES

It's the aftermath of the biggest event to hit Marvel in years and everything has changed! Cyclops is the world's greatest criminal, Storm and Black Panther are now divorced, and millions of mutants have popped up everywhere.  Before his jail break, Cyclops has some great words with Wolverine that make this epilogue enjoyable.    

All-New Age

This Age is where I'm getting my title for this entry.  The X-Men have always been very deep into time-traveling and alternate realities.  And it all started with DoFP!  Comic writing superstar, Brian Michael Bendis, has taken over the X-Men and is about to make them X-plode for their 50th anniversary!

YESTERDAY'S X-MEN(AN)

Cyclops is out of prison and trying to recruit new mutants into his revolution.  His old friend Beast has the idea of Scott coming face to face with his younger self to try and shock some sense into him.  Hank brings the original X-Men to the present.  But when the X-Men arrive they don't like what they see and all agree; they're not going back!

HERE TO STAY(AN)

When a young Jean Grey comes to the present she is bombarded by all the abilities she will eventually mature into, but it's all at once!  She learns what her fate is and she can't handle it, or being around her boyfriend; Cyclops.  Then Mystique throws a wrench into an already bad situation by pretending to be the former X-Men and causing trouble.  The five young teens will have to pull it together if they plan on clearing their names.

REVOLUTION(U)

Oh, so, we're, restarting Uncanny X-Men......again?  Anyway, Cyclops, The White Queen, Magnik, and Magneto all have weird side effects after being exposed to the Phoenix Force. Now they've go to get a hold of themselves long enough to help the new mutants all over the world while still running from the law and the Avengers.  Oh, fun little fact, they do run into the Avengers.  And it's great!

OUT OF THEIR DEPTH(AN)

The first X-Men continue to struggle with the present world and their fates in it.  Angel decides he's had enough and joins Cyclops's band of outlaws to try and gain some control over his destiny.  The plot thickens, the stakes get raised, and it all leads to Battle of the Atom!

BROKEN(U)

Cyclops has become the face of a new revolution.  Not only are mutants loving him, but humans too.  But Scott has no time to enjoy his new found fame when Magnik sucks them all into Limbo and they have to fight their way out just when their powers are fizzling.  And who does Cyclops turn to in his hour of need?  Good ol' Magneto.

BATTLE OF THE ATOM

This was the last big X-Men event to happen while I'm writing this entry so it seemed a good place to stop.  The repercussions of the original X-Men coming to their future have reached their precipice as the X-Men from the future come to the present to send them back to the past.  You got all that?  But when young Jean figures something is fishy about these futurists she and Cyclops go on the run and turn to present-day Cyclops for help. Still with me?  Well it seems another group of mutants from the future arrive claiming they're the good mutants.  Chaos, thy name is X-Men.  This is fun read that involves all the X-Men and does what X-Men have done the best all these years.  It plays with the space-time continuum and makes you read very slowly to make sure you know what's happening.  After reading X-Men all my life I can't wait to see where Marvel's mighty mutants are in another 50 years! 

My X-Men Canon Pt. III: The X-Men Revolutions

Comic Title Index

A= Astonishing X-Men

AN= All-New X-Men

AV= Avengers

Fac= X-Factor

For= X-Force

FF= Fantastic Four

L= X-Men: Legacy

N= New X-Men

U= Uncanny X-Men

UF= Uncanny X-Force

Utopia Age

In this Age we see the X-Men leave their home in New York state and set-up shop in San Francisco, a place know for having weird locals.  The X-Men patiently wait to see if Cyclops's faith in Cable will pay off and save the mutant race, or they're just waiting to become extinct. 

DIVIDED WE STAND(U)

With the X-Mansion in shambles Cyclops heads on a vacation to the Savage Land to re-think his next move for the X-Men and mutants everywhere. He and Emma then head to San Francisco to meet up with Angel who finds some strange happenings in the City by the Bay.  Meanwhile Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus head to mother Russia to chill out, but end up find themselves some trouble.

DIVIDED HE STANDS(L)

It's not easy coming back to life, but Professor Charles Xavier has done it more than most and makes it look easy.  After taking a bullet to the head Xavier is brought back by Exodus and the Acolytes in hopes of him leading them of despair.  Charles however only wants to make up for the sins of his past. 

 MANIFEST DESTINY(U)

The X-Men are in a new town and making their presence known.  They invite every remaining mutant to San Francisco for their safety.  Magneto, Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club decide to answer their invitation along with one other surprise guest; Cyclops's dead wife, Madelyne Pryor!

ANGELS AND DEMONS(For)

Cyclops and Wolverine are not going to sit around and wait for their race to be killed off.  Instead they form a secret team full of the X-Men's best killers to take down their enemies for they strike first.  And it's hella good!

OLD GHOSTS(For)

With the help of Beast, Cyclops has tracked down Cable in the time stream and wants to send X-Force after him.  But not before they deal with a few of their own issues like Wolfbane wanting to kill the newly returned Archangel, and taking down the Vanisher.

MESSIAH WAR

X-Force is sent to the future to track down Cable and Hope.  They arrive in a future that is ruled by Stryfe, who seems to be at war with Apocalypse.  X-Force and Cable must rescue Hope from Stryfe's clutches, who is aided by their once time-traveling teammate; Bishop.

NOT FORGOTTEN(For)

X-Force has returned from the future a little broken and beaten; mainly X-23.  Laura awakes in the place she was built; The Facility.  And she's got to break out before they brainwash her into a killer again.  This story line leads to Necrosha, but I'm not a fan of that one.

UTOPIA

The rest of the Marvel U has been bullied by Norman Osborn and some heroes have been forced into hiding.  When riots in San Francisco erupt Osborn brings his Dark Avengers to declare Marshall law.  Cyclops tell him to go suck it.  In one of my favorite story lines the X-Men takes on the team everyone else is afraid of.  It's quite entertaining, and a classic X-Men story.

NATION X(U)

Cyclops and the X-Men have set-up shop on an island just outside of San Francisco, formerly known as Asteroid M.  Magneto shows up with a white flag wishing to speak with Cyclops.  He praises Scott for bringing mutant kind together and wishes to join their cause. As a sign of good faith, Magneto attempts to bring Kitty Pryde home!

SECOND COMING

Cable and Hope return to the present after many years on the run throughout the future.  But the X-Men aren't the only ones waiting for their return.  The Purifiers, lead by Bastion, are out to end the mutant race once and for all with their army of future sentinels.  Like other X-Men events, this one doesn't end well for everyone.

New Hope Age

With Hope's return five new mutant signature appear around the world.  Cyclops believes this is the beginning of the mutant rebirth.  Others believe it's just a fluke.  Either way, the fate of mutants are still undetermined and still in danger.

THE BIRTH OF GENERATION HOPE(U)

Steve Roger has just declared the X-Men legitimate superheros and gives Cyclops a medal.  Since he's in such in a good mood Cyclops decides to let Hope go out and find the five new mutant lights.  That's right; new recruits!

CURSE OF THE MUTANTS

Vampires have landed in San Francisco and they're hoping to join forces with the X-Men.  In proper Cyclops fashion he tells them to suck it.  But soon Jubilee is infected and the vamps have another mutant they'd like to convert; Wolverine.

THE APOCALYPSE SOLUTION(UF)

After the events of Second Coming Cyclops disbanded X-Force but Wolverine secretly continues with the teams mission to hunt down the X-Men's enemies before they strike first.  Followers of Apocalypse are looking to bring En Sabah Nur back to life.  X-Force shows up to take down the bad guys, but to do that it may mean killing an innocent child. 

BREAKING POINT(U)

Coming out of the events of Astonishing X-Men's Unstoppable the former inhabitants of Breakworld have come to Earth seeking refuge.  Cyclops welcomes them to Utopia, but the aliens have other intentions for the mutants they hold responsible for ruining their civilization. 

FIRST TO LAST

The beings known as the Evolutionaries have come to Utopia to make Cyclops fulfill his vow he made to them many years ago; the eradicate the human race.  But Cyclops doesn't remember striking the bargain so now it's him the Evolutionaries what to get ride of.  This is nice story that gives us a glimpse back at the first class squad, and probably helped spark events that happen later in X-Men comics.

SCHISM

The Hellfire Club is back, and it's a bunch of kids!  These little brats are out to make life miserable for the X-Men as they send a giant Sentinel to destroy Utopia.  Wolverine says to run while Cyclops wants the students to stand and fight.  This leads to a long-awaited brawl between Cyclops and Wolverine!  The ending of this one changes something among the X-Men that still hasn't been rectified, and may never will.

My X-Men Canon: Episode II: Attack ON the Franchise

So I'm sure the first thing you're thinking is, Attack ON the Franchise? What the hell does that mean? Simply put, aside from being an obvious Star War reference, this is where the entire X-Men franchise changes.  In these next two Ages we saw the X-Men come to theaters in live-action movies, and set the status quo for X-Men.  The costumes, the writers, the characters, it's all different and it starts with the Film Age.

COMIC TITLE INDEX

A= Astonishing X-Men

AN= All-New X-Men

AV= Avengers

Fac= X-Factor

For= X-Force

FF= Fantastic Four

L= X-Men: Legacy

N= New X-Men

U= Uncanny X-Men

UF= Uncanny X-Force

Film Age

Almost thirty years after the creation of the X-Men the mighty mutants finally got adapted for the big screen in their first movie.  Given that X-Men was THEE biggest comic book property(along with Batman)in the 1990's it was only fitting that it lead the charge in ushering in this new era for cinema.  Most credit X-Men with jump starting the superhero film craze.  I personally think Blade started it, X-Men made it known, and Spider-Man blew it up!  In any event, the films creeps over into the comics with line-up and costume changes.  We also see the emergence of new, bold, writers looking to modify the way we see the X-Men.

DREAM'S END

After the events of The Twelve the X-Men change things up by breaking into two very different teams and also make their outfits a little more edgy.  The cure for the Legacy Virus is near thanks to the work of Moria McTaggert and Dr. Hank McCoy, but it's still needing one last piece; a mutant sacrifice to start the spread of the cure.  Who is the X-Man that takes their life to stop this disease?

THE SEARCH FOR CYCLOPS

A psychic tremor leads Jean to thinking that Cyclops is alive, and not destroyed by Apocalypse.  She and Cable travel around the world in search for their loved one, but they're not the only ones looking for Scott Summers.

 EVE OF DESTRUCTION

The short story at the beginning of this graphic novel is one my favorites.  A recently reanimated Cyclops goes on a camping trip with his father, the space pirate, and Scott ends up letting out all his anger towards his dad in a few pages.  Later, we see Magneto building an army of mutants on Genosha to attack the rest of the world.  He's captured Xavier and it's up to a small band of X-Men to try and stop the Master of Magnetism before he starts World War III.

E IS FOR EXTINCTION(N)

Grant Morrison takes over as the head X-Men writer and the effects of the recent X-film is in full swing.  We see a new villain, Cassandra Nova, using a giant sentinel to erradicate the small nation of Genosha and the many mutants that inhabit it.  Their are few survivors.  One of them being Emma Frost, The White Queen, who reluctantly joins the new X-team.  I'm not a fan of Morrison's but his run on New X-Men is fabulous!

IMPERIAL(N)

When we last saw Professor X he was leaving for the stars to spend some time with his wife; Lilandra.  However, it wasn't Xavier behind the wheel of his car.  Cassandra Nova has returned after wreaking havok in the cosmos and the Shi'ar Empire.  If she can destroy her body, with Xavier's mind inside, she'll stay powerful forever.  Can the X-Men stop Nova with an entire intergalactic empire behind her?

NEW WORLDS(N)

Jean and Charles go on a little road trip around the world to see what difference their X-Corporation is making. But while the cat's away the Queen will play.  Emma continues her pursuit of Scott Summers.  Meanwhile, Jean and Charles meet Fantomex, a mutant criminal who has a close connection to Wolverine.  

RIOT AT XAVIER'S(N)

There is a new drug making the rounds at the school, and it makes the students more powerful and angrier.  Soon the faculty at Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters is going to face-off against their jacked-up students.  Jean Grey returns home just in time to help stop this riot, and catch her husband in a very bad position.

ASSAULT ON WEAPON PLUS(N)

The White Queen is dead and the number one suspect is a missing Cyclops.  But Scott is too busy getting drunk at a bar, trying to forgot his issues.  That is until Wolverine and Fantomex recruit him for a mission to take down the entire Weapon's programs; the origin place for both Logan and Jean-Phillipe.

PLANET X(N)

Magneto has returned, again.  He's been posing as an X-Man for months right under their noses.  With his new 'students' Magneto is looking to take out all the X-Men and all of New York with them.  It takes the death of an X-Man to bring down Magneto this time.  Who will it be?

GIFTED(A)

Acclaimed TV show creator and geek god, Joss Whedon, begins his writing run with X-Men by finding a cure for the mutant gene, and creates tension for all the X-Men.  If I were to recommend any X-Men book to you, this would be it!  It's go Whedon's classic style all over it from the improper jokes at improper times, to a central female lead; Kitty Pryde.  Whedon also finds a way to bring back a long dead X-Man!  

DANGEROUS(A)

Joss Whedon continues his epic X-Men run by turning the Danger Room against the X-Men.  Can the team take down the computer that trained them, and can predict their every move?  And what happens when 'Danger' decides she wants to kill the man that kept her imprisoned all those years; Professor Charles Xavier?

DISASSEMBLED(AV)

This story line actually does not have any X-Men in it, but is crucial to what follows it; House of M.  The Avengers are under attack by every enemy they've ever had.  The team can't understand what is happening until it's too late.  One of their own is planning on taking them out one by one.  Can the Avengers figure who the traitor is before it's too late?

HOUSE OF M

After months of trying to help the Scarlet Witch gain her sanity back Professor X has brought the X-Men and the Avengers together to decide her fate.  But Wanda's family has other plans.  Soon our heroes are immersed in a reality where everyone has their deepest desires fulfilled.  Peter Parker is married to Gwen Stacy and his Uncle Ben never died.  Steve Rogers was never frozen during WWII and grew to become an old man.  And mutants are no longer hunted, but celebrated.  The only person who realizes something is wrong is Wolverine.  Remember the phrase, 'No More Mutants'.  This story line will change the X-Men forever!

Extinction Age

This is a dark time in X-Men history.  In one blink the mutant race went from being the next stage in human evolution to an endangered species.  The drama it adds to the X-Men books made it so great to read. A lot happens in this Age that shakes the entire foundation of X-Men.

DECIMATION

There were once millions of mutants on the planet, now there are only a few hundred.  The fallout of House of M is felt as the X-Men open their doors to every mutant; creating a sanctuary to save what few are left.  The government has also sent their own protective plan to help; Sentinels.  

THE END OF THE GREYS(U)

With most of the mutant race under marshal law at the Xavier mansion now seems like a good time for a massacre.  In hopes of bonding with her family Rachel Summers goes to a reunion where the Shi'ar have sent their deadliest assassins.  They plan on eradicating the Grey bloodline in order to stop another Dark Phoenix from ever happening.  In the process they end up becoming the worst enemy of the Dark Phoenix's daughter. Big mistake.  

DEADLY GENESIS

Someone has begun digging up secrets from the past and it costs Banshee his life.  Scott and Alex Summers discover they have a brother and he is pissed at Charles Xavier and the X-Men.  Gabriel Summers reveals a secret so deep it goes all the way back to Second Genesis and will have some losing their faith in Professor X forever.

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE(U)

After the events of Deadly Genesis Xavier is looking to right his wrongs by take a small team into space to hunt down Gabriel, aka Vulcan. When the X-Men locate Vulcan he's already taken control of the Shi'ar Empire and it's up to X-Men and the Starjammers to save the galaxy from Vulcan's vengeance.  This is one the most epic X-Men stories I've ever read.

EMPEROR VULCAN

In the third installment to what I call the 'Vulcan Saga' Havok, Polaris, and Rachel are leading the Starjammers against Vulcan's intergalactic terror.  But is Alex strong enough to take down his little brother before the galaxy feels Gabriel's wrath?

KINGBREAKER

The Starjammers are captured by Vulcan, but the war is not won yet.  Soon Vulcan will over extend his reach to the rest of the galaxy, but Havok is still determined to stop Vulcan before he gets that far.  If you haven't learned by now, X-Men is all about Summers and Greys despite what the movies tell you.

WAR OF KINGS

In the final installment of the 'Vulcan Saga' the rest of the galaxy ban together to take down Vulcan and the Shi'ar from the Inhumans to the Guardians of the Galaxy.  There is actually very little X-Men in this story line, but still good stuff.

TORN(A)

While Havok is out trying to take out one brother his other brother has been put into coma by his own girlfriend!  The White Queen has turned against the X-Men and it's up to Kitty to take down the women who 'taught her about evil'.  But not everything is as it seems, and Emma isn't attacking her teammates alone.

UNSTOPPABLE(A)

Joss Whedon wraps up his legendary X-Men run with a bang, or bullet I guess. Breakworld has a giant bullet pointed at Earth and it's up to the X-Men to stop this alien race from wiping out the planet.  Any Whedon fan will see his fingerprints all over the ending of this story.  

ENDANGERED SPECIES

There are 198 mutants left in the world, and that number is dwindling every day.  Hank McCoy is desperate to save his people so he seeks the help of everyone he can to try and revive the mutant race.  Hank travels the world seeking the High Evolutionary, Dr. Strange, and anyone who may help him.  He also finds the woman responsible for mutant kinds demise; the Scarlet Witch.

MESSIAH COMPLEX

The first mutant in years is born, and she's just a baby.  It's a scramble to try and reach this child.  The X-Men want to protect her, Mr. Sinister wants to experiment on her, and the human Purifiers want to kill her.  Cyclops finds out his own son, Cable, is on the run with the child and wants to make sure no one can catch him.  How far will Scott go to protect this new hope?  Is this child the mutant savior or their damnation?