Essential Classic X-Men, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials)

Marvel discontinued the x-men series in the 70's because it wasn't selling. They brought it back later, but there's a pretty clear line between the "old" x-men and the "new" ones. This book has the last few issues of the "old" x-men (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast and Iceman with a little Havok and Polaris here and there). Since there weren't enough of these comics to fill up a whole book, the publishers finish it out with a Spiderman, an Avengers, and Beasts's solo series (where he experiments with a potion that turns him into a real beast). I am loving all of these, but this one was my least favorite, since it was only about half "x-men". My only complaint is that all the comics printed here are presented in black and white... I'd gladly pay a few dollars more for a color reprint (I mean come on guys, the originals sold for $1 each in color!)

This is the one you've been waiting for. It includes all of the classic Adams/Thomas stories as well as a couple of issues before, and some issues after. This collection is fleshed out with other books like "Amazing Adventures" starring the Beast when he first got blue and furry, and X-Men appearances in "The Incredible Hulk" and "Marvel Team Up" which were published after the X-Men book was essentially canceled (they just reprinted earlier issues with new covers from issues 66 through 93).If you're not familiar with these issues, this volume is a great, inexpensive way to get your hands on these classics and see what all the fuss is about.The artwork is still eye-popping and revolutionary, nearly four decades later. Neal Adams' beautiful pencils under Tom Palmer's superb inks are still the high-water-mark for comic art. And more, it's just plain FUN.Marvel had already decided that this book was headed for cancellation when Adams came on board; the pressure was off and he could do what he liked on the book with Roy Thomas as a willing (eager!) collaborator. They took a listless book with a miserable rogues gallery and turned it into a run for the ages.There is a story (probably apocryphal) that when Neal handed in the pencilled pages for issue 54, one of the Marvel Bullpen stalwarts was so astonished by them he dropped the pages on the floor. I don't know if that story is true, but these are definitely jaw dropping, if not page dropping.If you're a Neal Adams fan, you'll definitely want to get your hands on this book.The stories without Adams are okay, but nothing to brag about. This book also suffers from the ongoing problem with all the Marvel "Essential" books: no color at all, which is a shame. Adams colored his own stuff in his run, and it's a shame to lose that.

I gotta say... comics were written so much differently back in the 60's. Reading through a single issue might take you a half an hour or more... these days you can read most comic books before you are done in the restroom!These books are great. The size of phone books, and chock-full of classic stories you probably would never find the original issues from.Also, with them being inexpensive and softbound, they are perfect for lending to friends you want to get into comic books.TOTALLY AGE APPROPRIATE! Get your kids reading!

Fun to read

Excellent book. Been waiting for this since my husband was a child. Excellent idea to put all the comics into a book. Great gift idea. Faster delivery than expected. I would recommend this to everyone. A must have for your collection.

This edition of Classic X-Men takes you through the time period when Marvel was considering dropping the title because of low sales. There were guest star cross-overs including Spiderman and changes of the artist and writer to spark interest but eventually it did finally end. After that an attempt was made to revive interest in a comic featuring just the Beast, and those stories are included too. I remember these stories because this was the time I was just starting to read comics and were some of my favorites.It is clear while reading the stories all in a row that the X-Men idea had kind of lost focus and the storytelling suffered because of it. Having said that I do recommend this title for anyone who really wants to see the beginnings of some of the characters (Like Havoc) and ideas that led to the title being reissued with some old and some new characters, that became so popular later in the 70's and 80's.There is a lot of product here, but it would be remiss of me not to mention that the last 50 pages or so of the book are filler such as reprints of covers, unused pages, galley pages with margin notes, etc. Since this represents the end of the "Classic" X-men there was only so much material that could be included, but it clearly has less value than most of these Essential titles that have over 500 pages of story.

Remembered these actual comics from when I was a kid. The origin of Havok and some other great classic stories.

There is still magic in the pages of those comics written in the early Marvel years. This one is a fine example.