Astonishing X-Men is the name of several Marvel comic book series featuring the superhero team, the X-Men. There have been three X-Men books to bear the name Astonishing X-Men, the first two were limited series and the third an ongoing series.
| Astonishing X-Men | |
|---|---|
| File:Axm 13.jpg | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | Ongoing |
| Format | Volume One - Miniseries Volume Two - Miniseries Volume Three - Ongoing |
| Publication date | Volume One (1995) Volume Two (1999) Volume Three (2004 - present) |
| Main character(s) | Cyclops Emma Frost Beast Shadowcat Colossus Wolverine Lockheed |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | Scott Lobdell Joe Madureira |
| Written by | Joss Whedon |
| Artist(s) | John Cassaday |
Volume one (1995)
The original Astonishing X-Men was a four-issue series that replaced Uncanny X-Men during the 1995 alternate universe storyline Age of Apocalypse, in which all X-Titles were given new names and issue numbers. In this storyline, Professor X is murdered 20 years in the past by his own son, Legion. Magneto, witnessing his friend's death, commits himself to Xavier's dream and creates his own team of X-Men. However, he can not stop the rise of the despotic Apocalypse.
Astonishing X-Men, written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by Joe Madureira, featured a team of X-Men led by Rogue and consisting of Sunfire, Blink, Morph, Sabretooth and Wildchild. This particular team travels to Chicago to stop the mass murder of ordinary humans carried out by Apocalypse's "son" and first horseman, Holocaust.
Volume two (1999)
The second limited series to bear the title Astonishing X-Men was published in 1999 and occurred after The Shattering storyline. In this series, most of the regular X-Men leave the team over a conflict with Professor X. The three-issue series, written by Howard Mackie and illustrated by Brandon Peterson, featured an interim team consisting of Wolverine, Phoenix, Cyclops, Archangel, Cable and Nate Grey.
This team protects the Mannites, a group of super powered, genetically engineered children from Death, a horseman of Apocalypse. Wolverine is apparently murdered by Death in the final pages of the series. However, it was later revealed that "Death" was actually a mind controlled Wolverine, and that the "Wolverine" who was killed was an imposter, a shapeshifting Skrull.
Volume three (2004-present)
In 2004, Marvel used the title Astonishing X-Men for the ongoing X-Men series written by Joss Whedon (best known as the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly) and illustrated by John Cassaday. It is a continuation of the New X-Men title and features a similar line-up of characters, including Cyclops (as team leader), Emma Frost, Beast, Shadowcat, Lockheed and Wolverine.
Story arcs
- "Gifted" (issues #1-#6) - The first story arc focuses on the gathering of this particular team of mutants. While trying to save a group of hostages, the X-Men come up against the alien Ord. At the same time, a press conference is held to announce the discovery of a 'cure' for mutants. While investigating both of these incidents, the X-Men reunite with Colossus, who had been resurrected by Ord's alien technology to help find the 'cure.'. With Colossus' help, the team takes down Ord, but not before it is revealed that a mutant (probably an X-Man) will destroy his home planet - the Breakworld - within the next three years.
- "Dangerous" (issues #7-#12) - The team fights a murderous, self-aware personification of the "Danger Room" training facility, coined "Danger". The fight takes them to Genosha where, with the help of Charles Xavier, the X-Men are able to defeat Danger for the time being.
- "Torn" (issues #13-18) - The X-Men are manipulated by a new Hellfire Club, consisting of Cassandra Nova, Emma Frost, the enigmatic Perfection, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Sebastian Shaw.
Trivia
- The film X-Men: The Last Stand bears influence from the first arc of Astonishing X-Men Volume three: "Gifted."
- Astonishing X-Men was Wizard magazine's Book of the Year in 2004.
- In Wizard magazine #173, Whedon admitted mistakes in the second story arc, saying he was so fascinated with the idea of the "new intelligence" that he neglected the action and thus prevented the story from flowing well.
- Whedon's initial contract with Marvel Comics was for 12 issues (one year) but has since been renegotiated for an additional 12. Cassaday is expected to remain with the title during Whedon's run. However, Whedon's first year ended 4 months late, in September 2005. After a break of several months, the title resumed in February 2006 with new story arc: "Torn".
- Whedon, Cassaday, and the title have been nominated for several Eisner Awards. The series won best continuing series in 2006 and John Cassidy won "Best Artist/Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team" in 2005 (tie with Frank Quitely) and 2006.
- Beginning with issue 13, the comic has temporarily gone from monthly to bi-monthly for the next four issues to allow more time for Whedon and Cassaday to finish each issue and to avoid further late releases.
- According to www.marvel.com, the story arc "Unstoppable" will be Whedon and Cassaday's final arc.
- The final panel of issue 15 is an homage to the final panel of Uncanny X-Men 132.