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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The beginning of the 90's era X-Men craze, January 5, 2006
This review is from: X-Men Legends Vol. 1: Mutant Genesis (Paperback)
In 1991, Marvel made history by launching a new ongoing X-Men series (the first issue of which was available in many different covers) with legendary X-Men scribe Chris Claremont at the helm, and the talent of superstar in the making Jim Lee providing the pencils. Collecting the first seven issues of X-Men, Mutant Genesis finds Professor Xavier dividing the team up into two groups: the Blue team (which this X-title would feature) and the Gold team (which would be featured in Uncanny X-Men). During this, Magneto and his followers, the Acolytes, are planning to wreak havoc on mankind, and it appears that Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, and Psylocke may be on his side whether they want to be or not. Later on, characters such as Maverick and Omega Red make their debuts as well. The story is typical X-Men/Claremont fare, but it works for what it's worth, whether the dialogue is dated or not. Jim Lee's art is still great fifteen years later, and his character models and costumes would set the standard of the X-Men's look until the end of the decade. All in all, Mutant Genesis isn't the best X-Men TPB you'll read, but you can certainly do far, far worse.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Jim Lee era, part 2, July 27, 2008
This review is from: X-Men Legends Vol. 1: Mutant Genesis (Paperback)
Jim Lee made a name for himself in the late 80's with his legendary run on Marvel's Uncanny X-Men series, so it's no surprise that when given the chance to launch a brand new X-Men series in 1991 it broke all previous sales records and was the most talked-about comics event until the "death" of Superman. The Marvel Legends: X-Men - Mutant Genesis trade paperback collects the first seven issues of that new series (Lee's entire run prior to leaving to start Image Comics).
The stories collected here are pretty decent, but aren't the best from ether Claremont or Lee. Claremont's Magneto story is probably the better of the two, as it returns Magneto to villain status in a big way. Lee's story was more dynamic, and had some of the paramilitary flavor he would use as the backbone for his Wildstorm Universe.
The artwork is gorgeous during the first half and a bit of a mess for the remainder of the book. I think deadline issues were to blame, as Lee has a reputation for not being able to stick with a monthly title. He had a few months to get the first few issues done, so naturally they're amazing to look at. The remaining issues are obviously the work of someone who was in a hurry.
My only complaint with this volume is the binding. It seems way too flimsy and after a few readings my copy looks much worse for wear. Maybe Marvel will give this the Premiere Classic hardcover treatment some day.
If you were an X-Men fan in the 1990's, you don't need me to tell you why you should have this volume in your collection. IF you came to the X-Men later, trust me when I say that what Claremont and Lee did on this title definitely influenced today's X-Men.
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12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Stories and Art, April 22, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: X-Men Legends Vol. 1: Mutant Genesis (Paperback)
... "Mutant Genesis" reprints (in color, not b&w) the first seven issues of the second series X-Men (now renamed New X-Men) from 1991. Claremont writes the first three issues, and John Byrne and Jim Lee write the remaining four. Lee provides pencils for all. The the 3-issue story "Rubicon" represents Claremont's finale as he left the series he'd written for 14 years and made the highest selling comic EVER. It ranks among his best writing (which is saying a lot). The story revolves around Magneto's quest for vengence against Charles Xavier and Moira MacTaggert, involving nearly thirty years of X-Men history, including the effects of the Holocaust, prejudice, nuclear proliferation, and the effects of anger on the human soul. Highly recommended. If you enjoy this trade, I would recommend Claremont's work in:
"X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills"; "X-Men: Vignettes"; and the four volumes of Essential X-Men b&w reprints.
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