Favourite 5 #1: The First 50 Covers of X-Men
Dec 30, 2008 Favourite 5
Comic Book Covers are supposed to entice and excite you. They should compel you to pick up the story they are representing or at least give you enough of a reason to open the comic up and flip through the pages. I woke up this morning and was thinking about what to write today as usual and as I was brushing my teeth, I started thinking about comics I read when I was younger. Almost immediately, the re-launch of the X-Men book in the early 90’s jumped into my head. What I remember most were the covers from the initial Jim Lee run and then into the Andy Kubert days. For whatever reason, these covers still stick with me today and I decided to run through my 5 favourites from the first 50 issues.Number 5 - X-Men #11
"Hi. We're the X-Men. Nice to meet you."
This is a classic pose for the X-Men. Everyone looking at the camera and telling you what they are thinking by their facial expressions and body language. Wolverine is showing you that he does indeed still have his claws and would likely enjoy sticking them in something. Jubilee is completely bored with anything and everything that is happening. Rogue has some shifty eyes that suggest something is going on that we are unaware of. And the ever loving Beast is simply hanging around. Jim Lee captured the X-Men personalities perfectly here.
Number 4 - X-Men #44
"I WANT CAKE! Or a cookie if you have one... I just really have a craving for something sweet."
Cyclops is pissed about something. And I want to find out what! The red tint to everything hooks me in as a reader as the only light source in that rubble is originating from the ruby quart of Cyclops’ visor. This would suggest that he must have been buried by something… or someone! Count me in. Even the barcode is getting knocked around! One suggestion for Mr. Scott Summers; close your mouth, sir. No one like a gob full of dirt. No one.
Number 3 - TIE - X-Men #24 & 30
"I love you more. No, I love YOU more."
"I now pronounce you, Mr. and Mrs. X-Men."
Both of these covers get the number 3 spot as they feature the heart of the X-Men. As often as the team is out there knocking over Sentinels and defeating Magneto again, they are a family at heart that loves each other in many different ways. These 2 covers display that beautifully. The cover to #24 features Rogue and Gambit in a lover’s embrace. Of course with Rogue’s powers, the two can heart-wrenchingly never completely touch one other for fear of Gambit being reduced to an empty shell as Rogue would unintentionally suck his energy from him. Things just don’t seem to work out for these kids. While on the cover to #30, we see that Jean Grey and Scott Summers (Cyclops) are finally tying the knot after years of courtship. Again, a lover’s embrace is illustrated perfectly and all I want to do is open the comic and enjoy the celebration. Andy Kubert strikes all the right chords with this one.
Number 2 - X-Men #4
"Um, I'm guessing we can't just talk this through?"
This is a great example of foreshadowing. By looking at this cover, you know there is going to be a tussle between Wolverine, Gambit, Jubilee and whoever that red hand belongs to. Speaking of that red hand, why is there a 20 foot long white tentacle shooting out of it? Hmmm, if only there was a way to find out… I know, I’ll pick it up and read the comic’s contents! Huzzah for logical thinking!!! Jim Lee knocks another one out of the park.
Number 1 - X-Men #25
"Ah man, I had a feeling today was gonna to suck..."
FATAL Attractions? The DEATH of a Dream? Wolverine being torn to bits? Things aren’t looking (or sounding) too good for Logan. Truthfully, is there anyone who didn’t pick up this comic? Magneto is standing over Wolverine looking like he is about to administer the killing blow while Wolverine appears to be drawing strength for one last attack of his own. Plus, I don’t care what anyone says, that hologram is cool! For those reasons, X-Men #25 gets my vote for favourite cover of the first 50 issues of X-Men.
How’s my driving? Let me know in the comments section. Dig through your old back issues and see if there are any favourite covers of your own that you think I missed from this run. Or, if you have any favourites from the issues that followed (they run into the early 200’s now) list those as well as I will likely tackle those covers in the future.
Tags: andy kubert, comic covers, cyclops, gambit, jean grey, jim lee, jubilee, marvel, wolverine, x-men, xmen
Leave a Reply