Giant-Size X-Men #1
Published and © by Marvel, 1975
Title: “Second Genesis!”
Synopsis: When the original X-Men fall prey to a powerful new foe, Professor X gathers replacements to mount a rescue effort.
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Dave Cockrum
Review: The new X-Men’s initial outing is an incredibly efficient affair, particularly when compared to modern, decompressed storytelling. Len Wein and Dave Cockrum introduce several new mutants, establishing powers, personalities and a glimpse of backstory. Wein’s plot is tight and Cockrum’s art a cut above. This is a well-crafted debut.
•••
Title: “Call Him … Cyclops”
Synopsis: The X-Men’s longtime leader demonstrates the range of his powers across a variety of situations.
Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciler: Werner Roth
Inker: John Verpoorten
Review: This reprint from X-Men #43 lacks the punch and pizzazz of the vastly superior lead story. It’s informational, not entertaining.
•••
Title: “I, the Iceman”
Synopsis: The youngest of the original X-Men shows off how his powers have evolved since his early “snowman” days.
Writer: Arnold Drake
Penciler: Werner Roth
Inker: John Verpoorten
Review: With its jovial, break-the-fourth-wall style, this short reprint from X-Men #47 is a relic from another era.
•••
Title: “The Female of the Species!”
Synopsis: It’s Marvel Girl’s turn to showcase her powers – including, sadly, the ability to “turn men’s heads.”
Writer: Linda Fite
Penciler: Werner Roth
Inker: Sam Grainger
Review: Even with a writer of “the supposedly weaker sex,” this partial reprint from X-Men #57 concludes on a sexist note.
Grade (for the entire issue): B+
Second opinion: “The new X-Men were a fresh outlook in comics.” – Michal Jacot, Comic Effect #28, Winter 2001 … “I feel this book represented some of Len Wein’s weakest writing and some of Dave Cockrum’s weakest art.” – Mike Hall, Comic Effect #35, June-July 2003 …“Len Wein holds a makeover clinic in Giant-Size X-Men #1, showing how to put a new face on an old concept.” – John Jackson Miller, The Comics Buyer’s Guide to the X-Men (Comics Buyer’s Guide Presents), 2003 … No. 4 on Marvel’s 2001 “Greatest Marvels of All Time” list. … “Len Wein and Dave Cockrum managed to breathe new life into the book and to bring about a new era for the Uncanny X-Men.” – Hero Illustrated Special Edition Vol. 4, No. 1: The 100 Most Important Comics of All Time!, May, 1994 … “Some commentators see the release of this issue as the true start of the Bronze Age of comics – an era-defining moment.” – Melanie Scott and Stephen “Win” Wiacek, “Marvel Greatest Comics: 100 Comics That Built a Universe” … “The new team added a multiracial, multinational tilt to remind us even more that, at its core, X-Men has always been about intolerance to those who are different.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: It’s amazing how much of the X-Men template that would dominate comics for the next few decades was already in place here. Also, Dave Cockrum’s costume designs; they’re almost always cool.
Not-so-cool factor: The handling of Thunderbird, a Native American character, has not aged well.
Notable: First appearance of Colossus, Illyana Rasputin, Krakoa, Nightcrawler, Storm and Thunderbird.
Collector’s note: This comic has been reprinted several times, including a facsimile edition (with a different cover price) in 2019.
Character quotable: “What are we going to DO with THIRTEEN X-Men?” – Angel, one of the original X-Men
Editor’s note: This review was written Dec. 9, 2020
