Book Description

Someone - or something - is haunting the halls of the Xavier Institute, and it's up to the X-Men-in-training to get to the bottom of it! Can the New Mutants find a way to bring peace to this tortured being before they become the tortured? Plus: David Alleyne, a.k.a. Prodigy of the New Mutants, can absorb the skills and knowledge of anyone close by, but is doomed to forget everything as soon as they're gone. So what would happen if he could keep that knowledge instead of forgetting? He'd be the smartest kid in the world, right? Is it too much of a good thing? Collects New X-Men: Academy X #7-11. ... Read more

Book Description

It begins here! The critically acclaimed, fan-favorite storyline that rocked the X-Men Universe to its core is collected across four volumes! In a cracked-mirror world ruled by the genocidal mutant despot Apocalypse, only one hope remains: Magneto and his X-Men! ... Read more

Book Description

Have you ever wondered how laser beams might actually shoot out of someone's eyes?

What could cause wings to sprout from the back of a man, allowing him to fly?

If your skeleton was bonded with a flexible but indestructible metal, how would your blood flow and nerves be affected?

Through a combination of informed speculation and science fact The Science of the X-Men gives a scientific investigation of the most popular mutant super hero team in the history of comics. Using such cutting edge science as genetic manipulation, biotechnology, quantum physics, string theory, biophysics, and the Human Genome Project you'll learn how the powers of Wolverine, Professor X, Jean Grey, Rogue, Storm, Cyclops and many more X-Men and their adversaries could work in the real world.

The Science of the X-Men goes beyond the characters and includes an analysis of their equipment and some of the alien races that have crossed paths with the X-Men. You'll discover how Professor X's amazing computer, Cerebro, can find mutants, the technical specs on the X-Men's specially modified airplane, the Lockheed SR-71, and the amazing robotics and holograms that make up the X-Men's amazing adaptive obstacle course known as the Danger Room. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

for X-fans only
i didn't check the science of the book to see how accurate it was or was not. i don't think that is really the purpose of the book. it's here for fans of the x-men to think on what gives them their powers. and it is mildly entertaining in its attempt. the writing bogs down here and there and gets a little boring but overall it is entertaining. there are a few xmen that are left out that would have been nice to read about (gambit, bishop, cannonball, toad, avalanche, mystique) and there are some that are questionable in their inclusion (scarlet witch, unus the untouchable). the technology and alien races section are extremely weak. the technology offers no diagrams and both sections are merely synopsises and don't go into the how. still, for an x-fan, it is worth reading.

Mutant Physics 101
Think of it as a comic book lover's guide to basic science. This book doesn't so much debate the plausibility of a mutant's powers as it explains the laws of physics that would govern the use of them. It's overly simplistic in some places and needlessly complex in a few others, but mostly it's an easy, straight-forward read. Out of the 19 mutants that they profile they include all the originals (Jean, Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, Angel), some odd choices (Scarlet Witch, Unus the Untouchable) and miss some good opportunities (Banshee in particular). The section on psi-powers is probably the weakest, but the strong analysis of Wolverine and Magneto mostly make up for it. The character bios seem very accurate and detailed and the one error that I noticed is more likely a problem with editing than with the authors. On the whole it's a much better book than I expected it to be.

Other mutants included: Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Quicksilver, Mastermind, Colossus, Havok, the Blob, Xavier, Storm, and Rogue plus sections on Cerebro and the Sentinels

Not for those with lacking scientific knowledge...
I am the first person to admit that my science knowledge is limited. It ends on a college freshman physical science level. I thought that this book could give me a better grip on science by using a topic I enjoy to explain it. Well, the science is poorly explained for those of us who are science dummies. I tried to keep up but just couldn't. And on top of that the text is dry. The most interesting part of the book are the introductions for each character. I will not lie to you, halfway through the book I started to read only the introductions and skipped the rest. I am glad that I borrowed it from a friend. Don;t waste your money, and if you just REALLY REALLY need to read it because you are an X-Men fan then check your local library.

cool and provocative
Not just for geeks--fun look at the x-men's paradigms and how they hold up as science.

Needs and editor, yet slightly interesting
This book is in dier need of an editor, it has bad grammer and often repeats sentences and sometimes even Paragraphs. Occasionally this book even is hard to read. Although this book is not completely useless. This book is slightly interesting, it has nice notions and can at some times be very scientific ( hense the name) which may lead to some excitment to make you keep reading. If your an X-men Fan, this book will go good with your collection and may spark some intrest, disregarding the frequent errors. ... Read more

Book Description

It's the movie event of the year--and the action-packed book you've been waiting for.

Outcasts from society, the X-MEN are genetic mutants, born with superhuman powers, who harness their special abilities for the greater good. But the human race they fight to protect rejects and fears--even hates--them.

Not all mutants seek to protect mankind. One terrorist group--led by the supremely powerful Magneto--seeks to strike first. Battling against prejudice and agents of intolerance, the X-MEN must establish a peaceful coexistence between mutant and mankind or they will surely perish . . .
... Read more

Reviews (35)

A fabulous read!

I'm not a science fiction fan, nor do I read comic books, but I've heard a lot about the movie, so I thought reading the book might give me some background. I got so caught up in the story that I read it in one sitting.

Different from the rest of the world due to a damaged/evolving gene, a group of 'mutants' must battle prejudice and most struggle to survive.

Normal humans persecute the mutants, not because they hate them, but because they do not understand their gifts.

Professor Charles Xavier, a mutant himself, is on a mission to seek out these outcasts and provide them with a nuturing environment in which they can flourish and come to terms with their powers.

A former colleague, known as Magneto, is set on an altogether different path -- one that will destroy the world unless the Professor and his X-Men foil Magneto's demented plans.

Lurking just below the surface of this story are some very good life lessons on tolerance, acceptance, and self-worth.

This classic battle of good versus evil plays out with some great storytelling.

The authors did their job well because I liked the Professor's 'good guys' and I really detested Magneto and his bullies.

I can't wait to see the movie!

Enjoy!

Great read,especially for Wolverine fans.
I am a reader of the Xmen comics from way back when the comic first came out, and a diehard Wolverine fan. I realize that this is not the comic version of how these characters first met, so of course, I was worried about the authors keeping true to the original characters. They are already well known to "true believers" and we sort of take unkindly to them being twisted into something they are not, (something that is common practice when the make a movie out of a book). But to my suprise I enjoyed the book (and the movie). The part of the story that focused on Wolverine's character was right on. A basically good and honorable man mixed with a vicious beast, tormented by a terrible forgotten past. Magneto is also done well, self-rightious and mad with revenge. Jean and Cyclops and Wolverine and Cyclops' inter-play was right on. Mind you they could have done better. The Professor is not as developed as he could have been. They made Storm an original team member, they mixed Jubilee with Rogue, got the claw count on Logan wrong a couple of times, made a mistake with Cyclops powers. Sabretooth seems not to remember Logan. Annoying mistakes but I found myself forgiving them because the story is good. A good read, but next time guys, read the comic version first.

Possibly Worse then Daredevil!
If any of you have read my reveiw for Daredevil you know what i mean. I hated the Daredevil Movie Tie-In and i did not like this one that much either. For starters I am a huge fan of the X-Men ( Wolverine is my favoerite! ) In the book Wolverine has four claws that come out of his nucles. Well and body who has seen the movies, or read a comics knows that he only has three claws that come out from in between the nucles. After reading that the book just wasn't the best for me. Too much was changed from the movie.

Overall: Well...It is an easy read, but not up to par.

be happy with the movie
I like movie novelizations where both the movie and the book are good, but in different ways. The things that happen in this book are almost exactly the same as the things that happened in the movie - I was impressed that it could be this accurate and still be such a short book. There are a few things in the book that weren't in the movie at all, such as, at the beginning, parts that explain what it was like for Cyclops and Storm when they first got their powers. That was nice. Still, it felt like this book managed to leech all the excitement out of the story. It was a faithful book, but not a very fun one.

Not that good for hard-core addicts
This book was okay, for a book. If anyone who reads books was to pick it up they would probably like it. Actually it's quite a good book if you don't know much about x-men in general and just saw the movie, or something like that.
However, for people who actually read the comics, like me, it seems to be poorly lacking information and using members of the team like Storm and Cyclops as characters who's backgrounds are very skecthy.
Over all I didn't care for it very much, but that doesn't mean that everyone will feel this way. As I said before the book itself is very well writen, but the facts of the x-men seemed not nearly as good as they should have been. ... Read more

Book Description

Moonstar, Karma, Magma, and Wolfsbane - the former X-Men-in-training who helped define a generation - are back. But what happens when these "New Mutants" find out Professor Xavier's up-and-coming students think of them as the "Old Mutants?" Former students become the teachers as the old guard is asked back to help prepare the next generation of New X-Men. Collects New Mutants #1-6. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This Is the New Mutants!
Not the -Ultimate X-Men Vol 8-.Danielle Moonstar returns, a reluctant but willing helper to Professor X ... only to be offered a job as a teacher as the Xavier Institute.Well worth the cost, this tale reunites her w/Karma & [tangentially] Magma, & showcases her essential humanity.
Danielle is a reluctant co-worker-to-Prof-er-Charles, unconvinced of her effectiveness even as she talks a toxic teen into coming w/her to Xavier's.The new thrust of Xavier's, as a training/teaching facilty for young outcasts rather than a "next X-men prep" is a bold move, &Dani is a natural ... & Karma, as a triple threat [she's a mutant! she's an Asain!Oooh, gods, she's *GAY*!] addition is charming [if generically drawn; i'm not a big fan of the artist]. Highly recommended!

Mutants with heart
When the New Mutants re-appeared on the stands, I was just returning to comics after a 15-year hiatus and welcomed the sight of a familiar face to ease me back into the monthly habit. Joshua Middleton's beautiful cover art featuring some of the women from the original lineup drew me in, and Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir's patient, nuanced introduction of the first mutant of the new generation, and their reintroduction and use of a tortured Danielle Moonstar as the story's anchor, kept me glued through to the last page.

The closing dialogue sealed the deal for me:

Sofia: What's Xavier's like?
Danielle: Like no place else in the world. You'll see.

While I didn't love Keron Grant's interior art, nor his uneven trio of inkers, there was something in its intent that worked for the tone of the story. Over the next 5 issues, DeFilippis and Weir made good on Danielle's promise, consistently delivering the goods by capturing that tricky combination of teenage angst and super-heroism that Marvel Comics seemingly trademarked ever since Stan Lee came up with the idea of a nerdy science buff bitten by a radioactive spider, but that so few mainstream comics are able to pull off today.

Unfortunately, this series was derailed by the X-Men Reloaded marketing stunt and relaunched as the vastly inferior New X-Men: Academy X. ... Read more

Book Description

High adventure in the Savage Land! The X-Men discover a wondrous and advanced new civilization when they return to the isolated, Antarctic jungle - but it's none-too-friendly toward humans...or mutants! And could the X-Men have unintentionally helped them take their first steps toward world domination? Plus: The team gains a highly unexpected new member! Collects Uncanny X-Men #455-461. ... Read more

Book Description

Finally putting to rest their own recent past, the X-Men embark on an all-new, all-different era of excitement!Will the surprising return of a familiar character prove to be the saving grace of the X-Men, or will it doom them forever?Plus: a surprise twist in the life of Gambit! Collecting X-Men #157-#164 ... Read more

Book Description

Beginning the second of three books chronicling the final story of Marvel's mutant heroes!The Xavier Academy has been reduced to a smoldering crater in a brutal sneal attack, and the casualties number in the hundreds.Now Cyclops must mobilize the survivors to get to the bottom of who is behind there coordinated strikes on mutants in general and the X-Men in particular. Collects X-Men: The End - Heroes and Martyrs #1-6. ... Read more

Book Description

The death of Colossus, reprinted here for the first time! For too long mutants were threatened by the twin specters of the Legacy Virus and anti-mutant politics. Now, the X-Men hope to end both threats, but at what cost to their oldest and dearest? Are there deaths from which even the X-Men can't return? Featuring Mystique, Cable, and the last issue of Bishop's solo series! Collects Uncanny X-Men #388-390, Cable #87, Bishop #16 and X-Men #108-110. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This is why no one reads comics
Really atrocious. The story begins with the X-men disbanding, and then just reforming for no reason with new members. No explanation is given as to why these characters come in, or even what the point of it all is. The was decent in places, but on the whole pretty [disappointing], and there was basically no characterization. I felt cheated after reading this even though I hadn't even bought it. Thank God Grant Morrison came along and saved the X-men.

An okay story in a nicely produced TPB
This TPB reprints X-Men #92, Astonishing X-Men #1-3, Uncanny X-Men #375 and X-Men #95.

The innocent and scared little Nina calls out to Jean Grey for help. A mysterious warrior called Death is hunting her and her friends down. Jean and Cyclops team up with Cable, X-Man and Wolverine to help them out. But as the story progresses, they find out that they're dealing with much more than what they expected.

This is the prologue to the unfortunately poorly executed Twelve storyline - with a truly surprising and questionable ending. The story in this one is average as the X-Men are perpetually searching for the children and their hunter - Occasionally retreating back to base. It has some okay twists. The action scenes are pretty good and there is another big surprising action scene that goes a little bit over the top.

My major gripe with this one is mostly the art. I mean, it's very good and the colouring is excellent (although a bit too polished at times - especially the characters), but the characters don't look anything like how we know them. They look entirely different. Cable looks a bit like MacGuyver and lost some pounds, while Gambit gained some in his chin, Nate looks more like a little boy (more than he already is), Cyclops also seems to have found the fountain of youth and some drawings of Jean Grey are a terrible disgrace.

But that doesn't take much away from the comic overall. Still a pity though, cos it would have raised my rating. And with no numbering of the pages (I don't think they should ever start doing that), the page numbers on the chapter index seem a bit useless. But it's nice to know how many pages this TPB has before you start reading it.

You might want to read the Twelve storyline after reading this anyway, but as of writing it's not out on TPB form yet. I'd suggest waiting for the TPB, which will be released sooner or later - Or if you're really in a hurry, head down to the local comic shop and get the induvidual comic issues.

The X-Men Dream Team
The X-Men Dream Team, that's the cast of the TPB collection of the Astonishing X-Men-Cyclops, Phoenix, Wolverine, Cable, X-Man (Nate Grey) and Angel. Beautifully drawn by Brandon Peterson, this prequel to the end of the millenium X-Men epic "The Twelve" is well scripted and action packed and contains a shocker ending that will leave you breathless. I just wish however that they will follow this up with an X-Men "The Twelve" collection so the readers wont feel cheated by the shocker ending. All in all, the art, writing and most especially the cast, makes this collection a must have for old and new X-fans. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a series of "origins" tales, not a single story...
I didn't quite know what I was getting into when I bought X-men Mutations. It's basically three stories of how Beast, Psylocke and Angel came to be their current selves. If you're looking for a single, cohesive storyline, you'll be disappointed.

What drew me to this title in the first place was the Archangel storyline, drawn by Walt Simonson - one of my favorite comic artists. This was the Apocalypse story featured in the early days of X-Factor, which I enjoyed very much. I wish it featured the entire story arc, which is what I was expecting when I bought this title, instead of just the part that focused on the Angel/Archangel transformation. What can you do, right?

The other two vignettes are stories I wasn't that interested in. The first features Beast's transformation from normal-looking jumping super guy to blue hairy jumping super guy. It's a mid-70's story that isn't drawn or scripted particularly well by today's standards. I honestly didn't spend that much time with it because I already knew the story and it couldn't hold my interest.

The Psylocke story happened after I stopped collecting comics, and I'll admit that I was curious to see how the more recent vintage X-men compared to what I was more familiar with. I knew that Wolverine played a significant role in the story, and that Psylocke had become pretty popular as a character. That said, I was surprised that the bad guy wound up being the Mandarin, the old Iron Man villain. I was also surprised that he had been conveniently installed as the ruler of The Hand, the ninja clan introduced in Frank Miller's classic Daredevil run. He seemed out of place in both roles, reducing The Hand's mystique in the process. I just couldn't see the outfit that Miller came up with taking orders from a run-of-the-mill villain like the Mandarin (never mind that Mandarins are Chinese while the Hand was a Japanese organization). Jim Lee's artwork was fine, but I'm afraid I have a tendency to compare it to John Byrne's work in the early 80's. It's a tough act to follow.

In the final equation, I'll say this - thumbs up on Angel/Archangel, thumbs down on Beast, and the jury's still out on Psylocke.

Offbeat little reprint book, pretty cool
Ok, here's the dirt on X-men Mutations: we've got the reprinted stories of the transformations of the Beast, Archangel, and Psylocke from fairly normal looking folks into their current, outre appearances. The stories range from fairly poor (the original blue beast transformation story from the 70's) to all out awesome, with the amazing Walt Simonson reinvention of Warren Worthington into the deadly Archangel and Jim Lee's scrumptious revamp of the already gorgeous Betsy Braddock into the mysterious and seductive ninja Psylocke of today. If you haven't read these issues before, you definately want to pick this collection up, if only for the Jim Lee Psylocke tale... which I forgot to mention also features the Mandarin and a certain hairy, adamantium laced mutant as well. Classic stories, Jim Lee at his artistic peak, funky Simonson X-factor...if this one doesn't have what you need, nothing does. ... Read more

Book Description

Long ago, the alien Quistalian leadership ordered its agent, Lucifer, to conquer Earth. A young Charles Xavier stopped him, but the victory cost him the use of his legs. Now, Professor X claims he has evidence of a massive secret Quistalian invasion plan. To stop it, he orders the X-Men on a series of urgent missions to three abandoned Quistalian facilities-one in the Andes, one in central Africa, and one in Antarctica. The purpose is to seize key pieces of alien technology from the scattered sites and assemble that technology into a defense weapon to stop the Quistalian invasion. But is the invasion a lie? Does Professor Xavier have a different, hidden agenda? Normal human Jeffrey Saunders seems to have the answers to the troubling questions of Professor X's bizarre behavior. But his answers don't make things easier; if anything, they only make things worse for the X-Men. Meanwhile, the countdown for the invasion continues.... ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Disappointing
Having read all the Marvel novels and anthologies printed to date, I had high expectations which this book failed to meet. While I feel that Friedman is an excellent author, this book was very weak. The story is a continuation of one from the very early history of the X-Men, which apparently wasn't quite resolved. For those not well-versed in X-Men knowledge (if there are any who would be buying an X-Men book), this might be a difficult read, as there is very little background given for the characters. Also, there is essentially no character development and the plot was rather weak. Also, while not the most important aspect, there were numerous and repeated spelling (The country is spelled C-o-l-o-m-b-i-a, not C-o-l-u-m-b-i-a! Come on!) and grammar errors. No offense, but when I shell out for a hardback book, it would be nice if someone had proofread it. If you really wish to own this book, at least wait for paperback and save a few bucks.

Best X-Men Novel written to Date
I gave up on the X-Men comics four years ago and had not read any of the previous X-Men novels until this one written by Michael Jan Friedman. I'm glad I did because he takes the story material here and makes it very interesting with a tale that focuses on Professor X and the return of a villian that the X-Men belived destroyed. Everyone here is in character and the story moves quickly to a good climax. It makes the X-Men a great read again after so many years of not so good books and stories. Buy this book.

Insightful and tastful
I absolutly LOVED this book! The plotline is creative and exiting,the personalitys of the characters are wonderfully depicted and true to the origanles. I love that some of the story is told from the prof's point of view,because it shows that he is only human. It shows that he hates being pitied for his crippled legs,that he feels sorrow that he has to send his students into the field and can't go with them,that he loves all his students and is as proud of their accomplishments as a father.
This book doesn't have much background info,but it's still a delightful read. Thumbs up!

I couldn't put it down.
I loved this book. I thought it had a really interesting plot, and was very descriptive. It was nice to see the original X-Men in it, and to see Professor Xavier doing something useful when the team was in trouble-- in the comics at the moment, I get the distinct feeling that he's good at sending the team out, and sitting back and relaxing.

The only problem I had with this book, and the only reason I didn't give it five stars, was that it didn't mention all the newer, fascinating X-Men as well. Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, and my personal favourite, Gambit-- where were they? Even if they weren't in it, it would have been nice for at least a mention, to aknowledge their existence.

Apart from that one little thing I didn't like about it (and that's just me) this book was practically glued to my hands until I put it down. Despite the fact that the character was mentally handicapped, Friedman managed to make Jeffrey Saunders a very three dimensional character. I would reccomend this book to all fans of the original X-Men -- However, if you pick up this book wanting to read about all the new X-Men, I suggest putting it down right away.

What...is going on?
This was an amusing read, but not one I would really impose on others; the simple problem is that the characters spend too much time reminiscing about past battles than doing anything. This book would have been much better if it was about 100 pages shorter. If you aren't a fan of the X-men with a good deal of back ground knowledge, you won't have a clue what's going on. If you are a big fan of the X-men, then by all means, go ahead and read this, but if not, don't waste your time.... ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The conclusion....
The final conclusion to a very good trilogy. This book can be quite brutal, and to be honest, it is refreshing to see someone take risks with the characters they are writing about. This book will be great for all X-Men fans, as it has non-stop action, character dilemma, and numerous guest-appearances by Marauders, Tusk, Blob, Toad, Pyro, etc. Not to mention Juggernaut teams up with the X-Men, and he is written FAR better than his other book we'll get to much later. A good read for all! Here's the score:
1) X-Men: Mutant Empire (series)
2) Daredevil: Predator's Smile
3) Hulk: What Savage Beast
4) Fantastic Four: To Free Atlantis
5) Ultimate Spider-Man
6) Spider-Man: Carnage in New York

Mutant Empire Finale
A exciting end to a wonderfully done trilogy. Golden does not leave out any facts. He includes many different mutants from the wide spread background of the X-Men. With Manhattan taken over by Magneto and half of the X-Men captured, things look bleak. Fortunately the X-Mens stuck in space are able to get back to earth and devise a plan to stop Magneto from achieving his goal. Amazingly, Juggernaut joins the X-Men in conquering Magneto. After the fierce rescue it comes down to all out brawl between the X-Men and the mutants of new Haven. In the end it is possible this leads to the Asteriod M saga.

A solid conclusion, if lacking a few things
(If you'd like to know where I'm coming from, I explained my familiarity with the X-Men in my review of Siege, the first installment in this series.)

Ah. This is the novel I've been waiting for in the Mutant Empire series - the climax. Christopher Golden has been masterfully building suspense in one of the most powerful series I've ever read, detailing the X-Men's almost hopeless endeavor to prevent Magneto from taking control of New York City forever.

Just why is it hopeless? This is classic X-Men, where the team is so far overmatched that you want to cry. Not only do they have to face Magneto, who can give the team a run for its money by himself, but they also have to contend with his Acolytes, a city full of mutants, and then the Sentinels. Plus, the American government is tight-lipped about its plans, offering only a seven-hour window to solve the crisis.

The novel begins with one half of the X-Men captured, and the other half going into New York. That half splits once more, with three people trying to disable the Sentinels, while the other half rescues the X-Men.

There's relatively little time and advancement of the team that tries to disable the Sentinels. They basically traipse around New York, trying to identify the Alpha Sentinel to reprogram it (and why is it called the Alpha Sentinel if it has an Omega symbol on its back?).

The other team, however, has more than its share of the action. Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Rogue try to sneak into the Empire State Building to free the X-Men - and meet up with the Juggernaut. In a bizarre twist of events, the Juggernaut joins up with them, helping to even up a still one-sided fight. But Golden knows his X-Men history, and he does an excellent job of explaining Juggernaut's psychology and motivations so that long-time X-Men fans won't be offended by what may seem like an implausible move.

The past subplots, namely those involving Henry Gyrich/Val Cooper and Professor Xavier, slowly fade out as Salvation brings in its own subplots. This novel helps to develop Trish Tilby more, as she questions her ethics and principles. As she reports the story directly from New York City, she begins to question the morality of her actions as the X-Men are chained up. She eventually helps them escape, but not without a price.

As a minor quibble, I find that there are several scientifically implausible points in Salvation. I know, I know: it's all fiction, so there's no real science here. But still. First, I hate the idea of "disabling" mutant powers. You should no more be able to do that than to "disable" someone's motor skills with a special collar. Second, Professor Xavier fools the Sentinels by making them think that Valerie Cooper is a mutant - HOW is this possible at all? The Sentinels are robots, and can't be fooled by a simple illusion like that. And it's not even that necessary to have Valerie there, really. So these two points are momentary irritations in an otherwise excellent novel.

Some fans may complain that Mutant Empire, while doing a great job of building suspense, has had little in the way of action so far. Well, no more. Christopher Golden rewards us with nearly half a novel of the biggest brawl ever, as the X-Men and Juggernaut team up to take on the new mutant population in New York City. Of course, the odds are still daunting, but Golden brings in some extra help that make it a fairer fight.

The action was great, but what made Salvation rewarding, in my opinion, was the change in the characters. It's not a change that we'll see in the comics, since this is written "out of continuity" (although Golden makes references to specific events and suggests that this took place just before the Fatal Attractions crossover). But some of the characters have evolved by the end of the novel - Senator Kelly has begun to turn, Trish Tilby's faith in mutants has been reinforced, Major Ivan Skolnick (created exclusively for this series) realizes that there's only one way to fight for equality. Even the Juggernaut's hatred for the X-Men has lessened.

Unfortunately, that leaves the X-Men struggling for growth. To be honest, there wasn't much of it. Xavier's opinions didn't change. The Acolytes still side with Magneto, and the X-Men agree with the latter. But Magneto comes to a startling revelation that impressed me greatly, although Golden sort of backpedals over that catharsis in the epilogue. So he leaves open the possibility of future conflict, but he does so by leaving the X-Men right where they started. It's not at all a problem for me, but I understand that some people want that, so I want to point out that this series won't give that to you.

But for all the other X-Men fans, invest some time to find the series and to read it. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

PS. I couldn't find a proper place to insert these quibbles, so I'll tack them on here. First, where is Colossus? He should have been with the X-Men if this is before Fatal Attractions (and it really can't be after, considering the references to X-Factor in Genosha, which occurred just prior to that crossover). And why didn't the Juggernaut help the X-Men to fight Magneto? I think Golden was trying to avoid the question of what Magneto's power could do to either character (especially Juggernaut - is his mystical armor vulnerable to magnetism?), but it seemed too transparent.

X-Men: Mutant Empire
Professor Charles Xavier, the U.S government or Magneto? Who are you for? The good, the bad or the evil? Desicions, desicions, desicions. You though you knew the real story behind these fictional characters, but you had no idea. Take a journey with me inside the real truth. Mutation-(1) act or process of changing; alteration (2) Change within a gene or chormosome of living organisms resulting in the appearance of a new, inheritable feature or character. This book if you have not yet noticed is about the superheroes with mutant powers and abilities. This story is basially about the dispute of good mutants versus bad mutants. Though in between there are the humans who despise the mutants whether they are good or evil. Which places the humans under bad. It is also about fighting and destroying groups of people. Which is why it makes it a really good book for people who are into Marvel comics and fictional type war. Though not to be sexist or anything but guys might like this type of book more that girls because guys are more into these types of books. So, I would recommend this book to anyone above the age of 12 with a really creative mind. This book, if it were to be graded on a scale of one through five, would be and should be given at most four. Because as you get into the habit of reading this book you would begin to notice that it does get a bit too "wordy". That would have to be its numberone and only weakness. At timnes it can bore a person though that's when it really begins to pick up. One minute you are bound to sleep but as you go on and on it gets better and better. Do you know why? Because it is greatly detailed and that is where this book covers uyp for its weakness. I mean that it is so detailed that as you read you can image yourself right there side by side with the characters and this is exactly why I have recommended this book for anyone above 12 years of age with a creative mind. so as they are reading they can imagine themselves in one of the characters places and be side by side with the other characters. And honestly I think that this is a really great book.

Takes too Long to Read
Golden is taking his cues from Chris Claremont's work a bit too much here. The novel, like the whole trilogy is over-written and leads up to an unsatisfying ending. Much like the X-Men are written these days, I'm sorry to say. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

For Spidey and the X-Men teamups, this is great!
For fans of both Spider-Man and the X-Men, this isn't one you want to miss! From Spidey's first encounter with the original five X-Men to his later adventures with the other members of the team, this has it all, and then some. Written with a great sense of humor and the characters, this is a real keeper! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Truly excellent!
Contains stories from all throughout the series, including the first introduction of the X-Babies! Technically, it's the X-Men de-aged, but still! ... Read more

Book Description

The X-Men are sent to the farthest regions of space to fight a desperate battle board an orbital space station. Upon their return, one hero will undergo a transformation so startling, it threatens the survival of the universe itself!
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Reviews (2)

Not bad, but not in color
This story tells how Jean Grey became Phoenix, but is a small paperback book in black and white. The whole story (3 comics) is told in a flashback in X-Men: Phoenix Rising. This book is helpful if you want to see the original comics, but you'll get the same story in color along with the rescue and return of Jean Grey if you read X-Men: Phoenix Rising. I recommend that over this.

Enter The Phoenix
In Enter The Phoenix we witness the first (?) time (chronologicaly at least) Jean Grey merging with the Phoenix, a cosmic force so great that few but the creator can match it. My copy of the story is one of the "Marvel Masterworks" books (Uncanny X-men 101 - 110) and starts with the X-Men crashing a Space Shuttle into Jamaica Bay. During the flight in space the shuttle has passed through a solar storm with very high radiation. With a scientist and the rest of the X-men sheltered in a radiation chamber, Jean Grey, then Marvel Girl, pilots the shuttle through. Though it should have meant certain death, Jean merges with the phoenix force and survives. (Actually her nearly dead body is placed in a healing cocoon at the botom at the bay and it is the phoenix "borrowing" Jean's form that emerges from the waters in front of her astonished team- mates. See "Dark Phoenix Saga" and "Inferno" for further details.) Jean is placed in a hospital for recovery and the X-Men is sent on a vacation to Cassidy Keep (Sean Cassidy aka Banshee's ancestral home in Ireland). I wont spoil the fun by telling you everything that happens though, so I think I'll stop here. The plot, written by Claremont,is very good but not the best he has done. Dave Cockrum's art (at the end John Byrne takes over) is also very good and not like todays misproportioned characters. What I like most with the story is Claremonts ability to mix fast paced action with deeply emotional pasages like when Scott in the hospital finds out that Jean's going to survive. His sense of epic melodrama is no doubt one of the major reasons X-Men was/is so popular (altough he sometimes overdo it.) In this book Jean Grey/Phoenix almost Single-handedly saves the universe (though the raw power of the phoenix is not enough, she needs the aid of her fellow X-Men's spirits, their determination, so it's a significant 'almost'.) and displays the Phoenix as a force of goodness and harmony. The Fire is closely ascosiated with the Phoenix and here it is the fire the warms/heals. But there is two sides to most things. If you read this you must also read the "Dark Phoenix Saga" were the fire burns insted of warms... ... Read more