Here are a few of the ones I've liked best - several perfectly good issues didn't make this list, including some that are more "important" historically, or to the overall story, but there are other lists for that. These are the ones that really made me glad to be doing this project.
Uncanny X-Men #8: Unus the Untouchable!Originally Published November 1964
Beast quits the team for a life on the pro wrestling circuit, but gets more than he bargained for when he encounters Magneto's latest prospect, a mutant who can't be touched. This is one of the best of the early "X-Men encounter a random mutant crook" stories, spotlighting easily the most interesting of the five original X-Men and giving him a chance to use some outside-the-box thinking.
Uncanny X-Men #11: The Triumph of Magneto!
Originally Published May 1965Magneto tries to recruit a mysterious godlike being from outer space with hilarious reaults. I love this issue because it does absolutely nothing to explain or account for the mysterious nature of the alien "Stranger" and it doesn't need to - here the X-Men are against something far beyond good, evil, or even human comprehension, and the story is accidentally very deep and absurdist for it.
Uncanny X-Men #12: The Origin of Professor X!
Originally Published July 1965
Facing the threat of the Juggernaut, aka the Professor's evil stepbrother Cain Marko, the X-Men's founder and teacher reflects on his youth and the rivalry that led to this moment. Notable both for the content (Young Charles Xavier is a jerk, but his stepbrother is even worse) and for the really cool framing device of the unseen Juggernaut approaching and the X-Men's panicked preparations.
Uncanny X-Men #23: To Save a City!Originally Published August 1966
Count Nefaria only ever did battle with the X-Men twice, but managed to become one of my favourite antagonists. In the second part of his first match against the mutants, he has captured them with the help of five costumed criminals who are all out for themselves, then attempted to coerce the heroes into helping him ransom the city of Washington, DC, which he has encased in a giant glass dome in what has to be one of the lowest return-on-investment villain schemes ever. The X-Men fought plenty of campy cartoon villains in the mid-60s but this guy took that job and ran with it.
Uncanny X-Men #34: War -- In a World of Darkness!Originally Published July 1967
In a truly great example of the X-Men becoming guest stars in their own book, the heroes journey to the centre of the Earth and find themselves playing both sides of a conflict between would-be subterranean dictators Tyrannus and the Mole Man. Do the X-Men get high on fumes and forget they're heroes? Yes! Does the climax involve giant robots? Also yes!
Uncanny X-Men #40: The Mark of the Monster
Originally Published January 1968
Somewhat of a dark horse for the "favourites" category, I have to admit a certain fondness for this particular issue where the X-Men do battle with Frankenstein's Monster (whom Professor X has always believed to exist in real life contrary to abundant evidence that he is a fictional allegory for the folly of man's pursuit of scientific knowledge and the tragedy of stillbirth created by Mary Shelley). Not only that, but the creature is revealed to be an alien robot from outer space. This issue, and the ones above, represent "Exhibit A" whenever I need to remind people that the X-Men, and comics in general, have frequently had success with completely absurd premises, which usually make for enjoyable, if not entirely technically "good" reads.Uncanny X-Men #49-52: Who Dares Defy... the Demi-Men? / Hail, Queen of the Mutants / The Devil Had a Daughter / Twilight of the Mutants
Originally Published October 1968 - January 1969
This four-parter is interesting not because the Magneto story is so groundbreaking - he and his underling Mesmero unlock the powers of his supposed long lost daughter Lorna Dane - but because it features the work of mold-breaking superstar artist Jim Steranko for the middle two issues. The crazy thing is, on the first and last part, regular artists Don Heck and Werner Roth - skilled workmen but never revered for their innovation - also manage to break out of their shells a little bit and provide some exciting craft that really elevates this story into a kinetic, thrilling epic.Uncanny X-Men #60-61: In the Shadow of... Sauron! / Monsters Also Weep!
Originally Published September-October 1969
Neal Adams' entire tenure as artist of this comic gets my fullest recommendation, as every issue he drew is loaded with frenetic energy, thrilling battles, the X-Men constantly plummeting to their deaths, and ideas on ideas on ideas in that inimitable style that leads me to think he may be the best artist to ever draw the X-Men to this very day. To me, the standout is this two-parter pitting the X-Men against the monstrous Sauron, a vampiric were-dinosaur who sucks his victims' energy and mind controls them, who also happens to be a lovelorn mad scientist doctor in his normal life. It's exciting and strange and tragic all at once.Uncanny X-Men #101-103: Like a Phoenix From The Ashes / Who Will Stop the Juggernaut? / The Fall of the Tower
Originally Published October 1976-February 1977
The "All New All Different X-Men" - under the creative team of Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum - had gotten off to a good enough start already, demonstrating a true emotional resonance following the shocking death of new member Thunderbird. But it was really operating at full stride starting here. In the previous issue, Jean Grey had no choice but to risk her life piloting a spacecraft through a dangerous solar flare to bring the X-Men home from orbit. Upon returning to Earth, she seems to die, only to burst into the sky, declaring herself to be the Phoenix. This strange and ominous transformation would take some time to be fully explored, but while Jean recuperates and tries to come to grips with her death and rebirth, several of the X-Men are stuck doing battle with the Juggernaut and his partner in crime (and best friend) Black Tom Cassidy. Somehow in all this, we get Storm's entire life story, new powers for Nightcrawler, leprechauns, a really good two-part battle, the Professor's hallucinations of outer space (or are they?) and more psychological drama as Cyclops tries to come to grips with what has happened to Jean. The soap opera of the X-Men comes into its fullest extent, and it does not let up ever again.
Uncanny X-Men #107-108: Where No X-Man Has Gone Before / Armageddon NOW!
Originally Published October-December 1977
The months-long-simmering saga that would bring the X-Men into space, as well as explore the full power of the Phoenix comes to a head in spectacular fashion, first pitting the X-Men against the seemingly innumerable members of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, then putting them inside the psychedelic M'kraan Crystal in order to save the universe itself. This was the grandest story yet told in the pages of the X-Men series and it paid off beautifully, featuring the first X-Men work of John Byrne.Uncanny X-Men #125-128: The Proteus Saga (There's Something Awful on Muir Island / How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth! / The Quality of Hatred! / The Action of the Tiger!)
Originally Published September-December 1979
After being missing and presumed dead for some time, the X-Men reunite with Jean Grey and Moira MacTaggart to track down the ultimate mutant, the body-possessing, reality-warping monster known as Mutant X/Proteus - who happens to be Moira's son. How can the X-Men defeat someone who can change the very way you perceive reality and expose your deepest fears? And when given the chance, can they bring themselves to do what needs to be done to end this menace once and for all?Uncanny X-Men #132-134: And Hellfire Is Their Name / Wolverine: Alone! / Too Late, The Heroes!
Originally Published April-June 1980
In what could be called the "Hellfire Saga", or perhaps the middle act of the larger Dark Phoenix Saga (according to the trade paperback edition I owned as a kid which began with the still-very-good Uncanny #128,) the X-Men find themselves in dire straits as the sinister Hellfire Club Inner Circle (a group of rich cosplay weirdos with powers) lure Jean Grey to their side with psychic/emotional manipulation. The situation seems especially hopeless as the X-Men are held captive, save for Wolverine, who must fight his through the club's grounds all by himself in one of the series' most memorable issues. A tale of manipulation and deceipt, this story brings Jean's long-simmering flirtation with the dark side of her nature to the brink and paves the way for:
Uncanny X-Men #135-137: The Dark Phoenix Saga [Proper] (DARK PHOENIX / Child of Light and Darkness / The Fate of Phoenix)
Originally Published July-September 1980
Jean becomes a malicious, sun devouring force of destruction, driven to evil by her own power and (maybe) the manipulations of Jason Wyngarde unlocking a secret yearning to embrace a path of destruction, in perhaps the apex of superhero comic books as a medium. The long-simmering storyline reaches its final conclusion here amidst a pitched battle on the moon (again with the Imperial Guard!) as one X-Man has to make the ultimate sacrifice in a finale that would - no hyperbole here - change the course of comics history. Most importantly: This Marvel Comic Could Be Worth $2500 To You! (Sorry, I always have to do that.)
Uncanny X-Men #141: Days of Future PastOriginally Published January 1981
It's hard to believe there was ever a time when we didn't constantly think of what the future holds for the X-Men. In the first part of this two-parter, an aged version of the X-Men's new teenaged member Kitty Pryde visits the X-Men to warn them of a horrific future where mutants are oppressed by Sentinels who hold America under their mechanical boot. It presents for the first time a grim view of a world where the X-Men's fight against prejudice fails, and fails hard. Notable for its shocking innovations of style and the extent to which it pursued its dark content, a story wrapped in all the literal and symbolic things that make the X-Men comics great. (The second part is a perfectly good battle with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants interwoven with the shocking fates of the future X-Men, but the set-up was the most impressive, to me.)
Uncanny X-Men #143: DEMON
Originally Published March 1981
The X-Men's youngest member takes centre stage as she must battle an otherwordly demon by herself while left alone at the X-Mansion for the holidays in this masterwork of superhero suspense!
Uncanny X-Men #153: Kitty's Fairy Tale
Originally Published January 1982
Kitty is the star of the show once more as she casts herself and the rest of the X-Men as fairy tale characters in this reinterpretation of the Dark Phoenix Saga that manages to be both whimsical and sweet.
Uncanny X-Men #160: Chutes & Ladders!
Originally Published August 1982
The X-Men are transported to an otherworldly limbo where they must rescue little Illyana Rasputin from the daemonic sorcerer Belasco... only to find they have already died there! A startling, imaginative, and twisty story with a shocking conclusion, made all the better by playing out in only one self-contained issue.
Uncanny X-Men #161: Gold Rush!
Originally Published September 1982
While we had recently learned that Magneto was a Holocaust survivor with a tragic backstory of his own, for the first time he and Professor X are linked in the past as they meet for the first time in Israel and team up to thwart Hydra from recovering lost Nazi Gold, as well as rescuing Professor X's patient and girlfriend, Gabrielle Haller in a story that manages to excite and intrigue on many different levels.
Uncanny X-Men #162: Beyond the Farthest Star!
Originally Published October 1982
Wolverine is on his own again as he fights his way across the hostile landscape of the Brood homeworld and learns the alien monster race's horrifying secret, and the twisted fate that awaits his teammates. This issue is a tour de force in storytelling for artist Dave Cockrum, with some impressively progressive wordsmithery by Chris Claremont.
Uncanny X-Men #166: Live Free or Die!
Originally Published February 1983
After spending several issues fighting the Brood and then stuck on a damaged spaceship, the X-Men must confront the dark secret lurking within - that they are hosts to Brood Queen eggs that will soon hatch and take over their entire bodies. Enlisting the help of Carol Danvers - now the cosmic hero known as Binary - and Storm, who has in the course of this adventure become one with an Acanti space whale, the X-Men mount their last stand against the Brood - even as they suspect there might be a traitor in their midst. This is an intensely action-packed double-sized issue that is heavy on the crazy comic book concepts that I love.
Uncanny X-Men #168: Professor Xavier is a Jerk!
Originally Published April 1983
When Kitty is moved down to the X-Men's junior squad the New Mutants - who are not active superheroes, only young people who have gathered to learn their powers - she tries everything she can think of to convince him she belongs on the main team. But her mettle is put to the test when alien creatures known as Sidrian Hunters are discovered lurking in the lower levels of the Mansion. This issue is remarkable for how well it captures the mundane moments between adventures for the heroes - a formula that has often been used successfully between big adventures - putting that material on equal footing with the slam-bang action. The story provides a great showcase for the tone and pacing skills of artist Paul Smith, who grabs you from the iconic opening splash page.
Uncanny X-Men #169-170: CATACOMBS / Dancin' in the Dark
Originally Published May-June 1983
When Angel is kidnapped by a sewer-dwelling mutant gang known as the Morlocks, the X-Men must descend to rescue him. There, Storm must duel their leader Callisto to free her friends from their grasp, leading to a shocking, character-redefining moment, a gripping story of the X-Men fighting their way out of a seemingly unwinnable situation. Meanwhile in Alaska, Cyclops begins to fall more and more deeply in love with the mysterious Madelyne Pryor, a woman with a troubled past who happens to be identical to Jean Grey. Overall, a masterwork of comic action, which introduces one of my favourite factions in the X-universe.
That entire year's worth of stories, which goes on to include Wolverine's failed wedding to Mariko, and the return of Mastermind in a spiritual sequel to the Dark Phoenix Saga, amounts to one of my favourite overall runs of comics ever.
Originally Published September-December 1982
Artist Frank Miller joins Chris Claremont for an examination of Wolverine's inner character in one of the most revealing sidestories yet as he works to prove his humanity not only to Mariko but to himself, caught up in the intrigue and danger of the Japanese underworld.
Originally Published June 1984
When Rogue finds herself racing to the rescue of Carol Danvers' old flame Michael Rossi, she is forced to confront the dual psyche she has been battling with since before joining the X-Men. The first truly definitive look at Rogue's inner self - or selves.
Originally Published July 1984
Returning from the Secret Wars a changed man, Colossus abruptly ends his relationship with Kitty, sending an emotional shockwave through the team. Wolverine then resorts to extreme measures to teach Piotr the true meaning of a team in this issue that manages to find the right balance between emotionally examining our heroes' inner hearts, and a bring-the-house-down slugfest.
Originally Published October 1984
This interlude sees Storm - recently stripped of her powers - rediscovering her will to live as she examines what defines her as a woman, while spending time with Forge, another wayward soul who may have missing pieces inside as well. As emotionally dense as any issue we have covered so far, as drawn in lyrical style by Barry Windsor-Smith.
Originally Published January 1985
In and of itself, there's nothing outstanding about this story, which sees new arrival Rachel teaming up with Magma of the New Mutants to try and take down their shared foe Selene. But selfishly, it's an issue that I was particularly proud of my work in recapping and quipping my way through as we learn more about Rachel's traumatic past (in the future) and the villain is disposed of in the most ignominious of ways.
Originally Published October 1985
Artist Barry Windsor-Smith returns to continue the saga of Storm's soul-searching in this parable-like outing. She finds herself in her homeland of Africa where she befriends a young pregnant woman returning to her tribal home and learns about the delicate balance between the old ways and new, and of life and death, from the tribe's elder, Mjnari.
Originally Published December 1985
Magneto is finally brought to account for his longtime war on the homo sapiens of Earth in this milestone issue that brings together disparate threads from the past several years of X-Men stories, from his and Xavier's shared past, to Cyclops' marriage to Madelyne Pryor, to the recent life-threatening attack on Xavier's life. Where does the future of Mutantkind go, and can the Master of Magnetism truly change his ways?
Originally Published May 1986
Alone (with only young Katie Power to briefly assist him) and hounded through Manhattan by Lady Deathstrike and the cyborg trio of Cole, Reese and Macon, Wolverine fights for his life - and his humanity - amidst a claustrophobic blizzard in yet another standout issue illustrated by Barry Windsor-Smith, rooted both in Wolverine's intrinsic character as a warrior, and the mysterious origins of his adamantium skeleton.
Originally Published July 1986
As Rachel grapples with her recent decisions, she is haunted be nightmarish visions of Wolverine. When she takes off from the team to take care of some unfinished business, she is confronted by the real deal, resulting in a truly shocking moment. This issue is an absolute tour de force of mood and tone from the book's regular creative team of Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. at his best-to-date.
Originally Published November 1986
The X-Men are reeling from the disappearance of Rachel and still healing injuries from their recent fight against Nimrod, but just when you think things can't get worse, the X-Men are the only thing standing between the Marauders -- deadly hired killers on a mysterious mission -- and their target, the Morlocks. An issue that is quite jarring for its abrupt turn toward darkness and violence (which is saying something for this series) and one of those times when you can truly say things would never be the same afterward.
Originally Published January 1987
With the X-Men scattered, only new recruit Psylocke is home to defend the Mansion (and the recuperating mutants within) when it's attacked by Marauder Sabretooth in a character-defining moment and a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse between the ruthless killer and the outwardly damsel-like Psylocke, a true star-making role for the new addition.
Originally Published April 1987
Captured by a trio of self-appointed executioners, Storm must flee through the wilderness with a drug dealer in tow or become their latest target. The story makes for an intriguing meditation on the nature of justice and the relative place of mutants, and the X-Men, in society.
Uncanny X-Men #217-218: Folly's Gambit/Charge of the Light Brigade!
Originally Published May-June 1987
Originally Published February 1988
Originally Published July 1988
Battling for supremacy in Limbo, Illyana Rasputin conjures a ghostly version of her brother Colossus -- not knowing that he is not dead, and that she has summoned the real living person. As they work to rescue the New Mutants, Colossus overcomes some of the struggles related to his increased powers, as well as providing some comfort and closure to his sister in an issue that provides one of the best examinations of their relationship, and serves a glimpse of the simmering tensions in Limbo soon to spill over to the world of the Uncanny X-Men.
Originally Published October-November 1988
Wolverine, Rogue and Madelyne Pryor are kidnapped to Genosha, an island nation that thrives on subjugating mutants into slavery. What ensues is a great deployment of the "mutant metaphor" with then-timely parallels to Apartheid and evergreen reflections in the real world.
Originally Published December 1988
A prelude to the Inferno event, this issue studies each of the X-Men from the perspective of their enemy Mr. Sinister, including charting Madelyne Pryor's descent into her new role as the Goblyn Queen.
Originally Published November 1989
In this iconic issue, the Reavers have Wolverine pinned to a cross, having been left behind when the other X-Men went through the Siege Perilous into new lives. What ensues is one of the most chance-taking explorations of Wolverine as a character and the X-Men mythos in general to be found in the pages of Uncanny X-Men -- plus the beginning of the Wolverine-Jubilee mentorship.
Originally Published April 1990
As an amnesiac Dazzler prepares to finally release "Dazzler: The Movie," she finds herself stalked by a desperate figure from her past. This issue is not well-loved by fans but I think it's an intriguing meditation on stardom and male entitlement/obsession, as well as, bizarrely, an amusing riff on the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. It's something completely different for sure, and its poor reputation actually makes me like it a bit more.
Originally Published October 1991
The new era of the X-Men begins as the Original 5 disband their version of X-Factor and rejoin Xavier's fold along with some of the other more recent recruits. In an effective and engaging pilot for the new series, Magneto is pulled back into action by his newly proclaimed "Acolytes," causing him to revert to his previously villainous ways. The story isn't "great" by all-time standards (and in fact has a few nonsensical elements that can likely be blamed on its complicated pr-production) but serves its purpose well as a brisk and action-packed read that does a great job establishing what the X-Men will look and feel like going forward, even as it serves as the beginning of the end of Chris Claremont as the X-Men's writer (reduce to a mere scripter role here.)
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