The first appearance of Betsy Braddock, who would eventually become the X-Men’s Psylocke years later. From Captain Britain no. 8 (Dec 1, 1976). Words by Claremont, Art by Trimpe and Kida.
I’m gonna take a little break from posting about my X-Men read through for a little while, but first here’s the letters page from issue 143 announcing Byrne’s departure. And also Kurt Busiek says he’s not gonna read X-Men comics anymore! 😂
X-Men 143 (Mar 1981) cover by Terry Austin. The end of an era, as this was John Byrne’s last issue as interior artist. It was also Austin’s last issue as inker. While the rest of the team are out on the town celebrating Christmas, Kitty is home alone battling an Alien-like demon.
In late 1980, this advertisement appeared in all Marvel’s comics: Frank Miller drawing Dr. Strange with Roger Stern writing! Yet it never came to pass. 😢 Oh, what could have been. I wonder what happened, why didn’t this run ever happen?
X-Men 142 (Feb 1981) cover by Terry Austin. In part 2 of the “Days of Future Past” story, basically everybody dies! John Byrne and Terry Austin did the (excellent) interior artwork, but by the time the cover was due, Byrne had already quit the book, so Austin did the cover solo.
The first appearance of Mystique and the NEW Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, which includes Destiny, Avalanche and Pyro (and the Blob, who’d been around since 1963). By Claremont/Byrne/Austin/Wein/Orzechowski from X-Men 141 (Jan 1981).
X-Men 141 (Jan 1981) cover by John Byrne and Terry Austin. Byrne’s last cover for the series. Classic cover that’s been homaged many times. Classic issue all around.
In addition to the Spidey/FF story in the front of the book, Marvel Team-Up 100 also features a backup teaming Storm and Black Panther by Claremont/Byrne/McLeod. The story details how they first met as children in Africa and team up today to fight a menace from their past.
I don’t think Frank Miller drew the X-Men very many times over the course of his career, but here’s one of those times. From Marvel Team-Up 100 (Dec 1980). Inks by Bob Wiacek, words by Chris Claremont.
Really cool layout by Frank Miller (inked by Wiacek) on this spread from Marvel Team-Up 100 (Dec 1980). The long vertical panels remind me of Carmine Infantino’s silver age stuff. First appearance of a New Mutants member (Karma) in comics, btw.
Marvel Team-Up 100 (Dec 1980) cover by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson. Neat issue with first app. of Karma who would go on to be a charter member of the New Mutants. Issue features the hottest creators at Marvel at the time: Claremont, Miller, and in a backup teaming Storm & Black Panther, Byrne.
X-Men 140 splash page doesn’t have much to do with the main story, but it’s a great image of Colossus and a cool character moment. I like how Claremont would sprinkle in these little vignettes, rather than a full biographical info dump. We slowly learn little bits & pieces.
X-Men 140 (Dec 1980) cover by John Byrne & Terry Austin. This issue is a sequel of sorts to Wolverine’s first appearance in Hulk 181, as he and Nightcrawler team up with Alpha Flight to take on the Wendigo. Cool cover, too.
When I first read X-Men 139 back in 1980, this panel really stood out to me. Glynis Wein did a masterful coloring job, and Nightcrawler’s inner monologue gave a lot of insight into his character. I found it pretty moving then, and it holds up now, too. Claremont/Byrne/Austin.
Practically every page, every panel, in X-Men 139 is a real gem of comics art. But I had to share this awesome double pager of the team working out in the Danger Room. Art by Byrne & Austin, words by Claremont, colors by Glynis Wein and letters by Orzechowski.
X-Men 139 (Nov 1980) cover by John Byrne & Terry Austin. This issue is jam-packed! Kitty joins the team, Wolverine gets a new uniform, the team has a Danger Room workout, Wolvie & Nightcrawler go to Canada to settle things with Alpha Flight. Plus… Wendigo! All this and more!
X-Men Annual 4 (1980) cover by John Romita Jr. and Bob McLeod. The X-Men descend into a version of Dante’s Hell to save the soul of Nightcrawler with the aid of Dr. Strange. We also learn a bit more about Kurt’s origins. JRJr fairly early in his career does interior pencils.
X-Men 138 (Oct 1980) cover by John Byrne & Terry Austin. In the wake of Jean’s death, this issue summarizes the entire history of the X-Men in flashback. Bye Cyke! Bought this copy off the spinner at Maverick Market on Padre Island, TX while buying beer after a day at the beach.
Jean Grey/Phoenix was originally meant to survive in X-Men 137. Her mutant powers would have been stripped by the Shi’ar and she’d have been returned to the X-Men, a shell of her former self. Here’s a discarded page that was eventually published in Phoenix The Untold Story.
Phoenix - The Untold Story one-shot (Apr 1983) front and back cover by Byrne & Austin. Jean Grey/Phoenix was originally meant to live, until Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter decreed otherwise. This special issue shows that story (from X-Men 137) as originally conceived.
The grand finale of the Jean Grey/Phoenix saga which began way back in X-Men 101. X-Men 137 (Sept 1980) appeared on the stands about a month after I graduated high school, and issue 101 (Oct 1976) came out during the summer before I started high school. 😳 Cover by Byrne/Austin.
X-Men 136 (Aug 1980) cover by John Byrne & Terry Austin. An iconic “Pieta” cover, and a powerful, emotional issue. The climax of the Dark Phoenix saga.
Here’s is the page where Dark Phoenix devours a star, murdering billions of souls in the process. Never has a “superhero” committed mass murder on so grand a scale! Note the doomed plant-aliens in the bottom panel appear to be the same race as the alien from Avengers no. 4 (1964).
