Essential X-Men Volume 8 TPB Paperback – 12 Dec. 2007

Originally published in 1988 & 1989 the tales collected here start with an attack by the maniacal Reavers and the X-Men, presumed dead by the rest of the world, taking up root in Australia using the aborigine Gateway's power to transport them around the globe and cross dimensions.After a nice festive Christmas tale of good will to all men that sees the team settle into their new home the action soon takes off in all directions.Colossus aids his sister Ilyana against the demons in limbo, The Brood reappear as does Mojo in an amusing one-off tale, Marvel favourite the High Evolutionary features in a tale that takes the X-Men back to the Savage Land.Then the first of two great story-lines, the first introducing Genosha, an island in the Indian Ocean run as a neo-Nazi state where mutants are treated as slaves and kept in labour camps. Ms Marvel (Carol Danvers) makes a surprising re-appearance of sorts here.Then the brilliant X-Men, X-Factor crossover Inferno story where the secret of Maddy Pryor is revealed as well as clues into the past of two of the original X-Men. The story features the first proper appearance by Mister Sinister as well as the return of the, physically enhanced, demon N'Astirh as well as Sabretooth and the Marauders.The writing, largely by Chris Claremont is excellent throughout as it deals with major personal issues involving the triangle of Scott, Jean and Maddy as well as the budding relationship between Alex and Maddy. There's also the start of a darker, harder side to some of the team, not just Wolverine.The artwork, especially in the action scenes is often stunning even in black & white, and Dazzler's and Maddy's Goblin Queen outfits are pretty amazing.

Superb collection. When I was a lad there was not a regular supply of Marvel or DC comics available to me,so if the story took more than 1 issue I hardly ever got to read the whole thing. These wonderful volumes fill all those gaps. It is such a pity that they are going out of print.

I bought my first Marvel comic back in 'mumble, mumble' 1963-1980 when comics came from America as ship ballast and collecting series was a real struggle, but only found the Essential comics series in the last few years.In this volume some very long running story lines are resolved in a style approaching sheer genius. I refuse to go into detail and spoil this for those who have not read the comics yet. Take some serious advice though and buy at least issues 6 and 7 of the Essential X-Men before delving into this one. Let's just say some X-Men origin stories are given a shattering twist. Having to wait for each release of the original comics must have been hard for original comic book collectors.Having the whole 'Inferno' story under one cover is worthwhile on its own and of course there is much more. The moral issues generated by the Return of the Brood make for interesting reading as do those covering Genosha.The continuing capacity of the X-Men to 'reinvent' themselves has proved impressiveIt will be interesting to see if cracking pace set by issues 7 and 8 can be maintained.