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Uncanny X-Men (1963) #199-209, Annual #10
X-Men: Ghosts
Change is in the air for the X-Men as Rachel Summers lays claim to the Phoenix Force, Magneto stands trial and joins the team, Professor X departs for outer space, and Cyclops becomes a father! And that's just the start of the team's adventures, as the Beyonder erases the New Mutants from history, the futuristic Nimrod Sentinel attacks, and Mojo regresses the team to childhood! A pair of bonafide X-Men classics, as Storm duels Cyclops for team leadership, and Lady Deathstrike hunts Wolverine in a savage tale by Barry Windsor-Smith!
Uncanny X-Men (1963) 199-209, X-Men Annual (1970) 10
Uncanny X-Men (1963) 199-209, X-Men Annual (1970) 10
360 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2013
10 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Chris Claremont
3,281 books894 followersChris Claremont is a writer of American comic books, best known for his 16-year (1975-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industry's most successful properties.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 16, 2016
This collection was material all new to me. These collected issues came out not long after I'd stoped reading X-men as a High School student. I hadn't like the direction Claremont was taking the book and really disliked the JR, Jr. artwork. So all these long years between then and now, I've had a bitter prejudice against not only this title but comics of this era in general as well.
I've set that aside as best I can and plunged into THE GIFT, the preceding Epic Collection, and read GHOSTS quickly following. I'm not sure if I'd go as far as to say that I'm loving it. But I am quite enjoying it. And hope to read more. Even considering a full UNCANNY read to where I restarted reading the title in the late 90's.
I really loved JR, Jr.'s earlier 70's art. And his later 90's art. Now his work always classes up any project. Still have a bit of a problem with his 80's work. Seems too rushed maybe?
I've set that aside as best I can and plunged into THE GIFT, the preceding Epic Collection, and read GHOSTS quickly following. I'm not sure if I'd go as far as to say that I'm loving it. But I am quite enjoying it. And hope to read more. Even considering a full UNCANNY read to where I restarted reading the title in the late 90's.
I really loved JR, Jr.'s earlier 70's art. And his later 90's art. Now his work always classes up any project. Still have a bit of a problem with his 80's work. Seems too rushed maybe?
January 13, 2016
I'm a big fan of Chris Claremont's X-men run, but this collection is a mixed bag. A big part of the problem is that it gets pulled into the Secret Wars II crossover, which leads to a lot of ponderous stuff with the Beyonder.
As part of trip to Earth to explore what it's like to be human, this god-like figure gives Rachel Summers enough power to potentially kill him. (It's what passes for entertainment in the cosmic set, I guess.) But she has to augment her power with others' life forces, and we get a retelling of the original M'kraan Crystal storyline, with diminishing returns, as Rachel has to decide whether to sacrifice the universe to prevent the Beyonder from ruling over it all.
At the same time, Nightcrawler is thrown into a crisis of faith after coming face to face with a being that's essentially god. This sparks a big round of moping before he saves some unknown royalty from Arcade's Murderworld to make himself feel better.
What does work here? The leadership duel between Storm and Cyclops is pretty iconic, even if it's sparked by Cyclops acting like a jerk.
Similarly, while Rachel Summer's treatment is pretty disjointed, especially with the Beyonder stuff, the proceeding storyline reveals that she's really falling apart, taken down by the guilt she's carried with her from her ruined future. After the redemptions of Wolverine and Rogue, it's refreshing to see the X-men run into a damaged soul they might not be able to fix.
The volume ends strong as well, with futuristic super-Sentinel Nimrod emerging as a massive threat. This last battle sparks some nice tactics and action as well as a solid truce with the Hellfire Club. One of the members of the Club's Inner Circle even redeems himself in unexpected fashion. And the X-men leave the scrap mistrusted once again and running out of places to hide.
Read digital issues.
As part of trip to Earth to explore what it's like to be human, this god-like figure gives Rachel Summers enough power to potentially kill him. (It's what passes for entertainment in the cosmic set, I guess.) But she has to augment her power with others' life forces, and we get a retelling of the original M'kraan Crystal storyline, with diminishing returns, as Rachel has to decide whether to sacrifice the universe to prevent the Beyonder from ruling over it all.
At the same time, Nightcrawler is thrown into a crisis of faith after coming face to face with a being that's essentially god. This sparks a big round of moping before he saves some unknown royalty from Arcade's Murderworld to make himself feel better.
What does work here? The leadership duel between Storm and Cyclops is pretty iconic, even if it's sparked by Cyclops acting like a jerk.
Similarly, while Rachel Summer's treatment is pretty disjointed, especially with the Beyonder stuff, the proceeding storyline reveals that she's really falling apart, taken down by the guilt she's carried with her from her ruined future. After the redemptions of Wolverine and Rogue, it's refreshing to see the X-men run into a damaged soul they might not be able to fix.
The volume ends strong as well, with futuristic super-Sentinel Nimrod emerging as a massive threat. This last battle sparks some nice tactics and action as well as a solid truce with the Hellfire Club. One of the members of the Club's Inner Circle even redeems himself in unexpected fashion. And the X-men leave the scrap mistrusted once again and running out of places to hide.
Read digital issues.
February 13, 2022
Highly entertaining with several extremely important moments along the way - Rachel takes on the power of Phoenix, Madelyne Pryor gives birth, Storm defeats Cyclops for leadership of the X-Men, Magneto goes on trial then takes Charles' place as headmaster, the introduction of Longshot. Solid storytelling and characterization. Consistent artwork.
If there are any critiques it would be the first half is much stronger than the second. The Secret War II issues are a little uneven without benefit of reading the entire event. While Arthur Adams' artwork is incredible IMO, the somewhat silly storyline of Annual #10 to end this collection is not ideal.
If there are any critiques it would be the first half is much stronger than the second. The Secret War II issues are a little uneven without benefit of reading the entire event. While Arthur Adams' artwork is incredible IMO, the somewhat silly storyline of Annual #10 to end this collection is not ideal.
February 14, 2016
An enjoyable omnibus of old-school X-Men comics.
July 8, 2016
More 80's X-Men! I really enjoyed this collection which includes Uncanny X-Men #199-209 and X-Men Annual #10.
It all begins with the return of Freedom Force, the government's super-powered task force made of former members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. They capture Magneto (recently reformed to the good guys) and take him to stand trial for his villainous past.
In the process, a lot of major events take place. Professor Xavier has to leave Earth and the X-Men behind to find a cure for his illness, Phoenix (Rachel Summers) harnesses the full measure of her powers, the Beyonder warps the lives of the X-Men, and Storm beats Cyclopd in a fight to lead the X-Men.
This leaves things in a bit of a mess. Cyclops leaves the team, Nightcrawler questions his heroic lifestyle, Wolverine becomes even more savage, and the X-Men take refuge in the Morlock tunnels. So much destruction and changes to the series begin here.
By the end, we get Longshot and Psylocke added to the fold, Mojo makes a mess of things at Xavier's school, we meet Lady Deathstrike and the Reavers, the Hellfire Club fights the X-Men to the death, plus appearances by Nimrod, the New Mutants, and the Starjammers.
This collection is action packed and intense. The Secret Wars II crossovers actually force the series into a darker and somewhat tragic direction. This is the precursor to the "Crossover Phase" of Uncanny X-Men. After this, the series becomes completely integrated with the New Mutants, X-Factor, and later on, Wolverine and Excalibur.
Awesome to read. Full of hints at things to come. Only 4-Stars to leave room for the much better stories that follow.
It all begins with the return of Freedom Force, the government's super-powered task force made of former members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. They capture Magneto (recently reformed to the good guys) and take him to stand trial for his villainous past.
In the process, a lot of major events take place. Professor Xavier has to leave Earth and the X-Men behind to find a cure for his illness, Phoenix (Rachel Summers) harnesses the full measure of her powers, the Beyonder warps the lives of the X-Men, and Storm beats Cyclopd in a fight to lead the X-Men.
This leaves things in a bit of a mess. Cyclops leaves the team, Nightcrawler questions his heroic lifestyle, Wolverine becomes even more savage, and the X-Men take refuge in the Morlock tunnels. So much destruction and changes to the series begin here.
By the end, we get Longshot and Psylocke added to the fold, Mojo makes a mess of things at Xavier's school, we meet Lady Deathstrike and the Reavers, the Hellfire Club fights the X-Men to the death, plus appearances by Nimrod, the New Mutants, and the Starjammers.
This collection is action packed and intense. The Secret Wars II crossovers actually force the series into a darker and somewhat tragic direction. This is the precursor to the "Crossover Phase" of Uncanny X-Men. After this, the series becomes completely integrated with the New Mutants, X-Factor, and later on, Wolverine and Excalibur.
Awesome to read. Full of hints at things to come. Only 4-Stars to leave room for the much better stories that follow.
July 22, 2013
I first read all these when I was a tender 15 years old, and to revisit them now was familiar and perfectly strange. What affected me then, as a SUBSCRIBER to this title and this title alone, was the combative posture toward the majority that alienated and denigrated and segregated its "gifted youngsters". What strikes me now is the frantic wordiness of it, the telling of everything, even what is shown. Romita Jr. is still not a favorite of mine and I still don't think he was right for this, but Claremont is operating in world so divorced from visuals that you can only credit him for keeping things visually interesting.
205 is a brilliant little thing with Barry Windsor-Smith and is more eloquent than any Wolverine movie will ever be.
I am glad to revisit this and it reminds me of how elastic Marvel's A-list titles are. This was a high-water mark, though pulled from its context it would seem pretty bewildering. What is all this Beyonder bullcrap? Guess you had to be there. I won't begrudge you not being there, anyway.
205 is a brilliant little thing with Barry Windsor-Smith and is more eloquent than any Wolverine movie will ever be.
I am glad to revisit this and it reminds me of how elastic Marvel's A-list titles are. This was a high-water mark, though pulled from its context it would seem pretty bewildering. What is all this Beyonder bullcrap? Guess you had to be there. I won't begrudge you not being there, anyway.
January 20, 2016
This is an odd time for X-Men, oddly dystopian. Also Kitty Pryde is now Shadowcat, Collosus has taken a backseat to Magik his sister, Storm had lost her powers and sports Morlock like punkness, Scott is a dick to his wife and mother of child (future Cable), and we have Rachel the Phoenix Mutant Hunter from a different timeline future. Rogue has also joined and we have bizarre Mojo adventures and trendy xmen like LongShot who was hip for a certain era... It's a very deep angry storyline with some odd actuon sequences and the harried cross over issues missing from this trade doesn't help... Overall a fascinating story about transition and hopelessness that doesn't quite hold up over time...
February 20, 2016
My classic Claremont X-Men re-read continues into the '80s, with Ghosts, Storm taking over the team, what feels at the time like a definitive confrontation with the Hellfire Club and resolution of Rachel Summer's plotline within the team.
This graphic is good, though derailed partway through by a forced-in Secret Wars crossover, and acts as a good quality transition piece between the classic Claremont/Byrne run and the later '80s, crossover heavy plotting that is to come. Fun, but not as standalone as some of the other classic storylines. Read it, but don't let it be the FIRST classic X-Men graphic you read.
This graphic is good, though derailed partway through by a forced-in Secret Wars crossover, and acts as a good quality transition piece between the classic Claremont/Byrne run and the later '80s, crossover heavy plotting that is to come. Fun, but not as standalone as some of the other classic storylines. Read it, but don't let it be the FIRST classic X-Men graphic you read.
July 25, 2016
Some of my favorite stories, especially Nimrod and Hellfire Club. Classic Claremont and John Romita Jr.
July 26, 2018
Collects Uncanny X-Men #199-209 (November 1985-September 1986) and X-Men Annual #10 (January 1987).
Chris Claremont has really shrunk to something more intimate in these last couple of volumes. Much less the big superhero epic adventures across time and space that characterized his first ten years on the X-Men books (1974-1984). These are much more reflective. More like a soap opera in both good and bad ways. Several of the issues collected here are about individuals such as Nightcrawler (#204) and Wolverine (#205). The Wolverine issue, as I remembered from my youth, is especially interesting for its visual style (in a line that never was known specifically for its artwork). Some big events in this run, including the double sized issue 200 on the trial of Magneto and Rachel Summers finally becomes host to the Phoenix Force. I forgot just how much time was spent trying to keep Rachel in line during these years. Even in this small run she runs off to try to kill the Beyonder and then runs off to try to kill Selene (for the second time) a few issues later (forcing Wolverine to tear into her heart and lungs).
Chris Claremont has really shrunk to something more intimate in these last couple of volumes. Much less the big superhero epic adventures across time and space that characterized his first ten years on the X-Men books (1974-1984). These are much more reflective. More like a soap opera in both good and bad ways. Several of the issues collected here are about individuals such as Nightcrawler (#204) and Wolverine (#205). The Wolverine issue, as I remembered from my youth, is especially interesting for its visual style (in a line that never was known specifically for its artwork). Some big events in this run, including the double sized issue 200 on the trial of Magneto and Rachel Summers finally becomes host to the Phoenix Force. I forgot just how much time was spent trying to keep Rachel in line during these years. Even in this small run she runs off to try to kill the Beyonder and then runs off to try to kill Selene (for the second time) a few issues later (forcing Wolverine to tear into her heart and lungs).
June 2, 2024
This collection would have benefitted from including some New Mutants issues as there are quite a few wholes in the narrative. There are also a ton of twists and turns as we go from Beyonder to Lady Deathstrike to the Hellfire Club to Mojo at a breakneck pace with the X-Men being moved to San Francisco, then the Morlock tunnels, and then we're suddenly back at the X-Mansion like none of the other events ever happened. It's a bit dizzying.
I would have loved to have included this as Headcanon, as having Magneto in charge of The New Mutants, and on equal footing with the X-Men is a major change to the StatuX Quo but it's just not on par Claremont's best work.
If you're desperate for the first appearance of the X-Babies, have the urge to see how easily The Beyonder, supposedly the most cosmically dangerous villain ever, is easily defeated by nonsense, maybe you want to see every Arcade appearance for some reason, or you need to read why there's a member of Power Pack present for Lady Deathstrike's first battle with Wolverine, this is the book for you. Otherwise, you can skip this one.
I would have loved to have included this as Headcanon, as having Magneto in charge of The New Mutants, and on equal footing with the X-Men is a major change to the StatuX Quo but it's just not on par Claremont's best work.
If you're desperate for the first appearance of the X-Babies, have the urge to see how easily The Beyonder, supposedly the most cosmically dangerous villain ever, is easily defeated by nonsense, maybe you want to see every Arcade appearance for some reason, or you need to read why there's a member of Power Pack present for Lady Deathstrike's first battle with Wolverine, this is the book for you. Otherwise, you can skip this one.
January 11, 2022
What a welcome treat after the poor offering of THE GIFT epic collection. The issues collected here are great showcases of the some of the new characters Claremont created as well as some of the classic characters. It's a great balance of drama and action, but it's not without its faults. There are several issues that are direct tie-ins to SECRET WARS 2 and the LONGSHOT miniseries, but luckily they give us some brief context for them in this collection. I love how, for some reason, Claremont again decided to just make Professor X disappear for most of this collection. Wonder if he just isn't a fan of the character?
August 31, 2022
Some great stories that really show some growth in the X-Men (especially in Rachel).
Overall, this is a great arc featuring the Hellfire Club, Nimrod, and Mojo (among others).
We also get to see the evolution of Magneto from villain into leader/hero, the birth of the Summers child who later becomes Cable, and we witness even more Cyclops drama throughout.
JRJR does decent on art duties, but Art Adams does amazingly well.
The Annual (#10) was a little odd if you haven't/didn't read New Mutants Annual #2 alongside it, so make sure to read that in tandem with this collection.
Overall, this is a great arc featuring the Hellfire Club, Nimrod, and Mojo (among others).
We also get to see the evolution of Magneto from villain into leader/hero, the birth of the Summers child who later becomes Cable, and we witness even more Cyclops drama throughout.
JRJR does decent on art duties, but Art Adams does amazingly well.
The Annual (#10) was a little odd if you haven't/didn't read New Mutants Annual #2 alongside it, so make sure to read that in tandem with this collection.
December 29, 2024
At this point, Claremont seems to be getting tired. His stories are unfocused. The characters leap around through disjointed moments and dialogue. The book sometimes reads like a montage of ideas than actual stories. Plus, constant interruptions by Secret Wars 2 that just feel stupid and annoying (especially if you go grab the tie in issues for context!)
However, there are some bright spots and cool moments, like the Nimrod showdown in the Ramble, and the Storm/Cyclops duel.
Also worth noting that X-Factor was starting up during this run of issues, and Claremont hated it.
However, there are some bright spots and cool moments, like the Nimrod showdown in the Ramble, and the Storm/Cyclops duel.
Also worth noting that X-Factor was starting up during this run of issues, and Claremont hated it.
September 13, 2019
I do love going back and reading Claremont X-Men books that were slightly before my time. Most of these issues were new to me and full of delicious melodrama.
It's a bit of a mixed bag as some of the issues had major plotlines happen between them which makes the story a bit jarring but still quite entertaining.
It's a bit of a mixed bag as some of the issues had major plotlines happen between them which makes the story a bit jarring but still quite entertaining.
November 7, 2022
what a fun read with the freedom force gang headed by mystique and rachel's obsession w/ the beyonder has got her two steps from crazyville. the trial of magneto, the birth of cable, nimrod and lady deathstrike all making their UCX series appearances.
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September 25, 2025Romita Jr. hell yeah
June 11, 2017
This collection covers issues 199-209, which mostly deal with Rachel Summers, aka Phoenix as she tries to fit in with the team. Her inability to deal with her painful past coupled with her ridiculous power levels made her a danger to the team. After Wolverine was forced to attack her with his claws to prevent her from murdering the demon huntress Selene, she left the team and found herself in the clutches of the extra-dimensional Spiral.
Professor X left the team in issue 200- his lover Princess Lilandra and the Starjammers took him to heal his injuries, but were forced to flee before they could send him back home. He left Magneto in charge in his absence, which turned the team inside out.
Storm reclaimed leadership of the X-Men despite not having her powers, and Cyclops left (he wound up with the other original X-Men in X-Factor). After Phoenix's attack on Selene led the team into battle with the Hellfire Club's inner circle, Nimrod attacked both teams. Forced to team up, they damaged him severely, but he got away before they could destroy him.
The X-Men at this point in their history were headed for a major shake-up, starting in the issues just after this collection ends.
Professor X left the team in issue 200- his lover Princess Lilandra and the Starjammers took him to heal his injuries, but were forced to flee before they could send him back home. He left Magneto in charge in his absence, which turned the team inside out.
Storm reclaimed leadership of the X-Men despite not having her powers, and Cyclops left (he wound up with the other original X-Men in X-Factor). After Phoenix's attack on Selene led the team into battle with the Hellfire Club's inner circle, Nimrod attacked both teams. Forced to team up, they damaged him severely, but he got away before they could destroy him.
The X-Men at this point in their history were headed for a major shake-up, starting in the issues just after this collection ends.
April 5, 2023
Gems include the Brotherhood becoming the Freedom Force, the trial of Magneto, Storm’s & Cyclops’s famous duel, Nightcrawler v. Arcade, a Barry-Windsor Smith Wolverine issue, & follow-up battles w/ the Freedom Force, the Hellfire Club, & Nimrod, but the less said about Secret Wars II & Mojo, the better
May 23, 2014
what a poor collection. too much connection to secret wars and the beyonder. the wolverine story is good though. it ends with the terrible mojo in a terrible story.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews