What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvel Berkley/Byron Preiss Productions Prose Novels
X-Men Legends
Over a dozen original tales that span the career of the uncanny X-Men "RM," from the team's early days as teen heroes to the present -- spotlighting Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, and all your favorite mutants
261 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,566 books2,334 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 19, 2020
A bakers' dozen stories featuring Marvel's "merry mélange of mixed-up mutants," as Stan the Man calls them in his exuberant introduction, ranging from Angel before he met Charles Xavier to just after the honeymoon of Scott and Jean. None of the individual stories stand out as great works of literature, but they're comfortable like fun visits with old friends. If you've ever felt the urge to yell "Oh, my stars and garters!" when you're surprised, this one's for you.
January 30, 2023
I mostly picked this (and a similar Spider-Man one) up for the curiosity factor, I've never been too attempts at most attempts at prose with comic book characters.. they generally just don't quite work. Once a looked at this one, and realized I didn't recognize too many of the names, I lowered my expectations even more.
IT's not TERRIBLE,though. The one name that IS a big one is Brian K. Vaughan.. his story hear has to be one of his first published works (this came out a couple years before Y the last Man even)... his contribution is a pre-X-Men Angel story that isn't bad.
One that that's pretty fun is there is a 'continuity guide' that places the stories in X-Men history.. I can't imagine that's even possible these days. My favorite I think was 'Steel Dogs and Englishman', which features a depowered Sean Cassidy and a pre-Excalibur Pete Wisdom vs. Sentinel Dogs created by Justin Hammer... doesn't make alot of sense, but it was pretty fun.
Most of the stories feature one (or two) characters, and more the a few only sort of fit with the character (the one that was a magazine interview with Beast was particularly off).
Fun diversion none the less though.
IT's not TERRIBLE,though. The one name that IS a big one is Brian K. Vaughan.. his story hear has to be one of his first published works (this came out a couple years before Y the last Man even)... his contribution is a pre-X-Men Angel story that isn't bad.
One that that's pretty fun is there is a 'continuity guide' that places the stories in X-Men history.. I can't imagine that's even possible these days. My favorite I think was 'Steel Dogs and Englishman', which features a depowered Sean Cassidy and a pre-Excalibur Pete Wisdom vs. Sentinel Dogs created by Justin Hammer... doesn't make alot of sense, but it was pretty fun.
Most of the stories feature one (or two) characters, and more the a few only sort of fit with the character (the one that was a magazine interview with Beast was particularly off).
Fun diversion none the less though.
September 29, 2014
A definite mixed bag, but as has been noted elsewhere multiple times, anthologies usually are. I've owned this long enough to know which stories to skip. Also, since this is pretty much sanctioned fanfiction in many ways, there's a lot of fill in the blanks and let me explain what I think was going through the character's head ("The Stranger Inside" would be a prime example) stories.
"Chasing Hairy" is almost worth the cost of admission by itself, though sadly short. Very funny interview with Beast. I certainly like elements of "Such Stuff as Dreams are Made of" and "One Night Only" and a couple of others that show (if you pardon the expression) the human side of the characters. Some authors are better at depicting that than others. "Diary of a False Man" is a little heavy on the exposition for Changeling, but Jean's reactions make it a decent story. "Every Time a Bell Rings" is not too bad either, although it changes Angel's backstory more than a little.
I can't be bothered with the Madrox story or "Peace Offering," however and usually skip them altogether, along with "The Worst Prison of All" and "A Fine Line."
Cover art's iffy, too. Interior work's pretty good, though.
"Chasing Hairy" is almost worth the cost of admission by itself, though sadly short. Very funny interview with Beast. I certainly like elements of "Such Stuff as Dreams are Made of" and "One Night Only" and a couple of others that show (if you pardon the expression) the human side of the characters. Some authors are better at depicting that than others. "Diary of a False Man" is a little heavy on the exposition for Changeling, but Jean's reactions make it a decent story. "Every Time a Bell Rings" is not too bad either, although it changes Angel's backstory more than a little.
I can't be bothered with the Madrox story or "Peace Offering," however and usually skip them altogether, along with "The Worst Prison of All" and "A Fine Line."
Cover art's iffy, too. Interior work's pretty good, though.
August 2, 2011
A collection of non-canon prose pieces detailing individual members of the X-Men throughout the team's history. While some stories, such as Jean Grey's WWII connection and Gambit's early thief days, fall short, others - like Changeling's diary and Rogue's multiple personality conflict - make up for it.
June 28, 2012
A collection of short stories about the X-men, some are better than others. I wish there was a Gambit and Rogue together story, but alas there wasn't. Rogue's reflection on living with Carol in her head and the stories featuring Angel and the Changeling were particularly good.
February 26, 2012
Some stories are fun enough, but when you take the graphic out of graphic novels, you end up with something that ultimately lacks subtlety and reads a little to much like fan fiction.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews