X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 23: Fatal Attractions

X-Men Epic Collection

by Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, Howard Mackie

The thrilling saga that commemorated the X-Men’s 30th anniversary!

Magneto tears Wolverine’s world apart! As the terrifying Legacy virus spreads among mutantkind, the X-Men suffer a truly heartbreaking loss. Then, when the messianic madman Magneto returns, offering mutantkind safe haven aboard his asteroid home, which longtime X-Man will join his Acolytes…and why? Secrets of Magneto’s life are finally revealed as the villain’s threat to mankind grows — but when the X-Men face him in a final showdown, both Magneto and Professor X will do the unthinkable! The Upstarts target Forge! A techno-organic threat rises! Gambit takes center stage in a solo tale that sheds new light on the New Orleans Thieves and Assassins Guilds! And peer deep into the inner workings of the X-Mansion!

Uncanny X-Men (1981) 301-306, X-Men (1991) 24-25, X-Men Unlimited (1993) 2, Wolverine (1988) 75, Gambit (1993) 1-4, Survival Guide to the Mansion (1993) 1

Genres: X Men, Comics, Marvel, Comic Book

520 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2024

About the author

Scott Lobdell (born 1960) is an American comic book writer.

He is mostly known for his work throughout the 1990s on Marvel Comics' X-Men-related titles specifically Uncanny X-Men, the main title itself, and the spin-off series that he conceived with artist Chris Bachalo, Generation X. Generation X focused on a number of young mutant students who attempted to become superheroes in their own right at a separate school with the guidance of veteran X-related characters Banshee and Emma Frost. He also had writing stints on Marvel's Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix mini-series with artist Gene Ha. He wrote the script to Stan Lee's Mosaic and an upcoming film from POW Entertainment featuring Ringo Starr. He also participated in the Marvel Comics and Image Comics (from Jim Lee's WildStorm) crossover mini-series WildC.A.T.s/X-Men.

Reviews

[XMCU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is depressing out the gate. I say all of the 90's run / Jim Lee run is necessary to read before reading this volume. Epic Collection Volume #19 (#18 if that is ever released) and/or X-Men Omnibus Vol #1. I hear people online saying that the 90's run doesn't hold up or is bad. From what I've read, this era of X-Men is pretty good.

This books spoils X-Men 97. Either read this Volume before or after watching the first season of X-Men 97. This book is more detailed than X-Men 97, so this volume is definitely worth reading after watching the show.

Update: im currently re-reading this book and I'm going to change my review rating from 4 to 5 stars. since urchasing this book I've gotten more familiar with x-men. and that may be a factor for why I'm enjoying this re-read.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Attractions is a contender for one of the best X-Men comics from the 90s. While so much from this era is unfortunately paced with monstrous, unnatural musculature, Fatal Attractions provides the groundwork for storylines both in the original X-men 92 and X-Men 97 animated series, featuring a version of the team that closely resembles those series. Gambit’s history in thief’s guild and Magento’s attack on earth from Asteroid M retain enough differences that even if a person has their animated depictions fresh in their minds, they still won’t know exactly how everything will play out.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really over the top nineties art, a little loose with the story telling, but a heart wrenching story where there is a bit more complexity explored as Charles Xavier reflects on the limits of his dream and dances with the dark side of his soul. Do the ends ever justify the means? In addition, lots of character growth for Gambit, Colossus, and Wolverine here and not all for the better. Just good clean fun!

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I've been really into X-Men since X-Men '97 came out, so I finally got around to reading an actual X-Men comic! While the styles were pretty dated (I'm guessing this particular collection is comics from the late 80s and early 90s), it was still a collection of pretty emotionally charged stories! It's really cool stuff.

[Gabriel Rojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better X-Men trades out there. People vilify the 90s but this is far superior to late Claremont-era stuff like "X-Tinction Agenda". Very solid writing and art throughout, and I personally love an Epic Collection that tells a complete story. In between you get the Gambit miniseries, which is nothing spectacular plot-wise but nice to have anyway.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong story, and then some great bonus content at the end.

[Matt J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff here plot-wise. The dialogue and narration is overwritten and not done well, which is pretty typical for comics of this era. For me, what saved this from a two or three star rating is the excellent Wolverine #75 at the end. Genuinely great writing and art on display in that issue in what is mostly two suspensful scenarios unfolding simultaneously. Just enough room at the end for a (at the time) shocking surprise and a well-written farewell.

[Chris Macpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to revisit these stories after seeing some of them adapted in the fantastic X-Men 97 show.

[James Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of fun storylines in here but I can feel the expansion of the X books making the story less focused.

[Egghead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Très grim and gritty-
post Claremont X-Men a mess.
Characters all shout.

[Jonathan Waugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely the most uneven of the 90’s epic collections. Wish it had the full Fatal Attractions story even if the other parts don’t match what occurs in these three parts.

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this was a reread for me, but some of my favorite stories are in this so it was a good read all around for me.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume has some key moments in it, mostly depressing ones. The Legacy virus takes its first victim. Colossus goes into a downward spiral, joining the Acolytes. Gambit's first miniseries. Magneto pulls the adamantium out of Wolverine's skeleton. Magneto gets turned into a vegetable. Fatal Attractions was a bunch of extra thick issues with holograms on the cover for the 30th anniversary of the X-Men. There's a lot to like here. I will warn you that 90s comics are very verbose.