X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 10: God Loves, Man Kills

X-Men Epic Collection

by Chris Claremont

X-Men mastermind Chris Claremont continues his legendary tenure on Marvel's mutants in this volume - including arguably one of the greatest comic book stories ever written!

By 1982, the X-Men had become the biggest franchise in comic books. The engine driving it all was UNCANNY X-MEN, where Chris Claremont’s deft character work and potent exploration of the mutant metaphor captivated readers. Claremont continued to find new dramatic heights with artist Paul Smith as they unfurled the growing romance between Kitty Pryde and Colossus, the first appearances of Callisto and the Morlocks, Rogue’s debut with the team and the wedding of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor! Claremont’s writing rose to find perhaps his most poignant and challenging expression in his graphic novel with artist Brent Anderson, “God Loves, Man Kills.” Meanwhile, he collaborated with Frank Miller on the first WOLVERINE miniseries, which rocketed the character’s popularity into the stratosphere!

COLLECTING: Uncanny X-Men (1981) 168-175, X-Men Annual (1970) 7, Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) 5, Wolverine (1982) 1-4, material from The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (1983)

Genres: X Men, Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Comic Book

496 pages, Paperback

First published December 24, 2024

About the author

Chris 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.

Reviews

[Tiag⊗ the Mutant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Epic Collection packs five essential X-Men storylines, the God Loves, Man Kills original graphic novel, which is arguably one of the best X-Men graphic novels ever written, the introduction of the Morlocks, which debuts mohawk Storm who is leading the team at this point, and has an iconic duel with Calypso, then Wolverine’s first solo limited series (illustrated by Frank Miller), the wedding of Wolverine where he fights the Silver Samurai, twice, and partners up with Rogue, who ends up earning a place in the team after that, and lastly the wedding of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor, which I never cared for, awesome volume.

[Griffin Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

First two issues are incredible - the actual “God Loves, Man Kills” arc is a total heater. The rest of this is a very mixed bag and was kinda tough to get through at times.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with 'The Fate of the Phoenix', I had some expectation going into this Claremont volume and they were easily met. It was a bit of a relief after reading 'The Brood Saga' that was enjoyable but didn't reach the expected level. This volume was a really enjoyable and easy read.

The graphic novel 'God Loves, Man Kills' was excellent as it brings a more grounded feel to an X-Men story and Anderson's artwork works so well with Olif's colours. I particularly liked how Scott brings Charles back from the brink. The essay and the Claremont interview in the extras were really interesting reads; the answer about Xavier working in the existing system and Magneto not trusting it leading the question 'do you try something else?' was interesting in the context of the Krakoa era.

I own a trade of the Wolverine mini series but it was great to re-read it in context and with an improved reproduction; my only disappointment is that Claremont's introduction and Miller's afterword aren't in this volumes extras.

The UXM issues were really engaging and packed too: introducing the Morlocks, Madelyne Pryor, adding Rogue and evolving Storm.

The annual issue at the end was a bit weird.

The multiple pages from the official handbook are a nice set of extras for the volume.

Overall this was an superb volume and if I were to have a minimal X-Men collection then 7 'The Fate of the Phoenix' and this 10 'God Love, Man Kills' would be essential.

[Lando Calrissiono · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is headlined by the excellent God Loves, Man Kills. Which is considered by many to be the quintessential xmen story and it definitely deserves this reputation. The themes of this book remain just as effective as it was then in the 80s. Many of the trials and tribulations faced by our heroes could be construed to be dehumanizing treatment faced by minorities/the other to this day in many places around the world.

Other stories in this book include the wolverine limited series, mastermind attempts to take revenge and a funny annual about aliens doing a scavenger hunt. Also, Rogue joins up!!!

[Jennifer Sigman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent compilation. The fact that they intersperse the Wolverine mini-series in it honestly helps the flow of the stories, and something I wish they would do more often with their modern story arcs.

It's very talky - there are many, many pages with more text than pictures. This is how it was in the early 80's when I started borrowing my brother's comics. Some of it has aged better than other parts (the final story, Annual #7, was completely dumb and brings the whole collection down).

If nothing else, the "God Loves, Man Kills" reprint is a must-have.

[Dan Vijandre]

"But don't you see--either of you--we're human, too! A different branch, perhaps, but the same basic tree! Such a fundamental shift in attitude can't be imposed--to have any meaning, it must grow from within."
"You brought us to fulfill a dream, Charles--one born of human aspirations--and we've sweated and bled, and some of us have died, to make it a reality. I'm not prepared to give up."
"The means are as important as the end--we have to do this right or not at all. Anything less negates every belief we've ever had, every sacrifice we've ever made."

[Mark Rubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unintentional re-read for me. I have a different tpb edition of most of these X-Men issues which I’ve read several times since I was a kid. So that was a fun nostalgic accident.

God Loves, Man Kills was new to me though and it’s as good as advertised. Really highlighting the allegory for racism and intolerance that the X-Men have always been.

The rest of this is great, fun character growth and interactions, great artwork, the addition of Rogue, Storm’s mohawk, Wolverine doing ninja shit in Japan. Good times.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first item in this collection is the X-Men graphic novel “God Loves, Man Kills”. I read it when it first came out in 1982 (and I was 14). At the time, I found it profound. Nowadays, I find it overly self-important; too caught up in its message. The monthly issues collected here are much more entertaining and hold up better.
This also contains the “Wolverine” mini-series, which is great, but it does demonstrate that Claremont and Miller were weeaboos ages before the term was coined.

[Steven desJardins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The revival of X-Men brought new energy to the franchise, and this is still in the period when the comic felt fresh and exciting, when characters were still developing traits that would become part of what later readers would consider foundational, essential elements of the character. That said, there are elements to the scripting, such as endlessly repeated catchphrases, which are like nails on a chalkboard, and there are later comics that took the ground broken here and turned it into a smoother road. Still well worth reading for its own sake.

[Doug Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a heavy contender for my favorite graphic novel, and certainly my favorite in an amazing stretch of x men books. it has so much to like, from the titular story, to the wolverine mini series, to rogue joining the team, wolverines wedding, and the return of the Phoenix. the annual at the end was kinda meh for me but the overall package here is likely my definitive x men book.

[Diamond Feit · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly overstuffed with ideas! the title story is great, a lot of the character work is great, but as a resident of Real Japan I found Logan's adventures in Fake Japan a little tedious. You'd think they could have asked just one Japanese speaker to check their spelling, but no.

[Justin Covey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lotta good stuff in this one. Wolverine fights ninjas and gets dumped at the altar. Storm goes punk. The Morlocks. Gotta love the Morlocks.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peak Claremont era X-Men. 'Nuff said.

[John Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of stories. Chris Claremont didn’t miss.

[John Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories that really get to the core of what makes the X-Men what they are today. But the older style makes it a rougher read than you’d like.

[Austin Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic X-Men, and lots of iconic stories in this one collection

[Aisling · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Professor X is a jerk!

[Sam Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

X-cellence Incarnate

The earlier adventures of the X-Men were more often than not centered around villains in curious costumes, space invaders and other manner of colourful monsters and mad men. The stark contrast of what is on offer in this book, is what makes it one of the greatest comic books of our age.

'God Loves, Man Kills' is one of the finest examples of how powerful a superhero story can be, and exemplifies the real power of the X-Men. This social commentary is just as worryingly prevalent in the world of 2025, as it was in the 1980s. The targets of ignorance in our modern world may have changed, but the vitriol, fear and exploitation of such by those in positions of authority has not.

One of the (if not, THE) greatest X-Men books ever to grace our troubled world. Chill-inducing, thought-provoking, and masterful storytelling that instills that most elusive and important of feelings when the final page is closed. Hope.

[Lorenzo Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for the entire book overall, but God Loves Man Kills alone is a solid 5/5. One of the rare occasions where Claremont’s excess wordiness works out surprisingly well; although I am happy he’s toned it down a lot more by this point compared to Dark Phoenix Saga. My main complaint with the book though is that the wordiness is still there sometimes: especially in the Wolverine miniseries where they explain Wolverine’s powers every single issue. It’s also still kinda weird how hard they’re still trying to push Peter and Kitty even though he’s 20 and she’s 14 and by this point John Byrne has left the series.