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X-Men Epic Collection
X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 11: Lifedeath
John Romita Jr. joins Chris Claremont as the X-Men’s chart-topping adventures continue!
Drama abounds as Cyclops heads off on his honeymoon with Madelyne Pryor, Wolverine’s relationship with Mariko takes a turn for the worse and Kitty Pryde is kidnapped and forced to marry the Morlock Caliban. Meanwhile, Rogue is public enemy number one and anti-mutant sentiment threatens the passage of a law that will strip every mutant in the United States of their rights. There’s no shortage of action either: Colossus battles Juggernaut, Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants return and Rachel Summers arrives on the scene. And in a miniseries with major implications for both characters, Wolverine and Kitty Pryde head to Japan and go to war with the yakuza. This volume is topped off by Claremont and Barry Windsor-Smith’s stunning “Lifedeath.”
COLLECTING: UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #176-188, KITTY PRYDE AND WOLVERINE (1984) #1-6 and material from MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #40
Drama abounds as Cyclops heads off on his honeymoon with Madelyne Pryor, Wolverine’s relationship with Mariko takes a turn for the worse and Kitty Pryde is kidnapped and forced to marry the Morlock Caliban. Meanwhile, Rogue is public enemy number one and anti-mutant sentiment threatens the passage of a law that will strip every mutant in the United States of their rights. There’s no shortage of action either: Colossus battles Juggernaut, Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants return and Rachel Summers arrives on the scene. And in a miniseries with major implications for both characters, Wolverine and Kitty Pryde head to Japan and go to war with the yakuza. This volume is topped off by Claremont and Barry Windsor-Smith’s stunning “Lifedeath.”
COLLECTING: UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #176-188, KITTY PRYDE AND WOLVERINE (1984) #1-6 and material from MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #40
496 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2026
About the author
Chris Claremont
3,300 books907 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 21, 2026
Claremont continues to kill it with his X-Men run, and this volume has some amazing character work. Storm, Rogue, and Kitty are really the highlights in this volume-each get a ton of development. Obviously, the Lifedeath story is one of the most iconic ones for Storm. We see her lose her powers and ultimately coming to terms with that. The introduction of Rachel Summers in this volume is also really great, although she doesn't get a ton to do right now. A lot of modern stories have thrown her to the wayside, but the 80s-90s were her time. Again the character work in this run is stellar, and Claremont is at the top of his game.
However, while I did enjoy most of what was here, the Wolverine and Kitty miniseries was sort of the weakest part. I think that story could've been cut down a couple issues, as it really started to drag by the end-and the art was NOT great. The story is really important to Kitty, but was overall a mixed bag. There was also A LOT happening in the greater Marvel universe, so we see that affecting some of the stories here too.
However, while I did enjoy most of what was here, the Wolverine and Kitty miniseries was sort of the weakest part. I think that story could've been cut down a couple issues, as it really started to drag by the end-and the art was NOT great. The story is really important to Kitty, but was overall a mixed bag. There was also A LOT happening in the greater Marvel universe, so we see that affecting some of the stories here too.
March 19, 2026
X-Men really hitting its stride. Storm growing harder, and sporting a mohawk, after becoming leader, only to lose her powers. Kitty Pryde facing heartbreak, estrangement from Storm, and finally being brainwashed into being a ninja only to come out the other end stronger and sporting the new moniker Shadowcat. Rogue being tormented by her two evil moms.
This is the kind of high drama that gets a cast of characters remembered for generations.
Claremont famously considered X-Men to be his attempt at the long prophecized "Great American Novel." Did he succeed? Whose to say? Well, me, and the answer is no, that title is held by the television serial drama Twin Peaks.
But with X-Men he did create the Great American Soap Opera.
This is the kind of high drama that gets a cast of characters remembered for generations.
Claremont famously considered X-Men to be his attempt at the long prophecized "Great American Novel." Did he succeed? Whose to say? Well, me, and the answer is no, that title is held by the television serial drama Twin Peaks.
But with X-Men he did create the Great American Soap Opera.
January 15, 2026
As the title says, Lifedeath is the obvious standout here, this book doesn't have a lot of iconic, memorable moments compared to some other volumes of this period, but its still a fun read, Storm and Kitty Pryde remains center-stage.
January 31, 2026
I've got a huge soft spot for mid-80s X-Men stuff, but this one lived up to the hype and aged well despite my bias. Just some incredible stories that really illustrate the heart and soul of the team and why it makes them so great. Claremont's mastery of episodic storytelling is on full display.
April 29, 2026
SOAP OPERA BABYYYYYY
I was hooked once i got to 185. A but slow before that, but once it gets going it’s REALLY good.
Kitty pryde and wolverine is also really fun, happy to have kitty get her spotlight
I was hooked once i got to 185. A but slow before that, but once it gets going it’s REALLY good.
Kitty pryde and wolverine is also really fun, happy to have kitty get her spotlight
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
3.5
I love Mystique and Destiny’s friendship. It’s so beautiful and platonic.
I love Mystique and Destiny’s friendship. It’s so beautiful and platonic.
May 19, 2026
The regular issues are 5/5. On the other hand, the Wolverine & Kitty Pryde mini-series was just okay.
March 24, 2026
This collection has some of, if not Claremont’s best character work thus far in Uncanny X-men. It’s really lovely what he does with Storm and Rouge throughout this collection. Romita Jr’s art is also really great here, better than some of his later X-Men issues in my opinion. Wolverine and Kitty Pryde miniseries is still really good and lots of fun but I think could’ve been 4 issues instead of 6. Sleeper in this series so far. 4.5 Peter’s Special cuddles / 5 Peter’s special cuddles
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews