X-Men Epic Collection, Vol. 11: Lifedeath

X-Men Epic Collection

by Chris Claremont

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

Genres: X Men, Comics

496 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

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

[Nick Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

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

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.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Aisling · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I love Mystique and Destiny’s friendship. It’s so beautiful and platonic.