X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills - Extended Cut

by Chris Claremont, Brent Anderson (Illustrator)

Collects X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills Extended Cut (2020) #1-2; God Loves, Man Kills Variants.

In 1982, writer Chris Claremont was in the midst of his legendary run on UNCANNY X-MEN, changing the comics landscape forever and creating a new standard for super hero fiction! With a wealth of ideas, Claremont wasn't contained to the main title alone, and he joined forces with industry giant Brent Anderson for a graphic novel titled God Loves, Man Kills. This groundbreaking story saw the X-Men teaming up with their most bitter enemy, Magneto, against an adversary threatening all of mutantkind in the name of God. Now, Marvel proudly presents this all-new edition of one of Marvel's finest ever tales — complete with a new framing sequence by the original creators and a gallery of celebratory variant covers by Marcos Martin!

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

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2020

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

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Loves, Man Kills remains a seminal graphic novel in Marvel history and is absolutely worth 5 stars.

This ‘extended cut’, which has an additional ten pages of framing material by the original creators, on the other hand, feels more than a little unnecessary.

I suppose you could think of it as a DVD bonus feature.

Personally, the next time I re-read this story, I’ll be going back to the original.

[Andres Pasten · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Una vez más, genocidio en el nombre de Dios. Una historia tan vieja como el hombre", cita de Magneto que no envejece, tristemente. Tremenda historia, pese a haber sido publicada por primera vez hace unos 40 años, impacta.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published as a stand-alone graphic novel, God Loves, Man Kills was written to be the quintessential X-Men story. Though I think it much more shows where Claremont was heading than what X-Men had already been up to that point, with more of an emphasis on X-Men as an oppressed minority than we had seen before (though it had been an ongoing theme since as early as Stan Lee's X-Men #8. It was also a big influence on the 2000s X-Men films, and as a result, was also a big influence on modern X-Men comics.

The version I read, the 2020 Extended Cut, includes a framing structure created by the original writers and artists. I wasn't a big fan of this. The original story stands pretty well on its own and this didn't add anything new. That being said, this framing structure is also a sequel of sorts to Claremont's X-Men: Black, which I have not read. I suspect I'd appreciate it more if I had.

[Chris Pennywise · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I've always loved about the X-Men is the barefacedness with which it presents its core themes. There's no tiptoeing around the themes of prejudice and it wastes no time directly criticizing intolerance because why should it? There's a confidence to the storyline that particularly shines in this book, one that shows how true these ideals stand and how farcical bigots are when presented with the simple truth that we're all human. There's a clear effort to engage with the harsher aspects of reality that mutants face in a way that feels more mature than other comics of its ilk. William Stryker is such a nasty villain with some morbidly well-written dialogue that displays exactly how radical his kind of self-serving rhetoric can become. Magneto, Cyclops, Kitty Pryde and Wolverine are all used very well as contrasts in belief, execution, and perspective that add much-appreciated depth to the mutant side of the story. So much is given to these characters over the course of 90 pages, and it truly feels like the definitive outing for this team.

[Valentin Derevlean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Întâmplare face că am revăzut recent filmul X-Men 2 care se inspiră din acest roman grafic deja clasic despre frica de mutanți și modul în care credințele religioase pot duce rapid spre extremism și apoi conflicte violente. Laitmotiv clasic în benzile cu supereroi, dar niciodată perimat.

Ediția de față are un intro și un capitol final adăugate recent, dar fără vreun beneficiu. Arta nouă e slabă, story-ul la fel. Puteau lăsa fără probleme povestea clasică, care e bine scrisă, chit că insistă mult pe lecțiile evanghelice ale antagonistului. Una peste alta, o bandă cam de 3 stele, îi dau 4 pentru tema abordată, o metaforă mai valabilă ca oricând care face din acest roman grafic unul îngrozitor de actual.

[Troy-David Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original graphic novel came back in 1983. This edition has additional material that broadens the story somewhat.
I feel that either version is good: a stellar read in fact.
The plot is a solid one: not at all muddy or convoluted. The villains are comprehensible if not necessarily relatable ( I mean, unless you’re a hate-filled zealot).
The themes of racism have never been clearer than here. The character growth of Magneto is excellently handled.
The artwork is just gorgeous.
The additional material is well-done (I don’t want to reduce it’s impact by spoiling it); fans of the original will also love this new edition.

[Alan Castree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This definitely felt like one of those stand-out must read comics from the early 80's similar to something like Daredevil Born Again or Batman Year One. I'm glad to have read the updated version since some insensitive outdated lines have been fixed. Claremont said in the back, the statement Kitty said to her dance instructor is very strong but he stands by it, yet then that message is then tainted by their insensitive portrayal of minorities later on in the book. I'm glad he recognizes this, and aside from this one flaw, the book is overall very good. It really nails what makes X-Men always relevant, even a story that's 40 years old.

[Ferio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Más de cuarenta años después, no ha envejecido un solo día. Stryker tiene otros nombres y los mutantes no han sido siempre el enemigo, igual que no lo eran Eurasia ni Oceanía, pero la alegoría de fondo sigue vigente, incluso con más fuerza ahora que en décadas anteriores en las que pensábamos que el pacto social liberal iba a ser la norma imperante que duraría mil años; esos son los que sí han vuelto cuando pensábamos que ya no estaban vigentes, los del reino de los mil años.

Esta edición incluye, además de la novela gráfica original (que ya se denominaba así cuando en España ese término ni siquiera nos sonaba), entrevistas con los autores que fueron y entrevistas y dibujos de los autores que pudieron ser. O quizá lo fueron en otro universo, que ya sabe que en la Marvel...

[Nuevo Mutante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siendo una historia clásica, en este caso solo entraré a valorar la edición. Aunque los extras del final estén bien, la nueva secuencia marco es totalmente prescindible. Es más, para mi gusto le quita empaque, y atemporalidad, a la historia. Un error añadir páginas modernas a una obra maestra. Por otro lado la edición en sí es cara, ya que ni siquiera cuenta con el tamaño oversize de la edición anterior. Me quedo mil veces antes con esa.

[Pedro Espada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relato atemporal de la Patrulla X. Una fotografía increíble de como era el mundo en el 82 y las similitudes con este, 40 y pico años después. El dibujo es inmersivo a más no poder y esta edición además cuenta con una entrevista a Claremont al final, que no tiene desperdicio.

[Thomas DeGravelles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever a classic and at the same time an ongoing reflection of modern life in the real world

Forever a classic and at the same time it’s consistently an ongoing reflection of modern life in the real world.

[Ratorrice Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hype was real

First time reading this story and it lived up to the hype. William Stryker was even crazier than I could have ever imagined. Well written story and I loved the way religion was used in this story. A lot like how it is used today

[Andrew R Leblanc]

pretty good

[zackxdig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course this story is still relevant today.

[Alex Arasawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. More so about the events and ideology behind Strykers Crusade.

[Josema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una sociedad tolerante no se puede permitir ser tolerante con el intolerante :)

[Ans Rizwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe how a Western comic did what this one ended up doing in a less than 100 page count.

[⛧⸸ dennis ⸸⛧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Amory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally read one of the most well-known X-Men comics of all time, and didn't love it. The conflict in this is indeed classic X-Men, but because I'm reading this so long after I've read other arcs with the same themes, it feels repetitive instead of groundbreaking. That being said, I absolutely get why this is the most recommended and one of the most iconic X-Men stories; it wraps the core themes of the series into one arc with some of the most beloved and recognizable characters. I did surprisingly really love Cyclops in this, and I have never said that about a comic before, so major points for making Scott my favorite character in an arc, but I wish I liked the art style more and enjoyed this more overall.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, it's God Loves, Man Kills. There's a few extra pages at the beginning and end framed as a sequel to Claremont's X-Men Black: Magneto one shot. A new introduction, and some interviews at the end, all of which are great.

And then there's the main story. It's tough to read. But in a good way? It's especially difficult in light of the Alito Draft that leaked this week. All that's changed in the last 40 years is that the ultra-right-wing Christian supremacists Stryker is modelled on are stronger, bolder, more organised and have way more power and control in the US and abroad. And it's terrifying.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been an X-Men reader/fan for so long. Since the 90s. My first comic book love, actually. But so much I haven't read. Still. Like this one. And such a seminal story. Defining. Interesting and sad resonance with the contemporary world. I'd probably have actually thought Stryker was a bit over the top. In the past. So sad that he's not. Love the interviews. Didn't feel the new bookend material added much. But the re-release did put this on my radar. I'll go back and read the older stuff. Definitely Claremont's entire run. Someday.

[OinkFish Pigs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see why this is one of the best comics oat. All the themes are concluded excellently, the art is amazing and complex (idk what to put here it’s just great). The story is phenomenal, all the characters are great, the dialogue is amazing, and Stryker’s backstory is great and delusional just like he is (you in no way should sympathize with Stryker he is an awful thing). An amazing critique of evangelical extremism and a critique that could be applied today. Perfect comic.

High 10

[Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

0 stars for the Extended Cut! Stick to the original, this is just a blatant cash grab. It adds a wickedly stupid and syrupy and obvious framing story that only serves to juxtapose Prime Claremont with Garbage Claremont. The brown-nosing interview with Claremont doesn’t help increase the value of the package either. But the ugly and stupid framing pages mar the actual story. I would not want this version of the book on my shelf. The good news is all you’d need to fix it is one exacto knife.

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually incredible. The painted art design of the original story is just gorgeous, I’d frame every panel if I could. The art when it switches to modern was a little jarring, but the story at the heart redeems any minor flaw. Incredibly beautiful, especially now…a week before the inauguration of a man who sows the same kind of hate and division of people based on factors beyond their control, judging them by their monolithic status opposed to their interpersonal character.

[Martijn Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overarching story is deservedly a classic, but both the artwork and the way the story is told are very 80s. The characters suffer from a serious tell don't show. A classic, but one that has not stood the test of time.

[Joao António · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, with a little bit of social critique against the blind faith in god. But also feels a bit old in some panels and not has exciting as some other X-men adventures in terms of action.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

POPSUGAR 2024 prompt 50: book starts w/ letter “X”

[Alex Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it