Omnibus/OHC Graphic Novel Collectors discussion

This topic is to discuss all aspects of the initial Hickman era of X-Men: including all titles up through the "Reign of X" era.

Spoilers ahead! You've been warned!

I just recently finished Dawn of X TPB #16, which effectively ends the initial opening of Hickman's X-Men revamp.

Looking back, I feel the X-Men title specifically was really just an "idea generator". Whether one issue, two or three, each one simply presented a new idea (the effects on world politics) or new threat to the mutants (Orchis, the Vault, etc.) I liked all of that, but I think reading it straight through doesn't really give a cohesive story.

Many of those seeds still haven't been harvested yet and I'm sure Marvel will milk all of these for as long as possible.

X-Force I felt was pretty good, especially the Domino arc. Hellions turned out to be a lot of fun (haven't finished the whole thing yet.) Marauders had a lot of good moments, making me like Emma more than ever.

The idea of resurrection and just what that means, is a meaty topic that still could be developed more.

I enjoyed seeing how the world reacted to mutants.

But the rest, meh. I've still yet to read X of Swords and the Hellfire Gala, which apparently sets up more stuff for Reign of X.

I'm just finishing up Hickman's run on X-Men having only read a bit of Hellions and Marauders (first trade of each) and whole-heartedly agree that it was an ideas fest. I felt like I was reading Warren Ellis' Astopnishing X-Men arc that felt too punchy and lacked character building and completion of ideas. Like Broo for example. You're left with a what if that is huge. And Hickman just parks that and moves on. Maybe New Mutants helped a little bit but I just don't have the time and interest to read everything. There is just too many titles. I'll probably pick up an omni of Hellions if it is ever released but not that interested in everything else. But yeah there were some great moments. Loved the ending of the second X-Men trade with Magneto kicking butt, That was fantastic stuff. Definitely Hickman's weakest 'big' run for me but still stronger than a lot of the crap that floats around nowadays.

Also I refuse to pick up X of Swords. It stinks that I need to read all the tie ins rather than being able to access just the X-Men issues by Hickman...

Agreed that his weakest effort is still better than most stuff out there. I also refuse to buy X of Swords. I want to read it for completeness but that’s it.

I also agree there are too many titles. There were a couple that i just despised reading. Marvel just doesn’t have that many talented writers and most of what they churn out is rehashed storylines.

Hellions ends with 18 so I’m sure there will be an ohc for it.

I'm also half-way through the second trade of X-Men by Hickman (is that considered Series 5, assuming X-Men'92 was Series 1?). Anyway, I am glad that I'm not alone thinking that reading X-Men #1-#11 in that specific sequence did not flow as smoothly as a normal arc would. Each issue (or each second issue) was a separate plotline with some reference to each other. It wasn't cohesive, and maybe that's the plan. Maybe that's why they released the trade as Dawn of X Vol 1, etc. where all the issues #1 were bundled together, etc. Would that have flowed better? I doubt it. If anything, that would make things even more disjointed with all the other writers writing one after each other.

I have bought the trades for all the others (Marauders, Hellions, New Mutants, Excalibur, X-Factor, and even... Fallen Angels!), and have Sword of X OHC on my shelf waiting to be read too. Out of completeness sake, I will purchase the X-Men OHC by Hickman (thus making my first 2 trades of that series a duplicate - oh, such is my life!), and then will order the Hellfire Gala.

I would like to make comparison to HoX/PoX now. Dawn of X (DoX ?) pales in comparison to that astonishing arc. And I think when going into DoX, we need to not compare the 2 as equals and expect more of the same. I do like DoX exploring newer angles to characters and being a little more mature in terms of themes discussed. It's not like the usual: "Oh, the Brotherhood is invading the Capitol again. X-Men, Assemble!"

My 2 cents.

Sean wrote: "I'm also half-way through the second trade of X-Men by Hickman (is that considered Series 5, assuming X-Men'92 was Series 1?). Anyway, I am glad that I'm not alone thinking that reading X-Men #1-#1..."

I read the DoX tpbs as they came out, wherein they mixed issues from different series. Sometimes all number ones, sometimes a couple issues of one series, sometimes just one issue per series (and not always the same series.) That being said, I didn't feel any real continuity between the books. Aside from the normal crossover stuff, maybe a scene here and there that lined up with another series but nothing significant. Ideas like the Quiet Council and the Five were prevalent throughout, but that was mostly it.

If you take DoX as the early stages, introducing new ideas, exploring what it all means, then I guess it works. Didn't care for the "resurrection ceremony". Thought that was almost barbaric in a way, a step back for them. As stated above, what resurrection means, the logistics of maintaining databases and who gets resurrected first, was all interesting to me. World reactions to Krakoa, good stuff. Putting all the good and bad mutants together with seemingly no real problems (at least initially). I had some problems with that, but it's been addressed a little bit. For the most part, all of the other titles had a decent, cohesive story unto themselves.

If Reign of X (RoX) is truly the second (of three) eras, then perhaps there will be more "meat" on the bones. I think that's why X-Men was relaunched with a new #1, sans Hickman. I also doubt RoX will be as short as DoX.

Agreed, HoX/PoX is on it's own, DoX is sort of an extension of it, but shouldn't be compared directly.

I have HoX/PoX OHC, then I plan to get the Hickman X-Men Omnibus and that will probably be it. Hellions (so far) has been a lot of fun, but not sure I'll get the now announced OHC. Happy to just have the Hickman "ideas" notebooks, but I understand the needs of completists :) .

@ Sean and Blind

What Hickman did really well for me is he wrote this as a really high Sci-Fi series that leaves more questions than answers. I like Sci-Fi and high fantasy personally and like a bit of fan intrigues and theories. Malazan Book of the Fallen is much like this. I feel like Hickman did an amazing job setting the levers in motion for other creators to follow. I actually really loved the series but yeah it was a bit scattered. I totally expect Marvel will bring Hickman back for acts 2 and 3. Apparently Inferno is the gestation of act 2 and ends act 1. I just feel like like Hickman didn't want the stain of the guff in between the X Office wanted. So Im happy to wait and nitpick what I want. You can definitely see Dark Reed rearing his head in the final act. Love how Hickman uses him!

Omni wrote: "@ Sean and Blind

What Hickman did really well for me is he wrote this as a really high Sci-Fi series that leaves more questions than answers. I like Sci-Fi and high fantasy personally and like a b..."

That's a good analogy - sci-fi like.

From what I read, Marvel has Hickman's ideas for Act 2 and 3, but they wanted to stretch out Act 2. I'm not sure he'll be back (I know he's doing a lot of work with Substack) but anything can happen.

I guess I would just like to know what ideas were his and what was their original form vs what the other Marvel writers ended up doing, once we reach that point.

I personally think he will do his thing with the slow navigation completed by Duggan and co. to slowly steer the ship there. Marvel want to do the most they can with this reboot and will likely spread it over 7-10 years rather than the 3 Hickman put fwd. Hickman will be the one they get to write his stuff though. The clean break is to give the other guys a chance. If Hickman did remove himself entirely I think he would be far more embittered about the whole affair. Sales will likely drop at some point and then the writers at the time will be directed to segue to Hickmans next chapter. Hickman sells books. I am personally gonna wait and see how Duggan goes for a few trades before I buy his run. No good then I can wait for Hickman... There is no way Hickman will nto want to finish the story with clear crossovers with Blackbolt and Vulcan as well as the City, Dark Reed and the Vault. I just don't see Hickman leaving all of that from his wonderful Marvel canvas. He is Mr Long-game. Such a creative and insightful writer! Surprised he hasn't been picked up by Disney to do more writing for the movies...

Any opinions on the X-Titles up through the "Reign of X" timeframe?

Overall, I'm losing interest in all of the titles. Keeping up with every title is getting to be both problematic and annoying, since I only read the trades. Not only is there a delay on putting a TPB together, but an additional delay for when it is available for me to read at the library. I'm getting both the Reign of X TPBs as well as the individual TPBs for the bigger titles (X-Force, Marauders, Excalibur, X-Men).

Seeds for storylines keep getting planted but it is taking forever to get to any one story. Many issues just feel like filler too; Not to mention inconsistent art on most of the titles. Perhaps I'm just expecting a more linear story, but it seems more disjointed and uneven than normal, even for X-Titles with their soap opera themes and dangling plot threads.

I'm wondering if this is all meant to mirror the history of Rome, wherein this nation comes to power but then starts to succumb to inner turmoil, excessive indulgences, and in general reaching beyond their means. I just can't tell if the writers are creating mutants who are finally letting loose or succumbing to their base desires, or if this is all leading to something. I haven't read any Destiny of X books yet, but I get the impression there is(are) conflict(s) coming soon, whether its mutant vs. mutant, human vs. mutant, or aliens vs. earth.

Hey all,

So which Hickman "of X" OHC should I pick up, and which should I avoid... and will we be seeing an Omni for all this?

Thanks,
j.

Did anyone read Inferno? I thought it was fantastic and bittersweet knowing that Hickman is off the books.

Blindzider wrote: "Did anyone read Inferno? I thought it was fantastic and bittersweet knowing that Hickman is off the books."
Just read the first issue. Yep very bitter and will remain until they get Jordan White off the X titles... He has too much to answer for...

I’m behind on reading XMen so I haven’t read anything of his yet.

Hi Omni Theus, what did Jordan White do to the X-Men that made you bitter about the title?

Sean wrote: "Hi Omni Theus, what did Jordan White do to the X-Men that made you bitter about the title?"
Ran Hickman off the title by slowing down the pace Hickman wanted... All in the name of short term cash-in from his Marvel overlords. It's an up yours from him and his bosses to us, the fans who buy these stories hoping they will actually be finished...

How does he have that power? Isn’t he just a writer or more than that?

Blindzider wrote: "How does he have that power? Isn’t he just a writer or more than that?"

Jordan is the editor and head of the X Office. Hickman was the creative director who reported into Jordan. I doubt Jordan got in the way of Hickman's idea per se except for slowing the pace down for the series so the other writers who weren't named Zeb Wells could finish out some of their crappy ideas in their titles.

I see. Yes, I read that the X Office wanted to slow things down which I was disappointed to read.