X-Men Epic Collection: The Fate Of The Phoenix [New Printing]

The epic tpb xmen phoenix saga. Great art and story

Along with the previous volume, Proteus, this collection represents the bulk of Chris Claremont and John Byrne's run on the X-Men. They also had an issue or so in X-Men Epic Collection volume 5, Second Genesis (don't make me look it up!). Anyway, both books are fantastic and while THIS volume features some of their most memorable storylines, that doesn't really mean that it exceeds the previous volume. Your mileage will vary on that but I just tend to think both and great books by an excellent creative team the likes wouldn't grace the book again for... for a long time, if ever. Claremont and Byrne worked so well together that you don't even notice that the two were suffering from some creative disagreements behind the scenes.This volume features the Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past storyline. These are some of the stories that have defined the X-Men for the rest of their history. They're the stories that keep getting retold in other media and that's because they are that good. Some of the best comics you can read.They even have the originally intended ending to the Phoenix Saga. This story is NOT AS GOOD! It doesn't land nearly as well and it makes you appreciate the way the story eventually played out in the actual comics. But that little bit of history is fascinating and makes you wonder where the X-Men would have headed if the story had been allowed to end in their unsatisfying manner. It is a nice extra inclusion with a round table conversation with the original creators and editors added in.And with that, the Claremont/ Byrne run comes to a satisfying conclusion! While John Byrne would go on to work on a variety of different projects (Fantastic Four was the big one but Alpha Flight and others would also happen), Chris Claremont would remain on the X-Men for about another decade. Claremont would keep moving the series forward, pairing with some seriously quality artists over that time. John Byrne would usually handle both art and writing on his later work (sometimes just one or the other). While both are excellent talents, I don't think either would achieve separately the level of quality they got together. This was an excellent comic run and I can't recommend it enough.The Epic opens up with a Hulk Annual, however and it bears mentioning because it is a follow up on a lot of mutant threads. The main characters, Angel and Iceman, were appearing after their run in the Champions. Master Mold/ Stephen Lang was showing up after his defeat in X-Men #100. Besides all that, it fits into Hulk's continuity. So a lot is going on! John Byrne is on art and the book looks great. Roger Stern is the writer and while it is more than competently written it doesn't match the rest of this collection in quality. Claremont was just on a whole 'nother level at this point in his career.Reading some other reviews, I see a lot of criticism about the paper quality and the book quality in general. I am NOT discounting those but I didn't notice any issues while reading through my copy of the book. It's boxed up at the moment while we move but when I unbox, I'll give it another look and see how the book build quality holds up. I may edit this up or down based on what I find. BUT on first reading, there wasn't anything I noticed about the experience that turned me off. I guess just be aware that there might be some quality issues... or there might not.But the quality of the stories isn't really a question. This book is loaded with some of the best X-Men comics ever produced. For that, this is highly recommended. It's rare that you see both the Dark Phoenix Saga AND Days of Future Past collected together and it's worth getting for that.

I do not understand why a majority of the websites online have in the item description that it is the newly printed edition when they do not update the cover photo. The primary distinction between the new and the old printing, is that the new printing has a blue X-Men logo, whereas the old edition has a red logo. PURCHASING THROUGH THIS VENDOR GIVES YOU THE BLUE LOGO-ED VERSION! Although they show the red...Final item on the reprint, this version is printed on much better paper then the original. The paper is white, and allegedly remains whiter (Ucanny Omar Review) and there's much less bleed through on the pages (where you can see the upcoming page because of the paper thickness and amount of ink used- this book does not have that problem!!!)Anyways, items shipped on the same day as originally stated. Came in nice (and new) condition, although packaging was minimal. And has been a blast to read, the Claremont runs are always the best.

My kids absolutely LOVED this!!Good quality!!!

Some of the most important Xmen storylines all in 1 volume

I'd seen the version of this story in the 90s X Men cartoon, but even that falls short of the long arc that eventually led to 1980 when Jean looses control of the Phoenix. This is just the finale, I need to go back and pick up the books that led up to this event.

Awesome stories most have for any X-Men fan. I absolutely love this book. Chris Claremont at his best. Must read Classic...

This amazing 'Epic Collection' arrived yesterday and I couldn't be more ecstatic!!! From 1978 to 1981 the Uncanny X-Men were 'HOT!' I really enjoyed the bonus Black Panther & Storm story from Marvel Team-Up #100 - their should have been an 'X-Men in Wakanda' Storyline by J. Byrne, T. Austin, & C. Claremont, sigh!!! I was disappointed with the theatrical version of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" - that's NOT Byrne's & Claremont's version, but I digress. I'll be taking this Epic Collection on my next Royal Caribbean Cruise - nothing like sitting out on the cruise ship's upper deck with a Marvel Epic X-Men Collection in hand, along with sipping on a tropical beverage. Thanks Amazon, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!

Great book, awesome art by Byrne and Austin

A melhor dupla dos quadrinhos; Chris Claremont e John Byrne!

La calidad del papel de esta edición es bastante mala. El papel usado es muy delgado, con lo cual las imágenes y el texto del revés de cada página son muy visibles, lo cual entorpece terriblemente la lectura. Si bien en términos generales la calidad del papel de las Epic Collection editadas en 2021 ha decaído, este es el peor caso que he visto. Recomiendo leer este material en otra edición o esperar una reimpresión con mejor calidad.

As someone who didn't read it at the time, I never quite understood the love for the Phoenix Saga, I don't think it has aged very gracefully, unlike other part of the Claremont run. Personally, I always much prefered both what preceded it (starting from Giant-Size and the Cockrum years, very charming) and what followed. Days of Future Past is pretty good though and the introduction of Kitty Pryde is something X-Men fans shouldn't miss, just lower your expectations a tad if you've not read these issues before.

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