X-Men Epic Collection: It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn Paperback – 30 July 2019

This epic collection covers the period where Marvel only reprinted old stories under the X-men title. It has all the issues where the X-Men (and some future X-men) had guest apperances in other series. Invaluable to have them all collected in one volume and includes several iconic stories (like how Beast got his blue fur, and the first apperances of Wolverine and Maddox the Multiple Man). Highly recommended :-)

X-Men Volume 4 is one of those editions that shows the advantages of the Epic Collection line, specifically its attempt at completeness. Far from their later position as global pop culture icons, back in the day the X-Men were cancelled after 66 issues due to poor sales - although the title would continue to be published, it was as a reprint title, just re-releasing the earlier stories. That, of course, changed in 1975 with the introduction of the new X-Men team and new adventures for Marvel's merry mutants.Volume 4, then, covers the time period from 1971 to 1975, between these two events, collecting in one handy book the guest appearances that the uncanniest teens of all made in Marvel's other titles until they got their second shot. Presented in chronological order we have issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, Marvel Team-Up, Avengers, Captain America, Defenders and Fantastic Four, all with guest spots from members of the X-Men. Now of course, if you're collecting all the other Epics as well, that means that everything I've just mentioned will be appearing in the other titles anyway, which may make this particular volume seem slightly redundant. However, if you're just an X-Men fan, it's great to have everything in one place without having to go hunting for the scattered stories in a dozen other comicbooks.More importantly, the book also includes Amazing Adventures 11-17, issues that almost certainly WILL be exclusive to the X-Men Epics, meaning there is value even for Epic completists. In these issues, the Beast takes centre stage, and makes his transformation into the blue-furred monstrous form that he will be most famous for. These are pretty essential for fans of the X-mythos.Collected in one place, the various comics DO form a sort of story through-line as well, largely due to the efforts of writer Steve Englehart, who continues plot threads from one title over to another, making sure that no subplots are dropped or left hanging. Fans will find a lot to like here, from the introductions of Wolverine and Multiple Man to battles with Magneto and the Secret Empire.Extras - a house ad and the Incredible Hulk and Wolverine reprint cover - would seem scant if not for the fact that the volume also happily includes the new covers produced for the reprint era - that's issues 67-93 plus the first two annuals, all reproduced in full-size and in release-date order, making this book pretty darned comprehensive. Essential for X-Men readers, and still recommended for everyone else; that's the mark of a great collected edition.

My copy was bashed to death before it arrived but looking forward to a replacement ... however, that is a side issue. This has to be the best (and I mean best) epic edition ever (if you like the X-Men, even better). This collects all the threads of the in-between period of the X-Men (original to the 'new') with stories from the Avengers, Amazing Adventures, Hulk, Marvel Team up and many more. This has been done before but I think this is the most complete I have ever seen of the 'lost' period. The stories are all generally pretty good, the artwork decent throughout (except for a few duff Beast tales). Still think a few more comics should have been included but then it would have to be a 600+ pager (instead of just 500 pages or so). A few extras but not many but the real extras are all the chronological X-Men covers from 67 upwards to 93 + King-Sizes etc. Wow, they have never looked so good. This is how all epic editions should be but sadly many are just a run from 10 - 24 etc of a certain issue with few diversions. I know some will say it means a lot of overlap but I quite like the chronological approach (even if it means including only a page or two of a comic because of the cameo). Totally, totally recommended epic edition. Would give it 11 stars !

Book looked new and great price

Bestellung in der Zeit und dem Zustand wie angegeben erhalten.

The Stories aren't Great....but they are important fillers before the CC era starts

Great book but people should know that #67-93 aren't in the book, only the covers are present, 67-93 were reprints from earlier issues

Esta colección de Epic, hecha por Marvel, aborda las historias de X-Men durante el tiempo que transcurre del número 66 de su propio título, cuando fue cancelado, y la revitalización con nuevos integrantes en 1975. Hay apariciones de Iceman en el título de Amazing Spider-Man y la transformación de Beast en el monstruo azul que conocemos. Además, en Marvel Team-Up, el equipo se reúne con Spider-Man y combaten a Morbius. Avengers contra X-Men y muchas más.