Essential The Uncanny X-Men

At an exclusive private school in Westchester, Professor Charles Xavier is training a very special class of people - four young men, each gifted with a mutant power. After observing the Angel, Iceman, the Beast and Cyclops in their individual training sessions, Xavier tells his students that today a fifth student is to arrive, a lovely young woman. Not much later, Jean Grey is welcomed at the mansion, and all four boys are startled by her beauty. After demonstrating her power of telekinesis, Jean is filled in by Xavier, a mutant himself, about the school’s purpose. For one, it is a safe haven for mutants like them, for humanity is not yet ready to accept superpowered individuals in their midst, but it also serves as a training ground to prepare the X-Men for upcoming battles with evil mutants, who view themselves as superior to humanity and want to rule it. One such mutant is Magneto, who attacks the US’ missile center, Cape Citadel, the following day and claims the base for himself. Xavier sends his X-Men to stop him and, while the army could not even get in the base, thanks to magnetic shields erected by Magneto, the five teenagers succeed. Magneto is both unprepared to face other mutants and also underestimates the X-Men, because of their youth. However, with teamwork, they manage to overcome everything Magneto throws at them and eventually they drive him off - though are unable to stop his escape. The military thanks the X-Men nevertheless and Professor Xavier too congratulates his students on their first mission well done.

The Vanisher, a mutant with teleportation abilities, robs the national bank and blackmails the pentagon. The X-Men confront him as he steals the state’s defense plans, but they can’t fight the villain as he teleports out of reach. Professor Xavier saves the day as he mentally blocks his access to his mutant power and his memory as well.

24 Original Stories in this volume

ADAM