> X-Men Masterworks Volume 1
 
 

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From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"The human race no longer deserves dominion over the planet Earth! The day of the mutants is upon us!”

-- Magneto, pg. 11


The first showdown between Magneto and the X-Men ends in a draw.

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X-Men #1
September 1963 • 23 pages

Script: Stan Lee • Letters: Sam Rosen
Pencils: Jack Kirby • Inks: Paul Reinman

Ranked #8 in 100 Greatest Marvel Comics of All Time list


Title: "X-Men"

Villain: Magneto

First Appearance: Prof. Charles Xavier, Cyclops/"Slim" Summers, Angel/Warren Worthington III, The Beast/Hank McCoy, Iceman/Bobby Drake, Marvel Girl/Jean Grey, Magneto

Origin: X-Men

Gadgets & Technology: Danger Room (though not named as such); Magnetic Impulse Energizer

Letters Page: No letters page published in this issue.


Synopsis: Professor Charles Xavier, headmaster of an exclusive and ultra-private school for youngsters in Westchester County, New York, reclines in his wheelchair and mentally commands his pupils to attend to him. Immediately, he is joined by his four students- the Angel, the Beast, Iceman and Cyclops. As their instructor in learning how to use their mutant powers, the professor puts them through their paces in their practice room. The Angel is able to make super-sharp turns and twists in the air thanks to his thick plumage of feathery wings that grow from his shoulders. The Beast is capable of incredibly feats of acrobatics thanks to his incredible mutant strength and balance. Iceman maintains a cold body temperature and can create ice at will, launching it as a projectile or manipulating it as he chooses. Cyclops must wear protective eye gear to enable himself to channel beams of pure force. After much to and fro, Xavier gathers his rabble together and informs them they are about to be joined by a new student, Jean Grey.

Ms. Grey is ushered into the study where the boys all ogle her great beauty. They are all eager to see what her mutant power is, and she eventually begins moving objects around the room through telekenesis. Prof. X explains what the mission of the mutants is: to learn how to use their powers so they can protect the world of humankind from evil mutants.

At that very moment, the evil mutant Magneto is planning a diabolical scheme involving the United States missile arsenal. With his mutant powers of magnetic control, he is able to destroy a missile launch and create mayhem for the military. His demands include the surrender of the military base at Cape Citadel. They refuse his demands and Magneto attempts to take the base by force, alone! Unfortunately for the army, this is very easy for him to do.

Prof. X realizes there is a call for urgency, so he gathers his young charges and they suit up for battle for the first time as the X-Men.They are flown to Cape Citadel where Cyclops requests 15 minutes from the general to disarm Magneto. His request is granted and they set upon Magneto's power base. The Cape is now surrounded by a magnetic field, but Cyclops is able to breach it with his power blasts, which staggers Magneto. Once through the field, the X-Men launch an all-out assault. To defend himself, Magneto launches five Hunter missiles at them. The Angel is able to dodge them, and Iceman hurls snowballs at the missiles that bring several of them down. One still remains, and the Beast and Marvel Girl are able to safely dispose of it in the ocean.

Magneto, though impressed by their seeming skill, does not wait to strike again. He binds the Angel up in a mass of metal objects, which Cyclops is able to blast through. Magneto sparks a fire on a cannister of rocket fuel and propels it towards the X-Men, who are saved from the resulting explosion by Iceman and his ice shielding. Magneto assumes he has killed them, but they burst from the ground, attacking him in a full assault. Beating a retreat, Magneto flies away while blocking further pursuit with a massive magnetic field. Unable to breach it in time, the X-Men can't follow him, and the battle ends in a draw. The general thanks the X-Men profusely for their "uncanny" efforts, and promises their name will be honored forever for their deeds.

--synopsis and panel images by Gormuu


Issues Reprinted
X-Men #1-10

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 
XMEN #1 XMEN #2 XMEN #3 XMEN #4 XMEN #5
XMEN #6 XMEN #7 XMEN #8 XMEN #9 XMEN #10

 

All cover images are courtesy of the Silver Age Marvel Comics Cover Gallery.

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