Writer: Chris Claremont
Artists: John Byrne & John Romita Jr.
I have been an X-Men fan for years, and have recently decided to read both classic stories, as well as modern stories that I've always wanted to read. I am continuing with a story that starts directly after the last one I reviewed (Dark Phoenix Saga) with Days of Future Past which collects both the classic two part story, as well as having some fun, and interesting stories either side of it.
Plot
Following the events of Dark Phoenix Saga, the X-Men morns the loss of Jean Grey, as well as introducing Kitty Pryde as an official member of the X-Men. Wolverine and Nightcrawler also take a trip to Canada, and Kitty's future self is sent back to warn of the apocalyptic future.
Review
This was a fantastic book, and although it may not be as good as the Dark Phoenix Saga, it was still in it's own way brilliant, being very interesting, and unique. Chris Claremont showed that he could come off a phenomenal story, and continue to produce amazing stories, and although they weren't quite to the level of Dark Phoenix Saga, they came close. I also loved how Claremont once again balanced things, starting with a very emotional issue, then following up with a fun story before returning to a more serious story. During this Claremont also added some exciting moments, as well as the usual drama, and suspense. He also once again did a great job with the character development, adding a lot of depth, as well as more tone, and drama. I also loved how Claremont managed to mix the styles of these stories up, with them all being very unique, as after a long story with Dark Phoenix Saga, it's nice to have a few shorter stories.
The art was also magnificent, and John Byrne did a outstanding job, showing why he's one of the best artists to have worked on a X-Men title. The detail in Byrne's art was as usual amazing, with everything being as close to perfect as possible. Byrne also showed the characters emotions perfectly, also having their characteristics perfect, with this being one of the reasons I love his X-Men art so much. The action sequences were also phenomenal, being very exciting, and at times fun, also adding plenty of depth, and tone. The layouts of Byrne's art was also spectacular, being very dynamic, whilst also adding more depth, and drama to the stories. I also felt that John Romita Jr.'s work on the The Uncanny X-Men Annual #4 was also amazing, and his work back then was much better than it is today, as although there are times where I still enjoy it, his art in this Annual was much more appealing.
The first part of this book would see the funeral of Jean Grey, with Scott re-telling the adventures they shared as X-Men. I found this to be an interesting way of continuing from Dark Phoenix Saga, as it takes the pace down slightly, whilst also allowing people who haven't read the earlier stories a chance to get a brief summary. It's also fitting to have this sort of story at a funeral, as it shows the journey the person took. I did however at the same time felt that it took away from the emotion, not allowing as much grieving time, but overall it wasn't a bad way of following up from that great storyline.
With the aftermath of Dark Phoenix out of the way there would then be a one-shot annual story, which would see Nightcrawler taken to what appears to be Hell, with the X-Men, and Doctor Strange following to rescue him. I found this to be a very fun, and interesting story, and I loved how it played of Inferno, the first part of Dante Alighieri's Devine Comedy, as although I've still to read it myself, the story behind it has always fascinated me, and I've enjoyed some of the stories that have been inspired by it. This take however is one of the more unique ones that I've seen, as although not the best, it was very entertaining, and exciting, as well as being very fun, and suspenseful.
Following that would be a short two part story that would see Kitty Pryde officially join the team, whilst Wolverine, and Nightcrawler visited Canada, and Alpha Flight to help with Wolverine's status in their secret service, where they'd land up fighting Wendigo. This was probably one of the more exciting stories, falling just behind the main event (Days of Future Past), as it had some brilliant action, as well as a bit of emotion, and a hint of fun, showing that although the series had a dramatic storyline that would change it, that it can easily move on. I also during this loved seeing Wolverine, and Nightcrawler's friendship build, and their interaction with Alpha Flight was also very interesting.
Now I finally come to the main story in this book, the two part Days of Future Past story, which would see the struggling X-Men of the future living in a world where they're oppressed by the Sentinels. The team eventually decide to switch the mind of future Kitty Pryde (now called Kate) with the mind of her younger self in an attempt to change history. I really enjoyed this story, and after reading about it, as well as seeing adaptation, whilst also looking forward to the upcoming film adaptation, it was nice to finally read the actual story, which was amazing. It was so gritty, and dramatic, whilst also being very unique, and exciting. I also loved all the action both from the future, and the present, proving to be the classic that it is.
The book would then finish with a more fun story which would see Kitty in the X-Mansion whilst a N'Garai demon attacks her. This was a fun, and exciting way of ending the book, and although it wasn't as good as the Days of Future Past parts, it may have been the next best, with both it, and the Wendigo story being very close quality wise. I also liked how this story would also be very suspenseful, and dramatic, which added more depth, and tone to it. It was also nice to see Kitty grow as a person, going from a rookie to someone that can handle themselves against a serious threat, which was nice considering she had been help back prior to this.
Final Verdict
This was an amazing collection of stories, and the Days of Future Past parts were as amazing as I hoped they would be. Besides that it had a mixture of fun, and exciting stories, whilst also having some dramatic, and suspenseful moments. It would also have great characterisation, and overall was a great continuation from the phenomenal Dark Phoenix Saga. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this book, as all the stories are amazing, but if you're just looking for the Days of Future Past parts, and can get them cheaper than this book you might as well do that, but you'd be missing out on some amazing stories.
Rating: 10/10
Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Byrne
I have been an X-Men fan for years, and have recently decided to read both classic stories, as well as modern stories that I've always wanted to read. Due to this I thought I'd start here with one of the most important, and influential stories in the X-Men's history.
Plot
As the Hellfire Club try and take down the X-Men, with Jason Wyngarde trying to use Jean Grey against her fellow X-Men. However during this Jean is acting differently, and the Phoenix starts to take control of her.
Review
This was a phenomenal story, being much better than I remembered. Chris Claremont did a outstanding job of balancing the story, as it was exciting, and dark, also having a lot of emotion throughout. I also loved it had a hint of the cheesy storytelling that was common back then, whilst it still being a very serious, and entertaining story. There was also a lot of depth to this story, as well as tons of drama, and suspense, and in this one story Claremont showed why he's considered one of the best X-Men writers of all time. I also loved how during the development stages of this story that Claremont managed to add some fun side stories, keeping the story fresh, and vibrant, whereas nowadays stories sometimes slow down, becoming boring. Claremont also did an excellent job with the characterisation, and he showed all the things I love about these characters (though he should have considering how long he was on the series).
The art on this story was simply beautiful, and John Byrne reminded me why he's one of the best artists to ever work on X-Men. The detail in his artwork was simply amazing, with everything being so vibrant, and fresh. Byrne also did a great job of showing the characters emotions, and especially between Jean, and Cyclops, with it being easy to tell what they, or the other characters were thinking. The layout of Byrne's art was also very dynamic, adding a lot of depth to the story, as well as more drama, and suspense. The action was also handled wonderfully as well, being very explosive, as well as exciting, and dramatic, as well as dynamic. The inks from Terry Austin, as well as the colours from Bob Sharen, and Glynis Wein, both helping Byrne's art stand out even more, and although I'm not generally a fan of pre-digital colouring, it worked perfectly on this story.
The main villains for most of this story would be the Hellfire Club, and although the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants may be the best group of villains that the X-Men have faced, Hellfire Club ate probably next on the list, being not far behind, having appeared in lots of great stories. This was one of them great stories, and I just loved the Hellfire Club in this story, as although they weren't as brilliant as they would be in future stories, they were still great, and the perfect villains. They gave so much depth, and suspense to the story, having a brilliant presence, and attitude. I also loved seeing a earlier version of Sebastian Shaw, as well as a evil Emma Frost, with them both being perfectly written, with amazing dialogue. I also loved seeing the X-Men fight the Hellfire Club, especially as they were at a disadvantage, making things more interesting.
This story would also introduce two characters who are well known now, and although their appearances weren't the best thing about this story, it was nice to be read their first appearance in a comic. I am of course talking about Kitty Pryde, and Dazzler, both who were targeted by the Hellfire Club. With Kitty being my favourite female X-Man it was nice to see her at a younger age, and she seemed very different, yet at the same time how I'd imagine her. I also loved seeing her adapt to her new powers, and how she reacted to the environment she was put in. Dazzler's first appearance was also amazing, as although I'm not a huge fan of the character, she's had some interesting appearances, and this was one of them.
Now I finally come to the main attraction of this story, the Phoenix, and how Jean Grey went from friendly X-Man, to the chaotic Dark Phoenix, who's hell bent on destroying the world. This has to be one of the most intense character developments that I've ever read, as there was so much depth, with darkness, and emotion when necessary, making for the perfect tone a comic book can have. I also loved how whenever the real Jean would shine through how you could see that she was just as scared as her fellow X-Men, being very dramatic, and emotional. The reaction of the X-Men themselves was also brilliantly handled, with the question over what should happen, showing that they understand the consequences of whatever their decision is, whilst also showing how hard that decision is.
Another group that would feature in this story would be the Shi'ar, who have a long history with the X-Men, also knowing what will come if the Phoenix continues to exist. Now I always love seeing the Shi'ar, and although this probably isn't their best appearance, it was still amazing, and added a great twist to the development of this story, also adding some amazing action, as well as balancing the possible future if the Phoenix exists. In addition to this I also loved seeing the interaction between Professor X, and Lilandra, which as always added it's own unique atmosphere to the story, as well as yet more depth, emotion, and suspense.
I'll finish by going slightly off from the story, and talk about the X-Men that featured in this story, as it wouldn't just have some of my favourite X-Men, but would have a mixture of both original, and newer X-Men. It was brilliant seeing Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Storm work along side Cyclops, and Jean as the current team, but the real treat was the addition of Beast, and Angel, and although they'd later return to the X-Men, due to them not being active roster members, it made it feel more of a all-star team when they all banded together near the end, making things much more exciting, and fun. The best thing however about all these characters was however how they were written, as they are all in the classic tone that I love, and although some of these traits have stuck with them, it's nice to see them all in full.
Final Verdict
This is a true classic, and one of the best X-Men stories ever written, and although I've always liked it, re-reading it has just reminded me how phenomenal it actually is. It is dark, and gritty, with plenty of excitement, suspense, and drama, as well as great characterisation, and emotion, being evenly balanced. Due to all this it is extremely easy to recommend this story to anyone, whether you're a current X-Men fan or not, and if you saw X-Men: The Last Stand (which was based on this) and didn't like it, don't let that put you off this, as it's nothing like that.
Rating: 10/10
