With ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Hitting Theaters, Check Out The Five Best ‘X-Men’ Comics From Marvel!

With X-Men: Days of Future Past now in theaters, let's take a look at the critically acclaimed X-Men series from Marvel Comics. Here are the five best X-Men comics that every fan should have in their collection.

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, in the early days of the X-Men, Professor Charles Xavier started a special school for students who wanted to learn how to use their mutant powers. The X-Men was formed to save the world from those who hated them for being different. Their adventures have lead them into outer-space, alternate realities, and a time-travel trip into the future.

5) X-Men: The Phoenix Saga

While on their voyage to outer space, Jean Grey becomes possessed by the alien Phoenix Force. The Phoenix entity needs Grey, and the rest of the X-Men, to help repair the fractured M'Kraan Crystal. The epic space adventure leads to the Dark Phoenix Saga. No longer in control of her body, the X-Men have to battle to the death with the Phoenix in order to save Jean's soul.  

4) X-Men: Age of Apocalypse

This is an alternate timeline where Professor Xavier is dead and Magneto is in charge of the mutant superhero team. Following in his best friend's footsteps, the Master of Magnetism fights for a dream where humans and mutants can love together peacefully. But when the tyrannical Apocalypse intends on taking over the world, every superhero has to work together to stop the nuclear countdown.

3) X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills

While Magneto investigates the murder of two innocent mutant children, Xavier is kidnapped by the hateful Reverend Stryker. The X-Men are forced to team-up with their most hated enemy in order to rescue their mentor. Claremont and artist Brent Anderson established a powerfully gripping original graphic novel that would later on serve as the basis for X2: X-Men United.

2) Astonishing X-Men: Gifted

After making a name for himself with Buffy The Vampire Slayer, writer/director Joss Whedon began his own run on the X-Men comics with artist John Cassidy. The inspiration behind X-Men: The Last Stand, Whedon imagines there is a possible cure for the mutant race. But is the cure actually a weapon of mass destruction sent from outer space?  

1) X-Men: Days of Future Past

With the summer blockbuster now in theaters, check out the comic classic by Claremont and artist John Byrne. Though the wardrobe, hairstyles, and dialogue are a huge staple of the 80s, the message still resonates after many decades later. Are we destined to repeat the same mistakes of the past, or are we capable of making a change for a better future?   

Comic book fans should definitely make sure they have these five X-Men stories in their collection. Make sure to see X-Men: Days of Future Past in theaters on its opening weekend.