Giant-Size X-Men

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cover to Giant-Size X-Men #1.

Giant-Size X-Men #1 was a one-time issue of the X-Men comic book series, published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Len Wein and illustrated by Dave Cockrum. Though not a regular issue, it jumpstarted the series after a five-year hiatus. The issue serves as a link between the original X-Men and a new team of X-Men. Chronologically it is placed before The X-Men #94. The 36 page issue was published in May 1975.

1 Story
- 1.1 Trivia
- 1.2 Chapter Titles
2 Credits
3 Characters

[edit] Story

The story-line links the old X-Men team with the new. In it, the old team of Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Iceman, Havok and Lorna Dane venture to the island of Krakoa and vanish. Cyclops is allowed to return to tell Professor X what has happened. This prompts the professor to assemble a new team of X-Men to rescue the old. The new team includes Sunfire and Banshee, who were actually introduced in earlier issues. The team also includes all new members that never appeared before in an X-Men comic, including Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Thunderbird and Wolverine (who actually made his first appearance in the Marvel Universe in The Incredible Hulk #181).

The team soon learn that Krakoa is not just an island, but a giant mutant as well. They are successful in rescuing the old X-Men as well as destroying the island by shooting it into outer space with Polaris's power, despite hiccups in their first time working together. The issue ends by posing the question of the future of the 13 X-Men. That question is answered in X-Men #94 when the old team, except for Cyclops, quits the X-Men. The series then focuses on the new team, minus Sunfire, who also quits, and Thunderbird, who dies in #95. Jean Grey returns in #97 in a story arc that leads directly to the birth of Phoenix.

[edit] Trivia

Cyclops' power beams become more uncontrollable and cannot be contained by his visors. Professor X adapts an old visor to contain his enhanced power.
The writers intended the new version of the X-Men to be more of an international team. The new team included members from all over the world: Africa, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Russia, Japan, and a Native American.
Versions of Nightcrawler and Storm (as a character called the "Black Cat") were designed by Cockrum to be possible new members of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Even though he appears on the cover, the Beast does not appear in the story. Professor Xavier mentions that he has graduated from his school.
Reed Richards provided unstable molecules used to form new costumes for Colossus, Storm, and Thunderbird.
The title of the story is "Deadly Genesis" on the cover and "Second Genesis" on the splash page.