Marvel Comics: 50 best Marvel comic books of the 2000s
By Mark Lynch
12. Astonishing X-Men
Writer: Joss Whedon
In this writer’s opinion, there isn’t a better X-Men series than this. In twenty-five issues, each of the characters stand out in different ways. Cyclops proves why he’s one of the best leaders and strategists of all time. Kitty Pryde displays a level of power and control that saves the world. Colossus reminds everyone why he’s one of the great strong guys. Beast is forced to confront his insecurities and sacrifices his humanity for the cause. Emma Frost is dealing with survivor’s guilt (the Genosha massacre) so bad she almost cost people their lives. And then there’s Wolverine who shines as the teammate who cares more than anyone.
11. X-Men Second Coming/Messiah War/X-Men Messiah Complex
Writer: Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, Peter David, Craig Kyle Christopher Yost, Matt Fraction, Zeb Wells
With the mutant population dwindling by 99% (M-Day), hope for mutant-kind seemed lost. The funny thing is Hope is exactly who came into the world and changed everything. Hope Summers was the first mutant born since M-Day. She was so important that people wanted her dead or to control her fate. Even after she left into the future with Cable, Hope was still being chased throughout time. One hero went as far as to destroy the world in order to kill her.
Messiah Complex, Messiah War, and Second Coming combined for the deepest, darkest, and most depressing story in X-Men history. If you know the history of mutants, you know that’s a bold statement. Nevertheless, it’s true. Heroes died protecting Hope and had no regrets as they breathed their last breaths.
This was a collaborative effort full of creators who took the X-Men, broke them down, and built them back up. This was easily one of the three biggest moments in the history of mutants.