So far, this is shaping up to be a banner year for the X-Men. With Dark Phoenix signaling the end of 20th Century Fox’s theatrical run with the characters and Marvel about to relaunch their comic adventures with writer Jonathan Hickman at the helm, 2019 seems poised to herald plenty of new beginnings for the mutant superheroes. Now, via The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel is delving into the team’s rich history with a new four-part docuseries premiering on their official YouTube channel.
Titled X-Men: The Seminal Moments, the series will be released in four parts. It features several X-Men creators reflecting on the ups and downs that the comic has had since it launched in 1963. And according to editor Tom Brevoort, throughout its first decade, the book seemed like it was destined for cancellation.
“The open secret about X-Men in the 1960s is that it was a failure,” Brevoort remarked. “It was one of the last original creations of that original blossoming period of the 1960s. They were intended to be like another Fantastic Four. For most of the ‘60s, it was the lousiest-selling Marvel title, or close to it.”
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Marvel ultimately axed the book in 1969. However, the last round of issues from writer Roy Thomas and artist Neal Adams proved to be a hit with fans. The publisher didn’t learn this until the last minute, but they eventually decided to revive the title.
“The irony was that Roy Thomas and Neal Adams’ run on the X-Men was groundbreaking in its own way,” added Chris Claremont. “It’s just that the tracking network was so primitive that Marvel didn’t realize they had a hit on their hands until eight months after the first issue came out. And by then, Neal had gone back to DC. So too little, to late.”
The first episode also pays special attention to 1975’s Giant Size X-Men #1, which introduced Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler. Brevoort explains that these characters, all of whom come from diverse backgrounds, were created to boost the series’ international appeal. It of course went on to become one of the most iconic issues in X-Men history.
You can watch Part 1 of X-Men: The Seminal Moments below. The remaining installments will be available to view on May 22, 24, and 28. What do you think of this first episode? Give us your impressions in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol. 1
