The Uncanny X-Men

I recently picked up an old X-Men Marvel comic in a second hand store – in fact, it wasn’t just any old issue, but #1 from October 1991, when they were relaunched as simply “X-Men” (rather than “Uncanny X-Men”) with pencilling and story by the much admired comic book artist Jim Lee.

This is the third of the four variant covers telling the same tale – Rubicon – and features the double page pin up spread A Blast From the Past – again by Jim Lee, together with inker Scott Williams. It actually clocks in as the biggest selling comic book of all time with over 8 million copies sold, so it’s not the rarest of finds, however, there’s still lots to enjoy for the collector – flipping the comic over there is this great vintage Toy Biz advert for the first wave of X-Men action figures!

There have been innumerable series of X-Men action figures over the years but it’s fun to take a look back at where it all started with what was a huge assortment of characters in a 9 figure line up. This original assortment included vehicles for Magneto and Wolverine and additional play sets – Wolverine was furnished with a Combat cave and Cyclops a Lightforce Arena.

• Wolverine – issued with a removable mask, a samurai sword and had special snap out claws (which meant the elbow joints didn’t bend).
• Storm – issued with a lightning bolt accessory and the lightning bolt on her chest lit up.
• Archangel – issued with two missiles which could be launched from his finger, as well as having flapping wings.
• Nightcrawler – issued with a sword and suction cups above the right knee and on left hand.
• Cyclops – issued with a visor which lit up.
• Colossus – issued with a weight bar and special power lifting action.
• Juggernaut – issued with a battering ram and with a power punch action.
• Magneto – issued with a removable helmet and cloth cape and magnetic hands and chest.
• Apocalypse – issued with a staff and magic jewel and had an extending body action.