ART OF THE UNCANNY X-MEN HC

The fourth volume in the Bullpen Books series, this oversized 10" x 14" hardcover edition is a stunning collection of iconic covers, full issues, and original art reproduced from Marvel's archival scans, alongside a new essay, commentary, and a new introduction.The X-Men is one of the bestselling comics series of all time, featuring one of the best-loved super-hero teams in the Marvel Universe. This oversized hardcover volume, the fourth in the Bullpen Books series, focuses on the iconic 1970s X-Men era by Len Wein, Chris Claremont, and Dave Cockrum, including Giant-Size X-Men #1 (the first appearances of Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Thunderbird) and X-Men #101. It also includes the equally iconic Uncanny X-Men #137 ("The Death of Phoenix") and "Days of Future Past" in Uncanny X-Men #141-#142 by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.This is a stunning collection of covers, original art, and full issues reproduced from black-and-white line art and original art, accompanied by a new essay by Chris Ryall and John Lind that details these legendary creators and their enduring contributions to the X-Men legacy, as well as caption commentary and a new introduction.Dark Horse's Bullpen Books series showcases characters and creators integral to Marvel Comics history. This volume follows the previous three Bullpen titles, The Art of the Amazing Spider-Man, The Art of Fantastic Four, and The Art of the Mighty Thor. Veteran comics writer and editor Len Wein is the creator of such memorable characters as Wolverine, the New X-Men and the Human Target, as well as the co-creator (with Bernie Wrightson) of the Swamp Thing. In his long and prolific career he has written for hundreds of titles, encompassing nearly every significant character in the medium. He has also built a successful career in TV animation, scripting such hit series as X-Men, Spider-Man and Batman: The Animated Series.Industry legend Chris Claremont is best known for his epic sixteen-year run on Uncanny X-Men. Claremont's focus on the themes of prejudice and tolerance struck at the hearts of comics fans, and he built an unparalleled following during the next three decades. Under his pen, the X-Men franchise spawned a vast array of spin-offs, many of them written by Claremont himself. His other credits include Iron Fist, Ms. Marvel, Power Man and Spider-Woman. Claremont has returned to the X-Men universe in New Exiles, GeNext, X-Men Forever, Chaos War: X-Men and Nightcrawler.John Byrne has worked continuously in the comics industry as both writer and artist since 1975. After he initially collaborated with writer Chris Claremont on Iron Fist, Byrne and Claremont moved on to X-Men for a run still regarded as one of the title's finest. Byrne contributed an equally famed stint on Fantastic Four, earning comparisons to the original Lee/Kirby issues for his imaginative plotlines and dynamic artwork. He also spun Alpha Flight into its own title. In 1986, he revamped DC's flagship hero, Superman, reimagining the Man of Steel in a historic project heralded by a Time magazine cover. His remarkable contribution to the Marvel Universe extends to memorable associations with virtually every major hero, including celebrated runs on Captain America, Iron Man, Sensational She-Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Thing. In the 21st century, Byrne's considerable body of work includes IDW's Star Trek and Angel.Dave Cockrum was an American comics artist known for his co-creation of the new X-Men characters Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus, and Mystique, as well as the antiheroine Black Cat. Cockrum was a prolific and inventive costume designer who updated the uniforms of the Legion of Super-Heroes and the X-Men. He rejuvenated iconic superheroes with striking costumes, featuring wide shoulder lapels, big belts, and buccaneer boots. His designs persisted well in the 1980s and the influence of his aesthetics can still be felt today.Stan Lee is a man who needs no introduction. Nevertheless: Having begun his career with wartime Timely Comics and staying the course throughout the Atlas era, Stan the Man made comic-book history with Fantastic Four #1, harbinger of a bold new perspective in story writing that endures to this day. With some of the industry's greatest artists, he introduced hero after hero in Incredible Hulk, Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men and more - forming a shared universe for rival publishers to measure themselves against. After an almost literal lifetime of writing and editing, Lee entered new entertainment fields and earned Marvel one opportunity after another. He remains one of Marvel's best-known public representatives.Jack "King" Kirby's comics career began in 1937 and continued for nearly six decades. With partner Joe Simon, Kirby first made his mark in comics in the 1940s by drawing and/or creating numerous features for DC Comics including SANDMAN, THE NEWSBOY LEGION and MANHUNTER, and for Marvel including CAPTAIN AMERICA, THE YOUNG ALLIES and the KID COMMANDOS. As the most valued team in comics, Simon and Kirby went on to create titles and concepts including FIGHTING AMERICAN, BOYS' RANCH and the creation of the romance comics genre. In 1961, the first issue of Marvel's FANTASTIC FOUR cemented Kirby's reputation as comics' preeminent creator, and a slew of famous titles followed that elevated him to legendary status, including INCREDIBLE HULK, AVENGERS and X-MEN. Kirby returned to DC in 1971 with his classic FOURTH WORLD TRILOGY, which was followed by THE DEMON and KAMANDI. Kirby continued working and innovating in comics until his death in 1994.John Lind is a designer, editor, and co-founder of the Dark Horse Comics imprint Kitchen Sink Books (with Denis Kitchen). Specializing in print design with a client list that includes projects for Abrams, Bloomsbury, Chronicle Books, Disney, Hyperion Books, Simon & Schuster, and W.W. Norton in addition to numerous publishers in the comic industry.