This might be the dumbest idea I've ever had.
A bit of background. About a year ago, I started actively collecting issues of Uncanny X-Men. I wasn't entirely sure why, but I'd somehow gotten it into my head that I wanted to collect every issue of Uncanny X-Men, not figuring at the time how massive an undertaking, especially cost-wise, that would be. As of right now, I have about 80 issues of the original series, and dozens of issues of spin-off titles and subsequent volumes besides. A bit of a long way from all 544 issues of Uncanny, but it's a start.
Then, more recently, I had a bigger idea. A dumber idea. So dumb that I couldn't not at least make an attempt at it.
So, in my infinite wisdom, I've decided to try to do an entire read through of every single major X-Men story ever published in chronological order from the team's introduction in 1963 to the present day. As a life-long superhero fan and a more recent comic nerd, I've had my share of experience with X-Men comics, but nothing that would qualify me as an expert (x-pert?) on the subject. This is my attempt to change that, and anyone who cares to can follow me on my journey, as I'll be chronicling my thoughts as I read. But before I begin, I want to lay down some ground rules for my read through of the franchise.
1. My MAIN goal is to read every issue of the flagship Uncanny X-Men ever published, including annuals. That means everything from #1-544 when the series was cancelled and relaunched in 2011. I will definitely try to go past that, but for now, #1-544 is the goal. This also includes any issues that are included in a crossover (i.e. if an issue of Uncanny continues its storyline in an issue of Avengers, I'm reading that issue).
2. I will also be reading most of the main spin-off titles (X-Force, X-Factor, New Mutants, ect) and any side books starring the main cast (X-Men, Astonishing X-Men, X-Treme X-Men, ect). I will also try to do my best to hit a lot of the major out-of-continuity or alt-continuity miniseries and ongoings, like Old Man Logan and X-Men: First Class.
3. I will probably not be reading every single spin-off miniseries, guest spot, or solo book that gets released. I will definitely try to hit the main ones, like the major Wolverine ongoing series, as well as any that are significant to some ongoing plot thread, but don't expect to me to read every miniseries about Doop or Bishop. If it's a solo X-Man series, whether or not I choose to read it is my call unless there's overwhelming demand. This isn't going to be me reading every single book that features an appearance by a mutant, big or small. I'd be reading for the rest of my life if I did that.
4. I WILL NOT be reading Ultimate X-Men. The Ultimate series is its own labyrinthine thing, and considering not only how many issues of Ultimate X-Men there are, but how often it becomes tied up with other series, Ultimate crossovers, and other such nonsense, I've decided to skip it. Maybe I'll go back to check it out if I actually finish the main read-through and am a glutton for punishment, but for now, I'm skipping the Ultimate series.
5. I'm mainly going to be collecting the stories I read in trade as much as I can, and singles when it proves either convenient or necessary, but for miscellaneous crossovers and issues I can't get my hands on, I have a Marvel Unlimited subscription at the ready. I expect to have a lot of paperbacks and hardcovers by the end of this, though.
6, I make no promises this early BUT, when the time comes, I will consider maybe taking a look at major X-Men works in other mediums when the time comes. So once I hit the 80's, 90's, and 2000's, I MIGHT take a quick look at the various X-Men TV shows, movies, and video games. But I make no promises about that, especially the video games.
It may turn out that I lack the conviction to see this through. It may be that no one gives enough of a crap to continue following me. Either way, come what may, I'm going to try to read every single main issue of X-Men ever published. And with Marvel teasing the brand new Resurrxion book for this coming Spring, the amount of X-Men books is looking like it's only going to increase. Oh well, this is the path I chose. The first volume of Essential Classic X-Men is sitting on my shelf ready for me to start flipping through.
Wish me luck.
