X-Men : The Characters and Their Universe

by Mallory, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780883631201
• ISBN10: 0883631202
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-28
• Publisher: Universe

Summary

They are more than simply humans... they possess something extra... they are the X-Men. Among the most popular superhero characters of our time, Marvel Comics 'X-Men' are also among the most distinctive teams to emerge from the plethora of costumed crime fighters. "Sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them", the mutant X-Men face not only against diabolically evil villains, but also the bigotry and prejudice of those for whom they fight. 'X-Men: The Characters and Their Universe' tells the story of this unique band of comic book heroes from their creation in 1963 by the dream team of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, through their late 1970s re-emergence as a platform for socially and politically relevant storytelling, and up to the present as one of the globe's hottest franchises. This colourful, lavishly-illustrated volume also traces how the characters have been adapted into the media of television and film, including the groundbreaking 1992 animated series and the blockbuster feature films. Through exclusive interviews with many of the key creators and contributors to the X-Men Universe from all media -- among them Stan Lee, Chris Claremont and John Romita from the comics, and Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Sir Ian McKellen, Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner from the world of film -- 'X-Men: The Characters and Their Universe' tells the complete story of how these strange and often unlikely heroes have transcended the illustrated page to become part of our collective consciousness. For fans of the comic books, this volume also provides a unique one-source catalogue of every major character that appeared from 1963 to the present, including all the various teamings of characters, the significant comic book series, the various character relationships and evolutions, and the classic storylines that have all woven together over the decades to create the dazzlingly complex and fascinating tapestry of world of mutants. A book that no fan of Marvel Comics, of super heroics, of animation and action adventure filmmaking, even of popular culture of the late 20th century itself, will want to be without.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Mutants Among Us

The Birth of a Legend

X-Men Revitalised

The Dark Side of Mutantcy

It Can Happen Here

The World of X-Men

Mutants in the Media

The Age of Mutants

Alternate Realities and Strange Worlds

Days of Future: Future

Chronology

Index

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