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Psylocke

Marvel’s Most-Wanted Omnibuses of 2016 – #20 to 16

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Omnibus on ShelfA week into this countdown and accompanying annotation and we’ve finally reached the Top 20 Most-Wanted Marvel Omnibuses from the 2016 Secret Ballot by Tigereyes. I covered #25-21 in the last installment.

This installment includes two books of fan-favorite material, a long shot second volume to an orphaned first, the long-ignored origin of a hero who has two films to his name, and the highest-ranking vote from my own ballot! There’s a solid chance I would buy all five of these books.

If you have any extra information to add about the probable runs or opinions to share about the comics therein, please leave a comment! Even when it comes to X-Men, I don’t know (or remember!) everything about these books – and you might.

Do you own an oversized tome of your favorite character’s comic books? My Marvel Omnibus & Oversized Hardcover Guide is the most comprehensive tool on the web for tracking Marvel’s hugest releases – it features details on every oversize book, including a rundown of contents and if the volume is still readily available for purchase. [Read more…] about Marvel’s Most-Wanted Omnibuses of 2016 – #20 to 16

Excalibur – Definitive Collecting Guide and Reading Order

The definitive, chronological, and up-to-date guide and trade reading order on collecting Excalibur comic books via omnibuses, hardcovers, and trade paperback graphic novels. A part of Crushing Krisis’s Collecting X-Men: A Definitive Guide. Last updated March 2021 with titles scheduled for release through August 2021.

Introduction to Excalibur

Excalibur is one of the most peculiar of all of the original X-Men spinoffs, and that’s a large part of why it is was beloved by fans and continues to be revived – though never quite in the same form.

In 1988, Excalibur was a light-hearted departure from a particularly heavy period of main X-Men series. Chris Claremont packed up three of his favorite X-Men – Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and Rachel Summers (Phoenix II) – and flew them across the pond to the pencils of former Marvel UK collaborator Alan Davis. They added Marvel UK characters (and non-mutants) Meggan and Captain Britain (Psylocke’s brother) to create an irreverent, firmly British spin on an X-book.

It initially launched in the wake of “Fall of the Mutants” in Uncanny X-Men. Claremont’s flagship book found the mutants besieged from foes on all sides.

The lighthearted Nightcrawler and idealistic Kitty Pryde were both early sacrifices to this status quo as casualties of “Mutant Massacre” a year earlier. By the time they healed the X-Men were no longer a fit for them – and, in continuity, believed to be dead!

Meanwhile, Claremont creation Captain Britain had wrapped up a 10-year run at Marvel UK across a number of different comic titles and anthology. The latter five years of his life were stewarded a by a rising star artist named Alan Davis (as well as, briefly, Alan Moore), but with Davis moving on to work on Batman and the Outsiders it looked like the end of the line for Captain Britain.

Claremont collaborated with Davis on a pair of annuals that imported the character (and his sister, Psylocke) to the states, but he was too unknown in the American market to support his own ongoing there.

(There was also the problem of Rachel Summers, who had been supplanted as team psychic by Psylocke, and who brought her own complications of her extensive future knowledge, connection to Cyclops, and massive powers.)

This was the genesis of Excalibur, which saw Claremont reteaming with Davis and using his extensive knowledge of British culture (he was born there) to return to Captain Britain, to give Nightcrawler room to be the dashing swashbuckler he always hinted at in X-Men, and to write Kitty’s coming of age away from the horrors facing the X-Men.

Excalibur was my favorite book in the 90s because of its stable core of lovable characters, and its sensible handling of alternate timelines.

The challenge of the “Excalibur” brand name is that X-Men fans tend to associate it as much with Kitty and Nightcrawler as they do with Captain Britain, but the former two characters have long since been reabsorbed by the core of the X-franchise while Brian Braddock has moved firmly away from mutants.

In 2001, Ben Raab – who had written the final fifth of the initial volume – returned with a four-issue mini-series to follow up on some plot threads.

Claremont relaunched the title in 2004 as focused on Xavier and Magneto living on Genosha in the run-up to House of M, but the name never made any sense for a book that was completely divorced from the themes of the original.

Later, in the wake of House of M introduced a “New” version set in London that paired Captain Britain with Dazzler and Juggernaut, but didn’t capture fan’s hearts like the original did.

In 2019, the Dawn of X relaunch curated by Jonathan Hickman tapped the “Excalibur” name for a new spin on the concept. Tini Howard’s new volume focused not on the Britishness of the brand name, but on Captain Britain and their magical connections to Otherworld established by Claremont’s original run. It also swaps Brian Braddock for his sister Betsy as Captain Britain, and duplicates the original import of fan favorites Kitty and Nightcrawler by bringing in Rogue and Gambit – along with Jubilee, Rictor, and Apocalypse! The book would be one of two anchors to the first big event of the new era of X-Men – X of Swords (alongside the X-Men flagship title).

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Where to Start Reading Excalibur

Each Excalibur series has its own unique feel, which means it’s easy to jump in at multiple points. In fact, even the original series has a few distinct periods.

(1987) Special Edition & (1988) #1 – Why not start at the start? This issue is written to be entirely accessible to a new reader, both introducing Captain Britain to X-Men fans and the other way around.

(1988) #42 – Alan Davis returns to the title as both author and artist for a stunning run that includes an expanded cast and major developments for the Phoenix Force. While this relies on plot that came before, it still feels like a fresh start. Note that you can pick this up with Epic Vol. 4.

(1988) #83 – Warren Ellis takes over the title just before Age of Apocalypse and gives Excalibur a more mutant feel while still preserving its Britishness and tendency toward the occult. If you’re looking for a slightly darker run on the title, this is where to start.

New Excalibur (2006) #1 – I don’t highly recommend starting here, as this series is not universally well-regarded. However, if you’re looking for a lightweight modern read and enjoy Captain Britain, this is a fine place to jump in.

Excalibur’s Greatest Hits

Want only the best of Excalibur with no filler? Stick to this slimmed-down list of issues to read all of the essentials.

  • Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn (1987)
  • Excalibur (1988) #1-5 & 8-25
  • (1988) #42-56 & 68-70
  • (1988) #71-72
  • (1988) #78-81, 83-86, 88, 99-100
  • (1988) #124-125
  • New Excalibur (2006) #1-7
  • Excalibur (2019) #1-6
  • X of Swords crossover

Collecting Guide & Reading Order

Excalibur in Oversize Hardcover

Want to have a complete oversize Excalibur shelf? This is the current shortest path to collecting in oversize hardcover. Editions that collect smaller or duplicated runs of issues are omitted here, as are editions which are primarily of other material but include a few issues of this title. However, all of those covered in the full collecting order below.

(1988) Special & #1-34: Excalibur Omnibus, Vol. 1 (2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302926663)
This contains the entirety of Chris Claremont’s tenure on Excalibur, as well as their significant guest appearances from the same period. Collects Excalibur Special Edition (1987) #1, Excalibur (1988) #1-34, Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem (1989) #1, Quasar (1989) #11, Thor (1966) #427-429, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #31-38

(1988) #35-51, 53-65, & Specials: Not collected in this format

(1988) #52 & 66-67: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014 Oversize Hardcover)
Kitty Pryde stars prominently in the original Days of Future Past storyline, collected in this hardcover along with a series of time-traveling and alternate dimension tales from Uncanny X-Men (1963) #141-142 & Annual 14; New Mutants Annual 6; X-Factor Annual 5; Excalibur (1988) 52 & 66-67; Wolverine: Days Of Future Past 1-3; plus material from Fantastic Four Annual 23 and Hulk: Broken Worlds #2.

(1988) #68-70: Not collected in this format

(1988) #71: X-Men: Fatal Attractions Omnibus (2012 Oversize Hardcover, ISBN 978-0785162452)
A massive collection focusing on the core of the Fatal Attractions story from Uncanny X-Men and X-Factor. Collects Uncanny X-Men #298-305, 315, & Annual 17; X-Factor #87-92; X-Men Unlimited #1-2; X-Force #25; X-Men #25; Wolverine #75; & Excalibur #71.

(1988) #72-77: Not collected in this format

(1988) #78-82: X-Men: Phalanx Covenant (2014 Oversize Hardcover)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #306, #311-314 & #316-317; Excalibur (1988) #78-82; X-Men (1991) #36-37; X-Factor (1986) #106; X-Force (1991) #38; Wolverine (1988) #85; & Cable (1993) #16.

(1988) #83-125 & Specials: Not collected in this format, except for excerpts of #100 in the Onslaught omnibus – see Marvel Universe Events

(2001) AKA Sword of Power #1-5: Not collected in this format

(2004) #1-15: Not collected in this format

New Excalibur (2006) #1-24 & X-Men: Die by the Sword (2008) #1-5: Not collected in this format

(2019) #1-12: Excalibur by Tini Howard

(2013)#13-15: X of Swords (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302927172 / digital)
Betsy Braddock and Apocalypse are two of nine anchoring characters of this story, which also prominently features Brian and Jamie with some appearances from Jubilee. Collects X of Swords (2020) Creation, Stasis, & Destruction, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2020) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4

(2013) 16 – (ongoing): Not collected in this format

Excalibur (1987) Special Edition & (1988) #1-125, -1, Annuals 1-2, & Specials (Oct 1988 – Oct 1998)

Begins October 1998, parallel to Uncanny X-Men #236, New Mutants #68, X-Factor #33, and a month ahead of Wolverine’s first regular series – and the stable of X-books would never fall to less than five again! Inferno occurs just a few months into this series.

In the Marvel Universe, this begins slightly before Evolutionary War.

Note that Excalibur Special Edition, which kicks off this run, was first issued as a standalone OGN in 1987 and then reprinted as “The Sword Is Drawn” under the Excalibur title in 1988. Generally, guides are unified in referring to it as being part of the 1988 volume.

Chris Claremont and Alan Davis launched the title together, with Davis departing at issue #17 while Claremont ran twice that long until #34. Scott Lobdell briefly took over before Alan Davis’s run as both author and artist starting from #42. Lobdell would fill in again on the other side of Davis’s run, starting with #68 (along with a number of co-writers) until Warren Ellis took over for his run with #83.

Excalibur did not have traditionally named Annuals until 1993. Prior to that, Marvel issued one (or more!) yearly double-length specials, continuing the tradition from the series’ one-shot debut. As with the debut, these would sometimes be square-bound rather than stapled. Technically each of these specials has their own volume name, like Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem (1989) #1, but for the purposes of this guide I treat them as if they are a part of the main 1988 volume of Excalibur.

in a line of Epic Collections…

Epic Collections comprehensively a character, series, or line of titles in numbered volumes pre-mapped by Marvel. The catch is that the volumes do not come out in chronological order, so the release of a Vol. 1 can be followed by a Vol. 9!. Marvel has gone back to print on many Epic Collections, so there is no reason to think that they will go permanently out-of-print like other Marvel collected editions.

Vol. 1: The Sword Is Drawn
(2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302904340/ digital)
Collects a handful of Captain Britain issues to provide background for the series, as well as the Excalibur introductory OGN and a special (that was effectively an annual), plus a contemporaneous appearance in Marvel Comics Presents. Collects Captain Britain (1976) #1-2, Excalibur Special Edition (1987), Excalibur (1988) #1-11, Excalibur Mojo Mayhem (1989), and material from The Mighty World of Marvel (1983) #7 &14-15 and Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #31-38

Vol. 2: The Cross-Time Caper
(2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302910129 / digital)
Collects (1988) #12-30

Vol. 3: Girl’s School from Heck
(2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916527 / digital)
This collects the end of Chris Claremont’s run on the title, and bridges right to the end of the in-between period before Alan Davis takes over as author. Collects Excalibur (1988) #31-41, Excalibur: Weird War III (1990) One-Shot, Excalibur: The Possession (1991) One-Shot, Excalibur: Air Apparent (1991) One-Shot, The Sensational She-Hulk (1989) #26, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #75

Vol. 4: Curiouser and Curiouser
(2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922764 / digital)
This kicks off Alan Davis’s second run on Excalibur, this time as both the penciller and writer. Collects Excalibur (1988) #42-58, Excalibur: XX Crossing (1992) One-Shot, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #110

Volumes 5 and on: Not yet announced, but these volumes will collect (1988) #59-125 and Annuals 1-2. Given the current coverage, this should take 4-6 additional volumes.

by single issue or storyline…

#-1: Not collected. This July 1997 special event issue published between #110-111 was a flashback to Nightcrawler’s youth in the circus.

Special: Marvel Firsts: The 1980s Volume 3
(2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190042)
Collects The ‘Nam (1986) #1, Comet Man (1987) #1, Fallen Angels (1987) #1, Mephisto Vs. (1987) #1, Marvel Graphic Novel 31 (1987) AKA Wolfpack, Spellbound (1988) #1, Excalibur Special Edition (1987), X-Terminators (1988) #1, Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown (1988) #1, Shadowmasters (1989) #1, and material from Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 22, Marvel Age (1983) Annual 4, and Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #10, 17, 25, 26, 29, & 38

Special & #1-5: Classic, Vol. 1 – The Sword is Drawn
(2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785118886)
Also collects the eponymous 1987 one-shot Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn (which comes after Uncanny X-Men #228). [Special on MU]

Special & #1-11:  The Sword is Drawn (Epic Vol. 1)
(2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302904340 / digital)
Collects a handful of Captain Britain issues to provide background for the series, as well as the Excalibur introductory OGN and a special (that was effectively an annual), plus a contemporaneous appearance in Marvel Comics Presents. Collects Captain Britain (1976) #1-2, Excalibur Special Edition (1987), Excalibur (1988) #1-11, Excalibur Mojo Mayhem (1989), and material from The Mighty World of Marvel (1983) #7 &14-15 and Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #31-38

Special & #1-34: Excalibur Omnibus, Vol. 1
(2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302926663)
This contains the entirety of Chris Claremont’s tenure on Excalibur, as well as their significant guest appearances from the same period. Collects Excalibur Special Edition (1988) #1, Excalibur (1988) #1-34, Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem (1989) #1, Quasar (1989) #11, Thor (1966) #427-429, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #31-38

Multiple members of the team appear in a brief story excerpt in Marvel Age (1983) Annual 4

#6-11: Classic, Vol. 2 – Two-Edged Sword
(2006 paperback, ISBN 978-0785122012 / digital)
Collects (1988) #6-11 & Excalibur Mojo Mayhem (1989) One-Shot, which occurs during #11 [Mojo Mayhem on MU]

#6-7: X-Men: Inferno, Vol. 2
(2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785195443)
A 2016 TPB Collecting the second half of the Inferno event. Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #241-243, Excalibur (1988) #6-7, X-Factor (1986) #37-40, New Mutants (1983) #73, Cloak & Dagger (1988) #4, and Power Pack (1984) #44

#6-7: X-Men: Inferno Crossovers
(2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146711)
Collects Power Pack (1984) #40 & 42-44, Avengers (1963) #298-300, Fantastic Four (1961) #322-324, Amazing Spider-Man (1962) #311-313, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146-148, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #47-48, Daredevil (1964) #262-263 & 265, Excalibur (1988) #6-7, and Cloak & Dagger (1988) #4

#6-7: X-Men: Inferno Omnibus
(2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302928544)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #33-40, X-Terminators (1988) #1-4, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #239-243, New Mutants (1983) #71-73, Power Pack (1984) #40 & 42-44; Avengers (1963) #298-300, Fantastic Four (1961) #322-324, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #311-313, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146-148, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #47-48, Daredevil (1964) #262-263 & 265, Excalibur (1988) #6-7, Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger (1988) #4, and material from X-Factor (1986) Annual 4

#12-20: Classic, Vol. 3 – Cross Time Caper, Book 1
(2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785122029 / digital)

#12-30: The Cross-Time Caper (Epic Vol. 2)
(2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302910129 / digital)

During #15, the team appears in Clandestine (2008) #2-5

#16: Marvel Visionaries: Chris Claremont
(2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919740 / digital)
Collects Daredevil (1964) #102, Marvel Preview (1975) #11, Iron Fist (1975) #14, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #137, 153, 205, 268, & Annual 12, Avengers (1963) Annual 10, Wolverine (1982) #3, New Mutants (1983) #21, Excalibur (1988) #16, and material from Classic X-Men (1986) #13 and X-Men Unlimited (1993) #36

#21-28: Classic, Vol. 4 – Cross-Time Caper, Book 2
(2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785122036 / digital)

#29-34: Classic Volume 5
(2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785131229 / digital)
Collects (1988) #29-34 and Excalibur: Weird War III (1990) One-Shot

#31-41: Girl’s School from Heck (Epic Vol. 3)
(2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916527 / digital)
This collects the end of Chris Claremont’s run on the title, and bridges right to the end of the in-between period before Alan Davis takes over as author. Prior to the release of Epic Collection, #35-41 was orphaned between the Classic collections and the Davis Visionaries series. Collects Excalibur (1988) #31-41, Excalibur: Weird War III (1990) One-Shot, Excalibur: The Possession (1991) One-Shot, Excalibur: Air Apparent (1991) One-Shot, The Sensational She-Hulk (1989) #26, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #75

Between #34 & Wild Weekend: Much of the team appears in X-Men Spotlight On Starjammers (1990) #2

“Wild Weekend” in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #31-38
Though published much earlier and collected with Omnibus Vol. 1 and Epic Vol. 1, modern continuity places this story after #34 (and X-Men Spotlight On Starjammers (1990) #2)

After #34 & Wild Weekend: Weirdly, #26 was a filler issue that fits here in continuity. Then, Rachel is in Days of Future Present in the X-annuals, followed by the team appearing in Thor (1966) #427-429 before they continue to Weird War III.

Excalibur: Weird War III (1990): In Classic Volume 5, above. Comes after #34. [MU]

After Weird War: The team appears in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #75 and Sensational She-Hulk (1989) #26.

#35-41: Not collected, except for in Epic Collection, above.

Excalibur: The Possession (1991): Not collected, except for in Epic Collection, above. Comes after #41 [MU]

Excalibur: Air Apparent (1991): Not collected, except for in Epic Collection, above. Comes after #41 and The Possession [MU]

After Air Apparent, Captain Britain appears in Knights of Pendragon (1990) #1, 4-8, 10-12, 18. See Captain Britain for more information. Just prior to #42, Kitty appears in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #174 (2nd story) and X-Men: True Friends (1999) #1-3

#42: Decades: Marvel in the 90s – The Mutant X-Plosion
(2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302917722 / digital)
Collects Excalibur (1988) #42, Wolverine (1988) #48, X-Factor (1986) #87, X-Men (1991) #27, Generation X (1994) #4, X-Man (1995) #5, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #328, X-Force (1991) #55, Deadpool (1997) #2, and Cable (1993) #64″

#42-50: Excalibur Visionaries: Alan Davis, Vol. 1
(2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785137405 / digital)

#42-58: Curiouser and Curiouser (Epic Vol. 4)
(2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922764 / digital)
This kicks off Alan Davis’s second run on Excalibur, this time as both the penciller and writer. Collects Excalibur (1988) #42-58, Excalibur: XX Crossing (1992) One-Shot, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #110.

After #50: Nightcrawler appears in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #101-108

#51-58: Visionaries: Alan Davis – Volume 2
(2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785144557 / digital)
Collects (1988) #51-58 and Excalibur: XX Crossing (1992) One-Shot, which fits after #54

#52: X-Men: Days of Future Past
(2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785184423)
A collection of the original Days of Future Past, the Days of Future Present annuals crossover, and several other related stories. Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #141-142 & Annual 14, New Mutants (1983) Annual 6, X-Factor (1986) Annual 5, Excalibur (1988) #52 & 66-67; Wolverine: Days of Future Past (1997) #1-3, and material from Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 23 and Hulk: Broken Worlds (2009) #2″

Excalibur: XX Crossing (1992): In Visionaries and Epic, both above. Fits after issue #54 [XX Crossing on MU]

Spider-Man (1990) #25: Avengers Academy: Arcade – Death Game
(2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785156307 / digital)
Captain Britain and Meggan co-star in Spider-Man (1990) #25 after Excalibur #53. See Spider-Man for other collection options. Collects Avengers Academy Giant-Size (2011) #1, Marvel Team-Up (1972) #89, and Spider-Man (1990) #25.

After XX Crossing: Nightcrawler appears in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #110 (2nd story), then the team is in Dark Angel (1992) #6.

#59-67: Excalibur Visionaries – Alan Davis Volume 3
(2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785155430 / digital)

Between #58-59: The team appears in Mys-Tech Wars (1993) #2

#66-67: X-Men: Days of Future Past
(2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785184423)
See above for full contents (including #52)

#68-70 & Annual 1: Not collected. Annual 1 occurs during #66, but was written by Evan Skolnick rather than Davis, so it is not collected along with the Davis material. [Single issues: eBay]

Issue #71 is the final Fatal Attractions issue – Nightcrawler and/or Kitty appear in Uncanny X-Men (1981) #304, X-Men (1991) #25, and Wolverine (1988) #75

#71: X-Men: Fatal Attractions
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785162452
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #298-305, 315, & Annual 17, X-Factor (1986) #87-92, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #1-2, X-Force (1991) #25, X-Men (1991) #25, Wolverine (1988) #75, and Excalibur (1988) #71.

#71: X-Men Milestones: Fatal Attractions
(2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919726 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #298-300, 303-304, & 315, X-Factor (1986) #92, X-Force (1991) #25, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2, X-Men (1991) #25, Wolverine (1988) #75, Excalibur (1988) #71

A 2016 Fatal Attractions TPB omitted #71 entirely to focus on the surrounding Uncanny X-Men issues.

#71: X-Men: Fatal Attractions
(1995 paperback, ISBN 978-0785100652)
This TPB collected only the actual Fatal Attraction issues: Excalibur #71, Uncanny X-Men #304, Wolverine #75, X-Factor #92, X-Force #25, and X-Men #25.

#72-77: Not collected. [Single issues: eBay]

After #74: The team appears in Quasar (1989) #54, then Kitty is in Cable (1993) #9, Nightcrawler is in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #310, and several team members are in the wedding in X-Men (1991) #30

After #75: Nightcrawler is in Wolverine (1988) #81-82 and a key story in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #4

#78-82: X-Men: Phalanx Covenant
(2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785185499)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #306, 311-314, & 316-317, Excalibur (1988) #78-82; X-Men (1991) #36-37, X-Factor (1986) #106, X-Force (1991) #38, Wolverine (1988) #85, Cable (1993) #16

#78-80 & 82: X-Men Milestones: Phalanx Covenant
(2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920548 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #305-306, 312-313, & 316-317, Excalibur (1988) #78-80 & 82, X-Men (1991) #36-37, X-Factor (1986) #106, X-Force (1991) #38;,Wolverine (1988) #85, Cable (1993) #16

Excalibur’s appearance in Phalanx Covenant is Excalibur (1988) #81, X-Factor (1986) #106, X-Force (1991) #38

Click to expand a list of other collections that include only issue #82.

Annual 2: Not collected. Annual 2 precedes issue #83. [Single issues: eBay]

#83-90: Visionaries – Warren Ellis, Vol. 1
(2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785144564 / digital)
Collects (1988) #83-90 and material from X-Men Prime (1995)

(At issue #86 Excalibur becomes X-Calibre #1-4 for four months as part of the Age of Apocalypse crossover, which does not interrupt the numbering of this title.)

After #87: Nightcrawler and Meggan are in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #326

#91-95: Visionaries – Warren Ellis, Vol. 2
(2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785149293 / digital)
Collects (1988) #91-95, X-Man (1995) #12, and Starjammers (1995) #1-4

#95: X-Man: The Man Who Fell to Earth
(2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785159810 / digital)
Collects X-Man (1995) #5-14, Excalibur (1988) #95, Cable (1993) #29-31

X-Man (1995) #12 is a crossover issue that fits between #94-95.

#96-103: Visionaries – Warren Ellis, Vol. 3
(2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785149521 / digital)
Collects (1988) #96-103 and Pryde and Wisdom (1996) #1-3. Kitty departs for this series from #103.

After #99: Several team members appear in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #335

After #103: Kitty departs for Pryde & Wisdom (1996) #1-3 and returns in #104.

material from #100: X-Men/Avengers: Onslaught Omnibus
(2015 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785192626)
Collects Cable (1993) #32-36; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #333-337; X-Force (1991) #55 & 57-58; X-Man (1995) #15-19; X-Men (1991) #53-57 & Annual ’96; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #11; Onslaught: X-Men (1996), Onslaught: Marvel Universe (1996), Onslaught: Epilogue (1997); Avengers (1963) #401-402; Fantastic Four (1961) #415; Incredible Hulk (1968) #444-445; Wolverine (1988) #104-105; X-Factor (1986) #125-126; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #415; Green Goblin (1995) #12; Spider-Man (1990) #72; Iron Man (1968) #332; Punisher (1995) #11; Thor (1966) #502; X-Men: Road to Onslaught (1996) #1; and material from Excalibur (1988) #100, Fantastic Four (1961) #416

#104-125 & -1: Not collected. Ben Raab takes over at issue #106. Issue #-1 occurs after issue #110. The Colossus (1997) one-shot occurs between #113-114. The Kitty Pryde: Agent of SHIELD mini-series runs concurrent with #115-117 and Kitty returns in #117. [Single issues: eBay]

After #107: Kitty and Nightcrawler are in X-Man (1995) #26

After #119: Kitty and Nightcrawler are in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #19, then Nightcrawler makes a voice-only appearance in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #355-VO.

After #121: Kitty appears in Wolverine Vol. 2 (1988) #125-128

Here Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, and Colossus return to the main pair of X-books, starting with Uncanny X-Men #360. Wolfsbane is next found in the New Mutants, Vol. 2. Captain Britain and Meggan can be seen next in the following volume of Excalibur.

Excalibur (2001) AKA Excalibur: Sword of Power #1-4 (Feb 2001 – May 2001)

A four-issue mini-series continuing the story of Captain Britain, Meggan, and Otherworld.

#1-4: Not collected [Single issues: Amazon / eBay]

Excalibur (2004) #1-14 (July 2004 – July 2005)

Begins in July 2004 concurrent with the X-Men Reloaded event -parallel to Uncanny X-Men #444, X-Men #157, and the launches of Astonishing X-Men and New X-Men: Academy X.

In the Marvel Universe, this series acts as one of the precursors to the company-wide event House of M focusing on the Scarlet Witch.

The third volume of Excalibur begins directly after Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, with Professor X and a retconned-to-life Magneto collaborating to bring together a team of misfits in Genosha in the wake of the destruction wreaked by Cassandra Nova.

Despite writing by Chris Claremont and consistent art from Aaron Lopresti, the hodgepodge of background characters that made up the new team (Callisto is the biggest name) never gels. The book is mostly a vehicle for Xavier to narrate, and Claremont does so with little nuance while closing up some plot holes prior to House of M (like reviving Magneto, and dispensing of Age of Apocalypse refugee Sugar Man).

Digital: Amazon/Comixology, Marvel Unlimited

#1-4: Vol. 1: Forging The Sword
(2004 paperback, ISBN 978-0785115274 / eBay / digital)

#5-10: Vol. 2: Saturday Night Fever
(2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785114765 / eBay / digital)

#11-14: House of M: Excalibur – Prelude (2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785118121 / eBay / digital)
This only vaguely acts as an introduction to the huge, universe-altering House of M event by confirming the Scarlet Witch’s whereabouts just prior.

New Excalibur (2006) #1-24 (Jan 2006 – Dec 2007)New_Excalibur_2006_0024
& X-Men: Die by the Sword (2007) #1-5 (Dec 2007 – Feb 2007)

Begins January 2006, concurrent to Uncanny X-Men #466 and Decimation – the mutant-depowering aftermath of House of M, as explored in X-Men #177, New X-Men: Academy X #20, and X-Factor #1.

Chris Claremont returned to write Excalibur for a third time. Though early issues teased at bringing back old members Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and Marvel Girl (AKA Rachel Summers), by issue five the team resolved to an unlikely combination of Captain Britain, Dazzler, Juggernaut, Nocturne, Sage, and Pete Wisdom. Frank Tieri took over writing duties for issues #9-15.

Digital: Amazon/Comixology, Marvel Unlimited

#1-7: Vol. 1: Defenders of the Realm
(2006 paperback, ISBN 978-0785118350 / digital)

#8-15: Vol. 2: Last Days of Camelot
(2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785122210 / digital)

#16-24: Vol. 3: Battle For Eternity
(2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785124559 / digital)

X-Men: Die by the Sword #1-5
(2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785127918 / digital)
Collects the limited series that acts as epilogue to New Excalibur. Features Psylocke and The Exiles. [Find this series in digital on Amazon/Comixology and Marvel Unlimited]

Excalibur (2019) #1 – [ongoing]

Begins October 2019 as part of “Dawn of X,” which followed House of X and Powers of X. All of the launch books start around the same time as each other – Excalibur, Fallen Angels, Marauders, New Mutants, X-Force, X-Men

In the Marvel Universe, this happens around the same time as Absolute Carnage and the end of Chip Zdarsky’s Invaders (2019).

Rising star Tini Howard helms this magic-focused title anchored by Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain and including Gambit, Rogue, Jubilee, Rictor, and Apocalypse as they investigate mutant magic and connections to Otherworld.

Issues #1-12 are also collected in the Dawn of X anthology trades – see X-Men by Jonathan Hickman for collection information.

Digital: Amazon/Comixology, Marvel Unlimited

in oversize hardcover…

#1-12: by Tini Howard, Vol. 1 (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302924843)
Collects the complete run of Excalibur through X of Swords

#13-15: X of Swords (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302927172 / digital)
Betsy Braddock and Apocalypse are two of nine anchoring characters of this story, which also prominently features Brian and Jamie with some appearances from Jubilee. Collects X of Swords (2020) Creation, Stasis, & Destruction, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2020) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4

#16-(ongoing): Not yet collected in this format

by story or single issue…

#1-6: by Tini Howard Vol. 1 (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919917 / digital)

#7-11: by Tini Howard Vol. 2 (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302921460 / digital)
This is partially a prelude to X of Swords. While some sources have this volume only continuing through issue #11, I have verified that it includes issue #12. The discrepancy is because #12 was advertised as a prelude to X of Swords alongside X-Men (2019) #12, and the latter of those two issues is included in the X of Swords collection.

#13-15: X of Swords (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302927172 / digital)
Betsy Braddock and Apocalypse are two of nine anchoring characters of this story, which also prominently features Brian and Jamie with some appearances from Jubilee. Collects X of Swords (2020) Creation, Stasis, & Destruction, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2020) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4

#16-21: by Tini Howard Vol. 3 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924843 / digital)
This picks up directly from the end of X of Swords and will immediately spoil a major development from the crossover if you skip it to read this.

#22-?: No further collections solicited at this time.

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The Definitive Exiles Collecting Guide and Reading Order

The Exiles comic books definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated June 2020 with titles scheduled for release through March 2021.

Exiles (2001) - 0001The launch of Exiles in 2001 by writer Judd Winick with author Mike McKone was Marvel’s first long-running ongoing with a continuously-told story combining reality-hopping and alternate versions of heroes.

Prior to the launch of Ultimate Comics in 200o, Marvel Comics had a slim list of ongoing titles that lived permanently in alternate continuities – and Exiles was nothing like Ultimate Comics. Ultimate had the goal of the alternate universe as verisimilitude – the environment started the same as the main Marvel Universe only more modern, and the fascination was watching it splinter.

McKone’s pitch for Exiles followed the debut of Ultimate Comics and swiped the title of a 1990s Malibu series, but it had much more to do with Marvel’s classic series What If. What If never told a consistent story – in fact, there were hardly ever two issues which focused on the same tale! Each one-shot take hopped to a new reality to imagine the most twisted possibilities.

Exiles combined that reality-hopping approach with a consistent team, much like Chris Claremont’s classic Excalibur story The Cross-Time Caper. Instead of starting with a team of known 616-reality heroes, McKone drew inspiration from Age of Apocalypse. That event presented four months of an alternate reality full of X-Men reimagined to take advantage of their best and worst qualities. Exiles would do the same, only with a palette of infinite realities from which to choose.

Lead by the short-lived but hugely-popular X-Men character Blink, this collection of alternate-reality X-Men had little impact on the main X-continuity. Despite that, the book is regarded highly by fans – at least, it was when it was helmed by creator Judd Winnick. By contrast, any issues penned by Uncanny scribes Chris Claremont and Chuck Austen aren’t as popular with fans. [Read more…] about The Definitive Exiles Collecting Guide and Reading Order