Astonishing X-Men



Astonishing X-Men is published by Marvel Comics. Current price per issue is $2.99.

Last Issue

 * Astonishing X-Men #23: 07 Nov 2007

Current Issue

 * Astonishing X-Men #24: 23 Jan 2008

Next Issue

 * Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1: 21 May 2008

Status
Ongoing series. Published bimonthly, more or less.

Main Characters

 * Cyclops/Scott "Slim" Summers - Leader of the X-Men and co-headmaster of Xavier's School. Can shoot concussive beams of force from his eyes, and must wear ruby glasses to control those beams. Widower of Jean Grey; is now romantically involved with Emma Frost.


 * The White Queen/Emma Frost - Former enemy of the X-Men, now an ally and co-headmaster of Xavier's School. A powerful telepath who can also turn her body into a hard diamond-like substance. Romantially involved with Scott Summers.


 * Wolverine/James "Logan" Howlett - An unaging goverment-trained killer with no knowledge of his past. Has a mutant healing power that allows him to recover from any injury, and sharp claws that extend from his hands. Constantly fights against his base instincts & training in order to do the right thing.


 * The Beast/Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy - Genius scientist of human genetics. Heightened agility. Body has undergone a series of successive mutations that have given him a body covered in blue hair and made him progressively more bestial in appearance.


 * Shadowcat/Katherine "Kitty" Pride - Recently returned to the X-Men after attempting a normal life in college. Can turn her body immaterial in order to pass throigh any object. Disrupts electronics when she 'phases' through them.


 * Colossus/Piotr "Peter" Rasputin - Previously believed dead, but recently discovered to be alive and has returned to the X-Men. Can change his flesh into an indestructable organic steel, and has tremendous strength when in steel form.

Allies

 * Professor X/Charles Xavier - Founder of the X-Men and Xavier's School. The most powerful telepath on the planet. Confined to a wheelchair. Currently overseas in the former island nation of Genosha.


 * Nick Fury - Head of S.H.I.E.L.D., a government fighting force dedicated to defeating super-powered terrorists.

Enemies

 * Danger - Formerly the Danger Room, the X-Men's artificially intelligent training ground built from alien technology. Has superceded its programming and now seeks to kill the X-Men.


 * S.W.O.R.D. - "Sentient Worlds Observation and Response Department." A secret branch of the goverment charged with dealing with alien threats to Earth. Believes that in the near future a mutant will be responsible for the destruction of an alien planet, and therefore wishes to stop all mutants before this happens.

Other Characters/Places/Things

 * Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters - A private academy dedicated to training young mutants in the use of their powers. Founded by Charles Xavier. Headquartered on a large campus in rural New England, centered around a large Mansion.

Astonishing X-Men #24
This is the current issue, and therefore no story information will be posted about this issue. Please check your local comic shop for copies of this issue.

Astonishing X-Men #12
"Dangerous," part 6 of 6.

Astonishing X-Men #11
"Dangerous," part 5 of 6. Danger travels to Genosha and fights Charles Xavier.

Astonishing X-Men #10
"Dangerous," part 4 of 6. The X-Men battle Danger, their old training Danger Room given form, and it defeats them, then heads off to Genosha to confront its creator, Charles Xavier.

Astonishing X-Men #9
"Dangerous," part 3 of 6. After a student commits suicide in the Danger Room, it reveals its sentience, gets around its no-killing safeties, goes insane, and tries to kill the other students.

Astonishing X-Men #8
"Dangerous," part 2 of 6. A mysterious force is attacking the Mansion, knocking out the psychics and using a broken-down Sentinel.

Astonishing X-Men #7
"Dangerous," part 1 of 6.

"Gifted"
Issues #1-6. Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form a core group of X-Men as super-heroes, intended to once again be a public force for good, with costumes and everything. A cure for the 'mutant gene' is announced, causing philosophic diffences to surface among the X-Men. The X-Men battle Ord, a powerful alien, and learn that Colossus, a former X-Man once believed dead, isn't. (Collected in Astonishing X-Men, vol. 1)

Trade Paperbacks

 * Astonishing X-Men, vol. 1: Gifted - Collects #1-6. "Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the X-Men with the express purpose of "astonishing" the world. But when breaking news regarding the mutant gene unexpectedly hits the airwaves, will it derail their new plans before they even get started? As demand for the "mutant cure" reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men go head-to-head with the enigmatic Ord, with an unexpected ally — and some unexpected adversaries — tipping the scales!" - WorldCat - ISBN 0785115315


 * Astonishing X-Men, vol. 2: Dangerous - Collects #7-12. "A tragic death at the Xavier Institute reveals a powerful enemy living among the X-Men that they could never have suspected - and no, it's not Magneto. Things heat up in a way none of the X-Men ever dreamed, but will teamwork save the day when they can't even depend on themselves?" - WorldCat - ISBN 078511677X


 * Astonishing X-Men, vol. 3: Torn - Collects #13-18. "Emma Frost’s erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a non-stop downward spiral. Will an unlikely union be the final straw? After secretly lying in wait for months, the new Hellfire Club makes its move! Plus: The X-Man destined to destroy the Breakworld stands revealed! Who is it, and what will be their fate?" - WorldCat - ISBN 0785117598


 * Astonishing X-Men, vol. 4: Unstoppable - Collects #19-24 & Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1. "After the shocking and brain-smashing events of recent issues, the X-Men are off to protect the Earth from its destruction at the hands of the Breakworld. And when it’s all over, nothing will ever be the same!" - WorldCat - ISBN 0785122540 - (forthcoming, June 2008)

Hardcovers

 * Astonishing X-Men, vol. 1 - Collects #1-12. - WorldCat - ISBN 0785123016

Creative Team
Issues #1-24: Writer: Joss Whedon, Artist: John Cassaday, Colorist: Laura Martin, Leterer: Chris Eliopoulos, Editor: Mike Marts

Issues #25+: Writer: Warren Ellis. Artist/Covers: Simone Bianchi.

Publishing History
First published in 2004. This is the third series with the title Astonishing X-Men. The second was a miniseries published in 1999 as part of the "Age of Apocalypse" storyline.

Order Codes
These are the order codes and prices as provided by Diamond Distribution. Your local comic shop should be able to order these for you.


 * JAN05 1856	ASTONISHING X-MEN #10	$2.99
 * MAR05 1920	ASTONISHING X-MEN #11	$2.99
 * APR05 1926	ASTONISHING X-MEN #12	$2.99

Collections

 * SEP05 2468	ASTONISHING X-MEN VOL 1 GIFTED TP (OCT041800)	$14.99
 * JUN05 2064	ASTONISHING X-MEN VOL 2 DANGEROUS TP	$14.99

Future Publication Dates
Dates subject to change at the whims of the publisher or distributor. Please see the Diamond Shipping Lists for current information.


 * Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1: 21 May 2008
 * Astonishing X-Men Sketchbook: 04 Jun 2008
 * Astonishing X-Men #25: 02 Jul 2008
 * Astonishing X-Men Vol. 4: Unstoppable TPB: 09 Jul 2008

News & Features

 * 16 Mar 2008 - Talking Astonishing X-Men with Axel Alonso
 * 15 Mar 2008 - WWLA: Alonso Talks Astonishing X-Men
 * 27 Jul 2007 - CCI: The Art of Astonishment: Bianchi Talks Astonishing X-Men
 * 27 Jul 2007 - CCI: Astonishing Evolution - Alonso Talks Astonishing X-Men
 * 27 Jul 2007 - SDCC '07: Ellis Does Astonishing X-Men
 * 27 Jul 2007 - SDCC '07: Bianchi Talks Astonishing X-Men
 * 19 Jan 2006 - Joss Whedon On His Return to Astonishing X-Men - Full Transcript

Links

 * Marvel Comics - Publisher's Website
 * X-Men
 * Astonishing X-Men