Astonishing X-Men is the name of three X-Men comic books from Marvel Comics, the first two of which were limited series and the third an ongoing series. The ongoing series began in 2004, its first run written by Joss Whedon with art by John Cassaday. It will be continued by writer Warren Ellis and artist Simone Bianchi in future issues. It was a critical and commercial success, focusing on a roster consisting of Cyclops, Emma Frost, Shadowcat, Colossus, Beast and Wolverine. This roster has also been the focus of various limited series, such as X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong, X-Men: Phoenix - Warsong and Civil War: X-Men.

Volume one (1995)

The original Astonishing X-Men was a four-issue series that replaced Uncanny X-Men during the 1995 alternate universe storyline Age of Apocalypse, in which all X-Titles were given new names and issue numbers. In this storyline, Professor X was murdered 20 years in the past by his own son, Legion. Magneto, witnessing his friend's death, committed himself to Xavier's dream and created his own team of X-Men. However, he was unable to prevent the rise of the despotic Apocalypse and hence the series primarily dealt with the X-Men's battle against him.

Astonishing X-Men, written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by Joe Madureira, featured a team of X-Men led by Rogue and consisted of Sunfire, Blink, Morph, Sabretooth and Wildchild.

Volume two (1999)

The second limited series to bear the title Astonishing X-Men was published in 1999 and occurred after The Shattering storyline. In this series, most of the regular X-Men left the team over a conflict with Professor X. The three-issue series, written by Howard Mackie and illustrated by Brandon Peterson, featured an interim team consisting of Cyclops, Phoenix, Wolverine, Archangel, Cable and Nate Grey.

This team protected the Mannites (a group of super powered, genetically engineered children) from Death, a horseman of Apocalypse. Wolverine was apparently murdered by Death in the final pages of the series but it was later revealed that "Death" was actually a mind controlled Wolverine, and that the "Wolverine" who was killed was an imposter, a shapeshifting Skrull.

Volume three (2004-present)

In 2004, Marvel used the title Astonishing X-Men for the ongoing X-Men series written by Joss Whedon and illustrated by John Cassaday. It is a continuation of the first New X-Men title and features a similar line-up of characters, including Cyclops and Emma Frost (as co-team leaders), Beast, Shadowcat, Colossus, Lockheed and Wolverine. This team became the usual focus for most X-Men limited series from then on as well.

Whedon/Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men introduced a number of original characters into the Marvel Universe including Abigail Brand, Hisako Ichiki, Ord of the Breakworld and Blindfold.

Also many large scale events in the Marvel Universe such as House of M, Decimation, Civil War and other Marvel crossovers have been ignored almost completely during the run, due to the long delays between issues and Whedon's own stated desire to remain away from big cross-overs, which he personally dislikes, and what he saw as hectic and unfollowable X-men continuity (Wizard Magazine #165, 2005). This has not hampered high sales or continuously positive critical reception.

Vol. 3 Plot summary

"Gifted" (Issues 1-6)

The first story arc focused on the introduction of several key characters and their involvement on the team. After a brief altercation between Cyclops and Wolverine, Cyclops states that the X-Men have strayed away from their main objective. He explains the goal has been to bridge the gap between mutants and humans by performing heroic deeds, which allow mutants to be recognized in a positive light. With the redesigned outlook, the team is assigned new costumes and engages in their first mission. While trying to save a group of hostages, the X-Men encountered the outworlder named Ord. Simultaneously, a press conference held by Dr. Kavita Rao to announce the discovery of a "cure" for mutants took place. During the press conference, the entire team succeeds in securing the hostages but fails in defeating Ord. However, Kitty's miniature dragon sidekick Lockheed shows up and manages to vanquish Ord.

Curious after learning of Rao's cure, Beast infiltrates Benetech undetected until Rao herself discovers him lurking in her lab. After Henry is given a sample of the cure, he discovers that Benetech may have been involved in foul play while conducting experimental research which prompts an investigation.

During the X-Men's reconnaissance at Benetech, Ord invaded the mansion with the intention of "curing" one of the X-Men. Too his dismay he was only able to find two students. One is named Wing and the other named Hisako Ichiki reveal to Ord that the X-Men are absent, presumably on a mission. Being that Ord is unable to penetrate Hisako's armor, Ord pursued Wing and succeeded in curing him. Meanwhile at Benetech, the X-Men were reunited with Colossus, who had been resurrected by Ord's alien technology to help find the cure. With Colossus' help, the team took down Ord, but not before it was revealed that a mutant (most likely an X-Man) would destroy Ord's home planet, — the Breakworld — within the next three years.

"Dangerous" (Issues 7-12)

The team immediately jumps into action once again, this time assisting The Fantastic Four in stopping what is believed to be one of the Mole Man's minions. During the X-Men's mission, Wing who had fallen into a deep depression since the loss of his powers and is seen talking to a stoic and exceptionally detached Hisako who further increases his doubts. Ultimately, he decides to take his life, knowing he can never accomplish his dream of becoming an X-Man. After the X-Men's mission, a mysterious psychic attack renders all the telepaths unconscious.

Later, a battle-worn, rogue sentinel attacks the mansion and claims to be a messenger/assassin for a higher power. Cyclops brings the brief battle to an abrupt end by removing his visor, which leaves devastating results. The team soon discovers that the Danger Room had become sentient and Emma ambiguously states that it had become "angry".

During the team's fight with the sentinel Kitty learns that the Danger Room had created a hologram of Hisako which prompted Wing's death and allowed for the overriding of it's safeguards. After Wolverine freed the danger room from it's command core and the team ended up fighting a murderous, self-aware personification of the "Danger Room" training facility, dubbed "Danger".

The fight ended up with the entire team out of commission leaving Xavier now at the mercy of Danger. After Elixir revives most of the team, it is revealed that Professor Xavier had been in Genosha. Xavier, with the help of the X-Men were able to neutralize her for the time being. Xavier confesses to having been aware of this possible scenario, as well as Danger's imprisonment, which leads the team to express their disgust and disapproval. The X-Men and Xavier part ways and it was revealed that Emma was aligned with the newly formed Hellfire Club.

"Torn" (Issues 13-18)

The X-Men were manipulated by a new Hellfire Club, consisting of Cassandra Nova, Emma Frost, the enigmatic Perfection, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Sebastian Shaw.

In Astonishing X-Men #13 (February, 2006), it was revealed that Frost's survival of the destruction of Genosha in New X-Men #115 was due to Cassandra Nova creating Frost's secondary mutation, i.e., her diamond form.

In the beginning, Perfection was revealed to be identical to Emma, in the exact form/costume that she wore when she was first introduced to the X-Men as the White Queen. Later issues clarified by explaining that Perfection, like the rest of the new Hellfire Club, were all psychic projections created by Cassandra Nova in order to manipulate Emma Frost to freeing her from the form in which the X-Men had trapped her. (The final panel of issue 15 was an homage to the final panel of Uncanny X-Men #132.)

As part of her scheme, Emma appeared as Phoenix to Cyclops, which prompted a telepathic session between the two. Throughout the session Emma revealed many truths about Cyclops that he denied and even repressed. In the end, it was revealed that Scott's uncontrollable optic blasts were not the result of brain damage but rather because of conscious choice he made in his youth. He chose not to control his power due to the traumatic events of losing both parents, separation from his brother Alex and the manifestation of his power. The memory was so deeply repressed that apparently Jean and Xavier either missed or overlooked it. The outcome of the session leaves him temporarily comatose and powerless from this point on.

During this attack, Nova turns Beast into a feral state and attacks a mentally regressed Wolverine who has now become entirely childlike in behavior. Negasonic Teenage Warhead disrupts Kitty's phasing abilities forcing her fall toward the center of the earth. Colossus fights Sebastian Shaw but forgets that Shaw's power allows him to absorb Colossus's every blow. Shaw in the end knocks him unconscious by unleashing all the stored energy with a blow to the head.

Later, with the help of Blindfold, and Hisako Ichiki, Cyclops succeeds in temporarily halting Nova's plans from completion. but before the story could be resolved, the X-Men were forcibly teleported away by S.W.O.R.D. to a spaceship headed for the Breakworld.

"Unstoppable" (Issues 19-24)

Emma, along with Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Beast, Shadowcat, Hisako, Ord, and Danger, are taken to deep space by S.W.O.R.D. and Agent Brand. The psychics on the S.W.O.R.D. ship don't detect Cassandra Nova in Emma's shattered psyche. Though emotionally wounded, Emma recovers fast enough to be present for the team's departure to the Breakworld. On their way there, where they aim to disable a missile capable of splitting the Earth in half, they are attacked by Breakworld vessels. After using a diversion, the X-Men, alongside Agent Brand, land on the planet.

Brand, Cyclops, Emma, and Beast land together while Wolverine, Hisako, Colossus, and Kitty land elsewhere. Wolverine's spacecraft begins to disintegrate in mid air and thus they are forced to abandon the ship. Kitty and Colossus phase through the pod and through to the planet's surface, where they land unharmed while Hisako and Wolverine land with the impact burning Wolverine's skin.

Hisako adopts the code name "Armor" and the three groups alongside another team composed of Lockheed and S.W.O.R.D. troops converge upon a place called "the Palace of the Corpse" which supposedly is connected to the prophecy stating that Colossus will destroy the planet. Ironically, Colossus was resurrected by Breakworld technology.

While flying, several Breakworld fighter jets approach, attempting to knock Emma and Scott out of the air. The couple successfully repel the Breakworld onslaught, exchanging heated words in the process. Amidst Emma's protestations that Scott was "acting as though what been through," he finally professes his true love for Emma. Stunned, Emma can barely speak, except to utter an apology. Before her reasons behind apologizing are discussed, Scott notices a blip on their radar. Danger appears, utterly decimating the S.W.O.R.D. cruiser. Switching to diamond form in the nick of time, Emma is spared, however Scott is injured. Cradling Scott in her arms, Emma sheds a tear for the man who truly loves her.

As Danger approaches, ready to finish Frost as well, Emma turned and faces it, asking Danger to kill her, adding "please do try to make it quick."

Emma then reveals to Danger that she's fully aware of Danger's secret: she is, in fact, incapable of actually committing murder. She analyzes the fact that Wing killed himself, and Danger has sought out accomplices (the rogue Sentinel and Ord) to do what she cannot. As Cyclops recovers, Emma proceeds to make a deal with Danger. Meanwhile, Kitty and Colossus bask in the afterglow of their night together. Kitty explains to him that happiness is fleeting and she intends to grab it while she can. Everyone reaches the conclusion to regroup and head for the missile located on the moon. Cyclops and Emma pick up the remaining S.W.O.R.D. agents aboard Danger's ship, and assemble everyone together. Agent Brand finally informs Kitty that Lockheed is working for her. When the team reaches the missile, they discover it to be heavily armed (Beast even makes a Death Star reference). The ship takes fire from incoming warships and Cyclops decides to take the onboard repair ship to create a distraction. He realizes its a suicide mission, but remarks that as he is powerless, he is the most expendable. Scott places Emma in charge before proceeding to fly into open fire. He causes a few ships to destroy each other, before his own ship is destroyed. Scott floats adrift in space, as Emma feels him dying. Scott flashes back to an image of Emma having an orgasm, an image of the professor, and an image of his first encounter with Jean Grey, before succumbing to the airless void of space.

Issue #23 is scheduled for release on November 7, 2007, with issue #24 following on December 5.

"Giant Size Astonishing X-Men"

According to Marvel's Daily Bugle, Whedon and Cassaday will conclude their run on Astonishing X-Men with Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1. However, it has yet to be revealed whether the story will be connected to the "Unstoppable" storyline or whether it will be a stand alone story.

"Astonishing X-Men: Second Stage"

Marvel have announced at San Diego Comicon 2007 that following completion of the Whedon/Cassaday run on Astonishing X-Men, the series will continue as "Astonishing X-Men: Second Stage" by the new creative team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi. This run is expected to debut in early 2008.

Lineups

By issue number

• 1-3: Beast, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Lockheed, Shadowcat, Wolverine
• 4-19: Beast, Colossus, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Lockheed, Shadowcat, Wolverine
• 20-present: Armor, Beast, Colossus, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Lockheed, Shadowcat, Wolverine

Reception

The third volume of the Astonishing X-Men comic book series has generally been well received with comic sales normally being very high. Whedon's run was nominated for several Eisner Awards. In 2006, the series won the best continuing series award and in 2005 and 2006, John Cassaday won Best Artist/Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team (tied with Frank Quitely for 2005). Also, in 2004, Astonishing X-Men's first volume, "Gifted", was given the accolade of Wizard magazine's Book of the Year.

The film X-Men: The Last Stand can also be seen as being influenced by this first arc of the series, which is entitled "Gifted". Whedon has said that while he knows "many people have done cure scenarios before me" (apparently referring to the various X-Men–related comic books that tackled the subject before he did), he wasn't familiar with any of those earlier stories at the time he started working on "Gifted".

Astonishing X-Men has been plagued with criticism regarding the delays between the issues. Whedon's initial contract with Marvel Comics was for twelve issues for one year but the final issues were four months late. After a break of several months, the title resumed in February 2006 with the new story arc "Torn" but with issue 13, the comic temporarily went from monthly to bimonthly for the next four issues to allow more time for Whedon and Cassaday to finish each issue so as to avoid further late releases. The book resumed a monthly schedule in September 2006 with issues 16 and 17, but was delayed once again for issue 18, which was released on November 15, 2006. Delays have continued to the present for a variety of reasons, including Cassaday's last minute assignment to pencil the fifth issue of Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America.

In Wizard #173, Whedon admitted to making mistakes in the second story arc, saying he was so fascinated with the idea of the "new intelligence" that he neglected the action and thus prevented the story from flowing well.

Other versions

In Amalgam Comics, Astonishing X-Men is combined with the Brave and the Bold to form the Astonishing and the Bold.

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astonishing

adjective:   so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm (Example: "Such an enormous response was astonishing")
adjective:   surprising greatly (Example: "The dog was capable of astonishing tricks")
See astonish