X-Men Updated Edition: The Ultimate Guide
Reviewed with Tom DeFalco'sHulk.Gr. 6-12. These excellent volumes profile two of Stan Lee's most famous creations for Marvel Comics: the persecuted mutants of the X-Men and the Frankenstein monster-inspired Incredible Hulk. Various artists who have contributed to both series during their 40 years of publication fill the oversize volumes with colorful, first-rate artwork. Every major hero and villain appearing in the series is profiled in the generous, two-page spreads--complete with a breakdown of powers and gadgets and commentary on the character's origin, first appearance, and costume changes over the years. Key locations (including some rarely seen in the pages of the comics) and events are meticulously detailed. Floor plans of Professor Xavier's mansion, the Danger Room, and Magneto's Base are sure to please hardcore fans, and storyline recaps and an exhaustive time line in each book will bring browsers up to speed. Monster enthusiasts will immediately findHulkmore appealing; the costume-ball look ofX-Menquickly grows tiresome (and the only new parts are the concluding spreads on the upcoming movie). But classic illustrations blend seamlessly with more recent works, some of which were specially commissioned for the books. BuyX-Menif a new edition is needed, but both titles are essential additions to any comics collection.Carlos OrellanaCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved