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Astonishing X-Men (1999) #1-3
X-Men: The Shattering
The X-Men have stayed together in the face of countless threats, but what happens when the team's leader simply disbands it? Marvel's mightiest mutant mind snaps the team into pieces - but an unholy alliance of ancient and alien evils isn't calling it quits, so neither will the X-Men! Plus: Colossus and Marrow face a shared friend and foe, Rogue discovers the Destiny Journals, and Wolverine stares Death in the face - but which is which? Also featuring Cannonball, Moonstar, Nate Grey the X-Man, and more! Collects Uncanny X-Men #372-375, X-Men #92-95, Astonishing X-Men #1-3, and X-Men 1999 Yearbook.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2009
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Alan Davis
997Ìýbooks65ÌýfollowersAlan Davis is an English writer and artist of comic books, known for his work on titles such as Captain Britain, The Uncanny X-Men, ClanDestine, Excalibur, JLA: The Nail and JLA: Another Nail and others.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 15, 2020
A great concept as the X-Men completely fall apart under a more stern and 'cold' Xavier. But the ultimate 'enemy' comes off a bit out of kilter as does the finale. Still a maybe-read for X-fans with some great 'shattering' scenes.
August 14, 2018
This is the second volume of Alan Davis' poorly collected X-Men run, which is only finally being completed this year with . (I'm still holding out hopes for a nice omnibus, to go right next to the brand-new .) It's not exactly a coherent collection, but instead a slice of four or so months of time in the then-current X-Men titles.
The first big plotline in the story in the eponymous Shattering. Professor X is a dick, and a bunch of X-Men go on vacation as a result. Meanwhile, an unlikely group of All-New, All-Different X-Men form. Despite the fact that this repetitious plot has been done many times in the X-titles, Davis makes good use of it. The main title sees core X-people Jean and Scott return to deal with a bad-tempered Xavier, while the splintering X-Men gives Davis the opportunity to deal with some great stories, such as Rogue and Kitty interacting with Mystique and Colossus and Marrow interacting with Mikhail. (Actually, I like the latter story less, as Mikhail has always been uninteresting to me, because he's so woe-is-me-why-am-I-forced-to-be-evil all the time, but it's nonetheless a good character piece for Colossus and Marrow alike ... and actually makes me like the latter.)
The All-New, All-Different X-Men story is less inspiring. It occurs in a short-term title called Astonishing X-Men and is by Howard Mackie instead of Davis. Though it's a great team (including both Cable and X-Man!), the writing is slow. There's a plot about superpowered kids called the Mannites, which doesn't go anywhere, and a long pursuit by a new Death, which mainly sets him up as an important new adversary. In other words, almost nothing happens in this three-issue comic before it suddenly stops.
The Death threads continues back into the main UXM and XM titles, and pretty much sets up the next two volumes, which are "The Twelve" saga (or if you prefer X-Men vs Apocalypse, Volumes 1 and 2). After a pretty decent #375 anniversary issue, there's a bit of a yawner in the last issue due to endless fights with skrulls (yes, it was the weird skrull-happy era of X-Men) and eventually Death. Expect a non-ending, because we're in full prelude to "The Twelve" by this point.
Overall, Davis' writing is good in this book. It offers a nice focus on both continuity and character. The only low-point of this volume is the three Howard Mackie issues. Otherwise it's a fun read, and even makes you like the very '90s Marrow.
The first big plotline in the story in the eponymous Shattering. Professor X is a dick, and a bunch of X-Men go on vacation as a result. Meanwhile, an unlikely group of All-New, All-Different X-Men form. Despite the fact that this repetitious plot has been done many times in the X-titles, Davis makes good use of it. The main title sees core X-people Jean and Scott return to deal with a bad-tempered Xavier, while the splintering X-Men gives Davis the opportunity to deal with some great stories, such as Rogue and Kitty interacting with Mystique and Colossus and Marrow interacting with Mikhail. (Actually, I like the latter story less, as Mikhail has always been uninteresting to me, because he's so woe-is-me-why-am-I-forced-to-be-evil all the time, but it's nonetheless a good character piece for Colossus and Marrow alike ... and actually makes me like the latter.)
The All-New, All-Different X-Men story is less inspiring. It occurs in a short-term title called Astonishing X-Men and is by Howard Mackie instead of Davis. Though it's a great team (including both Cable and X-Man!), the writing is slow. There's a plot about superpowered kids called the Mannites, which doesn't go anywhere, and a long pursuit by a new Death, which mainly sets him up as an important new adversary. In other words, almost nothing happens in this three-issue comic before it suddenly stops.
The Death threads continues back into the main UXM and XM titles, and pretty much sets up the next two volumes, which are "The Twelve" saga (or if you prefer X-Men vs Apocalypse, Volumes 1 and 2). After a pretty decent #375 anniversary issue, there's a bit of a yawner in the last issue due to endless fights with skrulls (yes, it was the weird skrull-happy era of X-Men) and eventually Death. Expect a non-ending, because we're in full prelude to "The Twelve" by this point.
Overall, Davis' writing is good in this book. It offers a nice focus on both continuity and character. The only low-point of this volume is the three Howard Mackie issues. Otherwise it's a fun read, and even makes you like the very '90s Marrow.
February 2, 2025
Ah... the Shatting. Well this isn’t the worst thing ever written and in fact has many good points. It still feels like a reversion and incapsulates many of the worst facets of the �90s.
Now I’ve been reading every appearance by an x-man (pretty much) in order and at this point things were finally getting better. It took a lot longer than i expected but here in the relative time of 1999 we were finally making some progress to clean up the mess left behind by the mid-90’s.
Xavier had been found, Joseph had been dealth with... it was slow going but progress was being made.
But this period, as i said its a real reversion.
The setup here, the incredible event that will change things forever! Is that some of the x-men decide to take a few days off... that’s it.. that’s the big event.
Unless!, you read the other issues, because every subsequent comic claims that Xavier cancelled the x-men everything is ended.. blah blah, none of which actually happened in the first comic you read.
There’s lots of stuff like that, its just messy, and desperate to feel big. Even some of the art reminds me of the mid-90’s.
I really thought it was uphill from here, but this along many of the other works being released around this time, suggest we’re back to the bad old times.
Desperate really seems the best description of what is happening with all x-men related properties at this point despite as mentioned, a few previous months of good recovery.
Now I’ve been reading every appearance by an x-man (pretty much) in order and at this point things were finally getting better. It took a lot longer than i expected but here in the relative time of 1999 we were finally making some progress to clean up the mess left behind by the mid-90’s.
Xavier had been found, Joseph had been dealth with... it was slow going but progress was being made.
But this period, as i said its a real reversion.
The setup here, the incredible event that will change things forever! Is that some of the x-men decide to take a few days off... that’s it.. that’s the big event.
Unless!, you read the other issues, because every subsequent comic claims that Xavier cancelled the x-men everything is ended.. blah blah, none of which actually happened in the first comic you read.
There’s lots of stuff like that, its just messy, and desperate to feel big. Even some of the art reminds me of the mid-90’s.
I really thought it was uphill from here, but this along many of the other works being released around this time, suggest we’re back to the bad old times.
Desperate really seems the best description of what is happening with all x-men related properties at this point despite as mentioned, a few previous months of good recovery.
September 8, 2018
As much as I despised 's X-run for its poor dialog and constant character overreactions, Alan Davis's run seems to be Team disbands, just kidding they're all friends, except Charles may be evil again, just kidding he's testing them, so they disband, just kidding they're all friends, except Charles may be...uggggggggggggh.
The biggest problem of this era is that many of Marvel's better artists were given the ability to helm X-books as writers. None of them from this era rose to the task.
The art, itself, tries to prove wrong the adage of "You can't judge a book by its cover", as the cover itself is a fine warning that the art inside is made by either 1.) talented artists rushed by deadlines to make mediocre art; or 2.) artists who value style over basic anatomy and perspective.
There are four pages of beautiful Kubert art that's made to look like it was carved on a tablet. It is so far superior to every other page of his art in this book, that it makes me wonder if his heart just wasn't in this run. Background characters are only half drawn. Sometimes even the character we're supposed to be focusing on look like penciller and inkers didn't have time to finish drawing their faces.
It's just an ugly book to look at. Which is fine, since the story isn't particularly interesting.
The biggest problem of this era is that many of Marvel's better artists were given the ability to helm X-books as writers. None of them from this era rose to the task.
The art, itself, tries to prove wrong the adage of "You can't judge a book by its cover", as the cover itself is a fine warning that the art inside is made by either 1.) talented artists rushed by deadlines to make mediocre art; or 2.) artists who value style over basic anatomy and perspective.
There are four pages of beautiful Kubert art that's made to look like it was carved on a tablet. It is so far superior to every other page of his art in this book, that it makes me wonder if his heart just wasn't in this run. Background characters are only half drawn. Sometimes even the character we're supposed to be focusing on look like penciller and inkers didn't have time to finish drawing their faces.
It's just an ugly book to look at. Which is fine, since the story isn't particularly interesting.
June 2, 2019
This is a cool trade. It has some kickass stories. The story jets off in many crazy directions (mostly stemming from the events of the Magneto War tpb).
I really would have liked to follow Bishop and Deathbird more closely... but it is what it is. Some awesome development for Marrow, and some really fun fallout from the X Men’s last conflict with the Skrulls.
Add a couple plot twists and a crazy reveal, and you have yourself a very fun X book.
I really would have liked to follow Bishop and Deathbird more closely... but it is what it is. Some awesome development for Marrow, and some really fun fallout from the X Men’s last conflict with the Skrulls.
Add a couple plot twists and a crazy reveal, and you have yourself a very fun X book.
May 6, 2020
The X-Men are calling it quits (again). Professor X seems bent on pushing the X-Men to the breaking point. He makes it clear that the new team roster is up to the challenges that face them. It proves to be too much. Exhausted and angry, the X-Men go their separate ways.
Colossus takes Marrow to Boston where are abducted by Mikhail Rasputin. Mikhail is Colossus's brother, but he was also the cruel "god" of the Morlocks during their time in a different dimension. I will say again how much I don't like any of the Mikhail stories that I've read, but at least here, we learn more about Marrow and her path to leading the hate-filled terrorist group Gene Nation. We also get another attempt to explain why
Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, and Rogue take a more relaxed vacation that is interrupted by Mystique. She is being hunted down for crimes against the Japanese government that she didn't commit. Sunfire joins them in uncovering the truth. While at one of Mystique's many safe houses, Kitty finds a Destiny's Diary (something that will become more significant later).
Cyclops and Jean Grey do not have much time to figure out what to do. Nina and Mannites arrive desperately seeking help. They are being hunted by Apocalypse's newest Horseman of Death. They quickly assemble a new team that includes Wolverine, Angle, Cable, and X-Man. The roster sounds cool, but I didn't think that it worked well. It felt forced.
Mannites are another X-Men storyline that just never really clicked for me. Nina is their "leader" and first appeared in Onslaught: Epilogue, and she plays a major role in the Hunt for Xavier. This series hints that the Mannites were developed in Bastion's laboratories (which makes sense), but their backstory, characterizations, and bizarre "evolution" seems slipshod. I am not even sure we learned why Death wanted them dead.
Alan is building to another big event, but the pieces that are beginning to fall into place are not encouraging. Wolverine plays a surprising role (cool), but how did the Skrulls become a strong Apocalypse ally? It was cringe-worthy seeing the Skrulls working with Deathbird and human lackeys dressed in ancient Egyptian garb to help Apocalypse gain mutant dominance on Earth.
Colossus takes Marrow to Boston where are abducted by Mikhail Rasputin. Mikhail is Colossus's brother, but he was also the cruel "god" of the Morlocks during their time in a different dimension. I will say again how much I don't like any of the Mikhail stories that I've read, but at least here, we learn more about Marrow and her path to leading the hate-filled terrorist group Gene Nation. We also get another attempt to explain why
Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, and Rogue take a more relaxed vacation that is interrupted by Mystique. She is being hunted down for crimes against the Japanese government that she didn't commit. Sunfire joins them in uncovering the truth. While at one of Mystique's many safe houses, Kitty finds a Destiny's Diary (something that will become more significant later).
Cyclops and Jean Grey do not have much time to figure out what to do. Nina and Mannites arrive desperately seeking help. They are being hunted by Apocalypse's newest Horseman of Death. They quickly assemble a new team that includes Wolverine, Angle, Cable, and X-Man. The roster sounds cool, but I didn't think that it worked well. It felt forced.
Mannites are another X-Men storyline that just never really clicked for me. Nina is their "leader" and first appeared in Onslaught: Epilogue, and she plays a major role in the Hunt for Xavier. This series hints that the Mannites were developed in Bastion's laboratories (which makes sense), but their backstory, characterizations, and bizarre "evolution" seems slipshod. I am not even sure we learned why Death wanted them dead.
Alan is building to another big event, but the pieces that are beginning to fall into place are not encouraging. Wolverine plays a surprising role (cool), but how did the Skrulls become a strong Apocalypse ally? It was cringe-worthy seeing the Skrulls working with Deathbird and human lackeys dressed in ancient Egyptian garb to help Apocalypse gain mutant dominance on Earth.
July 12, 2021
My main issue with the previous volume was the constant threats without taking a breather. Well it's addressed in this volume here, as the pace slows down considerably. So what is this volume, essentially 3 things:
- a disbanding of the X-Men, hence the title: "The Shattering"
- an Xavier who seems to be on edge, more than likely losing it
- a lead in to the upcoming "The Twelve" storyarc
My issue is with the first 2, we're not that far removed from 2 line-up changes already: X-Men #70 for the post-Onslaught team with new members then X-Men #80 for the reintegration of Excalibur. Every 10 or so issues we have a revamp, which is crazy. An Xavier that seems to be on edge, possibly struggling with personal demons - well this is an Onslaught re-tread and it's not going to be as great this time around. This is also set-up to an upcoming crossover, so take that as you will.
What I did enjoy was Davis finally getting to tell a story that doesn't feel at least too editorially driven. The Rogue/ Kitty/ Kurt story in New York was a nice change of pace from the constant end of the world events lately and had good character moments. Apart from that, I'm still not invested in Marrow, or this side-jaunt with Mikhail. The Astonishing team features the Mannites, which is a concept that has dragged on a bit too long by now and I'm sure no one cares too much for. The villain for this arc is an unstoppable force of nature (not the Juggernaut) and the payoff is at the end of the volume - but it's an arc that is essentially stop the villain as much as possible and save the weird kids. We didn't need this to go for 3 issues. Then the last 2 issues are to bridge the gap and set up The Twelve next volume. So more average issues than good unfortunately.
- a disbanding of the X-Men, hence the title: "The Shattering"
- an Xavier who seems to be on edge, more than likely losing it
- a lead in to the upcoming "The Twelve" storyarc
My issue is with the first 2, we're not that far removed from 2 line-up changes already: X-Men #70 for the post-Onslaught team with new members then X-Men #80 for the reintegration of Excalibur. Every 10 or so issues we have a revamp, which is crazy. An Xavier that seems to be on edge, possibly struggling with personal demons - well this is an Onslaught re-tread and it's not going to be as great this time around. This is also set-up to an upcoming crossover, so take that as you will.
What I did enjoy was Davis finally getting to tell a story that doesn't feel at least too editorially driven. The Rogue/ Kitty/ Kurt story in New York was a nice change of pace from the constant end of the world events lately and had good character moments. Apart from that, I'm still not invested in Marrow, or this side-jaunt with Mikhail. The Astonishing team features the Mannites, which is a concept that has dragged on a bit too long by now and I'm sure no one cares too much for. The villain for this arc is an unstoppable force of nature (not the Juggernaut) and the payoff is at the end of the volume - but it's an arc that is essentially stop the villain as much as possible and save the weird kids. We didn't need this to go for 3 issues. Then the last 2 issues are to bridge the gap and set up The Twelve next volume. So more average issues than good unfortunately.
November 4, 2016
Reading this interminable story arc, you can see why the X-Men were in dire need of a reboot. Events occur purely for shock value, or so the team can be slightly reshuffled, with any theoretical stakes for the characters dropped quickly. Although the plot is credited to Alan Davis, it's clear there is heavy editorial interference from Mark Powers, Bob Harras and Chris Claremont, because these stories are nothing like the stuff Davis was writing on Excalibur a few years ago.
For a series whose stated mission was to clean up the X-Men's backstory, this does just the opposite. Destiny's Diaries are introduced; Deathbird returns in a largely pointless subplot; the new miniseries has a continuity-melting team of Scott, Jean, Cable and Nate; and the mysterious powers of Apocalypse's new horsemen are not just ill-defined, but completely unexplained. Marrow continues to have little or no character development, stuck in an editorially mandated subplot about wanting to be pretty when she is already being drawn that way.
Basically, this story arc wastes the potential of having Alan Davis write and draw the X-Men. Davis was able to turn Excalibur around and wrap up all the dangling plot threads precisely because he was left alone; here, he is basically trudging through his job, in something only marginally better than the Seagle/Kelly run before him.
For a series whose stated mission was to clean up the X-Men's backstory, this does just the opposite. Destiny's Diaries are introduced; Deathbird returns in a largely pointless subplot; the new miniseries has a continuity-melting team of Scott, Jean, Cable and Nate; and the mysterious powers of Apocalypse's new horsemen are not just ill-defined, but completely unexplained. Marrow continues to have little or no character development, stuck in an editorially mandated subplot about wanting to be pretty when she is already being drawn that way.
Basically, this story arc wastes the potential of having Alan Davis write and draw the X-Men. Davis was able to turn Excalibur around and wrap up all the dangling plot threads precisely because he was left alone; here, he is basically trudging through his job, in something only marginally better than the Seagle/Kelly run before him.
April 21, 2017
Continuing my X-men catchup project - a slightly ridiculous (and ridiculously expensive) project wherein I collect and read the X-books from roughly the point at which I quit reading in my younger days. I have been slowly amassing these books over the last few years and am now at a point where I can begin reading without major gaps...
This volume was decent. I really enjoyed the Mystique/Rogue/Kitty subplot that culminates with Kitty finding the Destiny diary that could end up setting up some really good plotlines if played right (I am reading these with very little foreknowledge of what is to come with these books...). Characterization is good (if a little light at times) from Davis and Marrow in particular had some interesting character moments that allowed her to grow. Art was good if not earth-shatteringly amazing. A solid volume, better than I remember the books being when I walked away.
This volume was decent. I really enjoyed the Mystique/Rogue/Kitty subplot that culminates with Kitty finding the Destiny diary that could end up setting up some really good plotlines if played right (I am reading these with very little foreknowledge of what is to come with these books...). Characterization is good (if a little light at times) from Davis and Marrow in particular had some interesting character moments that allowed her to grow. Art was good if not earth-shatteringly amazing. A solid volume, better than I remember the books being when I walked away.
December 28, 2016
Mostly this is a reminder why I didn't read X-books much during the 1990s. Interminable internal conflicts (the X-Men disband—oh, wait, no they don't!), endlessly complicated backst0ry (even though I know about the complicated Cable/X-Man/Scott/Jean relationships I was kind of rolling my eyes), supposedly shocking twists piled on shocking twists, membership reshuffles, invincible yet unimpressive adversaries and at times a mind-boggling amount of talk. Not that there aren't some good moments here and there but they bog down in tedium.
March 31, 2014
It really has started to bug me, the amount of talking these X-Men do. And if they do not talk, they fight with each other, no matter how dire or world-is-ending-situation is on.
Apparently I have liked the way Alan Davis wrote at some point of my life, because I have hauled my lazy ass and got his autograph.
Apparently I have liked the way Alan Davis wrote at some point of my life, because I have hauled my lazy ass and got his autograph.
January 26, 2024
A middling book that I'd still recommend due to the high quality of "X-Men 95." The issue has a phenomenal unexpected twist that's overshadowed by a highly-telegraphed one. Sadly, this all exists as a setup to the highly-disappointing "The Twelve."
November 13, 2009
Fairly interesting, even if I was lost in the story arc. Art was all over the place, sometimes from one panel to the next.
August 21, 2011
Mixed too much and too many universes. FOllowed but confused - and somewhat juvinille
May 3, 2015
confused missmash
March 5, 2016
I remember parts of this very well. Ultimately, this is a story that's really just spinning its wheels for a long time. But seeing some of my memories on the page felt valuable.
August 18, 2017
I thought that Marvel included just the right amount of exposition (as well as a 'previously in . . .' page) to make this not too confusing since I did not read the previous installments.
May 7, 2021
The X-Men have always been held together by the dream. The dream of Charles Xavier specifically. But what happens when Xavier stops believing in that dream?
This volume starts off very strongly with that premise. It seems that Xavier has lost faith in the dream, himself, and the team as a whole. He pretty much tells the team to go kick rocks, and for the most part, they do. Rouge, Kitty, and Nightcrawler go one way, Marrow and Colossus go another, and Gambit pretty much tells everyone to fuck off. But Storm stays, so does Wolverine as well. What unravels from there is a series of issues where each member is doubting themselves, each other, and especially the professor. The culmination of this volume is an implosion of the team... which then turns out to be ...not what we think it is.
Instead it sets up the next big story, which is The Twelve, and really was a huge waste of time. Im not a fan of stories who's conclusion was "it was all a dream!" and this one isnt a dream exactly, but its very close to that type of resolution. It makes the whole thing seems more frivolous than anything.
Overall, I would say check this out only if you are a diehard fan of the X-Men. If not, you can probably skip this.
This volume starts off very strongly with that premise. It seems that Xavier has lost faith in the dream, himself, and the team as a whole. He pretty much tells the team to go kick rocks, and for the most part, they do. Rouge, Kitty, and Nightcrawler go one way, Marrow and Colossus go another, and Gambit pretty much tells everyone to fuck off. But Storm stays, so does Wolverine as well. What unravels from there is a series of issues where each member is doubting themselves, each other, and especially the professor. The culmination of this volume is an implosion of the team... which then turns out to be ...not what we think it is.
Instead it sets up the next big story, which is The Twelve, and really was a huge waste of time. Im not a fan of stories who's conclusion was "it was all a dream!" and this one isnt a dream exactly, but its very close to that type of resolution. It makes the whole thing seems more frivolous than anything.
Overall, I would say check this out only if you are a diehard fan of the X-Men. If not, you can probably skip this.
July 7, 2024
I wish that this were released prior to the two X-Men Vs. Apocalypse trades that came out a year or two ago, as these issues precede those and would have made for a more enjoyable read overall. Cable, Bishop, and Gambit all suck ass, and I can't stand the sight of them. This whole thing is largely overwritten and has cheesy dialogue all around, which is a shame considering Alan Davis' solid plotting throughout. This isn't as bad as most '90s X-Men, as there some interesting ideas set forth here which would unfold in X-Treme X-Men.
August 6, 2018
This is mostly just "Road to the Twelve" by a different name. But it's still fun, and has some nice art in it.
October 22, 2019
A fun X-men read from a classic Marvel era.
May 21, 2021
3.5 stars
August 22, 2022
Definitely a mixed bag, but it certainly held my attention. A mostly solid prelude for what comes next.
August 11, 2015
Interesting story arc, though not quite as good as the X-Men vs Apocalypse volumes.
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