X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN

X-men: Grand Design vol 1 collects the first two issues (each roughly double the length of your average comic) and a recolored X-men #1 done by Piskor himself.The book itself is HUGE - even taller than the DC absolutes! Amazon lists this as a paperback, which maybe isn't fully accurate, as the cover is thicker than a paperback, but more bendable than a hardcover. The paper is also unique, with almost a brownish color that accentuates the art, and a quality that is thicker than what most Marvel books contain.As for the content, this is a retelling of the X-men history, starting from the very beginning. It is 2 issues of what I believe was announced to be a 6 issue series, so you won't get to every era here. The art is fantastic and somewhat of a modernized take on the 60s/70s style. I was initially worried about there being only a few issues, but so much is crammed into every page that each is almost its own story in itself.This is clearly a product of love, and I would definitely recommend it for someone looking to get into X-men, as long as they don't require a modern-style comic. If you're a longtime X-men fan, you're sure to find lots to love here, but be warned that Piskor tweaks continuity some, though only in very minor ways.

I'm a pretty big X-Men fan. I haven't read every X-Men story that's been published and I highly doubt I will in my life (there's a whoooooooooole lot out there and, just like any serial story that's existed for 50+ years there is a lot that is bad), but I have read practically all of the original run of the X-Men and enjoy the "X-ploits" (couldn't resist the play-on-words) of the first team of heroes under Xavier's guidance. I wanted to explain these biases of mine, because I feel they inform my review of this title.I loved this graphic novel collection! The art is dynamic and is reminiscent of Jack Kirby's work with the X-Men (Kirby designed and drew most of the characters featured in this title). The yellowed paper gives the story a nostalgic feel, while the story (and art) remain mostly timeless. What I feel to be the true feat of magic that Ed Piskor delivered in this story was his consolidation of years worth of X-Men storytelling streamlined into a flowing narrative. I have read, in many places, that Stan Lee and the Marvel House of Ideas did not know what to do with the first X-Men series. They didn't know what kind of a story they wanted to tell with the title. When Roy Thomas took over the writing duties he tried many different styles in an effort to find stories that connected with the readers. Arnold Drake, creator of the Doom Patrol, stepped up to the title for a number of issues and even Jim Steranko came onboard for hot minute (and redesigned the title logo, too). It wasn't until Roy Thomas came back onboard with Neal Adams by his side, working in collaboration that the title finally seemed to come alive. But it was too little, too late and the title was cancelled until revived by the Giant-Size X-Men title and Chris Claremont and company's work that soon followed (the work that we all know and love). What Piskor has achieved is a narrative that is informed by Claremont's (and all the wonderful co-plotters/author's and artists that worked with him) earliest work on the title and reimagines the original series in that light with art leaping from the pages into our imagination. The story is presented in a fashion that reminds me of movie story boards. The tall size of this volume is eye-catching and allows the illustrations room to breathe (much more preferable to the standard comic size as it was originally released. I've read them both).I recommend this title to any X-Men fans (but not anyone who is devoted to continuity above good storytelling), anyone who is interested in reading tales of X-Men, but doesn't know where to start, and those who would enjoy a great graphic narrative.

From the moment opening this book to finishing the last page it’s obvious this is a dream project. So much thought was put into not only the story and art but the design and format of the book itself. Definitely a must have for any xmen fan, I can’t wait till the next book.

Comic book canon is a messy place. DC comics have handled their canon and very well and have also rebooted their comic line twice. Marvel has yet to officially reboot their comic book line. Instead, Marvel has tweaked canon in more ways that can and have presented blatant contradictions in their comic book line. Ed Piskor, enviously, researched and presented the X-Men stories in a way that is more cohesive and interesting than some of the earlier X-Men issues. Piskor's art is fantastic and reminds me of the earlier designs and aesthetic of the Marvel comics in the 60s. The book itself is seemingly set in the same time period the first major run on the X-Men took place (60s) I love period pieces so this is enjoyable to see and it makes it feel like a timeless story. This is something that I could read again and again, no stone is left unturned and to me, this is THE book to go to in regards to the origin or the X-Men. Precise, beautiful to look at and enthralling. I look forward to reading Piskor's other X-Men retellings as well.

Ed Piskor did what I've always dreamed of doing: Weave the X-Men continuity into something coherent. He not only does this but does it beautifully. Fantastic art and design. If you're a fan of the X-Men, then you need to pick this up!

A mixture of retro & modern that always works. If you are an old school X-Men fan, this comic is for you to rehash and reinforce the classic tales with new art that combines modern art techniques with classic styles. If you are new to X-Men these comics give a condensed and well-paced history of the X-Men since 1963. I’m buying this for my sons & daughters once they come of age. Piskor’s art is nostalgic & captivating. Paying homage to classic Kirby & Claremont while making his own version & style (utilizing modern art techniques & technology). Recommend for any Marvel fan, it is a MUST have if you call yourself an X-Fan in any regard. Brilliant. Beautiful. Compelling.

I bought this in the Kindle version, and I'm kind of sorry that I didn't spring for the Treasury Sized hard copy. It's a very engaging re-telling of the X-Men mythos, from issue 1 up through the recruitment of the New X-Men in Giant Size X-Men (and this does put the lie to that claim).Some of you might remember the John Byrne/Chris Clarement recap in (don't quote me) X-Men 138. This goes into more detail, and also tries to do a bit of ret-conning on the fly, especially around the Phoenix story.I love the art style, which is more Robert Crumb/Underground Comix than you'll be expecting.All in all, a labour of love which is easy to read and fills in a lot of the background of the X-Men's first 25 years or so.

x-men. An impenetrable lore, spanning decades. If you’ve ever wanted to get into it you probably didn’t because of the sheer complexity of it. Hundreds of characters, dozens of writers, out of print trades, omnibuses and hardcovers, different titles doing different things...I could go on.So what if someone took everything and told it in an easy to follow style, condensed the narrative and made it all accessible?Well they did. Ed Piskor is an American cartoonist Who’s previous work includes American Splendor (See the movie) and hip hop family tree, and he does a wonderful job with this book. It’s a great, sprawling story told in an effectively simple way using “old school” narration.The art is superb as well, you never feel lost and the level of detail is immense.The actual physical product is something to behold as well, I’m not sure if my picture does it justice, but it’s massively oversized which gives the art room to breath and it’s printed on high quality, digitally aged paper.Buy it if you like the x-men, it’s easily ten times better than the current continuity x-men “colour” books (Red, blue, gold etc.) which are completely absorbed with current politics and agendas. But because it starts from scratch and informs you of everything you need to know, just buy it if you like comics. Easily the best book Marvel Comics have published in a little while. An easy five stars.

Great X men revisited , drawing is awesomely weird heartly eternal X men lover fanatic.If you are a comic weirdo Woodring slash Gorey acidic follower, just Go-For-it.X men history retold!

A masterfull retelling of the first few years of the X men (almost up til the Wolverine reboot). Highly recommended for the fans and others might enjoy it too

Fantastic stuff. Piskor's Hip-Hop Family Tree was great and this follows the same formula and format.