From www.uncannyxmen.net
COVERING THE X-MEN (a look at the X-Men’s Most Influential Covers)
Last Modified : Oct 29, 2005
Author : Binaryan (Ryan Jones)
(excerpt)
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7 (Oct 1985), cover art by George Pérez
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X-MEN: PHOENIX ENDSONG #4 (Mar 2005), cover art by Greg Land and Matt Ryan
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The X-Men hit a new high with the teaming of Chris Claremont and John Byrne. This is evidenced by the cover to Uncanny X-Men #136 by John Byrne released in October 1980. This classic image of Cyclops holding the defeated Dark Phoenix speaks volumes about the pain and anguish of the young and oft-tormented leader of the X-Men. The history behind this cover is actually quite interesting and complex. There is a long-standing tradition in comics of a hero holding a fallen comrade, lover or friend in this and similar poses. Some believe this cover may have been “inspired” by the cover to Lois Lane #102 which depicts Superman holding the lifeless body of Lois. This image was published in 1958 but there are many other early images that are similar. Lois Lane #128 is an even closer rendition. Despite the distinct similarities, artist John Byrne insists that he hadn’t seen or directly referenced any of the previous covers when he created the cover to Uncanny X-Men #136. This was the first prominent modern usage of such an image and it then “inspired” an even more famous cover by George Perez: Crisis on Infinite Earths #7. Released in 1985, this classic image has eclipsed that of Cyclops and Dark Phoenix to become one of the most frequently mimicked images at DC Comics. But I still contend that it was the Uncanny X-Men cover that brought this anguished image into the modern age of comics. Marvel did get one humorous homage to this cover in before the advent of the Crisis on Infinite Earths cover … the not-quite-classic cover to Obnoxio the Clown Vs. the X-Men #1! The most recent use of this can be seen on the cover to Phoenix: Endsong #4. In this instance, Emma Frost “stands in” for Jean Grey. This emphasizes the importance of the Cyclops/White Queen relationship and reflects the many ways in which Emma Frost has replaced Jean Grey as Cyclops’ paramour and an influential member of the X-Men.
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