X-Men first appeared in X-Men #1, published by Marvel in 1963. That places it in the Silver Age.
Why this issue matters
Introduced Professor Xavier's original five students, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman, and the mutant metaphor that would come to define the franchise's identity.
X-Men #1 is also the first appearance of Magneto, which is part of why the book carries the weight it does.
Key facts
X-Men #1
- Character: X-Men (team)
- Publisher: Marvel
- Cover year: 1963
- Era: Silver Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Go deeper
- X-Men reading order
- Avengers: Doomsday: Doctor Doom and the Key Issues Behind Him Doom, Se
- How Much Is Giant-Size X-Men #1 Worth? UK Guide How much is Giant-Size
- Sell X-Men Comics UK
- Sheffield Auction Haul: X-Men, Wolverine and a First Phoenix A Sheffie
Other first appearances from 1963
- Sandman Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963
- Lizard Amazing Spider-Man #6, 1963
- Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne) The Flash #139, 1963
- Doctor Octopus Amazing Spider-Man #3, 1963
- Vulture Amazing Spider-Man #2, 1963
- Spider-Man Amazing Fantasy #15, 1963
More Marvel firsts from the Silver Age
- Kang the Conqueror Avengers #8, 1964
- Ultron Avengers #55, 1968
- Electro Amazing Spider-Man #9, 1964
- Mysterio Amazing Spider-Man #13, 1964
- Scorpion Amazing Spider-Man #20, 1965
- Rhino Amazing Spider-Man #41, 1966
- Norman Osborn Amazing Spider-Man #23, 1965
- Gwen Stacy Amazing Spider-Man #31, 1965
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.