Astonishing X-Men Saga #1

The Astonishing X-Men Saga is your all-in-one guide to one of Marvel's most celebrated mutant runs, and John Cassaday's cover captures the spirit perfectly — Wolverine holds open an issue of Astonishing X-Men while a crowd of familiar faces peers over his shoulder, including Cyclops, Beast, Kitty Pryde, Colossus, and a menacing hooded figure lurking in the background. It's a clever, self-aware image that feels both welcoming and appropriately grand for a saga recap. If you want to get up to speed on this acclaimed era of X-Men storytelling, 2006 doesn't offer a more inviting entry point than this.