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Essential X-Men #2 cover
Cover: John Byrne

Essential X-Men #2

Aug 1997 · Marvel · 14.95 USD; 20.95 CAD
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“Wanted: Wolverine! Dead or Alive! (X-Men #120)”
About this Collection

This second volume of Marvel's Essential X-Men series collects Uncanny X-Men issues #120-144, a landmark run that includes the classic Dark Phoenix Saga. The stories follow the team—featuring Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Jean Grey—as they face threats like the Hellfire Club and the cosmic entity that transforms Jean into the Dark Phoenix, culminating in a tragic sacrifice on the Blue Area of the Moon. The collection also introduces young Kitty Pryde (Sprite) and explores the deepening bonds and conflicts among the X-Men during Chris Claremont and John Byrne's celebrated tenure.

In "Wanted: Wolverine! Dead or Alive! (X-Men #120)," the X-Men are brought to Lilandra’s base as Jean Grey faces execution for the Phoenix’s cosmic atrocity. With Xavier demanding a trial by combat, the X-Men clash with the Imperial Guard on the Blue Area of the Moon, where the Phoenix Force resurfaces—leading to a devastating choice. Written by John Byrne and Chris Claremont, with art by Byrne and inks by Terry Austin, this pivotal issue features a cover by Byrne that captures the stakes in sharp, dramatic detail.

writer, artist John Byrne · writer Chris Claremont · inker Terry Austin · letterer Tom Orzechowski · cover John Byrne

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The Essential X-Men, Vol. 2: Uncanny X-Men, No. 120-144

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Cast · 6 characters

Full credits

writer, artist John Byrne
cover pencils John Byrne

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

Lilandra transports the X-Men to her base so that Phoenix can be killed for her crime of wiping out an entire star system. Xavier explains that the Phoenix Force has been purged from Jean and demands the right to trial by combat when his captors refuse to listen. The X-Men and the Imperial Guard fight on the Blue Area of the Moon to determine Jean's fate. During the battle, Dark Phoenix manifests herself once again and Jean sacrifices herself rather than let the Phoenix loose on the universe.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).

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