Earlier this year, we celebrated the 50th anniversaries of the Avengers and the X-Men with a few features that I'm collecting here before the year ends (as Marvel is also celebrating the anniversary one last time with Avengers #24 this week with a series of Avengers and X-Men comic book cover homages).
Read on for our list of the Greatest Avenger and X-Men Stories of all-time, as well as a series of Cool Comic Book Moments involving the Avengers and the X-Men and a series of Top Five Lists involving both teams!
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50 GREATEST AVENGERS STORIES OF ALL-TIME
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First, here are the results of the 50 Greatest Avengers Stories countdown (the choices were based on YOUR votes!)....
Click on any story for a write-up on that story.
50. “The Sentinels Are Alive and Well” Avengers #102-104
49. “Deliver Us From…The Masters of Evil!” Avengers #54-55
48. “The Contest” West Coast Avengers Annual #2/Avengers Annual #16
47. “The Trial” Avengers #160
46. “The Last Avengers Story” The Last Avengers Story #1-2
45. “Darker Than Scarlet” Avengers West Coast #56-57, 60-62
44. “Siege” Siege #1-4
43. “Red Zone” Avengers Vol. 3 #65-70
42. “Absolute Vision” Avengers #251-254
41. “His Name is Yellowjacket” Avengers #59-60
40. “The Terrible Toll of the Taskmaster” Avengers #194-196
39. “Time — And Time Again” Avengers #267-269
38. “The Coming of the Avengers” Avengers Vol. 1 #1
37. “The Court Martial of Yellowjacket” Avengers #212-213, 217
36. “Secret Invasion” Secret Invasion #1-8
35. "Search for the Scarlet Witch" Avengers: The Children's Crusade #1-9
34. "Run the Mission, Don't Get Seen, Save the World" Secret Avengers #16-21
33. "The Old Order Changeth" Avengers Volume 1 #16
32. "Let the Game Begin" Avengers Volume 3 #69-71
31. "Vision Quest" West Coast Avengers #42-45
30. "The Morgan Conquest" Avengers Volume 3 #1-3
29. "The Gatherers Saga" Avengers #343-344,348-349,355-363,372-375
28. "Betrayal by a Friend" Avengers Annual #10
27. "Homeland Security" Ultimates #7-13
26. "Breakout!" New Avengers #1-6
25. "Avengers Disassembled" Avengers #500-503
24. "Young Avengers" #1-12
23. "The Trial of Hank Pym" Avengers #227-230
22. "Operation: Galactic Storm" Captain America #398-400, Avengers West Coast #80-82, Quasar #32-35, Wonder Man #7-9, Avengers #345-347, Iron Man #278-279, Thor #445-446
21. "The Bride of Ultron" Avengers #161-162, #170-171
20. "The Final Threat" Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2
19. "The Avengers/Defenders War" Avengers #115-118 and Defenders #8-11
18. "The Nights of Wundagore" Avengers #185-187
17. "The Serpent Crown" Avengers #141-144, 146-149
16. "Civil War" Civil War #1-7
14. "Lost in Space-Time" West Coast Avengers #17-24
13. "Super-Human" Ultimates #1-6
12. "Assault on Olympus" Avengers #281-285
11. "JLA/Avengers" JLA/Avengers #1-4
10. "Captain America Joins... The Avengers!" Avengers Volume 1 #4
9. "Nefaria Supreme!" Avengers #164-166
8. "Kang Dynasty" Avengers Volume 3 #41-55 and Avengers Annual 2001
7. "Celestial Madonna Saga" Avengers #129-135 and Giant Size Avengers #2-4
6. "Behold, the Vision!"/"Even an Android Can Cry" Avengers Volume 1 #57-58"
5. "Avengers Forever" Avengers Forever #1-12
4. Ultron Unlimited" Avengers Volume 3 #19-22
3. "Kree/Skrull War" Avengers #89-97
2. "The Korvac Saga" Avengers #167-169, 170-171, 173-177
1. "Under Siege" Avengers #273-277
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50 GREATEST X-MEN STORIES OF ALL-TIME
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Click on any story for a write-up on that story...
49. The Trial of Magneto” Uncanny X-Men #200
48. “Wounded Wolf” Uncanny X-Men #205
47. “Magik” Uncanny X-Men #160 (plus the Magik mini-series)
46. “I, Magneto” Uncanny X-Men #150
45. “In the Shadow of…Sauron” X-Men #60-63
44. “Imperial” New X-Men #118-126
43. “World Tour” X-Men #114-121
42. “An Age Undreamed Of” Uncanny X-Men #190-191
41. “Rise and Fall of the Shi’Ar Empire” Uncanny X-Men #475-486
40. “Professor Xavier is a Jerk!” Uncanny X-Men #168
39. “House of M” House of M #1-8
38. “Earthfall” Uncanny X-Men #232-234
37. “From the Ashes” Uncanny X-Men #174-175
36. “He’ll Never Make Me Cry” Uncanny X-Men #183
35. "Blood Feud!" Uncanny X-Men #159/X-Men Annual #6
34. "The Rise of the Phoenix!" X-Men #101, 105, #107-108
33. "A Green And Pleasant Land" Uncanny X-Men #235-238
32. "Here Comes Tomorrow" New X-Men #151-154
31. "Second Coming" X-Men: Second Coming #1-2, Uncanny X-Men #523-525, New Mutants #12-14, X-Men: Legacy #235-237 and X-Force #26-28
30. "X-Tinction Agenda" New Mutants #95-97, Uncanny X-Men #270-272 and X-Factor #60-62
29. "SuperNovas" X-Men #188-193
28. "Crossroads" Uncanny X-Men #269, 273-277
27. "X-Cutioner's Song" Uncanny X-Men #294-297, X-Factor #84-86, X-Men #14-16 and X-Force #16-18
26. "Torn" Astonishing X-Men #13-18
25. "Mutant Genesis" X-Men #1-3
24. "Dancin' in the Dark" Uncanny X-Men #169-170
23. "Demon" Uncanny X-Men #143
22. "Magneto Triumphant!" X-Men #112-113
21. "LifeDeath" Uncanny X-Men #186, 198
20. "Planet X" New X-Men #146-150
19. "The Sentinels Live!" X-Men #54-59
18. "Second Genesis" Giant-Size X-Men #1
17. "Riot at Xavier's" New X-Men #134-138
16. "The Brood Saga" Uncanny X-Men #156-157, 162-167
14. "Fall of the Mutants" Uncanny X-Men #225–227, X-Factor #24-26, and The New Mutants #59-61
13. "Asgardian Wars" X-Men and Alpha Flight #1-2, New Mutants Special Edition #1 and X-Men Annual #9
12. "Messiah Complex" X-Men: Messiah CompleX", Uncanny X-Men #492-494, X-Men #205-207, New X-Men #44-46 and X-Factor #25-27
11. "Inferno" New Mutants #71-73, Uncanny X-Men #239-243, X-Factor #35-39 and a ton of other issues
10. "The Proteus Saga" X-Men #125-128
9. "Unstoppable" Astonishing X-Men #19-24, Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1
8. "To Have and Have Not" Uncanny X-Men #172-173
7. "Mutant Massacre" Uncanny X-Men #210-213, X-Factor #9-11, Thor #373-374, New Mutants #46 and Power Pack #27
6. "Gifted" Astonishing X-Men #1-6
5. "E is for Extinction" New X-Men #114-116
4. "God Loves, Man Kills" Marvel Graphic Novel #5
2. "Days of Future Past" X-Men #141/Uncanny X-Men #142
1. "Dark Phoenix Saga" X-Men #129-137
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50 GREATEST X-FAMILY STORIES OF ALL-TIME
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This countdown is for X-Men related titles, like X-Factor, New Mutants, Wolverine, X-Force, etc.
Click on any story for a write-up on that story...
50. "The Good and the Famous" X-Statix #21-25
49. "Days of Future Yet to Come" Excalibur #66-67
48. "Road Trip" X-Force #71-75
47. "A World Apart" Exiles #8-10
46. "Renewal" Marvel Graphic Novel #4
45. "Good Omens" X-Statix #1-5
44. "Multiple Issues" X-Factor #14-17
43. "Longshot" Longshot #1-6
42. "Pawns of the White Queen" New Mutants #38-40
41. "Angels and Demons" X-Force #1-6
40. "Judgement War" X-Factor #43-50
39. "The Open Hand, The Closed Fist" X-Force #19
38. "Old Man Logan" Wolverine #66-72, Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Sized #1
37. "Multiple Problems" X-Factor #71-75
36. "The Shiva Scenario" Wolverine #48-50
35. "Slumber Party!" New Mutants #21
34. "Re-X-aminations" X-Factor #13
33. "Magneto Testament" X-Men: Magneto Testament #1-5
32. "The Black Sword Saga" Wolverine #1-3
31. "The Quest for Magik" New X-Men #38-41
30. "The Sword is Drawn" Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn, Excalibur #1-2
29. "Final Execution" Uncanny X-Force #25-35
28. The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix #1-4
27. "The Necrom Saga" Excalibur #42-50
26. Generation Next #1-4
24. "Multiple Choice" Madrox #1-5
23. "We Were Only Foolin'" New Mutants #45
22. "Magik" Uncanny X-Men #160/Storm and Illyana: Magik #1-4
21. "Third Genesis" Generation X #1-3
20. "Why Do We Do the Things We Do?" New Mutants Annual #2/X-Men Annual #10
19. "Origin" Wolverine: The Origin #1-6
18. "Endgame" X-Factor #65-68
17. "Soulwar" New Mutants #26-28
16. "Final Chapter" X-Force #125-129
15. "Enemy of the State" Wolverine #20-31
14. "The Longest Night" X-Factor #1-6
13. "Chilhood's End" New X-Men #20-31
12. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1-6
11. "Time and a Half/Overtime" X-Factor #39-50
10. "New Beginning" X-Force #116-120
9 "Fall of the Mutants" X-Factor #24-26
8 "The Cross-Time Caper" Excalibur #12-24
7 "The Apocalypse Solution" Uncanny X-Force #1-4
6. "Home is Where the Heart Is" New Mutants Special Edition #1/X-Men Annual #9
5. "Weapon X" Marvel Comics Presents #72-84
4. "The Dark Angel Saga" Uncanny X-Force #8, 10-18
3. "The Demon Bear Saga" New Mutants #18-20
2. "X-Aminations" X-Factor #87
1. Wolverine mini-series #1-4
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AVENGERS TOP FIVE LISTS
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1. Top Five Worst Avengers Names
5. Top Five Avengers Chairpersons
6. Top Five Characters to Debut in the Pages of the Avengers
7. Top Five "Near Miss" Relationships Between Avengers Teammates
8. Top Five Artists Who Have Penciled the Most Issues of Avengers
9. 134. Top Five Worst Wonder Man Costumes
10. 135. Top Five Ultron Vs. Avengers Stories
11. Top Five Longest Continuous Service by an Avenger
12. Top Five Avengers Courts Martial
13. Top Five Writers Who Have Written the Most Issues of the Avengers
14. Top Five Avengers Government Liaisons
15. Top Five Marvel Superheroes Who Have Never Been Avengers But Should be Avengers
17. Top Five George Perez Avengers Covers
18. Top Five Honorary Avengers
20. Top Five Hawkeye Nicknames For His Avenger Teammates
21. Top Five Avengers Villains Affected by the "Team Effect"
22. Top Five Lesser Known Nicknames Hawkeye Gave Captain America
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X-MEN TOP FIVE LISTS
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1. Top Five X-Men Cover Appearances!
2. Top Five Lies/Deceptions by Professor X
3. Top Five X-Men Created in the Past Ten Years
4. Top Five Most Pointless Deaths in the Pages of the X-Men
5. Top Five Artists Who Have Penciled the Most Issues of X-Men
6. Top Five Last Page Magneto Reveals
7. Top Five X-Men Who Debuted Outside the X-Titles
8. Top Five Guest Appearances by Non-X-Men Related Marvel Characters in the Pages of X-Men
9. Top Five Ragtag Temporary X-Men Teams
10. Top Five Writers Who Have Written the Most Issues of X-Men
11. Top Five Non-Mutant X-Men Supporting Cast Members
12. Top Five Non-Mutant Members of the X-Men
13. Top Five John Byrne X-Men Covers
14. Top Five "Bang. You Dead"s
15. Top Five Most Heroic X-Men Deaths
16. Top Five X-Men Villains Affected by the "Team Effect"
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COOL AVENGERS COMIC BOOK MOMENTS
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1. Yes, an Android CAN cry (Avengers (Vol. 1) #58))
2. Hawkeye cheats to save the universe (Avengers Annual #16)
4. Someone surprising sacrifices themselves for Kang the Conqueror(Avengers (Vol. 1) #24)
5. The first time someone shouted "Avengers assemble!"(The Avengers (Vol. 1) #10)
7. The Crimson Cowl revealed!(Avengers (Vol. 1) #54)
9. The Avengers take on a horde of Ultrons and refuse to fold(Avengers (Vol. 3) #22 )
10. "Ultron. We would have words with thee." (Avengers (Vol. 3) #22 )
12. Ant-Man shrinks down and goes on a fantastic voyage inside of the Vision. (Avengers #93 )
13. Ant-Man's actual fantastic voyage inside of the Vision. (Avengers #93 )
14. The largest meeting of Avengers ever (at the time) (Avengers #100)
15. Avengers and Defenders team-up. (Avengers #118)
16. Captain America and Baron Zemo Face Off After the Siege on Avengers Mansion is Over (Avengers #277)
17. Red Guardian Redeems Himself (Avengers #44)
18. Captain America Gains Vengeance from Baron Zemo (Avengers Vol. 1 #15)
19. Captain America Makes His Silver Age Debut (Avengers #4)
20. The Redemption of Hank Pm (Avengers #229)
21. The Vision Closes Out a Brutal Battle With an Interesting Usage of His Powers (Avengers #166)
22. The Avengers Cut a "Deal" With J. Jonah Jameson (New Avengers #15)
23. Captain America Makes a Promise (Avengers Volume 3 #65)
24. So That's Why They're the Big Three (Avengers #216)
25.The Avengers' Version of the "Care Bear Stare" (Avengers #187)
26. Debut of the Hellcat (Avengers #144)
27. Captain America Takes Issue with the Red Skull's Salute (Avengers Volume 3 #69
28. Hercules Gives Namor a "Gift" (Avengers #262)
29. Black Panther Makes Good on a Promise (Avengers Volume 3 #70)
30. The Old Order Changeth! (Avengers Volume 1 #16)
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COOL X-MEN COMIC BOOK MOMENTS
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1. Wolverine emerges from the sewers for revenge(Uncanny X-Men #132)
2. Jim Lee draws an iconic splash page of Captain America(Uncanny X-Men #268)
5. "Professor Xavier is a Jerk!" (Uncanny X-Men #168)
6. Jean Grey sacrifices herself for her teammates and the man she loves(Uncanny X-Men #100)
7. Kitty Pryde fights a demon by herself(Uncanny X-Men #143)
9. J. Jonah Jameson shows how awesome he can be at times (Uncanny X-Men #346)
10. Wolverine kills someone with his claws for the first time(Uncanny X-Men #116)
12. A tragic killing spurs Magneto into action. (God Loves, Man Kills OGN )
13. Reverand Stryker's plans hit a detour(God Loves, Man Kills OGN )
14. Jubilee and Professor Xavier spend some time together. (Uncanny X-Men #297)
15. Wolverine Somehow Survives the Citadel of Light and Shadow (X-Men Annual #11)
16. Wolverine Pulls a “Dirty Harry” on a Hellfire Club Guard (X-Men #133)
17. Wolverine Asks a Lot of Katie Power (Uncanny X-Men #205)
18. Cannonball Makes Gladiator Doubt Himself, Just a Bit (Uncanny X-Men #341)
19. "Harpoon, Make Peace With Your Gods, Little Man..." (Uncanny X-Men #211)
20. The Return of Colossus (Astonishing X-Men #4)
21. Cyclops Pushes the X-Men in a Unique Fashion (X-Men #127)
22. Magneto Begins His Long Road to Redemption (Uncanny X-Men #150)
23. All-New, All-Different X-Men in Freefall (X-Men #95
24. Psylocke's First Run-In with Sabretooth (Uncanny X-Men #213)
25. Rogue's Special Coin Trick (Uncanny X-Men #182)
26. The Third Time's the Charm for the X-Men Against Magneto (X-Men #113)
27. Namor Sends Norman Osborn a Message (Dark Reign: The List - X-Men #1)
28. Psylocke Breaks Up the X-Men (Uncanny X-Men #251)
29. The Long-Awaited Return of the Fastball Special! (Astonishing X-Men #6)
30. Rogue Goes Boom! (Uncanny X-Men #247)
31. Nightcrawler Believes! (Uncanny X-Men #159)
32. Magneto Tears Apoclaypse a New One (X-Men Omega)
Happy 50th Anniversary, X-Men and Avengers fans!
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