The X-Men got a second chance in the '70s, but it wasn't until the '80s that things took off for the team. Writer Chris Claremont would helm Uncanny X-Men throughout the decade, working with Marvel's best artists and creating stories that would make the team into legends. The group was on top of the sales charts, as well as experiencing a creative renaissance that would lead to the best Marvel books of the decade.

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The X-Men became stars during the decade of excess, rising above nearly everything else in the comic industry at the time. This was made possible because of great stories, tales that have stood the test of time and showed just how amazing the X-Men could be.

10 Mutant Massacre Was Crossover Gold

Uncanny X-Men cover featuring Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, and Kitty Pryde

As the '80s wore on, Uncanny X-Men would become ground zero for multi-book crossovers. Mutant Massacre crossed through that book, New Mutants, X-Factor, Thor, and Power Pack. The story centered around the Marauders, sent by Mister Sinister, attacking the Morlock tunnels and slaughtering the mutants there, with the X-Men and other heroes out to stem the tide of blood.

Mutant Massacre served to tie up the whole Morlock plot. The story had major repercussions for Angel, but unlike modern crossovers, it didn't launch everything into a bold new direction. It was just a great story and was the first big X-Men crossover.

9 Lifedeath Is A Love Story Like No Other

Forge and Storm in Lifedeath

"Lifedeath," by writer Chris Claremont and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, took place in two issues of Uncanny X-Men, #186 and #198. In #186, Storm finds herself convalescing with Forge, the man that created the gun that took away her mutant powers. The two are transported to a primitive world, one where they have to work together to survive.

The second part picks up months later, as Storm is trekking through the Serengeti. Injured and delirious, she's visited by visions of her friends and is taken in by an African village, where she learns the cost of life. These two Storm-centric issues are powerful and a must-read for any fan of the team.

8 Uncanny X-Men Annual #11 Pit The X-Men Against A Ruthless Foe

uncanny x-men annual 11

Uncanny X-Men Annual #11, by writer Chris Claremont and artist Alan Davis, sees the team teleported from the X-Mansion by an alien enemy called the Horde. As they work to battle their way back home, the tide turns against them like never before, and the X-Men are forced into their most desperate battle to date.

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Annual stories are usually just simple one-and-dones, but this one takes the cake. While it doesn't have a lot of bearing on the team's future, it's just a solid one-issue story. It has some big moments, great action, and is the best Claremont/Davis team-up until Excalibur.

7 Uncanny X-Men #200 Writes A New Chapter In The Relationship Between The X-Men And Magneto

X-Men #200, the Trial of Magneto

Magneto and Xavier's relationship has gone through a lot of ups and downs over the years. Uncanny X-Men #200, by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita Jr., represented a huge change in the dynamic between the two. Titled "The Trial Of Magneto," the double-sized issue delivers on its promise, putting the mutant terrorist on trial for his crimes.

By the end, Xavier is injured in an attack by the Fenris Twins and spirited away to the Shi'Ar Empire. Magneto, having saved the occupants of the courtroom, takes over leadership of the Xavier Institute. It was a sea change to the X-Men status quo and a great story.

6 Inferno Pit The X-Men Against A Woman Spurned

Mister Sinister and the Goblin Queen team up in Marvel Comics' Inferno.

X-Men deep dives reveal some great stories, and the original Inferno definitely qualifies. Marvel's big 1989 crossover, the story crossed through Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, New Mutants, X-Terminators, Excalibur, Avengers, Daredevil, Power Pack, Cloak And Dagger, Fantastic Four, Spectacular Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man, and Damage Control.

The story saw Madelyne Pryor, spurned by her husband Cyclops when Jean Grey returned, team up with S'ym, a demon from Limbo, to attack New York City. The conflict pulled every major hero into it and saw the X-Men pushed to their utmost limit. It's an X-Men epic unlike anything from the '80s and a tale unlike any other.

5 The Brood Saga Pit The X-Men Against An Extraterrestrial Menace

Wolverine screams in the X-Men's Brood Saga

The '80s saw Wolverine rise to the top of the X-Men, with the diminutive mutant starting his practice of carrying the team. Uncanny X-Men #161-167, by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, is known as "The Brood Saga." In the story, the X-Men find themselves captured by a new alien race known as the Brood, with a grisly fate awaiting them.

Wolverine's healing factor is able to save him from being implanted with a Brood egg, and he sets out to save his friends. Basically, it's X-Men meets Alien, and it is a sci-fi superhero masterpiece, one that will keep readers on the edge of their seats the whole time.

4 Uncanny X-Men #201 Saw A New Leader Emerge

Cyclops and Storm fight for leadership in Marvel Comics' Uncanny X-men-201

Storm became a huge factor in the X-Men as the years went on, and it all started in the '80s. Uncanny X-Men #201, by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita Jr., was a huge step for her. Without her powers, Storm challenged Cyclops to a duel for the leadership of the X-Men. With everything on the line, Storm is able to outthink the greatest X-Man and take his place at the top.

It doesn't get much better than this. Storm and Cyclops have an epic showdown that shows just how resourceful she can be. Storm taking over the team was another huge change, and one that saw her become a fan favorite leader.

3 God Loves, Man Kills Is Brilliant

Marvel Comics' X-Men God Loves Man Kills Cover by Brent Anderson

The X-Men have starred in some amazing comics, but few of them are as lauded as God Loves, Man Kills, by writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson. When young mutants start disappearing, the X-Men and Magneto find a common cause. Their quest to stop the murders leads them to Reverend Stryker and his Purifiers, who will stop at nothing to destroy the mutant race in the name of God.

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A biting commentary on organized religion and bigotry, God Love, Man Kills is a beloved X-Men story. It embraces the central conceit of the team better than most stories and is still prescient all these years later.

2 Days Of Future Past Is A Dystopian Future Classic

Wolverine shielding an older Kitty Pryde in X-Men Days of Future Past in Marvel Comics

Uncanny X-Men #141-142 is a must-read X-Men story. Written by Chris Claremont with art by John Byrne, "Days Of Future Past" is among the most well-known X-Men tales of all time. In a future controlled by the Sentinels, the last of the X-Men hatch a desperate plan to stop it all from happening, sending their youngest member back in time to stop the assassination of a US Senator.

"Days Of Future Past" is one of those X-Men stories that everyone knows about. It introduced the dark dystopian future to the X-Men mythos, something that would become a staple. It's also Claremont and Byrne's last tale as collaborators, which is a milestone in X-Men history.

1 The Dark Phoenix Saga Is An Undisputed Classic

Dark Phoenix Saga Hellfire Club Arc Cover

The Dark Phoenix Saga isn't just the best X-Men story, but among the greatest Marvel stories of all time. Showcasing the final battle between the X-Men and the Dark Phoenix, Claremont and Byrne are in rare form for this one. It completely lives up to its billing as a saga, testing the X-Men in ways they'd never been tested before.

The Dark Phoenix Saga is action-packed and heartbreaking. It's the X-Men story that even non-fans of the team know about and has played a huge role in X-Men and Marvel history ever since. It's Claremont and Byrne at their finest and a story that everyone can agree is the best.

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