X-Men: Fall of the Mutants, the Chris Claremont/Louise Simonson Era Reading Order (1985-1989)

Chris Claremont was in the middle of his massive X-Men run when X-Factor was first released in 1986. Originally written by Bob Layton, Louise Simonson soon took over and remained on the book for the rest of Claremont's run. She also took over New Mutants as Claremont started writing two new series, Excalibur and Wolverine. This era also saw the normalization of crossovers between the books, which is how I'm going to be splitting up the sub-eras, as crossovers usually mark major turning points. This order does not cover every X-Men book in this era, but focuses on Claremont's and Simonson's sprawling ongoing story to form a cohesive experience. This half of ends with the massive crossover Inferno and focuses on the X-Men and their spin-off series, New Mutants and X-Factor.

This reading order covers Uncanny X-Men (1963) #204-243, New Mutants (1983) #38-75, X-Factor (1986) #1-40, Longshot #1-6, Fantastic Four vs X-Men #1-4, X-Men vs Avengers #1-4, Fallen Angels #1-8, and Excalibur (1988) #1-8. Some prior knowledge of the previous parts of Claremont's run would enhance the experience. Spoilers for Claremont's and Simonson's run.

Quality:★★★★☆ Cohesion:★★★☆☆ Accessiblity:★★★☆☆

Mutant Massacre Sub-Era (1985-1986)

The first big crossover event is the Mutant Massacre, which runs parallel between X-Men and X-Factor. X-Factor is also introduced during this era, adding a third book to the X-Men catalogue. The events here pick up after Secret Wars II during the previous era and see a transition into darker, grittier stories.

1. Longshot (1985) #1-6
• A stand-alone series starring a new character, Longshot. It also introduces the villain Mojo and contextualizes the previously introduced Spiral. While not immediately relevant, it is best to get it out of the way so as not to break up the flow of the later storylines.
2. Avengers (1963) #263
3. Fantastic Four (1961) #286
• A pair of issues that serves to reintroduce Jean Grey after her death during the Dark Phoenix Saga.
4. X-Factor (1986) #1-7
5. X-Factor Annual (1986) #1
• A new series intially written by Bob Layton and then written by Louise Simonson starting with issue 6. This book introduces X-Factor, a new mutant team starring the original five X-Men that will begin to intertwine closely with X-Men and New Mutants.
6. New Mutants (1982) #38-45
7. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #204-210
• These series of New Mutants and X-Men issues follow up the previous Secret Wars II, with the New Mutants recovering from their deaths and Nightcrawler recovering from the general ordeal. I have New Mutants first since X-Men #210 leads into the next big crossover, the Mutant Massacre. X-Factor also appears in New Mutants #45, as does Kitty Pryde. Plus, Rachel Summers leaves the X-Men.
8. New Mutants Annual (1984) #2
9. Uncanny X-Men Annual (1970) #10
• These two annuals form a sort-of two-parter that bring in Mojo and Longshot from the Longshot series. They also introduce Psylocke, who joins the X-Men at the end of the X-Men annual. Longshot also supposedly joins, but he's not in the next couple of issues, so you can just kind of ignore him since Psylocke is there and plays a major role.
10. X-Factor (1986) #8-10
• X-Factor #8 takes place during X-Men #209, and #9 takes place just after. They flow right into issue #10, which kicks off the Mutant Massacre in full force. It doesn't leave a lot of room for the X-Men annual, but there is probably time thanks to the weird Mojo shenanigans. Either way, this is the start to the Mutant Massacre. It kind of runs two plot-lines through X-Men and X-Factor, so I'll be covering X-Factor first since it flows better.
11. Power Pack (1984) #27
12. Thor (1966) #373-374
• These sets of issues are actually crucial to X-Factor's half of the Mutant Massacre, setting the stage for X-Factor #11. Thor #373 is mostly just Thor stuff except for the last two pages, so you can probably start with just #374.
13. X-Factor (1986) #11
• The last issue of X-Factor's half of the Mutant Massacre.
14. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #211
15. New Mutants (1982) #46
16. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #212-214
• This is the rest of the X-Men's half of the Mutant Massacre, introducing Sabretooth and disabling Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Kitty Pryde. New Mutants takes place between #211 and #212, but ends on a massive cliffhanger that has to be left for the next era. Consider it a hook to keep reading since the Mutant Massacre is a major downer to end on.

Fall of the Mutants Sub-Era (1986-1987)

This era sees the teams try and rebuild after the Mutant Massacre, with mild success. This era concludes with the Fall of the Mutants, a thematic crossover that sees each book get their own big story that shifts the status quo in a big way. If you plan to stop reading Claremont's run on X-Men before the end, this era is probably one of the best places to do it, as Fall of the Mutants is a surprisingly hopeful crossover that leaves the imagined future brighter than the real one.

1. New Mutants (1982) #47-52
• These issues resolve the New Mutants cliffhanger from the previous sub-era and feature a guest appearance from Professor Xavier, his first since X-Men #200.
2. X-Factor (1986) #12-16
3. X-Factor Annual (1986) #2
4. X-Factor (1986) #17-20
• A big run on X-Factor that covers the fallout from the Mutant Massacre. The annual takes place where it does per Ricter and Cyclops' and Jean's relationship. Issue #17 also sets the seeds for the Fallen Angels mini down the road.
5. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #215-219
• These issues see Kitty, Nightcrawler, and Colossus handed off to Muir Isle to recover after the Mutant Massacre. Longshot first appears as a team member in #215 and Havok joins in issue #219.
6. Uncanny X-Men Annual (1970) #11
7. Fantastic Four vs X-Men (1986) #1-4
8. X-Men vs Avengers (1986) #1-4
• These issues use the new lineup with Havok and can pretty much be read in any order, although the Fantastic Four mini takes place before the Avengers mini due to She-Hulk's involvement with both teams. The Fantastic Four mini resolves the lingering plot thread of Kitty's situation while the Avengers mini interrogates Magneto and is marginally worse and less important.
9. New Mutants Annual (1984) #3
• A fun one-off issue before the New Mutants begin their lead-up to Fall of the Mutants.
10. New Mutants (1982) #53-57
• By the end of these issues, Karma and Magma leave the team, Roberto and Warlock run off, and the enigmatic Bird Brain is brought back to the mansion, priming the group for Fall of the Mutants. Simonson takes over the book starting with issue #55.
11. Fallen Angels (1986) #1-8
• A miniseries starring Roberto and Warlock and featuring Boom-Boom from X-Factor. This explains where they ran off to and concludes before Fall of the Mutants for X-Factor and during Fall of the Mutants for the New Mutants.
12. X-Factor (1986) #21-26
• X-Factor's Fall of the Mutants arc technically starts with issue #24, but these six issues run together to form a strong gauntlet for X-Factor.
13. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #220-227
• Once again, while the X-Men's Fall of the Mutants starts during issue #225, these issues form one long story and end with either a major cliffhanger or a powerful ending, depending on your point of view.
14. New Mutants (1982) #58-61
• Fall of the Mutants starts in issue #59, but these four issues run together to solve the mystery of Bird Brain. Roberto and Warlock return partway through, but the series has dire consequences for the team. The New Mutants view events from the other two Fall of the Mutants arcs, making it definitively the last Fall of the Mutants arc. It is a strong ending for this era and potentially Claremont's and Simonson's run as a whole.

Inferno Period (1987-1989)

This era builds towards Inferno, a massive crossover that runs twin stories around the same event. Illyana's story finally comes to an end, as does the tragedy of Madelyne Pryor. Three new series are also introduced in this era: Excalibur, Wolverine, and the anthology Marvel Comics Presents. However, Excalibur is the only one that's only marginally relevant, so it's the only series I'm going to be including here. Inferno is arguably the climax to Claremont's entire run, and the biggest moment of Claremont's and Simonson's. Like Fall of the Mutants, Inferno is a good ending story that ties up a whole bunch of lingering threads.

1. New Mutants (1982) #62-66
• These issues reveal the fallout of Fall of the Mutants for the New Mutants, specifically with all the death that happened. I think they work better before the reveal in X-Men #229.
2. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #228-234
• These issues show what happened to the X-Men following Fall of the Mutants.
3. X-Factor (1986) #27-32
• The only continuity here with Fall of the Mutants is Beast's deteriorating mental state.
4. New Mutants Annual (1984) #4
5. X-Factor Annual (1986) #3
6. Uncanny X-Men Annual (1970) #12
• The three annuals are part of Marvel's line-wide Evolutionary War crossover, where everyone comes up against the High Evolutionary. These three issues are stand-alone with the exception of the back-up story, which explores the High Evolutionary's origins. Only the main feature in each book uses X-Men characters.
7. Excalibur Special Edition: The Sword is Drawn (1987) #1
8. Excalibur (1988) #1-5
• A brand new series that returns Kitty Pryde, Nightcrawler, and Rachel Summers to the fold as part of a British super-team, along with Captain Britain and his girlfriend. These issues aren't very relevant to the overall X-Men story, but they tie loosely into Inferno and come into play down the line. I recommend reading the Special Edition at least, to resolve Rachel's, Kitty's, and Nightcrawler's plot threads.
9. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #235-239
10. X-Factor (1986) #33-35
11. New Mutants (1982) #67-70
• X-Men #235-238 are the introduction to Genosha, and the New Mutants arc introduces Gosamyr. These arcs can pretty much be read in any order, but the important thing is that they all end at the precipice to Inferno.
12. X-Terminators (1988) #1-3
• The first three issues of a miniseries featuring X-Factor's wards that is a prelude to Inferno. It fits best here, right before all the main action, despite the series not being finished yet. It is part of the New Mutants half of Inferno.
13. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #240-241
• A set of X-Men issues with the Marauders that brings them into Inferno and sets up Madelyne and N'astirh.
14. New Mutants (1982) #71
15. X-Terminators (1988) #4
16. New Mutants (1982) #72-73
• The rest of the New Mutants half of Inferno. X-Terminators #4 and New Mutants #72 exist alongside each other, but this order works best so the New Mutants can be kept together in the latter half.
17. Excalibur (1988) #6-7
• A brief interlude featuring Excalibur that takes place before the X-Men half of Inferno.
18. X-Factor (1986) #36-37
19. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #242
20. X-Factor (1986) #38
21. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #243
22. X-Factor (1986) #39
• The X-Men/X-Factor half of Inferno, featuring Mr Sinister. These issues tell one long story and have to be read in this particular order. By the time X-Factor #39 closes, Inferno is done.
23. New Mutants (1982) #74-75
24. Excalibur (1988) #8
25. X-Factor (1986) #40
• These four issues resolve arcs from their respective series. New Mutants takes place immediately after Inferno, so it fits best as the first read, while X-Factor seems to take the longest after. It also has the best ending for this era out of this group of issues, so it works best as the end. However, there is no direct crossover, so these issues can be read in any order desired.