Stories occurring between Uncanny X-Men #281 & X-Men, Vol. 2 #1 in October 1991 and Uncanny X-Men #307 in December 1993. A part of Crushing Krisis’s Collecting X-Men: A Definitive Guide. Last updated January 2013. 
Ongoing X-related titles in this era:
- Uncanny X-Men #281-307
- Alpha Flight #101-127 (ends)
- X-Factor #71-97
- Excalibur #42-71
- Wolverine, Vol. 2 #48-75
- Marvel Comics Presents (features Wolverine) #85-142
- X-Force #1-28
- X-Men, Vol. 2 #1-26
- Cable #1-5
- X-Men Unlimited #1-2
Notes:
- This era includes the events X-Cutioner’s Song and Fatal Attractions.
Excalibur #42-50
Collected in Excalibur Visionaries: Alan Davis, Vol. 1
When: This can also be paired with Vol. 2, as the team has only one point of interaction with the main X-Men line in this edition.
Marvel Comics Presents #85-92
Not collected
When: This features the men of X-Factor plus Professor X and Colossus after Muir Island resolves. It occurs prior to XMv2 #1 and the X-Factor cast changeover in XF #71.
X-Factor #71-75
Collected in Peter David Visionaries, Vol. 1
When: Ends prior to XMv2 #1. If you have that issue as part of the Claremont/Lee Omnibus, shelf this directly after – as it follows Muir Island, collected within.
X-Men, Vol. 2 #1-3
See X-Men, Vol. 2 for reading options.
When: This marquee story features the full assembly of X-Men, which means it must be read as an excerpt from whatever volume you own it in because hardly any of the characters move right on to appear in #4 – and a lot of other stuff happens before then!
Marvel Comics Presents #86-92
“Blood Hungry” – See Wolverine for reading options
Marvel Comics Presents: #93-98
“Wild Frontier” – See Wolverine for reading options
Marvel Comics Presents: #99-100
Two standalone stories. See Wolverine for reading options
Marvel Comics Presents #90-97
Collected in Cable & Ghost Rider: Servants of the Dead
When: Based on Wolverine’s chronology of this same period in MCP, it is likely that this should be read prior to the HoD OGN, directly below.
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness OGN
Wolverine #48-50
See Wolverine for reading options
When: Typically I wouldn’t suggest reading such a small slice of issues on its own, but Wolverine’s solo title in this period relates closely to the main X-books.
X-Men #4-7
See X-Men, Vol. 2 for reading options
When: The introduction of Omega Red!
Uncanny X-Men #281-287
See Uncanny X-Men for reading options
When: These issues occur during XMv2 #5-7.
Marvel Comics Presents #101-108
See Wolverine for reading options
When: Wolverine/Nightcrawler: Male Bonding is Wolverine’s next appearance after the Omega Red story in XMv2.
Wolverine #51-65
See Wolverine for reading options
X-Factor #76-78
See X-Factor for reading options
X-Force #5-15
See X-Force for reading options
X-Men #8-9 & Ghost Rider #26-27
See X-Men, Vol. 2 for reading options
When: I suggest saving this to read with X-Men #10-11, below, as that brief two-issue story will otherwise be orphaned.
Marvel Comics Presents #109-116
See Wolverine fore reading options
When: “Typhoid’s Kiss” occurs after the Ghost Rider crossover in X-Men, Vol. 2
Captain America #402-407
Collected in Captain America: Man & Wolf
When: Co-starring Wolverine
Wolverine: Evilution OGN
X-Men: Shattershot
Occurs in UXM, XF, XF, and XMv2 1992 annuals; see Uncanny X-Men for reading options
X-Men #10-11
See X-Men, Vol. 2 for reading options
When: While I am loathe to split hairs down to a single pair of issues, this should be read after the Shattershot. It is Wolverine’s next chronological appearance.
Alpha Flight #101-109
Not collected Excalibur #51-52 and Uncanny X-Men #288-289 belong here, but I suggest reading them in a slightly out-of-chronology order, below.
Infinity War
See Marvel Events: Infinity War
Alpha Flight #110-120
Not collected
When: #110-112 tie in to Infinity War and feature core X-Men characters, including Wolverine.
X-Factor #78-83
Collected in Peter David Visionaries, Vol. 3
When: Ends prior to X-Cutioner’s Song
Hell’s Angel #1-5
Not collected
When: This is Wolverine’s first chronological appearance after the end of Infinity War – yes, prior to XMv2 #12-13. Similarly, for characters in UXM this is their first appearance after Infinity War, falling prior to #290.
Codename: Genetix #1-4
Not collected
When: Placed per Wolverine’s appearance
Death’s Head II #1-4
Not collected
When: Placed per Wolverine’s appearance
Uncanny X-Men #288-293 & X-Men #12-13
See Uncanny X-Men for reading options
When: UXM #288-289 occurs prior to Infinity War and Alpha Flight #111, but that’s only because they leave a reasonable gap for those stories to occur – not for significant story reasons. It’s simpler to read them here, then read UXM #290-293, and finally, read X-Men #12-13 – even though it comes after the following MCP arc.
Marvel Comics Presents #117-122
See Wolverine for reading options
When: Wolverine/Venom “Claws and Webs”, along with Professor X – who appears here directly after UXM #293 but before XMv2 #12-13. X-Men, Vol. #12-13 belong here.
Excalibur #51-58
Collected in Excalibur Visionaries: Alan Davis, Vol. 2
When: #52 is Professor X’s first appearance after Shattershot – even before UXM #288. #57-58 occur directly after X-Men #13. This run ends prior to X-Cutioner’s Song.
Dark Angel #9-10 + Mys-tech Wars #1-4 + Dark Angel #11-12
Not collected
When: These are Wolverine’s next sequential appearances after Excalibur #58. It also includes some of the cast of UXM between #293-294.
X-Cutioner’s Song
See Uncanny X-Men for reading options
When: Occurs in Uncanny X-Men #294-296, X-Factor #84-86, X-Force #16-18, and X-Men #14-16. UXM #297 is an epilogue issue.
Ed Note: The period after #297 represents a significant gap for guest appearances in other titles, followed by an intensely packed series of events from #298 to the end of this era. As a result, the continuity from here to the end of this era includes many cross-references. I tried to err on the side of simplicity of reading when possible, noting how I slightly skewed continuity to get there.
Secret Defenders #1-3
Not collected
When: It is not essential to read Wolverine’s appearance in the first three issues of this rotating cast book centered on Dr. Strange, but this is where they occur.
Spectacular Spider-Man #197-199
Battle-Tide #1-4
Wolverine #66-68 belong here, but are referenced below.
X-Factor #87-89
See X-Factor for reading options
Excalibur #59-67
Collected in Excalibur Visionaries: Alan Davis, Vol. 3
Excalibur #68-70 X-Men #17-19
When: Wolverine’s next chronological appearance after WolV2 #68.
Wolverine: Inner Fury OGN
When: Wolverine’s next chronological appearance after XMv2 #19
Infinity Crusade
When: Occurs in the midst of the build-up to Fatal Attractions, but generally fits best for X-characters after UXM #297.
Alpha Flight #121-130
Not collected
When: #121 includes Wolverine directly after W:IF, above. #122-124 tie in to Infinity Crusade, which also features Wolverine. Archangel appears in #224 sometime after UXM #297. Wolverine next appears in Uncanny in #299.
Cable, Vol. 2 #1-4
Collected in Cable Classic, Vol. 1
When: Occurs around UXM #300.
Deadpool #1-4
See Deadpool for reading options
When: Deadpool’s first limited series!
Uncanny X-Men #298-300 & Annual 17
See Uncanny X-Men for reading options
When: Again, the appearances in this period are so tightly-packed that it is necessary to read UXM in smaller chunks than it appears in collections. There are gaps between each of these issues that allow for other appearances, but they can be read together here.
Nomad #16 + Moon Knight #50-53
When: Gambit appears here after UXM #298 but before X-Men #20.
Marvel Comics Presents #123-131
See Wolverine for reading options
When: Wolverine’s first appearance after UXM #300, though it is prior to Annual 17
Marvel Comics Presents #132-136
See Wolverine for reading options
When: This occurs after Annual #17.
Wolverine #66-74
When: This group of issues is intersected repeatedly with other stories. Ultimately, it is more satisfying to read them consecutively here. Issues #66-68 occur prior to Inner Fury above and UXM #300. #69-71 occur prior to the previous MCP story and XMv2 #23. Jubilee’s appearance in UXM #303 occurs prior to #72.
Wolverine: Killing OGN
X-Men #21-24 & Annual 2
When: This sequence straddles several of the prior stories, but reading one issue at a time is no fun! Annual 2 falls chronologically after X-Men #25.
Wolverine/Nick Fury: Scorpio Rising OGN
Marvel Comics Presents #137-142
See Wolverine for reading options
When: This occurs in the midst of Fatal Attractions, but it is before XMv2 #25, so you should read it prior to the FA sequence.
Marvel Comics Presents #150-151
See Wolverine for reading options
When: Two standalone Wolverine stories
Sabretooth #1-4
Collected in ?
When: Wolverine appears here prior to UXM #304.
Fatal Attractions
X-Factor #87-92 & 93 When: #93 precedes UXM #304 – unfortunately, it is not collected alongside these issues.
Uncanny X-Men #301-306 When: #305-306 precedes XMv2 #25 – unfortunately, #306 it is not collected alongside these issues.
X-Force #19-25 See X-Force for reading options When: These issues cross a lot of the action in UXM leading up to Fatal Attractions. Specifically, UXM #303 occurs between #22-23.
X-Men Unlimited 1-2
Gambit #1-4 When: Really occurs between UXM #304 and X-Men #25.
X-Force 25; X-Men 25; Wolverine 75; & Excalibur 71 When: XMv2 Annual 2 falls between Wolverine #75 and Excalibur #71 – unfortunately, it is not collected alongside those issues.
Die-Cut #1-2 Placed per Beast’s appearance. Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda #1-3 Collected in trade paperback X-Men/Avengers: Blood Ties Occurs in Uncanny X-Men #307 & X-Men #26; see Uncanny X-Men for reading options
Era #5: X-Tinction X-Men Reading Order Guide Era #7: Onslaught
Hi,
My first time to the website. Fantastic work. i’m going thru my collection and beginning to order them as per your Era lists.
can you please clarify the following noted in Era 6? you wrote
“X-Men: Shattershot
Occurs in UXM, XF, XF, and XMv2 1992 annuals; see Uncanny X-Men for reading options”
i’m assuming this story is covered over the three titles (UXM, XF, XF) and the annual, but in which order? Sorry maybe i’m not understanding this correctly?
I had a look at your last two UXM entries (pre Shattershot line entry #281-287 and post #288-293) but there are no connections to the Shattershot storyline in those issues.
appreciate your help.
thanks
Dave
nevermind i worked it out. cheers
Where does X-Men 17-20 fit in? You have X-Cutioner’s song and then X-Men 21-24 later on, unless I’m missing it. Thanks for your work on this. Very helpful!
X-force 1-4 is missing (along with the spiderman issue) as well as cable 1st series after X-force 15 but before xcutioner song
+1
I just found an old copy of Marvel Comics Presents #174 which is set directly before Excalibur #42.
X-Factor has an appearance in Incredible Hulk #390-392 next before continuing into X-Factor #76
Hey love the work you’ve done on this!
You’re missing Incredible Hulk 391 and 392. 391 occurs before X-Factor 76 and 392 occurs right after it.
Not seeing x force annual 2 here. This is where Adam x is introduced before his return in X force 30 in the next era. Not sure where it falls other than that.
Because this was originally collection-based, that story wasn’t tracked since it wasn’t widely collected. That will get addressed in my rebuild of this era, which should be in the next few months.
Are you still planning to update this era soon? Trying to decide if I should wait for an update or just keep going. Also, what is the specific story in Marvel Comics Presents #85-92 you reference at the beginning of this era? The description doesn’t seem to match the Wolverine story and you already listed Just Friends with Beast last era. Thanks!
I just finished my notes on it last night, finally!
Hi, first I want to say I love your reading order. It really helped me get through Claremont’s era. In a few weeks I will finish X-Tinction Agenda Era and I was wondering if your update to this era is still happening and when. Cause I don’t know if I should wait or just go with the current order. Anyway thanks in advance.
does Deadpool 1-4 refer to The Circle Chase or Sins of the Past? both came out around this time if i’m not mistaken
I just rad Excalibur 68-70 and they take place after Illyana initially falls ill.
Where should I put X-Force #1-3
While I don’t think this is a PERFECT placement, I say you should read them directly after X-Men #1-3.
Excalibur XX Crossing doesn’t really have ramifications, but happens soon after Excalibur 50 (I’d read it right before 51)