Nightcrawler Comic Recs (for beginners)
This list is designed with fans who have little to no knowledge of X-Men comics in mind and with an emphasis on what I would call "fangirl appeal". Each title is listed in chronological order with descriptions, a reading order, and my reasoning for each of them under the readmore for those who need it. In my opinion, all of them are good places to start!*
I primarily read comics on Marvel's official app (marvel unlimited) but hoopla (free through many public libraries) and comixology are other good options for online reading. If you want physical copies you'll get the best deals at your local comic shop or on ebay.
If you have criticisms, additions, or continuity question feel free to hit up my ask box!
SERIES:
❥ Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont (1975)
❥ Excalibur by Chris Claremont (1988), Alan Davis (1991), and Warren Ellis (1994)
❥ Uncanny X-Men by Joe Casey (2001)
❥ Nightcrawler (2004)
❥ Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender (a controversial choice since this isn't main universe/616 Kurt) (2010)
❥ Amazing X-Men (2014)
❥ Nightcrawler (2014)
OTHER RANDOM ISSUES**:
❥ Guardians Team-Up #6
❥ Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #17 (2017)
*with the exception of Uncanny X-Force. I wouldn't read this until you have a grip on 616 Kurt's characterization.
**these are primarily team ups I discovered through my habit of buying random comics with Kurt on the cover. I'll add more if I remember them.
Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont (1975) was an ongoing team book. The sixteen years of it that were written by Claremont are the iconic building blocks upon which all other X-Men comics are built. It's the book Nightcrawler was on from 1975 to 1988 (#94-227) after he was recruited by Professor X. Unfortunately, Kurt is rarely the main character. He has a lot of standout moments but is more likely to just be part of the team. If you like a sweet, sarcastic, curly haired Nightcrawler with terrible fashion sense this book might be for you!
How to start reading it:
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (his introduction, basically a series pilot that rebooted the X-Men).
Uncanny X-Men #94 (directly follows giant-size)
From there you can read numerically.
Read as much uncanny as you want. If it gets boring/isn't for you try Excalibur!
Specific issue recs if you don't want to start at the beginning:
#110: The X-Men fight a villain of the week who traps them in the danger room with the safety controls off. It's also the first (I think?) time the X-Men play baseball together. Kurt is really fun in this issue!
#123 & 124: The X-Men fight Arcade for the first time. The issues are split pretty evenly between the whole team but Kurt has some really good moments.
#139 & 140: Kurt goes to Canada with Wolverine. They fight a Wendigo with the canadian super-team Alpha Flight and he becomes the first X-Man to learn Wolverine's real name. The art in this is really expressive. Kurt makes a lot of good faces.
#168: This issue isn't primarily about Kurt but it is the one where he does the Burt Reynolds cosmo centerfold pose for his girlfriend.
#169: Continues from 168. Opens with Kurt in the bath with his girlfriend. He then teleports around the city naked to save someone.
#183: Kurt and Wolverine take Colossus out drinking after he breaks up with Kitty. Kurt is there as "mediator" because he knows Logan is mad about the way Piotr treated Kitty. They end up getting into a fight with the Juggernaut at the bar.
#204: Kurt restores his faith and self confidence by taking on Arcade solo when he sees a woman being kidnapped off the street.
Excalibur by Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, and Warren Ellis (1988-1998) was a self-contained ongoing comic that ran through the late 80's up through the mid 90's. Excalibur is the British X-Men adjacent team that Kurt joined and then became unofficial leader of when he thought the other X-Men had died. Excalibur is more magic and fantasy based than X-Men usually is. As written by Chris Claremont it's also basically a sex farce. I consider this book a definitive characterization of the character. The art by Alan Davis in the first ~50 issues is the sexiest Nightcrawler has ever been and probably ever will be. If you like a classically handsome, confident, overtly sexy Nightcrawler this series might be for you.
How to start reading it:
Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn (shows the team being formed, basically the series pilot). There's a ton of Deep Lore and callbacks in it but if anything is important it will get explained more directly by narration.
Excalibur #1
From there you can read numerically
The first 67 issues are pretty consistently good but you can always stop After the Cross-Time Caper story if you want something more modern
If you want to keep reading after #67 I suggest skipping the issues written by Lobdell and going straight to the Warren Ellis era
Specific issue recs if you don't want to start at the beginning:
#4: The beginning of the Kurt/Meggan/Brian love triangle. Includes the infamous page where Kurt and Meggan nearly kiss.
#16: Another infamous issue. The team land in a new universe and get separated. Kurt fights some air ship pirates before getting seduced and fucked just barely off panel by an Evil Queen. He also ends up wearing some really skimpy "battle armor" towards the end. It's truly incredible that this was even allowed to be published.
#23: Judge Dredd parody. The team land in a new universe and get separated (again). Kurt has some really great fight scenes against an alternate universe human version of himself and a really heartfelt story with that universes version of Meggan.
#44 & 45: The british government asks the team for help investigating a series of strange robberies in London. Everyone but Kurt is out of town on personal business and his leg is broken so he decides the thing to do is recruit the chaotic aliens helping rebuild the light house as a substitute team - his "N-Men"! If you read these issues by themselves just skip over the sections about the other characters.
Uncanny X-Men by Joe Casey (2001) (#395-409) was part of the ongoing Uncanny comic. It primarily follows a team of X-Men tracking down the Church of Humanity cult as they try to eradicate mutants. This run had a lot of different artists on it but they're all good. The aesthetics and vibes of this run are some of my favorites. Casey writes Kurt a bit more grounded and less jokey but without sacrificing any of the witty banter which I like. If you like a less human-looking Nightcrawler with glowing eyes and pointy teeth this series might be for you!
Nightcrawler (2004) is a twelve issue self-contained mini-series. It's the second of three Nightcrawler self titled minis and it's also my favorite! Kurt gets enlisted as basically a supernatural investigator by Storm after a group of children die mysteriously. He has three different love interest in this which the story even calls him out for at one point. The art is more grounded than the usual marvel house style which isn't for everyone but I personally enjoy it. If you like a softer nightcrawler or a Nightcrawler in street clothes this book might be for you!
Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender (2010) (#20-35) was an ongoing team book. It's maybe my most controversial pick because it's the Nightcrawler from the Age of Apocalypse but I'm gonna count him because he's hot. He jumped universes to join X-Force (the X-Men's covert black ops team) in issue #11 during the period of time when main universe/616 Kurt was dead. The first arc he's in is all AoA stuff so you can skip it and start at #20 (the Otherworld arc) if you want. AoA Kurt is a darker, more violent version of the character who's only interested in revenge. A lot of Nightcrawler fans hated his inclusion on the team but I personally think he's great! It also helps that the art in this is done in this gorgeous almost abstract digital watercolor style. This version of Nightcrawler ends up dying in an event comic when the series ends but don't even worry about it. Also, maybe don't start with this one. If you like the idea of a star trek-style mirror universe Kurt try reading this!
Amazing X-Men (2014) was an ongoing team book. It's the series that brought Kurt back from the dead after his death several years earlier in a crossover event. It's a really good jumping on point for modern Nightcrawler but the plot is kind of bonkers. If you read it try not to think too hard about the implications of that first arc. Most of the weirder stuff in it doesn't really matter outside of this book anyway. The art is really good - Kurt is very pretty in this. In the early issues he also has great romantic tension with Storm and Wolverine if you're in to that! It's very intertwined with the 2014 solo so if you like this definitely read that! If you like a lanky more cartoony Nightcrawler try this series and the 2014 miniseries!
Nightcrawler (2014) is a twelve issue self contained mini series. It takes place after the first arc of Amazing X-Men but can be read independently since narration explains everything that happened. I'll be honest, this series is fun but not very memorable. The art is nice, though. If you like a lanky more cartoony Nightcrawler try this series and Amazing X-Men!
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Candidates for the title of
🌹Queen of Love & Beauty🌹
Candidates were given priority based on the number of submissions they received (in brackets behind their names and credentials). After all candidates with multiple submissions were entered, single submission candidates were admitted in order of submission.
Guinevere [Angel Coulby], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012) [17]
Morgana Pendragon [Katie McGrath], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012) [11]
Lady Éowyn of Rohan [Miranda Otto], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) [10]
Lady Marian Fitzwalter [Olivia de Havilland], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) [9]
Isabeau of Anjou [Michelle Pfeiffer], Ladyhawke (1985) [8]
Arwen Undomiel [Liv Tyler], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) [7]
Galadriel of Lothlórien [Cate Blanchett], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) [7]
Princess Buttercup [Robin Wright], The Princess Bride (1987) [6]
Lucrezia Borgia [Holliday Grainger], The Borgias (2011-2013) [6]
Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elizabetta of Valencia [Karen David], Galavant (2015-2016) [5]
Lagertha [Katheryn Winnick], Vikings (2013-2020) [5]
Sorsha [Joanne Whalley], Willow (1988) [5]
Lady Æthelflæd of Mercia [Millie Brady], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) [4]
Princess Gwendolyn [Angela Lansbury], The Court Jester (1955) [4]
Maid Jean [Glynis Johns], The Court Jester (1955) [4]
Lady Marion of Leaford [Judi Trott], Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986) [4]
Rebecca of York [Olivia Hussey], Ivanhoe (1982) [4]
Alicent Hightower [Olivia Cooke], House of the Dragon (2022-) [3]
Aliena [Hayley Atwell], The Pillars of the Earth (2010) [3]
Queen Cersei Lannister [Lena Headey], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) [3]
Princess Daenerys Targaryen [Emilia Clarke], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) [3]
Danielle de Barbarac [Drew Barrymore], Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998) [3]
Devasena [Anushka Shetty], Baahubali (2017) [3]
Elizabeth de Burgh [Florence Pugh], Outlaw King (2018) [3]
Queen Guinevere [Vanessa Redgrave], Camelot (1967) [3]
Hürrem Sultan [Meryem Uzleri], Magnificent Century {Muhteşem Yüzyıl} (2011-2014) [3]
Lady Jocelyn [Shannyn Sossamon], A Knight’s Tale (2001) [3]
Princess Lili [Mia Sara], Legend (1985) [3]
Lady Margaery Tyrell [Natalie Dormer], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) [3]
Marian of Knighton [Lucy Griffiths], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009) [3]
Lady Sansa Stark [Sophie Turner], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) [3]
Sheng Minglan [Zhang Liying], The Story of Minglan (2018) [3]
Queen Susan the Gentle [Sophie Winkleman], The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010) [3]
Lady Anne Neville [Claire Bloom], Richard III (1955) [2]
Lady Anne Neville [Phoebe Fox], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016) [2]
Brienne of Tarth [Gwendoline Christie], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) [2]
Bronwyn [Nazanin Bonialdi], The Rings of Power (2022-) [2]
Queen Catherine of Aragon [Maria Doyle Kennedy], The Tudors (2007-2010) [2]
Contessina de Bardi [Annabel Scholey], Medici (2016-2019) [2]
Egwene Al’Vere [Madeleine Madden], The Wheel of Time (2021-) [2]
Queen Eleanore of Aquitane [Katharine Hepburn], The Lion in Winter (1968) [2]
Queen Elizabeth Woodville [Rebecca Ferguson], The White Queen (2013) [2]
Donna Giulia Farnese [Lotte Verbeek], The Borgias (2011-2013) [2]
Queen Guinevere [Cheri Lunghi], Excalibur (1981) [2]
Jadis, the White Witch [Tilda Swinton], The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010) [2]
Jeanne d’Arc [Renee Falconetti], The Passion of Joan of Arc {La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc} (1928) [2]
Joan of Arc [Milla Jovovich], The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) [2]
Kate [Laura Fraser], A Knight’s Tale (2001) [2]
Lady Kate Percy [Michelle Dockery], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016) [2]
Queen Lucy the Valiant [Rachael Henley] [2]
Queen Madelena [Mallory Jansen], Galavant (2015-2016) [2]
Queen Margaret of Anjou [Sophie Okonedo], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016) [2]
Lady Mary Boleyn [Charity Wakefield], Wolf Hall (2015-2024) [2]
Moiraine Damodred [Rosamund Pike], The Wheel of Time (2021-) [2]
Morgana Pendragon [Eva Green], Camelot (2011) [2]
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen [Emma D’Arcy], House of the Dragon (2022-) [2]
Queen Sibylla of Jerusalem [Eva Green], Kingdom of Heaven (2005) [2]
Eliška Pomořanská [Jana Brejchová], A Night at Karlstein {Noc na Karlštejně} (1973) [1]
Lady Marian [Audrey Hepburn], Robin & Marian (1976) [1]
Ophelia [Jean Simmons], Hamlet (1948) [1]
Aykız Hatun [Hande Subaşı], Diriliş: Ertuğrul (2014-2019) [1]
Roberta Steingas [Clare Foster], Galavant (2015-2016) [1]
Tamina [Gemma Arterton], Prince of Persia (2010) [1]
Princess Isabelle [Sophie Marceau], Braveheart (1995) [1]
Alexandra [Geraldine Viswanathan], Miracle Workers: The Dark Ages (2020) [1]
Isabella of Valois [Emma Hamilton], RSC’s Richard II (2013) [1]
Jade Claymore [Erin Kellyman], Willow (2022) [1]
Anne Boleyn [Genevieve Bujold], Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) [1]
Mu Nihuang [Liu Tao], Nirvana in Fire (2015-2018) [1]
Padmavati [Deepika Padukone], Padmaavat (2018) [1]
Queen Isabella [Tilda Swinton], Edward II (1991) [1]
Djaq [Anjali Jay], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009) [1]
Below is a list of Honorable Mentions...
Anne Boleyn [Natalie Portman], The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Aslaug [Alyssa Sutherland], Vikings (2013-2020)
Aviendha [Ayoola Smart], The Wheel of Time (2021-)
Catherine of Aragon [Charlotte Hope], The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)
Cecilia Algotsdotter [Sofia Helin], Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)
Doric [Sophia Lillis], Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023)
Queen Elizabeth of York [Jodie Comer], The White Princess (2017)
Jiang Yanli [Xuan Lu], The Untamed (2019)
Guinevere [Julia Ormond], First Knight (1995)
Hafsa Sultan [Nebahat Çehre], Magnificent Century {Muhteşem Yüzyıl} (2011-2014)
Hatice Sultan [Selma Ergeç], Magnificent Century {Muhteşem Yüzyıl} (2011-2014)
Queen Isabella of Castile [Michelle Jenner], Isabel (2011-2014)
Isolde [Sophia Myles], Tristan + Isolde (2006)
Joan of Arc [Ingrid Bergman], Joan of Arc (1948)
Kira [Lisa Maxwell, Kathryn Mullen], The Dark Crystal (1982)
Queen Mab [Miranda Richardson], Merlin (1998)
Maleficent [Angelina Jolie], Maleficent (2014)
Lady Margaret Tudor [Georgie Henley], The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)
Marian Dubois [Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Lady Mary Tudor [Sai Bennett], The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)
Empress Maude [Alison Pill], The Pillars of the Earth (2010)
Morgaine [Julianna Marguiles], The Mists of Avalon (2001)
Queen Ravenna [Charlize Theron], Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Rebecca of York [Elizabeth Taylor], Ivanhoe (1952)
Rosie Cotton [Sarah MacLeod], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
Sharako Lohar [Abigail Thorn], House of the Dragon (2022-)
Tár-Miriel [Cynthia Addai-Robinson], The Rings of Power (2022-)
Ygritte [Rose Leslie], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Yara Greyjoy [Gemma Whelan], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
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Who is.....Jonothan Starsmore | Chamber? - A Reading Guide
Jonothan "Jono" Starsmore is an X-Men affiliated mutant from Marvel comics first introduced in 1994. A native of London and explicitly connected to the grunge scene, Jono has always been the pinnacle of the "bad boy with a heart of gold" trope- the only difference being that in place of a heart he has a furnace of psionic energy. Jono is best known for being part of Generation X (the team he was introduced with) but has also been an official member of the X-Men. The manifestation of his powers left him disfigured and destroyed many of his internal organs as well as his jaw, leaving him unable to speak verbally, requiring him to utilize his psionic abilities to communicate telepathically. Jono's story chronicles one of self-acceptance and is one I'd highly recommend!
Below is a complete list of Jono's appearances as of 24. November. 2023, complete with links!
Generation X: A new team of mutants under the leadership of Sean Cassidy (Banshee) and Emma Frost (The White Queen) is formed at the Massachusetts campus of the Xavier Institute. The goal of this team is to earn an education and learn how to become the next generation of X-Men- their focus is not to fight villains.
Generation X (1994) #1-3
X-Men (1991) #41 <- This is part of Legion Quest which is expounded on here in my Legion reading guide - the whole event is covered in like 6 issues and is imo very worth the read as one section of it can be a bit confusing out of context
Generation X (1994) #4-6
Wolverine (1988) #94
Uncanny X-Men (1981) #Annual '95
Generation X (1994) #7-9, Annual '95, 10-11
X-Men (1991) #49
Generation X (1994) #12-21
X-Men (1991) #Annual '96
Generation X (1994) #22-23, Annual '97
Incredible Hulk #Annual '97
Generation X (1994) #25-31
Marvel Team-Up (1997) #1
Generation X (1994) #32-40, Underground Special 1998, 41
X-Men Unlimited (1993) #20
Generation X (1994) #42-49
Generation X/Dracula #Annual '89
Generation X Holiday Special (1999) #1
Generation X (1994) #50
X-Man (1995) #50
Generation X (1994) #51
X-Men Unlimited (1993) #23
Generation X (1994) #52-56
Wolverine (1988) #141
Generation X (1994) #57-58, Annual '99, 59
New Warriors (1999) #5
Generation X (1994) #60-70
Uncanny X-Men (1981) #388
Generation X (1994) #71-75
Poptopia, a Delayed Joining of the X-Men, his own mini, etc.: Following graduation from the Massachussetts Academy, Jono was offered a position on the X-Men but declined instead going to London. After an unfortunate romantic entanglement Jono would return to the X-Men.
Unanny X-Men (1981) #395-398
The Order (2002) #5-6
Uncanny X-Men (1981) #399-400, Annual 2001, 402-407
Marvel Universe: The End (2003) #1, 5
Uncanny X-Men (1981) #408-409
Chamber (2002) #1-4
Uncanny X-Men (1981) #422-423
Defections + Countdown to Zero and House of M/M-Day: After altering reality so mutants were the dominant race, the Scarlet Witch then changed reality again, this time attempting to rid the world of the mutant gene, by casting another spell, "No More Mutants", de-powering the vast majority of mutants.
Weapon X (2002) #15-21
Generation M (2006) #1
New Excalibur (2006) #9
Secret Invasion: TW: THIS EVENT IS TIED PRETTY HEAVILY INTO ANTISEMITIC TROPES PROCEED WITH CAUTION The premise of Secret Invasion is that the Skrull empire, in a bid to take control of earth, replaces several super-powered humans/humanoids on earth with Skrulls.
New Warriors (2007) #2-20
Age of X: The mutants are almost extinct, tortured by a strike force led by Colonel Graydon Creed. The first signs of the Age of X appeared in X-Men: Legacy #244; the events were removed from the Earth-616 mainstream continuity, with no memories of the alternate lives. If you've taken a look at my David Haller Reading List you'll see this event explained as "David’s desire to be loved forces him to grapple with reality," and as a story that "places David in a role where he has to choose between a false universe where he is considered a beloved hero and reality where he must choose to be a hero despite the fear others feel about him." While that is the base of the event Jono also has some great moments to shine!
Age of X: Alpha (2011) #1
X-Men: Legacy (2008) #245
New Mutants (2009) #22
X-Men: Legacy (2008) #247
New Mutants (2009) #24
X-Men: Legacy (2008) #248
Wolverine and the X-Men (2011) #Alpha and Omega
X-Men: Legacy (2008) #264-265
Avengers vs. X-Men: When the Phoenix Force approaches Earth, Hope Summers is assumed its next host. The X-Men and the Avengers are divided on how to handle the situation. The X-Men believe that the Phoenix Force will herald the rebirth of the Mutant Species, while the Avengers believe that it will bring an end to all life on Earth. This leads to a war between Marvel's two powerful superhero factions.
Wolverine and the X-Men (2011) #9-10
X-Men: Legacy (2008) #266-267
Jono's Miscellaneous Adventures: (which somehow keep involving David Haller?) This is now in with Legion: Son of X and the lead up to Krakoa! Jono does a lot of different things in this period (including Gen X Vol. 2) but things are a little more calm until War of the Realms.
Wolverine and the X-Men (2011) #19
X-Men: Legacy (2013) #2-6
X-Men (2010) #40-41
X-Men: Legacy (2013) #11-12
Wolverine and the X-Men (2011) #29
X-Men: Legacy (2013) #13-14, 22, 24
X-Men: No More Humans (2014) #1
Nightcrawler (2014) #3-4
Uncanny X-Men (2013) #600
Generation X (2017) #1-9
Phoenix Resurrection the Return of Jean Grey #1-3
Generation X (2017) #85-87
X-Men: Gold (2017) #30
Old Man Logan (2016) #39
Mr. & Mrs. X (2018) #6
Uncanny X-Men (2018) #11, 14-15, 17-18
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #37
War of the Realms: Following the return of the Dark Elf, Malekith, from imprisonment, he ignited a civil war in his homeworld of Svartalfheim and emerged crowned as king. Malekith additionally began assembling a league of allies from across the Ten Realms, eventually forming the Dark Council which included among its ranks Dario Agger, King Laufey and Loki. If this doesn't sound like an X-Men plot that's because it's not, but the X-Men sure did get a tie-in and Jono's in it.
War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men (2019) #1-3
Krakoa at last!: The following issues detail Jono's time on Krakoa and his role on the island.
New Mutants (2019) #1-2, 5, 7, 9-11
X of Swords: Destruction (2020) #1
New Mutants (2019) #15-18
Marvel's Voices: Identity (2021) - B Story
X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) #1, 3-4
Phoenix Song: Echo (2021) #1
New Mutants (2019) #24
Legion of X (2022) #1
X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) #39-40
New Mutants (2019) #26
Legion of X (2022) #3-5, 7-8
X-Men: Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) #79
X-Men: Before the Fall- Sons of X (2023) #1
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