As every fan knows, the X-Men made their Marvel Comics debut in 1963. Like other Marvel crime-fighters, these oddly assorted mutants have both superpowers and terrible personal hang-ups. Now an established writing partnership has novelised the X-Men movie from 20th Century Fox.

The storyline follows the recurring X-Men theme of mutants being feared and persecuted by humanity--not helped by the minority who use their powers for evil. Here the comics' bad guy Magneto is less wicked than misguided, aiming to defuse prejudice with a Machine that pumps superpowers into ordinary folk, such as anti-mutant US Senators. Unfortunately this scientific genius neglected to research the side effects.

Meanwhile, telepathic Professor Charles Xavier teaches his X-Men recruits to handle their abilities and neuroses: Cyclops (destructive red eye-beams), Rogue (drains souls), Storm (controls weather), Wolverine (super-strength, extensible claws).

"I opened this school, a place where mutants could be safe from persecution. This is a place where they could not only learn to focus their powers, but also learn that mankind is not evil. Just uninformed."

Colourful, kinetic fight sequences abound, especially towards the climax of Magneto's master plan. These scenes cry out for stunning artwork or lavish film SFX; our authors do their best with mere words. Their competent storytelling will be best appreciated by comics' aficionados and lovers of the movie, who'll have clear images of Marvel's bizarre, exotic characters and costumes. --David Langford

With more than 400 million copies sold worldwide, X-MEN is perhaps the most successful comic book series in history, consistently outselling classics such as Spider-Man "TM", Superman "RM", even Batman "RM". This summer, the first X-MEN major motion picture starring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Ray Park will explode onto movie screens across the country. And the novel based on this blockbuster will be lining the shelves at bookstores...where X-MEN marks the spot!

Outcasts from society, the X-MEN are genetic mutants, born with superhuman powers, who harness their special abilities for the greater good. But the human race they fight to protect rejects and fears -- even hates -- them.

Not all mutants seek to protect mankind. One terrorist group -- led by the supremely powerful Magneto -- will seek to strike first. Battling against prejudice and agents of intolerance, the X-MEN must establish a peaceful coexistence between mutant and mankind or they will surely perish...