X-men # 141
(VERY GOOD/FINE)
1st Appearance's of Future X-Men, Rachel Summers, Avalanche, Destiny & Pyro Appearance
"X-Men #141," released in January 1981, is one of the most iconic and influential issues in the X-Men series. Written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by John Byrne, this issue kicks off the groundbreaking "Days of Future Past" storyline, which has had a lasting impact on the X-Men franchise and has been adapted into various media, including a major film.
The story is set in a dystopian future where mutants are hunted and killed or imprisoned in internment camps by Sentinels, which are giant robots programmed to eliminate all mutants. The cover of this issue is famously striking, showing a wanted poster featuring the faces of many X-Men members, marked either as "Slain" or "Apprehended," which sets the grim tone of the story.
In this future, the surviving mutants, including an older Wolverine and a paraplegic Kitty Pryde, hatch a plan to change their horrifying present. They send the consciousness of an adult Kate Pryde back in time into her younger self (Kitty Pryde), who is with the present-day X-Men. Her mission is to prevent the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, an event that leads to the anti-mutant hysteria and the creation of the Sentinels' future that hunts mutants to extinction.
"X-Men #141" brilliantly blends high stakes, intense emotion, and complex time-travel elements. It explores themes of prejudice, fear, and the consequences of violence against marginalized communities. The narrative is compelling and serves as a critical commentary on societal issues, making it not only a significant story within the comic book world but also relevant to real-world discussions about discrimination and fear of the other.
John Byrne’s artwork, paired with Terry Austin's inks, vividly brings to life both the despair of the future and the urgency of the past, capturing the tense atmospheres of both timelines. The visual storytelling is detailed and dynamic, effectively supporting the weighty themes and complex plot.
Overall, "X-Men #141" is celebrated for its innovative storytelling and its profound impact on the X-Men universe, setting a high standard for narrative depth and character development in superhero comics.
