I am a reader of the Xmen comics from way back when the comic first came out, and a diehard Wolverine fan. I realize that this is not the comic version of how these characters first met, so of course, I was worried about the authors keeping true to the original characters. They are already well known to "true believers" and we sort of take unkindly to them being twisted into something they are not, (something that is common practice when the make a movie out of a book). But to my suprise I enjoyed the book (and the movie). The part of the story that focused on Wolverine's character was right on. A basically good and honorable man mixed with a vicious beast, tormented by a terrible forgotten past. Magneto is also done well, self-rightious and mad with revenge. Jean and Cyclops and Wolverine and Cyclops' inter-play was right on. Mind you they could have done better. The Professor is not as developed as he could have been. They made Storm an original team member, they mixed Jubilee with Rogue, got the claw count on Logan wrong a couple of times, made a mistake with Cyclops powers. Sabretooth seems not to remember Logan. Annoying mistakes but I found myself forgiving them because the story is good. A good read, but next time guys, read the comic version first.

All those fears I had of the x-men movie being the next bad comic book movie have been purged with the release of the movie tie in. The novel brings all those characteristics the film can't: by going in the minds of the characters, their emotions etc. I really don't want to ruin the plot for anyone, but if you're like me and you're waiting for the film to be released(not until July for goodness sake)The book has most of the great characters from the comics with some missing, I heard that all missing will probably show up in the next film. There are some really intriguing storylines in the book involving Logan and Rogue, as well as a couple of interesting twists that I sure didn't see coming. So, if you thinking x-men was going to be the next batman and robin, think again. The book is surely worth a read(I read in a day! ) If you're looking for a great book to take to the beach or just veg and read, remember X marks the spot!