Classic X-Men #18

Classic X-Men #18 was published by Marvel Comics in February 1988 as part of a long-running series dedicated to reprinting key stories from the 1970s X-Men era. This specific issue reproduces the story originally found in X-Men #111, featuring the work of writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne. The series was designed to provide modern readers with easier access to classic narratives while adding new material to flesh out the existing continuity.

The issue includes a new backup story written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by John Bolton, which serves to bridge gaps in the original narrative arcs. John Bolton’s painterly, detailed approach to the backup features marked a distinct departure from the standard superhero aesthetic of the time, earning critical appreciation for its atmospheric quality. The series as a whole is remembered for its role in solidifying the legacy of the Claremont-Byrne creative partnership, which remains the definitive benchmark for the X-Men franchise.