These pages are dedicated to the X-Men, and to those writers and artists who bring them to life.

Like many, I started reading comics when I was just a child. Although I haven't been a child for several decades (never mind how many), my love of the groups collectively known as the X-Men has persisted. In an era when few women are reading comics (football-sized bazooms probably being one - or would that be two? - of the reasons), I am one of those few, primarily because of the X-Men. The strength of the characterization for each and every one of them drew me into the Marvel universe. What keeps me coming back is not their many battles with Magneto, or the Phalanx, or any of their other myriad enemies; it is the times that they laugh together, weep together, live, love, and learn together. In my opinion, no other comics have even come close to the depth of this group of mutants.

X-characters (as well as their enemies, and assorted others) have appeared nude from time to time in the various X-titles. They did so much more in the past than they do nowadays, perhaps as a matter of individual artists' preferences, perhaps for other reasons - I don't know. Nudity in any particular instance might be caused by the destructive forces wielded in battle, or by the personal choice of the character, or by chance or timing. Marvel has always been careful to adhere to the "comic code", using a variety of methods to stay within code.

My first guess would have been that the instances of nudity were intended to titillate, but in that case, with a young male target audience, it would have been primarily the female characters who appeared in the buff...and that's not the case. Numerous examples of male characters in similar straits appear. If young males are the target audience for comics, then why nude men? I'm guessing that it was to show off the rippling muscles of the male characters, although with their skintight costumes it hardly seems necessary. Not that I'm complaining, mind you! Perhaps, after all, Marvel was aware of their female readers. I like to think so. Personally, I liked the way that finding themselves nude, whether by accident or by design, never seemed to slow the X-folk down. The essence of their characters is heroic; they didn't lose sight of whatever it was that needed doing at the moment.

These lovely gratuitous nudity scenes hardly ever appear anymore, alas. I hope that putting these pages online will accomplish a few things:
  • let the folks at Marvel know that we enjoyed them,
  • let the folks at Marvel know that we would like more,
  • share my appreciation of this one aspect of the many great X-stories with other X-fans,
  • give newcomers to the X-Men a reason to go find and read some of the GREAT older stories,
  • and (because they'll be buying more back issues) increasing the value of my collection!
( ;-) Just kidding, there - my collection gets read so much, the pages are wearing thin. Their greatest value to me is in the stories inside.)

So get out there and read more X-Men stories! And if you find nude appearances that I missed (and I'm sure I did miss some), share it with other fans (anonymously or not, as you choose) on my bulletin board at: http://pluto.beseen.com/boardroom/g/48073/

Your comments and input are always welcome. Email me at: liana@nicegal.com

If you enjoy the racy side of the X-Men, check out this listing of the 10 Dirtiest X-Men Quotes of all Time from Wizard magazine!

Please visit my other pages, BlonDEmentia and several others.

Other X-links include but are definitely not limited to:

The background for these pages was created by Ann-S-Thesia and is part of a set called "Environment #108: Stealth Boy". Please visit her pages and see her many lovely graphic sets.
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