ADAM-X READING ORDER: X-Treme (1993-2021)

Used by some as the prime example of every bad '90s cliche, Adam-X - who also went by X-Treme - made his debut as one of a slew of new characters introduced in Marvel's 1993 annuals. I completely understand the affection for the more obscure characters and wanted to put this reading order together for Dayspring of Power of X-Men fame as a thank you for appearing on a recent Collector's Item Special episode on the Omniverse Comics Guide's Instagram! Be sure to follow PoX over there and listen to his Power of X-Men Podcast - wherever you choose to listen to your podcasts!

Co-creator Fabian Nicieza was determined not to let Adam-X go the way of most of those other characters and introduced the idea that he may be a third Summers brother. Even though heavy hints were dropped, Adam-X's connections to Cyclops and Havok would be forgotten by the mid-90s. In fact, Vulcan would be introduced in 2006 and revealed as the third Summers brother instead.

In the years that followed, Adam-X has only sporadically appeared and only in the background, for the most apart. Still, Fabian Nicieza too the opportunity to reveal an untold tale in 2021 which finally explained Adam-X's origins in the pages of X-Men Legends. 

MCG Notes:

• Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Adam-X stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
• Issue listings in grey: Cameo appearances or stories that are non-essential, not as strong or no longer considered 'required reading'.
• Chronology: Every appearance of Adam-X from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
• Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
• WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE? Scroll down to THE CORE LIST to see a version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just a list of the essentials.

X-Force #25 (1993)

X-Treme cameo; X-Treme appears on screen as Magneto observes a number of mutants from his new Avalon headquarters during FATAL ATTRACTIONS / ASSAULT ON GRAYMALKIN.

X-Force Annual #2 (1993)

First appearance of X-Treme/Adam-X; a young alien warrior agrees to capture mutants for Strong Industries in exchange for the truth about his origins and to prevent his prophesied future as the one responsible for the death of all mutants on Earth; Martin Strong names the alien Adam-X, also nicknaming him the X-Treme; Adam-X clashes with X-Force over the kidnappings; X-Force help Adam-X break his deal with Strong.

X-Force #29-30 (1993-1994)

Arcade captures both Shatterstar and Adam-X and pits them to a fight to the death for his two respective employers, Major Domo and 'Mr Milbury'; the two warriors ally against Arcade; Adam-X goes in search of Mr Milbury.

X-Men #38-39 (1994)

In his search for 'Mr Milbury', Adam-X turns to Carter Ryking who points him towards Charles Xavier; Adam-X happens to rescue Phillip Summers (grandfather of Cyclops & Havok) when his plane crashes in Anchorage; Phoenix (Jean Grey) meets Adam-X and learns of his connection to the Shi'ar; Adam-X is observed by both Erik the Red and Mister Sinister during LEGION QUEST.

X-Men #41 (1995)

X-Treme cameo; when the M'kraan Crystal freezes time, X-Treme is seen battling Erik the Red (Davan Shakari) during LEGION QUEST.

Captain Marvel #2-3 (1996)

Erik the Red sends Adam-X the X-Treme to kill Legacy (Genis-Vell), only for them to end up joining forces against him; Erik implies Adam-X is the son of the mad Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken Neramani and a human mother (most likely Katherine Summers) and that it's his destiny to rule the Shi'ar; Legacy and Adam-X destroy Erik's ship, stifling his plot to replace Lilandra Neramani on the Shi'ar throne THE LEGACY OF CAPTAIN MARVEL.

X-Men Legends #1-2 (2021)

Red kidnaps Phillip & Deborah Summers to draw out Adam-X; Corsair of the Starjammers reveals to Cyclops & Havok that Adam-X is their half-brother; after defeating Erik the Red, Adam-X agrees to accompany the Starjammers to Shi'ar space to meet Lilandra Neramani; Adam-X convinces Lilandra to erase all memory of his existence and connection to the Summers brothers from everyone's memory so he can return to Earth and live a normal life.

Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1 (2009)

Uncanny X-Men #513 (2009)

Dark Avengers #7-8 (2009)

First appearance the Dark X-Men and the Omega Machine; first appearance of Emma Frost as the Black Queen; Adam-X is revealed to have relocated to San Francisco; Adam-X leads a counter protest against against Simon Trask's Humanity Now! Coalition; Norman Osborn sends his Dark X-Men to apprehend Adam-X and his posse during UTOPIA / DARK REIGN.

SWORD #2, 5 (2010)

Adam-X cameos; as part of a plan to deport all aliens residing on Earth back to their home planets, Adam-X is taken from his HAMMER holding facility and sent to SWORD's Peak space station.

Uncanny X-Men #542 (2011)

Adam-X cameo first appearance of Colossus/Piotr Rasputin as Juggernaut; Adam-X uses his blood-combustion powers against the Juggernaut (Cain Marko) when he rampages while possessed by Kuurth during FEAR ITSELF.

X-Force #12 (2020)

Adam-X cameo; Adam-X is revealed to have relocated to the mutant haven Krakoa during X OF SWORDS.

X-Factor #5 (2021)

Way of X #2 (2021)

Adam-X cameos; Adam-X is revealed to have a role presenting various shows on Mojoworld; Adam-X is among a group of mutants on Krakoa who vomits when Pixie loses control of her gravity powers during REIGN OF X.

A version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just the primary Adam-X stories:

• X-Force Annual #2
• X-Force #29-30
• X-Men #39
• Captain Marvel #2-3
• X-Men Legends #1-2

Notable alternate universe versions of Adam-X:

EARTH-51518

Age of Apocalypse #1-5 (2015)

In the alternate version of the 'Age of Apocalypse' that makes up the Domain of Apocalypse on God Emperor Doom's patchwork Battleworld (Earth-15513), Adam-X is known as Burner (or simply Adam) and appears as a member of the X-Men during SECRET WARS.

EARTH-92131
X-Men '92 #7-10 (2016-2017)

In a reality set in the '90s animated Marvel Universe, Adam-X initially opposes the X-Men as a member of the X-Tremists, then aids them against Xodus the Harvester.