Hear From the Creators of 'Giant-Size X-Men: Tribute to Wein & Cockrum' #1

In 1975, writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum gave Marvel's merry mutants a massive makeover -- the final result was GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1, which replaced the original team of young heroes with a bigger, international cast of characters. The one-shot issue became a turning point for the X-Men, setting the mutants' stories in brand new directions that would endure for decades!

Now, on Wednesday, September 30, GIANT-SIZE X-MEN: TRIBUTE TO WEIN & COCKRUM #1 will hit comic shops, featuring a new take on the classic Dave Cockrum and Gil Kane cover by Adi Granov and a super team of comic creators!

See what some of those creators had to say about working on this tribute to Len Wein and Dave Cockrum -- and have a look inside the issue before it hits stands!

Mark Brooks: As a kid, the X-Men was my very first comic, and Len Wein and Dave Cockrum were instrumental in influencing me to become a comic book illustrator. Being able to contribute to the recreation of a book that means so much to me is an honor and a privilege. This assignment, along with the accompanying pressure to do Len and Dave justice, is one I'm thrilled to take on as a thank you for showing a nerdy kid that it's okay to be different and pave your own path.

Carlos Gomez: When the opportunity to be part of this amazing project arrived, I couldn't say no. One copy of the original book has been on my shelf for as long as I can remember. The book has the best cover, the new mutant lineup breaking through the fourth wall, coming fast at the reader while the first class watched astonished, is simply genius. This inspiration and fresh ideas filled the book from beginning to end.

The smart idea of each artist drawing one page makes me, in a way, become the reader again, waiting patiently to read one of my favorite books once again with new art. Which is just fantastic! As a child of the mid '80s, I've always loved the X-Men -- how couldn't I? The X-Men cartoons by itself made the trick. So being part of this project is such a humbling experience, and makes me so proud of being part of the Marvel family.

Much mutant love!

Marco Checchetto: I'm deeply thankful to have been chosen to be part of this book. Every time I have to do an homage for books that made the history of Marvel, it’s a precious experience I'm extremely thankful for. Everything felt like a gift. I've grown up reading X-Men, and I love these characters. Thanks to Len Wein, Dave Cockrum, and Marvel!

Marguerite Sauvage: Walking in the path of giants, that's how it feels -- very challenging, and a good way to learn more!

Carmen Carnero: What I’ve always loved about the X-Men is their capability to reinvent themselves through variations on the “classic” teams' lineups. GIANT-SIZE X-MEN was the first time this happened, and it’s clear that new multicultural/multinational team was an absolute success, introducing characters that are now X-Men legends. It showed the path to everyone in the years that followed, which, to me, makes Wein and Cockrum’s work a masterpiece. Thanks to [that book], the current population of Krakoa can’t be counted with two hands only.

Marcelo Ferreira: When I got the invite for the project, I couldn’t be happier. Felt like a real accomplishment to be a part of the X-Men lore, in such good company of great artists in this milestone homage book!

Joshua Cassara: I'm extremely honored be a part of this celebration of Wein and Cockrum's masterpiece. I'll admit I had never read it until I was much older and working in comics, but I think I have a greater appreciation for the craft that went into it because of that.

What really struck me while studying Cockrum's pages for this book was how solid and strong his character work was. There's such a depth to the figure drawing but also in how he told the story. He and Wein were magic together. I mean, they created Nightcrawler! Need I say more?

Also, I recently drew a giant two-page spread in X-Force of a bar scene packed with mutants, and right in the middle of that madness, I drew Mr. Cockrum sitting next to -- and looking at -- one of his other creations, Black Tom Cassidy. It was my small way of honoring such a great artist and his contribution to the X-Men.

Valerio Schiti: I knew this book because I read an Italian reprint when I was a kid, and, of course, I loved it. I read it a couple of times at the time, but I left those pages closed for at least twenty years. So you can imagine my surprise when I was asked to do a tribute and I discovered that after I opened the pdf [file] to choose my page, that I remembered almost every panel, every action scene, every close shot. As a professional, I wish to one day have a style as solid and impressive like Cockrum's, something capable of really leaving a mark on the reader's mind.

Bernard Chang: I grew up reading and collecting UNCANNY X-MEN in the '80s, mesmerized by some of the greatest creative teams in comics history including the legendary Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, and GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 was one of the Holy Grails of comics in my era. To have the opportunity to contribute to this project is a childhood dream come true.

Stephen Segovia: To be part of GIANT SIZE X-MEN: TRIBUTE TO WEIN & COCKRUM #1 is probably the greatest achievement in my comic artist career.

You can pick up GIANT SIZE X-MEN: TRIBUTE TO WEIN & COCKRUM #1, written and drawn by an all-star team of comic creators, at your favorite local comic book shop or digitally on Wednesday, September 30! Be sure to ask your local comic book shop about their current business policies to observe social distancing or other services they may offer, including holding or creating pull lists, curbside pick-ups, special deliveries and other options to accommodate. Find and support your local comic book shop at http://comicshoplocator.com or by visiting http://marvel.com/lovecomicshops.

For digital comics, all purchases in the Marvel Comics app can be read on iPhone®, iPad® and select Android™ devices! Our smart-paneling feature provides an intuitive reader experience, ideal for all types of mobile device and tablet users!