X-MEN: Marvel Comics Reportedly Tried To Poach DC’s Jim Lee To Take Charge Of Upcoming

Jim Lee’s X-Men run is rightly considered one of the most influential and iconic periods in the history of the mutant team’s comic book series. In 1991, Lee, along with writer Chris Claremont, took over Uncanny X-Men starting with issue #248 and remained on the series until issue #280.

X-Men #1 later became the best-selling comic book of all time, though Lee eventually left Marvel Comics to help found Image. These days, he’s DC Comics’ Publisher and CCO, making him a pivotal part of what we see from those characters on the page and screen. 

The X-Men are currently undergoing some major changes thanks to the end of the Krakoa Era and while we don’t currently know what’s next for the team, it sounds like Marvel was hoping Lee might take charge of the planned relaunch! 

Talking on his Robservations With Rob Liefeld podcast, the Deadpool co-creator revealed that Marvel approached Lee about leaving DC last Spring and wanted him to illustrate the next X-Men series. He’d have also been enlisted to shape the franchise moving forward and we’d be shocked if he wasn’t eyed for some sort of executive role to boot. 

For any number of reasons, Lee chose to remain with DC. Still, we can’t help thinking about how exciting the legendary artist’s Marvel return would have been for both the X-Men and fans. 

Marvel Comics has also shared the first official details about Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men #1, an upcoming one-shot which will offer our first glimpse at the team’s post-Krakoa status quo. You can read more about that below. 

Time once again for a shot of all-new Marvel goodness, absolutely free! First, witness the overture to this summer’s major crossover event starring the Avengers – Blood Hunt! And then get a glimpse of the future of mutantkind as Jubilee learns that you cannot go home again!

In Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men #1, the long night arrives! Take your first bite of this upcoming saga from writer Jed MacKay that sees the vampires of the Marvel Universe step out of the shadows and plunge the world into darkness. Starring the Avengers, Moon Knight, Doctor Strange, and of course, pop culture’s iconic vampire hunter, Blade, Blood Hulnt promises to leave a profound mark on the Marvel Universe in its wake.

Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men #1 will also give readers their very first look at what’s next for mutantkind. Written by Gail Simone and drawn by David Marquez, this story follows Jubilee on a journey to where it all began and is packed with jaw-dropping hints at the X-Men’s post-Krakoa landscape.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2024: BLOOD HUNT/X-MEN #1
Written by JED MACKAY & GAIL SIMONE
Art by SARA PICHELLI & DAVID MARQUEZ
Cover by KAEL NGU