Legion is one of the most complex and powerful mutants in the Marvel Comics Universe.
Legion (real name, David Haller) is the son of one of Marvel’s most powerful mutants, and develops omega level mutant powers himself. Unfortunately, Legion deals with severe mental illness, with a “legion” of personalities overwhelming his mind and near unstoppable powers.
Throughout his career, Legion has alternated as hero, villain, and anti-hero for both the New X-Men and X-Men.
Below you’ll find a guide to every Legion comic book appearance – enjoy the comics!
Legion Reading Order
Legion Origins
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Legion’s first appearance and introduction occurs during Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz’s classic work on New Mutants in the mid 1980’s.
You can get a feel for the whole New Mutants run as part of the Claremont X-Men reading order. Legion’s epic first story arc follows hot on the deals of the “Demon Bear Saga” which is well worth a read for any fan.
Collects: New Mutants (1983) #26-34
David Haller’s next most prominent appearance occurs during the Muir Island Saga crossover, as the X-Men and X-Factor battle against the Shadow King.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men #278 to #279, X-Factor #69, Uncanny X-Men #280, X-Factor #70
Legion Quest and the Age of Apocalypse
X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Vol. 1: Alpha
Legion returns to the pages of X-Men in the mid-90’s as part of the Legion Quest crossover, which sets up the X-Men’s Age of Apocalypse.
Easily one of the most important Legion story arcs for any fan of the character, or the X-Men. Readers certainly don’t need to read the entire Age of Apocalypse following Legion Quest, but if you’re interested, there’s always Comic Book Herald’s Age of Apocalypse reading order.
Legion Quest Reading Order:
X-Men #38
Uncanny X-Men #319
X-Men #39
Uncanny X-Men #320 – Legion Quest Part 1
X-Men #40 – Legion Quest Part 2
Uncanny X-Men #321 – Legion Quest Part 3
X-Men #41 – Legion Quest Part 4
Cable #20
The ‘New’ New Mutants and Return of Legion
New Mutants, Vol. 1: Return of Legion
Collects: New Mutants #1 to #5
Legion Legacy
Collects: X-Men Legacy #242 to #244, #248 to #249
Collects: Age Of X Alpha, X-Men Legacy #245-247, New Mutants (2009) #22-24, Age Of X Universe #1-2
Collects: X-Men Legacy #250 to #253
You certainly don’t need to read the entire Avengers vs. X-Men Marvel mega event as part of a Legion read, but you will want to be familiar with the event’s conclusion prior to moving on to X-Men: Legacy starring Legion.
Si Spurrier and Tan Eng Huat’s Legacy is the first ongoing Legion solo series, and was one of my surprise favorite runs from Marvel NOW!.
It’s worth noting that the series is collected in its entirety as part of a Legion Omnibus launching in time for the Legion FX TV show.
Collects: X-Men Legacy (2012) #1 to #24
Latest Additions
X-Men: Legion — Shadow King Rising
Collects: New Mutants (1983) #26 to #28, #44, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #253 to #255, #278 to #280, X-Factor (1986) #69 to #70
A recent reprint of Legion’s early stories.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #318-321, X-Men (1991) #38-41, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #4-7, X-Men Annual (1992) #3, X-Factor (1986) #107-109, Cable (1993) #20
Another reprint of Legion’s story, compiled for clarity.
Collects: Legion #1 to #5
Legion: Son of X Vol. 1: Prodigal
Collects: X-Men Legacy (2012) #1 to #6
Legion: Son of X Vol. 2: Invasive Exotics
Collects: X-Men Legacy (2012) #7 to #12
Legion: Son of X Vol. 3: Revenants
Collects: X-Men Legacy (2012) #13 to #18
Legion: Son of X Vol. 4: For We Are Many
Collects: X-Men Legacy (2012) #19 to #24
Uncanny X-Men by Brisson & Thompson: X-Men Disassembled
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (2018) #1 to #10
Collects: Way of X (2021) #1 to #5, X-Men: the Onslaught Revelation (2021) #1
Collects: Legion of X #1 to #5
Collects: Legion of X #6 to #10, X-Men: Before the Fall — Sons of X (2023) #1