Paul Smith - Uncanny X-Men #172 Cover (Marvel, 1983)
Artist: Paul Smith (All)
71 Comments - 6,455 Views - 34 Likes
Additional Images:
Published cover
The Black Death homemade comic book (1984)
Artwork Details
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DescriptionTo paraphrase Billy Shakespeare, "What's in a name? That which we call a Grail by any other name would feel this sweet..." And here we have it - the single most nostalgic piece of comic book art that I can ever hope to acquire in this hobby. The original cover art to the issue which turned me on to comics and profoundly altered the course of my entire life (I even met my wife through comic art, if indirectly, though that is a story for another day). Yes, this is the original cover art to Uncanny X-Men #172 by Paul M. Smith!Back in 1983, I shared a paper route with a neighborhood kid in Colorado. He was into comics and lent me a few issues to read, including UXM #172. I was instantly hooked - this enigmatic Wolverine character battling assassins in Japan, days before his wedding, while having to take his former enemy (Rogue) under his wing? To paraphrase the tagline at the end of the issue, for 60 cents, better fun could simply not be had for a young kid in 1983! As it turns out, another friend at school happened to be into comics as well, and he lent me another batch of comics to read, which included the second half of that storyline in UXM #173. By then, I was a fan for life. Not only did I become an obsessive comic book collector soon after, but I was even inspired to create my own ninja-themed comic book ("The Black Death") featuring a villain who bore an "uncanny" resemblance to the Silver Samurai (sorry, Marvel - see "Additional Images"), as well as a "Choose Your Own Adventure"-style computer program entitled "Death in Scarlet" (a take-off on UXM #172's "Scarlet in Glory"). Anyway, I had been trying to locate the elusive cover art to UXM #172 for years, before finally deciding to reach out to Paul Smith himself, as I had heard he had gifted it to someone years ago. I didn't hear back from him initially, but I'm certainly glad I followed up with him again later on - my previous inquiry had fallen through the cracks, but this time around he graciously put me in touch with the owner. Happily, the owner saw how much the cover meant to me and we quickly negotiated a deal that made everyone involved happy. The cover is personalized to the former owner (who owned it for nearly 20 years) in the UPC box area. He offered to have Smitty remove it, but I told him that I would rather leave it alone as I feel that it adds character and provenance to the piece (I've digitally masked the personalization in the above photo to preserve the former owner's privacy - he does not wish to be contacted - but it is still there). In any case, I am truly grateful to both him and Paul for helping to make this dream come true. This is the most excited I have ever been, by a huge margin, about acquiring a piece of comic art. And, while there are of course other great pieces I would love to own, nothing else in the entire hobby would pack as much nostalgic and emotional punch for me as this one - anything I get after this is simply gravy! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Felix Lu 
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
I get to go first...this defines "grail", for those who are unsure of the concept. Major, major congrats, Gene!!
Dan M
Member Since 2007
Posted on 8/23/2014
Very happy for you Gene I know how much you dig the Smith Xmen work... big congrats! Great vintage wolvie cover.
Brian Peck
Member Since 2003
Posted on 8/23/2014
Classic! Another great X-Men Wedding Cover. I also vividly remember this cover and reading the book. At last your looooooong Quest is ended. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken R
Member Since 2006
Posted on 8/23/2014
Great story and a very memorable cover. Truly happy for you Gene, enjoy the hell out of it!
John B
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Congrats, Gene. Very cool story. I know what it feels like to own that special piece that ain't ever leaving the collection.
John Bamber
Member Since 2004
Posted on 8/23/2014
Awesome.... Gene it's always a pleasure to see your updates but this is one oft he best.....
Raymond Bryan
Member Since 2011
Posted on 8/23/2014
Was just thinking about this cover recently and wondered about it. Always loved it!!! Very jealous and congrats!!!!! This one is special indeed!
Tony K
Member Since 2012
Posted on 8/23/2014
Congrats and great story! And you're lucky to have such a cool cover be from the issue that drew you into the hobby!
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Smith' s run on X-Men was such a classic, with art that was beautiful and sophisticated. Grail story aside, this is a great example.
LB Jefferies
Member Since 2003
Posted on 8/23/2014
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Nicely done, mate!!
Steve Gumm
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Quite the art day, congratulations on this collecting milestone! Reading your story brought a smile to my face. Acquiring an important slice of your childhood...it doesn't get better than that!
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Paul Smith's X-Men was the version that hooked me on the characters, too. Great cover, glad you were able to track it down.
Mike W
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jonathan Mueller
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Gene, my sincerest congratulations on acquiring the piece of original comic art that invokes the most nostalgia induced joy for you! Having been lucky enough to add my own personal grail a few years back, I think I know how incredible you feel! Next to his mini-series, this is probably my favorite Wolverine story, and PMS's Uncanny X-Men art is simply breathtaking to behold, and all too scarce! You have a true gem in this example! I'm happy that it will be cherished, and appreciate you sharing it, and your story, with us!
Marc Pecorella
Member Since 2007
Posted on 8/23/2014
Great story Gene! You know I know that feeling of finding my grail. Trouble is, I keep making up new ones!!!!!!!! Best of luck with this. THIS is what collecting is all about.
Mike D
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Wow, huge congrats Gene!!! I am really happy for you. This cover is smack-dab in my nostalgic wheelhouse as well and really represents one of the very best eras of comics imo.
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Fantastic cover that just looks perfect in your collection!!!! Congrats!!!!
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Amazing piece of comic art that hits me in just about the same nostalgia zone. And amazing story of acquiring it--congrats, it's heartening to see a key piece like this end up with exactly who it should end up with in this often cut-throat hobby of ours.
D. J. Peters
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Awesome work of art and wonderful story! Thank you for sharing!
JONATHAN MANKUTA
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/23/2014
Huge congrats Gene...this cover fell into the right hands!
glen gold
Member Since 2004
Posted on 8/23/2014
This is great, Gene. I haven't ever seen this cover before (My last X-Men comic was a Byrne issue) but I can see instantly why it's so cool. Not just the whole wedding-with-a-sword through it image, but the great trompe l'oeil thing going on. The shadow of the hilt, and the card, the tatami-style background, the "handwritten" note to Nightcrawler, all of it. Really lovely.
Sean Clarke
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/24/2014
This demonstrates my commitment (delusion?) that certain art belongs in certain collections. Huge congratulations on acquiring this, and much respect for doing the heavy lifting to make it happen! It's true that every time a comic art collector acquires a long sought grail, you hear a bell, and an angel gets his wings.
Sam 06
Member Since 2011
Posted on 8/24/2014
Another masterpiece in your incredible collection! Congratulations for finding your Grail!
DW A
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/24/2014
This is wonderful to see - great that it has found its way to CAF and your collection Gene. Amazing piece of art and thanks for sharing all the background to your quest
Greg C.
Member Since 2008
Posted on 8/24/2014
Like this needs ANOTHER comment, but.........NO WAY!!!!!!!!!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 8/24/2014
Gene...jackpot! I was deep into my love of the X-Men at that age, as well - and can remember this issue like it was yesterday. My favorite part of this cover has always been the personalized note from Logan to the 'Elf'. A majestic piece of nostalgia - so happy for you that it is in your collection!
Thomas V
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 8/24/2014
Congratulations Gene. There must be few things better than attaining the cover to the book that brought you into the hobby. It doesn't hurt that it's by Paul Smith, one of the greatest comic book artists of the last 35 years.
Gene Park
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/24/2014
I just wanted to express my sincerest thanks to everyone for all of the kind comments here and in other forums about this piece. I've been grinning ear-to-ear non-stop this weekend; this one really is special for me and it's been tremendous to see so many people in the hobby rally around to celebrate this with me - thanks again!! - Gene
Olivier D
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/24/2014
Holding, enjoying a grail piece if not THE grail piece which turned you on to comics is probably what we all hunt! You succeeded in this matter and I do congratulate you, enjoy enjoy enjoy! ;-)
I D
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/25/2014
Gene - The run by Paul Smith and Chris Claremont shaped the way I viewed the X-men and comic books in general. The art is a sight to behold. They don't make covers like this one anymore. I'm very happy for you and I hope that you will cherish this feeling you have every time you gaze upon this beautiful example.
Satya Chetri
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/25/2014
Congratulations, Gene. Always great to own a piece of your childhood.
Joshua McCoy
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 8/25/2014
Doesn't get much better than this. Fantastic addition!
Chris C
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/25/2014
What a great back story to this cover and what it means to you. I have very similar memories of picking this comic up as an almost teenager, and the impact of that cover and story have stayed with me ever since. How deeply satisfying this must be for you. I am really happy for you.
Mark Tomlinson
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/25/2014
Gene, it's always great to see a collector acquire a piece that means so much to them (and a relief to see it's not a title you collect)! Another great piece to add to your outstanding collection. Congrats!
Daren Domina
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/25/2014
You already have my private congratulations so here's my public one--FREAKING OUTSTANDING!! I hope that there's few nice lessons for newbie (and other) collectors out there, not the least of which is about perseverance and a great, warmly nostalgic outcome.
Alex B
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 8/26/2014
Huge congrats Gene for this very special piece ! Always awesome to hear that a fellow collector has achieved his lifelong comic art goal !!! I hope one day I'll be able to feel the same as you... maybe thanks to you ;-)
Ken Fries
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/28/2014
Fantastic story. Love reading things like this. Makes the artwork that much more special. Congrats on getting a beautiful piece with a terrific personal significance!
Suat Tong Ng
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/28/2014
Well done! The winding road to its acquisition must only have made this sweeter. The only thing that remains is for you to find a great place to hang it.
Xavier .
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 8/31/2014
Congrats on this amazing and memorable cover!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Fred Bronaugh
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/8/2014
One of the best covers of the 80s. Definitely works for me
Joseph Melchior
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/20/2014
Smitty told me it was given as a wedding present years ago so I thought that was it. Major kudos Gene for following the dream and scoring. Big time.
Jason Budnick
Member Since 2007
Posted on 10/30/2014
So you finally found it :) sorry to be a bit tardy in adding congratulations but I'm always happy to see somebody find art from their first comic, onwards to reuniting the whole book ;) Great pickup Gene and your efforts to get in contact with the owner and acquire this piece allow the rest of us to appreciate it so, 'drinks all around' on this one.
Patrick Yeung
Member Since 2008
Posted on 7/24/2018
Very nice cover, and very impressive collection!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/29/2022
Thats a great deal you did. Trading your homemade, Black Death cover artwork for this....Maybe not. I still have my own handdrawn version of Brian Bolland Judge Death, hiding in the attic. My sweet issue of PMS X-men is issue 165. How I would love a good Storm page from that one.
Phill R
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 6/11/2023
A grail indeed! Great backstory, and congrats on attaining that which the hobby is all about!
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 6/30/2025
Congrats on this monumental X cover and lots of cool pages that go with it. Cheers!
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