Though Claremont is credited with reviving the X-Men, the run prior to Claremont’s very nearly accomplished the same thing, but for some unfortunate circumstances; nonetheless, Neal Adams’ run served as an important precursor for Claremont’s. #xmen 1/6

Neal Adams’ run on X-Men began in 1969. He was credited as artist for the series (with Roy Thomas scripting) but it was Adams doing most of the plotting as well (as revealed by Thomas in later interviews). 2/6

Adams had approached Stan Lee to do freelance work at Marvel, and though offered elite titles, Adams asked Lee what Marvel’s worst-selling title was, as Adams craved creative freedom. Lee told him “X-Men; we’re going to cancel in two issues.” So Adams requested X-men. 3/6

Through experimental, asymmetric layouts, and dynamic use of perspective, Adams’ work reinvigorated the X-Men with a visceral, kinetic, advertising-inspired energy that took the previous stylistic innovations of Steranko and Kirby to new heights. 4/6

Ironically, Adams had indeed buoyed the X-Men to modest success, but Marvel’s ability to track sales in this era was both slow and dubious. They canceled the book before they found out it was a hit. Adams went on to revitalize Batman instead of X-Men. 5/6

Afterward, his X-Men run developed a cult following, and Claremont himself credits Adams’ work as the source of his love for the X-Universe, a love and enthusiasm that Len Wein has pointed to as the reason he chose to let Claremont write X-Men in the first place. 6/6

As an aside, if you ever get a chance to hear/read Adams describing his layouts and how he controls the reader through design, check it out. He's operating on another level of draftsmanship genius.