Rating: 
Summary: This is *NOT* God Loves, Man Kills
Review: Like Lewis Kapell says in his review, this is Essential X-Men volume 5, which does NOT contain "God Loves, Man Kills", which most of these reviews seem to be focusing on. The Essential X-Men books are black & white reprints of the Uncanny X-Men starting with Chris Claremont's first issue.
I enjoyed this, but not as much as the previous volumes. There's nothing remotely as strong as the Dark Pheonix saga, and nothing terribly important seems to happen (with the exception of Ororro's continuing mid-life crisis). This seems to be around the time Marvel started doing crossovers and "event" type comics, as apparently both Secret Wars 1 AND 2 took place during the time the issues in this volume were printed, along with several mini-series, and the launch of the New Mutants comic. The result is that it starts feeling disjointed (like a lot of the modern X-Men stuff does). Some of the most important events that are taking place in these character's lives aren't actually in this book, but rather in the spin-offs, specials, etc., which is very annoying. As an example, early in the book Kitty is on her own, and confronted by Emma Frost (who's supposed to be in a coma) at the end of an issue. It's a perfect cliffhanger...that's never actually resolved in this book, it took place in New Mutants apparently. Instead this book has what seems like a far less interesting story.
Some of the other stories are pretty lame (especially towards the end of the book)-I've more than had my fill of the sewer-dwelling Morlocks, and certainly didn't need to see them take up a big chunk of the book, nor did I need a cross over with the Power Pack... There's almost no time spent on Scott Summer's or his new wife (who just happens to look like Jean), and overall it just doesn't feel like much important happened here. On top of that, Amazon seems to have raised their price on it since I bought it. If you're reading through the X-Men issues from the beginning, it's worth getting this too, but it's not the greatest point to start at, and it's not up to par with the earlier volumes. Hopefully volume 6 (if there ever is a volume 6) will be better.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad
Review: The problem with this books is theres no actual repurcussions. It had all the makings of the greatest X-Men story ever told, and comes close to succeeding, but never quite attains the pure emotion that it could if not for poor coincidences and good luck,
Rating:
Summary: A Bit of Our World in a Fantasy
Review: This book plays wonderfully on the one thing that unites Charles Xavier and Magneto - their love for their fellow mutants. A right-wing extremist believes that Xavier is the anti-Christ, and his phrases only too often remind us of similar personages in America. The philosphy and theory is supported by necessary action, not the other way around as is the case in so many lower quality comic books. Overall, an excellent work.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic X-Men story
Review: This classic X-Men story from the golden years of Chris Claremont's legendary run on the book is one of the most well known and well regarded tales to ever hit the X-Men. The story revolves around William Stryker; a powerful bible banging televangilist with an agenda for mutantkind. The X-Men are thrown into the thick of Stryker's would be crusade, with Magneto waiting in the wings with plans of his own. Claremont's superb and powerful storytelling is at his best here, and maybe is his best next to the classic Dark Phoenix Saga. The art is great as well, although some may find it a bit too 80's. The basic story of God Loves, Man Kills, would be used in the X2: X-Men United movie which used a villian named Stryker, only instead of him having power through religion he had it through the military. Even though this story is out of print, you can find it in the X-Treme X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills 2 book.
Rating:
Summary: Classic X-Men story
Review: This classic X-Men story from the golden years of Chris Claremont's legendary run on the book is one of the most well known and well regarded tales to ever hit the X-Men. The story revolves around William Stryker; a powerful bible banging televangilist with an agenda for mutantkind. The X-Men are thrown into the thick of Stryker's would be crusade, with Magneto waiting in the wings with plans of his own. Claremont's superb and powerful storytelling is at his best here, and maybe is his best next to the classic Dark Phoenix Saga. The art is great as well, although some may find it a bit too 80's. The basic story of God Loves, Man Kills, would be used in the X2: X-Men United movie which used a villian named Stryker, only instead of him having power through religion he had it through the military. Even though this story is out of print, you can find it in the X-Treme X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills 2 book.
Rating:
Summary: Predjudice
Review: This graphic novel shows just how seriously predjudice and simple ignorance can cause serious harm. In this case, they cause the death of two young children, for being "Born different". It is refreshing to see one of the earlier times when Magneto aids the X-Men, even if his methods are unorthodox and ruthless. It show that there is some good in him, for doing the right thing. Also in this book, Professor Xavier's dark side is seen. Even if not voluntarily. This is the type of book that anyone, whether or not an X-Men fan, can see the meaning to.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best X-Men stories ever
Review: This is a comic book with heroes and villians, but these villians are ones you're likely to see in the real world. These villians hate anyone who is different. Thematically, then this is an ugly story that serves as an allegory on human hate and prejudice. It's a worthy read. In dealing with this topic, "God Loves, Man Kills" transcends a comic book and serves as a commentary and an indictment on how we treat one another.
Rating:
Summary: Touching and powerful
Review: This story is as moving to me today as it was when it first came out long ago. As a long-time fan of the "new" X-men (the first one I bought was 105 straight off the rack) it pleases me to see that the long-awaited movie seems to have been based on this book. The themes of prejudice and hatred based on fear of the different or the unknown are just as timely now as they were then. The courage, "humanity", and compassion shown by the mutants in this book are poignant counterpoints to the aggression and fear of the "normal" people.
Rating:
Summary: What a great X-Men adventure
Review: This was one of the best X-Men stories, Claremont, shows that he just may be a mutant himself with his insight into the mutant phenomenon. This story may also be the basis for the sequel to the X-Men movie, if internet rumors can be trusted. If so, I can't wait to see the movie.
Rating:
Summary: A very strong parable
Review: Wow, do I remember what an uproar this caused when it first came out! As the murderous villian presented himself as a man of God, many incorrectly saw this graphic novel (and, in regards to complex characters, a compelling plot, and thematic depth, this does indeed deserve to be called a novel) as being an attack on religion. Its nothing of the sort. Instead, this is an attack on racism and intolerance in all its forms -- even the kindly-looking forms that speak words of love while thinking only thoughts of hate. The plot deals with the anti-mutant crusade of a televangelist whose followers back up his sermons with murderous violence. (The opening scenes in which two mutant children are ruthlessly gunned down is powerful and haunting.) The X-Men (mutants themselves for those who, for whatever reason, might not know) join forces with their usual nemesis, Magneto, and, in the course of battling the nominal villians, they must decide for themselves whether to follow a path of peace or to give into Magneto's call for violent revolution. Its a strong story and one of the best to come out of what, in my opinion at least, was the X-Men's strongest creative period. Considering the violence, sex, and sadism that's become almost common place in all forms of "entertainment" nowadays, the violence in God Loves, Man Kills seems almost quaint. Unlike so many others in his field, Claremont takes no joy from creating violence and never sinks so low as to cheapen the suffering found within this graphic novel's pages. For that he is to be comended. Hopefully, other aspiring comic book writers will take his lesson to heart and return the industry back to where it truly deserves to be.
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