Marvel is responsible for the biggest mythic characters of our time, and the X-Men are a huge reason why. The superhero team arrived in 1963 from the minds of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, with key figures like Professor Xavier, Magneto, Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Jean Grey, and Iceman ushering in the mutant age of Marvel Comics. Over time, other creators such as Chris Claremont and Grant Morrison would redefine the X-Men for contemporary audiences.
While Marvel has produced many popular titles over the years, ranging from Spider-Man to The Avengers, during the 90s, the X-Men were at the top of the publishing chain and launched a groundbreaking animated series. Under 20th Century Fox, the X-Men film franchise lasted nearly two decades and also played a pivotal role in the rise of comic book movies. The X-Men have played a critical role not just in Marvel’s history but in the entire superhero landscape. The X-Men’s stamp on popular culture is also showing no signs of slowing down, with Marvel Studios set to reboot the film franchise as part of its Marvel Cinematic Universe. Therefore, any new Marvel fan must tap into the X-Men mythos to fully appreciate the universe, but knowing where to start can be intimidating, given the endless material to scour.
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s The X-Men #1
Image via Marvel Comics
With comic book characters with as rich a history as the X-Men, it never hurts to start at the very beginning. Lee and Kirby’s The X-Men #1 hit store shelves in September 1963 and would forever change the Marvel Universe. Unlike some comic book debuts, the very first X-Men issue includes key elements that would remain key staples of the mythos to this day.
For instance, the X-Men go up against their arch-nemesis, Magneto, to stop him from overtaking a U.S. military base. While the first X-Men team differed from later, more recognizable rosters, Professor Xavier is still at the helm, and characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Beast make their debuts. To understand the core concept of the X-Men, their 1963 is a must-read for any new fan.
Wolverine’s Debut in The Incredible Hulk #180
While the inaugural X-Men issue featured some well-known mutants, one notable absence was Wolverine, who wouldn’t make his comic book debut until 1974. Wolverine has gone on to become one of the most popular characters to spin out of the X-Men team.
However, the mutant actually made his debut in The Incredible Hulk #180 from Len Win and John Romita Sr. In the issue, Wolverine notably faced the Hulk, wearing a costume that would quickly evolve. The Incredible Hulk issue is not only a fun showdown between two iconic comic book characters, but it also holds significant historical value.
Chris Claremont’s Legendary X-Men Run
While Lee and Kirby created the X-Men, other creators would later put their own stamp on the mutants in significant ways, and Claremont was a major contributor to some of the most memorable moments in their history. Claremont took over the Uncanny X-Men title with issue #94 in August 1975. From there, Claremont would introduce key characters such as Rogue, Mystique, Gambit, Mister Sinister, and many others.
Furthermore, Claremont would also make Wolverine part of the X-Men and add significant depth to the character with his storyline in Japan, starting with Wolverine #1 from 1982. Claremont would also contribute some of the most iconic X-Men stories ever published during his 16-year run with The Dark Phoenix Saga, Uncanny X-Men, Days of Future Past, God Loves, Man Kills, Mutant Genesis, X-Men Vol. 2, and others.
Grant Morrison’s New X-Men Took Bold Swings
Morrison is one of the most prolific comic book creators due to his work on Batman and Superman for DC Comics, but the writer also dramatically shook things up with the X-Men in the early 2000s. Starting with New X-Men #114–116, the E for Extinction story arc launched a new era for the mutants.
Morrison took big swings with the X-Men, some that worked and others that were quite controversial. Like Claremont, Morrison would put his own spin on the X-Men mythos in exciting ways with new characters like Cassandra Nova.
X-Men: The Animated Series Broke New Ground
Image via Marvel Studios
A list of the best X-Men stories would be incomplete without the inclusion of the beloved animated series. X-Men: The Animated Series premiered on Halloween in 1992, making a quick first impression with a theme song. However, the ’90s X-Men animated series did far more than deliver one of the most iconic superhero tunes ever, since it was also one of the most groundbreaking superhero adaptations at the time.
X-Men: The Animated Series wasn’t afraid to tackle the soap-opera drama of the comics, with adaptations of famous storylines like Days of Future Past and The Dark Phoenix Saga. Years later, Marvel Studios revived the animated series, which only elevated the original. The series holds a special place for many longtime X-Men fans, who consider it the most faithful adaptation of the mutants to date.
X-Men (2000) Redefined Comic Book Movies
After making such a major impact in comics and television for years, the X-Men would eventually make their big-screen debut with Bryan Singer’s film in 2000. X-Men remains one of the most significant comic book films ever made, with the mutants taken seriously and collecting a cast of respected actors like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.
The first X-Men film was so profound that the franchise continues to play a role in the MCU with films like Deadpool & Wolverine and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The original X-Men film may not be the perfect representation of the comic books, in large part because of the all-black leather suits. Still, it remains a classic that introduced audiences to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and other portrayals that will stand the test of time in cinema history.
Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men Is Highly-Regarded
Joss Whedon is a familiar name in the comic book sphere, due to his contributions to superhero cinema with his Avengers and Justice League films. However, the renowned writer was also behind a key X-Men series that many consider among the best.
Whedon continued Morrison’s storyline with Astonishing X-Men in 2004. Whedon, with John Cassaday’s art, once again redefined the mutants with a superhero-focused approach that was a refreshing change after Morrison’s run. Many consider “Gifted” Whedon’s best X-Men work, a story that would become a notable influence on the film X-Men: The Last Stand.
X-Men: First Class Is Still a Top-Tier Movie Prequel
Unlike many comic book movies in the early 2000s, the first X-Men film didn’t explore the origin story of the mutant team. Instead, the 2000 film followed Wolverine’s perspective as he teamed up with the already established X-Men. Following a trilogy and a Wolverine prequel, 20th Century Fox finally delved into the origins of the X-Men with First Class.
Director Matthew Vaughn infused his own flashy filmmaking style to deliver one of the best X-Men films to date, and also explored the compelling backstory of Professor Xavier and Magneto’s relationship, spearheaded by the brilliant casting of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender as their younger counterparts. While X-Men: First Class took some liberties with the source material, it’s still one of the best film adaptations of the mutants, as a standout prequel that breathed new life into the franchise in 2011.
X-Men: Grand Design Reimagined Mutant History
The X-Men have a long and complicated history, with many storylines to follow. In 2018, Ed Piskor wrote and illustrated an ambitious comic book series titled X-Men: Grand Design. The three-issue limited series is Priskor’s spin on some of the most iconic moments in X-Men history.
Grand Design reimagined moments from the Stan Lee and Chris Claremont runs, such as The Dark Phoenix Saga and X-Tinction Agenda. It all combines to deliver a cohesive narrative of the X-Men’s iconic history through a unique lens.
Deadpool Launched a New Era for X-Men Films
Image via 20th Century Studios
The 2016 film wasn’t the first live-action appearance of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, since he debuted in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but the rebooted spin-off was a far more faithful depiction. Furthermore, Deadpool drastically reshaped the X-Men film franchise with a successful low-budget, R-rated film that perfectly illustrated the vastness of the mutant corner of the Marvel Universe.
Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking is unlike anything portrayed in past X-Men films. Moreover, Deadpool paved the way for 20th Century Fox to take more risks with projects like Logan and Legion. Deadpool was also the only film series to continue under Marvel Studios after Disney acquired 20th Century Fox.
Image via Marvel Comics
First TV Show
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men
Cast
Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Ryan Reynolds, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
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The New Mutants
Upcoming Films
Deadpool & Wolverine