History of the X-Men comics
Encyclopedia
This text deals with the history of the popular Marvel Comics
franchise, the X-Men
.
, artist Jack Kirby
and several other illustrators produced a number of superhero titles which stressed character personalities and personal conflict as much as action and adventure, including The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man
. The X-Men was one of the last titles of this Silver Age
renaissance, appearing in September 1963.
In the comic book series, the X-Men were founded by the paraplegic telepath
Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X
. Xavier gathered the X-Men under the cover of a "School for Gifted Youngsters
" at a large country estate at 1407 Graymalkin Lane in Salem Center
, a city in Westchester County, New York
.
Cover-billed as "the strangest heroes of all", the original X-Men consisted of five teenagers still learning to control their powers:
A precursor to the concept of a school for feared genetic mutants appeared in the 1953 science fiction novel Children of the Atom
by Wilmar H. Shiras
, which has been credited — though never officially confirmed — with inspiring the X-Men. The title characters of the novel were also mutants, the results of an unintended experiment in genetic mutation. The term "Children of the Atom" has also been used at times during the X-Men franchise's history, often as a subtitle for various X-Men publications and video games.
Despite the philosophical concepts which appeared in The X-Men, Lee has said he invented genetic "mutants" to find a way to create a number of super-powered characters without having to come up with a separate and interesting origin for each one.
The X-Men #1 also introduced the team's arch-nemesis, Magneto
, who controlled magnetism
and who felt that mutants should rule over or kill all normal humans. Magneto's character would later be fleshed out to reveal that he once shared a friendship with Professor X, and that his decree that mutants must conquer or be conquered grew from his experiences as a Holocaust
survivor. The X-Men #4 introduced Magneto's team, the Brotherhood of Mutants
, including Mastermind
, the Toad
, Quicksilver
and the Scarlet Witch
. Other villains were also introduced during this era who would loosely become affiliated with the Brotherhood over time, including Unus the Untouchable
, the Vanisher
and the Blob
, the latter having the most longevity with the group, joining or aiding nearly every incarnation.
While a few other important villains debuted during the 1960s — such as Professor X's superhumanly strong stepbrother the Juggernaut
and the mutant-hunting robot
Sentinels — the X-Men often fought easily forgotten mutant criminals, alien invaders and brutish monsters. As a result, this era is largely regarded as unremarkable and The X-Men became one of the less successful Marvel series during the 1960s.
During this early era, only one other member was briefly added to the team:
Lee and Kirby departed the series in 1966, handing the reins over to Roy Thomas
and Werner Roth
. Roth gave up the regular art chores in 1967, and Thomas dropped the scripting slot in 1968. The title went with no long-term creative team for about a year, but had a couple notable artists. Jim Steranko
drew several issues, one added the villain Mesmero
to the cast and Barry Windsor-Smith
drew three issues. In 1969, Thomas returned, joined by fan favorite artist Neal Adams
in an effort to save the series from its sagging sales. These issues are more highly regarded by fans and introduced recurring villains Sauron
and the Living Monolith
as well as two more X-Men:
Though sales did improve while Adams illustrated the book, it was too little and too late, and Marvel stopped producing new issues of The X-Men in 1970 with issue #66. The series continued by reprinting old issues and the X-Men appeared in other Marvel comics — including prominent appearances in Marvel Team-Up
, The Avengers
, The Incredible Hulk and Captain America
— but faded to near-obscurity.
and artist Dave Cockrum
introduced a new team of X-Men. Rather than teenagers, this group consisted of adults who hailed from a variety of nations and cultures. The wide range of cultures came from Marvel's intention to target the title in markets outside its U.S. base. Giant-Size X-Men
#1 introduced this team, called together by Professor X to rescue the original team from captivity on the radioactive "living island" of Krakoa
.
The "All-New, All-Different X-Men" were led by Cyclops, and consisted of:
After Giant-Size X-Men
#1, Marvel began publishing new issues of Uncanny X-Men, featuring the new team minus Sunfire (who had quit) and Thunderbird, who had died in battle after two issues in Uncanny X-Men #95. The series was illustrated by Cockrum and written by Chris Claremont
, who would go on to become the longest-standing contributor to the series. One of the most important storylines of this era was "The Phoenix Saga" (Uncanny X-Men #101–108, 1977), in which Jean Grey seemingly bonded with a cosmic entity called the Phoenix and led the team on an intergalactic mission. The saga introduced the Shi'ar
alien race and its empress Lilandra, a recurring love interest of Professor X. Moira MacTaggert
and Proteus
were introduced as well.
.
In 1978, Cockrum was succeeded as penciller by John Byrne, who also co-plotted the series with Claremont (soon retitled — informally in issue #114 and officially in issue #142 — The Uncanny X-Men). This marked the beginning of what many consider the X-Men's first creative renaissance, during which the series became one of the most popular in the industry. Following a confrontation with Magneto, Professor X and Jean Grey believed the X-Men lost and over the continuity of a year, the team fought its way back home. Byrne also introduced a series of Canadian-themed adventures with the introduction of Alpha Flight
, a Canadian super-hero team. Wolverine consistently won awards as the most popular comic character — as a result, at least one issue per year between 1980 and 1984 focused on him. In 1982, Wolverine was given a limited series, penned by Claremont and drawn by Frank Miller
, introducing the Japanese culture element of his character.
" (Uncanny X-Men #129–137, 1980). In this story, the aristocratic Hellfire Club
seduced Phoenix, using Mastermind
's mutant ability to create complex illusions. This tampering with her mind unleashed Phoenix's dark side, and she went on to destroy a populated solar system with over five billion inhabitants. Although the X-Men tried to control her and apparently succeeded, Lilandra had Jean Grey captured in the hope of ending the Phoenix threat. Professor Xavier called for a duel of honor for the right not to surrender Phoenix. Lilandra, with the agreement of the Kree
and Skrull
as long as the superheroes' defeat was guaranteed, agreed to the challenge. The result was a battle on Earth's Moon between the Shi'ar's Imperial Guard
and the X-Men, with Jean Grey's fate hanging in the balance. The X-Men were eventually overwhelmed, but the stress of the battle, during which Cyclops
was injured, overcame Phoenix's mental restraints against her dark persona, and it returned. At that point, Lilandra ordered the solar system destroyed in hopes that the Phoenix might be killed in the process, and Professor Xavier regretfully ordered the X-Men to kill their teammate to prevent such destruction. Because of Jean Grey's humanity and willpower, Phoenix committed suicide to prevent further loss, a watershed moment for comics; major characters had rarely been killed up to that point, and sacrificial suicide had previously been inconceivable. "The Dark Phoenix Saga" introduced several characters, including Kitty Pryde
, Emma Frost, (the White Queen
of the Hellfire Club and future X-Man), and Dazzler
.
For their swan song, Claremont and Byrne produced "Days of Future Past" (Uncanny X-Men #141–142, 1981), which portrayed a dystopia
n future in which America is a wasteland controlled by Sentinels. In this alternate future, most of the X-Men and other heroes are dead, and mutants are confined in concentration camps. In the storyline, the psyche of the adult 'Kate Pryde' is sent back in time to the body of her younger self (Kitty), and she convinces the X-Men to help her thwart the assassination of a senator by the shapeshifter Mystique
and her new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, including new characters Avalanche
, Pyro
, and Destiny
as well as the Blob. This dark vision of a future created by fear, hatred, and intolerance has inspired many X-Men stories in the years since.
In 1982, Claremont wrote and Brent Anderson
illustrated the graphic novel
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
, in which Reverend William Stryker
began a religious crusade against mutants, capturing and brainwashing Professor X to manipulate his powers to attack and eradicate mutant minds. The X-Men united with Magneto to battle Stryker, resulting in one of the clearest examples of mutants as a metaphor for race relations in the series. More than twenty years later, the story inspired the plot of the second X-Men film
.
Meanwhile, Uncanny X-Men continued with Claremont and artists such as Paul Smith
and later John Romita Jr.. Early 1980s storylines introduced the aliens Deathbird
and the Brood
, the subterranean mutant gang the Morlocks
and the futuristic mutant hunter Nimrod
; explored Wolverine's love of Japanese aristocrat Mariko Yashida
; saw Storm adjust to the temporary loss of her powers and form a relationship with the mutant government weapons contractor Forge
; and delved into Cyclops' relationship with Madelyne Pryor
, a seeming doppelgänger
of Jean Grey. This last story ended with Cyclops marrying Madelyne and retiring from the X-Men.
The X-Men gathered several new recruits in the early and mid-1980s, including:
, was launched in 1983 and featured a new group of teenaged mutants attending Xavier's school. In 1986, the original X-Men, including a controversially resurrected Jean Grey, formed X-Factor
. In 1988 Marvel added the offbeat Excalibur
, featuring Rachel Summers, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and the British superheroes Captain Britain
and Meggan. In 1988, Wolverine was granted his own solo series, which often dealt with his struggles with personal honor and his past. With several spin-off series being published alongside the main book, as well as storylines crossing through each book, X-Men continuity became increasingly complex and difficult to follow. The X-Men franchise became one of Marvel's most valuable assets during the decade and inspired other comic book properties, such as Spider-Man
and DC Comics
' Superman
and Batman
, to create several interconnected "families" of multiple books.
Another controversial move was to have Professor X relocate to space in 1986 after he sustained injuries so severe that only Shi'ar technology could save his life, while a convenient solar flare prevented Xavier from returning to Earth. The major controversy arose from former arch-villain Magneto taking Xavier's place in running the school as well as the X-Men and New Mutants. This was the reason given for the original X-Men's decision to form X-Factor and keep their identities secret, as they thought the new team had "betrayed" Xavier by working with Magneto.
This plethora of X-Men-related titles led to the rise of crossovers
, sometimes called "X-Overs", storylines which would overlap into several X-Books, sometimes for months at a time. The first, 1986's "Mutant Massacre
," featured the Marauders
, a group a murderous mutants, who slaughtered the Morlocks and severely injured many of the X-Men who intervened (Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler's injuries allowed the writers to ship them off to England for Excalibur). The saga introduced Mister Sinister
, a nefarious mutant geneticist who was the Marauders' leader and a central figure in many subsequent plots. It also brought Sabretooth
, previously an opponent of the martial arts
hero Iron Fist, into the X-Men's world as an adversary for Wolverine, with hints that the two were linked in the past.
During this period Claremont unveiled a new X-Men line-up consisting of Storm, Rogue, Wolverine, Colossus, Havok and several new and pre-existing characters:
Also in this time period, in addition to crossovers, the X-Men co-starred in two mini-series: The Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men and The X-Men vs. the Avengers. The former took care of a dangling plot thread left over from the "Mutant Massacre" story, as the Fantastic Four's leader, Mr. Fantastic, and their enemy, Dr. Doom, were needed to save Kitty Pryde's life.
Following the 1987 Fall of the Mutants
crossover, in which the X-Men died and were reborn after fighting a demon
called the Adversary
in Dallas
, the team briefly relocated to an abandoned outpost in Australia. This period of X-Men history saw the introduction of the Reavers
, a band of cyborg
mercenaries
, and the Inferno
crossover, which revealed that Madelyne Pryor was actually a clone
of Jean Grey created by Mister Sinister. The X-Men and X-Factor battled Pryor, who was now the insane Goblin Queen, and the demons she had allied herself with. One of the high points of the story was the reunion of X-Factor and the X-Men; X-Factor had no idea the others were really alive, and the X-Men had assumed Jean Grey was still dead. The Australian sojourn finally ended with Storm and Rogue presumed dead and most of the others, despondent, choosing to enter the Siege Perilous
, a crystal which determined their individual fates. Claremont took this opportunity to write Dazzler and Longshot out of the series (they paired up and left to raise a child). Unlike most X-characters, they were rarely seen or heard from since their departure. However in 2005, Dazzler returned in New Excalibur
and has since rejoined the X-Men, while Longshot was briefly teamed with the Exiles
and is now a member of X-Factor.
In late 1989, Marvel began publishing Uncanny X-Men twice a month, allowing Claremont to write intertwined plot threats involving a number of X-Men. The 1990 crossover, the X-Tinction Agenda
, pulled the X-Men back together, with Storm, Banshee, Wolverine, Psylocke and three new members:
The final battle of this era, the Muir Island Saga
, saw the X-Men, X-Factor and some allies fight an old nemesis of Xavier, the Shadow King
.
From 1987 until 1990 Marc Silvestri
illustrated Uncanny X-Men. He was succeeded by young artist Jim Lee
, who was one of the most popular artists in comics during his tenure on the title.
After the X-Men's return to Westchester, New York and Professor X's return to Earth in early 1991, Marvel revised the entire lineup of X-books. Artist Rob Liefeld
transformed The New Mutants into the platoon
-like X-Force
, led by the mysterious warhawk Cable
. The original X-Men abandoned X-Factor and returned to the X-Men, some of them much different from when they left. Beast had developed blue fur and earned a PhD
in genetics
and Angel, now called Archangel, had been transformed by the 5,000-year-old supermutant Apocalypse
and now had blue skin and metal wings. Meanwhile, Havok, Polaris and several secondary mutants formed a new, government-affiliated X-Factor.
To make room for the enlarged main team, Marvel launched a second X-Men series, simply called X-Men. Written by Claremont and illustrated by Lee, the new series featured the "blue team," consisting of Beast, Psylocke, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops and Wolverine. Uncanny X-Men, scripted by John Byrne (for a time) with plots by Jim Lee and pencils by Whilce Portacio, featured the "gold team," consisting of Colossus, Iceman, Archangel, Jean Grey, Storm, and Bishop
, a gun-toting renegade mutant from a distant future. Professor X, Jubilee, Banshee and Forge stayed on as non-combatant X-Men; Banshee and Forge left soon after for various reasons.
The popular art of Lee and Liefeld and the buzz produced by this reformation raised the X-Men's popularity even further and the first issues of X-Force and X-Men became two of the best-selling comic book issues of all time, thanks mainly to the sales boom from comics speculators.
Amid the success, internal friction split the X-Men books' creative teams. Claremont left after only three issues of X-Men due to clashes with Marvel editors and with Lee, ending his fifteen-year stint as X-Men writer. John Byrne took over scripting duties (but this did not last). Months later, Liefeld and Lee left Marvel with several other popular artists, including Silvestri and Portacio, to form Image Comics
. In the 2009 New York Comic Con, Claremont announced that he will return to his series in a new self-contained continuity entitled X-Men Forever
. Claremont's first three issues of X-Men were reprinted in 2009 as a kick-off to the series.
The X-Men's rise in popularity continued, largely thanks to the Fox Network's top-rated X-Men animated series
, which debuted in 1992. Meanwhile Uncanny X-Men was handed over to writer Scott Lobdell
and artist Joe Madureira, whose manga
-like style helped generate a new interest in Japanese comics in the U.S. X-Men continued with writer Fabian Nicieza
and artist Andy Kubert
.
X-overs proliferated, becoming almost annual events during the 1990s. Although they consistently boosted sales, fans began to complain that they were just contrived publicity stunts. Some of the more prominent crossovers from the decade include:
Other important storylines included the second slaughter of the Morlocks; Iceman learning to deal with increased power levels, now able to turn completely into ice; the murder of Colossus' family and his subsequent defection to Magneto's Acolytes
; Psylocke discovering the origin of her transformation from English model to Asian assassin; the burgeoning relationship between Rogue and Gambit; Jean Grey abandoning her Marvel Girl codename in favor of Phoenix, to honor both Rachel and the alien life force; Rogue briefly quitting after absorbing Gambit's psyche; Bishop dealing with faulty memories from a timeline that could not exist; Psylocke and Archangel's near murders at the hands of Sabretooth, warranting their leaving the team; Wolverine mutating into a strange, unintelligent beast after losing his adamantium at the hands of Magneto; Iceman quitting to nurse his bigoted father back to health after being attacked by anti-mutant activists; and Gambit harboring a dark secret: he was the one who gathered the Marauders for Sinister.
The 1990s saw an even greater number of X-books, with numerous ongoing series and limited series
running at any given time. Ongoing series from this time included Generation X
, starring another team of teenage mutants and X-Man
, the offspring of Cyclops and Jean Grey from the Age of Apocalypse
reality. Marvel launched solo series for several characters including Cable, Gambit, Bishop and Deadpool
, a sarcastic mercenary antagonist of X-Force
. In 1998 Excalibur and X-Factor
ended and the latter was replaced with the parallel world
series Mutant X
starring Havok.
Writers Joe Kelly
and Steven Seagle, under editorial mandate, scrapped that team, keeping Marrow, Rogue, Storm and Wolverine and returning Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Gambit and Professor X to the fold. Kelly and Seagle would abruptly leave the titles, paving the way for Alan Davis
. Fans considered Alan Davis' stint—during which he illustrated X-Men and Adam Kubert
illustrated Uncanny X-Men and which included the popular Magneto War and the critically mauled The Twelve (where Cyclops was killed off) storylines—a moderate success, but Marvel ended it when Claremont agreed to return in early 2000 to write both core X-Men series.
With the event called "Revolution
", Marvel instituted a six-month time gap between issues of the X-Books, allowing Claremont and illustrators to completely revise the X-Men in a single month. (A later mini series, X-Men: Black Sun, filled in part of that gap). Claremont's second stint featured mainly a cast of the old regulars: A main team appeared in "X-Men," consisting of Wolverine, Rogue, Colossus, Shadowcat, Psylocke, and a new Thunderbird
: an Indian pyrokinetic
named Neal Shaara. A sub-team appeared in "Uncanny X-Men" consisting of Gambit, Storm, Phoenix, Beast and Cable, X-Force's former militaristic leader, now finally a full X-Man. Claremont soon also introduced former Hellfire Club ally "Tessa" as an X-Man, now called Sage
. This character, who possessed telepathic powers and a computer-like brain, had been seen as a part of the aristocratic club for years but was revealed to be a spy for Professor X.
Wandering plot lines and forgettable new villains, such as the Neo, plagued Claremont's return, leading Marvel's new Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada
to remove him from the two flagship titles in early 2001. Quesada paired Claremont with artist Salvador Larroca
for a new title, X-Treme X-Men
, featuring Sage, Psylocke, Bishop, Gambit, Thunderbird, Rogue and Storm operating outside the central X-Men, akin to the West Coast Avengers
of the late 1980s-early 1990s.
At the same time, Marvel cancelled Gambit, Bishop, X-Man, Mutant X and Generation X and completely overhauled X-Force. While these series had sold well, Quesada argued that so many mutant superhero titles had become redundant.
Marvel launched a few new books, not based on the theme of "fighting for a world that hates and fears them," including:
Other drastic changes of this time included the deaths of long-running characters Moira MacTaggert, Senator Kelly (both in the 2000 Dreams End crossover), Colossus (as part of the 2001 Eve of Destruction crossover, getting rid of the Legacy Virus), Apocalypse and Psylocke, and the long-awaited uncovering of Wolverine's beginnings in the 2001 Origin
limited series
2001 also saw the ascent of writer Grant Morrison
and artist Frank Quitely
to X-Men, retitled New X-Men
, featuring the line-up of Beast, Jean Grey, Professor X, Cyclops, Wolverine and Emma Frost
, a seductive telepath and former White Queen of the Hellfire Club. The team ditched their costumes in favor of black leather uniforms (resembling those of the 2000 X-Men film
) and a student body of teenage mutants was added to Xavier's School. New X-Men was known for its multi-faceted allegorical
science fiction concepts and ambitious, unexpected twists and turns such as the killing of sixteen million mutants in Genosha at the hands of the Sentinels, as well as controversial changes in long-established characterization. One of Morrison's more controversial plotlines involved the married Cyclops having a telepathic affair with Emma Frost behind Jean's back, as well as introducing Xavier's sister, Cassandra Nova
, who was responsible for the Genoshan genocide. With his mutant status exposed to the mutant world, Xavier launched a corporation to help mutants worldwide. Morrison also returned Wolverine's passion for Jean, and wrote new details in his Weapon X
backstory.
Simultaneously Uncanny X-Men was revamped by writer Joe Casey
and artist Ian Churchill
, who were later replaced by writer Chuck Austen
and a revolving door of artists. While New X-Men focused on Cyclops' five team members as teachers to a new generation, "Uncanny" focused on an "away team" and traditional action and adventure, featuring team leader Archangel and members Iceman and Nightcrawler. They were soon joined by:
Austen brought back Havok, who had been floating in limbo ever since Mutant X had been cancelled, as well as Polaris and Jubilee. Both Casey and Austen, however, received considerable backlash. Many critics felt Uncanny X-Men was treading a derivative and well-worn path, especially in comparison to the more adventurous New X-Men, while fans often objected to the changes that were made, including retcon
s of Nightcrawler
's previously becoming a Catholic
Priest as well as his parentage, a change in the character of Polaris
, turning her into a cruel and mentally disturbed terrorist, and confirming a longheld suspicion of being Magneto's daughter, and a controversial Archangel/Husk romance, with Husk being an 18 year-old roughly ten years Archangel's junior.
Meanwhile, in "X-Treme X-Men," two other new characters were added to the team:
Another popular new X-Men series was Ultimate X-Men
, writer Mark Millar
and artist Adam Kubert's reinvention of the concept featuring modern teenaged versions of the X-Men and meant to appeal to new readers. Ultimate X-Men was set in the "Ultimate Marvel Universe", alongside Ultimate Spider-Man
and Ultimates
.
Morrison concluded his run with the return of Magneto
in Planet X
and Here Comes Tomorrow
and the death of Jean Grey, who once more bonded with the Phoenix Force. Controversially, Magneto became a full genocidalist and was decapitated by Wolverine, and once more Cyclops watched Jean die.
. Marvel cancelled X-Treme X-Men and placed Claremont back on Uncanny X-Men. This team, consisting of Storm, Wolverine, Bishop, Sage, Marvel Girl, Nightcrawler and Cannonball, had been granted U.N. authority in an act called the X-Treme Sanctions Executive (X.S.E.) and were given full authority and government approved status equal to the Avengers to act as law enforcers to mutant activity across the world. New X-Men reverted its title back to merely "X-Men," and featured Havok, Polaris, Iceman, Juggernaut, Rogue and Gambit. The company also launched Astonishing X-Men
with writer Joss Whedon
(well known as the creator of the cult television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and artist John Cassaday
(Planetary
) Astonishing featured Cyclops, Frost, Beast, Shadowcat and Wolverine. To set up the three new teams, Cyclops mandated the X-Men ditch the leather outfits and return to their costumes, while unceremoniously removing Archangel, Husk, Jubilee and Northstar from active duty.
Astonishing X-Men became a hit among comic book fans due to Whedon's plotting and dialogue, and John Cassaday's clean and realistically styled art. Some attributed the title's success to its relatively straightforward presentation: many X-Men books from the 1990s were known for complicated continuity and flashy art overshadowing the characters in the story. The series included the return of decisively dead X-Man Colossus, which fans generally accepted due to the nature of his death several years earlier. Astonishing X-Men earned a few spin-off limited series, such as X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong
and Colossus: Blood Ties. Psylocke was also resurrected in Uncanny X-Men as Chris Claremont had intended on bringing her back ever since her death over in X-Treme X-Men, but was not allowed to due to a 'Dead is Dead' rule at the time.
Marvel also launched several new secondary X-Books, including District X
, in which Bishop polices a mutant neighborhood of New York City, New X-Men: Academy X, a continuation of the recently launched New Mutants (vol. 2) starring Xavier's student body, and a new Excalibur, featuring Magneto, with the previous story retcon
ned into an imposter named Xorn and Professor X's attempt to rebuild Genosha. Rogue, Nightcrawler, Jubilee and Gambit all received their own eponymous ongoing series at this time, although Jubilee was cancelled after only six issues, as it had sold less copies per issue than any other X-Men spinoff ever published at that point; Gambit and Rogue only made it to twelve issues each.
Marvel ended X-Statix
when creators Peter Milligan
and Mike Allred left. Milligan replaced Chuck Austen as writer of X-Men in January 2005.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed series NYX introduced the character X-23
, a teenage female clone
of Wolverine who had originally appeared on the animated television series X-Men: Evolution
. X-23 subsequently joined the school in New X-Men after helping the Uncanny X-Men team.
resulted in a decimation
of mutants, in which millions lost their powers, including Professor X
and Magneto
. Following the Deadly Genesis limited series, which revealed skeletons in Xavier's closet, he and Cyclops soon turned against one another and the villainous character of Vulcan, Cyclops' brother, was introduced. Also, Wolverine
regained all his memories, continued in Wolverine: Origins.
In the meantime, limited series such as Son of M
, Generation M
and The 198 dealt with the mutants who had lost their powers, with New X-Men
studying it in full. Apocalypse
was also resurrected, who turned heroes such as Polaris
and Gambit
into villains, though both were rescued in due time.
Meanwhile, the Avengers and Magneto dealt with the missing mutant power in the Collective. Afterwards, House of M led onto Marvel's 2006 crossover: Civil War
. Chris Claremont also moved onto New Excalibur. Xavier founded a new team in a storyline continuing Deadly Genesis as Ed Brubaker
took over Uncanny X-Men
.
Astonishing X-Men
continued its successful run, but as Whedon's contract was renewed for another twelve issues following his original twelve issue contract and during 2006 the title became bi-monthly to allow him time to finish his arcs. Whedon also returned Emma Frost
to villainy, but not from free will, and subsequently redeemed her. Rogue formed a splinter group in X-Men, consisting of seemingly reformed villains such as Mystique
and Sabretooth
, whilst the New X-Men
suffered the return of William Stryker
.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
franchise, the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
.
The original X-Men
In 1961, Marvel Comics editor/writer Stan LeeStan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
, artist Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
and several other illustrators produced a number of superhero titles which stressed character personalities and personal conflict as much as action and adventure, including The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
. The X-Men was one of the last titles of this Silver Age
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
renaissance, appearing in September 1963.
In the comic book series, the X-Men were founded by the paraplegic telepath
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
. Xavier gathered the X-Men under the cover of a "School for Gifted Youngsters
X-Mansion
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, the X-Mansion is the common name for Professor Xavier's mansion. It is the base of operations and training site of the X-Men and the location of a school for mutant teenagers, the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, formerly Xavier's School for Gifted...
" at a large country estate at 1407 Graymalkin Lane in Salem Center
North Salem, New York
North Salem is a town in the northeast part of Westchester County, New York, United States. The county ranks second for wealthiest counties in New York State and the seventh wealthiest county nationally...
, a city in Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
.
Cover-billed as "the strangest heroes of all", the original X-Men consisted of five teenagers still learning to control their powers:
- CyclopsCyclops (comics)Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
(Scott Summers), whose eyes constantly gave off heatless blasts of concussive force that could only be controlled by a "ruby quartzQuartzQuartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz,...
" visor. He would become the X-Men's field leader. - Marvel GirlJean GreyJean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
(Jean Grey, later known as Phoenix), a telekineticPsychokinesisThe term psychokinesis , also referred to as telekinesis with respect to strictly describing movement of matter, sometimes abbreviated PK and TK respectively, is a term...
of limited power. She was Xavier's first female student. - Angel (Warren Worthington III, later known as Archangel), who took his name from the large, angelAngelAngels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
-like feathered wings which sprouted from his back sometime during military school and allowed him to fly. - BeastBeast (comics)Beast , Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy, is a comic book character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the mutant team of superheroes known as the X-Men...
(Hank McCoy), a geniusGeniusGenius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
with remarkable physical prowess, whose enlarged hands and feet granted him enhanced agility and dexterity. - IcemanIceman (comics)Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
(Bobby Drake), who could transform his body into ice and lower temperatures by absorbing moisture from the air.
A precursor to the concept of a school for feared genetic mutants appeared in the 1953 science fiction novel Children of the Atom
Children of the Atom
Children of the Atom is a 1953 science fiction novel by Wilmar H. Shiras, which has been listed as one of "The Most Significant SF & Fantasy Books of the Last 50 Years, 1953-2002." The book is a collection and expansion of three earlier stories, the most famous of which is the novella "In Hiding"...
by Wilmar H. Shiras
Wilmar H. Shiras
Wilmar H Shiras was an American science fiction author, who also wrote under the name Jane Howes. Her most famous story was "In Hiding" , a novella included in the anthology, The Science Fiction Hall of Fame and credited as being one of the most significant stories of the 20th...
, which has been credited — though never officially confirmed — with inspiring the X-Men. The title characters of the novel were also mutants, the results of an unintended experiment in genetic mutation. The term "Children of the Atom" has also been used at times during the X-Men franchise's history, often as a subtitle for various X-Men publications and video games.
Despite the philosophical concepts which appeared in The X-Men, Lee has said he invented genetic "mutants" to find a way to create a number of super-powered characters without having to come up with a separate and interesting origin for each one.
The X-Men #1 also introduced the team's arch-nemesis, Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
, who controlled magnetism
Magnetism
Magnetism is a property of materials that respond at an atomic or subatomic level to an applied magnetic field. Ferromagnetism is the strongest and most familiar type of magnetism. It is responsible for the behavior of permanent magnets, which produce their own persistent magnetic fields, as well...
and who felt that mutants should rule over or kill all normal humans. Magneto's character would later be fleshed out to reveal that he once shared a friendship with Professor X, and that his decree that mutants must conquer or be conquered grew from his experiences as a Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
survivor. The X-Men #4 introduced Magneto's team, the Brotherhood of Mutants
Brotherhood of Mutants
The Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men...
, including Mastermind
Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)
Mastermind is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 . He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.The original Mastermind was a mutant with the power to...
, the Toad
Toad (comics)
Toad is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 ....
, Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
and the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
. Other villains were also introduced during this era who would loosely become affiliated with the Brotherhood over time, including Unus the Untouchable
Unus the Untouchable
Unus the Untouchable is a fictional character from the comic book X-Men and part of the Marvel Comics Universe. A mutant, Unus is named for his ability to consciously project a force field which protects him from harm.-Origin:Angelo Unuscione was born in Milan, Italy...
, the Vanisher
Vanisher
The Vanisher is a fictional character, a mutant supervillain of the Marvel Universe, and an opponent of the X-Men. The Vanisher is one of the X-Men's oldest enemies having first appeared in X-Men #2...
and the Blob
Blob (comics)
The Blob is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #3 ....
, the latter having the most longevity with the group, joining or aiding nearly every incarnation.
Juggernaut (comics)
The Juggernaut is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #12 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
and the mutant-hunting robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
Sentinels — the X-Men often fought easily forgotten mutant criminals, alien invaders and brutish monsters. As a result, this era is largely regarded as unremarkable and The X-Men became one of the less successful Marvel series during the 1960s.
During this early era, only one other member was briefly added to the team:
- MimicMimic (comics)Mimic is a Marvel Comics fictional character who was briefly a member of the X-Men in the 1960s. He was then the first character to be added to the team after the original line-up and the first X-Man who was not a mutant....
(Calvin Rankin), who could use the powers of others, including the other X-Men. He is notable for not only having blackmailed himself onto the team, but also being the only member expelled by Xavier. Whether or not he is truly a mutant is heavily debated.
Lee and Kirby departed the series in 1966, handing the reins over to Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
and Werner Roth
Werner Roth (comics)
Werner Roth was an American comic book artist, perhaps best known for immediately succeeding Jack Kirby on Marvel Comics' X-Men....
. Roth gave up the regular art chores in 1967, and Thomas dropped the scripting slot in 1968. The title went with no long-term creative team for about a year, but had a couple notable artists. Jim Steranko
Jim Steranko
James F. Steranko is an American graphic artist, comic book writer-artist-historian, magician, publisher and film production illustrator....
drew several issues, one added the villain Mesmero
Mesmero
Mesmero is a fictional mutant, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. The character first appeared in [Uncanny] X-Men #49.-Fictional character biography:...
to the cast and Barry Windsor-Smith
Barry Windsor-Smith
Barry Windsor-Smith, born Barry Smith is a British comic book illustrator and painter whose best known work has been produced in the United States....
drew three issues. In 1969, Thomas returned, joined by fan favorite artist Neal Adams
Neal Adams
Neal Adams is an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who...
in an effort to save the series from its sagging sales. These issues are more highly regarded by fans and introduced recurring villains Sauron
Sauron (comics)
Sauron is a comic book character, a supervillain in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. An enemy of the X-Men, the character was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Neal Adams. He first fully appeared as Sauron in X-Men #60 ....
and the Living Monolith
Living Monolith
The Living Monolith is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . He first appeared in X-Men #54 .Abdol was the Living Pharaoh while in his normal appearance, but once he obtained enough cosmic energy, he would increase in mass, size, and power, thus becoming the Living Monolith.Abdol has...
as well as two more X-Men:
- Lorna DanePolaris (comics)Polaris is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books. Created by Arnold Drake, Don Heck, Werner Roth and Jim Steranko, Polaris first appeared in The X-Men #49...
(later Polaris), a green-haired mutant with similar powers to Magneto; and - Havok (Alex Summers), Cyclops' rebellious brother who could absorb cosmic energy and use it to disintegrate objects or create energy bursts. Like his brother, he had great difficulty controlling his destructive powers.
Though sales did improve while Adams illustrated the book, it was too little and too late, and Marvel stopped producing new issues of The X-Men in 1970 with issue #66. The series continued by reprinting old issues and the X-Men appeared in other Marvel comics — including prominent appearances in Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up is the name of several American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series featured two or more Marvel characters in one story...
, The Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
, The Incredible Hulk and Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
— but faded to near-obscurity.
The all-new, all-different X-Men
In 1975, writer Len WeinLen Wein
Len Wein is an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men...
and artist Dave Cockrum
Dave Cockrum
David Emmett Cockrum was an American comic book artist known for his co-creation of the new X-Men characters Nightcrawler, Storm, and Colossus...
introduced a new team of X-Men. Rather than teenagers, this group consisted of adults who hailed from a variety of nations and cultures. The wide range of cultures came from Marvel's intention to target the title in markets outside its U.S. base. Giant-Size X-Men
Giant-Size X-Men
Giant-Size X-Men #1 was a special issue of the X-Men comic book series, published by Marvel Comics in 1975. It was written by Len Wein and illustrated by Dave Cockrum. Though not a regular issue, it jump-started the series after a five-year hiatus. The issue serves as a link between the original...
#1 introduced this team, called together by Professor X to rescue the original team from captivity on the radioactive "living island" of Krakoa
Krakoa
Krakoa is a fictional character in Marvel Comics, commonly associated with the X-Men. It is a living island, an intelligent ecosystem able to command all the living things native to its island body, and even its terrain...
.
The "All-New, All-Different X-Men" were led by Cyclops, and consisted of:
- Sunfire (Shiro Yoshida), a hot-tempered Japanese mutant who could generate superheated plasmaPlasma (physics)In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. Heating a gas may ionize its molecules or atoms , thus turning it into a plasma, which contains charged particles: positive ions and negative electrons or ions...
and fly. - ThunderbirdThunderbird (comics)Thunderbird is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1 ....
(John Proudstar), an ApacheApacheApache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
who possessed superhuman strength, speed, endurance, reflexes, and instinctual tracking senses and skills. - BansheeBanshee (comics)Banshee is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero who operates as a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Werner Roth, Banshee first appeared in X-Men #28 ....
(Sean Cassidy), an Irish mutant with a "sonic scream" that allows him to fly and generate concussive sonic blasts. - ColossusColossus (comics)Colossus is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Len Wein and illustrator Dave Cockrum, he first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
(Piotr Rasputin), a quiet, contemplative Russian who could transform his entire body into "organic steel", increasing his size, strength, speed and endurance while making him virtually indestructible. - NightcrawlerNightcrawler (comics)Nightcrawler is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. He has been associated with both the X-Men and Excalibur, originally appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
(Kurt Wagner), a rascally German who possessed great agility and the ability to teleportTeleportationTeleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
. His appearance, with iridescent eyes, blue velvet fur, three fingers on each hand, two toes on each foot, fangs, pointed ears, and a prehensile tail, makes him look like a demonDemoncall - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
--an ironic contrast to his strong, devout Catholic faith. Note that one of his lesser known powers is the ability to fade from view in shadows. - Storm (Ororo Munroe), a strong-willed woman who was raised in Africa. She is psychically linked to the weather patterns of Earth, allowing her to control and manipulate the weather. Storm would become the X-Men's leader in times of Cyclops' absence.
- WolverineWolverine (comics)Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
(James "Logan" Howlett), a gruff Canadian government agent who possessed heightened senses, a regenerative "healing factorHealing factorA healing factor is a term used to describe the ability of some characters in fiction to recover from bodily injuries or disease at a superhuman rate...
" which also slowed his aging process, and retractable adamantium claws. A covert agency named Weapon XWeapon XWeapon X is a fictional clandestine government genetic research facility project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Government's Department K, which turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. The project often captures mutants and experiments on them to enhance their...
had bonded the fictitious metal alloy to Wolverine's skeleton. Revealed piecemeal, Wolverine's origin would become one of the series' greatest mysteries.
After Giant-Size X-Men
Giant-Size X-Men
Giant-Size X-Men #1 was a special issue of the X-Men comic book series, published by Marvel Comics in 1975. It was written by Len Wein and illustrated by Dave Cockrum. Though not a regular issue, it jump-started the series after a five-year hiatus. The issue serves as a link between the original...
#1, Marvel began publishing new issues of Uncanny X-Men, featuring the new team minus Sunfire (who had quit) and Thunderbird, who had died in battle after two issues in Uncanny X-Men #95. The series was illustrated by Cockrum and written by Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
, who would go on to become the longest-standing contributor to the series. One of the most important storylines of this era was "The Phoenix Saga" (Uncanny X-Men #101–108, 1977), in which Jean Grey seemingly bonded with a cosmic entity called the Phoenix and led the team on an intergalactic mission. The saga introduced the Shi'ar
Shi'ar
The Shi'ar are a fictional species of aliens in the Marvel Comics universe. The Shi'ar Empire also called the Aerie, is a vast collection of alien species, cultures and worlds situated close to the Skrull and Kree Empires, and alongside them, is one of the three main alien empires...
alien race and its empress Lilandra, a recurring love interest of Professor X. Moira MacTaggert
Moira MacTaggert
Dr. Moira Kinross MacTaggert is a fictional character appearing in X-Men stories in the Marvel Comics universe. She works as a geneticist and is an expert in mutant affairs. Olivia Williams played a minor role of Dr. Moira MacTaggert in X-Men: The Last Stand...
and Proteus
Proteus (comics)
Kevin MacTaggert, best known as Proteus and also called Mutant X, is a Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men.Kevin was the mutant son of Scottish genetic researcher Moira MacTaggert and politician Joseph MacTaggert...
were introduced as well.
In 1978, Cockrum was succeeded as penciller by John Byrne, who also co-plotted the series with Claremont (soon retitled — informally in issue #114 and officially in issue #142 — The Uncanny X-Men). This marked the beginning of what many consider the X-Men's first creative renaissance, during which the series became one of the most popular in the industry. Following a confrontation with Magneto, Professor X and Jean Grey believed the X-Men lost and over the continuity of a year, the team fought its way back home. Byrne also introduced a series of Canadian-themed adventures with the introduction of Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
, a Canadian super-hero team. Wolverine consistently won awards as the most popular comic character — as a result, at least one issue per year between 1980 and 1984 focused on him. In 1982, Wolverine was given a limited series, penned by Claremont and drawn by Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
, introducing the Japanese culture element of his character.
Dark Sagas
Claremont and Byrne thrust the X-Men into a variety of desperate situations that tested their character, most notably "The Dark Phoenix SagaDark Phoenix Saga
"The Dark Phoenix Saga" is an extended X-Men storyline in the fictional , focusing on Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force, and ending in Grey's apparent death...
" (Uncanny X-Men #129–137, 1980). In this story, the aristocratic Hellfire Club
Hellfire Club (comics)
The Hellfire Club is a fictional society within the Marvel Comics Universe that often comes into confrontation with the mutant superhero team, the X-Men...
seduced Phoenix, using Mastermind
Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)
Mastermind is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 . He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.The original Mastermind was a mutant with the power to...
's mutant ability to create complex illusions. This tampering with her mind unleashed Phoenix's dark side, and she went on to destroy a populated solar system with over five billion inhabitants. Although the X-Men tried to control her and apparently succeeded, Lilandra had Jean Grey captured in the hope of ending the Phoenix threat. Professor Xavier called for a duel of honor for the right not to surrender Phoenix. Lilandra, with the agreement of the Kree
Kree
The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud...
and Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
as long as the superheroes' defeat was guaranteed, agreed to the challenge. The result was a battle on Earth's Moon between the Shi'ar's Imperial Guard
Imperial Guard (comics)
The Imperial Guard is a team of fictional super-powered alien warriors in the Marvel Comics universe. The Imperial Guard serves the rulers of the Shi'ar Empire, both by enforcing Shi'ar Imperial law on all planets within the Shi'ar Galaxy and as the Emperor or Empress's personal guard...
and the X-Men, with Jean Grey's fate hanging in the balance. The X-Men were eventually overwhelmed, but the stress of the battle, during which Cyclops
Cyclops (comics)
Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
was injured, overcame Phoenix's mental restraints against her dark persona, and it returned. At that point, Lilandra ordered the solar system destroyed in hopes that the Phoenix might be killed in the process, and Professor Xavier regretfully ordered the X-Men to kill their teammate to prevent such destruction. Because of Jean Grey's humanity and willpower, Phoenix committed suicide to prevent further loss, a watershed moment for comics; major characters had rarely been killed up to that point, and sacrificial suicide had previously been inconceivable. "The Dark Phoenix Saga" introduced several characters, including Kitty Pryde
Kitty Pryde
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 and was created by writer-artist John Byrne....
, Emma Frost, (the White Queen
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
of the Hellfire Club and future X-Man), and Dazzler
Dazzler
Dazzler is a Marvel Comics superheroine, associated with the X-Men. She first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #130 ....
.
For their swan song, Claremont and Byrne produced "Days of Future Past" (Uncanny X-Men #141–142, 1981), which portrayed a dystopia
Dystopia
A dystopia is the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian, as characterized in books like Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four...
n future in which America is a wasteland controlled by Sentinels. In this alternate future, most of the X-Men and other heroes are dead, and mutants are confined in concentration camps. In the storyline, the psyche of the adult 'Kate Pryde' is sent back in time to the body of her younger self (Kitty), and she convinces the X-Men to help her thwart the assassination of a senator by the shapeshifter Mystique
Mystique (comics)
Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
and her new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, including new characters Avalanche
Avalanche (comics)
Avalanche is a Marvel Comics supervillain and an enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #141 ....
, Pyro
Pyro (comics)
Pyro is a fictional character in Marvel Comics and an enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #141 ....
, and Destiny
Destiny (Irene Adler)
Destiny is a Marvel Comics fictional character, known as an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #141...
as well as the Blob. This dark vision of a future created by fear, hatred, and intolerance has inspired many X-Men stories in the years since.
In 1982, Claremont wrote and Brent Anderson
Brent Anderson
Brent Anderson is an American comic book artist known for his work on X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills and the comic book series Astro City.- Early life :...
illustrated the graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills is a graphic novel published in 1982 by Marvel Comics, starring their popular superhero team the X-Men...
, in which Reverend William Stryker
William Stryker
Col. William "Bill" Stryker, M.D. is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, and enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, he first appeared in the 1982 graphic novel X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.Rev...
began a religious crusade against mutants, capturing and brainwashing Professor X to manipulate his powers to attack and eradicate mutant minds. The X-Men united with Magneto to battle Stryker, resulting in one of the clearest examples of mutants as a metaphor for race relations in the series. More than twenty years later, the story inspired the plot of the second X-Men film
X2 (film)
X2 is a 2003 superhero film based on the fictional characters the X-Men. Directed by Bryan Singer, it is the second film in the X-Men film series...
.
Meanwhile, Uncanny X-Men continued with Claremont and artists such as Paul Smith
Paul Smith (comics)
Paul Smith is an American comic book artist.-Early life:Smith was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but only lived there three days. His father was a U.S. Naval aviator, and the family moved several times during his childhood...
and later John Romita Jr.. Early 1980s storylines introduced the aliens Deathbird
Deathbird
Deathbird is a fictional character. She is a Marvel Comics supervillainess, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, she first appeared in Ms. Marvel #9....
and the Brood
Brood (comics)
The Brood are a race of insectoid, parasitic, extraterrestrial beings that appear in the comic books published by Marvel Comics, especially Uncanny X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, they first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #155 .The Brood possess wings, fanged teeth and...
, the subterranean mutant gang the Morlocks
Morlocks (comics)
The Morlocks are a group of several fictional comic book mutants associated with the X-Men in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Paul Smith, they were named after the subterranean race of the same name in H. G. Wells' novel The Time Machine. They first appeared...
and the futuristic mutant hunter Nimrod
Nimrod (comics)
Nimrod is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #191 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita, Jr. Hailing from the "Days of Future Past" timeline, Nimrod is a powerful, virtually...
; explored Wolverine's love of Japanese aristocrat Mariko Yashida
Mariko Yashida
is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #118 .-Fictional character biography:...
; saw Storm adjust to the temporary loss of her powers and form a relationship with the mutant government weapons contractor Forge
Forge (comics)
Forge is a fictional character in the , a superhero associated with The X-Men.A mutant with an unsurpassed brilliance in technology, Forge has had a lengthy career as a government weapons contractor. He shared a romantic relationship with Storm, and a brief affair with Mystique which led him to...
; and delved into Cyclops' relationship with Madelyne Pryor
Madelyne Pryor
Madelyne Pryor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. As the love interest and first wife of X-Men leader Cyclops , she became a long-standing member of the X-Men supporting cast, until a series of traumas — being abandoned by her husband, losing her infant son, and...
, a seeming doppelgänger
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
of Jean Grey. This last story ended with Cyclops marrying Madelyne and retiring from the X-Men.
The X-Men gathered several new recruits in the early and mid-1980s, including:
- SpriteKitty PrydeKatherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 and was created by writer-artist John Byrne....
, (Kitty Pryde), later briefly called Ariel and now Shadowcat, a Jewish-American teenager who could "phase" through solid objects, walk on thin air, utilize her powers to scramble electronic systems and extend her intangibility to anything she touches. She would later be called Shadowcat after an adventure in Japan with Wolverine. - RogueRogue (comics)Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
, a southern belle who involuntarily drained powers and memories from anyone she touches, leaving them weakened or unconscious for the duration and permanently comatose in a few cases. Rogue was introduced as a member of MystiqueMystique (comics)Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. - Rachel SummersRachel SummersRachel Anne Summers is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne for Marvel Comics....
, the second Phoenix, later the second Marvel Girl, and the adult daughter of Cyclops and Jean Grey from the "Days of Futures Past" timeline. TelepathicTelepathyTelepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
, telekineticPsychokinesisThe term psychokinesis , also referred to as telekinesis with respect to strictly describing movement of matter, sometimes abbreviated PK and TK respectively, is a term...
, and able to travel through time astrallyAstral projectionAstral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
, she formerly acted as host of the Phoenix Force, which amplified her powers and allowed her to physically transport herself and other people or objects through time at will.
The series becomes a franchise
In the 1980s, the growing popularity of Uncanny X-Men and the rise of comic book specialty stores lead to the introduction of several spin-off series nicknamed "X-Books." The first, The New MutantsNew Mutants
The New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
, was launched in 1983 and featured a new group of teenaged mutants attending Xavier's school. In 1986, the original X-Men, including a controversially resurrected Jean Grey, formed X-Factor
X-Factor (comics)
X-Factor is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is a spin-off of the popular X-Men franchise, featuring characters from X-Men stories. The series has been relaunched several times with different team rosters, most recently as X-Factor Investigations.X-Factor launched in...
. In 1988 Marvel added the offbeat Excalibur
Excalibur (comics)
Excalibur is a Marvel Comics superhero group, an off-shoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. Conceived by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer Alan Davis, the original Excalibur first appeared in Excalibur Special Edition , also known as Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn.The...
, featuring Rachel Summers, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and the British superheroes Captain Britain
Captain Britain
Captain Britain , briefly known as Britannic, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe, he first appeared in Captain Britain Weekly, #1...
and Meggan. In 1988, Wolverine was granted his own solo series, which often dealt with his struggles with personal honor and his past. With several spin-off series being published alongside the main book, as well as storylines crossing through each book, X-Men continuity became increasingly complex and difficult to follow. The X-Men franchise became one of Marvel's most valuable assets during the decade and inspired other comic book properties, such as Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
and DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
' Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
and Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, to create several interconnected "families" of multiple books.
Another controversial move was to have Professor X relocate to space in 1986 after he sustained injuries so severe that only Shi'ar technology could save his life, while a convenient solar flare prevented Xavier from returning to Earth. The major controversy arose from former arch-villain Magneto taking Xavier's place in running the school as well as the X-Men and New Mutants. This was the reason given for the original X-Men's decision to form X-Factor and keep their identities secret, as they thought the new team had "betrayed" Xavier by working with Magneto.
This plethora of X-Men-related titles led to the rise of crossovers
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
, sometimes called "X-Overs", storylines which would overlap into several X-Books, sometimes for months at a time. The first, 1986's "Mutant Massacre
Mutant Massacre
"Mutant Massacre" was a major Marvel Comics crossover storyline, which took place during the fall of 1986. It primarily involved the superhero teams the X-Men, X-Factor and the New Mutants...
," featured the Marauders
Marauders (comics)
The Marauders is a team of fictional supervillain characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita, Jr., the team first appear in Uncanny X-Men #210 The Marauders is a team of fictional supervillain characters in comic books published by...
, a group a murderous mutants, who slaughtered the Morlocks and severely injured many of the X-Men who intervened (Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler's injuries allowed the writers to ship them off to England for Excalibur). The saga introduced Mister Sinister
Mister Sinister
Mister Sinister is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #221 and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Marc Silvestri....
, a nefarious mutant geneticist who was the Marauders' leader and a central figure in many subsequent plots. It also brought Sabretooth
Sabretooth (comics)
Sabretooth is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne. The character first appeared in Iron Fist #14...
, previously an opponent of the martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
hero Iron Fist, into the X-Men's world as an adversary for Wolverine, with hints that the two were linked in the past.
During this period Claremont unveiled a new X-Men line-up consisting of Storm, Rogue, Wolverine, Colossus, Havok and several new and pre-existing characters:
- MagnetoMagneto (comics)Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
, the team's then-reformed former nemesis, was left in charge of the X-Men and New Mutants by Xavier as he departed for outer space. Magneto left the X-Men after he failed to prevent the death of one of the New Mutants (Douglas Ramsey, also known as Cypher), and ultimately reverted to villainy. It was during this era that Claremont expanded and gave Magneto his Holocaust origin. - LongshotLongshotLongshot is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero best known as a member of the X-Men. He was created by writer Ann Nocenti and artist Art Adams.-Publication history:...
, a television action star with "good luck" powers from an absurdistAbsurdismIn philosophy, "The Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any...
alien dimension run by the tyrannical television network head MojoMojo (comics)Mojo is a Marvel Comics supervillain, primarily an enemy of the X-Men and one of its members, Longshot. Mojo is one of the "Spineless Ones," an alien race that is immobile without advanced technology. He is a slaver who rules the Mojoverse, a dimension where all beings are addicted to his...
. - DazzlerDazzlerDazzler is a Marvel Comics superheroine, associated with the X-Men. She first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #130 ....
(Alison Blaire), a former discoDiscoDisco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
singer who could absorb sound energy and convert it into a variety of light effects, including laserLaserA laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
s. Dazzler had been introduced in the book several years earlier and had had her own comic series in the intervening years. - PsylockePsylockePsylocke is a fictional character depicted in comic books published by Marvel Comics, most notably those comics featuring the superhero team the X-Men. The character has also appeared in licensed adaptations. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe, she first appeared in the UK...
(Betsy Braddock), originally introduced in the Captain Britain comic as an English telepath, she would change powers many times over the years, and would go through a body-swap with a Japanese woman, becoming a sexy, martial artist femme fataleFemme fataleA femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
in the process, and is currently telekinetic.
Also in this time period, in addition to crossovers, the X-Men co-starred in two mini-series: The Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men and The X-Men vs. the Avengers. The former took care of a dangling plot thread left over from the "Mutant Massacre" story, as the Fantastic Four's leader, Mr. Fantastic, and their enemy, Dr. Doom, were needed to save Kitty Pryde's life.
Following the 1987 Fall of the Mutants
Fall of the Mutants
"The Fall of the Mutants" was a comic book crossover event by Marvel Comics spanning January to March 1988. It spanned three issues each of The Uncanny X-Men , X-Factor , and The New Mutants ; unlike most crossovers however, the various titles' storylines did not intertwine, but were instead linked...
crossover, in which the X-Men died and were reborn after fighting a demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
called the Adversary
Adversary (comics)
The Adversary is a fictional character, a demonic supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:The Adversary first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #187-188 , and was created by Chris Claremont and John Romita, Jr....
in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, the team briefly relocated to an abandoned outpost in Australia. This period of X-Men history saw the introduction of the Reavers
Reavers (comics)
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe the Reavers are a team of criminal cyborgs. The most significant team of Reavers were dedicated to the destruction of the mutant X-Men, and a number of them especially wanted to take revenge on one particular X-Man, Wolverine. The name was originally used by...
, a band of cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
, and the Inferno
Inferno (Marvel Comics)
Inferno was a Marvel Comics company-wide crossover in 1989 that mainly involved the mutant titles, namely The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, X-Terminators, Excalibur, and The New Mutants...
crossover, which revealed that Madelyne Pryor was actually a clone
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
of Jean Grey created by Mister Sinister. The X-Men and X-Factor battled Pryor, who was now the insane Goblin Queen, and the demons she had allied herself with. One of the high points of the story was the reunion of X-Factor and the X-Men; X-Factor had no idea the others were really alive, and the X-Men had assumed Jean Grey was still dead. The Australian sojourn finally ended with Storm and Rogue presumed dead and most of the others, despondent, choosing to enter the Siege Perilous
Siege Perilous (comics)
Siege Perilous is the name of two fictional devices appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. The first appeared in books starring Captain Britain, and the second in books featuring the X-Men...
, a crystal which determined their individual fates. Claremont took this opportunity to write Dazzler and Longshot out of the series (they paired up and left to raise a child). Unlike most X-characters, they were rarely seen or heard from since their departure. However in 2005, Dazzler returned in New Excalibur
Excalibur (comics)
Excalibur is a Marvel Comics superhero group, an off-shoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. Conceived by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer Alan Davis, the original Excalibur first appeared in Excalibur Special Edition , also known as Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn.The...
and has since rejoined the X-Men, while Longshot was briefly teamed with the Exiles
Exiles (Marvel Comics)
The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
and is now a member of X-Factor.
In late 1989, Marvel began publishing Uncanny X-Men twice a month, allowing Claremont to write intertwined plot threats involving a number of X-Men. The 1990 crossover, the X-Tinction Agenda
X-Tinction Agenda
"X-Tinction Agenda" is a 1990 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics that ran through Uncanny X-Men and its spin-off titles, X-Factor and New Mutants...
, pulled the X-Men back together, with Storm, Banshee, Wolverine, Psylocke and three new members:
- ForgeForge (comics)Forge is a fictional character in the , a superhero associated with The X-Men.A mutant with an unsurpassed brilliance in technology, Forge has had a lengthy career as a government weapons contractor. He shared a romantic relationship with Storm, and a brief affair with Mystique which led him to...
, an American Indian with the mutant gift of instinctive invention.
- JubileeJubilee (comics)Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine associated with the X-Men.A mutant, Jubilee had the superhuman power to generate "fireworks" of explosive plasma. A teenage "mall rat," she was the X-Men's youngest member in the early 1990s, often playing sidekick to...
(Jubilation Lee), a teenage Chinese-American "mall rat" who could generate explosive energy, she calls fireworks. Jubilee stowed away with the X-women when they teleported home from a mall excursion. She lived in their quarters without their knowledge for several weeks, finally revealing herself to save Wolverine from a crucifixion at the hands of Lady DeathstrikeLady DeathstrikeLady Deathstrike , occasionally spelled "Deathstryke", is a Marvel Comics supervillain, a foe of the X-Men, especially Wolverine.Her father Lord Dark Wind created the adamantium-bonding process that was forced on Wolverine...
.
- GambitGambit (comics)Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
(Remy LeBeau), a suave CajunCajunCajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
thief who could charge objects (most commonly playing cards) so that they exploded on impact when thrown. His hypnoticHypnoticHypnotic drugs are a class of psychoactives whose primary function is to induce sleep and to be used in the treatment of insomnia and in surgical anesthesia...
charm allows him to exert subtle influence over sentient minds, compelling them to believe what he says and agree with his suggestions.
The final battle of this era, the Muir Island Saga
Muir Island Saga
The "Muir Island Saga" is a five-part Marvel Comics crossover event involving the X-Men and X-Factor, published in 1991. It was written by Chris Claremont and Fabian Nicieza.-Plot:...
, saw the X-Men, X-Factor and some allies fight an old nemesis of Xavier, the Shadow King
Shadow King
The Shadow King, also known as Amahl Farouk, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Shadow King exists as an entity of pure psychic energy that feeds on the hatred of humanity...
.
From 1987 until 1990 Marc Silvestri
Marc Silvestri
Marc Silvestri is an American comic book artist, creator and publisher. He currently acts as the CEO for Top Cow Productions.-Early life:Marc Silvestri was born in Palm Beach, Florida.-Career:...
illustrated Uncanny X-Men. He was succeeded by young artist Jim Lee
Jim Lee
Jim Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher. He first broke into the industry in 1987 as an artist for Marvel Comics, illustrating titles such as Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal, before gaining a great deal of popularity on The Uncanny X-Men...
, who was one of the most popular artists in comics during his tenure on the title.
The sales boom of the 1990s
Rob Liefeld
Rob Liefeld is an American comic book writer, illustrator, and publisher. A prominent artist in the 1990s, he has since become a controversial figure in the medium....
transformed The New Mutants into the platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
-like X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
, led by the mysterious warhawk Cable
Cable (comics)
Cable is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared as an infant in Uncanny X-Men #201...
. The original X-Men abandoned X-Factor and returned to the X-Men, some of them much different from when they left. Beast had developed blue fur and earned a PhD
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
and Angel, now called Archangel, had been transformed by the 5,000-year-old supermutant Apocalypse
Apocalypse (comics)
Apocalypse is a fictional character who is an ancient mutant that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Factor #5 , created by writer Louise Simonson and designed by artist Walter Simonson...
and now had blue skin and metal wings. Meanwhile, Havok, Polaris and several secondary mutants formed a new, government-affiliated X-Factor.
To make room for the enlarged main team, Marvel launched a second X-Men series, simply called X-Men. Written by Claremont and illustrated by Lee, the new series featured the "blue team," consisting of Beast, Psylocke, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops and Wolverine. Uncanny X-Men, scripted by John Byrne (for a time) with plots by Jim Lee and pencils by Whilce Portacio, featured the "gold team," consisting of Colossus, Iceman, Archangel, Jean Grey, Storm, and Bishop
Bishop (comics)
Bishop is a fictional comic book superhero, appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books...
, a gun-toting renegade mutant from a distant future. Professor X, Jubilee, Banshee and Forge stayed on as non-combatant X-Men; Banshee and Forge left soon after for various reasons.
The popular art of Lee and Liefeld and the buzz produced by this reformation raised the X-Men's popularity even further and the first issues of X-Force and X-Men became two of the best-selling comic book issues of all time, thanks mainly to the sales boom from comics speculators.
Amid the success, internal friction split the X-Men books' creative teams. Claremont left after only three issues of X-Men due to clashes with Marvel editors and with Lee, ending his fifteen-year stint as X-Men writer. John Byrne took over scripting duties (but this did not last). Months later, Liefeld and Lee left Marvel with several other popular artists, including Silvestri and Portacio, to form Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
. In the 2009 New York Comic Con, Claremont announced that he will return to his series in a new self-contained continuity entitled X-Men Forever
X-Men Forever
X-Men Forever is the name of three comic book series published by Marvel Comics based on the mutant superhero group The X-Men. The first is a 2001 miniseries, unrelated to the others. The second and third are the work of writer Chris Claremont....
. Claremont's first three issues of X-Men were reprinted in 2009 as a kick-off to the series.
The X-Men's rise in popularity continued, largely thanks to the Fox Network's top-rated X-Men animated series
X-Men (TV series)
X-Men, also known as X-Men: The Animated Series, is an American animated television series which debuted on October 31, 1992, in the United States on the Fox Network as part of its Fox Kids Saturday morning lineup...
, which debuted in 1992. Meanwhile Uncanny X-Men was handed over to writer Scott Lobdell
Scott Lobdell
Scott Lobdell is an American comic book writer.-Early Career:Scott didn't begin to read comics until he was 17 years old, while lying in bed after lung surgery....
and artist Joe Madureira, whose manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
-like style helped generate a new interest in Japanese comics in the U.S. X-Men continued with writer Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza is an American comic book writer and editor who is best known for his work on Marvel titles such as X-Men, X-Force, New Warriors, Cable and Deadpool, and Thunderbolts, for all of which he helped create numerous characters.-Early life:The son of Omar and Irma Riguetti Nicieza, Fabian...
and artist Andy Kubert
Andy Kubert
Andrew "Andy" Kubert is an American comic book artist, son of Joe Kubert, and brother of Adam Kubert, both of whom are also artists...
.
X-overs proliferated, becoming almost annual events during the 1990s. Although they consistently boosted sales, fans began to complain that they were just contrived publicity stunts. Some of the more prominent crossovers from the decade include:
- "The X-Tinction Agenda" (1990), in which the government of GenoshaGenoshaGenosha is a fictional country that has appeared in numerous comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is an island nation that exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as "Earth 616" in the Marvel Universe. The fictional nation served as an allegory for slavery and later for South...
, a fictional island off the coast of Africa where mutants are used as prison labor, captured the X-Teams. - "The Muir Island SagaMuir Island SagaThe "Muir Island Saga" is a five-part Marvel Comics crossover event involving the X-Men and X-Factor, published in 1991. It was written by Chris Claremont and Fabian Nicieza.-Plot:...
" (1991), in which the original X-Factor and Xavier returned to the X-Men. - "X-Cutioner's SongX-Cutioner's Song"X-Cutioner's Song" is a crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics' in twelve parts from the November 1992 to early 1993. It involved the Uncanny X-Men, X-Men , X-Factor, and X-Force....
" (1992), in which Cable's clone and arch-enemy StryfeStryfeStryfe is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . The character was created by Louise Simonson and Rob Liefeld, and first appears in The New Mutants #87...
framed the X-Force leader for an attempt on Professor X's life. He also captured and tormented Cyclops and Jean Grey, the genetic parents of both Cable and Stryfe, who were revealed to be time-travelers. - "Fatal AttractionsFatal Attractions"Fatal Attractions" is a major X-Men crossover written by Fabian Nicieza and Scott Lobdell, published by Marvel Comics in 1993. Spanning the entire line of books, it served to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Marvel's X-Men....
" (1993), which Magneto returned, ripping out Wolverine's adamantium and forcing Xavier to mindwipeMindwipeFor the Transformers character, see Mindwipe .Mindwipe is a technique used in some science fiction scenarios, where the subject's memories and personality are erased and replaced by new memories and personality more useful to those who are carrying out the mindwiping, or to their area's...
him. It was continued in "BloodtiesBloodties (comics)"Bloodties", a 1993 Avengers/X-Men crossover and a direct sequel to the X-Men "Fatal Attractions" story line. It details the fallout from Charles Xavier's infamous mindwipe of Magneto and Magneto's ultimate defeat. The story details a civil war between the human and mutant populations of Genosha,...
". - "Phalanx CovenantPhalanx Covenant"The Phalanx Covenant" was a crossover storyline that ran through Marvel Comics' X-Men family of books in September and October 1994. One of its unique aspects was that the X-Men themselves only played a minor role in the story.- Plot :...
" (1994), in which a collective consciousness infected with the Transmode Virus infiltrated the X-Mansion, kidnapped a small bunch of previously unknown mutants (including HuskHuskHusk in botany is the outer shell or coating of a seed. It often refers to the leafy outer covering of an ear of maize as it grows on the plant. Literally, a husk or hull includes the protective outer covering of a seed, fruit or vegetable...
), and plotted to eliminate mutant-kind. The PhalanxPhalanx (comics)The Phalanx are a fictional cybernetic species in the Marvel Comics universe. They have come in conflict with the X-Men and related groups on several occasions. They form a hive mind, linking each member by a telepathy-like system....
was eventually thwarted by the few X-Men who had not been incapacitated, and the cross-over resulted in the Generation XGeneration X (comics)Generation X is a fictional comic book superhero team, a spin-off of the X-Men franchise published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo, the team formed during the 1994 "Phalanx Covenant" storyline, and appeared in their own monthly series in September 1994...
series. - "Legion Quest"/"Age of ApocalypseAge of Apocalypse"Age of Apocalypse" is a 1995 - 1996 comic book crossover storyline published in the X-Men franchise of books by Marvel Comics. The Age of Apocalypse briefly replaced the universe of Earth-616, although it was later retconned as having occurred in the alternate universe of Earth-295, it had...
" (1995), in which Professor X was killed by his time-traveling son LegionLegion (Marvel Comics)Legion is a Marvel Comics character, created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bill Sienkiewicz.David is the mutant son of Charles Xavier and Israeli Holocaust survivor Gabrielle Haller...
(David Haller) before he had ever formed the X-Men. An alternate reality unfolded in which Apocalypse ruled North America and Magneto led the X-Men as a resistance force. - "OnslaughtOnslaught (comics)Onslaught is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Man #15 , and was co-created by writers Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, and artist Andy Kubert....
" (1996), which dominated all Marvel series for two months. In this storyline, Professor X lost control of his powers, producing an evil, near-omnipotent secondary personality called Onslaught, which battled the X-Men, The AvengersAvengers (comics)The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
and the Fantastic FourFantastic FourThe Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
. - "Operation: Zero ToleranceOperation: Zero Tolerance"Operation: Zero Tolerance" was a crossover storyline that ran through Marvel Comics' X-Men related titles during 1997. The story followed from the "Onslaught Saga" and focused on individuals, including Bastion and Henry Peter Gyrich, within the United States government and their attempts to use...
" (1997), in which an anti-mutant army is given government license to hunt down the X-Teams and other mutants.
Other important storylines included the second slaughter of the Morlocks; Iceman learning to deal with increased power levels, now able to turn completely into ice; the murder of Colossus' family and his subsequent defection to Magneto's Acolytes
Acolytes (comics)
The Acolytes is a team of comic book mutant supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The Acolytes followed the principles of the mutant Magneto, particularly the mutant right of superiority over normal humans. Some members of the Acolytes even worshipped him with a religious fervor and regarded...
; Psylocke discovering the origin of her transformation from English model to Asian assassin; the burgeoning relationship between Rogue and Gambit; Jean Grey abandoning her Marvel Girl codename in favor of Phoenix, to honor both Rachel and the alien life force; Rogue briefly quitting after absorbing Gambit's psyche; Bishop dealing with faulty memories from a timeline that could not exist; Psylocke and Archangel's near murders at the hands of Sabretooth, warranting their leaving the team; Wolverine mutating into a strange, unintelligent beast after losing his adamantium at the hands of Magneto; Iceman quitting to nurse his bigoted father back to health after being attacked by anti-mutant activists; and Gambit harboring a dark secret: he was the one who gathered the Marauders for Sinister.
The 1990s saw an even greater number of X-books, with numerous ongoing series and limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
running at any given time. Ongoing series from this time included Generation X
Generation X (comics)
Generation X is a fictional comic book superhero team, a spin-off of the X-Men franchise published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo, the team formed during the 1994 "Phalanx Covenant" storyline, and appeared in their own monthly series in September 1994...
, starring another team of teenage mutants and X-Man
X-man
X-Man is a fictional character and superhero in the Marvel Universe.X-Man may also refer to:*X-Man , a South Korean game show*Xavier Carter, nicknamed X-Man, American track and field athlete...
, the offspring of Cyclops and Jean Grey from the Age of Apocalypse
Age of Apocalypse
"Age of Apocalypse" is a 1995 - 1996 comic book crossover storyline published in the X-Men franchise of books by Marvel Comics. The Age of Apocalypse briefly replaced the universe of Earth-616, although it was later retconned as having occurred in the alternate universe of Earth-295, it had...
reality. Marvel launched solo series for several characters including Cable, Gambit, Bishop and Deadpool
Deadpool (comics)
Deadpool is a fictional character, a mercenary and anti-hero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool first appeared in The New Mutants #98 Deadpool (Wade Winston Wilson) is a fictional character, a mercenary and...
, a sarcastic mercenary antagonist of X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
. In 1998 Excalibur and X-Factor
X-Factor (comics)
X-Factor is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is a spin-off of the popular X-Men franchise, featuring characters from X-Men stories. The series has been relaunched several times with different team rosters, most recently as X-Factor Investigations.X-Factor launched in...
ended and the latter was replaced with the parallel world
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
series Mutant X
Mutant X (comics)
Mutant X was a comic book published by Marvel Comics featuring Havok, a mutant and former member of the X-Men, who was transported into a parallel dimension. It was written by Howard Mackie....
starring Havok.
Era of reformations
By the time "Operation: Zero Tolerance" concluded in 1997, major characters such as Bishop, Gambit, Jean Grey and Cyclops had been written out of the X-Men. In place, writers assembled a new team consisting of Wolverine, Rogue, Beast, Storm and several newcomers including:- CannonballCannonball (comics)Cannonball is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, Cannonball first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants ....
(Sam Guthrie), a former member of the New Mutants and X-Force who flew at jet speeds; - JosephJoseph (comics)Joseph was a Marvel Comics character who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Roger Cruz, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #327 ....
, thought at the time to be a mind-wiped (and somehow de-aged) Magneto; - MarrowMarrow (comics)Marrow , is a Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men. She is a mutant whose bones grow out of her skin and can be removed from her body, providing her with potential knives and clubs as well as body armor....
(Sarah), a former Morlock whose body grew protruding bones which she could remove and use as blades or clubs; - MaggottMaggottMaggott , is a Marvel Comics superhero who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and Joe Madureira, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #345 ....
(Japheth), a South African whose intestines took on the form of giant maggots, allowing him to digest any/all matter; and - Cecilia ReyesCecilia ReyesCecilia Reyes is a Marvel Comics character who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Carlos Pacheco, she first appeared in X-Men vol. 2 #65 ....
, a Puerto RicanPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
doctor with a personal force field.
Writers Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly (comics)
Joseph "Joe" Kelly is an American comic book writer, penciler and editor who has written such titles as Deadpool, Uncanny X-Men, Action Comics, and JLA...
and Steven Seagle, under editorial mandate, scrapped that team, keeping Marrow, Rogue, Storm and Wolverine and returning Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Gambit and Professor X to the fold. Kelly and Seagle would abruptly leave the titles, paving the way for Alan Davis
Alan Davis
Alan Davis is an English writer and artist of comic books, known for his work on titles such as Captain Britain, The Uncanny X-Men, ClanDestine, Excalibur, JLA: The Nail and JLA: Another Nail.-UK work:...
. Fans considered Alan Davis' stint—during which he illustrated X-Men and Adam Kubert
Adam Kubert
Adam Kubert is an American comic book artist known for his work for publishers such as Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and DC Comics, including work on Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Superman and Ghost Rider.Kubert has established himself as one...
illustrated Uncanny X-Men and which included the popular Magneto War and the critically mauled The Twelve (where Cyclops was killed off) storylines—a moderate success, but Marvel ended it when Claremont agreed to return in early 2000 to write both core X-Men series.
With the event called "Revolution
Revolution (comics)
"Revolution" was the title given to the May 2000 revamp of Marvel Comics' X-Men-related comic books, timed to coincide with the publication of X-Men vol. 2 #100.-Publication history:...
", Marvel instituted a six-month time gap between issues of the X-Books, allowing Claremont and illustrators to completely revise the X-Men in a single month. (A later mini series, X-Men: Black Sun, filled in part of that gap). Claremont's second stint featured mainly a cast of the old regulars: A main team appeared in "X-Men," consisting of Wolverine, Rogue, Colossus, Shadowcat, Psylocke, and a new Thunderbird
Neal Shaara
Neal Shaara, also known as Thunderbird, is a Marvel Comics superhero, who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Leinil Francis Yu, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 2 #100 ....
: an Indian pyrokinetic
Pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis, derived from the Greek words and , was the name coined by horror novelist Stephen King for the ability to create or to control fire with the mind that he gave to the protagonist Charlie McGee in Firestarter...
named Neal Shaara. A sub-team appeared in "Uncanny X-Men" consisting of Gambit, Storm, Phoenix, Beast and Cable, X-Force's former militaristic leader, now finally a full X-Man. Claremont soon also introduced former Hellfire Club ally "Tessa" as an X-Man, now called Sage
Sage (comics)
Sage, also known as Tessa, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. She has most often been associated with the X-Men and the Hellfire Club, whom she spied upon for Professor Charles Xavier....
. This character, who possessed telepathic powers and a computer-like brain, had been seen as a part of the aristocratic club for years but was revealed to be a spy for Professor X.
Wandering plot lines and forgettable new villains, such as the Neo, plagued Claremont's return, leading Marvel's new Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
to remove him from the two flagship titles in early 2001. Quesada paired Claremont with artist Salvador Larroca
Salvador Larroca
Salvador Larroca is a Spanish comic book artist, primarily known for his work on various X-Men titles.-Early life:Salvador Larroca was born and raised in Valencia, Spain.-Career:...
for a new title, X-Treme X-Men
X-Treme X-Men
X-Treme X-Men was a comic book published by Marvel Comics from 2001 through 2004. All 46 issues of the series were written by Chris Claremont. The first 24 issues were drawn by Salvador Larroca, and the final 22 issues were drawn by Igor Kordey....
, featuring Sage, Psylocke, Bishop, Gambit, Thunderbird, Rogue and Storm operating outside the central X-Men, akin to the West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
of the late 1980s-early 1990s.
At the same time, Marvel cancelled Gambit, Bishop, X-Man, Mutant X and Generation X and completely overhauled X-Force. While these series had sold well, Quesada argued that so many mutant superhero titles had become redundant.
Marvel launched a few new books, not based on the theme of "fighting for a world that hates and fears them," including:
- Weapon XWeapon XWeapon X is a fictional clandestine government genetic research facility project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Government's Department K, which turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. The project often captures mutants and experiments on them to enhance their...
, a black ops villain team employing Sabretooth, Marrow and several other hard-edged characters. - ExilesExiles (Marvel Comics)The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
, a group of reality-hopping mutants from various parallel worlds. - The new X-Force (later retitled X-StatixX-StatixX-Statix was a fictional team of mutant superheroes in Marvel Comics, specifically designed to be media superstars. The team, created by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred, first appears in X-Force #116 and originally assumed the moniker X-Force, taking the name of the more traditional superhero team,...
) a sardonic series featuring a group of publicity-seeking, corporate-sponsored mutant superheroes.
Other drastic changes of this time included the deaths of long-running characters Moira MacTaggert, Senator Kelly (both in the 2000 Dreams End crossover), Colossus (as part of the 2001 Eve of Destruction crossover, getting rid of the Legacy Virus), Apocalypse and Psylocke, and the long-awaited uncovering of Wolverine's beginnings in the 2001 Origin
Origin (comics)
Origin is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics from November 2001 to March 2002, written by Bill Jemas, Joe Quesada and Paul Jenkins, and illustrated by Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove ....
limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
The Grant Morrison Years
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and artist Frank Quitely
Frank Quitely
Vincent Deighan, better known by the pen name Frank Quitely, is a Scottish comic book artist. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with Grant Morrison on titles such as New X-Men, We3, All-Star Superman, and Batman and Robin, as well as his work with Mark Millar on The...
to X-Men, retitled New X-Men
New X-Men
New X-Men was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics within the X-Men franchise. After the end of Grant Morrison's run on X-Men , titled New X-Men, the title was used for a new series, New X-Men: Academy X, serving as a continuation of the second volume of New Mutants...
, featuring the line-up of Beast, Jean Grey, Professor X, Cyclops, Wolverine and Emma Frost
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
, a seductive telepath and former White Queen of the Hellfire Club. The team ditched their costumes in favor of black leather uniforms (resembling those of the 2000 X-Men film
X-Men (film)
X-Men is a 2000 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics characters of the same name. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film stars Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin, Famke Janssen, Bruce Davison, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn, Ray Park and Tyler Mane...
) and a student body of teenage mutants was added to Xavier's School. New X-Men was known for its multi-faceted allegorical
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
science fiction concepts and ambitious, unexpected twists and turns such as the killing of sixteen million mutants in Genosha at the hands of the Sentinels, as well as controversial changes in long-established characterization. One of Morrison's more controversial plotlines involved the married Cyclops having a telepathic affair with Emma Frost behind Jean's back, as well as introducing Xavier's sister, Cassandra Nova
Cassandra Nova
Cassandra Nova is a fictional enemy of the X-Men in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, Cassandra first appeared in New X-Men #114 . Cassandra is a "mummudrai," a parasitic life form born bodiless on the astral plane...
, who was responsible for the Genoshan genocide. With his mutant status exposed to the mutant world, Xavier launched a corporation to help mutants worldwide. Morrison also returned Wolverine's passion for Jean, and wrote new details in his Weapon X
Weapon X
Weapon X is a fictional clandestine government genetic research facility project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Government's Department K, which turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. The project often captures mutants and experiments on them to enhance their...
backstory.
Simultaneously Uncanny X-Men was revamped by writer Joe Casey
Joe Casey
Joe Casey is an American comic book writer. He has worked on titles such as Wildcats 3.0, Uncanny X-Men, The Intimates, Adventures of Superman, and G.I. Joe: America's Elite, among others.-Biography:...
and artist Ian Churchill
Ian Churchill
Ian Churchill is a British comic book artist, who has mostly worked in the American comic book industry.-Career:Churchill's early work included stints on Supergirl, Uncanny X-Men as well as the Deadpool: Sins of the Past limited series, in addition to a lengthy stay on Cable, the latter gaining him...
, who were later replaced by writer Chuck Austen
Chuck Austen
Chuck Austen is an American comic book writer/artist, TV writer and animator. In the comics industry, he is known for his work on War Machine, Elektra, Action Comics, and the X-Men franchise, and in television, he is known for co-creating the aniamted TV series Tripping the Rift.-Early life:Austen...
and a revolving door of artists. While New X-Men focused on Cyclops' five team members as teachers to a new generation, "Uncanny" focused on an "away team" and traditional action and adventure, featuring team leader Archangel and members Iceman and Nightcrawler. They were soon joined by:
- ChamberChamber (comics)Jonothon "Jono" Evan Starsmore, better known as Chamber or Decibel, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero associated with the X-Men and the New Warriors....
(Jono Starsmore), a former member of Generation XGeneration X (comics)Generation X is a fictional comic book superhero team, a spin-off of the X-Men franchise published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo, the team formed during the 1994 "Phalanx Covenant" storyline, and appeared in their own monthly series in September 1994...
whose chest was filled with psionic energy; - Stacy XStacy XStacy X , who was more recently known as Ripcord, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, a mutant prostitute who was briefly affiliated with the X-Men and was more recently known as a member of the latest incarnation of the now disbanded New Warriors...
(Miranda Leevald), a former prostitute who controlled pheromones; - NorthstarNorthstarNorthstar is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the twin brother of Aurora. Through his mutation, Northstar gains superhuman powers, which he uses for the betterment of society...
, (Jean-Paul Beaubier), a former member of Canada's Alpha FlightAlpha FlightAlpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
team; - HuskHusk (comics)Husk is a fictional character from Marvel Comics. Guthrie is a superhero associated with the X-Men.A mutant, Husk has the ability to remove one layer of skin - or "husk" - revealing an epidermis of a different composition beneath...
, (Paige Guthrie), Cannonball's sister and another former Generation X member, who could rip off layers of skin to reveal stronger forms underneath; and, most surprisingly, - The JuggernautJuggernaut (comics)The Juggernaut is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #12 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
(Cain Marko), Xavier's stepbrother, who had been a criminal and enemy of the X-Men since the mid-1960s. Austen had Juggernaut redeem himself in one of the few storylines of his run that was well-received.
Austen brought back Havok, who had been floating in limbo ever since Mutant X had been cancelled, as well as Polaris and Jubilee. Both Casey and Austen, however, received considerable backlash. Many critics felt Uncanny X-Men was treading a derivative and well-worn path, especially in comparison to the more adventurous New X-Men, while fans often objected to the changes that were made, including retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
s of Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler (comics)
Nightcrawler is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. He has been associated with both the X-Men and Excalibur, originally appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
's previously becoming a Catholic
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
Priest as well as his parentage, a change in the character of Polaris
Polaris (comics)
Polaris is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books. Created by Arnold Drake, Don Heck, Werner Roth and Jim Steranko, Polaris first appeared in The X-Men #49...
, turning her into a cruel and mentally disturbed terrorist, and confirming a longheld suspicion of being Magneto's daughter, and a controversial Archangel/Husk romance, with Husk being an 18 year-old roughly ten years Archangel's junior.
Meanwhile, in "X-Treme X-Men," two other new characters were added to the team:
- LifeguardLifeguard (comics)Lifeguard is a comic book character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, she first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 ....
(Heather Cameron), whose body would adapt to dangers thrown at her; and her brother, - SlipstreamSlipstream (comics)Slipstream is a fictional character in Marvel Comics universe. He is a superhero associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, he first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 ....
(Davis Cameron), who could teleport using his "Warp Wave".
Another popular new X-Men series was Ultimate X-Men
Ultimate X-Men
Ultimate X-Men is a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2001 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running X-Men comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
, writer Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and artist Adam Kubert's reinvention of the concept featuring modern teenaged versions of the X-Men and meant to appeal to new readers. Ultimate X-Men was set in the "Ultimate Marvel Universe", alongside Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
and Ultimates
Ultimates
The Ultimates is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch, and first appeared in The Ultimates #1 , as part of the company's Ultimate Marvel imprint...
.
Morrison concluded his run with the return of Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
in Planet X
Planet X (comics)
"Planet X" is 2004 storyline published by Marvel Comics that ran from New X-Men #146-150. The story is the climax of Grant Morrison's run as writer on the X-Men, and features the return of Magneto and the death of Jean Grey.-Plot:...
and Here Comes Tomorrow
Here Comes Tomorrow
"Here Comes Tomorrow" is the eighth and final story arc in Grant Morrison's run on the Marvel Comics series New X-Men, which ran from issues #151-154...
and the death of Jean Grey, who once more bonded with the Phoenix Force. Controversially, Magneto became a full genocidalist and was decapitated by Wolverine, and once more Cyclops watched Jean die.
ReLoad
In 2004, Morrison left New X-Men and Marvel prepared for what was already being called the "post-Morrison period", in an event called X-Men ReLoadX-Men ReLoad
X-Men ReLoad was the name given by Marvel Comics to their May 2004 revamp of the X-Men titles. The revamp was prompted by Grant Morrison's departure from New X-Men....
. Marvel cancelled X-Treme X-Men and placed Claremont back on Uncanny X-Men. This team, consisting of Storm, Wolverine, Bishop, Sage, Marvel Girl, Nightcrawler and Cannonball, had been granted U.N. authority in an act called the X-Treme Sanctions Executive (X.S.E.) and were given full authority and government approved status equal to the Avengers to act as law enforcers to mutant activity across the world. New X-Men reverted its title back to merely "X-Men," and featured Havok, Polaris, Iceman, Juggernaut, Rogue and Gambit. The company also launched Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men is the name of three X-Men comic book series from Marvel Comics, the first two of which were limited series. The ongoing series began in 2004, with its first run written by Joss Whedon and art by John Cassaday. It was then written by Warren Ellis with art by Phil Jimenez. Daniel...
with writer Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
(well known as the creator of the cult television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and artist John Cassaday
John Cassaday
John Cassaday is an American comic book artist and writer, born in Fort Worth, Texas and currently residing in New York City. He is known for having a high level of precision and realism in his work....
(Planetary
Planetary (comics)
Planetary is an American comic book limited series created by writer Warren Ellis and artist John Cassaday published by the Wildstorm imprint of DC Comics...
) Astonishing featured Cyclops, Frost, Beast, Shadowcat and Wolverine. To set up the three new teams, Cyclops mandated the X-Men ditch the leather outfits and return to their costumes, while unceremoniously removing Archangel, Husk, Jubilee and Northstar from active duty.
Astonishing X-Men became a hit among comic book fans due to Whedon's plotting and dialogue, and John Cassaday's clean and realistically styled art. Some attributed the title's success to its relatively straightforward presentation: many X-Men books from the 1990s were known for complicated continuity and flashy art overshadowing the characters in the story. The series included the return of decisively dead X-Man Colossus, which fans generally accepted due to the nature of his death several years earlier. Astonishing X-Men earned a few spin-off limited series, such as X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong
X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong
X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong is an American five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 2005. It was written by Greg Pak with art by Greg Land....
and Colossus: Blood Ties. Psylocke was also resurrected in Uncanny X-Men as Chris Claremont had intended on bringing her back ever since her death over in X-Treme X-Men, but was not allowed to due to a 'Dead is Dead' rule at the time.
Marvel also launched several new secondary X-Books, including District X
District X
District X, also known as Mutant Town or the Middle East Side, is a fictional location in Marvel Comics. It is a neighborhood in New York City, first seen during Grant Morrison's run on the series New X-Men in New X-Men #127, which was primarily populated by mutants...
, in which Bishop polices a mutant neighborhood of New York City, New X-Men: Academy X, a continuation of the recently launched New Mutants (vol. 2) starring Xavier's student body, and a new Excalibur, featuring Magneto, with the previous story retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
ned into an imposter named Xorn and Professor X's attempt to rebuild Genosha. Rogue, Nightcrawler, Jubilee and Gambit all received their own eponymous ongoing series at this time, although Jubilee was cancelled after only six issues, as it had sold less copies per issue than any other X-Men spinoff ever published at that point; Gambit and Rogue only made it to twelve issues each.
Marvel ended X-Statix
X-Statix
X-Statix was a fictional team of mutant superheroes in Marvel Comics, specifically designed to be media superstars. The team, created by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred, first appears in X-Force #116 and originally assumed the moniker X-Force, taking the name of the more traditional superhero team,...
when creators Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan born in London, a British writer, best known for his comic book, film and television work.-Early career:Milligan started his comic career with short stories for 2000 AD in the early 1980s. By 1986, Milligan had his first ongoing strip in 2000AD called Bad Company, with artists Brett...
and Mike Allred left. Milligan replaced Chuck Austen as writer of X-Men in January 2005.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed series NYX introduced the character X-23
X-23
X-23 is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those featuring the X-Men. X-23 is a female clone of Wolverine.-Publication history:...
, a teenage female clone
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
of Wolverine who had originally appeared on the animated television series X-Men: Evolution
X-Men: Evolution
X-Men: Evolution is an American animated television series about the Marvel Comics superhero team the X-Men. In this incarnation many of the characters are teenagers rather than adults...
. X-23 subsequently joined the school in New X-Men after helping the Uncanny X-Men team.
Decimation
In 2005, Marvel's major crossover event, House of MHouse of M
House of M is an eight-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics in 2005. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, its first issue debuted in June 2005 as a follow-up to the events of the Planet X and Avengers Disassembled...
resulted in a decimation
Decimation (comics)
Decimation is the late 2005 Marvel Comics storyline spinning off from the House of M limited series. It focuses on the ramifications of the Scarlet Witch stripping nearly all of the mutant population of their powers, thereby reducing a society of millions to one of scant hundreds.This event, which...
of mutants, in which millions lost their powers, including Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
and Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
. Following the Deadly Genesis limited series, which revealed skeletons in Xavier's closet, he and Cyclops soon turned against one another and the villainous character of Vulcan, Cyclops' brother, was introduced. Also, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
regained all his memories, continued in Wolverine: Origins.
In the meantime, limited series such as Son of M
Son of M
Son of M is an American comic book limited series, a follow up to Marvel Comics' "House of M" event, starring the depowered Quicksilver. Quicksilver was one of the many mutants to lose his powers as part of the Decimation, which he was, in part, responsible for.-Background:Following his sister's...
, Generation M
Generation M (comics)
Generation M is a five-issue mini-series written by Paul Jenkins and pencilled by Ramon Bachs, starting in January 2006.- Basic plot :The story focuses on Sally Floyd, a reporter for the fictional newspaper The Alternative, after the events of M-Day, when the Scarlet Witch used her powers to cause...
and The 198 dealt with the mutants who had lost their powers, with New X-Men
New X-Men
New X-Men was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics within the X-Men franchise. After the end of Grant Morrison's run on X-Men , titled New X-Men, the title was used for a new series, New X-Men: Academy X, serving as a continuation of the second volume of New Mutants...
studying it in full. Apocalypse
Apocalypse (comics)
Apocalypse is a fictional character who is an ancient mutant that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Factor #5 , created by writer Louise Simonson and designed by artist Walter Simonson...
was also resurrected, who turned heroes such as Polaris
Polaris (comics)
Polaris is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books. Created by Arnold Drake, Don Heck, Werner Roth and Jim Steranko, Polaris first appeared in The X-Men #49...
and Gambit
Gambit (comics)
Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
into villains, though both were rescued in due time.
Meanwhile, the Avengers and Magneto dealt with the missing mutant power in the Collective. Afterwards, House of M led onto Marvel's 2006 crossover: Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
. Chris Claremont also moved onto New Excalibur. Xavier founded a new team in a storyline continuing Deadly Genesis as Ed Brubaker
Ed Brubaker
Ed Brubaker is an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer and cartoonist. Brubaker first early comics work was primarily in the crime fiction genre with works such as Lowlife, The Fall, Sandman Presents: Dead Boy Detectives and Scene of the Crime...
took over Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
.
Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men is the name of three X-Men comic book series from Marvel Comics, the first two of which were limited series. The ongoing series began in 2004, with its first run written by Joss Whedon and art by John Cassaday. It was then written by Warren Ellis with art by Phil Jimenez. Daniel...
continued its successful run, but as Whedon's contract was renewed for another twelve issues following his original twelve issue contract and during 2006 the title became bi-monthly to allow him time to finish his arcs. Whedon also returned Emma Frost
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
to villainy, but not from free will, and subsequently redeemed her. Rogue formed a splinter group in X-Men, consisting of seemingly reformed villains such as Mystique
Mystique (comics)
Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
and Sabretooth
Sabretooth (comics)
Sabretooth is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne. The character first appeared in Iron Fist #14...
, whilst the New X-Men
New X-Men
New X-Men was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics within the X-Men franchise. After the end of Grant Morrison's run on X-Men , titled New X-Men, the title was used for a new series, New X-Men: Academy X, serving as a continuation of the second volume of New Mutants...
suffered the return of William Stryker
William Stryker
Col. William "Bill" Stryker, M.D. is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, and enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, he first appeared in the 1982 graphic novel X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.Rev...
.