10 X-Men Stories That Changed Marvel History, Ranked

منتشرشده: ۱۱ آبان ۱۴۰۵، ساعت ۰۴:۵۰ · ایران

Once again, Marvel’s mighty mutants, the X-Men, will enjoy a heightened profile as they make their much-anticipated return to the big screen in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and embark on their next live-action evolution within the larger scheme of the MCU. The X-Men have enjoyed one of the most prolific histories in Marvel Comics, and with every passing decade, they remain the benchmark by which others are judged.

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Throughout their decades-long mythology, the X-Men (and the subsequent spin-offs) have been at the epicenter of story arcs that resonated beyond their own pages and profoundly influenced the overall trajectory of the Marvel Universe. Here’s just a look at some of those landmark moments in the X-Men’s Marvel Comics milestones …

10 The X-Men Make Their Debut | X-Men #1 (1963)

They are “the strangest superheroes of all!” Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the students at Professor Charles Xavier’s School for the Gifted are more than meets the eye. To face the unprecedented threat of mutant terrorists like Magneto, the Master of Magnetism, Xavier promises a world where man and mutant can live together in peace and trains tomorrow's heroes to become the front-line defense.

What sets the X-Men apart from the other heroes in the Marvel Age is that these young people are born with the “X-gene” that makes them mutants, feared and hated just for being born. These children of the atom must persist against bigotry and convince a prejudiced society that they too have a place in the world.

9 Kitty’s Fairy Tale | Uncanny X-Men #153 (1982)

If comic books were musicals, this would be it! After the treacherous Hellfire Club invades their space, the X-Men pause the rigors of superheroics to put their home and sanctuary back together. To calm a restless Illyana Rasputin before bedtime, Kitty Pryde draws on her gift for storytelling and spins a truly imaginative carpet-ride adventure, with pirates, dragons, witches, and a “fiend with no name.”

Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and Josef Rubinstein spin a fan-favorite epic that transposes the X-Men into otherworldly fantasy avatars in Kitty’s high-seas tale, which introduces Lockheed the Dragon, cuddly Bamfs, and replaces Wolverine with a furry beast that works together to save the cursed princess from the wrath of the Dark Phoenix. As you can guess, it’s a very happy ending.

8 The Debut Of The All-New, All Different Line-Up | X-Men #94 (1975)

A reboot was long overdue, and after making a sizably impactful debut in Giant-Sized X-Men #1 (1975), the new lineup is put into action. The notorious Count Nefaria returns to plague Xavier’s team, with a threat of world domination. Untested but ready for the fight, Cyclops leads the new team into this trial by fire, even as he parts ways with his original teammates.

It’s a sparkling introduction as this new group, of more experienced mutants, begins to coalesce into a premier fighting force and family. They come from all walks of life and don’t necessarily see eye to eye, but they must work together if they are to deliver on their promise to protect the innocent and aspire to a world that accepts them. The X-Men’s new roster is one of the most diverse in comics’ history.

7 The Phoenix Is Born | X-Men #101 (1976)

Returning to the fight was not what the original X-Man, Jean Grey, had in mind, but nonetheless she finds herself thrust into the thick of things. When the X-Men make a daring escape far above Earth’s orbit, their space shuttle is compromised, and Jean insists only she can defend against the increasing radiation. As the ship plummets to its fate, Jean meets hers, and after a crash landing, she is reborn as the Phoenix.

The introduction of Phoenix sets up one of the most elaborate comic book arcs in all history, one that would evolve over decades. The Phoenix’s introduction also adds storytelling complexity, as characters are forced to confront the power's unpredictability, which corrupts their friend completely and sparks a struggle of the heart.

6 John Byrne Assumes The Role Of Series Regular Penciler | X-Men #108 (1977)

Along with its incredible run of story arcs, many, courtesy of the legendary Chris Claremont, John Byrne took over from the legendary Dave Cockrum and gave the book an entirely different gloss. In a space epic of incredible proportions, the X-Men, along with the space pirates, the Starjammers, must prevent an intergalactic genocide.

Claremont and Byrne would go on to create one of the book’s most successful runs, making it one of Marvel’s best-selling titles. They also had one of the most contentious and controversial working relationships, which became a legend in its own right. Still, these two visionaries gave the fans stories that have not only stood the test of time, but have become the standard by which all others are measured.

5 The X-Men Confront Earth’s Mightiest Heroes | X-Men #9 (1965)

It was only a matter of time before the X-Men faced off against the Mighty Avengers, and when these titans collide, it doesn’t disappoint. One of the most classic takes of the Marvel Age, and the beginning of a proud tradition of crossovers, this issue features the best of what made Marvel a standout in the market. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby established a shared universe where its heroes and villains met in battle.

These issues were profitable publishing stunts that promised more bang for the buck, but thanks to Lee, Kirby, and the rest of the gifted Marvel Bullpen, they delivered adventurous thrills. As it would have it, both of these iconic super teams are about to make history again, meeting for the first time on the big screen, and it will spell doomsday for one of them.

4 The X-Men Grow Up For a New Generation | Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

As the story goes, it had been in development for months. Len Wein was tasked with creating a book with broader cross-market appeal, and the powers that be believed resurrecting the“X-Men” was exactly what Marvel needed. Wein had already given readers a Canadian hero with Wolverine's debut; now he was preparing to revamp Xavier’s student body with an international cast of characters.

It was one of the biggest events in Marvel Comics history, and launched the careers of some of its most popular and iconic characters. With a roster that featured a Russian, a German acrobat, a Kenyan goddess, and a Native American warrior, the all-new, all-different X-Men were among the first to feature characters that reflected America's diversity and expand its audience.

3 The Final Fate Of The Phoenix | X-Men #137 (1980)

The unforgettable, inevitable conclusion of one of the X-Men’s greatest arcs is also one of the most tragic in the modern era of comics. After confronting their teammate's devastating power, the corrupted Phoenix goes dark and sparks an intergalactic conflict. The X-Men are transported to the moon and must duel for Jean Grey's life, but in the end, the Phoenix takes her own life to save them all.

If there was ever a comic book blockbuster, this was it! After months of an emotional roller-coaster, readers get the final chapter (or so it seemed) of the epic “Dark Phoenix Saga,” and the only winners are the audience, who get one of the most emotional climaxes in comic book storytelling, expertly delivered by Claremont and Byrne. To this day, this remains one of the best X-Men books ever.

2 Days Of Future Past | Uncanny X-Men #141 (1981)

Talk about a trial by fire! Kitty Pryde had only been an X-Man for a few short months, and the group was still largely mourning the passing of Jean Grey, and Claremont and Byrne deliver this one-two punch that not only sets up the dangers of alternate timelines and the consequences, but introduces the X-Men’s most dangerous counterparts with Mystique and her new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants on the scene.

A story so massive and vital, it inspired a cinematic adaptation, and still it couldn’t live up to this “ultimate” adventure that would have serious repercussions on future storylines, and ultimately drive the fate of not one, but several X-Men readers had yet to meet. The dystopian future the X-Men are fighting to stop has resonated with fans and inspired creatives to revisit it again and again.

1 LifeDeath… A Love Story | Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984)

Storm, the X-Men’s leader and the goddess of the elements, has lost her powers. In a stunningly devastating turn, Ororo saves a teammate's life and pays the ultimate price. Even more devastating, the weapon responsible was manufactured by someone who loves her deeply. No retrospective look at the greatest stories would be complete without revisiting Uncanny X-Men #186.

From the first panel to the last, it is strikingly beautiful (thanks to the wizardry of penciler Barry Windsor-Smith) and emotionally halting - a masterpiece. This issue raised the bar, and few other comic books have matched it. One of the most human stories ever told, and Marvel did it first. Truly, if there is only one X-Men story anyone will read in a lifetime, this is it.

With more than six decades of incredible moments in comic book publishing, it’s impossible to pick a list of its “best” or most profound tales, but X-Men remains one of the most influential books of its kind and still resonates with audiences today.