Sunday, June 23, 2019

TOP TEN FAVORITE X-MEN

TOP TEN FAVORITE X-MEN

You can't spend time in the Marvel universe, films or comics, without getting to know and love the X-Men. I'll date myself a bit here by saying I first really came to know the X-Men from the 1990's Fox animated series and Marvel Universe trading cards from the time. I grew up during the time when the X-Men were on top of the world in terms of popularity. Comic books in general were enjoying the greatest height of prosperity they've ever experienced during the late eighties to the mid nineties.

The X-Men exposure was great and they became one of my gateways into the Marvel universe. It became an essential part of my Saturday morning routine. I had to catch every episode! Strangely though, when it came to the comic books, I gravitated towards Hulk, Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, and Morbius. I did get a few X-Men comics and I remember loving Jim Lee's art (still do!). When you're a kid money is scarce so you only spend what little you have on those comics that really captured your attention and spoke to you. Weirdly I couldn't miss an episode of the X-Men Animated Series but they were barely a blip on my comic book radar. I can't explain it anymore than you can. When you choose Morbius over Jim Lee/Chris Claremont era X-Men there must be something severely wrong with you.

Well, that was me. But I still thought the X-Men were amazing (maybe it was that I was getting my X-Men fix satiated adequately enough with the cartoon series that I didn't feel I needed any more). Anyway, I loved watching the characters in the show and collecting their trading cards. The Flair 94' X-Men trading card series and the Skybox 92' X-Men series (all of which was Jim Lee art) were amazing! But my all-time favorite card series was the 1991 Marvel Universe Series 2 from Skybox.



These were among the first Marvel trading cards I ever had. Look at how gorgeous these cards were! Then, of course, came the first X-Men film. I saw that movie twice in one day. That was a huge day for me as I knew movies would never be the same for me ever again. And here we are 20 years later and movies have been changed forever thanks to the super hero films from Marvel. I haven't missed an X-Men film since. During this time too I discovered a truly amazing volume of the X-Men comics too: X-FORCE and CABLE from 2008. I never attached stronger to an X-Men comic than with these two series (which act as companion pieces meant to be reading in tandem). I had also discovered the amazing and wild EXILES books, now favorites of mine as well.

I've also acquired the first two UNCANNY X-MEN omnibi covering from Giant-Size X-Men #1, X-Men #94 - #153 by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and John Byrne. I have yet to read them but they're on the reading list. So, as little as I talk about the X-Men and for as much as I profess to love all these other characters in Marvel's universe, I still have a deep appreciation for the X-Men and recognize how great they really are.

Through watching the cartoon series and the movies and reading various X-Men comics sporadically throughout the years, I have come to really like certain characters and even love a few of them. But the X-Men have gone through so many changes in the comics over the years and writers have come through and made me dislike characters I once loved. So my love for some of these characters reflects specific eras for these characters. We all have our preferences, right?

With the Disney acquisition of 20th Century Fox and the X-Men and Fantastic Four finally returning home to Marvel, the writing was on the wall. 2019's DARK PHOENIX marked the end of an era and of a franchise that began in the year 2000. While these films have varied in quality (just as the comics have) the impact of these films is undeniable.

In celebration of these characters, films, and comics, we're counting down our favorite X-Men (and X-Heroes), even if we're not the most versed in X-Men lore.

Here we go! Enjoy!





THE BONUSES




 #14
SUNFIRE

First Appearance: The X-Men #64 (January 1970)

One of the most underappreciated characters in the X-Men universe, Shiro Yashida a.k.a. Sunfire is Japan's greatest super hero. He began as an antagonist to the X-Men only to be endeared to them and their cause. He's a bit of a hothead, like most fire manipulators are, and he's has a noble samurai spirit. I've always thought Sunfire was a cool character and I always wished Marvel would do more with him. Fun fact: Sunfire was the character who started Japan's super hero team, BIG HERO SIX!






#13
WOLFSBANE

First Appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (October 1982)

I love monsters. And what's cooler than a werewolf mutant hero? I first came to know Rahne Sinclair in an Incredible Hulk/X-Factor crossover story called War and Pieces. In that story Wolfsbane and Rick Jones share some war trauma together and Rahne ultimately has to kill someone. Writer Peter David paints a human and heartfelt image with his words and both Rahne and Rick come across as very real people in that moment. The story and character has stuck with me ever since.

She also appears in the 2008 X-FORCE book to striking and powerful effect, ultimately my favorite depiction of her. She returns to the pages of X-Factor after that, once again written by Peter David, where she has to battle many of Marvel's devils and demons to protect her "Wolf-God" child. It's another great story of hers and features another favorite character of mine: Werewolf By Night!







#12
WARPATH

First Appearance: The New Mutants #16 (June 1984)

I wasn't much of a fan of Warpath growing up. I was aware of him but he didn't really stand out to me. What changed all of that was the X-FORCE book from 2008 by Craig Kyle and Chris Yost. That book services every character within it very well and is one of my all time favorite X-books. In this book there are a few issues where Warpath leaves the team and encounters a demonic bear spirit in the wilderness. Warpath teams up with Ghost Rider to battle the demon bear in, perhaps, my favorite Warpath story.

He's such a cool character and worthy of high praise.







#11
BLINK
 First Appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #317 (October 1994)

I feel like one of the most underappreciated X-titles out there was Exiles. Beginning in 2001, the book ran for an epic 125 issues across three volumes. Insane stories about reality hopping from various Marvel timelines, anchored by one of my favorite X-Women, Blink. A teleporter, albeit different from the X-Men's premiere teleporter, Blink can open portals and move through them. She can also focus her portals into daggers and use them as weapons which can teleport people or objects on contact.

There are two Blinks in the Marvel universe: the main universe Blink (Earth 616 if you know the parlance) and the Blink from the AGE OF APOCALYPSE reality. I do not like the main universe Blink at all. I LOVE the AOA version of Blink and she is the character heading up the Exiles. She's fast, agile, and a lethal fighter thanks to being trained by none other than Sabretooth!






#10
 ARCHANGEL

First Appearance: (as Archangel) X-Factor #24 (January 1988)

One of the earliest X-Men characters I was intrigued by was Archangel. To be clear, I don't really like Angel. A beautiful rich boy who literally looks like an angel? Nope, I can't relate to that. But when Angel's skin turned blue and his wings became metal and razor sharp, not to mention becoming one of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse, now that was something I could get behind. And it is so incredibly metal!

Warren Worthington became a character to be feared, awesome and frightening! As Archangel he has the Apocalypse gene coursing through him, making him susceptible to villainous commands. You don't quite know what's going to happen when Archangel is involved which makes him so much fun to read. In addition to the 80's and 90's X-Men stuff, I really loved the take on him in the 2008 X-FORCE book.







#9
POLARIS

First Appearance: The X-Men #49 (October 1968)

First off, I love the green color pallet. The Mistress of Magnetism, Polaris, really jumped on my radar with Peter David's X-FACTOR from the 90's. She and Havok were essentially the Cyclops and Jean Grey of X-Factor at the time. Adding into the mix that she was Magneto's daughter and it painted the character in yet another interesting and potentially dangerous light. With power levels off the charts and slightly unstable mental health makes her a very intriguing character.

She took on a central role during the War of Kings saga, being captured by the Shi'Ar along with Havok and others, escaping, joining the Starjammers, and fighting alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy and Inhumans against Havok's evil brother, Vulcan. Polaris became a favorite of mine after that and remains one of the X-Men characters I enjoy the most.







#8
 NIGHTCRAWLER
First Appearance: Giant Size X-Men #1 (May 1975)

Nightcrawler was one of those characters I instantly gravitated to as kid. His elf-like design is eye-catching, unique, and cool. Depending on his depiction his design can be kinda scary or fun and kinda cute. Then when you get to know his gentle and kind personality he becomes instantly endearing.

I can't point to too many stories that I love about him, but rather he's such a great character in general and enhances whatever story he's in. He's also one of the reasons why the movie X2: X-Men United is one of the best X-Men movies ever. His opening sequence is breathtaking and amazingly realized. And Alan Cummings portrayal of Nightcrawler is perfect.








#7
DOMINO

First Appearance:  X-Force #8 (March 1992)

I didn't think much of Domino until the 2008 volume of X-FORCE by Craig Kyle and Chris Yost. I'm not a fan of her bigger armored design, but I love her sleek black suit look. The pale skin and black spot over her eye combined with the guns and general badassery give her this sexy "mime from hell" vibe. Honestly, I find Domino one of the coolest hit-man/assassin characters out there.

What I loved about the 2008 X-Force book was dark intensity of the book. They were a covert wetworks team and Domino exemplified everything the book was about. She has a fun and carefree attitude and can turn on the badass persona instantly. I'd love to see her in a John Wick style Marvel book.







#6
 HAVOK
First Appearance: The X-Men #54 (March 1969)

Havok is Scott Summers' kid brother and one character that really surprised me the more I read about him. To be honest I never thought much about him until he went into space to fight his younger brother, Vulcan. The story started in RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE and continued through the event WAR OF KINGS. There he witnessed his father's death at the hands of his brother, became the leader of the Starjammers, and led a guerilla campaign against the Shi'Ar Empire.

The next great story I read with him was Rick Remender's Uncanny Avengers. Havok led the "Unity Squad" comprising both X-Men and Avengers members. They fought against Apocalypse and Kang the Conqueror, fought their way through a dark future, fixing the timestream, and more. It was crazy and epic and Havok was the linchpin to it all. These stories have made me look at the character in a whole new way and made me a fan of Havok's.







#5
RACHEL GREY/SUMMERS

First Appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #141 (January 1981)

Rachel Grey a.k.a. The Phoenix is the daughter of Cyclops and Jean Grey from a dark alternate future, the DAYS OF FUTURE PAST timeline specifically. Merging with the Phoenix Force, the cosmic power eventually transports her back to the past and the main timeline where she joins the X-Men. The first time I saw Rachel was in the Marvel Universe Series II trading cards (the trading card in question is pictured back up top near the beginning of the post).

Rachel isn't that great of a character in her initial X-Men appearances. It wasn't until she joined the super team EXCALIBUR and the wild stories therein that I became a fan of hers. Excalibur is an underrated and great book of mutants, magic, and reality hopping. I loved her design and her character really came into her own in that book, becoming a confident, likeable, and powerful hero. Later, when she rejoined the X-Men and then became a Starjammer to fight Vulcan during the War of Kings event, she became a firm favorite. She was wielding the Phoenix Force adeptly and was on a power level almost like that of a Herald of Galactus.







#4
PSYLOCKE

First Appearance: Captain Britain #9 (December 1976)

Any wonder why I like this character? SHE'S A NINJA! If my love of ninjas hasn't been made abundantly clear in this blog then I've done something wrong. Psylocke, to me, was just another telepath in a world full of telepaths in her original incarnation. But when her mind was transferred into the body of one of the deadliest ninjas on Earth, the character took on a whole new dimension. The fact that she wields a sword and has the fighting prowess to keep up with Wolverine is so incredibly cool. And then she can summon a psy-blade too?! She also has that cool, silent, mysterious demeanor about her too.

Psylocke wasn't featured very much in the 90's animated series so I came to know her primarily through the comics. The 90's era of X-Men once again really shaped my love for Psylocke, later on not so much. Her stint in the Exiles book in the 2000's was awesome and also when she joined X-Force later on too.







#3
BEAST
First Appearance: The X-Men #1 (September 1963)

A blue furry wolf-man? What's not to love? Growing up and first dipping my toes into the Marvel universe I couldn't help but be drawn to Beast. First off, I am a monster lover at heart. Seeing Beast's design with the striking blue color was all I needed to think, "Wow! I want to know who this guy is!" I love the juxtaposition of his design and character, the appearance of a primal beast but the gentry and sophistication of civilized man. And he can also throwdown with the best of them.

When the X-Men animated series debuted I had already begun collecting various Marvel Universe trading cards series as well as having begun a small comic collection. So I knew who Beast was and he was probably the character I was looking forward to seeing the most on the show. That's why it sucked that after the second episode he ends up in jail and spends, what felt like, nearly all of the first season out of action. Oh yeah, I really disliked his "Cat-Beast" redesign of the early 2000's.






#2
ROGUE
First Appearance: Avengers Annual #10 (1981)

My love for Rogue stems from the 90's animated X-Men series and the Jim Lee/Chris Claremont X-Men comic books from the same era. Rogue is my first memory of seeing a woman as an action hero and she maybe the genesis of why I love kick-ass women in general. Seeing her beat down the badguys like the Hulk would and fly through the air like Superman was striking and awesome to see as a kid who'd never seen a woman portrayed as such. And then there's the tragic side of the character, that of not being able to have physical contact with anyone without possibly hurting them. All of it amounted to one amazing and intriguing character.

Rogue is one of those characters that I enjoy only in that 90's era. The "Ms. Marvel" Rogue to be specific. The stories I've read with Rogue in the 2000's and beyond have not endeared the character to me further. She lost her Ms. Marvel powers and took on a really antagonistic personality. She's not fun anymore or sympathetic. Instead I cheered when Rick Remender finally gutted her in his Uncanny Avengers run. The green in her design instantly stood out to me too and I'm glad that at least this design element has remained while the rest of the character feels unrecognizable to me now.







#1
WOLVERINE
First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk #180 (October 1974)

I know, I know... How incredibly predictable and typical. But who else would it be? Wolverine is arguably Marvel's most popular character next to Spider-Man. The appeal of this character is undeniable. There's a reason why so many people love Wolverine and I am no exception. Wolverine is so incredibly badass. His appeal transcends age too. Like Batman, kids fall in love with Wolverine at an early age and as they grow up their love for Wolverine continues. I used to run around on the playground in grade school pretending to be Wolverine. And today, as an adult, the character is still incredibly compelling as exemplified in the 2017 film LOGAN.

While I like the others on this list quite a bit, none have been treated as well as Wolverine. It's that rare versatility of character that allows Wolverine to fit so well into just about any genre or story type in comic books (like Batman). Writers can tailor him just about any sensibility and to any reader, which makes him so entertaining and likable.

And there you have it! My off-beat or incredibly normal list of favorite X-Men characters.

Who're your favorites?

Let us know in the comments below!

And for more top ten lists check out these other posts below!

TOP TEN LISTS

TOP TEN LEAST FAVORITE HULK STORIES  
 TOP TEN INCREDIBLE HULK VILLAINS  


 
 
TOP TEN ACTION MOVIE HEROES   TOP TEN GREATEST TURTLES




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