The X-Men are certainly considered to be one of the most popular comic book characters of all time. With movies, and tons of comics and spinoffs over the last several years, a new light has been shone on them. They have become pop culture icons. The X-Men are a group of teenagers that have gathered at a school for mutants. Mutants are individuals that have special powers different from other humans in the world of the X-Men. X-Men are outcasts, though they are really trying to change the world for good. They do all this in spite of the fact that much of the world’s people hate and fear them. Of all the X-Men characters over the years, who are the greatest? Here are my top five X-Men of all time:
5. Angel - Angel was one of the best X-men ever, and had one of the coolest storylines in the history of Marvel Comics. Angel was a mutant that had huge wings that allowed him the powers of flight. These wings were lost during the Mutant Massacre storyline, and just as he was about to die he was saved by Apocolypse. After striking a deal with the evil one, he was given new wings. This time they were nearly indestructable, and his character turned dark and brooding. During this period of time, Angel was called Archangel. The story was brilliant and the character was one that I will never forget.
4. Storm - Storm is quite simply a very cool character. She has the power to control the weather. That might not sound very intimidating, but when you consider hurricanes, tornadoes, lightening and so on, she suddenly seems pretty powerful. The fact that she was played by Halle Berry did not hurt either.
3. Cyclops - Cyclops has the power to shoot beams from his eyes, and has to wear a visor to keep them under control. He is married to Jean Grey, and is considered the primary leader of the X-Men. His character has not always been a favorite of mine, but over time he has grown on me. The unique relationship between him and his brother Havoc is one reason why.
2. Rogue - The story of Rogue has always been one of the better ones in the X-Men comic books. Rogue is the daughter of the evil Mystique. She has the power to suck up the powers of anyone she touches. This leaves her with virtually unlimited story lines. This inability to have any human to human contact has been a central part of her character over the years, and it leaves her with a very believable story. She is close friends with Wolverine, and once had a bit of a relationship with Gambit as well.
1. Wolverine - Without a doubt, Wolverine is the coolest comic book character of all time. While I enjoy the X-Men movies, and Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Logan, it is the comic books where Wolverine will always be king. As good as the movies are, the comic books are even better. The fights with Sabretooth over the years has been one of the coolest sagas in all of comics. Wolverine transcends what you normally feel with comic books. He is both easy to feel sorry for, while at the same time scary as hell. Now that is a great comic book character.
