The Top Ten X-Men characters

“X, Because it’s extra baby.”
They Might Be Giants – S-E-X-X-Y

Initially, the concept for this list was for the X-Men heroes only – no villans. However, it turns out that many characters throughout the multiple comic book titles (e.g.: X-Men, X-Factor, X-Force, etc), have done a heel-face-turn. When you consider the general unpopularity, and downright hatred of mutants within the Marvel Universe, it’s not surprising how easy and often it is for a mutant to switch hats. In other words, we are focusing on characters that are mostly known for being on the side of the good guys. 

It is a common trope for a character to be introduced as an enemy, only to inevitably turn up to be a potent and staunch ally. It seems that in this case, some of the most powerful antagonists of the X-Men ultimately became allies. Which is why they ended up as honorable mentions. To muddy the waters even further, as certain mutants have gone on to become members of The Avengers, some non-mutants have gone on to become members of the X-Men, either honorary, probationary, or full-fledged members.

With all that in mind, here are our lists:

Keith’s List

• 10. Charles Xavier
• 9. Phoenix (Jean Grey-Summers)
• 8. Cyclops (Scott Summers)
• 7. Gambit (Rémy LeBeau)
• 6. Rogue (Anna Marie)
• 5. Cable (Nathan Christopher Charles Summers)
• 4. Iceman (Robert Louis “Bobby” Drake)
• 3. Colossus (Piotr Nikolaievitch “Peter” Rasputin)
• 2. Wolverine (James “Logan” Howlett)
• 1. Deadpool (Wade Wilson)

Honorable Mentions: Angel/Archangel (Warren Kenneth Worthington III); Beast (Dr. Henry Philip “Hank” McCoy); Bishop (Lucas Bishop); Dazzler (Alison Blaire); Jubilee (Jubilation Lee); Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner); Psylocke (Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock); Sprite/Ariel/Shadowcat (Katherine Anne “Kitty” Pryde); Storm (Ororo Monroe (formerly Iqadi T’Challa-Wakandas)); X-23 (Laura Kinney).

My List

• 10. Beast (Dr. Henry Philip “Hank” McCoy)
• 9. Rogue (Anna Marie)
• 8. Gambit (Rémy LeBeau)
• 7. Phoenix (Jean Grey-Summers)
• 6. Sprite/Ariel/Shadowcat (Katherine Anne “Kitty” Pryde)
• 5. Colossus (Piotr Nikolaievitch “Peter” Rasputin)
• 4. Cable (Nathan Christopher Charles Summers)
• 3. Bishop (Lucas Bishop)
• 2. Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner)
• 1. Wolverine (James “Logan” Howlett)

Honorable Mentions: Angel/Archangel (Warren Kenneth Worthington III); Banshee (Sean Cassidy); Havok (Alexander Summers); Iceman (Robert Louis “Bobby” Drake); Jubilee (Jubilation Lee); Magneto (Max “Magnus” Eisenhardt); Pixie (Megan Gwynn); Psylocke (Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock); White Queen (Emma Frost); Storm (Ororo Monroe (formerly Iqadi T’Challa-Wakandas)).

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