In 1963, with the success of the Fantastic Four, co-creator Stan Lee wanted to create another group of superheroes. Unlike Lee's earlier creations such as Spider-Man who acquired their powers through scientific means, Lee decided that this new group of heroes were "mutants", born with powers as he had grown weary of creating separate origins for each superhero.
The original X-Men team consisted of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, and Angel, led by Professor Charles Xavier.
Cyclops
Jean Grey
Beast
Iceman
Angel
Professor X
Gender: Male
Ability: Healing, Adamantium Claws
Gender: Female
Ability: Weather Manipulation
Gender: Male
Ability: Teleportation
Gender: Female
Ability: Power Absorption
Gender: Male
Ability: Kinetic Energy Manipulation
Gender: Male
Ability: Optic Blasts
Gender: Male
Ability:Telepathy, Telekinesis,Genius intelligence
Gender: Female
Ability: Enhanced strength, speed, stamina, durability, flexibility, agility, and reflexes, Accelerated healing, Slowed aging, Shapeshifting, Skilled martial, artist and hand-to-hand combatant, Expert marksman
Gender: Male
Ability: Super Strength, Agility
Gender: Male
Ability: Magnetism manipulation, Astral projection, Psychic shield via helmet, Genius intelligence
Gender: Female
Ability: Telepathic abilities, Shape-shifting into an organic diamond form, granting, Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
Gender: Male
Ability: Biomorphing (main ability)
Gender: male
Ability: Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability, Psychic shield via helmet, Unstoppable momentum, Immortality
Gender: Male
Ability:Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, reflexes, and senses, Healing factor, Razor-sharp teeth and claws, Combat expertise
Gender: Male
Ability:Paralyzing bolts projection, Prehensile tail, Shapeshifting, Teleportation, Telepathy, Night Vision, Spell casting, Mind control, Immortality
Exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and discrimination against those who are different.
The storylines reflect persecution and the fight for survival of marginalized groups.
Mutants face discrimination and fear similar to struggles in real-world race relations.
The series explores physical and mental challenges and acceptance in society.
The comics address fears of ideological differences and political persecution.