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In the beginning there were X-Men. Then X-Men teams begat X-Men teams begat X-Men teams until Marvel became a maelstrom of X-books. Behold

the myriad teams that Marvel’s merry mutants have formed, reformed, disbanded and resurrected! Compiled by Joseph McCabe

The CompleTe* Guide To

(*If ANyThINg CAN EvEr bE DESCrIbED AS COMPLETE IN ThE X-MuLTIvErSE)

EvEry X-TEam EvEr

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Creators Stan Lee, Jack KirbyWhen they formed September 10, 1963 (X-Men #1)main members Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, Icemansupport CharaCters Banshee, Sunfire, Havok, Polarisusp The Original X-MenGreatest triumph Defeating Larry Trask’s mutant-hunting Mark II Sentinels in X-Men #59Greatest traGedy The death of Professor X in X-Men #42 (don’t worry – 23 issues later he came back and revealed he’d gone into hiding to prepare for an alien invasion)

Creators Stan Lee, Jack KirbyWhen they formed March 1964 (X-Men #4)main members Magneto, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Toad, Mastermindsupport CharaCters Blob, Unus the Untouchableusp The Original Evil X-MenGreatest triumph Seizing control of an entire nation in X-Men #4Greatest traGedy Losing Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch when they joined the Avengers in Avengers #16

Creators Len Wein, John RomitaWhen they formed 1960smain members (Team X) Wolverine, Victor Creed, Mastodon, Maverick, Silver Fox, Wildcat, Vole, Kestrel, Major Arthur Barringtonsupport CharaCters (Weapon X staff) Professor Andre Thorton, Dr Abraham Cornelius, Dr Carol Hines, Dr Dale Rice, John Sublimeusp The Canadian Super Soldier ProgramGreatest triumph The creation of Wolverine, who first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #181Greatest traGedy Not keeping Wolverine on a leash

The X-men mark i

The BroTherhood of evil muTanTs mark i

Weapon X (inCorporaTinG Team X)

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Creators Len Wein, Dave CockrumWhen they formed May 1975 (in Giant-Size X-Men #1)main members Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Banshee, Phoenix, Angel, Shadowcat, Rogue, Phoenix II, Psylocke, Dazzler, Longshot, Jubilee, Gambit, Emma Frostsupport CharaCters Sunfire, Thunderbird, Beast, Havok, Polaris, Forge, Strong Guyusp The Uncanny X-MenGreatest triumph Preventing Mystique and her Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from assassinating Senator Robert Kelly and thus starting a mutant holocaust in X-Men #142Greatest traGedy The death of Jean Grey in X-Men #137

Creators Jack KirbyWhen they formed Captain America Annual #4 (1977)main members Burner/Crucible, Lifter/Meteorite, Mist Mistress, Quill, Peeper/Occult, Rust, Shocker/Paralyzer, Slither, Think Tanksupport CharaCters Magneto, Mandrill, The Secret Empire, Red Skullusp The Ones Who Didn’t Fight Any X-MenGreatest triumph Managing to shout “Peeper” and “Lifter” in the middle of a fight without collapsing in fits of gigglesGreatest traGedy Defeat (as the Resistants) at the hands of Captain America in Captain America #346

Creators Chris Claremont, John ByrneWhen they formed January 1980 (in Uncanny X-Men #129)main members Emma Frost, Sebastian Shaw, Donald Pierce, Harry Lelandsupport CharaCters Jean Grey, Selene, Tessa, Magneto, Shinobi Shaw, Jason Wyngarde (Mastermind)usp The X-Gentlemen’s ClubGreatest triumph The transformation of Jean Grey into the Black Queen in X-Men #132Greatest traGedy Losing Jean Grey to the X-Men, who maimed several of their members in X-Men #134

The X-men ii

BroTherhood of evil muTanTs ii/muTanT forCe/resisTanTs

The hellfire CluB

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Creators Chris Claremont, John ByrneWhen they formed January 1981 (Uncanny X-Men #141)main members Mystique, Blob, Pyro, Avalanche, Destinysupport CharaCters Rogueusp The Evil X-Men – Mark IIGreatest triumph Nearly assassinating Senator Robert KellyGreatest traGedy Failing to assassinate Senator Robert Kelly in X-Men #142

Creators Chris Claremont, Bob McLeodWhen they formed September 7, 1982 (Marvel Graphic Novel #4)main members Cannonball, Karma, Mirage, Sunspot, Wolfsbanesupport CharaCters Cypher, Magma, Magik, Warlockusp The Junior X-Men (the Second Class at Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, you might say)Greatest triumph Defeating the “Demon Bear” that threatens to destroy the world with its shadow in New Mutants #19Greatest traGedy The death of Cypher in New Mutants #60

Creators Chris Claremont, Paul SmithWhen they formed May 1983 (Uncanny X-Men #169)main members Callisto, Caliban, Darque Beast, Masque, Sundersupport CharaCters Annalee, Beautiful Dreamer, Healer, Leech, Skids, Stormusp The Subterrannean, Scuzzy X-MenGreatest triumph Discovering deodorantGreatest traGedy The Mutant Massacre, in which many Morlocks were slain by the Marauders operating under Mister Sinister, which occurred in various issues of Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, New Mutants, Thor and Power Pack throughout the fall of 1986

The BroTherhood of evil muTanTs iii

The neW muTanTs

The morloCks

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Creators Chris Claremont, Sal BuscemaWhen they formed June 1984 (New Mutants #16)main members Catseye, Empath, Jetstream, Roulette, Tarot, Thunderbird IIsupport CharaCters Emma Frost, Firestar, Beef, Bevatronusp The Evil New MutantsGreatest triumph Installing Magneto as White King opposite White Queen Emma Frost in New Mutants #51.Greatest traGedy The deaths of Beef and Bevatron from a Sentinel attack orchestrated by Trevor Fitzroy in Uncanny X-Men #281

Creators Chris Claremont, John Romita JrWhen they formed November 1985 (Uncanny X-Men #199)main members Mystique, Avalanche, Blob, Spiral, Destiny, Pyrosupport CharaCters Valerie Cooper, Spider-Woman II, Crimson Commando, Stonewall, Super Sabreusp The Government-Sanctioned Brotherhood of Evil MutantsGreatest triumph Helping Captain America defeat the Resistants in Captain America #346Greatest traGedy The deaths of Stonewall and Destiny in Uncanny X-Men #255

Creators Bob Layton, Jackson GuiceWhen they formed February 1986 (X-Factor #1)main members Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast, Iceman (yep, it was a case of, “Let’s get the old team back together”)support CharaCters Artie Maddicks, Tabitha Smith, Rusty Collins, Leech, Rictor, Skidsusp The Ghostbusters X-MenGreatest triumph Saving New York City from Apocalypse and his Horsemen in “The Fall Of The Mutants” in X-Factor #25-26Greatest traGedy The reveal of Apocalypse’s Horseman Death as former X-Factor team member Angel in X-Factor #24

The hellions

freedom forCe

X-faCTor

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Creators Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr, Dan GreenWhen they formed October 1986 (Uncanny X-Men #210)main members Arclight, Blockbuster, Hans, Harpoon, Malice, Mister Sinister, Prism, Riptide, Sabretooth, Scalphunter, Scrambler, Vertigosupport CharaCters Gambit, Lady Mastermind, Mystique, Sunfireusp The X-AssassinsGreatest triumph The Mutant Massacre, in which many Morlocks were slain by the Marauders operating under Mister Sinister, which occurred in various issues of Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, New Mutants, Thor and Power Pack throughout the fall of 1986Greatest traGedy Scrambler and Vertigo dying. Probably. Maybe. Perhaps.

Creators Chris Claremont, Alan DavisWhen they formed April 1988 (Excalibur Special Edition)main members Captain Britain, Meggan, Nightcrawler, Phoenix II, Shadowcat, Lockheedsupport CharaCters Widget, Feron, Kylun, Cerise, Micromaxusp The British X-MenGreatest triumph Saving the Multiverse from Necrom in Excalibur #50Greatest traGedy Phoenix trades places with Captain Britain in the timestream and leaves Excalibur (eventually to become Mother Askani) in Excalibur #75

Creators Louise Simonson, Jon BogdanoveWhen they formed October 1988 (X-Terminators #1)main members Boom-Boom, Rusty Collins, Leech, Artie Maddicks, Rictor, Skids, Wiz Kidsupport CharaCters Takiusp The Junior X-FactorGreatest triumph Rescuing the kidnapped Artie, Leech and Taki from the demon leader N’astirh during the “Inferno” in X-Terminators #4Greatest traGedy Most of them grew up to become New Mutants and infinitely less interesting

The marauders

eXCaliBur

X-TerminaTors

X-men assemBleEarth’s mightiest heroes have been mutant-friendly since they let the Scarlet Witch and her brother Quicksilver join their ranks back in Avengers #16 in May 1965 (an addition all the more impressive considering the Maximoff siblings were first members of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants). Here’s a few of the X-Men who’ve heard the call to assemble...

Beast Dr Hank McCoy was given probationary membership in Avengers #137 (July 1975). He became a full member in Avengers #151 (September 1976).

Wolverine The most popular X-Man joined in New Avengers #6 (June 2005). He’s maintained simultaneous membership in the Avengers, the Avengers Unity Squad and the X-Men.

storm Ororo was recruited by Captain America during the “Shattered Heroes” saga for a brief stint beginning in Avengers Vol. 4 #19 (November 2011).

Havok Alex Summers, who joined in Uncanny Avengers #1 (October 2012), became leader of the Avengers Unity Squad, of which Sunfire is also a member.

rogue Like Wolverine she’s maintained simultaneous membership in the X-Men and the Avengers, after joining in Uncanny Avengers #4 (January 2013).

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Creator John ByrneWhen they formed July 1989 (as the Great Lakes Avengers in West Coast Avengers Vol. 2 #46)main members Mister Immortal, Big Bertha, Flatman, Doormansupport CharaCters Squirrel Girl, Grasshopper, Tippy-Toeusp The Funny X-MenGreatest triumph A four-issue miniseriesGreatest traGedy Doorman becomes an angel of death in GLX-Mas Special (2005)

Creators Louise Simonson, Rob LiefeldWhen they formed March 1990 (New Mutants #87)main members Rusty Collins, Dragoness, Forearm, Kamikaze, Reaper, Skids, Strobe, Stryfe, Sumo, Tempo, Thumbelina, Wildside, Zerosupport CharaCters Reignfire, Moonstar, Feral, Locus, Cannonball, Jon Spectre, Selbyusp The Terrorist X-MenGreatest triumph The rescue and indoctrination of Rusty Collins and Skids in New Mutants #88Greatest traGedy Most members captured by “Operation Zero Tolerance” which ran throughout various titles in 1997

Creators Rob Liefeld, Fabian NiciezaWhen they formed April 1991 (New Mutants #100)main members Cable, Cannonball, Boom Boom, Domino, Feral, Shatterstar, Warpathsupport CharaCters Siryn, Rictor, Sunspotusp The Angry X-MenGreatest triumph The defeat of Sunspot’s evil clone Reignfire in X-Force #97Greatest traGedy The (temporary) death of Cable in X-Force #18

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Creators Peter David, Larry StromanWhen they formed October 1991 (X-Factor #71)main members Havok, Polaris, Multiple Man, Quicksilver, Strong Guy, Wolfsbanesupport CharaCters Valerie Cooper, Forge, Mystique, Sabretooth, Shard, Wild Childusp The Government X-MenGreatest triumph The team proves they’re not just a bunch of second-rate X-Men when they stop Mister Sinister and his Nasty Boys in X-Factor #75Greatest traGedy Strong Guy suffers a heart attack after absorbing the force of an exploding bomb in X-Factor #107

Creators Scott Lobdell, Chris BachaloWhen they formed November 1994 (Uncanny X-Men #318)main members Jubilee, Chamber, Gaia, Husk, M, Mondo, Penance, Skin, Synchsupport CharaCters Banshee, Emma Frostusp The Emo X-MenGreatest triumph The team meets and triumphs against their archenemy – the vampiric, bone-marrow-sucking Emplate, for the first time in Generation X #1Greatest traGedy The group disbands and Emma Frost’s Massachusetts Academy is closed in Generation X #75

Creators John Francis Moore, Steve EptingWhen they formed March 1995 (in Factor X #1)main members Cyclops, Havok, Northstar, Aurora, Emplate, The Twins, Cannonball, Amazon, Bedlam Brotherssupport CharaCters Dark Beast, Angel, Jean Grey, Polaris, Scarlett McKenzieusp The X-Factor of Earth-295Greatest triumph The liberation of Apocalypse’s prisoners and the defeat of Havok in Factor X #4Greatest traGedy The product of a cynical marketing event

X-faCTor ii

GeneraTion X

The eliTe muTanT forCe

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Creators Fabian Nicieza, Tony DanielWhen they formed March 1995 (Gambit and the X-Ternals #1)main members Gambit, Jubilee, Sunspot, Lila Cheney, Guido Carosellasupport CharaCters Magneto, Starjammersusp Robin Hood Gambit and His Merry Mutants of Earth-295Greatest triumph The defeat of Apocalypse and the repair of the Universe in X-Men Omega #1Greatest traGedy The abandonment of Sunspot in Gambit And The X-Ternals #3

The X-Ternals

Creators Scott Lobdell, Chris BachaloWhen they formed March 1995 (in Generation Next #1)main members Colossus, Shadowcast, Chamber, Mondo, Husk, Skin, Vincinte, Know-It-Allsupport CharaCters Magneto and his X-Menusp The Generation X of Earth-295Greatest triumph The rescue of Colossus’s sister Illyana Rasputin in Generation Next #4Greatest traGedy The death of Colossus in X-Men Omega #1

GeneraTion neXT

X-CaliBre Creators Warren Ellis, Ken LashleyWhen they formed May 1995 (in X-Calibre #3)main members Nightcrawler, Mystique, Destiny, Damask, Switchbacksupport CharaCters Doug Ramsey, Cain Markousp The Excalibur of Earth-295Greatest triumph Defeating the Shadow King in X-Calibre #4Greatest traGedy Most of the characters vanished with the cancellation of the book

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Creators Peter Milligan, Mike AllredWhen they formed July 2001 (X-Force #116)main members Anarchist, Orphan, Doop, Dead Girl, Vivisector, Phat, Venus Dee Milo, U-Go Girl, Spikesupport CharaCters Battering Ram, Gin Genie, La Nuit, Plazm, Sluk, Zeitgeist, Lacuna, Coach, Spike Freemanusp The Real World X-MenGreatest triumph As befitting a title about media fame, X-Statix’s greatest enemy was the Mysterious Fanboy (aka their greatest fan – prefiguring The Incredibles’ Syndrome), whom they defeated in X-Statix #5Greatest traGedy The entire team is killed in the final issue, X-Statix #26

X-sTaTiX

Creators Joe Casey, Ron GarneyWhen they formed January 2002 (Uncanny X-Men #401)main members Banshee, Multiple Man, Husk, Jubilee, M, Radius, Sunpyresupport CharaCters Avalanche, Blob, Fever Pitch, Mastermind, Abyss, Mystiqueusp The Interpol X-MenGreatest triumph Remaining so shady – even other X-Men couldn’t agree if they were good or badGreatest traGedy The death of Sunpyre in Uncanny X-Men #404 and the death of Radius and the loss of Banshee’s voice in Uncanny X-Men #405

X-CorpsCreators Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, Michael RyanWhen they formed July 2004 (New X-Men Academy X #1)main members

New Mutants (including Elixir, Icarus, Prodigy, Surge, Wallflower, Wind Dancer, Wither), Hellions ( including Dust, Hellion, Mercury, Rockslide, Specter, Tag, Wither)support CharaCters Emma Frost, Scott Summersusp The Harry Potter X-Men (see boxout right)Greatest triumph Rising from the ashes after all those shenanigans with the Scarlet Witch going evil and killing lots of mutants, reducing the number of students at Xavier’s Academy from 182 to 27Greatest traGedy “M-Day”, the mutant Decimation, depicted in various titles in 2005 and 2006

The neW X-men

The BiGGesT muTanT Team ever Shortly after writer Grant Morrison’s acclaimed run on New X-Men, New X-Men Academy X appeared (soon shortened once more to New X-Men) created by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir and Michael Ryan. Its first issue, in July 2004, saw Cyclops and Emma Frost sharing headmaster responsibilities at Xavier’s School, the student population of which had swelled to 182 mutants, organised into 11 squads (reminiscent of the various houses of JK Rowling’s Hogwarts School), each led by a different X-Man. In the wake of the shocking “M-Day” however, which robbed most mutants of their powers and many of their lives, the student body was sadly reduced to a mere 27.