X-Men are characters that are known to almost everyone. Even if a person never held a comic book in their hands with their adventures, then I probably heard about the heroes of the famous blockbuster series. But all the details about the famous mutants are known, perhaps, only by their loyal fans. Let's get to know each other better and find out who they are, the X-Men. Characters and their abilities are the focus of this article.
It should be remembered that the superheroes, which will be discussed later, are divided into two groups: participants in the stories of numerous comics and a series of films, as well as several spin-offs. In addition, the mutant heroes are divided into two warring groups: this is a team that called itself “X-Men”, and their opponents - “Brotherhood of Mutants”.
X-Men (comic book characters): how it all began
The mutant team first appeared in 1963 in a comic book by Marvel Comics. Prior to this, some characters were heroes of other stories. Marvel is one of two well-known publishing houses involved in the creation of popular comics. In the 1960s, the company began releasing stories about heroes with supernatural powers. At the same time, Marvel moved away from the cliché of the image of a superman. Their heroes also suffer from problems, turmoil and loneliness, quarrel with each other and behave like ordinary people. Readers liked this approach, and Marvel comics quickly gained popularity. At this time, the X-Men appeared - the characters that are now known to the whole world.
Initially, it was the five heroes that other mutants later joined.
Following the success of the first comics (in the 1970s), another X-Men team was created and many new characters appeared. Today, the Marvel universe, in which the mutants live, has grown to incredible proportions, and the number of its heroes has more than 70 characters.
Team Name History
There are two versions of the origin of the name X-Men. Comic book and movie characters carry the so-called “Factor X” gene, which evokes their amazing abilities. According to another version, they named themselves in honor of their mentor and teacher, scientist Charles Xavier (his nickname is Professor X).
Characters of the film "X-Men" and the heroes of the comic book of the same name - is there any difference?
Despite the fact that the movies about the adventures of mutant superheroes are based on comic books, there are significant differences between the film adaptations and the original. The differences do not concern the characters' abilities, appearance or character, but their stories. Changes are mainly made by scriptwriters in some facts of the biography of the characters.
Professor X
X-Men, whose list of characters is presented below, is headed by a genius, Professor Charles Xavier. He is a specialist in several fields of science at once: anthropology, biophysics, psychology and genetics. He is also a mutant. His abilities are incredibly fast processing of information, reading of thoughts, creating hallucinations. Can sense the presence of other mutants at a short distance. He is the founder of the Institute of Gifted Teenagers. This is a school in which young mutants learn to control their abilities. The first graduates of the institute were included in the initial composition of the X-Men team (characters with photos are discussed later).
Charles Xavier defends the rights of mutants, but, unlike his old friend Magneto, does not consider people as enemies.
Wolverine
This is one of the most famous and beloved characters. The middle name is Logan. Two films are devoted to him, spin-offs of the main story about mutants: “X-Men: The Beginning. Wolverine ”and“ Wolverine: Immortal. ”
He has the ability to regenerate. Thanks to this, it is aging very slowly. The hero is armed with long dagger-claws that appear at the moment of danger. During one of the experiments, the Wolverine skeleton was coated with adamantium - a metal with incredible strength. Despite his excellent fighting qualities, he has a negative attitude to killings and destroys the enemy only in case of emergency. All the stories about Wolverine are built on his loss of memory, which he is trying to restore and remember what happened to him.
Thunderstorm (Storm)
This is a fairly popular character. In four films, the role of Storm was brilliantly played by Holly Berry. The main ability is weather control. In addition, he has magic skills, is immune to telepathy and has a close relationship with nature. In comics, he sometimes leads a team called X-Men. In films, he is an assistant to Charles Xavier and a teacher at the school of mutants.
Cyclops
One of the first students of Professor X. In the comics, he leads the rest of the mutants, in the films, like Storm, he is one of Xavier's assistants. Has the ability to emit ruby-colored laser beams from his eyes, so he is constantly forced to wear dark glasses. He has a strong sense of spatial geometry, which allows Cyclops not only to hit the target perfectly perfectly, but also to perform incredible stunts. For example, he can calculate the trajectory of the beam so that it ricochets repeatedly from the surface.
Beast
Included in the first team created in 1963. It looks intimidating - tall, covered with thick blue coat. A brilliant scientist and analyst, from childhood he had disproportionately large arms and legs (a consequence of radiation from his father's radiation). Then he was forced to take an experimental vaccine, which completely changed his appearance and turned into a Beast.
Despite the frightening appearance, he is an outstanding politician, fighting for the rights of mutants. Features of the Beast lie in its huge strength, high intelligence, ability to regenerate. He is the owner of surprisingly dexterous legs, which successfully replace the mutant arm.
Phoenix (Gina Gray)
One of the most famous characters in the X-Men team. Also known as Wonder Girl. It has powerful telepathy and telekinesis. When the power of the Phoenix awakens in her, she can control matter, time, space and vitality. Another ability is self-resurrection. Phoenix is a mutant of the highest level. No one on Earth can resist her power. She is closely associated with Professor Xavier, who treats her like a daughter, and friends: Wolverine, Cyclops, and Thunderstorm.
Night Serpent (Springbok)
A half-demon mutant with the ability to teleport. It has blue skin, three-fingered hands and a tenacious tail. Very pious. Appears in the movie "X-Men 2" and will be one of the heroes of the film "X-Men: Apocalypse."
Archangel
Another member of the first team of famous mutants. Widely known for comics, but appears in only two films - in The Last Battle and in a new film that has not yet been released, X-Men: Apocalypse.
The ability of the Archangel lies in its ability to fly thanks to two huge wings growing on its back. In addition, it has increased physical strength, super-sharp vision and hearing. It can fly at high altitude (adaptation to low temperature and pressure).
Rogue (Scum)
A lot of unusual things are connected with the heroes of the X-Men team. Character names often sound rather strange. For example, Scum. This is an attractive girl, a mutant, with the ability to absorb mental energy when touching the skin of another person. At the same time, she acquires his skills and memory. She can take strength and abilities from mutants. Even a slight touch of Rogue can lead to shock or loss of consciousness. Longer contact ends with coma or death.
For Shelma, her ability is a curse.
Iceberg (Ice Man)
Included in the number of the first team "X-Men", the characters of which are most popular. Like many mutants, his fate is sad. He learned early about his abilities, but hid them from everyone, fearing that his family would turn his back on him. When he was exposed, the X-men rescued from the pursuit of the boy. He was offered training at the Xavier school.
Iceberg's abilities are the ability to lower body temperature and the environment. He can turn objects into ice with a touch, freeze the air around him and create ice weapons from it. He himself can turn into ice. If many of the mutants changed the decision of whom to support, then Iceman never changed his position - he is always on the side of good.
Magneto
He can conditionally be attributed to the X-Men team, since he is a longtime friend of Professor Xavier and at the same time the leader of the opposing group called the Brotherhood of Mutants. In those moments when danger threatens everyone, he is united with the X-men against a common enemy.
Mystic
It is indirectly related to the X-Men team, since for some time it worked under the supervision of Charles Xavier. Able to transform into any person or mutant. In its original appearance it has blue skin and bright yellow eyes. It has excellent physical fitness and hand-to-hand fighting skills.
Inconsistent members
The character Mercury (X-Men is not his main team) is among the Avengers along with his sister, the Scarlet Witch. It has the ability to ultrafast movement. His latest film appearance is in the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron.
X-Men - famous superheroes, mutants, standing guard over humanity and the Earth. They are one of the most beloved characters in comics and movies, not only children but also adults.