The 10 Greatest X-Men

jst5150 · Feb 1, 2008

I think you know who No 1 is, but the list is compelling. Disclosure: The list is written by Marvel.

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.2399.Take_10:_Greatest_X-Men

Why She Makes The List: The X-Men's bad girl turned good (?), Emma Frost has turned heads since she first made the scene as the nefarious White Queen of the Hellfire Club. Though we've since learned Emma's motivations have never been as simple as pursuit of money or power, she remains unpredictable and you never know when her ice queen exterior may give way to something more sinister. However, as headmistress of the Xavier Institute and Cyclops' lover, Emma has also shown a softer side—one she'd prefer nobody ever see.

InfinityGoddess · Feb 1, 2008

Whaa-? The X-Men disbanded?

This is what I get for not keeping up with these things.

dpaterso · Feb 1, 2008

Good reasoning behind the list entries, tho' this reader comment:

"This is a fairly solid list, but I'm kind of surprised Emma Frost makes the cut over X-Men originals Angel, Beast, and Iceman."

...produced a ripple of applause from the peanut gallery.

-Derek

CBeasy · Feb 1, 2008

The X-Men disbanded!? Scoff! There's no way that will last very long, Marvel can't stand to lose it's biggest franchise, especially with Capt. America gone as well. They'll be back. At least I hope so! X-men have long been my favorite comic, I actually have a the X logo tattooed on my leg. I have to say I'm quite disappointed that Gambit nor Rogue made the list, they basically just listed the characters in "Astonishing X-Men". I can understand that it would be hard when limited to 10 slots, but still I can't say I would've had Shadowcat, White Queen, or Colossus in the top ten.

FinbarReilly · Feb 1, 2008

Sorry, but I sort of like the list...Angel, Iceman and Beast really haven't been able to shine of late, so I can see why they would be off the list (same with the other fave couple (Rogue and Gambit)). I'd personally take Wolvie off the list, but that's because he's had way too much exposure. Obviously I would have put Kitty lower (for the youngest X-Men she is probably the one I would hate to tick off the most, especially as I've seen what she can do (anyone that back Logan down is a serious customer)).

I think Emma has earned her place, although if she had placed lower than Jean you know that the fans would tracked down all of the editors and writers.

Of course, I would loved to see Doug Ramsey on the list, but what do I know...

FR

The_Grand_Duchess · Feb 2, 2008

Cyclops and Storm dueled? When was this? I would never challenge her to a duel. She will freaking shank you.

I did like the list. Although I like the original members as of late they haven't really shined as "superheroes". I think Emma was a good choice, she's a constant surprise. You think you know here but you don't.

I know why Cyclops was on the list but to me he's pretty eh.

Priene · Feb 2, 2008

The_Grand_Duchess said:
Cyclops and Storm dueled? When was this? I would never challenge her to a duel. She will freaking shank you.

UXM #201. I've been channeling my inner geek...

But Cable and Colossus in the Top Ten? Dear Lord, who would they put in the bottom ten?

reenkam · Feb 2, 2008

I'm kind of surprised about Cable and Colossus being in the top ten...esp. Cable.

I'm okay with the rest, though I've never really liked Wolverine so I wouldn't have put him in my own list...

Shadow_Ferret · Feb 2, 2008

I think anything after the original X-Men pale in comparison. Cyclops, Angel, the Beast (before he became a blue freak), Iceman, Marvel Girl, and yeah, OK, Wolverine. And part time members, Quicksilver and his sister The Scarlet Witch.

Everyone else is a bunch of posers.

SherryTex · Feb 2, 2008

Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde get my vote for two of the most evolving interesting characters, never feel like they get enough play.

FinbarReilly · Feb 2, 2008

1) You'll note that the duel between them was while Storm was depowered; she can be scary, but Cyclops was his own worst enemy in that match.

2) I hate justifying the list, but: Colossus has earned his place on the list time after time; he's shown that sometimes the fight doesn't go to the strong, but to the person that understands the situation. Also, his relationships have been the most heart-wrenching of anyone on the team. He's also neat from an artist's perspective: He has non-combat skills that allow the artists to have fun (Piotr's drawing talent). A but angsty, but nonetheless a fun character.

Cable is one of those weird characters. In a lot of ways, he out-Wolverines Wolverine, if you look at Wolvie's power to be the ability to be everything to everyone: Summer's blood, time-travel, teleporting, lots of equipment, and he's on the bar (yes, he's a fully-accredited lawyer!). If Batman were
a mutant, odds are he would be Cable. Because he can piss off anyone in the Marvel Universe and keep up with Deadpool, he's a fun character.

He also apparently has the Summer's ability to show up on lists...

FR

johnzakour · Feb 2, 2008

Priene said:
UXM #201. I've been channeling my inner geek...

But Cable and Colossus in the Top Ten? Dear Lord, who would they put in the bottom ten?

As for the Cyclops / Storm fight, at the time Storm was powerless but still beat Cyclops by removing his visor forcing him to cover his eyes, making him useless. (If I remember correctly. A great X-men moment.)

I like the list, though I might have had Rogue instead of Emma, but Emma is the hotter character now.

I'm surprised Magnito didn't make the list.

The_Grand_Duchess · Feb 2, 2008

Priene said:
UXM #201. I've been channeling my inner geek...

See that was back in the day before they knew she would freaking shank you.

FinbarReilly said:
1) You'll note that the duel between them was while Storm was depowered; she can be scary, but Cyclops was his own worst enemy in that match.

2) I hate justifying the list, but: Colossus has earned his place on the list time after time; he's shown that sometimes the fight doesn't go to the strong, but to the person that understands the situation. Also, his relationships have been the most heart-wrenching of anyone on the team. He's also neat from an artist's perspective: He has non-combat skills that allow the artists to have fun (Piotr's drawing talent). A but angsty, but nonetheless a fun character.

Cable is one of those weird characters. In a lot of ways, he out-Wolverines Wolverine, if you look at Wolvie's power to be the ability to be everything to everyone: Summer's blood, time-travel, teleporting, lots of equipment, and he's on the bar (yes, he's a fully-accredited lawyer!). If Batman were
a mutant, odds are he would be Cable. Because he can piss off anyone in the Marvel Universe and keep up with Deadpool, he's a fun character.

He also apparently has the Summer's ability to show up on lists...

FR

I did not know that about Cable! That's intresting.

I :heart:

Deadpool! He is so funny. Not nearly as funny in the AoA. Deadman Wade was not a good time.

johnzakour said:
I'm surprised Magnito didn't make the list.

I think it was heroes only. Magneto met with a bad end anyway.

SherryTex · Feb 2, 2008

I thought Cable was a lame addition to the selection. There have been grander greater Xmen than he, I sort of stopped reading when he came along, found the stories got ponderous and drowned in their own weight of megaplots, excessive mutagenic activty, costume changes, and boiled emotions.

CBeasy · Feb 3, 2008

FinbarReilly said:
Sorry, but I sort of like the list...Angel, Iceman and Beast really haven't been able to shine of late, so I can see why they would be off the list (same with the other fave couple (Rogue and Gambit)). I'd personally take Wolvie off the list, but that's because he's had way too much exposure. Obviously I would have put Kitty lower (for the youngest X-Men she is probably the one I would hate to tick off the most, especially as I've seen what she can do (anyone that back Logan down is a serious customer)).

Actually, Rogue and Gambit played a central role in several recent story arcs, not to mention the recent "Messiah Complex" which left the X-men disbanded. I've even heard that they may be essential to the upcoming arc. That being said, the list said "Greatest of all time" not "Greatest of the recent years", so what any of the characters have been doing lately shouldn't have mattered. Narrowing down so many years of comics into a top ten list is bound to make fans angry regardless, especially since there's no clear criteria for what makes the list and what doesn't. I mean, there's been many characters which weren't on the team that long, but were very powerful, and/or had lasting effects on the X-men world. Xorn, for instance, or Magick.

ErylRavenwell · Feb 3, 2008

I'm not surprise the Old canucklehead is in top spot. Grew up reading wolverine.

johnzakour · Feb 4, 2008

The_Grand_Duchess said:
I think it was heroes only. Magneto met with a bad end anyway.

For many years there, Magneto was a hero as he led the X-men in Xavier's place. I admit not my favorite period for the Xmen but still it can be argued he is just an influential as Emma.

bubbagringo · Feb 11, 2008

personally I would have put Thunderbird before Emma Frost...

althrasher · Feb 11, 2008

If you're talking sheer power, I'm surprised Apocolypse isn't on there. Maybe because he was only in for a short time...

The 10 Greatest X-Men

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