"The Uncanny (& More Popular Than Ever) X-Men" (60's & 70's Beginnings)

The 'Uncanny' X-Men began their journey as a 5 member teenage mutant group (under the supervision & training of Professor Xavier) in "X-Men"#1(Sept. 1963). They were created by the ever-amazing team of Stan Lee (plotter, writer) & Jack Kirby (artist); who else!!! The original roster consisted of---Cyclops / Scott Summers (who could fire 'optic energy bursts' from his eyes); Iceman / Bobby Drake (who could cover his body in ice, form ice at will, and travel on an ice path, that he created); The Beast / Hank McCoy (who was born with over-sized hands & feet, which gave him extraordinary strength, speed, agility, and reflexes); The Angel / Warren Worthington (who could fly, due to wings on his back, and possessed superior vision); Marvel Girl / Jean Grey (who had the powers of telekinesis & telepathy); and last but not least, their mentor / trainer / protector- Prof. Xavier (who was an extremely powerful telepath with abilities which included---astral projection, mind control, illusion, memory manipulation, and psychic blasts).

Xavier provided a training school / residence for young people, who possessed the 'X' (mutant) gene, and were shunned by society. He helped them to understand and hone their varied 'gifts' He also provided them a 'Danger Room', to prepare them for deadly situations. The X-Men used their powers to protect society, and battle evil (whether 'mutant' or otherwise). Their main adversaries during this time were Magneto (still their top enemy, to this day) and his 'Brotherhood of Evil' (Mastermind,Toad, with Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch,who both later joined the 'heroic' side, with The Avengers); and The Sentinels (giant robots that were programmed to hunt down mutants). Guest heroic mutants included---Mimic; Havok (Cyclops' brother);Changeling; and Polaris (Magneto's daughter).

In 1969, Roy Thomas (writer) & Neal Adams (artist) took over the series, with mind-blowing, fantastic results! Beginning  with "Giant-Size X-Men"#1 (1975), there were major changes to the X-Men roster! Cyclops and Jean Grey were the only 'original' hold-overs. The fabulous writing & art were taken over by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum (later by Chris Clairemont and John Byrne, with equally wonderful results)! Some members of the new team (who came from other countries) included---Storm / Ororo Monroe (who could totally manipulate and create weather conditions, as well as fly); Nightcrawler / Kurt Wagner (who had blue skin, pointed ears, and a 'devilish' tail; who could climb walls, see in the dark, turn invisible in shadow, and teleport himself); Colossus / Piotr Nikelaievitch 'Peter' Rasputin (who could make his body 'metallic', for superhuman strength & near invulnerability); and the most popular X-Man to date: Wolverine / James 'Logan' Howlett (who had an 'adamantium' skeleton, 'adamantium' retractable claws from his hands, quick healing and body re-generation, slowed aging process, and immunity to toxins & diseases)! Other short-term members included---Thunderbird; Banshee; and Sunfire. By this time, Jean Grey had become "The Phoenix"; and the Beast (who would return to the group later) was now covered in blue fur, with claws and night vision added to his powers! The other 'original' members would go on to other groups, like "The Champions".

The X-Men have had multiple TV animated series of their own, as well as appearances with Spider- Man & Fantastic Four!

X-Men Movies include---"X-Men" (2000);" X2: X-Men United" (2003);"X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006); "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009);" X-Men: First Class" (2011); "The Wolverine" (2013, forthcoming); and "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014, forthcoming).

Some major stand-out  performances from the movies include---Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine; Patrick Stewart & James McAvoy as Prof. Xavier; Ian McKellen & Michael Fassbender as Magneto; Halle Berry as Storm; and "Oscar Winner" Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique (although all the other performances in the films were also fantastic)!

The X-Men have gone through extensive changes over the years and have multiple comic book titles to their credit; quality never goes out of style!!!