That’s Uncanny: The All-Time Newest X-Men To Make A Difference
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The X-Men is one of Marvel’s most diversified teams. Their members are from all walks of life and are welcomed with open arms. Because of their open-door policy, the team has had more members join and leave than many other prominent comic book teams. Although we could create a list talking about all the members that have left over the years, this isn’t the time for that. Instead, it’s the time to talk about many of the newest X-Men to join over the years.
This list won’t discuss the newest X-Men who are powerful, intelligent, strong, or any other attribute often associated with being a mutant.
Nope.
This list will talk about the newest X-Men to jump in and immediately make a difference. That is, those who joined the team and their impact was immediately felt. Before you read on, understand that the list is in no particular order. We did this simply because when it comes to these members, each has made an equal impact but in different ways.
So, let’s get to it…
Wolverine
Giant-Size X-Men #1 did a lot for the X-Men franchise. Not only did it revitalize the franchise, but it also introduced a number of new characters. Although Wolverine was not introduced in the issue, it did see him join and become one of the newest X-Men.
Wolverine is arguably the most famous mutant in history. He has been the focal point of movies, led numerous comic book titles, appeared on countless articles of clothing, and offered up his likeness for action figures, statues, and more. To say that Wolverine changed the trajectory of the X-Men franchise is an understatement. Wolverine didn’t only change the trajectory of the X-Men, but he also changed the trajectory of Marvel Comics. With him came more mature themes, more violent titles, and brand recognition.
Nightcrawler
Unlike Wolverine, Nightcrawler did actually make his first appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1.
Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner) is one of the most popular X-Men of all time. His calm demeanor and relatable love for humanity have allowed him to remain in the hearts of readers for decades. Even though he’s a capable fighter, an expert gymnast, and can teleport anywhere he can think of, Nightcrawler would rather run than risk hurting those who hunt him.
Created by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, Nightcrawler has one of the most unique looks in all comics. Above his blue skin, he also has a prehensile tail, blazing yellow eyes, elf-like ears, and just three fingers and two toes at the end of his arms and legs. Nightcrawler is one of the newest X-Men to make a difference, not because of his popularity. No. Nightcrawler is one of the newest X-Men to make a difference because, in a world of perpetual violence, his quest for peace is a breath of fresh air.
Storm
Speaking of fresh air…
Storm is one of the most important and influential X-Men in history. She has led the team, questioned authority when it was needed, been entrusted to care for a group of underground mutants, and done so with the greatest of ease.
As a baby, she and her parents moved from Harlem to Egypt. Shortly after their move, both her parents died when a shot-down jet crashed into their home. Storm survived the crash but was trapped under the rubble of her house alongside the bodies of her dead parents.
At the age of 12, she left Egypt and headed for the Sahara Desert. She made the 2000 mile trek on foot and eventually settled into a lush, tropical paradise. Because her mutation allowed her to control the weather, she was easily able to take the guise of a Goddess.
Referred to as Ororo, or Great Goddess of the Storm, the locals often visited her begging for help. They asked that she would bring an end to the droughts so that their crops could grow.
Eventually, she was recruited by Charles Xavier and like a few others on this list of newest X-Men to make a difference, she first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1.
Gambit
Gambit has been a fan favorite since the day he arrived on the pages of Uncanny X-Men #266. Sorry. I’m wrong about that. Even though Uncanny X-Men #266 introduced the character, it was his time on X-Men The Animated Series that elevated him to fan-favorite status.
Gambit has the power to charge up objects thereby turning them into an explosive. He’s also a master thief, a charmer with women, one of the best fighters on the X-Men, and a role model for many of the new students at the Xavier School for the Gifted. Although you may not agree with me, Gambit is one of the coolest characters to come from a time period known mostly for terrible characters.
Let me explain.
Gambit was the by-product of creating as many new characters as possible in as little time as possible…or as comic fans know it, the 1990s. The 90s were littered with bad ideas and even worse characters.
- Gorgeous George
- Hairbag
- Ramrod
- Ruckus
- Slab
- Orator
- Projector
- Rakkus
Just to name a few…
Kitty Pryde
On a list counting down the best of the newest X-Men to immediately make a difference, it can be hard to stand out. Fortunately, if your name is Kitty Pryde it’s not that hard.
Kitty is different from most other mutants. Kitty’s power, unlike so many other mutants, does not supply her with extra strength, durability, speed, stamina, or the like. It does not afford her the ability to heal, project energy from her body, or encase herself in an indestructible material. And it does not permit her to fly, use spells, or control others. Kitty’s power allows her to phase. This means that she and any others she’s touching become intangible. Additionally, as a by-product of her phasing, if she moves through electrical equipment, she disrupts the flow of electrons thereby causing the equipment to malfunction.
Her abilities separate her from most other characters. Whereas most had offensively based powers, Kitty had defensively based powers. In a world filled with offence, having defensive powers means that you bring something unique and different to the team.
Emma Frost
If we are going to talk about different, then we need to talk about Emma Frost.
Emma is one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel. She has the ability to control the minds of others, manipulate their thoughts and actions, and do most other things Charles Xavier can do…albeit, not on the level he can do it. Emma is so important to the X-Men that when the Phoenix Force once again came looking for a host, she was one of the five chosen. Unfortunately, because she has spent decades cementing her importance in the history of the X-Men, Emma is both feared and revered by her peers.
As mentioned, Emma is one of the foremost telepaths in the Marvel Universe. She is also one of a few mutants with a secondary mutation. Her secondary mutation allows her to transform her body into a diamond-like state. When in this state, she’s practically invulnerable. There is a catch to this, however. While in her diamond form, Emma cannot use her telepathic abilities.
Psylocke
Like Gambit, Psylocke was a product of the 1990s new character push. Unlike Gambit, Psylocke isn’t A) a mutant who can kinetically charge objects and make them explode. Instead, she is a powerful telepath who also possesses telekinesis, can create force fields and telekinetic weapons, is able to control the minds of others, and can create astral projections. B) Actually created in the 1990s. Instead, she was created in the 1980s.
Psylocke’s popularity exploded like a burning star. Her unique combination of sex appeal, powers and abilities, and interesting (albeit confusing) backstory gave readers something that they had never seen before. More importantly, that combination easily made her one of the newest X-Men to make a difference.
Cable
You’ve probably begun noticing a trend throughout this list of the newest X-Men to make a difference. Most inclusions are either from the 1970s or the 1990s. Cable is an inclusion from the 1990s.
Cable was created by Rob Liefeld and debuted in New Mutants #87 back in 1990. Most Liefeld characters from the early 1990s were adorned with big guns, big muscles, more pockets and pouches than any one person could ever need, and almost always had a history littered with technology and time travel. Cable perfectly personifies this.
Cable is arguably one of the most powerful mutants who hail from the future. Not only is he an incredible telepath but as a result of him carrying the techno-organic virus (a mutant form of cancer), his full power is never used.
And why?
Cable has to use a portion of his power to keep the virus from spreading.
Rogue
Even though Rogue first appeared in Avengers Annual #10 back in 1981, Rogue really didn’t rise to fame until the X-Men Animated Series.
Does this sound familiar to someone else already on this list of newest X-Men?
On the television show, she was a prominent member of a team that included heavy hitters like Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Charles Xavier, Gambit, Jubilee, Beast, and Storm. Rogue could’ve easily fallen into the shadows of any of these characters, but she didn’t. She easily became one of the best parts of the show.
Rogue is an extremely powerful mutant who is capable of just about anything. This is because her mutation allows her to temporarily and/or permanently steal the powers of any mutant or superpowered being she touches. Just look at Carol Danvers. After touching Carol, Rogue gained superhuman strength, stamina, and agility and could fly.
Colossus
Every superhero team, no matter who they are made up of, always follows a standardized guideline for membership. Each team always has an intellectual character, a magical character, a sharpshooter, a ninja, and a brute. When it comes to the X-Men there is no shortage of brutes. Of them all, however, none are as important as Colossus.
Colossus is a mutant who has the power to transform himself into solid metal. When in this form, he’s practically invulnerable and is one of the most powerful mutants alive. Colossus has formed many partnerships over the years but none are as important as the ones he formed with Kitty Pryde and Wolverine… who are both conveniently on this list of newest X-Men. Colossus instantly makes any team that he’s on more formidable. He’s loyal, kind, friendly, and has more strength than he knows what to do with. Without him, the X-Men would probably have never succeeded their mission in the aforementioned Giant-Size X-Men.
And that’s it. Top 10 Newest X-Men To Immediately Make A Difference. Agree? Disagree? Who would make your newest X-Men to immediately make a difference list?
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