The
X-Men are a
superhero team in the
Marvel Comics Universe. They were created by writer
Stan Lee and artist
Jack Kirby, and first appeared in
The X-Men #1 (September 1963). The basic concept of the X-Men is that under a cloud of increasing anti-
mutant sentiment,
Professor Xavier created a haven at his
Westchester mansion to train young mutants to use their powers for the benefit of humanity, and to prove mutants can be heroes.
[1] Xavier recruited
Cyclops,
Iceman,
Angel,
Beast, and
Marvel Girl, calling them "X-Men" because they possess special powers due to their possession of the "X-gene," a gene which normal humans lack and which gives mutants their abilities. Early on, however, the "X" in X-Men stood for "extra" power which normal humans lacked. It was also alluded to that mutations occurred as a result of radiation exposure.
The first issue also introduced the team's archenemy,
Magneto, who would continue to battle the X-Men for decades throughout the comic's history, both on his own and with his
Brotherhood of Mutants (introduced in issue #4). The X-Men universe also includes such notable heroes as
Wolverine,
Storm,
Colossus,
Nightcrawler,
Shadowcat, and
Rogue. Besides the Brotherhood of Mutants, other villains that the X-Men have fought include the
Sentinels,
Apocalypse,
Mister Sinister, and the
Hellfire Club.
The X-Men comics have been adapted into other media, including animated
television series,
video games, and a ...
