The X-Men have long been defined by their courage. Superhero teams always have a lot to deal with, but the X-Men take that further than any other team. Not only have they fought supervillains, but they've protected mutants from human racism and established their new nation of Krakoa as a world power.
For years, the X-Men have proved that courage is their watchword. Each of the member of the team is courageous, but the greatest among them take courage to the next level. They have become the team's icons, the ones who cement the X-Men's reputation as one of the top superhero teams on Earth.
10 Archangel Lived With A Monster In His Head For Years
Angel's transformation into Archangel changed his life. Gone was the carefree Warren Worthington III. Now he faced off against the Horseman of Death living in his head, always ready to take control and continue his master's work. Besides battling traditional enemies, Angel fought to maintain control of himself.
Angel faltered sometimes, but his courage to continue facing the monster inside of him revealed what he was made of. Since then, Archangel did his best to master every part of himself, becoming a better, braver hero in the balance.
9 Rogue Overcame The Fear Of Hurting Her Loved Ones
Rogue's life became complicated the moment her mutant powers manifested. She couldn't touch anyone for fear of draining away their life and lived in constant fear of hurting the people she cared about. Rogue learned to accept her powers as time went on, and the courage it took for her to accept herself was boundless.
Rogue eventually became a leader of the X-Me and an Avenger, building a fierce reputation throughout the superhero world. She battled her own demons while overcoming everything in her path, her courage allowing her to become a hero others could look up to.
8 Jubilee Hung Out With Wolverine And Survived Deadly Situations
Jubilee joined the X-Men not long after her powers manifested. Before she really understood how they worked, she could do little more than throw pretty lights at her foes. Instead of playing it safe, Jubilee hung out with Wolverine, the one X-Man who was always in the most dangerous situations.
While one could chalk up Jubilee's decision to run with the toughest member of the X-Men as hubris, her tenacity never changed as she grew up. Jubilee continued throwing herself into battle, just like her mentor, proving she had earned her place among the X-Men. Her powers became more powerful in time, but her courage fully formed long before then.
7 Kate Pryde Grew Into The X-Men's Most Versatile Member
The X-Men are all about training and skill, with no one exemplifying that better than Kate Pryde. Much like Jubilee, she joins the team as a young teenager, taken under the wing of the team's older members. Kate's powers give her the ultimate defense, but she also learns how to fight, especially from Wolverine.
Pryde learned everything she could from the X-Men, but one thing they never had to teach her was courage. Pryde was never afraid to jump into the fray against any enemy, becoming a tenacious hero who feared nothing.
6 Jean Grey Battled Her Own Fears To Become The Patron Saint Of The X-Men
Jean Grey remains an integral member of the X-Men. She's the team's heart and soul, and her telepathic powers forced her to encounter terrors like few other members of the team. The Phoenix Force stole her identity and committed atrocities, changing how everyone looked at Jean after her return.
Jean Grey had the courage to keep going, even though she knew everyone was waiting for her to lose control. She regained the power of the Phoenix and mastered it, sacrificing her life to save the world. Jean even reached back in time from a hundred years in the future to make sure Cyclops made the right choice over her grave. Jean never backed down and became one of Krakoa's greatest defenders.
5 Storm Has Overcome Every Obstacle
Storm's growth as a hero has made her an X-Men icon. Her courage was apparent even before her powers developed, as she learned to survive on the streets of Cairo after her parents' death. Her claustrophobia came from that event, but she learned how to conquer it. Upon gaining her powers, Storm became a goddess of the African plains.
Joining the X-Men would lead Storm to develop courage like never before. She mastered her power over the elements and became a leader who valiantly led others on the frontline. Her fearlessness became a huge part of who she was, and she never flinched in the face of anything.
4 Nightcrawler Had The Hardest Road To Walk Of All The X-Men
Nightcrawler's experiences with the X-Men made him a respected hero. The teleporting mutant was an amazing fighter, but how he lived his life proved his true courage. Nightcrawler's mutation affected his appearance, giving him a demonic look. People treated him like a monster, but he never let it affect him.
To this day, Nightcrawler's a happy-go-lucky swashbuckling hero. He has the courage to be who he is, no matter how he looks. He loves his friends and will do anything to protect mutants, even sacrificing his life during Bastion's attack on Utopia. Nightcrawler isn't the most powerful mutant, but he's as brave as they come.
3 Magik Has Faced Terrors Like Few Others
Magik is a force to be reckoned with. Stolen away to Limbo as a child, she started fighting against her place in the demonic kingdom. Magik had grown up on a farm, surrounded by family. Now she found herself thrust into a land of magic and demons, yet she acquitted herself like any great warrior would. She mastered magic and deposed Belasco, becoming the ruler of Limbo.
Magik's courage has been on display for years. She battles literal demons and her own dark self, winning every battle she's been in. Her time on the New Mutants and X-Men has proved just how courageous she can be, protecting mutants and the world like no other.
2 Cyclops's Courage Has Kept Him Alive
Cyclops is the X-Men's greatest leader, but he traveled a rough road to get there. His uncontrollable mutation made his early life a chore, and he almost let his doubt and worries drown him. Becoming an X-Man changed all of that. Cyclops immediately displayed a tenacity and fighting spirit that refused to give up or cave in when things got tough.
Cyclops fears nothing and will fight anyone for his people. He's faced things that would freeze the blood of the bravest heroes. His courage keeps him going, allowing him to pull his team through any situation. Cyclops' courage has inspired the X-Men and beyond, making him an example of bravery.
1 Wolverine Throws Himself Headfirst Into Every Fight
For over a century, Wolverine has fought the good fight. As an X-Man, Wolverine often made sacrifices, so no one else had to. He was always first into the breach, partly because he could survive anything, but also because he wanted to ensure he took the pain instead of his friends.
Wolverine will throw himself at any enemy, no matter how powerful they are. He attacks Thanos head on when the Mad Titan has Infinity Gauntlet. Wolverine braves the fires of the sun and the void to destroy the Mother Mold at the Forge. He faces down enemies who can kill him, but it never stops him. Nothing daunts Wolverine.