The X-Men are a popular superhero group published by Marvel and created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963 with the flagship issue, X-Men #1. Comprised of mutants, super-powered beings whose abilities derive from the X-Gene, granting them altered biologies. Hounded by the public, the X-Men stand for fair treatment of all and the protection of mutant kind.
As superhero teams tend to do, the X-Men deal with many threats that are on a cosmic scale such as time travel and interdimensional beings. As such, the X-Men have their footprint plastered throughout the multiverse and can be found on many different Earths and realities. Here are the 10 best X-Men alternate realities in no particular order.
10 Ultimate X-Men
The X-Men of Earth-1610 AKA the Ultimate Universe were created in 2001 by Mark Millar for Marvel's Ultimate line of comics. The Ultimate comics were made to appeal to new fans that didn't want to be bogged down by years of continuity. Being comprised of Professor X, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, Beast, Iceman, and many others throughout its almost decade long run.
As most other Mark Millar books, Ultimate X-Men had a certain edge and maturity to it that the X-Men hadn't seen in a while. To new fans of the comic, the tone was a fitting one for these teen superheroes and for longtime fans, it was a welcome change from the absurdity that had taken over X-Men comics proper at the time. While towards its end, the Ultimate X-Men series was met with great dislike, it started off very strong and it's earlier issues remain to be fan favorites to this day.
9 X-Treme X-Men
X-Treme X-Men of Earth-12025 is a group of a radically different bunch of mutants than most fans are accustomed to. Launched in 2012 and written by Greg Pak, X-Treme X-Men set out to be a limited series alternate adventure for a group of X-men, very different from our own, would take. This team consisted of James Howlett, Kurt Waggoner, Dazzler, Emmeline Frost, Charles Xavier, Corporal Scott Summers, and even Hercules.
With such a different group of characters, differing in age, race, sexuality, and so on, these new X-Men, while short-lived, were very welcome and exciting new installments in the X-Men universe. Often going for a balls to the wall fun and adventurous tone, X-Treme X-Men was a great comic that benefited from its limited run of issues. Especially fun for X-Men fans of long to read and find all the little differences in the universe.
8 X-Men Cinematic Universe
While most fans wouldn't think of this an alternate universe, it actually is. The X-Men of Earth-10005 come from Bryan Singer's X-Men Cinematic Universe, first started in 2000 with the first film, simply titled X-Men. This team consisted of Professor X, Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Iceman, and Rogue.
Met with great success, this version was the first exposure for many X-Men fans and left a definite mark on the franchise. Often remembered for its memorable acting performances and leather outfits, the X-Men of this reality are quite loved and continue to go strong to this day, with the impending release of the latest installment, Dark Phoenix.
7 X-Men Noir
On a darker note, the X-Men of Earth-90214, otherwise known as the X-Men Noir, are a group of mutants deriving from the same universe as Spider-Man Noir. Released in 2009, this series set out to have a darker and more crime centered tone than any other X-Men comic at the time. Set in the 1930s, there was a lot of room for interesting and particular commentary. However, instead of that, the X-Men were turned into criminals by Professor Xavier and then taken as government operatives. Essentially they were the Suicide Squad of their universe. This team consisted of Iceman, Cyclops, and Beast.
While their web-headed counterpart met great success, the X-Men Noir, unfortunately, did not, much as most other Marvel Noir books. The series failed to capture the attention of readership of many X-Men and comic fans alike. There have been multiple attempts to revamp the series but each ended very shortly after they began.
6 X-Men Animated
The X-Men of Earth-92131 come from the largely popular Fox Animated Marvel Universe. This universe is made up of several hit cartoons first aired in the ’90s. X-Men The Animated Series is often credited as the X-Men property that brought on many fans to the X-Men world. The team consists of Professor X, Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Beast, Storm, Gambit, and Jubilee.
Met with great praise, this version of X-Men were very similar to their Earth-616 counterparts. The show often veered into more mature themes and conversations than most children aimed cartoons did at the time or since. With the rich allegorical history of the X-Men, this approach complemented the characters well and is the reason why it's considered a fan favorite. Full of action, humor, and issues that needed to be talked about, X-Men Animated was a rush.
5 Wolverine, Lord Of The Vampires
The X-Men of Earth-9250 truly differ greatly from many other of their other counterparts due to the fact that they're dead. Undead. The X-Men of this Earth had been taken over by their Wolverine, who had defeated Dracula and taken over as the Lord Of The Vampires. Using his new powers, he quickly takes over the X-Men and then the world. This X-Men team consisted of Wolverine and his vampire slaves.
First appearing in What If? #24, this version of X-Men, and specifically Wolverine, is relatively unknown but beloved by those who do. The graphic nature of the story was relatively high for Marvel at the time and would be more fitting for a Marvel MAX book than just a conventional Marvel one. With great moments like Wolverine becoming Lord of the Vampires and Punisher becoming Sorcerer Supreme, this version is one to check out.
4 Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe
This Earth's X-Men are very different from the rest on this list...they're dead! That's right, the X-Men of Earth 12101 were murdered creatively and disturbingly by this world's Merc With A Mouth, Deadpool AKA Dreadpool. Darkly imagined by writer Cullen Bunn and artist Dalibor Talajic, Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe was a four part mini-series detailing what would happen if Psycho-Man took control of Deadpool...but lost control.
The story focused on Deadpool killing every hero in the Marvel Universe as what he described as “mercy killings” before moving on to alternate universes, including our own. Not much about this world's X-Men are different other than Professor X could walk...so that's something. If you're easily disturbed by violence or graphic imagery including Earth's Mightiest Heroes, then definitely stay away from this one. Otherwise, check out the beginning of the Deadpool Killogy.
3 House Of M
House of M was an alternate timeline created by Scarlet Witch after having numerous mental breakdowns and even killing several Avengers. Creating a world in which mutants are the dominant species and humans are looked down upon as the lesser. Within this world, the X-Men are less of a team but more of an idea. They're the ideal group of heroes.
Consisting of too many mutants to name, this world’s X-Men were numerous and tough. Not only were the X-Men themselves affected by this reality change, but every hero on Earth. This was short-lived due to the original X-Men and Avengers banning together after gaining back their memories to stop this world run by mutants and Magneto to set things right once more. Certainly, a great event that's worth checking out.
2 Age Of Apocalypse
The X-Men of Earth-295 find themselves in a world where Apocalypse, one of their most powerful foes, has taken over the world and has it under his iron fist. Caused by David Haller AKA Legion who accidentally kills his father, Charles Xavier and inadvertently set forth events that led to Apocalypse's rise. First published in 1995, in an event that spread all across the X-Men books at the time, the mutants found themselves divided and in peril.
This reality really does take the word “apocalypse” and runs with it, having the X-Men fight their way through a flawed dystopian world. Many allegiances, appearances, and status of life have changed by the one event that started it all. While short-lived, Age Of Apocalypse is seen as a fun rump for many X-Men fans, although, those who aren't versed on the characters might be very confused.
1 Mangaverse
Taking place on Earth-2301, the X-Men of what has been dubbed the “Marvel Mangaverse”, are from a universe inspired by storylines and art styles from the traditional Japanese style of comics, Manga. First published in 2002, Marvel Mangaverse saw a more upbeat and stylistic version of the X-Men with vast differences in appearance, origins, and personalities. This team consisted of Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Storm, and Moonstar.
The series followed Wolverine and Cyclops, who are brothers in this reality, starting the X-Men to fight the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The major difference in appearance and origins for its characters saw to this series short-lived popularity. It's a decent idea but much like most of the other Marvel Mangaverse stories, it's problem lies in the execution.