Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The X-Men comic book launched in 1963 and completely changed the landscape of the Marvel Comics universe. Mutants weren't just superpowered heroes and villains, they were people – more often kids and teenagers – who experienced real-world issues.

RELATED: Marvel: 10 Arcs That Were Purely Fanservice

Professor Xavier's first team featured Jean Grey, Cyclops, Angel, Beast, and Iceman. However, by 1975, with the debut of Giant-Size X-Men #1, the team exploded, and new members seemed to appear each year. Out of the hundreds of mutants who have joined the X-Men, there are those who've experienced the most trials and victories, proving to be the greatest X-Men of all time.

10 Iceman Proves How Comedic Relief Is Important

Iceman in a red costume in Marvel X-Men comics

Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, debuted alongside his fellow "First Class" X-Men in The X-Men #1 in 1963. Iceman is usually depicted as the comedic relief of the group, specifically during All-New X-Men where the original X-Men were brought to the present timeline. However, Iceman is deceptively powerful and is classified as an omega-level mutant thanks to his ability to manipulate ice.

Bobby has been a member of the team since the very beginning, and he's played prominent roles in classic X-Men events like Age of Apocalypse and "Yesterday's X-Men." In 2017, Iceman rightfully earned his own modern, solo comic series which lasted 11 issues.

9 Nightcrawler Is The Heart Of The X-Men

Nightcrawler bamfing with his sword

Nightcrawler debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1 with new mutants like Colossus and Storm. Kurt Wagner was a light-hearted character and a fun addition to the team, especially considering most of the original members left the series. Kurt is a very faithful individual who often speaks about Catholicism and the purpose of mutants.

RELATED: 10 X-Men Who Should Join The Avengers Instead

His faith and optimism make Kurt one of the most hopeful members of the X-Men, and any comic series that doesn't feature Nightcrawler feels like it's missing an integral part of the team. In Jonathan Hickman's X-Men #7, Kurt even considers starting a new mutant religion for the citizens of Krakoa: the mutant haven.

8 Wolverine Is Bad At Being A Loner

Marvel Announces New Midnight Suns Series Starring Wolverine, Blade and Runaways' Nico

Wolverine is usually classified as a "lone wolf" character, but that doesn't stop him from frequently returning to the X-Men whenever he can. Wolverine first appeared in an issue of Incredible Hulk, but soon joined his fellow mutants in Giant-Size X-Men #1, debuting as a new X-Men alongside Colossus, Storm, and Nightcrawler.

Wolverine has seen the ugliest aspects of life, as both a member of the team and while traveling the world on his own. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he loves his teammates. For example, he led a version of the team in his own series, Wolverine and the X-Men, and sacrificed his life to stop the Mother Mold Sentinel in House/Powers of X.

7 Kitty Pryde Led The School After Xavier's Death

kitty pryde from the Marauders X-Men book

The Days of Future Past storyline has been adapted in just about every X-Men television or film series because the story is so iconic. Kitty Pryde was the X-Men member sent to the past in the original storyline. However, in almost every adaptation, mutants like Bishop or Wolverine were chosen to venture to the past.

At the time, Kitty was the youngest member of the team, so seeing an adult version of her visit with a dark message from the future was shocking. In the main Marvel Comics continuity, Kitty grew up to become one of the most respected members of the team, leading mutant students at the New Xavier School.

6 Storm Is A Reliable Teammate & Leader

Storm commands lightning with both hands in X-Men.

Like Nightcrawler, Ororo Munroe, aka Storm, debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1. With the incredible power to control the weather, shoot bolts of lightning, and fly, Storm is easily one of the most powerful members of the team. Storm has been an X-Men member since 1975, and she's played major roles in famous X-Men comic events like "Inferno" and "Fall of the Mutants."

RELATED: Marvel's 7 Most Romantic Storylines, Ranked

Storm was chosen as the leader of the Morlocks, an underground faction of mutants, and she also replaced Cyclops as the leader of the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #139. Since then, Storm has been a part of various versions of the team in series like Brian Wood's X-Men and Jason Aaron's Amazing X-Men.

5 Beast Attempted To Revive The X-Men

X-Men Spider-Man Beast Dark Future 1

Henry McCoy was one of Xavier's first students at his school for mutants. Originally, Henry looked like an average human, albeit with larger hands and feet that increased his athleticism. Over time, his mutation evolved, and Henry truly become the Beast. He grew claws, sharp teeth, and sprouted vibrant blue fur all over his body.

Despite Henry's often monstrous appearance, he's one of the most intelligent characters in the Marvel Universe, and The X-Men couldn't function without his ingenuity. Beast actually developed time travel and used it to bring the original X-Men to the future to reignite the hope that was lost in his fellow mutants.

4 Cyclops Was The Original Leader

Cyclops and Jean Grey desperately fight side by side in Marvel Comics

Scott Summers, aka Cyclops, has been in the X-Men team from the very beginning. He led the team during their debut and has led various iterations of the team many times, including during Grant Morrison's legendary X-Men series. Cyclops is a skilled fighter, brilliant tactician, and confident leader.

However, the death of Jean Grey sent Scott into a downward spiral. His character really changed when he murdered Xavier while under the influence of the Phoenix Force. Since then, Scott has redeemed himself, working alongside Jean, Havok, and Corsair in Jonathan Hickman's X-Men series, post-House/Powers of X.

3 Jean Grey Has Experienced So Much As The Phoenix

X-Men Jean Grey Rogue Polaris

Jean Grey, who originally used the superhero name "Marvel Girl," debuted in The X-Men #1 and remained a prominent member of the team until the events of the "Phoenix Saga." The Phoenix Force, a cosmic representation of life and death, bonded to Jean.

The "Dark Phoenix Saga," written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by John Byrne, was incredibly emotional. With the arrival of the Phoenix, the "Trial of Jean Grey," and the intrusion of the Hellfire Club, Jean has experienced traumatic and dark times. However, she officially reclaimed her identity and optimism during the recent X-Men: Red comic series.

2 Magneto Can Be The X-Men's Greatest Ally

Magneto using his powers in Marvel comics

Magneto originally debuted as the X-Men's greatest villain. Where Professor Xavier sought harmony between humans and mutants, Magneto only ever sought mutant superiority. For many years, Magneto led the Brotherhood of Mutants against the X-Men, but Uncanny X-Men #200, "The Trial of Magneto," launched the beginning of Magneto's redemptive arc.

RELATED: 10 Ways Marvel Had Made Magneto Better Over The Years

In the years that followed, Magneto allied himself with the heroes in events like Secret Wars and Brian Michael Bendis's Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is either their greatest enemy or their most powerful ally. Magneto and Xavier working so closely together in House of X was a sight for sore eyes, regardless of how long this harmonious union lasts.

1 Professor Xavier Started The X-Men

Marvel Comics' Xavier connects to the X-Men's minds in Powers of X

There would be no X-Men without Professor Charles Xavier (excluding Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the real-life creators, of course). Xavier formed the X-Men to protect mutants and give the world a shining example of mutants working alongside humans. Xavier has seen the hate mutants have received firsthand, and he's dedicated his life to making a better future for mutants.

Xavier is a very different character in House/Powers of X, written by Jonathan Hickman. Thanks to a plethora of knowledge acquired by Moira McTaggert during her previous lives, Xavier reorganized the entire mutant population into one ultimate alliance. The fallout of this unity is beautifully explored in the recent "Dawn of X" and "Destiny of X" comic eras.

Next: 10 Spells Scarlet Witch Knows But Never Uses