Jonathan Hickman gave the X-Men a much-needed makeover with the "Dawn of X" rebranding that was laid out in the epic House of X/Powers of X dual series that set up the new status quo for the X-Men while teasing another dark future for the X-Men and layering secrets and mysteries that fans are still waiting to see revealed.
House of X/Powers of X was a huge event that had fans newly excited for the X-Men, which resulted in a number of amazing variant covers from dynamic comic creators released for each issue of the dual series. While it's never easy to pick a favorite issue from such a huge selection of great variants, there are still a number of variants from each issue's release that stood out among the rest.
12 Powers of X #2 - Declan Shalvey 3rd Printing
As the series went into multiple printings as fans responded warmly to the team's new direction, new covers were created by Declan Shalvey for the third printing that highlighted memorable moments from the issues.
The third reprinting of each series' second issue featured Destiny in one of her most powerful scenes since her death years ago as she burned Moira X alive as a future warning, while the other half of the series represented the iconic partnership between Professor Xavier, Moira X, and Magneto that led to the "Dawn of X."
11 Powers of X #1 - Mike Deodato Quiet Council/Dustin Weaver Rasputin
The first issue of each series featured the most variant covers that either explored the history of the X-Men and the evolution of the characters over the decades while also teasing future moments in "Dawn of X" and teasing new characters.
Powers of X#1 featured a variant cover from Mike Deodato that teased the ruling members of the Krakoan Quiet Council, while Dustin Weaver's new character cover featured the new mutant hybrid named Rasputin, who appeared in the dark future of HoX/PoX.
10 House of X #1 - Dave Cockrum Hidden Gem/Kevin Eastman Wolverine
House of X #1 introduced fans to the new status quo as it developed over a series of flashbacks, alternate timelines, and resurrections that teased the captivating new direction of the series, however, some of the best variants explored the origins of the team.
Dave Cockrum's Hidden Gem variant featured the team following its Giant-Size X-Men relaunch that repopularized the characters, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's Kevin Eastman provided his own take on Wolverine that collectors were scrambling to own.
9 Powers of X #4 - Mike Huddleston/Skottie Young
Comic artist Mike Huddleston released a dynamic character cover for each issue of HoX/PoX that explored the classic characters in beautiful, usually action-packed scenes that showcased each character and their mutant ability or history.
Powers of X #4 featured Huddleston's take on Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat and her trusted ally Lockheed in battle, while another character variant from Skottie Young took a different approach with Mister Sinister that also drew in collectors considering his central role in the developing Krakoan nation.
8 House of X #5 - David Lafuente Magik Decades/Sara Pichelli Flower
Illyana Rasputin is the powerful New Mutant known as Magik whose mutant teleportation abilities were enhanced by her unique demonic connection to the dimension of Limbo that has defined her character for years.
Magik is one of the military leaders of Krakoa who operates as a Captain for the Quiet Council whose history is beautifully detailed with David LaFuente's variant, while Magneto's new costume and the connective plants of Krakoa make an appearance thanks to Sara Pichelli's Flower variants that were also created for each issue.
7 House of X #3 - Mike Huddleston Emma Frost/Jeff Dekal Psylocke Decades
Mike Huddleston contributed another amazing character variant for House of X#3, which featured Emma Frost/White Queen on the cover alongside her ally/rival in the Hellfire Club Sebastian Shaw, both of whom would take a leading role in Marauders.
Jeff Dekal's contribution to the Characters through the Decade variants focused on the various evolutions of Betsy Braddock/Psylocke/Kwannon over the years, who has started a new chapter in their lives for "Dawn of X."
6 Powers of X #6 - Mike Huddleston/Valerio Schiti Gambit Decades
Fans were surprised to see the eternal mutant villain known as Apocalypse take a mostly peaceful leading role in the formation of Krakoa's mutant society, which also highlighted a long-standing connection to the mutant island that was previously unknown.
Mike Huddleston's variant features En Sabah Nur and his advanced Celestial technology in the savage wilderness of the past (or the Savage Land). Valerio Schiti's Gambit variant from Powers of X #6 also stood out as it featured the various costumes worn by Gambit over the years.
5 Powers of X #5 - David Nakayama Connecting
As the dual series released each issue every week, it provided the opportunity for a series fo fantastic connecting covers further inspired collectors to pick up each variant in order to complete the unique images that highlighted the team in various ways.
David Nakayama's connecting covers for Hox/Pox#5 took the X-Men back to the Savage Land and gave the members of the same feral makeover that characters like Rogue had adopted in the hidden prehistoric land.
4 Powers of X #3 - Mahmud Asrar Connecting
While some variants explored a specific character's evolution or a defining moment from the team, other covers explored the far-reaching history of the X-Men's mythology in one dynamic piece using a unique selection of characters.
Mahmud Asrar's connecting variant for HoX/PoX #3 features characters from various stages in the X-Men's history, including Storm's "Dawn of X" uniform, Rogue's 80s look, Havok from the X-Babies, Cable's 90s debut appearance and even the mysterious Doop in one action-packed scene!
3 House of X #6 - Javier Garrón Connecting
While the heroes of the X-Men have obviously taken center stage in the "Dawn of X" rebranding, the new mutant island of Krakoa opened its doors to all mutants looking for sanctuary, which included some of the team's deadliest enemies.
Javier Garrón's connecting variant for HoX/PoX #6 focused on the various villains the X-Men have encountered over the years, including a number of mutants who have taken a prominent role in the new direction of Marvel's X-Men.
2 House of X #2 - Yasmine Putri Connecting
The X-Women took center stage in Yasmine Putri's connecting covers for HoX/PoX #2, which explored the past and modern versions of popular X-characters over the years on each respective cover of the dual series.
Characters like Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Emma Frost, Mystique, Magik, Psylocke, Dani Moonstar Storm and Jean Grey all make an appearance on the cover, with Jean's powerful Dark Phoenix form overlooking the assembled X-women.
1 House of X #4 - Jorge Molina Connecting
The variant covers released for HoX/PoX featured exciting looks at new characters, iconic moments in the history of the X-Men, and the evolution of each character over the decades, though some of the variants took a unique look at the team that stood out to fans and collectors.
Jorge Molina's connecting variant for House of X #4 (like Mark Brooks' cover at the top) quickly became a talking point among fans as it featured the most popular and well-known members of the X-Men in variations of the iconic training uniforms, which some of these characters had never worn.