The X-Men had long been the apex of Marvel Comics but by the dawn of the 2010s, their fortunes had changed. The exponential success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe refocused on classic Marvel heroes both in the films and the comics. But a host of great artists would lead to a modern revival for the classic mutants.

RELATED: 10 Underappreciated X-Men Heroines With Amazing Powers

Major stories like Avengers vs. X-Men and Secret Wars have led ultimately to the Dawn of X era, which has vaulted the X-Men back into the upper echelons of Marvel storytelling. Along the way, some of the best artists to ever work on the mutants have contributed to their revival.

10 Andrea Sorrentino: Unique Grungy Style In Uncanny X-Men & All-New X-men

old-man-logan-header

Andrea Sorrentino drew the early issues of the Old Man Logan comic book and lent the grizzled, haggard Logan from the future his unique, grungy style. The concept of the "old man" has touched off many others within the Marvel Universe, and the story has aged well in some ways (and others not). One way it has is the art, which gives the book an immediate and unique look. The Italian artist has drawn several annuals and covers for other X-Men titles, including Uncanny X-Men and All-New X-Men.

9 Humberto Ramos: Idiosyncratic & Cartoon Style For Exaggerated Character Appearances

Storm, Magik, Iceman, and several X-Men students having a conversation

Humberto Ramos is one of the best Spider-Man artists of the Modern Age, and he lent his unique style to the X-Men as well. Ramos drew the Extraordinary X-Men series, which spun out of the massive Secret Wars crossover from 2015. His idiosyncratic and cartoon-like style gave exaggerated looks to classic characters like Storm, who got her wild 80s mohawk back for a time. Ramos also gave classic X-Man Iceman one of his best costumes ever.

8 Phil Noto: Worked Non-Stop For Marvel Over The Decade

Cable Phil Noto feature

Phil Noto has been working non-stop for Marvel during the 2010s, with runs on titles like Black Widow and Star Wars, including the Poe Dameron solo series. Some of his best work has come on the X-Men. Noto currently pencils the Cable ongoing series, featuring the younger Kid Cable. Noto has also drawn runs on X-23, one of the most dangerous mutants to debut in the 2000s. He also drew issues of Uncanny X-Force with Rick Remender as the writer of that epic run.

7 Jamie McKelvie: Young & Fresh Feel To The Original Five X-Men

X-Men Season One Jean Grey

Returning to their roots was a common theme for the X-Men throughout the 2000s and 2010s, signaling perhaps a lack of confidence in the current status quo. Not all of it worked, but X-Men Season One did. This retelling of the origin of the classic X-Men characters in a modern setting was brought to life by Jamie McKelvie.

RELATED: Wolverine: 5 Reasons He's Better In X-Force (& 5 He's Better In The X-Men)

McKelvie brought a young and fresh feel to the original five X-Men, including Cyclops, Jean Grey, Iceman, Beast, and Angel. His clean, expressive characters were some of the best takes on the original characters ever.

6 Stuart Immonen: Kept Young Versions Unique & Distinct In All-New X-Men

All-New X-Men teams standing on a rocky mound

The first five X-Men also returned in the All-New X-Men series, this time literally. Beast transported the teenagers forward in time to the present and they hung out alongside their adult counterparts for a time. Stuart Immonen drew the comic, with his unique style keeping the young versions distinct from the originals through ways that were both subtle and not. Immonen eventually designed new uniforms for the teenage versions, which in the case of Jean Grey, was not her best.

5 Ed McGuinness: Drew For The Avengers Vs. X-Men Crossover

avengers-vs-x-men

Ed McGuinness drew a variety of X-Men related issues and covers during the 2010s, including issues #3 and #6 of the epic Avengers vs. X-Men crossover. Though AvX has aged well in some ways and others not, it had major consequences that continue to reverberate in the books today. McGuinness also drew several issues of the Guardians of the Galaxy series, which saw Kitty Pryde get engaged to love interest Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord, though she eventually left him at the altar.

4 Esad Ribic: Muted Painting Style To Fit The Dark Overtones Of The Story

Uncanny X-Force

Esad Ribić provided the covers for much of Rick Remender's epic Uncanny X-Force run in the early 2010s. Esad Ribić's painted, but somewhat muted style fit in very well with the dark overtones of the book and also recalled in some ways that of John Bolton. While some of the other X-Men titles were searching for an identity in this period, Esad Ribić helped define this era of X-Force in a way that has become iconic for many fans of the team.

3 Chris Bachalo: Quirky Style That Led To One Of Rogue's Best Costumes

Rogue as drawn by Chris Bachalo

Chris Bachalo has been a force in the X-Men and in comic books going back to the 90s. He has had major runs on various X-titles, including Generation X, New X-Men, and Ultimate X-Men. One of his best moments with the mutants took place in 2013-2015 when he returned to the main X-Men title.

RELATED: 5 Marvel Villains Who Should Be Able To Beat The X-Men (& Why They Can't)

During this period, Bachalo's quirky style helped distinguish the book. He also created one of Rogue's best costumes ever, which brought back her classic green look with a modern update. Bachalo will be the primary artist on the upcoming Non-Stop Spider-Man book.

2 Russell Dauterman: Drew Stunning Covers & Interiors For The Dawn Of X Revival

jean grey emma frost

Russell Dauterman rose to prominence with his epic work on the Jane Foster Thor saga. Recently, he has helped redefine the X-Men for a new era. His covers and interiors for several issues of the Dawn of X revival, including Giant-Size Jean Grey and Emma Frost, are some of the most stunning art in X-Men history. Dauterman regularly contributes covers also to the Marauders ongoing series and has worked as a costume illustrator on movies, including Captain America: The First Avenger.

1 Pepe Larraz: Responsible For The X-Men's Iconic Space Battles & Jungle Topography

Kaleidoscope of Moira Mactaggart images in Dawn of X Marvel Comics

Perhaps no other current artist has done more to redefine the X-Men for the future than Spanish artist Pepe Larraz. Laraaz's unique style, which is as nimble in drawing space battles as it is jungle topography, has become the signature look of the Dawn of X era. Larraz contributed to the House of X and Dawn of X mini-series which kicked off the revival and has also drawn the bookends of the just-completed X Of Swords crossover, featuring some of the X-Men's epic moments in their long history.

NEXT: Marvel: 10 Superhero Abilities That Are Actually Kind Of Disgusting