The original X-Men comic was not a commercial success. The formula of five, all white, college-aged teenagers born with powers, did not capture the public imagination. It would not be until a rebooted version of the Giant-Sized X-Men #1 that mutants became popular.

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While Cyclops became the new team's leader, the rest of the original X-Men went on separate paths. That was until 23 years later, when they reunited in the pages of X-Factor. When they left to reunite with the other X-Men, the government would take the name and use it for their own sanctioned squad. The team would undergo many changes after this. Most notably was its time as a mutant private investigations firm.

10 Havok

Havok and cyclops

Alex Summers, also known as Havok, is the brother of veteran X-men leader Cyclops. They both share similar powers, with Havok releasing a beam of cosmic energy from his chest instead of his eyes. Although he had been in the X-Men universe for a long time, it was his role as the leader in X-Factor that that let him shine.

This was a pivotal role for the character, as it finally gave him a platform to be as good a leader as his brother. The role would later see him called up by Captain America to lead the Avengers Unity Squad.

9 Cyclops

cyclops x factor

Cyclops is a mutant that needs no introduction. As the X-Men leader from their first appearance, his abilities as a leader are unmatched. They are characterized just as much by his fallibilities as his strengths. It made sense that Cyclops would lead the first X-Factor squad. They formed when they turned their back on the X-Men, as Magneto was made team leader.

The formation of the X-Factor did not sit well with fans. In a great example of Cyclop's tendency to flirt the moral boundary, he left his wife and infant child to start the team. This was just as his original wife, Jean Grey, rose from the dead.

8 Beast

beast x factor

After the original X-Men disbanded, the team was left to languish in relative obscurity. Hank Mccoy, also known as Beast, became a bit part superhero. He would have stints in the Avengers and the Defenders but would never get the recognition he deserved.

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The first iteration of X-Factor brought us the Beast we know and love today. His awkward, nerd like bumbling from his X-Men days were gone. His outright, jovial schoolboy humor from the Avengers had toned down. What arrived was a caring, father-like figure who had his nearest, dearest, and wider mutant family at heart.

7 Multiple Man

multiple man

In the second incarnation of X-Factor, Jamie Madrox, also known as the Multiple Man, had one of the deepest and most touching story arcs in the X-men titles. It began when he started as the team prankster, creating duplicates.

When one of his duplicates was killed and could not reabsorb it, he became acutely aware of how independent his doppelganger was and went on a self-discovery journey. Madrox would later start the mutant private investigators firm X-Factor Investigations. Most of his time would be spent hunting down rogue duplicates, who were wreaking havoc for his friends and family.

6 Polaris

polaris

Polaris is one of the most powerful mutants in existence. Her gifts are identical to her father, Magneto, to manipulate magnetic fields. Despite being a character who has often been portrayed with mental health issues, she has always had a clear mind when choosing the side of good and evil.

She was previously a recurring character in the X-Men universe. Like Havok, she got to showcase her full character in the second incarnation of X-Factor. The highlights of this were the development of her romantic relationship with the team leader.

5 Mystique

Mystique

Under X-Man Forge's guidance, the third X-Factor line up introduced several recruits. Some of them were long-time X-Men enemies who had been captured by federal agents. They were there under duress, kept under mind-controlling technology.

There have been many times when Mystique has been the master manipulator. However, in her time with X-Factor, she was manipulated. Framed for terrorist action, she was trying to stop. The US government had set her up to lay the blame on mutants. If that were not bad enough, Sabretooth would later join the team in a bid to assassinate her.

4 Quicksilver

Quicksilver x factor

Quicksilver was a fantastic addition to X-Factor, as he had such a distinguished pedigree. He had once been a member of Evil Mutants' Brotherhood and later switched sides to become an Avenger. He was also part of one of the most powerful mutant families as he was the son of Magneto.

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The mutant added great depth as his arrogance and irritability were played upon. However, this was done in a profound, complex way. On one hand, the rest of the team really respected his experience and knowledge. At the same time, they found his manner detestable.

3 Angel

Angel x factor

No character had as rough a time in X-Factor as Angel. Warren Worthington, one of the original X-Men, was the heir to a huge fortune. He was the financial backer for X-Factor and was outed during their tenure. During the mutant massacre, his wings were badly damaged, and he developed gangrene. They later had to be amputated, and he sunk into depression.

His team believed he had committed suicide in his private jet. Unbeknownst to them, he had been taken by the villain Apocalypse to become his horseman, Death. The despot gifted him with large metallic wings, much improved from his feathered natural ones. The character would return to X-men continuity but would forevermore harbor a dark, moody persona.

2 Iceman

Iceman x factor

Bobby Drake was another member of the original X-men who had languished in the background after the team disbanded. Beast had at least became an Avenger. In contrast, Iceman had been subjected to bit parts in teams such as the Champions and the Defenders.

However, in X-Factor, he underwent a huge change in his power level. This occurred when he was kidnapped by Loki, aiming to use his powers to gain control over the frost giants. He would use a power inhibitor belt after this and not realize he could achieve these levels of power alone until much later.

1 Jean Grey

jean grey x factor

Another character who had a tough time in their tenure with X-Factor was Jean Grey. Jean had been believed dead but had recently emerged from a stasis cocoon placed on her by the Phoenix Force. She emerged to find the love of her life, Cyclops, married to her clone and with a child.

When Cyclops returned to Jean, it did not signify a happily ever after. She had first to deal with her daughter's arrival from a future timeline, Rachel Grey, whom she rejected. She would then have to take on her husband's crazy ex-wife, now calling herself the Goblyn Queen.

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