The X-Men first jumped off the pages of Marvel Comics in September of 1963. The team is made up of mutant superheroes and quickly became one of the most popular franchises of all time. They've been depicted in cartoons, TV shows, video games, and movies. Many X-Men stories have touched on real-world issues, such as racial equality, sexual equality, and politics.
Mutants are defined by their superhuman strength, which is activated by having the "X-Gene." These special beings are best known for attending Xavier's School For The Gifted, created by Charles Xavier. Xavier believes that humans and mutants can coexist even though evil lies within both groups. The X-Men try their best to do the right thing but they are not perfect. Everyone loses their temper at one time or another but when these mutants blow off steam, the results can be terrifying.
10 Kitty Pryde: Phases Of Anger Lead To Years Of Rebellion
Kitty Pryde first debuted in Uncanny X-Men #129 by Chris Claremont & John Byrne in January of 1980. Kitty has been in X-Men cartoons, books, and movies. She is known for her phasing ability, which allows her or anyone she touches to walk through walls or any other hard surface or object. In the X-Men vs Inhumans storyline, Kitty started rebelling against her X-Men teammates and searched the island of Genosha to reconnect with her dad. Her father was killed when Sentinels destroyed Genosha, a usual safe haven for all mutants. She would cut her hair shorter and starting using a bone claw, that broke off from Wolverine, as a weapon. Just imagine an angry teenage girl who can run through walls and has a sharp weapon attached to her hand. An angry teenager is scary enough.
9 Colossus: The Powerful Russian Becomes The Juggernaut
Piotr Rasputin, aka Colossus, first debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1 by Len Wein & Dave Cockrum in May of 1975. Colossus was from Russia and could turn his whole body into metal, making him the strongest X-Men to suit up at that time. Piotr is usually depicted as a decent human being and only likes to use his power when it's completely necessary. Although he has battled many Marvel villains, he seems to get most violent when he's battling The Juggernaut. The two red wearing behemoths bring out the worst parts of each other. Colossus has even suited up as a Juggernaut and was willing to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the team. He evens becomes so powerful that he doesn't return to school for the Gifted, fearing he would frighten the younger students.
8 Beast: Lashes Out & Kills Skrulls
Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy, also known as Beast, is an original member of the X-Men and appeared in the team's first outing in X-Men #1 by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby. Hank has incredible strength and is permanently turned into a big blue creature when some experiments go wrong. He gains sharp fangs, claws, and a cat-like face when he's permanently transformed. Even after his physical appearance is altered, Hank remains a genius and can speak normally.
However, Beast's moral decisions are sometimes more frightening than his physical outbursts. When Super-Skrulls invade Earth, Hank and Cyclops decide to use the Legacy Virus. This virus is harmless to mutants but infects the Skrull ships and causes them to take their own lives before the infection spreads. Pretty disturbing for a Beast who seems so cultured in his other portrayals.
7 Nightcrawler: Teleports Into The White House
Nightcrawler, once Kurt Wagner, joined the X-Men in 1975. He is known for his super agility and can teleport between locations. Also known for his religious beliefs, his blue velvet fur, his yellow eyes, and his feet with two toes, Nightcrawler looked so menacing that some of his future teammates were afraid to talk with him. Kurt was eventually welcomed onto the team and was actually considered one of the more fun, easy-going X-Men.
However, in the film X2, a scared Nightcrawler breaks into the White House and threatens the President with a knife. It's later revealed that he didn't want to hurt the President but just wanted the same rights for mutants that humans have. It still doesn't take away the scary trespassing and assault Nightcrawler commits on his way into the oval office.
6 Emma Frost: Powerful & Pretty Evil
Emma Frost has been both friend and a foe to the X-Men. She can transform herself into diamond form to shield her from incoming attacks and has the power to read minds. In recent years, she has become such a positive influence that she's considered a leader of the team. Unfortunately, this wasn't always the case for Emma. She's had an intimate relationship with X-Men captain Cyclops, which caused her to make questionable decisions.
In X-Men vs Inhumans, it's revealed that Emma faked Cyclops' death and used Sentinels to injure and kill Inhumans. In a frightening twist, Emma is shown wearing a helmet that provides her a combination of Cyclops' and Magneto's powers. Imagine a powerful telepath with diamond skin now has the power to blasts laser from her helmet and control metal objects. Sometimes the scariest things come from the prettiest people.
5 Rogue: A Deathly Touch For & Against
Rogue is one of the most popular X-Men and has played a big part in the comics, animated series, and films. Her first appearance was in Avengers Annual #10 by Chris Claremont & Michael Golden in 1981 as a villain. Rogue can absorb other people's (including other mutants) energy, powers, and even memories. She hates her superpowers and considers it more of a burden than a responsibility. She joins the X-Men in hope of understanding her powers and gaining control over them. In Uncanny Avengers #14 by Rick Remender & Steve McNiven, Rogue believes that the Scarlet Witch has become too dangerous to keep alive. Rogue kills her and then is brutally murdered by Grim Reaper. Everyone eventually comes back to life, including Rogue, who uses Wolverine's healing factor, but that doesn't make it less disturbing.
4 Cyclops: Laser-Focused Anger Against His Mentor
Scott Summers is an original member and eventual leader of the X-Men. Scott, aka Cyclops, usually has good intentions but at times can be too intense for his teammates and has made some rash decisions. He has had intimate relationships with two women who can break people with their minds - Emma Frost and Jean Grey. While his personal relationships have caused Cyclops to make mistakes, it was his time hosting the Phoenix force that would haunt him forever. Scott as the Phoenix became too much for him to handle, causing him to fight with his own team and the Avengers. Professor X is brought in to help communicate with Scott, but there was no bargaining with the Phoenix-forced Cyclops, and he ends up killing his mentor.
3 Wolverine: Slicing & Dicing An Insect
Wolverine has never been a kind and caring type of mutant. Although he's had his heroic moments, Logan is always angry and isn't afraid to kill anyone to solve problems. Teams like the X-Men and the Avengers are always using time travel, and Wolverine has made several attempts at killing people before they ever became a problem. One of his most brutal murders was in the famous Age of Ultron story.
Ultron, in the comics, is created by the former Ant-Man, Hank Pym, and goes on a murderous rage trying to take over Earth. Wolverine thinks the easiest way to stop this problem is to erase the person who created Ultron. Using a time machine at a secret base for heroes, Wolverine travels back and stabs Hank to death. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last time that Logan tries to solve problems before they're created.
2 Jean Grey: Phoenix Fire & Cat Bullying
Jean Grey as Phoenix is the strongest character in all of X-Men's lore and is always an intimidating presence. She has the ability to destroy anyone with her telekinesis but the Phoenix force isn't the only time Jean Grey has shown a darker side. Professor X decides to keep X-Men foe Sabretooth in their mansion but the team can't agree if it's smart to keep him under their watch or if it's too dangerous. Jean decides that she needs to speak with Sabretooth alone and makes a point of showing him her true power. She tells the big feline that she will not be bullied and uses her mental powers to lay a physical smackdown on him. Everyone knows that the Phoenix shouldn't be trifled with, but a normal Jean Grey can also scare the cat mittens off anyone.
1 Professor Charles Xavier: A Mind-Bending Apocalypse
Professor Charles Xavier is a mentor, friend, and activist for mutants and humans everywhere. However, Professor X has also made countless mistakes and rash decisions. His constant need to control others has cost people their lives and has driven a wedge between the X-Men and their leader. Despite his shortcomings, Charles usually rights his wrongs and rebuilds fractured relationships. The X-Men: Evolution series sees Apocalypse choose Charles as one of his four horsemen, something never shown in the comics. Apocalypse wants mutants to take over the world and uses his horsemen as catalysts. Professor X, now known as Death, has his powers revamped to destroy Earth and overpower his former team. Apocalypse may have been pulling the strings but it's still the scariest incarnation of Xavier.