Like many of you, I grew up with superheroes – and I loved them oh so much. My favorite superheroes were in the Marvel comics, and of those my favorite had to be the X-Men. I read a lot of the comics (not all of them, because there were just so many) but I really fell in love with them from the Animated Series that came on FOX in the 90’s – I literally watched every episode, I made CERTAIN that I would not miss it haha. Like any kid I collected the actions figures, the comics, and even played the video games (which was not always fun hahaha – there were a few good ones though). Of course the X-Men started their legacy long before I was born, so lets take a quick look at the history of these epic mutants that we have all grown to love!
History of X-Men
It all started (like a lot of great things) way back in the 60’s! Following the success of classics such as Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy, as well as the Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, and the Fantastic Four, In early 1963 creator Stan Lee dreamed up the series title after Marvel publisher Martin Goodman turned down the initial name, “The Mutants”, saying that readers would not know what a “mutant” was. Within the Marvel Universe, the X-Men are widely regarded to have been named after Professor Xavier himself. Xavier however claims that the name “X-Men” was never chosen to be a self-tribute. The name is also linked to the “X-Gene,” an unknown gene that causes the mutant evolution.
The X-Men are a superhero team in the Marvel Universe. They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963). The basic concept of the X-Men is that under a cloud of increasing anti-mutant sentiment, Professor Xavier created a haven at his Westchester mansion to train young mutants to use their powers for the benefit of humanity, and to prove mutants can be heroes. Xavier recruited Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, and Marvel Girl, calling them “X-Men” because they possess special powers due to their possession of the “X-gene,” a gene which normal humans lack and which gives mutants their abilities. Early on, however, the “X” in X-Men stood for “extra” power which normal humans lacked. It was also alluded to that mutations occurred as a result of radiation exposure.
The first issue also introduced the team’s archenemy, Magneto, who would continue to battle the X-Men for decades throughout the comic’s history, both on his own and with his Brotherhood of Mutants (introduced in issue #4). The X-Men universe also includes such notable heroes as Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Shadowcat, Dazzler, Emma Frost, Cable, and Gambit. Besides the Brotherhood of Mutants, other villains that the X-Men have fought include the Sentinels, Apocalypse, Mister Sinister, and the Hellfire Club.
The X-Men comics have been adapted into other media, including animated television series, video games, and a commercially successful series of films.
Wow, What a history! It is hard to believe it all started way back then because (at least for me) it seemed like when I was into superheroes as a kid (in the 90’s), it was still in its infancy! So to celebrate our comic book geek love for superheroes, and especially the X-Men, we have rounded up a collection of some of the best artworks from the x-men cast of characters (at least my favorites lol), and paired them with memorable lines and quotes from throughout the series (and marvel world). There are some stunning pieces of art here with some of your favorites, and some of the lines are just truly great (and really bring back the childhood memories). Whether you are an illustrator or a web designer, there is inspiration to be had here! Whatever you do with it, I hope you ENJOY!
“The old world passes away. Together, we shall forge a new one, in fire and blood. The future is transformed, I am the instrument to purify the world! The evil of human and mutant must be cut away! You shall help me tear down the old order. Those who oppose me shall perish through my agents of destruction. Famine! Pestilence! War! And my greatest creation, Death, the winged angel. From the ashes of this world, I will build a better one! Go forth my horsemen! And let the chaos cleanse the world!” —Apocalypse
Beautiful. I especially love the way Beast was done.
“Spare me your petty judgements. It’s from a brain too meager to comprehend my reality. Now taste the power of Apocalypse!” —Apocalypse
Cast & Crew of X Men – The New Mutants
“There exists no freedom from me. There is only freedom THROUGH ME!” —Apocalypse
Epic & HUGE Artwork of the X-Men Cast! For these wide images – to see the full size (and original source) click through the image 😀
“Beast, how many peoples have dreamed of my end? You are no closer than the Babylonians with their swords and fire sticks! Hahahaha” —Apocalypse
Wow – very interesting alternative character design from XMEN: Age of X
Awesome Pencil Drawing Of Dark Phoenix And Rogue!
OMGZ! X-Men + Starwars = EPIC WIN!!!
“You failed to kill me. Failure is weakness, and weakness must be CULLED!” —Apocalypse
The Ladies of X-Men!
Cable
“The name’s Cable. Remember it, Apocalypse” —Cable
[transports into phone booth] “Time to reach out and touch someone!” —Cable
Wolverine
“I’m the best in what I do kid, and what I do ain’t nice” —Wolverine
“I go where I wanna go.” —Wolverine
Classic Wolverine Vs. Sabretooth!
Wolverine And The X-Men!
Charles Xavier (Professor X)
“Any dream worth having, is a dream worth fighting for” —Charles Xavier
Professor X from X-Men First Class
Nightcrawler
When Asked How He Feels By Cyclops “black and blue all over. but i’m that, anyway.” —Nightcrawler
Magneto
“Are these the people whose laws you trust? They don’t seem to share your sense of brotherhood. Our mutant powers make us superior to them, and that is why they fear us. The humans must be crushed, and I have the power to do it!” —Magneto (from a conversation with Beast)
LOVE THIS
“Welcome to die!” —Magneto (X-Men Arcade Game)
Cyclops
“You wouldn’t hit a man with glasses would you?” —Cyclops
“I’m getting tired of burying my wife.” —Cyclops
Rogue
“You gonna shut up or am I gonna have to help you?” —Rogue
“You know, I remember when I was 13. Had me a boyfriend, so I kissed him. Poor boy was in a coma for three days. That was when I first realized that if I touched anybody, I’d absorb their strength right into me. Some “power,” huh? That’s when the boys stopped calling.” —Rogue
“Don’t flatter yourself swamp boy.” —Rogue
Gambit
“I wish I was da snake everyone says I am then I leave my past sins and past lives behind me.” —Gambit
“You wanna play with Gambit? Here, pick a card!” —Gambit
The Sentinel
“Stand aside, I must apprehend that mutant.” —Random Sentinel
Storm
“Do you know what happens to a toad when it gets struck by lightning? The same thing that happens to everything else” —Storm
Apocalypse
“I am as far beyond mutants as they are beyond you…I am eternal!” —Apocalypse
Apocalypse easily has some of the most epic lines in the entire series, if you didn’t read all of his quotes on this page – its a must! lol
“I am the rocks of the eternal shore…crash against me AND BE BROKEN!!” —Apocalypse
Jean Grey
“For this new sensation, the rapture of destruction. For the pleasure of the Phoenix, the unbound joy of evil.” —Jean Grey
“Just you and me, Emma. You, Me, and the Phoenix.” —Jean Grey
“My eyes are up here, pig.” lol
Awesome Jean Grey Cosplay!!!
Beast
“Politics exist to squabble any bit of organization the public can usually muster.” —Beast
“Security? Are we ever truely secure?” —Beast
Mystique
“My family tried to kill me you pathetic meat sack.” —Mystique
Ah Mystique. The object of many boys strange fantasies… lol.
Amazing Mystique Sculpture! Awesome to see the progression!
“How could you do this to me? I raised you as if you were my own!” —Mystique
O_O Wow.
Had Enough? Whats that? You want Moar epic X-men Inspiration? Here are a few resources that will help feed your creative geek hunger!
The Top 10 X-Men Artists
A Guide to X-Men Comics
What was your favorite X-Men character? Found any awesome superhero art that we have missed? What is your favorite Superhero of all time (past or present)? Share with the class in the comments below! Thanks for Reading!
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