10 Best X-Men Stories of the ‘10s

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The X-Men experienced a rollercoaster ride in the 2010s decade. The 2000s were particularly unpredictable for them, with standout titles like New X-Men, but also less favorable ones such as Chuck Austen’s work on Uncanny X-Men and X-Men. Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday was a hit among new fans, although it drew criticism for being too similar to Chris Claremont’s style and falling short in storytelling, particularly after the first arc due to both the stories and delays. Grant Morrison’s run on X-Men lived up to expectations but didn’t quite deliver. Claremont’s third Uncanny run was occasionally engaging, as was Brubaker’s. Carey’s X-Men was well-received. Of course, the game-changer was House of M, which drastically altered the mutant side of Marvel Universe to elevate traditional heroes. The 2010s began on a high note, but things took a turn for the worse when Bendis shifted from the Avengers to the X-Men in 2013, followed by the Infinity event and the rise of the Inhumans, which cast a shadow over the X-Men until 2019.

In the 2010s, it was a challenge to be a fan of the X-Men as it was difficult to find genuinely exceptional X-Men tales, especially when compared to the previous decade. However, if you search diligently, there are some outstanding X-Men stories from this era. Among the X-Men stories from the 2010s, these ten stand out as the cream of an average crop, with many being found at the start and end of the decade.

10) “Second Coming”

The narrative arc titled “Second Coming” serves as the climax of events initiated in the 2000s. Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the event known as House of M, becomes a central figure. Her background was established and the menace of the resurrected Bastion and his anti-mutant council, introduced during the Yost/Kyle run of X-Force, was amplified. The stories involving Hope and Bastion culminate in “Second Coming,” where Bastion launches a devastating attack against the mutant sanctuary, Utopia. This storyline unfolded across all X-Men titles in 2010 – Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, New Mutants, X-Men: Legacy. Hope and Cable travel back to the present, leading to Bastion’s final onslaught against mutantkind. This is a grim storyline with a significant character death, yet it offers an exhilarating experience for X-Men enthusiasts, resolving numerous plotlines over several years.

9) X-Men (Vol. 5) #3

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement about the news that Jonathan Hickman was taking charge of the X-Men comics. After enduring years of what felt like Marvel’s attempts to cancel the beloved mutant franchise (the less said about X-Men: Gold, Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 4), and “X-Men Disassembled,” the better), this announcement was a breath of fresh air. However, his tenure began in the latter half of 2019, which means we won’t get as much Hickman as I’d hoped, given his reputation as one of the X-Men’s top writers.

His X-Men (Vol. 5) series, stemming from House of X/Powers of X, might not be the greatest X-Men saga ever (I have my reservations about “X of Swords”), but it does offer some intriguing tales. Among the best stories from 2019 is X-Men (Vol. 5) #3, a collaboration between Hickman and Leinil Yu. In this issue, Cyclops, Emma Frost, and Sebastian Shaw journey to the Savage Land, where Krakoans are cultivating flowers for their pharmaceutical market. However, things go awry, leading them to encounter Hordeculture – a band of villains who could be likened to The Golden Girls on steroids, thanks to their mix of humor and comic book science. It’s one of the most enjoyable moments in the Krakoa Era and is definitely worth a read.

8) Avengers Vs. X-Men

The comic book series titled “Avengers vs. X-Men” by Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel, and Adam Kubert has earned a somewhat controversial reputation. The narrative involves the Avengers clashing with the X-Men over the Phoenix Force, but things take an unexpected turn midway through. Essentially, it’s a high-octane, brainless adventure featuring some of Marvel’s top creators from the early 2010s playing with action figures. Despite its flaws and questionable portrayal of Cyclops’ X-Men, the series has aged well due to its thrilling action sequences, iconic Spider-Man moments, and a final issue that ranks among the best big fights of the 2010s. In a decade lacking in quality X-Men stories, “Avengers vs. X-Men” stands out as one of the best.

7) “Everything Is Sinister”

After the events of “X-Men: Schism,” Utopia became noticeably less bustling, with Wolverine taking the majority of the young mutants and many seasoned X-Men under his wing. This left Cyclops with a smaller force, but an impressive roster of powerful mutants remained in his charge, leading up to “Uncanny X-Men” (Vol. 2) #1-4, penned by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by the talented Carlos Pacheco. Titled “Everything is Sinister,” this four-issue arc finds Cyclops assembling an extraordinary team he dubs the Extinction Team: Cyclops, Emma Frost, Hope Summers, Magneto, Magik, Colossus (now wielding the Juggernaut’s power), Storm, Namor, and Danger. This formidable group has their hands full as Mister Sinister resurfaces with a sinister plot to acquire Celestial technology hidden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. If you’re a fan of the more nuanced portrayal of Sinister, this story is right up your alley, as Gillen breathes new life into the character, giving him depth beyond just being a mysterious manipulator. The artwork by the late masterful Carlos Pacheco is nothing short of stunning, elevating the narrative to cinematic heights.

6) Wolverine and the X-Men #1-3

Following the events of “X-Men: Schism“, Wolverine returned to Westchester and renovated the X-Mansion, giving it a new name – the Jean Grey Institute for Advanced Learning. This was a clear jab at Cyclops. The comic series “Wolverine and the X-Men” by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo, issues #1-3, chronicles the initial days of this school, where an unexpected visit from the New York state Board of Education creates a challenging start. With construction barely completed, Wolverine is weary and enraged, while a significant danger looms on the horizon. “Wolverine and the X-Men” offers an entertaining take on a school setting, and this three-issue story effectively establishes its current situation, introducing characters like Kitty Pryde, Iceman, Beast, Rachel Summers, Toad, Husk, Doop, Warbird, Quentin Quire, Oya, Broo, Kid Gladiator, and others. It blends elements from Morrison’s “New X-Men” with classic X-Men drama and exciting action sequences by Aaron and Bachalo.

5) “The Apocalypse Solution”

Essentially, while Uncanny X-Force isn’t officially classified as an X-Men title, it stands out as one of the best X-series from the 2010s. Its inaugural storyline is nothing short of spectacular. After Cyclops instructed Wolverine to disband X-Force following “Second Coming”, Cyclops and Archangel chose to continue the team covertly, adding Psylocke, Fantomex, and Deadpool to the roster. Their initial mission: tracking down the latest version of Apocalypse, which thrust them into a conflict against the Final Horsemen. Given their perilous situation, survival may not be an option for this team. This initial story arc showcases what made this group so extraordinary. Writer Rick Remender skillfully developed each character, even featuring significant roles for Wolverine alongside other members. The artwork by Jerome Opena is exceptional, with Dean White’s vibrant colors enhancing the book immensely. The plot twist at the end of the series is as surprising as its conclusion and paved the way for a Marvel series that remains one of its greatest achievements overall.

4) “Exogenetic”

Remarkable Journey Through Volume 3 of Astonishing X-Men

Description: This intriguing comic book series offers captivating tales in its initial six years, despite the fact that its first two authors were terminated due to allegations of sexual misconduct. The tenure of writer Ellis was brief, yet both story arcs are noteworthy (currently out of print, making it a purchase without indirectly supporting Ellis through the secondary market). The narrative arc “Exogenetic” began towards the end of 2009, but the majority of events unfolded in 2010. In collaboration with artist Phil Jimenez, Ellis crafted a storyline that placed the X-Men at odds with bio-Sentinels, advanced anti-mutant technology created from deceased mutants. At the heart of the conflict is an exceptionally unique mutant who harbors intense animosity towards the X-Men for valid reasons. “Exogenetic” is a thrilling ride, embodying the quintessential X-Men experience by merging compelling character development with exhilarating action. Jimenez’s artwork is visually stunning, elevating this story to one of the most beautifully illustrated X-Men comics from the 2010s.

3) X-Men: Schism

X-Men: Split Loyalties”, by Jason Aaron, Carlos Pacheco, Frank Cho, Daniel Acuna, Alan Davis, and Adam Kubert, dissects the longstanding bond between Cyclops and Wolverine. A fresh faction of the Hellfire Club, a clique of exceptionally intelligent pre-adolescent humans, plots to annihilate the mutant species. An assault on the X-Men during the opening of a museum causes a rift when Cyclops commands one of his young trainees to eliminate the Hellfire Club members, while Wolverine attempts to intervene and do the deed himself, resulting in an epic confrontation. This tale is captivating; it demonstrates Jason Aaron’s aptitude for the X-Men, offering fans a thrilling showdown between Wolverine and Cyclops, as a colossal Sentinel threatens Utopia. The artwork is outstanding, featuring some of Marvel’s top artists providing readers with stunning visuals. “X-Men: Split Loyalties” shatters the X-Men, but it does so in the most engaging and entertaining manner possible.

2) “The Dark Angel Saga”

The team known as Uncanny X-Force progressed into “The Dark Angel Saga,” spanning issues #11-18 of the series, penned by Rick Remender, Mark Brooks, and Jerome Opena. As Archangel’s Apocalypse programming intensifies, Dark Beast deceives the team to travel to the Age of Apocalypse universe in search of the Life Seed, while Archangel readies his plan for Earth’s annihilation. This gripping eight-issue tale is not only filled with intense action but also delves deep into the relationships within the team. It stands out as one of Marvel’s finest follow-ups to “The Age of Apocalypse.” Without using the term “X-Men,” this story represents the pinnacle of X-Men adventures, and it is highly recommended that you give it a read.

1) House of X/Powers of X

The “House of X/Powers of X” series by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz, and R.B. Silva marked the start of a groundbreaking era for the X-Men, popularly known as the Krakoa Era. For avid X-Men enthusiasts, the narrative’s content is familiar, but for others, this represents the most significant transformation in the X-Men’s status quo to date. The X-Men establish a mutant nation on the island of Krakoa, confront adversaries like the Orchis Initiative who are hostile towards mutants, and leave readers stunned with numerous surprising revelations. “House of X” encompasses all the thrilling events in the book, while “Powers of X” illustrates the repercussions of the X-Men’s actions on time and space throughout history, the present, and the future. It’s an exceptional read that, despite some alterations to the Krakoa Era over time, remains captivating.

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2025-08-05 20:15