5 Best Things 2000s X-Men Comics Brought To Marvel’s Mutants

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The X-Men dominated the comic book world throughout the 1980s and 1990s, consistently topping sales charts and delivering some truly iconic stories. Though their popularity dipped slightly towards the end of the ’90s, they remained a major force. Entering the 2000s on solid ground, the X-Men experienced a decade of interesting developments. While not without its flaws – and some storylines were better than others – the 2000s laid the groundwork for future narratives and were, overall, a compelling time to follow the team.

As a huge X-Men fan, I have to say the stories they told in the 2000s were completely unexpected! While some choices didn’t quite land – I’m looking at you, House of M – overall, that decade gave us some of the most brilliant ideas in X-Men history. Here are what I think were the five best moments from that era, each one building towards what came next for the team.

5) The Relationship Between Cyclops and Emma Frost

For years, Cyclops and Jean Grey were the central couple in the X-Men stories. However, things changed dramatically in the 2000s with the introduction of Emma Frost. Following Jean Grey’s death in New X-Men #150, Cyclops and Emma became a couple, and their connection proved surprisingly strong. Unlike previous relationships, they focused on working together to build a future for mutants, and Emma played a key role in helping Cyclops reach his full potential as a leader. Their partnership ultimately reshaped the X-Men and became a defining aspect of the decade.

4) The Return of Peter David’s X-Factor

The comic book X-Factor was popular in the 80s and 90s, but most fans consider writer Peter David’s run the highlight. He began with issue #71 and delivered memorable stories featuring characters like Havok, Polaris, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane, Multiple Man, and Quicksilver. Although the original series ended in 1997 after David moved on, things improved for fans in the 2000s when he returned with a Multiple Man miniseries. This led to a new X-Factor series (Vol. 3) where David reimagined the team as a detective agency specializing in mutant-related cases. This version is considered one of the best X-Men comics ever, and David crafted fantastic stories for the team, which included Multiple Man, Siryn, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane, Monet, Layla Miller, and Rictor. Many consider this to be the absolute best of the X-Men franchise.

3) The Move Away from the X-Mansion

The X-Mansion was central to the X-Men’s story, acting as their home and a place of safety where many important events unfolded. A significant shift occurred in the mid-2000s, culminating in the destruction of the X-Mansion in a battle against Mister Sinister and the Marauders with X-Men (Vol. 2) #200. This event marked a turning point for the team, especially as the mutant population, already weakened by House of M, lost their sanctuary and had to navigate a more dangerous world. This period ultimately led to some of the most memorable stories in X-Men history.

2) Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3)

After Grant Morrison finished his run on the X-Men, Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3) launched as a new leading title. The first 25 issues, created by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, were a huge success and became one of the best-selling comics of the decade. While the Whedon/Cassaday run was popular, the series continued beyond that, allowing Marvel to showcase top writers and artists on memorable X-Men stories. It played a significant role in the X-Men universe after the year 2000, delivering stories fans might not have seen otherwise.

1) Morrison’s New X-Men

Grant Morrison’s New X-Men is widely considered the most impactful X-Men series of the 21st century, significantly shaping the team’s direction. Working with a talented team of artists including Frank Quitely and Ethan Van Sciver, Morrison revitalized classic X-Men themes with fresh and innovative approaches. The 40-issue run proved how much potential remained in these established ideas and paved the way for many future storylines, including the Krakoa, Utopia, and current “From the Ashes” eras. It fundamentally changed the X-Men, solidifying its place as a defining chapter in their history.

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2025-12-30 22:10