5 Things Marvel Fans Don’t Want to Admit About X-Men Comics

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As a lifelong cinema and comics fan, I’ve always thought the X-Men were something special. Everyone talks about the Avengers now with the MCU, but honestly, in the ’90s, the X-Men were on another level! That animated series brought them to a whole new audience, and they sold so many comics – way more than the Avengers ever have. They’ve definitely had their peaks and valleys over the years, but that just created this incredibly dedicated fanbase. I think part of it is the team’s history itself; with all the complicated storylines and amazing character connections, it really rewards fans who really dive deep and get obsessed – and I totally get why people do!

The X-Men fandom is incredibly passionate, and often divided. A strong set of commonly held beliefs has emerged within the community, and anyone who disagrees often faces intense online backlash – I could share countless examples from the X-Men subreddit. But these widely accepted ideas aren’t always accurate, and here are five times fans got things wrong about the team.

5) The X-Mansion Is Bad

As a longtime X-Men fan, the Xavier Institute – that iconic mansion – is where I first really connected with the team. It felt like home, a safe haven for those mutants, and it quickly became synonymous with the X-Men themselves. But honestly, looking back, I think that’s become a real problem. The mansion feels…comfortable. Too comfortable. It inadvertently creates this disconnect – here are these mutants living in luxury while the vast majority of their kind are struggling just to survive. It makes the X-Men feel a bit out of touch, even hypocritical. And it’s frustrating because it feels like, in almost every iteration, the mansion just gets destroyed and rebuilt. It’s become a symbol of a time when the X-Men were hiding, and that’s not what they should be doing. They need to be out there, actively fighting for mutant rights, not sheltering inside a gilded cage.

4) Fan Reaction Ruined the Krakoa Era

As a huge X-Men fan, I have to say the Krakoa Era was amazing – truly inventive and it brought so much joy to see the team doing well again after years of being sidelined. Building a mutant nation was a brilliant idea, and people really connected with it. But honestly, it felt like the writers glossed over the potentially unsettling aspects of a nation only for mutants. It was supposed to feel a little…off, like something wasn’t quite right. Still, we fans were so thrilled to have the X-Men back and thriving that Marvel and the creative team kept extending the story. That’s where things started to feel a bit diluted, though. They seemed to avoid exploring those darker themes, and it led to some storylines that just didn’t have the same impact. Our positive reaction kept them in that sandbox for longer, and unfortunately, it meant the really interesting, complex ideas got watered down over time.

3) Wolverine Is Better than Cyclops

Wolverine and Cyclops have a long-standing, complicated relationship. Their conflict stemmed from Wolverine’s interest in Jean Grey and his tendency to challenge authority, but over time, they developed a strong, if often tense, friendship. This rivalry has divided X-Men fans, with many favoring Cyclops, though Wolverine is actually the more compelling character. While Cyclops excels as a team leader, he struggles to stand out as a solo hero. Marvel has repeatedly tried to make him a solo star, but he hasn’t sustained success on his own. Both characters are effective in team settings, but Wolverine uniquely shines both with others and independently – something Cyclops can’t replicate.

2) Magneto is Better as a Villain

Magneto has evolved from a villain to a hero, though he didn’t start that way. He was originally the X-Men’s primary antagonist, providing a strong challenge to the team. He was proven right about the dangers of human prejudice – that some people will always target those who are different and incite fear. However, his methods were extreme, and he believed mutants were superior. Now, he fights alongside the X-Men, often taking justice into his own hands against bigots, which has been entertaining for fans. But the X-Men ultimately need compelling villains to test themselves against. A villain who is fundamentally correct in their views, but chooses to act on them in destructive ways, is valuable. The team already has several characters who fill a similar role, so Magneto’s shift in alignment isn’t as crucial as it might seem.

1) The Early ’90s Weren’t Great

The 1990s were a defining decade for the X-Men, attracting a huge fanbase and creating some memorable storylines. The early years of the decade are particularly cherished by many fans who discovered the series during the time of artists Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, and Rob Liefeld. While Chris Claremont, the long-time writer, contributed through 1991, his departure led to a shift in creative control towards the artists, who eventually left to found Image Comics in 1992. Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza then took over as writers, maintaining the series’ popularity, but many fans feel that even the best stories from 1990-1994 didn’t quite live up to the earlier work. The increased influence of the artists led to a focus on visually striking imagery designed for merchandise, sometimes at the expense of strong storytelling. While the early issues by Lobdell and Nicieza were enjoyable, they didn’t reach the same heights as before. Though many fans have a fondness for this era, it’s generally considered a dip in quality, with the art being the standout exception – as long as it wasn’t by Rob Liefeld.

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2025-12-11 17:14