10 Essential X-Men Time Travel Stories, Ranked From Worst to Best

The X-Men comics are known for having a complicated history, and time travel is a major reason why. While many superhero comics use time travel, the X-Men’s stories are some of the most elaborate and mind-bending. They pioneered the idea of a dark future and characters traveling back in time to prevent it – a concept that’s now common in fiction, even appearing in movies like The Terminator years later. The X-Men explored this trope early on, and while not every time travel story has been a success, they’ve consistently pushed the boundaries of the idea.

The X-Men are famous for their time travel adventures, and those stories range from brilliant to truly terrible. Some are considered all-time classics, while others are infamous for being poorly executed. Here’s a ranking of ten of the most memorable X-Men time travel tales, from the worst to the best – stories that often spark strong opinions among fans.

10) “Age of Revelation”

The Krakoa Era concluded in 2024, with new editors stepping in. In 2025, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of “Age of Apocalypse,” Marvel released “Age of Revelation.” This storyline sent Cyclops and Beast to a bleak future controlled by Revelation, Apocalypse’s successor, but it didn’t resonate with readers. While “Age of Revelation” didn’t succeed as hoped, there’s potential for positive developments in its wake.

9) “Battle of the Atom”

Following the often-criticized Avengers vs. X-Men event, the original five X-Men members were transported to the present day, kicking off the Battle of the Atom storyline. This story unfolded across several X-Men titles – Wolverine and the X-Men, All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and X-Men – with additional issues framing the beginning and end. The plot involved future X-Men traveling to the present to persuade the team to return the original five to their own time, but quickly became overly complex. While the story’s basic structure wasn’t confusing, it ultimately felt disjointed. This happened because four different creative teams were involved in telling it. It wasn’t a bad story, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential.

8) “Days of Future Present”

“Days of Future Past” is considered the most influential time travel story in X-Men history, significantly impacting the comic book world. Its future timeline has become almost official canon, with characters like Rachel Summers expanding upon the original events. A follow-up, “Days of Future Present” (1990), featured Franklin Richards and saw the villain Ahab travel to the present day to battle the X-Men, New Mutants, and Fantastic Four. However, this story was created during a period of change for the writing team, with Chris Claremont and Louise Simonson departing, and is often criticized for prioritizing visuals over a strong plot.

7) X-Factor (Vol. 1) #65-68

Apocalypse first appeared as the main villain in the original X-Factor comic series, and the team fought him repeatedly. Their final showdown, illustrated by Chris Claremont, Jim Lee, and Whilce Potracio in issues #65-68, involved a time-traveling mystery and ultimately led to Apocalypse’s first (and arguably most memorable) defeat. During this battle, Apocalypse kidnapped Nathan Summers and infected him with a techno-organic virus, sending him to the future in an attempt to save his life. While the story is very much a product of its time – a bit cheesy by today’s standards – it features strong artwork and some exciting scenes. Though it doesn’t entirely hold up in modern comics, it remains a reasonably enjoyable read.

6) The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix

Okay, so The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix by Lobdell and Ha… it’s kind of a follow-up to an old X-Factor storyline. It came out right after Cyclops and Jean Grey’s wedding in X-Men, and it throws them into the future. Basically, their future daughter, Rachel (who later becomes Phoenix II), pulls them forward in time to help raise and protect Nathan Summers – you know, the future Cable – from Apocalypse. Honestly, it’s a pretty middle-of-the-road story. Lobdell is a bit hit or miss as a writer, and this one doesn’t really stand out. Ha’s art is decent, but he definitely leveled up later in his career. It’s an enjoyable read if you’re an X-Men fan, but it’s not one I’d say is truly unforgettable.

5) “Age of Apocalypse”

“Age of Apocalypse” is a fan-favorite story known for its unique blend of alternate reality and time travel elements. The story begins when Xavier is killed, creating a new timeline where Apocalypse conquers North America and wages war on humanity. Only Bishop remembers the original timeline and eventually teams up with the X-Men, led by Magneto, to devise a plan to travel back in time and prevent Xavier’s death. While widely enjoyed, the story isn’t perfect. Though time travel is central to the plot, the actual instances of time travel are limited, but still significant.

4) “Past Lives”

Despite a generally challenging period for X-Men comics, Old Man Logan (Vol. 2) stood out thanks to writer Jeff Lemire’s compelling story of Logan adjusting to modern life. The final arc, “Past Lives,” involved Logan traveling through time—fueled by the magic of the villain Asmodeus—in an attempt to prevent a tragic event where he accidentally killed the X-Men. However, Asmodeus had other plans, trapping Logan in the past and attempting to exploit his body. This storyline is a powerful and emotional exploration of Logan’s history, beautifully told by Lemire and artist Eric Nguyen, and ultimately transforms the character.

3) “Here Comes Tomorrow”

Grant Morrison’s run on New X-Men is considered a classic, and it truly lived up to its title by reinventing familiar X-Men themes. This innovative approach culminated in the final story arc, “Here Comes Tomorrow,” illustrated by Marc Silvestri. Set a century after issue #150, the story depicts a devastated Earth ravaged by the Beast of the Apocalypse. A small group of X-Men seeks to use the Phoenix Egg and Jean Grey to restore the world, but the Beast intercepts them, leading to a last-ditch battle. Morrison’s creativity shines, crafting one of the most compelling alternate futures in comics. Silvestri’s artwork complements the story beautifully, laying the groundwork for a significant and beloved X-Men romance.

2) “Legion Quest”

“Legion Quest” was a fantastic, sprawling story about time travel in the X-Men universe. Written by Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza, with art by Andy Kubert, Roger Cruz, and Ron Garney, the four-part arc centers on Legion’s attempt to improve his life. He decides to travel back in time to kill Magneto, believing Magneto is responsible for the rift between Xavier and himself. Storm, Bishop, Jean Grey, Psylocke, and Iceman are unexpectedly brought along and struggle to prevent him. The story is incredibly engaging, delivering the drama and action fans love. It’s a significant moment in X-Men lore, known for its strong writing and for paving the way for one of the franchise’s most beloved storylines.

1) “Days of Future Past”

“Days of Future Past” is a groundbreaking comic book story that revolutionized the genre. Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, it presents a grim future where Sentinels rule the world after a devastating war between mutants and humans. To prevent this future, the X-Men send Kate Pryde back in time while their future selves make a last stand against the Sentinels. This story is widely considered a classic, with compelling writing and stunning artwork, and it helped popularize the dystopian future superhero theme. It remains a highlight of Claremont and Byrne’s collaboration.

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2026-01-27 03:41