Marvel’s X-Men Universe Has Two Major Problems Right Now (And They’re Ruining The Comics)

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As a huge fan of the X-Men, I’ve always loved how they’ve given us incredible storylines like “The Dark Phoenix Saga” and “Age of Apocalypse.” So, when I heard Marvel was revisiting “Age of Apocalypse” for its 30th anniversary with “Age of Revelation” – focusing on the first mutant’s heir and showing another potential future where mutants are under a harsh rule – I was excited! It’s a great way to honor one of their best stories. But, honestly, it also highlights what I think are the two biggest issues with the X-Men. It feels like they keep repeating the same kinds of stories – they’re stuck in narrative loops – and the sheer size of the cast is just becoming a problem. There are so many mutants now that it’s hard to keep track of everyone and give them meaningful arcs. It’s a shame, because the potential is still there, but these two things are really holding the franchise back. Hopefully they can find a way to break free from these patterns.

Celebrating the anniversary of “Age of Apocalypse” with a new take is fantastic, but Marvel revisiting this alternate future isn’t new. The X-Men, in particular, frequently find themselves retreading familiar ground with repeated storylines. And with each revisit, the team’s roster expands, bringing in new and exciting characters. While adding more heroes seems positive, it ultimately makes the X-Men universe so large that individual characters don’t get the focus they deserve. I’m a big fan of the X-Men, but these issues are becoming increasingly problematic.

The Same Stories for Sixty Years

It’s common for comic books to revisit similar storylines. In fact, it’s a defining characteristic of the genre, and there’s a good reason for it. When you have ongoing stories with the same characters, having reliable structures to build upon is practical, and often leads to compelling narratives. However, issues arise when these storylines become overly repetitive with minimal changes – and this frequently happens with the X-Men. How many times has the mutant population faced near-extinction through attempted genocide, only to recover and then face the threat of annihilation again? Just considering the last twenty years, we have events like Genosha’s destruction, the fall of Krakoa, M-Day, and the Terrigen Mist crisis. It’s a pattern that’s become all too familiar, and it’s starting to feel stale.

Even the current Krakoan Era, often praised for revitalizing the X-Men, isn’t the first instance of a mutant nation being built up only to be destroyed by humans. The X-Men stories often fall into one of two patterns: bleak futures they must prevent, or humanity attempting to eliminate them entirely. At this point, both of these storylines have become repetitive and lost their emotional weight. While one instance of mutant genocide is horrific, repeating it four times feels unnecessary. We’re simply revisiting the same plots, making them predictable and dull. The X-Men have lost their drive to be leaders of progress, and as a result, they’ve lost the impact and energy they once possessed.

A Cast of One Hundred Thousand Isn’t a Cast

Although the recurring storylines are a problem, another significant issue is the lack of a central group of characters for the X-Men. The series was most popular when it felt like a drama, similar to a soap opera, alongside being a superhero comic, focusing on a close-knit group of characters experiencing life and developing together. Since then, hundreds of new mutants have been added, and they’ve all become X-Men. While it’s great to see the roster expand with characters worthy of the same affection as the originals, it’s reached a point where the focus is lost. Teams can only realistically include a certain number of members, meaning many beloved characters are often sidelined and underused. This lack of focus impacts the overall narrative.

The X-Men have seen a huge number of characters join their ranks, but the team is usually limited to just ten members at a time. This causes issues, like sidelining popular characters who don’t fit the current storyline, and leaving fans questioning why other capable heroes aren’t assisting. It’s understandable that not every character needs to be featured constantly, but the X-Men consistently have a larger roster of heroes available than any other team, and when those heroes aren’t on the active roster, they often feel forgotten. While a few key main characters are always in the spotlight, the rest are frequently ignored.

The sheer number of characters is a problem for both Marvel and DC, considering how many heroes are created compared to those who get consistent storylines. However, this feels particularly acute with the X-Men, because the core of the team is built on ideas of community and family. If you look at the number of X-Men character titles and the many different X-teams that exist, it often feels like the X-Men function as their own universe, separate from the broader Marvel world. The X-Men have simply grown too large, struggling to give attention to all of their characters. While having more comics isn’t inherently negative, it becomes repetitive and exhausting when the same plots are recycled throughout every X-Men title. It’s overwhelming.

The X-Men are consistently ranked among Marvel’s strongest and most popular teams. While they were once considered the most beloved superhero team globally, they’ve since lost some of that prominence. The main problems holding them back from a clear direction are an over-reliance on past stories and an excessively large roster of characters. To regain their top position, they need to move forward and change with the times. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and join the discussion now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-09-30 22:13