The 7 Most Underappreciated X-Men Characters

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Over the past six decades, the roster of the X-Men has grown significantly, leading to some members slipping into obscurity or being underestimated. It’s surprising how these overlooked X-Men aren’t more widely recognized given their potential. Fortunately, with three primary X-Men titles in circulation, there’s a chance we might see these characters stepping into the spotlight.

As a devoted fan of the X-Men franchise, I can’t help but feel that certain members of this extraordinary team often fly under the radar. In this review, I’d like to shine a spotlight on seven X-Men who truly deserve more appreciation and accolades:

1. Rogue – With her unique powers of absorption and a backstory as compelling as they come, Rogue is a character that truly deserves center stage.
2. Colossus – The gentle giant with an indestructible metal skin, Colossus’s loyalty and unwavering bravery make him a true standout among the X-Men.
3. Storm – As the leader of the X-Men, Storm’s commanding presence, powerful weather manipulation abilities, and rich history as a mutant royalty make her a force to be reckoned with.
4. Nightcrawler – With his teleportation powers and distinctive appearance, Nightcrawler brings an element of mystery and intrigue that keeps audiences captivated.
5. Beast – As both a brilliant scientist and a powerful mutant, Beast’s intellect and physical prowess make him a valuable asset to the X-Men and a fan favorite.
6. Wolverine – While he may be a well-known member of the team, I believe it’s important to acknowledge that Wolverine’s ferocity, unbreakable will, and complex backstory continue to make him one of the most compelling characters in the X-Men universe.
7. Cyclops – As the original leader of the X-Men, Cyclops’s leadership skills, tactical genius, and powerful optic blasts make him a formidable force on the battlefield and a crucial member of the team.

These seven X-Men may not always receive the recognition they deserve, but their contributions to the team and the world of mutants are undeniable. Let’s give them their flowers while we can!

1) Forge

Among the intellectually brilliant characters in Marvel comics, there’s Forge. With the ability to craft anything that appears in his thoughts, Forge functions like a solo armory. He has constructed weapons not only against the X-Men but also aided them previously. Originally portrayed as somewhat of an adversary, he has undergone a remarkable transformation in character development. Now, he is an indispensable member of the team, having proven his worth time and again.

Beyond merely being a faithful friend, Forge has also found himself romantically involved with Storm on several instances. Their love story, much like that of star-crossed lovers, makes them one of the most endearing couples in the X-Men universe. It would be wonderful to see Forge receive more recognition — and more attention in future stories.

2) Rachel Summers

Descendant from the future, Rachel Summers is a psychically strong individual who once assumed the role of the Phoenix. She has faced off against powerful beings like The Beyonder and held her ground. Co-founding Excalibur, a British mutant team, she’s made significant contributions to the world of mutants. However, despite her impressive feats and notable status within the X-Men, Rachel often seems overlooked when it comes to recognition as one of the coolest members of the Summers family lineage or the X-Men roster.

Displaying an incredible capacity to vanquish formidable adversaries effortlessly, Rachel stands as an unstoppable force. It’s truly puzzling why she isn’t a recurring member among the X-Men roster. Her exceptional skills more than warrant her recognition and acclaim.

3) Longshot

Frequently seen as a forerunner to Gambit, there’s Longshot – an extraterrestrial hailing from Mojoworld who possesses the unique talent of good fortune. Unyielding in his resolve, he never shies away from a challenge. During the Claremont era, Longshot was particularly enjoyable among team members, but since then, he’s kept a relatively quiet profile. His luck-based abilities tend to add an exciting element to any group he joins, albeit not as frequently as we might like.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, Cyclops has been noticeably absent when it comes to Mojo-related plots. It’s high time he returned to the team on a permanent basis. The X-Men could certainly benefit from a dose of humor, or at least some light-hearted moments, especially after the intense storylines we’ve seen so far.

4) Cypher

Emerging as a formidable figure, successor to Apocalypse, we encounter Cypher. Initially regarded as possessing the least effective powers among the New Mutants, Doug was often seen as a human enigma. His unique skill lay in translating any language, although his abilities seemed limited at first. As time passed, he developed the ability to decode computer languages and later, understand body language. Over time, he transformed into an incredibly powerful character, a transformation that was well-deserved.

It’s fortunate that he appears to be gaining respect now. With the “Age of Revelation” event approaching, it seems he might disappear for a while, but I’m glad he has a significant role this time around – it feels like his moment to truly shine is at hand.

5) Madelyne Pryor

Despite the widespread admiration for her evolution into the Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor was an exceptional X-Men team member. During the Outback period, she distinguished herself as a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Jean Grey but wasn’t the same person. Prior to “Inferno,” she was a captivating character yearning for her husband’s return, and now she rules over Limbo. Her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. The mere presence of her character in more stories would be intriguing due to the labyrinthine complexity of her narrative — a tale that seems to have endless possibilities yet to unfold.

6) Juggernaut

Although it may appear unusual to find Juggernaut on this list given his status as one of the X-Men’s most powerful strikers, there’s still a sense that he hasn’t received the recognition he truly deserves. Many fans remember him as one of the X-Men’s most formidable adversaries. Despite spending nearly 20 years as an X-Man, his original image lingers for many.

Reading about his part in Jed McKay’s X-Men comic series has been a joy. It’s refreshing to witness a character who usually plays the hero, transitioning into a villain, which I hope becomes a recurring theme.

7) Xorn

In Grant Morrison’s “New X-Men,” Xorn is an intriguing character who was initially fragmented due to a questionable past. However, he has evolved into one of the most empathetic X-Men. With a star on his head and healing abilities, Xorn has won over many fans. This popularity ensures that he remains a hero and rewrites the Magneto controversy.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by Xorn from the New X-Men series. Even though he’s made only a few appearances during the McKay run, I firmly believe he deserves more character development. In my opinion, Xorn is one of the most compelling characters to emerge post-2000, and I eagerly await more stories about him.

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2025-07-29 15:10