X-Men fans are awaiting the release of Chris Claremont's newest limited series, Gambit and the return of the beloved X-Men creator and one of his most memorable characters will hit comic book shelves on July 27, 2022. Thanks to Ranker, fans can see the X-Men storylines that have been voted the best, and most were by Claremont.
It is widely agreed that what made Claremont's time with the X-Men so special is that he created fully fleshed-out characters that made readers come back to visit their favorite mutant, issue after issue. But which storylines ranked the highest?
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Days Of Future Past
Hugh Jackman helped bring this classic X-Men story back to the spotlight in the 2014 film. Maybe that's why fans choose this as their favorite storyline. The original story was set in both 1980 and 2013. Kitty Pryde sends her mind back to her younger body to warn the X-Men of a political plot that will ruin the world as they know it.
"Days of Future Past" is a story about the cold calculating dangers of technology and the stubborn refusal to co-exist with one another. This storyline is considered one of the first major Marvel events that opened the door for more serious stories. It was an alternate timeline that showed that X-Men was more than just a bright, cartoony escape franchise, it had some things to say, and fans sat up and listened.
Dark Phoenix Saga
Jean Grey is the heart of her team, and her telepathic gifts allow her to be empathic and defensive against possible threats. After bonding with Jean, the Phoenix Force uses her as a host. This event resulted in "The Dark Phoenix Saga," one of the most tragic stories in comic history. The story's heart is the X-Men team coming to grips with Jean going to the dark side and not coming back. The sad realization that she will never be able to co-exist with the Phoenix Force drives Jean to make the ultimate sacrifice for the universe's good.
Claremont's writing makes sure that Jean is more than just a wrestler making a heel turn. She is a treasured team member that has hopes and dreams and is not just that week's punching bag. The loss of Jean is a heavy blow to the team, some fans may argue that the X-Men were never the same afterward. She had so much likability among X-Men fans, that her storyline is one of the most commonly adapted X-Men plots for other mediums.
The Phoenix Saga
"The Phoenix Saga" is the beginning of Jean's sad story. When a radiation storm bombards the X-Men's spaceship, Jean insists on saving the team. With the help of the Phoenix Force, she gets the ship to safety. The heroic act came at a heavy price though, she could not contain the Phoenix Force. The slow descent to madness is an X-Men milestone that shows Jean at her most heroic.
Perhaps the biggest contribution "The Phoenix Saga" made to comics is the idea that a female character could overpower a male character. The chauvinism of the 1960s prevented the X-Men creators from making a female protagonist that could go toe-to-toe with their male peers. The story of Jean Grey changed all that.
The All-New All-Different X-Men
After a short hiatus, Marvel launched the X-Men again in 1975. The new roster of mutants included a diverse global team. The team consisted of Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler. The new direction would bring the series into the modern comic age.
The new team caught the fans' imaginations and hearts; "The All-New All-Different X-Men" introduced many of X-Men's flagship characters. Because this issue exists, the world has the MCU and Hugh Jackman's movie role that culminated with Logan. Under Chris Claremont, beginning with this book, the X-Men franchise became a bestseller for Marvel. It was a game-changer that brought comics out of the days of the "monster of the week" premise and made comic book characters friends that readers like to revisit time after time.
Mutant Massacre
The world is a cold place for mutants. "Mutant Massacre," tells the tragic tale of the Morlocks, a group of mutants living in the sewers under New York City. In this storyline, the motivations of the mercenaries who murder the Morlocks are never revealed. The mystery leaves an uneasy dread that proves the team is not indestructible.
"Mutant Massacre" is credited as one of the first books to have an event so big that the creators crossed the story over to all three X-Men titles. Nowadays, that style of storytelling is commonplace. Plus, it was interesting to see a storyline that proved the X-Men could be bested. Mutants were not an unstoppable force, which was a new revelation for the franchise.
Age Of Apocalypse
Marvel creator Scott Lobdell helmed this huge story arc. When Professor X is killed by a time-traveling mutant, the door is left open for Apocalypse to take over the world. "Age of Apocalypse" shows an alternate version of the X-Men that is a fresh reimagining of the team many fans love.
The change in the dynamic between the characters is what draws fans toward the storyline. The hardcore villains become well-intentioned heroes, and the previously heart-of-gold heroes become formidable enemies. It is a fun sandbox where many creators and fans met for creative playdates in every issue.
Wolverine Volume 1
The power team of Chris Claremont and Frank Miller explored Wolverine's past in "Wolverine Volume 1." Readers took a trip to Japan with their favorite anti-hero. Wolverine took on ninja clans and stumbled into family disputes. He is presented through a different lens and the miniseries (volumes 1-4) was Marvel's experiment to see if audiences like solo Wolverine stories. The answer is a resounding YES!
Wolverine's "rough" manner is what made him so popular. At the time Wolverine came on the scene, readers only had moral, clean-cut, superheroes to relate to. Wolverine made it okay to have a bad day. "Wolverine Volume 1" showed the mysterious character as more than just a frustrated adolescent. As the franchise went on, Wolverine became an example of the "wild man" turned trusted mentor trope, thanks in part to this series.
The Four Horsemen
Louise Simonson is credited with presenting Apocalypse to the world. Apocalypse assembles a team of mutants who are at their weakest moment. "The Four Horsemen" drives home the idea that "power corrupts." Some characters never recovered from their time with Apocalypse, cementing him as one of Marvel's most dangerous villains.
Apocalypse has a keen eye for the characteristics that fit his narrative and many of the X-Men have taken their turn as various horsemen. Apocalypse can find a mutant's insecurity and exploit it, which gives him a devilish quality that makes the story relatable. Everyone knows the cautionary tales about selling one's soul, and Apocalypse is Marvel's answer to that.
Rogue s The X-Men
Since her power is she can suck other mutants' powers, it makes sense that Rouge was introduced to the X-Men as a villain. When her good nature wins out, she eventually s the team. Of course, the X-Men have trouble accepting her, but Rogue proves she can be an excellent asset to the team over time.
There is a reason the 2000 movie adaption of X-Men presented Rogue as a teenager. Her powers are the classic allegory for isolation, alienation, and teen angst. Although in the comics Rogue is a grown woman, she still struggles to fit into the X-Men team. She is arguably one of the most dangerous mutants ever created because her mutation can be many mutations. That kind of power is enticing, and for readers, she is a wild card that keeps the battle interesting.
Fatal Attractions
"Fatal Attractions" is the first time Magneto showed just how ruthless he could be. He pulled the adamantium metal from Wolverine's body! The results were shocking and graphic. It is one of the rare times when Professor X shuts down Magneto's mind as punishment for doing something so out of line.
Many readers consider the gruesome images of Wolverine's mangled body an iconic image in the series. The storyline showed Wolverine's vulnerability and caused him to leave the X-Men for a while to recover from the trauma. "Fatal Attractions" is action-packed and it reminds the reader that mutants could be brutal, even the fatherly Professor X.
