For every member of theX-Mensuch as Wolverine and Storm, there are countless mutants with powers just as unique. These underrated mutants often fly under the radar, and do not appear in other X-Men media, such as movies and cartoons. Their unique powersets may not be visually interesting enough to work on film, or be difficult to duplicate.
The exclusion of these mutants from tie-in media is a shame, as many of them have played important roles in some of the X-Men’s biggest adventures. In many cases, their powers played a decisive role in the team’s victory. Here are 10 underrated X-Men who unfortunately fly under the radar.
Scott Lobdell and Joe Madureira
Uncanny X-Men#345
The X-Men franchise is loaded with mutants who have unique and weird abilities, but even then, Maggot stands out from the pack.Maggot’s mutant ability is a gross one: his digestive system consists of two slug-like creatures that he can use for both offensive and defensive purposes. These slugs digest matter, which in turn gives Maggot strength.
Maggot’s body-horror-tinged powers made him one of thestrangest mutants in the X-Men’s history,and that is saying a lot. Yet, despite the unique nature of Maggot’s powers, he did not last long with the X-Men. Maggot was last seen during the X-Men’s Krakoan era, but it is only a matter of time before he and his two slugs return.
Mike Carey, Simon Spurrier and Christos Cage
X-Men: Legacy#300
Imagine fighting in some of the X-Men’s greatest battles, and even saving the day sometimes, only to have no one remember it all later.That is the dilemma of ForgetMeNot, a mutant whose powers make people forget he exists.This ability is so strong, even Omega-level psychics like Professor X are taken in by it.
Although ForgetMeNot was introduced a little over a decade ago, retcons have placed him in some of the X-Men’s biggest stories, includingAge of XandUtopia.
Although ForgetMeNot was introduced a little over a decade ago, retcons have placed him in some of the X-Men’s biggest stories, includingAge of XandUtopia.The extent of how much ForgetMeNot influenced these adventures may never be known. The angst this causes ForgetMeNot could make for compelling stories for this underrated member of the X-Men.
Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly
New X-Men Annual 2001
Xorn debuted in 2001 to fan acclaim, but this enthusiasm was soon doused when it was revealed he was really a drug-addled Magneto in disguise.This outraged fans to the point that Marvel decided to (sort of) retcon Xorn. While Magneto’s time as Xorn is still in continuity, later creators have established Xorn as a character in his own right.
Xorn also has a twin brother, with similar powers.
The real Xorn is one of the X-Men’s biggest powerhouses. In addition to a sun in his head, Xorn possesses an impressive suite of powers, including healing and teleportation abilities. During the X-Men’s Krakoan era, Xorn found a new purpose as a “guardian” of sorts for Legion, helping keep David Haller’s dark side in check.
Ed Brubaker and Pete Woods
X-Men: Deadly Genesis#2
A majority of X-Men fans remember Darwin’s brief stint with the team in the 2011 filmFirst Class,in which he was killed by Sebastian Shaw early on.This move rightfully angered fans for a variety of reasons, including that Darwin should not have been that easy to kill, given his unique powers.
Darwin, who was a member of asecret team of X-Men Professor X brought together, possesses the ability to “adapt” to any life-threatening situation he finds himself in. For example: if Darwin is drowning, he will instantly develop gills, allowing him to breathe. While the films did not take full advantage of this cool character, the comics have done him justice.
Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr.
Uncanny X-Men#184
Forge’s mutant powers have made him the X-Men’s resident inventor and quartermaster.Forge’s powers allow him to manipulate machines and mechanical energy. With this ability, Forge can cobble together any machine he can think of, giving the X-Men a major advantage when it comes to weapons and gear. Forge has supplemented his technical prowess by studying magic.
Forge broke the mold for Indigenous superheroes. While Indigenous mutants were nothing new, they usually had stereotypical names and powers that skewed more towards brute physicality. Forge’s powers were more intellectual and conceptual in nature, which makes him more valuable behind the scenes. Forge is responsible for creating or upgrading most of the X-Men’s tech, and he deserves more credit.
Chris Claremont and Sal Buscema
New Mutants#13
There are many languages spoken on Earth and throughout the Marvel Universe, and Cypher can speak them all.Doug Ramsey, AKA Cypher, has the ability to understand and speak any language spoken anywhere, be it from Earth or outer space. In time, Cypher’s powers have been extended to non-spoken languages, including body language and computer code.
Doug Ramsey, AKA Cypher, has the ability to understand and speak any language spoken anywhere, be it from Earth or outer space.
Cypher is synonymous with the New Mutants, but he is currently heading down a dark path. InX-Men: Heir of Apocalypse#4, the titular villain chose Ramsey as his successor. Ramsey was reborn as Revelation, breaking Warlock’s heart in the process. Revelation’s plans will come to the forefront later this yearinThe Age of Revelation.
Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo
Uncanny X-Men#317
Shape-shifting mutants, like Mystique, are common in the Marvel Universe, but Skin might be the most unique of them all.Born with six feet of extra skin, Angelo Espinosa uses it in a variety of methods, including shape-shifting. However, the scope of this power does not extend as far as other shape-shifters.
In addition to his shape-shifting abilities, Skin can use his epidermis in other ways. His control of the skin allows him to compress it, potentially letting him pack a devastating punch. Skin has also demonstrated the ability to create spikes and other pointed weapons. Skin’s durability also makes him an ideal fighter as he can theoretically take a lot of damage.
Fabian Nicieza and Tony Daniel
X-Force Annual#2
There are some people that make the blood boil, but Adam X takes this concept to a literal level, as he possesses the ability to ignite a person’s blood and burn them alive.Despite this cool and unique power, Adam X is largely forgotten today, viewed as a relic of the excesses of the 1990s.
The publisher had been teasing a “third Summers brother,” and it was believed to be Adam X for a long time.
Marvel tried to make Adam X work in the 1990s by inserting him into the Summers family. The publisher had been teasing a “third Summers brother,” and it was believed to be Adam X for a long time. Later developments revealed that this was false: while Adam did have genetic ties to Cyclops and Havok, he was actually a clone.
Jeph Loeb and David Brewer
Cable#15
Mutants with healing factors are a dime a dozen, but Marrow’s take on it is unique.Marrow possesses a hyper-fast metabolism, which not only gives her a healing factor and enhanced durability, it also allows her to grow bony protrusions from her body. Oddly enough, Marrow also possesses two hearts, which makes her even harder to kill.
Marrow has been in and out of the X-Men over the years, and her placement on the team is the culmination of a great character arc. Marrow was one of the Morlocks terrorized during theMutant Massacre.Beginning as a villain, Marrow would eventually come over to the X-Men’s side, one of the few Morlocks to do so.
Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo
Uncanny X-Men(Volume 3) #1
Goldballs’ name is an apt description of his unique mutant power, which allows him to project small, golden balls out of himself.While this ability could come in handy in combat situations, its applications elsewhere seemed limited. As a result, Goldballs and his goofy name almost slipped into obscurity. That is,until the founding of Krakoa.
On the island, Goldballs learned the awesome truth of his powers: these balls were, in fact, unfertilized eggs. Joining forces with Hope Summers and others, Goldballs (or “Egg” as he came to be called) helped create theX-Men’s“Resurrection Protocols,” which allowed the team to cheat death. In this role, Goldballs was responsible for saving many mutant lives.
