Characters That Earned the Spotlight in the Next Era of X-Men

If you haven’t picked up any of Marvel Comics’ X-Men titles for the past few years, you’ve really missed out on a lot. For example, we’ve seen the shocking formation of new teams, the creation of a complex council, various resurrections, shocking redemptions, a living mutant island, Moira MacTaggert revelations, Orchis, and so much more than you can even imagine. 

With the popular Krakoa era officially coming to an explosive end (that living island we were talking about earlier), fans are now forced to brace themselves for inevitable shake-ups and lineup changes. In the meantime, while we’re still in the early stages of transition into the next chapter of the X-Men, we’ve decided to spotlight a few beloved characters that either need or deserve their time in the spotlight. Let’s get into it! 

Photo Credit: Marvel Comics

Jean Grey/Phoenix

Don’t roll your eyes! We already know Jean is a popular character (and getting a solo adventure soon), but we never said this was strictly for unsung heroes. She clearly falls into the “deserves” category too, so deal with it.

Anyways — ever since Jean’s resurrection, she’s been given an assortment of Phoenix-coated storylines with the consistent inclination that the Phoenix and Jean will collide in a big way. Something essentially confirmed by the current title Fall of the House of X, as Jean’s connection to the Phoenix is the most likely solution to defeating Enigma. Also, we literally have a Phoenix title confirmed after the current crossover concludes, so let’s hope this title offers us some top-tier Jean Grey and Phoenix exchanges to keep their shared fire burning. Jean and the Phoenix can be one without complete carnage… Right?

Colossus 

Colossus is always an engaging X-Men character, whether it is a result of his powers, presence, family, leadership, or even romance. He’s just a nice series staple that you can rely on! In Colssus’s most recent stories, he’s deservedly worked his way into a key spot within the Quiet Council of Krakoa (alongside other elite mutants), before we eventually learned that he was manipulated into endangering his team by his own brother. Dark stuff, right?

Colossus has generally worked out most of the heavier issues with his longtime teammates, however, after facing off with his deceitful brother and being noticeably absent from the first wave of announced X-Men titles, we’re hoping to see his inclusion somewhere soon.

Polaris

As the daughter of the one and only Magneto, Lorna Dane (Polaris) has inherited her father’s powers and potential to cause fear. Just check out her attempted wedding to Havoc if you need an example. However, in recent years, she’s successfully shed most of her dangerous qualities to become a core member of X-Men and X-Force units — whose last major storyline included faking the demise of Wanda Maximoff. She’s very much committed to the safety of her loved ones.

Now, with things getting pretty heated amid the current Fall of the House of X title, we’ve found ourselves missing her mainstream role in the finite series. And she was a great asset to the earlier arcs of the current X-Men run, so bring her back to the forefront, please! 

Mystique

We love a good Mystique story. And generally speaking, that’s pretty much all of them. As a character who often pivots between good and bad, Mystique has always been a mutant who isn’t afraid to take a stance (regardless of who that puts her in conflict with), and that in itself can lead to her being a savior or massive threat depending on the day.

Still, the primary reason we deserve more Mystique content in the months to come is largely due to her status as an important figure in the fight against someone as complicated as Moira (you know that’ll go somewhere eventually) and the reminder that she’s a total force to be reckoned with. We’re just excited to see who Mystique clashes with next.

Juggernaut

Juggernaut, the step-brother of Charles Xavier, has gone through a serious evolution throughout his Marvel Comics history — with the majority of his time spent as a villain to the X-Men. But as of late, Juggernaut has changed up his standard allegiance to become a trusted ally of the expansive team, earning himself a coveted spot in the upcoming X-Men flagship title.

While we’re still waiting for more information about what this story entails, we’re undoubtedly stoked that Juggernaut will be getting more heroic growth soon. That, and the aesthetically pleasing fact that he’s donning a brand-new fit of course!