Best X-Men Team Line-Up
Since Marvel Comics introduced the X-Men in 1963, Marvel’s merry mutants have gone through any number of permutations. Countless characters have joined and left the squad, and the team has produced a slew of spin-off groups that still undeniably fall under the X-banner. With the X-Men back in the public spotlight thanks to Disney+’s blockbuster “X-Men 97” animated series, and the property’s slow but sure introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we wanted to look back at the many iconic rosters of X-Men from the comics, and attempt to name the Best X-Men Team Line-Up ever. Teams discussed: Original X-Men, All-New All-Different Team, Outback X-Men, Blue Team, Gold Team, New Mutants, X-Factor Government Team, Excalibur, Generation X, the Krakoan Quiet Council, and more!
Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Brendan Hay and Kevin Dillon, and EXTRA-SPECIAL GUEST AJ Locasio, the voice actor who brings to life Gambit on “X-Men ‘97” as they discuss 16 iconic rosters from the comics featuring Marvel’s Merry Mutants.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: Dark Phoenix Saga Team (1) vs. New Mutants Original Line-Up (4)
The Dark Phoenix Saga Team included Cyclops, Phoenix, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Wolverine with appearances by Banshee, Shadowcat, Angel, and Beast; the original New Mutants included Cannonball, Karma, Sunspot, Mirage, Wolfsbane, and early additions Magik, Magma, Cypher, and Warlock.
Match-Up 2: Pre-Mutant Massacre Team (3) vs. Quiet Council of Krakoa (2)
The Pre-Mutant Massacre team included Magneto, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Rogue, and Phoenix II (Rachel Summers); the Quiet Council of Krakoa included Xavier, Magneto, Apocalypse, Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Kate Pryde, Exodus, Mystique, Mr. Sinister, Storm, Jean Grey, Storm, Colossus, Hope, Destiny, and Selene.
Match-Up 3: Original X-Men (1) vs. Generation X (4)
The original X-Men were Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman, Marvel Girl and Professor Xavier, with additional recruits Mimic, Havok, and Polaris; Generation X included Synch, M, Jubilee, Skin, Husk, Mondo, Penance, Chamber, and professors Banshee and White Queen.
Match-Up 4: Astonishing X-Men Whedon Squad (3) vs. All-New, All-Different X-Men (2)
The Whedon Astonishing X-Men featured Cyclops, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Shadowcat, and Beast, with late addition Colossus; the All-New All-Different squad included Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Banshee, Thunderbird, Sunfire, and Cyclops.
Match-Up 5: Blue Team (1) vs. Utopia X-Men (4)
The Blue Team that starred in the 1991 X-Men book featured Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Psylocke, and later addition Revanche; the Utopia-era X-Men were a sprawling group that included Cyclops, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Pixe, Dazzler Northstar, Danger, Namor, and many more.
Match-Up 6: X-Factor Government Team (3) vs. Circa Uncanny 275 Team (2)
The first X-Factor government-sponsored team starred Havok, Polaris, Strong Guy, Multiple Man, Wolfsbane, and Quicksilver with supporting player Random; the circa Uncanny 275 team included Forge, Banshee, Wolverine, Psylocke, Storm, Gambit, Jubilee, and eventually Professor Xavier.
Match-Up 7: Outback X-Men (1) vs. New X-Men/Morrison Team (4)
The Outback-era team starred Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Rogue, Dazzler, Longshot, Psylocke, and Havok with supporting character Madelyne Pryor and the introduction of Jubilee; the Morrison New X-Men starred Cyclops, Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Beast, Wolverine, Professor Xavier and later additions Xorn, Beak, Angel, Quentin Quire, and Fantomex.
Match-Up 8: Gold Team (3) vs. Excalibur Original Line-Up (2)
The 1990s Gold Team starred Storm, Jean Grey, Colossus, Iceman, Archangel and a newly introduced Bishop, with guest appearances by Sunfire and Forge; the original Excalibur starred Captain Britain, Meggan, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Phoenix II (Rachel Summers), and Widget in a supporting role.
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Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Brendan Hay, Kevin Dillon
Special Guest: A.J. Locasio, Gambit from “X-Men ‘97”
Producer: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Bob Erlenback
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
