Marvel’s X-Men are a team famous for its roster that is comprised almost entirely of mutants. The predominance of mutants in the team makes sense because Professor X assembled the X-Men to be the protectors and ambassadors of all mutantkind. However, despite its basic purpose, the X-Men have been willing to allow individuals without the mutant X-gene into their ranks. The X-Men members that aren’t of the Homo-Superior subspecies vary drastically in their abilities and origins. Also, the amount of time that they were associated with the X-Men vary significantly. Some of these characters became long-time members of the X-Men and their various spin-off groups. Others only joined for a brief time. Either way, despite their lack of the X-gene, many of these heroes have been some of the strongest members in the X-Men’s roster.
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From alien dragons to sentient androids, the X-Men have always been a team that allows mutants and non-mutants alike to join their roster. With this inclusivity, they have gained many powerful allies and members.
10) Lockheed
Lockheed is a little alien dragon and long-time companion of X-Men member Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat. Lockheed was the greatest warrior and champion of his people, known as the Flock. He earned this renown by fighting valiantly against the invading insectoid aliens known as the Brood. When the X-Men arrived on the planet to help fight the Brood, Lockheed became a friend to Kitty and followed her to Earth. What Lockheed lacks in size, he more than makes up for with his strong abilities. He’s incredibly durable, can fly, and breathe fire. In addition to his long history as part of the X-Men, Lockheed is also a founding member of the Pet Avengers.
9) Longshot
Hailing from the media-obsessed dimension called Mojoworld, Longshot is a genetically engineered humanoid. He was created by Arize, the developer of humanoid slaves for Mojoworld’s tyrant ruler, Mojo. However, Arize secretly sought to spark a rebellion by designing Longshot to have a desire for freedom above all else. When he grew up, Longshot led a rebellion, but Mojo quickly overcame it with his superior weapons. Longshot fled to Earth and became part of mutant teams like the X-Men and X-Factor. On top of enhanced strength and agility, Longshot’s primary ability is that he can manipulate probability in his favor. With literal luck on his side, Longshot can hit impossible targets with his throwing knives and perform death-defying stunts with ease.
8) Mimic
Calvin Rankin, aka Mimic, gained his powers in a lab accident. Calvin can copy any skills and abilities of anyone within his general vicinity. He can also replicate up to five mutant powers at once, but loses them once he’s out of range of the people he’s mimicking. His biggest weakness, however, is that when he copies an ability, his version is only half as strong as the original person’s power. Initially introduced as an antagonist to the original X-Men, Calvin tried to take the mutants’ powers for himself. But they reconciled and Calvin became the very first recruit of the X-Men. Over time, Calvin’s long exposure to the original X-Men allowed him to replicate their abilities permanently. So now he always has weaker versions of Cyclop’s optic blasts, Jean Grey’s telekinesis, Beast’s strength, Iceman’s cryokinisis, and Angel’s wings.
7) Spiral
Rita Wayward, aka Spiral, was a human stuntwoman until she became trapped in Mojoworld. After numerous extensive cybernetic enhancement surgeries, including the grafting of four additional arms, Rita was forced to serve Mojoworld’s cruel leader, Mojo. The tyrant trained Rita to become a master of swords and the mystic arts. Rita can use magic to teleport, turn invisible, paralyze opponents, and remove their superpowers. Rita fought the X-Men many times under the orders of Mojo, until she eventually managed to escape Mojoworld. She has since been a member of both X-Force and the X-Men. Rita’s mystical powers are so great that when Dr. Strange resigned from his role as the Sorcerer Supreme, she was one of 25 candidates considered to replace him.
6) Warlock
Warlock is a member of the Technarchy, a technorganic alien race. Warlock was born capable of experiencing emotions, a trait that was unheard of in the Technarchy. Although he’s considered a mutant by his people, he still doesn’t fall under the homo-superior family like the rest of the X-Men. Fleeing from his people’s persecution, Warlock flew at light speed towards Earth. His course caused him to slam into and destroy the giant satellite lair of Magneto called Asteroid M. Upon landing on Earth, Warlock joined the New Mutants and the X-Men. With his technorganic body, Warlock can shapeshift parts of his body into various tools and weapons. Warlock can also absorb energy to make himself stronger.
5) Danger
To train his students, Professor X created the Danger Room, a state-of-the-art virtual reality training facility with an AI capable of studying and adapting to the X-Men’s skills and powers. However, the inclusion of alien technology in the AI’s programming caused it to gain sentience and allowed it to create a body for itself. Taking on the name Danger, the android began as a villain before eventually reforming and joining the X-Men. Danger is a living arsenal with the ability to transform her body into all manner of deadly weapons. She can also generate hard-light holograms for extra defense and offense options. With her years of experience as the training AI for the X-Men and possessing a supercomputer-like brain, Danger can accurately predict and counter almost any attack her teammates could throw at her.
4) Omega Sentinel
Karima Shapandar was just a regular cop until she became infected with Sentinel nanotechnology and was transformed into a mutant-killing cyborg known as Omega Sentinel. With the help of Professor X, Karima managed to regain her humanity and joined the X-Men under Rogue’s leadership. With her body primarily comprised of nanotech, Karima can transform herself into a vast array of weaponry. Karima’s nanotech can adapt to and counter any mutant ability she encounters. She can also fire an energy blast that can render a mutant powerless for an extended period. Although Karima’s powers make her an incredible asset to the X-Men, her Sentinel programming can sometimes reemerge and override her mind. When controlled by the Sentinel programming, Karmia will seek to destroy all mutantkind. Because of her unpredictable loyalties, Karima’s fellow teammates often have a hard time trusting her.
3) Kid Gladiator
Kubark, aka Kid Gladiator, is the son of the alien hero Gladiator, who has powers comparable to DC’s Superman. Having inherited his father’s powers of super-strength, super-speed, invulnerability, flight, heat vision, and ice breath, Kubark is one of the strongest individuals in the universe. After destroying half a city on the planet Chandilar for fun, Kubark was sent to Jean Grey’s School for Higher Learning to learn how to control his powers. Although Kubark started as an arrogant brat, he eventually began to see some of his teammates as friends. However, when the apocalyptic Phoenix Force threatened to destroy the planet, Gladiator forced his son to abandon the X-Men and Earth to their perceived fate.
2) Doop
One of Marvel’s most bizarre characters, Doop has a long history of helping various mutant superhero teams, including the X-Men. He debuted as the cameraman for the celebrity mutant team, X-Statix, but no one really knows Doop’s origins. Some people speculate that he’s the product of a U.S. Government Cold War experiment; others believe that he’s an alien. In all events, Droop is a creature shrouded in mystery and his powers are vast and peculiar. Doop possesses the powers of levitation, super-strength, telekinesis, size alteration, regeneration, magic manipulation, and the ability to bend reality. He is strong enough to battle Thor and can enter a realm known as the Marginalia, where he can freely break the fourth wall. But just like his origin, no one really knows Doop’s limits.
1) Juggernaut
For decades, Professor X’s hateful stepbrother, Cain Marko, aka Juggernaut, was one of the most powerful villains on Earth. Cain obtained his abilities from the mystical Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. As the avatar of the extra-dimensional entity Cyttorak, Cain is an unstoppable force of pure destruction with infinite strength and durability. When he starts charging, there is literally nothing in the Marvel Universe that can stop him. The helmet he wears also protects him from psychic attacks. He had used these powers to become one of the X-Men’s deadliest enemies. However, Cain underwent a prolonged period of self-reflection and eventually found the will to resist Cyttorak’s corrupting influence. On his path to redemption, Juggernaut became a member of the X-Men and now fights for mutant rights alongside his stepbrother. With infinite strength that has allowed him to defeat the Hulk and Thor, the Juggernaut is a welcome addition to the X-Men’s ranks.
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Image courtesy of Focus Features.
