Archangel
Real Name: Warren Worthington III
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Born with feathered wings and hollow bones which allow flight
Details: A member of the original X-Men, Warren went by the codename Angel. A millionaire, he left the team and set up both The Champions and X-Factor. He was later captured by Apocalypse who wanted him to be one of the horsemen of the apocalypse and replaced his wings with steel ones. He was also brainwashed and his skin turned blue. He was eventually freed but the blue skin and steel wings remained. Later, these wings molted, revealing his original wings underneath. Warren temporarily left the X-Men again, to be with the recovering Psylocke.
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Candy Southern, Charlotte Jones, Psylocke
My Opinion: Pretty lame as Angel, Warren vastly improved when he became Apocalypse's lacky. Those techno-organix wings were bitchin! Still, it's nice to see him finally happy with Betsy. I have to say though that his constant whining is getting annoying.

Banshee
Real Name: Sean Cassidy
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 26
Mutant Abilities: Destructive sonic scream; can fly on the waves generated by this scream
Details: A former Interpol Agent , Sean was recruited by Professor Xavier and became a member of the second generation of X-Men. He temporarily lost his powers but has now regained them. He is now the joint leader of the new team of mutants - Generation X
Mutant Relatives: Syren (daughter), Black Tom (cousin)
Relationships: Dr Moria McTaggert
My Opinion: Oh god. This is what Irish people are like? I'm ashamed! Banshee was a terribly boring character in his time with the X-Men and later on Muir Island. His relationship with Moira was ok, but sickening. He is much better with Generation X, but sometimes I just want to beat that accent out of him!

Beast
Real Name: Hank McCoy
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Super-strength and agility
Details: Hank McCoy's powers began to appear when he was in his early teens. He joined the original X-Men team and was later infected by Pestilence who strenghtened his body, but destroyed his braincells. Later he saved his team mate Iceman from Infectia who mutated him to his present state - returning his intelligence and fortifying his body. He became a member of the Avengers and gained a reputation as a great scientist. Later, he returned to the X-Men only to be replace by a doppleganger from another reality during the Onslaught crisis.
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Trish Trilby
My Opinion: I think I like Beast. It can be so hard to tell! His doppleganger was far more interesting, but there's something about Beast that keeps you entertained.

Cannonball
Real Name: Sam Guthrie
First Appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel 5
Mutant Abilities: Creats a blasting field which propells him along like a cannonball
Details: Originally Sam was one of the New Mutants but, when they closed down, he joined X-Factor. After Cable travelled back in time to save him, it is believed that Sam is now immortal. He was killed during a battle with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants but came back to life. He then joined the X-Men where he is learning to exert a greater control over his powers.
Mutant Relatives: Paige Guthrie - Husk (sister)
Relationships: None
My Opinion: To be honest, I don't really know much about Cannonball. I hated him from what I saw in the New Mutants. Since joining the X-Men he's been much...nicer! His sister is by far the superior character.

Colossus
Real Name: Peter Rasputin
First Appearance: Giant Sized X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Transforms his entire body into steel
Details: Peter Rasputin was recruited to the second generation X-Men team. He remained until his younger sister Illyana was killed by the Legacy Virus. He became disillusioned in Professor Xavier's dream and became and Acolyte. He later returned to the X-Men but once more left to serve with Excalibur. His relationship with the X-Men is uncertain, as is his future
Mutant Relatives: Illyana and Mikhail Rasputin
Relationships: Nereel, Shadowcat, Zsaji, Callisto
My Opinion: I always found it sweet how Colossus loved his homeland so much. His relationship with Kitty Pryde was interesting but slightly disturbing. I prefer him now in his role of 'unsure' X-Man. It makes his character far more interesting.

Cyclops
Real Name: Scott Summers
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Solar-charged eye beams
Details: The first recruit to the original X-Men, Scott Summers believes deeply in Professor Xavier's dream. He fell in love with the then, Marvel Girl, but was unable to confess this to her for several years. During that time he became the leader of the time, and soon became a very serious young man. Forced to wear a ruby-quartz visor to prevent his destructive eye beams destroying everything around him, Scott gained more and more control over his powers throughout the years. He finally married Jean Grey but it turned out to be the imposter Phoenix. He then found his father Corsair working with the intergalactic travellers The Starjammers. He finally married the true Jean Grey, and together they have remained faithful to Xavier's dream and remain two of the most focused X-Men
Mutant Relatives: Cable (son from future), Rachel Summers (daughter from an alternative timeline), Stryfe (clone of Cable), Jean Grey (wife), Madelyn Pryor (first wife), Corsair (father), Havok (brother)
Relationships: Jean Grey, Madelyne Prior
My Opinion: Wuss...Scott Summers has been whipped into what Xavier wanted. This seems to have left him too serious and virtually colourless.

Dazzler
Real Name: Alison Blair
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 130
Mutant Abilities: Transmuting soundwaves into explosive light
Details: Originally discovered in a disco, Alison worked as a singer before meeting the X-Men. She helped them to battle the Hellfire Club, but refused to join for a few more months. She fell in love with Longshot and left the team to join him in his fight against Mojo. She became pregnant with his child and remained in Mojoworld.
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Longshot
My Opinion: Dazzler was a very...odd character. I always found the 'disco diva' aspect particularly sad. I don't think she was really developed well enough for me to say much!

Forge
Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men ?
Mutant Abilities: Sees the universe in a "mathematical" way and so can create virtually anything he imagines
Details: A Cheyenne Indian, Forge originally worked for the American government and designed the Neutraliser ray that temporarily robbed Storm of her powers. He later joined the X-Men but left to become a government liaison officer for X-Factor. It was not until confronting the Advesdary that Forge finally accepted the magical side to his powers.
Mutant Relatives: ???
Relationships: Storm, Raven Darkholme (Mystique)
My Opinion: Agai, I don't know much about Forge. He seems...dedicated. Rather stiff and ultimately boring.

Iceman
Real Name: Robert "Bobby" Drake
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Able to freeze any local airmoisture and water source into hard ice. Can also transform his entire body into ice
Details: Bobby was a the 'joker' of the original X-Men. He often doubted his powers and he left the group to go on to join The Champions, The Defenders and X-Factor. He rejoined the X-Men after his mind was possessed by Emma Frost. He left the team again, and went undercover in Graydon Creed's election campaign
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Polaris, Cloud, Darkstar, Infectia, Opal
My Opinion: Poor Bobby! Everyone always underestimates him. He is constantly second-guessing himself and his abilities. But he is capable of so much more. After the incident with Emma Frost, he became more enjoyable as we saw him battle against slight insanity. But, forever the joker, Iceman will remain a favourite character of mine.

Joseph
Real Name: Joseph
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men ?
Mutant Abilities: Control over magnetism
Details: A clone of the villain Magneto, Joseph was created by ??? in order to defeat Magneto. His growth was accelerated and his powers strengthened. He found himself in South America with no memory of what had gone before. There he had been given the name Joseph and told to seek out the X-Men for help. He soon met up with Rogue, who had temporarily left the team after absorbing Gambit's memories. The two returned to the X-Men only to find that Onslaught had attacked. Joseph was mistrusted but accepted. He soon found himself falling for Rogue and created a machine that allowed her to touch others for the first time since her youth. Later, he was destroyed battling the real Magneto, saving the world in the process.
Mutant Relatives: Magneto
Relationships: Rogue
My Opinion: Oh my! Joseph! What to say? There's something about Joseph that is undeniably sexy. He seems so contained, so in control...but we know that he's not. Poor lad doesn't even know who he is. His relationship with Rogue was very touching and I was honestly upset when they killed him off.

Nightcrawler
Real Name: Kurt Wagner
First Appearance: Giant Sized X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Teleportation and super athleticism
Details: Of German descent, Kurt was seperated from his mother as a baby and raised by a circus family. He joined the second generation of X-Men and only left, with Kitty Pryde, when he believed them all dead. He is now a member of Excalibur
Mutant Relatives: Mystique
Relationships: Daytripper, Amanda Sefton
My Opinion: Fairly irritating character who insists on sprinkling his speech with German. I have nothing against German, it just seems so irritating when used in conjunction with Nightcrawler!

Marvel Girl/Phoenix
Real Name: Jean Grey
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Incredinly telepathic abilities along with telekinetic skills
Details: Originally called Marvel Girl, Jean Grey apparently absorbe the powers of Phoenix. However, after the death of Phoenix, she was found in a coma on the seabed. She rejoined the X-Men, married Scott Summers and is once more calling herself Phoenix.
Mutant Relatives: Cable (son), Rachel Summers (daughter from an alternative timeline), Stryfe (clone of Cable), Scott Summers (husband), Corsair (father-in-law), Havok (brother-in-law)
Relationships: Scott Summers
My Opinion: In Uncanny X-Men 1, Jean Grey showed so much potential. She easily defeated the boys and did it quite calmly. After that her character seemd to go downhill. Even now, we don't get the same impression of power. She was frankly bland until the Phoenix encounter. Afterwards, she returned to normal but has been slowly gathering momentum and becoming more and Scott's sidekick.

Polaris
Real Name: Lorna Dane
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 49
Mutant Abilities: Magnetism
Details: Once rumoured to be Magneto's daughter, Polaris joined the original X-Men at the same time as Havok. She left to become co-leader of X-Factor for a number of years. She once more left after Havok's betrayal to 'find herself'. She took part in the Onslaught battle and was forced to fight her own lover Havok
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Havok
My Opinion: What is with her hair?!

Professor X
Real Name: Charles Xavier
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: World's most powerful telepath
Details: Confined to a wheelchair for most of his adult life, Xavier is the founder and mentor of the X-Men. Became Lilandra's Royal Consort and faked his death for a time. Later, revealed to be part of Onslaught
Mutant Relatives: Juggernaut
Relationships: Dr Moira McTaggert, Lilandra
My Opinion: Everyone is supposed to love Xavier...but he's so boring. The best development has been the Onslught incident, but of course, he repented afterwards *sigh* How disappointing. They could have made so much out of that. He could have joined up with Magneto for a time and fought the X-Men regularly. I would have enjoyed that!

Psylocke
Real Name: Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock
First Appearance: Captain Britain 2
Mutant Abilities: Telepathic martial arts expert with a neural disrupting 'psychic knife'
Details: Inhabiting the body of the Japanese assassin Kwannon, Psylocke lost her eyes while working with Excalibur. They were later replaced with bionic ones by The Hand. After fighting The Shaodw King, Psylocke fell into a coma from which she has just emerged. She is curently discovering new powers as a result of this battle.
Mutant Relatives: Captain Britain
Relationships: Archangel, Matsuo Tsurayaba (as Kwannon)
My Opinion: When I first saw her in the Wolverine series, she was a laughable and dainty character. Now, in her kick-ass-Ninja look, she is indeed a kick-ass-Ninja. Psylocke is a much more interesting, far more dangerous character now and that makes me like her all the more. Her relationship with Archangel is sweet...but there always seems to be some sort of motive behind it.

Shadowcat
Real Name: Kitty Pryde
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 129
Mutant Abilities: Can phase through solid objects
Details: Upon joining the X-Men, Kitty took the codename Sprite. She was a shy teenager, who was unsure of her mutant abilities. She then became a Ninja, left the X-Men, joined Excalibur and has once more rejoined the X-Men
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Colossus, Peter Wisdom
My Opinion: As the teenager 'Sprite', Kitty pretty much sucked. Her attitude was so sweet that I wanted to throttle her. Recently, she had become far more impressive (especially in the chest department!) but she still does get stuck with the worst lines.

Sunfire
Real Name: Shiro Yashida
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 64
Mutant Abilities: Ability to make anything he desires spontaneously combust
Details: An arrogant Japanese aristrocrat, Sunfire could not work within a group. He left the X-Men and is rarely seen now.
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: None
My Opinion: As the summary suggests, Sunfire didn't DO much, and so I found him incredibly boring. Very stereotypical too actually.

Thunderbird
Real Name: John Proudstar
First Appearance: Giant Sized X-Men 1
Mutant Abilities: Ability to take flight, super-strength
Details: A recruit to the second generation X-Men, Proudstar had a short career. He was killed in a mid-air collision and subsequent explosion. His brother, Warstar, a member of X-Force, stole the body to have a traditional burial
Mutant Relatives: Warbird
Relationships: None
My Opinion: What a prat! I don't see why he joined the X-Men in the first place. He clearly didn't want to be there. He was rude, annoying and dense until his death. I wasn't saddened to see him go.

Wolverine
Real Name: Logan
First Appearance: Incredible Hulk 180
Mutant Abilities: Animal senses, increased healing factor which makes him almost impossible to kill; adamantium skeletion with claws
Details: Canadian born, Logan was kidnapped by the government and transformed into Weapon X. His bloodlust thanks to this proceedure, is amazing and it is only with great difficulty that he can control it. He travelled to Japan to learn the ways of the Ninja, to help control his instincts. No one knows how old he is, but Storm often remarks that she would start with a century and count up. Later, he joined the Canadian governments mutant team but was recruited from them by Professor Xavier. During a fight with Magneto, the adamantium was ripped from his body and only Phoenix's immense powers held him together. Recently, he has become completely feral and is only recovering slowly.
Mutant Relatives: None
Relationships: Mariko Yashida, Tiger Tyger, Silverfox
My Opinion: Personally, I don't see why everyone loves Wolverine so much. I find his series dull and drawn-out. His character is OK and rather interesting. The problem is that the writers keeps giving him too much of a past.