The Greatest X-Men Spinoff Comic Books, Ranked

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and avid follower of the X-Men franchise, I must say that the creative teams behind these three iconic spin-off series have truly left an indelible mark on the genre.

In the expansive Marvel Comics universe, the X-Men stand out as a distinct franchise with numerous offshoot series that have endured for years. However, we’re focusing on the exceptional spin-offs among these, excluding any titles that feature “X-Men” in their name since they are essentially different X-Men teams. Additionally, we’ve decided not to consider two of the most renowned X-Men spinoffs – Wolverine and Deadpool – as they have dedicated rankings of their own. Here, we present ten outstanding X-Men spinoff comics that have left a lasting impact on readers.

10. Marauders by Gerry Dugan

with Matteo Lolli, Stefano Caselli, Michele Bandini, Lucas Werneck, Mario del Pennino, Benjamin Percy, Vita Ayala

2019 marked a significant shift in X-Men lore through the works of writer Jonathan Hickman, namely House of X/Powers of X, ushering in what’s now known as the Krakoan era. Over the subsequent five years, mutants gained their own sovereign homeland on the sentient island of Krakoa. Remarkably, Krakoa’s flora could manufacture essential medicines for humanity. However, numerous antagonistic nations declined to engage in trade with Krakoa. In response, a band of mutant smugglers, known as “the Marauders,” set sail across the seas to covertly distribute these life-saving drugs to the citizens of enemy territories. Needless to say, there were plenty of unexpected events, which formed the foundation for Marauders.

Navigating her vessel, the Marauder, Captain Kate Pryde (now the Red Queen of the Hellfire Club) commanded a resilient team consisting of Storm, Iceman, Pyro, Bishop, and Emma Frost. These individuals were advocates for the Hellfire Trading Company. The initial storyline was penned by Gerry Duggan over 21 issues spanning two years. Notable artists Matteo Lolli and Stefano Caselli contributed to the series’ stunning visuals. This Marvel Comics series is widely regarded as some of Kate Pryde’s finest modern tales, and it remains sorely missed during the Krakoan era.

Issues in Gerry Duggan’s Marauders Run:

Marauders (vol.1) #1-21 (2019-2021)

9. Exiles by Judd Winick

with Mick McKone, Jim Calafiore

As a devoted fan, I’d love to share my thoughts about a fascinating comic series that predates the current Marvel Multiverse craze: “The Exiles.” Penned by Judd Winick and illustrated by Mike McKone, this captivating saga centers around an X-Men team composed of heroes hailing from various realms. These characters were uprooted from their original timelines to rectify anomalies caused by divergent universes – sound familiar? It’s quite reminiscent of the resistance squad in the Void from “Deadpool & Wolverine!”

As a devoted fan, I’ve always found the cornerstones of “Exiles” to be Blink and Morph, hailing from the “Age of Apocalypse” universe. They were the emotional backbone that truly brought Morph to life as a substantial comics character, not just a nod to “X-Men: The Animated Series.” Judd Winick penned the first 36 issues, which are often praised as the series’ finest moments. Though it ran for a total of 100 issues, I believe that’s an impressive run worth diving into. It’s definitely a series that warrants a read.

Issues in Judd Winick’s Exiles Run:

Exiles (vol.1) #1-37 (2001-2004)

8. Alpha Flight by John Bryne

The Canadian team of superheroes, Alpha Flight, is the second spin-off group following the X-Men, each having their own title. They made their debut in Uncanny X-Men #120 back in 1979 as they reemerged to compel Wolverine to rejoin the team under orders from the Canadian government. The roster included mutants like Northstar and Aurora, along with Guardian, the colossal Sasquatch, Shaman, Snowbird, and more. John Byrne, one of the co-creators, penned and illustrated Alpha Flight’s 1983 series while he was at the height of his comic book fame. He introduced a new character, Puck, who quickly gained popularity among fans.

Initially, only Northstar and Aurora were mutants within the X-Men spinoff team, Alpha Flight. However, this group was strongly associated with the X-Men in the past, even outselling popular titles like Avengers and Thor during their early years. When Byrne departed from the series, its momentum decreased, leading to a drop in sales. Despite this, Alpha Flight ran for 130 issues over 11 years before it ended. The team made a significant impact on comic book history when Northstar came out as Marvel’s first openly gay superhero in 1992. While some of the later stories may not be as strong, many early John Byrne tales continue to be well-regarded today.

Issues in John Byrne’s Alpha Flight Run:

Alpha Flight (vol.1) #1-28 (1983-1985)

7. Cable by Duane Swierczynski

with Ariel Olivetti

Nathaniel Christopher Charles Summers, famously known as the time-traveling cyborg mutant mercenary Cable, perfectly embodied the ’90s comic book style. He was a powerhouse with his massive weapons and oversized pouches, truly embodying the essence of that era. Debuted by Rob Liefeld in X-Force, he gained enough popularity to secure his own series during that time, although it didn’t quite match the impact of his fellow anti-hero Deadpool. However, in the late 2000s, Cable returned as an ongoing series, and took inspiration from Japan’s Lone Wolf and Cub, as depicted in a series penned by Duane Swierczynski and beautifully illustrated by Ariel Olivetti.

The story revolves around Cable, who is on a mission to safeguard an infant believed to be a “mutant messiah” named Hope Summers, following a catastrophic event that drastically reduced the mutant population. This pursuit across time periods involves Cable and the baby, with X-Man Bishop in hot pursuit, creating a continuous chase reminiscent of “The Fugitive.” Despite its short run of 25 issues, this spinoff comic is considered one of the best and most consistently written X-Men series due to Cable’s portrayal as a grizzled, reluctant father instead of the typical tough soldier stereotype.

Issues in Duane Swierczynski’s Cable Run:

Cable (vol.2) #1-25 (2008-2010)

6. X-Statix by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred

with Laura Allred, Nick Dragotta, Darwyn Cooke

As a devoted fan from the early 2000s, I can recall how the X-Men comic series felt stagnant and trapped in a ’90s rut, visually and narratively speaking. Marvel took notice and recruited Mike Allred, creator of Madman, and Peter Milligan, a former DC/Vertigo writer. Together, they breathed fresh life into the X-Force series with issue #116. They ingeniously combined elements of satire on reality TV, celebrity culture, and a dash of mutant soap opera. Their debut tale saw almost the entire team perish during a mission, only to be replaced by a new squad in the subsequent issue. Allred’s whimsical art style often contrasted with the intense violence and humor, but that’s what made their X-Force stand out as something truly exceptional.

A year later, X-Force transformed into X-Statix, earning a fresh #1 issue due to the drastic shift from its initial X-Force identity. The astonishing aspect was that they created a series centered on immature and often disliked new characters such as Mister Sensitive, U-Go-Girl, and Vivisector, yet managed to keep readers engaged. In 2004, the series concluded just as it started—with the entire team meeting their demise. X-Statix stands out in mainstream comic publishing because it tells a complete story from start to finish, and no one has attempted to replicate it since, with the exception of Doop, the strange green mutant cameraman from Marvel Universe who continues to exist.

Issues in Peter Milligan and Mike Allred’s X-Statix Run:

Comics collection featuring issues 116 to 129 of X-Force volume 1, Brotherhood issue 9, all issues of X-Statix from 1 to 26, Wolverine/Doop issues 1 and 2, and the entire run of X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2001-2004)

5. Generation X by Scott Lobdell

with Chris Bachalo, Roger Cruz, Tom Grummett, Pasqual Ferry

After the conclusion of New Mutants in 1991, the X-Men series found itself missing a key element – a comic book focusing on young students at Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. To fill this gap, a new iteration of the New Mutants debuted as Generation X in 1994. This title resonated strongly with its teen and twenty-something readers, who found themselves reflected in the storyline. Instead of being instructed by Professor Xavier, the new students were guided by former X-Man, Banshee. Among these students were familiar faces like Jubilee, along with new characters such as Monet St. Croix, Husk, Synch, and Skin. Joining Banshee in teaching duties was the recently reformed Emma Frost, also known as the White Queen.

Just as I, as a fan, found in the New Mutants, these extraordinary students hailed from varied backdrops. Scott Lobdell penned Generation X, a series graced with Chris Bachalo’s masterful artwork that endeared him to many readers. This comic not only continued the legacy of the New Mutants but also laid the groundwork for Emma’s compelling transformation from antagonist to protagonist. While Scott Lobdell’s run on X-Men may not be among the most celebrated, his tenure on Generation X offers a delightful mutant teen drama that still resonates today. It’s simply great storytelling at its finest.

Issues in Scott Lobdell’s Generation X Run:

Generation X #1-28 (1994-1997)

4. Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender

with Jerome Opeña, Esad Ribic, Phil Noto

The X-Force team has been around in various forms since 1991, when the first issue sold five million copies. Most of these teams were a military-style mutant task force, consisting mainly of younger heroes who were once part of the New Mutants. In 2008, the concept was revamped, transforming X-Force into Cyclops’ covert Black Ops team, featuring characters like Wolverine and X-23 for the first time. However, it wasn’t until 2010 with Uncanny X-Force that an X-Force series truly ranked among the top X-Men spinoff comics.

The idea of X-Force truly took off under the collaborative efforts of writer Rick Remender and artist Jerome Opena, who assembled a team of the X-Men’s most lethal warriors. This group included Wolverine, Deadpool, Psylocke, Archangel, and Fantomex. During Remender’s run on Uncanny X-Force, from 2010 to 2012, the team produced unforgettable stories such as “The Apocalypse Solution” and “The Dark Angel Saga.” These tales continue to rank among the greatest mutant narratives ever. While other X-Force teams have existed before and after this one, it was this run that finally brought the concept to its full potential.

Issues in Rick Remender’s Uncanny X-Force Run:

Uncanny X-Force (vol.1) #1-35 (2010-2012)

3. Excalibur by Chris Claremont

with Alan Davis, Ron Lim, Marshall Rogers, Arthur Adams, Rick Leonardi, Chris Wozniak, Ron Wagner

If the comic series “Excalibur” by Chris Claremont and Alan Davis were proposed as a TV show, it could be described as “Imagine if ‘X-Men’ met ‘Doctor Who’.” In 1987, the ‘X-Men’ franchise was dominating the comics world with four monthly issues, which was quite substantial for that era. During the “Fall of the Mutants” event, the X-Men staged their own deaths and went into hiding in Australia. Following this, key characters such as Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and Phoenix (Rachel Summers) were left behind. However, writer Chris Claremont wasn’t ready to let go of his favorite characters like Kurt Wagner and Kitty Pryde. So, he came up with a spin-off team concept for them.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about Claremont’s brilliant move in spinning off these extraordinary mutant heroes into their very own comic, beyond just “X-Men U.K.” During this thrilling journey, these former X-Men expats, including Captain Britain and his companion Meggan, found a home at his lighthouse in the British Isles. Month after month, we were treated to their mind-boggling travels through different dimensions, and let’s not forget the consistently strange adventures!

Issues in Chris Claremont’s Excalibur Run:

Excalibur Special Edition (1988) 1, Excalibur (1988-1990) 1-34, Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem (1989)

2. X-Factor by Peter David

with Larry Stroman, Jae Lee, Joe Quesada, Pablo Raimondi, Valentine De Landro, Carmine Di Giandomenico

Initially, when X-Factor debuted, it was the highly anticipated reunification of the original five X-Men. Despite their captivating tales, this group wasn’t the most exceptional version of the team. The optimal iteration emerged in 1991, when the original students reappeared within the main X-Men. Marvel subsequently assigned the series to Incredible Hulk author Peter David, who found himself with a group of homeless mutant heroes due to team reshuffling. Peter David reinvented X-Factor as a government-backed mutant squad, spearheaded by Valerie Cooper, intended to promote Charles Xavier’s ideology to the general public.

As a devoted gamer, I’d say Peter David masterfully blended humor and heroics in a manner that eventually earned recognition similar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Characters like Multiple Man and Strong Guy, who had been relegated to the sidelines for years as secondary mutants, suddenly gained depth and personality. For the first time, Havok, my favorite X-Man, stepped out of Cyclops’ shadow and took charge in the field.

Issues in Peter David’s X-Factor Run:

Issues #70 to 92 and annual issues #7 and 8 of Volume 1 of X-Factor, Madrox issues #1 to 5, Volumes 2 of X-Factor from issue 1 to 50, the storyline titled “X-Factor: The Quick and the Dead”, a special issue titled “X-Factor Special: Layla Miller”, and issues #200 to 262 of X-Factor (resuming its original numbering), as well as All-New X-Factor issues 1 to 20, and the most recent issues 5 and 6 of X-Men Legends (all from 1991 to 2021).

1. The New Mutants by Chris Claremont

with Bob McLeod, Bill Sienkiewicz

By 1981, “Uncanny X-Men” had become Marvel Comics’ best-selling comic book. Recognizing the need for a spinoff series, Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter looked to the original idea of the X-Men: a school for mutant teenagers. Instead of the X-Men, these youngsters were dubbed “the New Mutants.” Under the guidance of Chris Claremont, the new team featured more female characters and people of color in Professor Xavier’s classroom. Claremont and artist Bob McLeod introduced the team in a special graphic novel, with their own ongoing series following shortly after, in 1983.

Claremont emphasized the soap opera-like elements in mutant narratives instead of conventional superhero tales, which attracted numerous fans and turned “New Mutants” into one of Marvel’s most successful series during the ’80s. Working together with artist Bill Sienkiewicz, their innovative art style revolutionized mainstream superhero comics, notably during the trippy “Demon Bear Saga”. Additionally, “New Mutants” marked a significant period in Magneto’s development as Claremont appointed him as the Headmaster of Xavier’s School, compelling the ex-mutant terrorist to adapt to his new role as a nurturing figure.

As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Starting with issue #55, Louise Simonson took over the writing of “New Mutants,” a stint that concluded with issue #100, transforming the series into “X-Force.” However, the narrative prowess never quite reached the heights set by Chris Claremont during his early tenure on the title. It was during this period that Claremont demonstrated that a mutant team could thrive without mainstays like Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine. Characters such as Sunspot, Cannonball, Wolfsbane, and Magik have since attained A-List X-Men status, but their defining traits were sculpted during Claremont’s legendary run. “New Mutants” was the first, and arguably the best, spin-off series from the esteemed “X-Men.”

Issues in Chris Claremont’s New Mutants Run:

New Mutants (vol.1) #1-54 (1983-1987)

2024-08-08 17:34