X-Men

The X-Men made their debut in X-Men #1, published by Marvel Comics in September 1963. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the original team consisted of Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, and Marvel Girl, along with their leader, Professor Charles Xavier. The X-Men are mutants, humans born with superhuman abilities that make them different from regular humans, often leading them to face prejudice.

Published in May 1975, Giant-Size X-Men #1 was a pivotal issue in the X-Men series. Written by Len Wein and illustrated by Dave Cockrum, this comic re-introduced the X-Men with an international cast including characters like Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, and Colossus. This issue is credited with revitalizing the X-Men franchise, turning it into a major success for Marvel Comics.

The Dark Phoenix Saga is a storyline published in 1980, in issues #129–138 of Uncanny X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne, it follows the corruption of Jean Grey by the Phoenix Force. The saga is considered one of the greatest X-Men stories ever told, dramatically enhancing the popularity of the characters and setting a high standard for superhero storytelling.

The launch of X-Men Vol. 2 in August 1991 became the best-selling comic book issue of all time, with X-Men #1 selling over 8 million copies. The series, written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by artist Jim Lee, capitalized on the growing popularity of the X-Men, translating their success from comic book pages to mainstream media. This issue marked a peak in comic book sales and influenced the 1990s comic book industry.

X-Men: The Animated Series premiered on October 31, 1992, and became a defining piece of television for fans of the X-Men franchise. The series aired on the Fox Kids Network and was known for its faithful adaptations of classic comic book storylines, including the Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past, bringing the X-Men to a wider audience and contributing to a resurgence in the series' popularity.

The release of the X-Men film on July 14, 2000, marked the beginning of a new era for comic book adaptations in Hollywood. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film starred Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and was both a critical and commercial success. It paved the way for the modern superhero film genre and demonstrated that audiences were eager for well-crafted, character-driven stories from the Marvel universe.

X-Men: The Last Stand, released on May 26, 2006, was the third installment in the original X-Men film series. Directed by Brett Ratner, it explored the popular 'Dark Phoenix' storyline and introduced the 'Mutant Cure' plot. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office success. It marked the end of Bryan Singer's original trilogy and expanded the cinematic scope of the X-Men universe.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine, released on May 1, 2009, was a spin-off prequel focusing on the origins of Wolverine, one of the most popular characters in the X-Men universe. Starring Hugh Jackman, the film explored Wolverine's past and his connection to the Weapon X program. Despite its commercial success, it received mixed to negative reviews for its plot and CGI effects, but it expanded on Wolverine's backstory.

X-Men: First Class, released on June 3, 2011, was both a prequel to the original X-Men trilogy and a soft reboot of the franchise. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, it focused on the origins of the X-Men during the Cold War and showcased the early friendship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, played by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender respectively. It was praised for its fresh take on the series and strong performances.

X-Men: Days of Future Past, released on May 23, 2014, was a critical and commercial success combining the casts of the original X-Men trilogy and X-Men: First Class. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film adapted the popular comic book storyline of the same name, involving time travel and the Sentinels, large robots programmed to hunt mutants. It helped unify the disparate timelines within the X-Men film series.

Logan, released on March 3, 2017, was a critically acclaimed film regarded as one of the best superhero films ever made. Directed by James Mangold, it presented a dark, gritty future where many of the X-Men are no longer alive. Hugh Jackman reprised his role as Wolverine for the last time in this film, which was lauded for its mature storytelling and emotional depth, exploring themes of aging and legacy.

The Gifted, an American television series set in the X-Men universe, premiered on October 3, 2017, on the Fox network. Created by Matt Nix, the show focuses on a suburban family that discovers their children possess mutant powers, and they must join an underground community of mutants to survive. The series was praised for its characters and exploration of themes such as bigotry and survival in a prejudiced world.