The early X-Men comic book issues introduced us to Magneto and his brotherhood of Mutants. In this brotherhood you find Mastermind, Quicksilver, the Toad and the Scarlet Witch. These early comics were based on the theme of good versus evil and included storylines and themes that made social comment on prejudice and racism. Evil was given a human face with Magneto. His character was said to have survived Nazi concentration camps only to have developed a hate for all normal men. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch were gypsies. Mimic was the only new member of the X-men, but he soon left after his temporary loss of power.

The comic series was given rejuvenation in 1969 and two new characters were introduced. Havok and Polaris, originally known as Lorna Dane, became regulars in the series. These later editions did not sell well and Marvel stopped production of new stories in issue number sixty six. A reprinting of the older comics went ahead as issues number sixty seven through to ninety three.

Giant Size X-men issue one was released in 1975. A new team was introduced and was featured in the new issues of the X-men beginning at issue number ninety four. The new team was very different to the original. We find the team is older and there is a greater diversity of cultures represented. Each has a varying philosophical belief as well as their unique mutant powers. All team members know their powers and many are already experienced in combat. Team members include Colossus from the Soviet Union, Storm from Kenya, Banshee from Ireland and the most famous of all Wolverine from Canada. The character of Wolverine became the most popular X-men of all time, based on comic sales. We also saw appearances by Polaris and Havok. At this stage Chris Claremont is the writer for the series and he became the longest running contributor to the comic series. The series won critical acclaim. At this time the Proteus Saga and the Dark Phoenix Saga are produced. We see characters introduced that include Kitty Pryde and Mystique and Moira MacTaggert and her genetic research facility on Muir Island.