10 Most Underrated X-Men in Marvel History

Many mutants claim a place among the X-Men, but only some team members get a spot with the A-List crew. It’s always easy to spot Wolverine, Cyclops, or Jean Grey, but plenty of other powerful mutants fly further under the radar. From Omega-level healers to sewer-dwelling Morlocks, the X-Men franchise has had plenty of complex, compelling characters in their long history.

Only some X-Men are fit to lead a team or constantly stand in the spotlight, but plots sometimes move so quickly that they leave intriguing characters behind for too long. The mutants below offer a mixture of incredible, if underused, power, rich relationships, and interesting dynamics worthy of more exploration.

While they’re certainly not the only mutants with woefully untapped potential, they absolutely deserve more recognition than they’ve received. These ten mutants have spent too long in the background, when they could hold their own if featured more prominently, making them the most underrated X-Men around.

Joshua Foley (Elixir) – The Greatest Mutant Healer

First Appearance: New Mutants (2003) #5 – Written By Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir, Art By Mark A. Robinson

Elixir was introduced alongside Academy X mutants like Hellion and Surge, bringing with him a complicated family history. While he initially used his abilities to heal, his true ability is biokinesis, which essentially grants him the power of both life and death. He’s currently classed as an omega-level mutant.

Before Krakoa, where he joined the Five as a crucial part of the Resurrection Protocols, Elixir attempted to use his powers to bring the dead back to life (with mixed success), successfully regrew Prodigy’s heart, forcefully implanted tumors as a member of the X-Force, and much more. Despite his immense power, it has been years since Elixir was featured as a speaking character with a plot of real depth, despite a complex arc that could tip him toward a leading figure or a near-unstoppable villain.

Lorna Dane (Polaris) – The Mistress Of Magnetism

First Appearance: X-Men #49 – Written By Arnold Drake, Art By Don Heck & Werner Roth

Polaris may seem like a strange choice for an “underrated” character, but despite being easily recognizable, with Magneto as a father and Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver as (chosen) siblings, Lorna rarely holds the spotlight. Though she’s just as powerful as her father and has forged deep relationships with so many characters, the Mistress of Magnetism has never had a solo title to call her own.

Instead, she continues to bounce from team to team. Despite proving that she had what it takes to lead a team in All New X-Factor, and making invaluable contributions to Northstar’s Investigations team, she rejected the idea of taking on a bigger role in Krakoa. Magneto is right (as always) and it is time for Polaris to put her intelligence and many talents to greater use and stake a bigger claim on the Marvel Universe.

Jono Starsmore (Chamber) – A Walking Psionic Furnace

First Appearance: Generation X (1994) #1 – Written By Scott Lobdell; Art By Chris Bachalo

Mutants and tragedy go hand-in-hand. The X-Gene frequently manifests in dangerous ways and can cause great harm to emerging mutants and whatever unlucky soul may be nearby when their powers activate, yet few have suffered from the X-Gene manifesting quite like Jono Starsmore, otherwise known as Chamber. His body is essentially a furnace of psionic energy, which claimed his lower jaw and chest, setting him on a difficult path.

Jono was one of the original Generation X mutants and has since become an instructor for some incarnations of Xavier’s Institute, but he still has incredible untapped potential. It’s been hypothesized that Chamber could even become an Omega level mutant, and it’s been too long since something pushed him to gain more control over his abilities, despite softening (somewhat) over the years to become an inspiration to many young mutants.

Jamie Madrox (Multiple Man) – A Character With Endless Potential

First Appearance: Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 – Written By Chris Claremont & Len Wein; Art By John Buscema

Jamie Madrox easily has one of the X-Men’s most unique abilities. The name “Multiple Man” is as literal as it gets, as every impact against Jamie’s body can spawn a whole new duplicate of himself. These duplicates have their own personalities and, if given the opportunity, may even go off and begin living their own lives, as they did in X-Factor Investigations. It’s hard to imagine something Multiple Man couldn’t do – and what the real Jamie can’t accomplish, one of his dupes probably could.

Besides having a fascinating power, Jamie has woefully underutilized connections with many other underrated mutants like Siryn and Strong Guy. His powers also developed differently than most other mutants, too, and with the age of emerging mutants beginning to change, he deserves a seat at the table.

Paige Guthrie (Husk) – A Master Of Changing Forms

First Appearance: Rom Annual #3 – Written by Bill Mantlo; Art By William Johnson

The Guthrie family has a long history with the X-Men, as multiple Guthrie children found their way from Kentucky to Xavier’s Institute. Paige Guthrie, or Husk, is perhaps the most compelling of all. Husk’s primary ability allows her to form a new skin of nearly any material and shed her old “husk” to utilize it, essentially meaning she can prepare a body to withstand immense heat, freezing cold, be hard as stone, or whatever is needed.

Yet discovering her secondary mutation, which ties her “shedding” to losing memories and causing emotional upheaval, set her on a sympathetic journey that merits exploration. Paige has come a long way since her days with Generation X, but she and many of her old teammates could contribute so much more to the X-Men if given a real chance.

First Appearance: New Mutants (2003) #2 –Written by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir; Art By Keron Grant

Cessily Kincaid, aka Mercury, and her fellow Academy X students endured some of mutantkind’s most catastrophic tragedies in their formative years while they were still attempting to navigate the difficulties of being a mutant in a world disgusted by them. Mercury is particularly acquainted with that feeling, as the X-Gene turned her body into a mercury-like substance that she can shift and change at will, and permanently set her apart from human society.

Despite her struggles, Cessily has always been a compassionate, kind person who is willing to stand up for others, and her powerset has serious untapped potential. Her former teammate and close friend, Hellion, is gearing up to be one of Marvel’s newest villains, and Surge has joined Forge’s X-Force, but Mercury has yet to receive a proper chance to stand on her own.

Danielle Moonstar (Mirage) – The Connection Between the X-Men and Asgard

First Appearance: The New Mutants – Written By Chris Claremont; Art By Bob Mcleod

Danielle Moonstar, or Mirage, got her start with the New Mutants, alongside Wolfsbane, Sunspot, Karma, and Cannonball. Her abilities have grown and changed in the years since she was a mere X-Men trainee, and Mirage is capable of various psionic and telepathic feats, including conjuring fear-based illusions, communicating with animals, and creating energy arrows. Her mutant abilities aren’t the only notable things about Dani, however.

Mirage is the only mutant to become a Valkyrie, making her a one-of-a-kind bridge between the X-Men and Asgard. While she isn’t currently active as a Valkyrie, it’s a meaningful part of her past. Moreover, she’s forged remarkably close bonds with other X-Men and grew into a supportive, understanding mentor even when she lost her own powers during M-Day. In other words, Dani Moonstar is too versatile and talented to remain on the sidelines.

Jean-Paul Beaubier (Northstar) – The World’s Fastest Mutant

First Appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #120 – WrittenBy Chris Claremont & John Byrne; Art By Byrne

Northstar is one of Marvel’s premier speedsters, technically capable of traveling faster than the speed of light, but he’s still never received the same recognition as several other X-Men. Jean-Paul Beaubier has all the makings of an icon. From his sharp wit and intelligence to his mind-blowing speed, he has all the makings of an A-List superhero, and his time on Krakoa proved that he’s plenty capable of leading.

Beyond his qualifications as a superhero, though, Jean-Paul Beaubier is the perfect mentor for any mutants who feel too “other” even among their peers. He’s openly gay, happily married, and has carved out a place for himself in a world that was not made for him in any way. Northstar is inspiring with a proven track record of success, and it’s time to elevate him to a more central role.

Sarah Rushman (Marrow) – A Morlock Hero

First Appearance: Cable #15 – Written By Jeph Loeb; Art By David Brewer

Some mutants have to fight harder than others to survive, and the Morlocks know that better than anyone. Sarah Rushman became Marrow the moment the X-Gene began creating bony protrusions all over her body. In the years since, Marrow has learned to turn those growths into lethal weapons and create a new identity around them.

She is, in a word, fierce. Her storied history with the Morlocks gives her depth and plenty of strife, but she’s still been an asset to the X-Men when their goals align. Marrow can always be counted upon to walk her own path, rather than blindly follow someone else’s, and her strong-mindedness and perseverance would shake up any team that granted her a prominent role. Marrow is an unforgettable fighter with a soft spot for her fellow disenfranchised mutants, and that’s worth celebrating.

Alani Ryan (Loa) – Mutant Molecular Manipulator

First Appearance: New Mutants (2003) #11 – Written By Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir; Art By Carlo Barberi

Last, but certainly not least, is Alani Ryan, aka Loa. Loa made her debut as part of Northstar’s Alpha Squadron after her powers manifesting, allowing her to distort matter. This essentially means that Alani can move her body through any material, often at the expense of the matter itself. By extension, her powers can be dangerous and cause massive damage, but she has successfully used them to take down a fully operational Sentinelon her own.

Her X-Gene isn’t Loa’s only notable attribute, however. She boasts a strong connection to Atlantis, thanks to a special amulet left by her grandmother, and consequently forms a bond with Namor. While the Sub-Mariner is already a sometimes-ally of the X-Men, Loa’s ties to Atlantis and capacity for becoming a powerhouse of a fighter earned her this list’s final spot.