Happy 60th Anniversary to The Avengers & X-Men

Well, they always said that time flies when you’re having fun and/or acquire superpowers. True, we may not have the ability to control the weather or time itself, but we sure can look back in time. Luckily, this is an excellent time to take a trip through history. After all, we’re right near the 60th anniversary of the Avengers and the X-Men.

Together, these two Marvel super hero teams have influenced comics and pop culture more than nearly any other super group in history. So, without further ado, let’s learn about these heroes, their villains, and their stories.

---

The Avengers Then

 

Members

Initially, The Avengers was a team comprised of Thor, Hulk, Iron Man, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. In fact, Wasp created the name for team. She said, “We need a name! It should be something colorful and dramatic, like… the Avengers.” Clearly, the name stuck. And more so, the heroes stuck around. Well, except for Hulk — he left in issue 2 (it’s more complicated than gamma radiation). But Captain America would soon join in issue 4.

Villains

Over in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Avengers fought against Thor’s scheming brother. Similarly, the Avengers in the comics also formed due to Loki and his mischief. In time, the Avengers would fight together against Ultron, Kang the Conquerer, Baron Zemo, and many others.

---

The Avengers Now

Members

Currently, the Avengers lineup includes Captain Marvel, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch, and Vision. However, the team has grown to include nearly all the popular Marvel characters. Naturally, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, She-Hulk, Monica Rambeau, Hercules, Scott Lang, Luke Cage, and many other big names have cycled through the roster.

Villains

Through the years, the Avengers have fought foes across the Multiverse. Certainly, Thanos posed one of the greatest threats during the Infinity Saga. And yes, there have been multiple Secret Wars won and lost — not to mention countless world domination plots from Doctor Doom. Perhaps, however, the greatest threat they’ve faced is division and hate among themselves. After all, there have been two Civil War storylines. Now, according to Marvel, the Avengers will face “The Tribulation Events and a new and insidious danger rearing its head: one that the Avengers know all too well, and one that comes to them in the most dangerous of guises – that of a friend.”

---

X-Men Then

Members

At first, the X-Men were a particularly small team. In fact, it only featured Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman, and Marvel Girl (more commonly known as Jean Grey). The team was put together by Professor Charles Xavier in an attempt to fight for the rights of mutantkind. At the time, the stories were fairly straightforward. Professor X would identify a villain and the team would respond in full force!

Villains

Undoubtedly, the most iconic X-Men villain, even to this very day, is the Master of Magnetism himself, Magneto. He was shown to be an opposing philosophical counterpart to Professor X. While the X-Men wanted to live among humans and co-exist, Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants wanted to discard the hateful and hurtful humans and live free. If it weren’t for the X-Men, humanity might have perished.

---

X-Men Now

Members

Years later, and the X-Men stories have gotten significantly more complicated. They’ve gone to space, added legendary members like Storm and Wolverine, and even had their school blown up (multiple times!). In recent X-history, there are very few stories now where morality is black and white. You see, when Jonathan Hickman took over the X-Men in 2019, everything changed. After the House of X / Powers of X storyline, every single mutant came together to fight for the future of all mutantkind. The Krakoan Era has been a time of mutants reclaiming their power.

Villains

Unfortunately, the threat of humanity hasn’t faltered. Greed and corruption in the hearts of a few can endanger the many — even if most mutants do fight to protect humans as well. Finally, after years of fighting against each other, the X-Men are working together seamlessly against a world that insists on hating them. Of course, there is also the ever-present threat of classic foes like Mister Sinister and vengeful traitors like Moira X.

---

After 60 years, it’s time to decide. Which team do you like more: the Avengers or the X-Men? Join the conversation with other Marvel fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!