18 must-read X-Men comic books of the 2000s
By Mark Lynch
![WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Cosplay, or costume play, actors Eclectic Eevee (L) and Sweet Spectre dress as characters from the X-Men comic books during the first day of Awesome Con at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center June 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Thousands of fans of popular culture, fantasy and science fiction will gather for the three-day convention that includes comic books, collectibles, toys, games, original art, cosplay and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Cosplay, or costume play, actors Eclectic Eevee (L) and Sweet Spectre dress as characters from the X-Men comic books during the first day of Awesome Con at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center June 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Thousands of fans of popular culture, fantasy and science fiction will gather for the three-day convention that includes comic books, collectibles, toys, games, original art, cosplay and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/97a820e30b03e79d9dfaf5f69a904dda3926d9df7d7af13ebcba70d508aa4ae9.jpg)
11. X-Force/Uncanny X-Force
Writer: Christopher Yost, Craig Kyle, Rick Remender
The phrase used for these two series was: “The X-Men don’t kill. These aren’t the X-Men.” Cyclops decided it was time to attack mutant enemies preemptively. However, he needed something different from his Wolverine-led team. Cyclops didn’t want their villains captured. He needed them dead. After Second Coming (more on that later) Cyclops disbanded X-Force, and Wolverine kept the team going with a mostly new base and roster.
X-Force was more than just a comic book series about a kill squad. Each of the teams dealt with its issues. Especially Logan. He was dealing with trust issues with Deadpool, Archangel becoming Apocalypse, and so much more.
Of course, there was a lot of violence. Wolverine, Laura Kinney, Archangel, Wolfsbane, Domino, Deadpool, Archangel, Nightcrawler from the Age of Apocalypse, Fantomex, and Deathlock spilled a lot of blood. With everything Orchis is doing, this writer expects X-Force to return soon.
10. X-Men
Writer: Mike Carey
Rogue has been one of the most popular X-Men since she made her debut. It was only a matter of time before she led her own roster. With mutant heroes being at an all-time low, Rogue stepped up big time.
She wasn’t in charge of just any group. Half of the team were villains. Her first time out, she was leading Sabretooth, Lady Mastermind, and Mystique. To make things worse, she was going up against the Children of the Vault—a superhuman team with powers beyond the X-Men.