Published Aug 8, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.
Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.
Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.
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Marvel recently announced a historic new era for the X-Men, as the mutant team officially take over for the Avengers following the tragic events of Avengers: Armageddon. With the Avengers gone, the X-Men will take on Thanos-tier villains including Annihilus and newcomer Retribution in the upcoming Maximum X-Men.
The X-Men are about to take a pivotal place in Marvel lore, officially becoming the new holders of the "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" nickname. But which heroes will actually serve on this historic team?
Let's take a look at every hero on this team, the powers they wield and where they're coming from in terms of their recent history and headspace. Maximum X-Men is coming from the creative team of Christopher Yost and Tony S. Daniel.
Leader: Storm | Last Seen in 2026's Storm: Earth's Mightiest Mutant
First up is team leader Storm, aka Ororo Munroe. Storm is the perfect choice for this new team, given she was a member of the most recent iteration of the Avengers, as depicted in the recently concluded Avengers Volume 9. Asked to join the team when Thor took a leave of absence, Storm is essentially staying in place with a new team, giving her unique authority to replace the Avengers.
Storm's most recent appearances have taken place in her solo series, where she's journeyed across the multiverse and even become an all-powerful avatar of Eternity. Storm's recent adventures have put her in touch with her full potential and seen her investigate her mystical lineage.
Maximum X-Men is getting Storm at the top of her game - fresh off being recruited by the Avengers and with more knowledge of her full range of abilities than ever before. She's long been an Omega mutant with the power to control the weather, but Marvel now consistently depicts Storm as a literal goddess.
Wolverine | Last Seen in Wolverine and Uncanny X-Men (Both Ongoing)
Iconic X-Man Wolverine will also join the team, wearing his classic yellow and brown costume (at least judging by Tony S. Daniel's cover.) Wolverine has recently been a member of Rogue's Louisiana X-Men, and it's unclear whether he'll continue to serve on that squad as well as Storm's.
In his own comics, Wolverine has been dealing with the loss of his powers, temporarily losing both his healing factor and adamantium. He'll have them back for Maximum X-Men, and will potentially be Storm's second in command (though Bishop is also a likely candidate.) There's also a chance they'll rekindle their past romance, as the two have a habit of getting back together when their heroic commitments allow.
Colossus | Last Seen in 2026'S Magik and Colossus
Piotr Rasputin's Colossus has been through Hell in the last few years, and fans are desperate to see him bring home a win. Left at the altar then mind-controlled into killing his new partner and betraying the X-Men, Colossus tried to reinvent himself as new hero 'Tank' in the pages of X-Force.
A recent solo series with his demonic sister Magik hasn't exactly lifted his spirits, and it's long past time he was on a team again, especially one where he can work alongside close friend Wolverine. Colossus possesses metallic skin and superstrength, seemingly set to act as the team's muscle.
Bishop | Last Seen in 2026's Bishop
Time-traveler Bishop can absorb energy directed against him and weaponize it, and is fresh off a battle against the futuristic Final Brotherhood - descendants of classic X-Men villains. A tactical genius, Bishop is likely to have a command role within the team as well as being their resident weapons expert.
Iceman | Last Seen in X-Men: United (Ongoing)
Like Storm, Iceman is an Omega mutant who has seen a massive power upgrade recently. The recent Iceman: Omega confirmed that Bobby Drake can use his powers to freeze time itself, as well as having an arsenal of other abilities including spreading his consciousness through an army of bodies and growing to gigantic size.
Having two Omegas on the team may seem like overkill, but with Marvel confirming the Maximum X-Men's first mission as repelling a full-scale invasion from the Negative Zone, they'll need every heavy hitter they can field. Annihilus' Negative Zone troops razed entire planets during the historic Annihilation.
Betsy Braddock | Last Seen in 2024's X-Force
Betsy Braddock has become one of X-Men's most unusual characters, following Marvel's 2018 decision to permanently split her from the Psylocke identity, returning it to the original ninja assassin Kwannon (after decades of Betsy inhabiting her body.) Betsy became Captain Britain for a while, but isn't currently using the identity.
In an interview with AIPT, Maximum X-Men writer Christopher Yost confirmed she'll be using a new codename. Don't be surprised to see it debut in October 14's Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special #1, which will celebrate the past, present and future of Betsy and her twin brother Brian.
Betsy is an incredibly powerful telepath and telekinetic, with a particular skill at forging psionic energy into weaponry - most famously her 'psychic knife,' but recently also a powerful sword, which she wields on Daniel's cover.
Firestar | Last Seen in 2025's West Coast Avengers
Firestar is undergoing one of the most interesting arcs in Marvel Comics. Formerly wary of the X-Men despite her mutant status (especially old enemy Emma Frost), Firestar was a significant member of the Avengers. However, when the Krakoan Era came, Firestar was welcomed into the mutant nation and eventually voted onto the X-Men.
After the X-Men were targeted by Orchis, Firestar joined the villains at Jean Grey's urging, leaving her hated by 99% of mutants, who didn't know she was playing a vital role in their protection. After Krakoa collapsed, Firestar joined the West Coast Avengers, where the heroes helped her confront her growing alcohol abuse following her traumatic experiences as a double agent.
Due to her dark times with the team, it's a surprise to see Firestar back with the X-Men, but it bodes well for the character. Yost tells AIPT:
I love Firestar and Vance, and have used them both in either New Warriors books or an X-title in the past. Sometimes it’s good to have characters you aren’t sharing so you can mess with them a little more. Firestar’s had a rocky road, and this is the start of her journey back into the light.
Firestar can effectively generate microwaves, creating heat and radiation in incredible amounts. She can also absorb various forms of radiation and cause herself to fly by creating updrafts, as well as shorting out electronic equipment.
Justice | Last Seen in 2023's X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic
Firestar's former fiancé, the two joined the Avengers together during Kurt Busiek's acclaimed run on the title. While technically a mutant, he has very little history with the X-Men, and is more associated with the New Warriors and various Avengers offshoots.
Justice is a powerful telekinetic who maintains a constant 'force field' of energy which he can use in various ways, including flight and offensive blasts. His field has protected against attacks from some of the most powerful villains in Marvel canon, including the godlike Korvac.
Yost plans to put Vance Astrovik through his paces in the title, stating, "He’s a hero through and through; he can’t HELP but be a hero. And of course, we’re going to make him regret that."
Cyclops' X-Men Still Stand Alone
While Storm's team draws members from across current X-Men titles, it's notable that none of the members are drawn from Cyclops' Alaskan X-Men. In recent comics, Cyclops has spoken out against gathering too many mutants in one faction, both to avoid creating too big of a target and as part of his new philosophy of mutant diversity of thought.
With Charles Xavier having left Earth, Cyclops has officially abandoned his 'dream' as the defining vision of the X-Men, instead using his team to safeguard all mutants and allowing them to visualize and enact their own different concepts of a mutant future.
It appears that during the Maximum X-Men era, he'll stick to that principle, although fans shouldn't be surprised to see him backing up Storm's team in future issues.
With the Avengers down, Storm's Maximum X-Men will become Earth's foremost protectors, with a varied roster of mutants ready to defend the planet against all comers.
Maximum X-Men #1 is coming December 2 from Marvel Comics.
TV Show(s) X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men '97 (2024)
Video Game(s) X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine's Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
First Film X-Men (2000)
Character(s) Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
Comic Release Date 213035,212968
English (US) ·