During growing hostilities between humans and mutants on the rise, Professor Charles Xavier created the original team by bringing together five promising young mutants: Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Henry McCoy, Robert Drake, and Warren Worthington III with the purpose of training them to use their powers for the benefit of mankind. He named this team the X-Men because of the extra abilities they all possessed as mutants. So that the team could operate covertly without blowing their cover they were all given code-names. Bobby Drake, the youngest member of the group and class clown, chose the obvious name Iceman because of his ability to create and manipulate ice. The brilliant Hank McCoy selected the name Beast for his disproportionate bodily features as well as his agility, strength, and acrobatic abilities. Because he possessed large, white, feathered wings stemming from his upper back, Warren Worthington aptly chose the name Angel (later to be known as Archangel). Scott Summers chose the name Cyclops because of the single eye-piece of the protective visor that he was forced to wear in order to control his optic blast. The only female member of the group, Jean Grey selected the name Marvel Girl for herself. The team was located out the estate of their mentor at Professor Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters at 1407 Greymalkin Lane in Salem Center, Westchester County, New York. Along with the many aspects of a conventional education, the students received practical training in the use of their abilities both in the controlled environment of the Danger Room on school grounds, as well as the real-life training that field missions gave them.
Early on the team employed its training in the real world both trying to locate other mutants and to fight against mutant terrorists. On several occasions they battled against Xavier's former friend Magneto and his Brotherhood Of Evil Mutants. Notable early enemies (many of which were brotherhood members) included Magneto, Unus the Untouchable, the Vanisher, the Sentinels, the Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Toad, the Juggernaut, the Blob, Mimic, and the Super-Adaptoid. Later additions to the original five included Cyclops' brother Havok as well as Magneto's daughter Polaris. The Mimic was also a team member briefly, but only after blackmailing the team and was the only member to be kicked off the team.
Original Members:
Cyclops
Beast
Iceman
Angel
Marvel Girl
Supporting Cast:
Professor X
Additional Members:
Mimic
Havok
Polaris
