Friday Five – X-Men

Welcome to the Friday Five! Each week I help you get to know me little better, with the help of the ancient art of a Top 5 list!  This week, in the spirit of Avengers vs. X-men, I draft my own team of favorite X-men.

I’ve always been a big X-Men fan. The Animated Series came out when I was in 6th grade, and I’ve seen every episode multiple times, including at least 3 times I sat down and watched all 76 episodes in a row in a short span. I still have my VHS Tape, cup and placemat from the Pizza Hut promo. It was also one of the few series I read regularly at the time, I had all the issues of Uncanny from 281 (coincides with X-Men, Vol 2 #1) all the way up through and past Jean and Scott’s wedding to the Age of Apocalypse and most of the corresponding X-Men issues until I lost interest in comics the first time.

1. Cyclops – While I know some people don’t like him, I always thought he was badass, at least back in the 90’s, what with that cool leather jacket. In 6th grade, I gave everyone in my class a X-Men related nickname, and mine was Cyclops. I even dressed up as him for Halloween (pictures unavailable at this time). I understand of late he’s become a bit of a dick after like becoming Apocalypse or some such, but for a team leader and tactician, I can think of no one better. And he was with both Jean and Emma? Score!

 

2. Colossus – Unlike last week with the Avengers, who are comprised almost exclusively of strong brawlers, the X-Men only have a few, and Colossus is definitely the best of them. And he had the best special attack in the X-Men arcade game. “Mmmwwhhaaaaaaaa!”

 

3. Cable – While there are many to choose from, I’m gonna pick Cable for my team telepath. In addition to being a super powerful telepath, they gave him all those guns he doesn’t really need. And the pouches! He’s basically Dirty Harry, which is awesome. And his episodes of TAS were some of the best. (Based on just reading this week’s Fantastic Four, if he were older, this pick would totally go to Franklin Richards. He’s just not developed enough with his powers yet, but someday he is going to be epically awesome)

 

4. Nightcrawler – I always thought he was funny. One of the first series I ever picked up was Marvel Comics Presents, which had a running story with him and Wolverine I really liked. His powers could be extremely cool when used right. And I have both his miniseries.

 

5. Shadowcat – While originally a “Damsel In Distress” type character in the Pryde of The X-Men special (which I still have on VHS, and is the basis for the X-Men arcade game), she’s grown up a lot since her debut in the 80’s (and lost that horrible disco attire). In addition to her intangibility, which has to be really useful, she’s like a trained ninja and computer expert. I have both of her miniseries as well. Plus, who doesn’t love Ellen Page in The Last Stand.

JohnScott is the proud owner of a life size replica Captain Kirk Chair. He is a hoarder of Comic Books, Transformers, and Star Trek action figures. He attended Space Camp as an adult. He has taken vacations to the closing of the Star Trek Experience and the final night Shuttle launch. He has been known to yell at his television when the kids can't put together the damn statue in the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. When not writing for InsufficientScotty, he is a Software Engineer for a major healthcare communications company. You can Email or follow on Twitter @NotEnoughScotty or Facebook