Since their inception, the X-Men have served as an allegory about racism. Because mutants were despised and feared based on nothing more than their DNA, topics most commonly avoided in comics were woven into the very fabric of the book from the beginning.
Early issues are most definitely a product of their time, but the X-Men would go on to push boundaries as Marvel’s most diverse group, especially following the team’s revamp in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and continuing to this very day. The X-Men were outcasts, but they always had each other.
More so than most of Marvel’s other titles, X-Men has always been a very character-driven comic. It also included romances of epic and, at times, soap-operatic proportions. The book was rife with strange and unexpected hookups, as well as unforgettable love stories. Because X-Men writers took so much time and care in adding depth to their characters, readers continue to remain incredibly invested in their love lives.
As with any good fandom, X-fans have not only supported the couples already existing in canon, but also created new pairings through fan works. Let’s be real: the X-books are progressive, but mainstream comics could use some more diverese relationships.
These artists have taken it upon themselves to imagine what the couples that they are hoping for would look like together. Thanks to their time and skill, we have these images depicting relationships as yet unseen in the comics. Maybe the X-Men writers will follow suit on some of these.
Here are 25 Wild Redesigns Of Unexpected X-Men Couples.
Storm and Rogue
Many fans could probably root for the couple depicted here by Poefish. Rogue and Storm are both amazing women and they are close in the comics.
In the animated series, the two were pretty much best friends and that appears to be where this drawing is taking its inspiration from.
Although Rogue’s most well-known romance was with Gambit, she has had some unexpected loves as well. She and Magneto were once a couple, but that didn’t end great. Sadly, relationships have always been a very complicated arena for Rogue on account of her powers.
Nightcrawler and Shadowcat
Nightcrawler and Shadowcat are actually one of the more popular non-canon X-Men couples and there is plenty of fan fiction and art to support that. This piece by LinaDolz features them together as they appeared in the much beloved X-Men Evolution.
In both the cartoons and the comics, Kitty and Kurt were incredibly close. His demonic appearance frightened her initially, but soon the girl who could phase through solid objects and the teleporter developed a strong bond.
There is a fairly significant portion of fans who seem to feel that they should be more than friends.
Wolverine and Jubilee
Wolverine and Jubilee have always been close, but he was more like an older brother to her than anything romantic. They even had their own miniseries. This piece by Ricken-Art depicts the undeniable chemistry between the two.
Jubilation Lee was created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri in 1989. She is very much a product of the time and it would seem that all of the cool superpowers were already taken when she was given hers. Jubilee can make fireworks. Writers have done their best to make this more formidable, but none have been very successful.
This image refers to Jubilee’s time as a vampire, which not only robbed her of her powers, but also stole her bubbly personality.
Colossus and Northstar
Colossus is pictured here with Northstar in a piece by Autumn-Sacura.
Colossus’s most iconic love story is undeniably with Kitty, but he has had other serious romances, including one with Domino. Northstar is one of the first openly gay characters in American comics, and the first one to come out in a Marvel book. He and Kyle Jinadu were married in Astonishing X-Men #51, which made history as the first nontraditional wedding in mainstream comics.
In this picture, though, it seems that he only has eyes for Peter.
Beast and Storm
Beast hasn’t been what you would call lucky in love, but it’s probably not too easy to find romance when you’re furry and blue. Fortunately, some women have been able to see Hank McCoy’s incredible heart, such as Abigail Brand and Trish Tilby - not that those were exactly examples of a healthy relationship.
This piece by hellsingfanchick pairs Beast with Storm.
They are not a super popular fan couple, but this does have some basis in the comics.
In the Ultimate Universe, Hank and Ororo were together, but their relationship was troubled on account of him feeling unworthy of her affections due to his appearance.
Nightcrawler and Wolverine
For a guy who’s not a team player at all, Wolverine’s been on a whole lot of teams, including X-Men, Avengers and Alpha Flight. Much of his history remained a mystery until Origin gave him a proper backstory in 2001.
Wolverine has had his fair share of romances, most of them disastrous, and his friendship with Nightcrawler has outlasted them all.
He and Kurt are incredibly close, but this piece by RottenDeadpan imagines that the two are even closer.
Who knew Wolverine could look this adorable?
Psylocke and Deadpool
This pairing by CameronMark isn’t entirely out of nowhere, as Psylocke and Deadpool teamed up in the excellent Uncanny X-Force. It does perfectly illustrate their dynamic, though.
We won’t delve into the complex history of Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock, but Psylocke was created by Claremont and Herb Trimpe. Her epic love story took place with Archangel and it was heartbreaking. She rebounded with Fantomex.
Wade Winston Wilson’s creation at the hands of Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld infamously copied Deathstroke, but the Merc with a Mouth has come a long way since 1991. He first appeared in New Mutants #98. Deadpool has been romantically linked to Siryn, Copycat and even Thanos’s lady love.
Magneto and Professor X
Considering the close, albeit adversarial relationship between Professor X and Magneto, it makes perfect sense that fans would root for them. They have been many things to one another: friends, enemies, and much of what lies between. This piece by Fishik takes their connection further still.
Charles Xavier was the heart of the X-Men, acting as mentor and father figure to Marvel’s marvelous mutants. Magneto opposed him at every turn, feeling that there was no reason to even attempt civility with those who hated and feared them.
Both characters have evolved a great deal since their inception. Xavier wasn’t quite as benevolent as he initially appeared, and Erik, who was never a straightforward villain, has become a hero.
Colossus and Rogue
As stated earlier, Rogue and Colossus have both had incredibly iconic romances with Gambit and Kitty Pryde, respectively. However, this ‘80s-inspired piece by maxspider72 chooses to pair them with each other instead.
Although this pair has never really come together in comics or cartoons, there were a couple of close calls.
At one point, it was revealed that Colossus and Rogue could touch while the former was in armored form without Rogue absorbing his powers or personality. It would seem that this was a significant detail that was going somewhere, but it never really did.
Gambit and Beast
Upon his introduction, Hank McCoy had oversized hands and feet, as well as a genius level intellect and super strength. However, his physiology continued to transform and eventually Beast was more than just his nickname. Hank has struggled with his appearance over the years, but eventually learned to cope.
Remy Etienne LeBeau was a much later addition to the X-Men, debuting in 1990. He was created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee. Due to his history as a thief, it took some time for his fellow mutants to learn to trust him.
Although his heart belongs to Rogue in the comics, this piece by hellsingfanchick shows sparks flying between Gambit and Beast.
Thor and Storm
Ororo Munroe was introduced in Giant-Size X-Men #1. There were very few black comic book characters to play a major role in mainstream comics at that time. Storm would’ve been the first black female character, but Misty Knight beat her to the punch just a few months earlier. She’d eventually go on to lead the X-Men.
Storm has had several notable romances over the years, the most well-known being with Forge. She famously married Black Panther in 2006, but the couple eventually divorced. Following that, Storm formed a romantic relationship with Wolverine. The two had previously only dated in Ultimate continuity.
In this image, micQuestion pairs the weather goddess with the God of Thunder, which actually does make sense.
Darwin and Havok
This piece by Autumn-Sacura imagines Darwin and Havok from X-Men: First Class as more than friends. Sadly, Darwin’s character didn’t have time to explore much of anything in the film before being unceremoniously offed.
Alexander Summers, aka Havok is the younger brother of Scott Summers, aka Cyclops. Alex can absorb and process cosmic energy, releasing it in waves that heat the air into plasma.
First Class was great, but one of its stranger moments was when Darwin lost his life so quickly. His mutant ability is reactive evolution, meaning the guy can adapt to survive literally anything. Perhaps the writers thought that he was expendable, but it didn’t make much narrative sense.
Nightcrawler and Scarlet Witch
This ship has no real basis in the comics, but the short-lived Wolverine and the X-Men series did begin to explore the possibilities here.
Perhaps if the show had continued this kiss would’ve become a reality.
At least this piece with lines by JamieFayX and colors by vest brings it to life in some form.
Wanda Maximoff debuted as an X-Men villain, but eventually reformed. She was in an early incarnation of the Avengers and has been on some form of the team pretty much ever since.
Wanda’s most famous romantic connection is with Vision, who she was married to at one point. Meanwhile Kurt dated Amanda Sefton, aka Jimaine Szardos, aka Daytripper.
Iceman, Rogue and Pyro
Rogue in Fox’s X-Men universe has always been a point of contention among fans. There was nothing wrong with Anna Paquin’s performance, but there is no denying that she was quite different from her comic counterpart.
Fans were also surprised that founding member of the X-Men, Robert Louis “Bobby” Drake, aka Iceman, was significantly younger than the other early members of the team. Even still, most viewers liked Shawn Ashmore in the role.
Rounding out the teen trio was John Allerdyce, aka Pyro, who was played by Aaron Stanford.
Although Bobby and Rogue had romantic feelings for one another, this piece by bandsidhe imagines what these three characters would look like if things had turned out differently.
Wolverine and Sabretooth
You kind of can’t help but imagine these two as a couple at some point, can you? Seriously, you could cut that tension with an axe.
Wolverine and Sabretooth have a long and complicated history with one another that has only grown more convoluted over the years.
Victor Creed was initially not a mutant at all, but simply a psycho. Of course, he later served as the dark reflection of Wolverine. Logan is already a pretty dark guy, though, so Sabretooth had to be pretty evil.
Sabretooth and Wolverine have had some pretty epic showdowns, but this piece by Mirax3163 imagines them together in a very different way, much more snuggly way.
Dazzler and Beast
This relationship has some basis in the comics, as these two had a miniseries that explored their feelings for one another, cleverly titled Beauty and the Beast.
Although a romance was hinted at, it never really took shape.
This piece by jackcrowder finally gives it shape.
Alison Blaire began her career as a disco singer, using her music as a vehicle for her mutant abilities. Dazzler was originally intended to be a cross-promotional creation between Marvel Comics and Casablanca Records, but this eventually fell apart.
Dazzler has had passing relationships with both Archangel and the Beyonder, but her most well-known romance is probably with Longshot.
Nightcrawler and Angel
These two are another popular fan couple, likely because there is something rather poetic about pairing an angel and a demon as Kimballgray has done here. Angel has previously been linked to Dazzler and Psylocke.
Warren Kenneth Worthington III was another founding member of the X-Men. However, the character took a turn when Apocalypse transformed him into Archangel in 1987.
Warren was brainwashed into serving the villain. He had previously lost his wings, but Apocalypse gave him some that were far more terrifying. These wings were capable of firing darts containing a neurotoxin. His skin turned blue, and even after leaving Apocalypse he was forever changed. This was sad for Warren, but gave far more depth to his character.
Wolverine and Rogue
These two have some romantic history in the comics, but not until 2005. Although they have always been close, theirs had been a bond of friendship - at least until they made out in the sewer.
The alien creature Golgotha was able to amplify emotions and when Wolverine and Rogue were exposed, their deeper feelings came bubbling to the surface. This led to the aforementioned sewer encounter. The topic was never really revisited, but fans still love to put them together.
Nolife-Edi created this piece.
It illustrates the differences in their personalities: Rogue’s sunny disposition vs. Wolvie’s rough exterior.
Perhaps readers feel that the disparity between them is what would make them a compelling couple.
Storm and Nightcrawler
This piece comes from RavenHeartStudios and pairs Storm with Nightcrawler. Although there has been some flirtation between these two over the years, a romance between them never really materialized.
He does look rather dashing in this image, though, doesn’t he? Storm is rocking her ‘80s punk rock makeover mohawk; a look that has become a favorite among fans.
Claremont originally intended to have Storm be interested in both men and women. He began sowing those seeds with her close friendship with Yukio. However, Marvel would not allow him to make Storm bi. These days, the X-Men have more LGBTQ members than any other team - except perhaps the Young Avengers.
Wolverine and Gambit
These two X-Men are often at odds and it’s rare that you find a reader that doesn’t much prefer one over the other. Logan hasn’t always been a fan of Gambit and the feeling was mutual. Perhaps that’s why ponderosa121 has chosen to pair them together here.
Despite their issues, the two have teamed up over the years and gained a begrudging respect for one another.
Wolverine has had many doomed relationships, from his unrequited love for Jean to his toxic affair with Mystique to the tragic loss of his true love, Mariko. Gambit has had his fair share of romances as well, but fans will likely never stop rooting for him and Rogue.
