When Jean Grey confronted a terrified Kitty hiding behind a box in a warehouse in 'Dark Phoenix Saga,' we, the readers, got an in depth look at the parts of Phoenix that were still Jean Grey, and the beginning of a story arc that would culminate in Kitty becoming one of the most famous and popular X-Men, ever.  The death of Phoenix leaving a void on the team that Kitty would subsequently fill, Jean Grey's death also marked the end of the first X-Men super couple - Cyclops and Phoenix.  Depending on whom you ask, Cyclops either whined too much over Jean's death or moved on too quickly for her die-hard fans.  His first two lovers not being mutants at all, an adolescent Kitty Pryde slowly and organically developed a crush on her teammate Piotr Rasputin thanks to Claremont’s gifted writing skills.  Like Gambit and Rogue that would come after, Piotr and Kitty's relationship was never meant to amount to anything more than mere flirtation, however, what began as flirtation flourished into an intense connection between the two characters.  Like all young loves, the first incarnation of their relationship would end when Colossus fell in love with a woman who soon died, breaking Kitty's heart and teaching Kitty her first lesson in what it means to be an adult.

Considering herself banished to the New Mutants, Kitty went from an X-Men rookie to the most seasoned member of Xavier's team of younger mutants training to one day become X-Men.  A time Kitty would most likely surely want to forget, the New Mutants showcased facets of Kitty Pryde that were well beyond her years.  Rather than out himself as a mutant, an adolescent young boy with the power to create sculptures out of light committed suicide.  Kitty, his friend, gave a heart breaking eulogy in which she broke down into tears at the podium establishing herself from her teammates as flat chested, Jewish, and a nerd, something not yet seen in the Marvel Universe.  After all with fellow teammates like Jean Grey, Storm and Polaris, who could blame an ordinary girl for feeling intimidated by their striking appearances and anatomy?  More importantly, Kitty was now more like us.  She wasn't just a mutant, hated and feared by normal humans, she was an outcast in a group of outcasts, something X-Men fans could truly relate to.  She was one of us.

A long stint on Excalibur would end with Kitty joining the latest incarnation of X-Men, Joss Whedon's groundbreaking Astonishing X-Men.  Whedon made no secret of his affinity for Kitty Pryde, going so far as to base Buffy of 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' on Kitty's personality.  Whedon wasted no time resurrecting Colossus in a now classic scene, where he runs through Kitty's phased, in shock body.  The relationship between Kitty and Colossus was resumed and taken to new heights, even achieving a Marvel super couple status.  Like their first attempt at a romantic relationship, this too abruptly ended when Kitty bonded with a giant bullet originating from the Breakworld and aimed at the planet Earth.  With Colossus in the middle of a battle, it was Emma Frost, the first X-Men villain Kitty ever met, who broke down into tears upon the realization Kitty would never return from inside the gigantic bullet.  When the book was closed on Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men, it become ferociously clear this was more than an X-Men book.  This was the story of Kitty Pryde.  Her courage and selfless sacrificial death saved the planet earth;. And the thirteen year old girl, who once cowered behind a crate in a warehouse when she first met Jean Grey, had come truly full circle. mutants and humans alike.

Banshee

Sean Cassidy, an Irishman with a sonic scream and the ability to fly, unsurprisingly lived an exciting but troubled life, often haunted by bad choices and unfortunate circumstances. Whilst away on a mission with Interpol, his wife was killed, leaving him a daughter, Theresa. However due to a falling out with his cousin Black Tom Cassidy, her existence was kept secret from him and a bitter hatred forged between the cousins.

After leaving Interpol and setting up as a private detective, Sean was forced to join the villainous Factor Three. However he was soon liberated by the original X-Men and was an obvious choice was the all new, all different team Professor X created to rescue the X-Men. He stayed on with as a core member of this new team of X-Men, despite being older than his team-mates. During his time on the team he battled his villainous cousin, witnessed the birth of Phoenix and fell in love with Moira Mac Taggart. Later he damaged his vocal chords, forcing him to leave the team.

However he eventually recovered and went on to be the deputy head-master of the Massachusetts Academy. However after a break down following the death of Moira Mac Taggart he embarked on the disastrous X-Corps, a team of morally questionable mutant adventurers, which ultimately led to his throat being slit by an under-cover Mystique. However even that was not enough to silence Banshee. Sean met his end trying to save a plane full of passengers from a fatal collision with the Blackbird, more than atoning for his sins.

Trivia: In Irish/Scottish mythology, Banshees are actually female spirits.

Destiny

 Irene Adler A.K.A the mutant Destiny is as mysterious as her predictions of the future. Although she freely dispensed her prophecies, little is known about her shadowy but lengthy past. However in the late 1800’s, she hired a consulting detective to aid her in deciphering her predictions. This was the beginning of a long friendship with Raven Darkholm/Mystique and together they took on the future.

Not only did Irene become Mystique’s best friend, lover and her team-mate in the Brotherhood and Freedom Force but she also helped her raise foster-daughter Rogue, in fact convincing Rogue to defect to the X-Men to get help with her powers.

However her long life was cut short by Professor X’s son, David Keller (Legion) during a battle on Muir Island. Gone but not forgotten, Destiny still plays an important role in the lives of the mutant community. Her death adversely affected Mystique’s mental health (indirectly leading to her attack on Banshee and murder of Moira MacTaggert) and her diaries are used as an important source of divination, playing significant roles in X-Treme X-Men and Messiah CompleX.

Trivia: Whilst in Victorian London, Irene and Raven befriended Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle, possibly providing him with inspiration for his famous characters.

Moira MacTaggert

Moira MacTaggert may have only been a human but she was in many ways one of the cornerstones of the Xavier dream. Once the Professor’s sweetheart at Oxford University, she broke his heart calling off their engagement after being forced to marry Joseph MacTaggert. However, years later they rekindled their friendship and started to work together.

Moira became a Noble prize-winning authority on genetics, using her base Muir Island to conduct her research and contain dangerous or uncontrollable mutants. In addition to this she ran a facility in New York for vulnerable students, who met a tragic end as the X-Men 1.5 team. Despite this she continued to work with Professor X, having a brief stint as the X-Men’s housekeeper, attempting to cure Magento of his villainy and being an adoptive mother to New Mutant Wolfsbane.

Unfortunately, Moira contracted the Legacy Virus, a disease thought only to infect mutants. She worked tirelessly but before she could find a cure she was murdered by mutant terrorist, Mystique.

Trivia: Moira is the daughter of Lord Kinross of Scotland. Her base Muir Island is situated off the Northern coast of Scotland.

Changeling

Kevin Sydney was actually the first X-Man to die. It’s just nobody knew it at the time…

Changeling began life as a super-villain, working as the Mutant Master’s second-in-command and leading the evil Factor Three in their attempts to bring about a world war. However he defected and aided the original X-Men in defeating his former allies.

Soon his shape-shifting services were called upon by Professor X when he learned that a race of aliens, the Z’Nox, was planning an invasion. The Professor asked Changeling to impersonate him so he could prepare in secret. Changeling, just given 6 months to live from his doctor and desperately wishing to make amends, willing took part in the deception.

Sadly, redemption came all too soon when Changeling (disguised as Professor X) died saving the world and the X-men.

Trivia: Changeling was the basis of the character Morph in X-Men: The Animated Series. Morph however survived his “death”.

Proteus

Just before their estrangement, Joseph MacTaggert beat up and raped his wife Moira, leaving her in hospital and pregnant. She did not tell her husband that she had a son, Kevin, who had the mutant ability to warp reality. Unfortunately this power was too great for the boy to control, so his mother had to keep him in confinement on her mutant research facility and hospital of sorts, Muir Island.

However during a confrontation with the X-Men, Magneto inadvertently weakened the security system containing Kevin. Soon he escaped, on a mission to kill the source of Moira and his hatred- Joseph MacTaggert. His only weaknesses were an aversion to metal and his need for new hosts to live in as his powers burnt out bodies he inhabited.

After an intense battle with the X-Men in Scotland’s capital Edinburgh, metal-skinned Colossus killed Proteus by punching him in his pure energy form. Devastated, Moira even considered cloning her son but was discouraged by then lover, Sean Cassidy/Banshee.

Trivia: In Ultimate X-Men Proteus is merged with Professor X’s son David Heller/Legion. He is the son of a divorced Moira MacTaggert and Professor X.

Caliban

Caliban emerged from the shadowy depths to become a valiant hero. After being thrown out of his home by an uncaring father, the albino mutant helped Callisto form the Morlocks. Using his mutant detecting powers, he found grotesque and bitter mutants who wanted to escape from the cruel world and found such sanctuary in the sewers of New York.

Initially living up to his monstrous name, he kidnapped Kitty Pryde and tried to force her to marry him. However he saw the errors of his ways and let her go. He took a closer step towards the side of the angels when he helped out X-Factor after the tragic Morlock Massacre. Finally he joined an X-Team when Cable invited him to join his re-imagining of the New Mutants, X-Force. However the simple Caliban still had to face many trails. Apocalypse turned him into his horseman, Pestilence and former Morlock alley Masque gave him a radical makeover.

Although simple and childlike, Caliban often showed astounding clarity and moral insight. Noble to the end, Caliban gave his life whilst battling Lady Deathstrike and the Reavers in order to save the life of his friend, Warpath.

Trivia: Caliban is named after the witch’s son in William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”.