Tin-Tin's Top Ten: Best X-Couples

 

 Tin-Tin's Top Ten

The Mutated Valentine's Day: Best X-Romances

 

So happy valentines to all you lover-birds out there!!! Initially I set out to write a Top Ten article on my favorite romantic movies of all time but I though it would be to generic and in turn I used a shortcut. Considering that I had promised in my previous article that this year would be filled with Top Ten features on the X-Men (and Avengers) I decided why not add a top ten that matched both the people (mutants are people) of X and the day of V. So in that case let me present to you my opinion of the ten best X-Couples in mutantdom. There's quite a lot of them besides the Scott-Jean-Wolverine triangle, as Quentin Quire states in Wolverine and the X-Men 24;

"This is the X-Men. If there is one thing we do more than time travel and come back from the dead...it's randomly hook up with each other."

So let's get on with number 10.


10. Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Emma Frost (White Queen)

 

Cyclops and Emma Frost stood tall and firmly together as the leaders of the mutant race, that was nearly wiped out due to Scarlet Witch and the House of M debacle

Best Moment: Scott grieving over Jean's death is coaxed into joining Emma to lead the mutant students at the school towards a brighter future, after Professor Xavier steps down. Scott and Emma share a kiss under Jean's grave. It may sound a bit like Scott's a jack*** but through out the issue it was Jean pushing him towards happiness, from the afterlife.

Worst Moment: Scott attacks Emma Frost in order to absorb her Phoenix powers so as he may defeat the Avengers, using this same strength Scott goes on to kill his mentor and father figure Professor Xavier. This is a little confusing so I suggest you read this AVX synopsis, rather than reading the whole dull Avengers VS. X-Men event.

Current Status: With the use of the phoenix powers both Scott and Emma have been burned severely. They tampered with a god and the god tampered with their powers. Both are currently strugling to control their powers; Scott's optic blasts are chaotic while Emma Frost is no longer telepathic. With his power hungry attack on her, Emma wants nothing to do with Cyclops but due to their involvement in The Avengers VS. X-Men battle and subsequent fallout (imprisonment and break out) they have decide to stick together as part of a New Mutant Revolution albeit only as team-mates.

9. Rictor and Shatterstar

   

Rictor and Shatterstar discussing thier deep friendship as Rictor decides to leave the X-Force for a while, in X-Force volume one.

Best Moment: The first time the two X-Factor and former X-Force members come to realise their love for each other. The X-Men are a metaphor in standing up for minorities and their rights against overwhelming odds, this is abundantly clear in Rictor and Shatterstar's relationship as two homosexuals. 

Worst Moment: Rob Liefield (the creator for Shatterstar) ranting against the move to turn him gay, he felt it violated his own creation and that Marvel had no right in doing such a stupid thing. Need I remind Mister Liefield that in comic books every writer chooses to write a character the way they feel and the way it develops them further. If such adjustments were not made from the original creations then we would not have had the Batman or Spider-Man we have today, it's called progression or in the case of X-Men; Evolution. 

Current Status: Although they had a rocky patch with the return of Rictor's X-Girlfriend Rahne and her subsequent pregnant state. Rictor and Shatterstar hold true to each other, they also aren't bothered with Strong Guy's liberal views against their own sexual orientation. This couple is an example of the subtext assigned to the words Mutant and the fight for Mutant rights. 

8. Rogue and Magneto

 

Rogue and Magneto trying to reach out to each other, cover from X-Men Legacy. Rogue and Magneto have had a weird and distant romance due to their allegiances and age difference.

Best Moment: Magneto and Rogue team up to take on the witch Zaladne in the Savage Land. There are hints of romantic blossoming and sexual tension between the two even though they had a vast age gap. Rogue tried to see the best in Magneto and was the last glimmer of hope (for a long while) in presenting Magneto as heroic, after this encounter Magneto would severe ties with the X-Men

Worst Moment: It's Magneto and Rogue, look at the age difference (an 70 something year old with a 30 something year old). Rogue was anyhow better suited with Gambit.

Current Status: After years of distance and indifference the two finally had a romantic moment but only once. Rogue in a confused state, has decided she wants nothing to do with either him or Gambit for a while. Magneto is on the run with Cyclops while Rogue continues on the "good" X-Men side with Wolverine. Their romance is at it's best when both are on the opposite spectrum of views regarding mutanity. 

7. Ororo (Storm) and Forge

Storm confronting Forge after she realizes he is the cause for the loss of her powers, Uncanny X-Men

Best Moment: Storm and Forge team up in the classic LifeDeath story in order to tackle a demonic entity in his own twisted dimension. After their prior confrontation (see picture above, read description below) Forge and Storm team together and in the process develop their relationship to the point of mutual attraction. 

Worst Moment: A de-powered Storm gains help from Forge, it seems in a long time that Storm has felt happy and loved but it all comes crashing down once she realizes Forge is the reason behind why she has none of her god given gifts.
                          Forge years later rekindles his romance with Storm and soon proposes to her, she at that point has no answer and needs the time to think. Forge believes that she only loves her duty to the X-Men, Storm on the other hand rides the winds in happiness she plans on saying yes. When she reaches Forge, he shuts her out and walks off without hearing a yes and accusing her of choosing her duty then being a part of his life. Man! That Forge is an A grade jerk. 

Current Status: Forge went insane at one point but is now cured thanks to Cable, and has joined his renegade X-Force. Storm just got divorced with her husband the Black Panther. She is also set to lead her own black ops X-Force team as well as being the Headmistress of The Jean Grey School of Gifted Children. In fact she might have something cooking with the Headmaster; Wolverine. 


6. Warren Worthington III (Archangel) and Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)

 

Psylocke and Archangel after he saves her, they go on to share a passionate kiss. 

Best Moment: I cannot pin-point an exactly picture perfect moment between these two, but to make thing clear; when people say opposites attract, this isn't that kind of a love story. Both Warren Worthington and Betsy Braddock come from rich families, both have been and are still part of the X-Men and both have been manipulated in ways causing them to become something totally different. Warren went from the handsome winged Angel into the blue skinned and metallic winged terrifying Archangel. Psylocke went from the timid but feisty upper class British telepathic to the transformed Asian ninja bad-ass. These transformations and their subsequent psychic fallout have brought the couple together time and again. But then sometimes the Dark transformations rear it's ugly head in between.

Worst Moment: During the Dark Angel Saga, Archangel reveals that he was using his rekindled romance with Betsy as a way to hide once he could take over Warren's body and take over the world. Archangel questions how Psylocke feels knowing that she was manipulated and worthless to him, in the end an opening by Genesis (Kid Apocalypse's) attack allows Psylocke to kill him.

Current Status: After the Dark Angel saga, Archangel has been given the life seed and now reborn with no memories of his past. He believes he is a holy angel and messiah of god however he begins to play the role of student and soon new mutant recruiter for Wolverine and the X-Men. He also meets his past self and is at the brink of death due to his over-usage of reborn powers. Betsy after a harrowing time among The X-Force is in a relationship with Fantomex and also has to see to his female and evil clone. She is set to co-lead another black ops X-Force unit alongside Storm and is also in and out of the school but not as a teacher. 


5. Jean Grey and Wolverine (mostly in the AOA universe)

 

Jean and Wolverine after years reciprocate their feeling once Scott and Jean begin to grow distant. New X-Men Vol 1

Best Moment: Wolverine sends a letter addressed to Jean and Scott during a very important day (revealed later) and assures them that the two (Scott and Jean) are blinded by the X-Men too realize how important they are to each other. He also makes sure to not let his longtime nemesis Sabertooth to ruin this moment. The fact that Wolverine knows that this attraction between him and Jean is neither one-sided and does not have to be unrequited is something else, in New X-Men he also prevents himself and her from cheating behind Scott's back. Wolverine proves his admiration for Jean once he re-opens the school but under Jean Grey's moniker, in an ode to not only his greatest love but also best friend.

Worst Moment: In one way you could say that Jean and Wolverine are star crossed lovers, never truly meant to be together. 

Current Status: Jean has been dead for a long time now, Wolverine and Cyclops had bonded over this and have finally once again grown distant too. This time it's far worse, as Wolverine heads the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning against Cyclops's renegade Mutant team. Soon Jean's past self along with her original X-Men compatriots are set to join the future X-Men in a time traveling fiasco. 

4. Lorna Dane (Polaris) and Alex Summers (Havok)

 

 Alex leaves a mentally unstable Lorna at the alter in favor of a romance with the nurse that took care of him during his injuries.

Best Moment: The fact that neither Alex nor Lorna were initially interested to choose any sides in the fight between Xavier and Magneto. The two were happy living together and pursuing their college dreams. An ignorant view perhaps but in the end if they had stuck to it there wouldn't have been this much pain and suffering in their lives including the constant violation of Lorna's mind and Alex feeling overshadowed by his brother Scott as a leader and fighter. Come to think of it since they are back together, the life experiences with the X-Men were not such a bad idea.

Worst Moment: Alex leaves Lorna Dane at the alter for his nurse Annie (he did not really love her but thought he did due to the manipulation by Annie's son). Although Lorna Dane had suffered tragedy, this caused a complete mental breakdown. Eventually she got better and Alex tried to get back with her only to be rejected until further incidents.

Current Status: Having returned from space back as a couple both Havok and Polaris have been members of the private investigation unit; X-Factor. Currently though Havok is on the rise, with his brother's nefarious actions Havok is taking over a mutant/human Avengers team. He is actually the leader of a team including heavyweights Wolverine, Rogue, Scarlet Witch, Thor and Captain America. Currently this team separation has caused a break-up.

3. Kitty Pryde and Colossus 

Kitty and Piotr on the cover of Astonishing X-Men after their long seperation due to Colossus's supposed death. 

Best Moment: Kitty Pryde is cornered by a bunch of government agents a door opens and she bumps into Colossus. Shocked that the man she loves is alive, he on the other hand phases right through her beats the guards. He kneels down and hugs her hoping that he is finally in heaven. After years of having faced torture, Colossus finally hopes his saved even if by something (god) he does not believe in.

Worst Moment: It's always in the X-Men to choose between their own or the greater good. Where Colossus sacrifices himself so as he may spread the cure to the Legacy Virus which has been killing mutants. 

Days after their reunion (mentioned above) Kitty enters a giant bullet and phases it through Earth preventing it from killing potentially everyone. The price of being an X-Man.

Current Status: Both Kitty and Colossus are fine and dandy but broken apart. Colossus went crazy when he was gifted with the powers of the Phoenix in The Avengers VS. X-Men event, as such Kitty left him. 

2. Gambit and Rogue

  

 Rogue and Gambit embracing but making sure they do not touch. Rogue having the power to steal other's powers and causing them excruciating pain.

Best Moment: The fact that even after years of solid attraction neither one seemed frustrated or annoyed by their lack of intimacy due to the nature of Rogue's powers, more so for Gambit who has been known to be with a lot of women. Gambit fortitude in keeping faithful with Rogue has been a testament to the man's love for the woman.

Worst Moment: Although there was one time he was coaxed into cheating on her by Mystique. Gambit is also prone to having kept secrets, such as his wife and his involvement in the death of surface dwelling mutants; The Morlocks.

1. Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Jean Grey

          

Scott and Jean finally get married in X-Men vol 2. 

Best Moment: The first and most important couple in the X-Men mythos. Jean proposes to Scott and the two finally get married in the most emotionally satisfying comic. Both give nods to their father figure in Charles Xavier as they head off to begin their new life together. 

Worst Moment: Unfortunately there had to be one. Jean catches Scott having a telepathic affair with Emma Frost after there detiriorating marriage.

Current Status: Scott has now lost Emma but with her he leads a new mutant revolution while Jean is dead. On the other hand Beast brings back the original X-Men from the past including a young phoenix free Jean and an idealistic Scott, both seem to have some tension knowing their future. 

So these are the X-Romance, powerful and passionate yet dark and tragic. Enjoy your valentines day!

'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia