The X-Men
The Original Team | '60s Members | '70s Members | '80s Members | '90s Members | 2000s Members | 2010s Members | 2020s Members
Other Teams
Children of the Atom | Excalibur | Generation Hope | Generation X | New Mutants | New X-Men: Academy X | S.W.O.R.D. | X-Club | X-Corp | X-Factor | X-Force | X-Statix | X-Terminators
Antagonists
Rogues Gallery A To I | Rogues Gallery J To R | Rogues Gallery S to Z | Villainous Organizations | Acolytes | Arakko | Brotherhood of Mutants | Clan Akkaba | Children of the Vault | Externals | Hellfire Club | The Hellions | Marauders | Mojoverse | Morlocks | MLF | Orchis | Sentinels
Other Characters
Supporting Characters | Mutants | Xavier Institute | Krakoans | The Savage Land | Shi'ar | The Starjammers | NYX | Cable's supporting cast | Deadpool's supporting cast | Wolverine's supporting cast
WARNING: There are unmarked spoilers on these sheets for all but the most recent comics.
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Leadership
Abigail Brand
Commander Abigail Brand / Abigail Thanriaguiaxus
Nationality: Krakoan
Species: Human/alien mutant hybrid
First Appearance: Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3) #3 (September, 2004)
- "Welcome to S.W.O.R.D., gentlemen — Hope you survive the experience."
Born to a mutant from Earth and an alien father on the planet Axus, Abigail Brand rose to become the head of S.W.O.R.D., a sub-division of S.H.I.E.L.D. which dealt with extraterrestrial threats until it was disbanded, after which she joined Alpha Flight under the command of Captain Marvel. With the X-Men's proclivity to end up dealing with extraterrestrial issues, and having a few alien members of their own throughout the years, Brand has frequently become involved in their issues. After resigning from Alpha Flight, Abigail solidified her place within mutant society by restarting S.W.O.R.D. as an independent Krakoan agency.
- 0% Approval Rating: Even during her introductory days in Astonishing, Sydren told her that if he just killed her right then and there two-thirds of S.W.O.R.D. would've approved. Abigail just dryly notes her approval rating's gone up.
- Action Girl: From her introduction she has been shown to be extremely competent in fights.
- The Chessmaster: She's pretty good at it, but not quite as good as she thinks she is. For one thing, her reputation is such that everyone knows she's up to something by the Krakoan Age, and her manipulations get more and more transparent and backfire more and more. Her attempt to shoehorn her pawn, Vulcan, into Arakko's Great Ring as a hero by killing Tarn the Uncaring fails miserably when Tarn beats him to a pulp and Magneto promptly steps in, brutally killing Tarn and taking his seat. Her attempt to influence Scott and Jean's votes on the Quiet Council, meanwhile, by giving the transparently underqualified and easily manipulated Kid Cable the position of Head of Security on S.W.O.R.D. backfires twice - first, Scott and Jean walk out of the Quiet Council in protest at its methods, and second, Kid Cable is replaced by original flavour Cable, one of the most canny and dangerous strategists in the Marvel Universe and now in perfect position to look right over Brand's shoulder.
- Color-Coded Characters: Her hair is green, her eyes are green, her shades are tinted green and her wardrobe is almost entirely green (though sometimes, for variety, she'll throw in a little black.)
- Complexity Addiction: One of the main reasons why her chessmaster tendencies don't work out. Her plans require a ton of details to go exactly how she needs them to, as opposed to those of Sunspot who's plans get to the heart of things and work around the details. As a result she becomes more and more of a joke as the Arakko plotline advances.
- Cool Shades: She has rarely ever been seen without her green-tinted shades.
- Curtains Match the Windows: Her eyes are emerald just like her hair.
- Deadpan Snarker: She was created by Joss Whedon. Yes, she is very sarcastic.
- Dragon with an Agenda: As Director of S.W.O.R.D. as a Krakoan agency, she is very clearly not interested in Earth politics, or the mutant-human dichotomy, dismissively commenting that she thinks on a bigger scale. Her ambition is to control the Sol system and make it a powerful player on the galactic stage so it is no longer threatened all the time, which is difficult due to the human-mutant conflict and other political squabbles making humanity difficult to unite.
- Evil All Along: Not exactly 'all along', but revealed to be this in the Krakoan Age. She is trying to destroy Krakoa. She respects Storm, but thinks she doesn't have it in her to get the Sol system under her control. She also thinks that in the long-term Krakoa under Magneto and Xavier is a liability on the galactic stage and she wants the Sol system under her control. It's Nothing Personal for her, just a ruthless political calculation.
- Eye Color Change: Her eyes shift from green to red when she uses her mutant powers.
- Form-Fitting Wardrobe: Her full-body suits usually highlight her figure.
- Good Is Not Soft: She is quite willing to take extreme measures to protect Earth and mutantkind, to the point where she sometimes slides into Well-Intentioned Extremist territory.
- Half-Human Hybrid: Born to a human mutant mother and alien father.
- Hated by All: Those who know her don't tend to like or trust her, and although she can be a Manipulative Bastard, some of her schemes are undermined by her abrasive personality.
- Known Only by Their Nickname: Abigail might be her real first name. Brand might not be her last name, but if she has any other name, she's never actually given it. And she's a little angry at the mutants for never asking either way. X-Men: Red (2022) #10 reveals that her last name is Thanriaguiaxus, "Born-as-Axus-ended".
- Love Interest: She and Beast were in a long-term relationship for several years. Immortal X-Men establishes that they did break up at some point, but they are also seen acting affectionately toward each other in X-Force not long afterwards.
- Manipulative Bastard: She's not above under-the-table dealing, lying, manipulation of things and people or just using flat out assassination to further her agenda. However, people have come to expect that she's up to something, even if they're not sure what, and it's been known to backfire on her. For instance, she made Kid Cable the head of S.W.O.R.D.'s security in a transparently political appointment to try and gain leverage/influence on his parents, Jean and Scott, who were members of the Quiet Council. Then they walked out of the Council, and the naive and easily manipulated Kid Cable was replaced by original flavour Cable, one of the smartest and most skilled strategists and manipulators in the Marvel universe, who was abundantly well qualified for a job that meant he could look right over Brand's shoulder.
- Mark of the Supernatural: Her hair is a very dark green, which she states comes from her alien heritage.
- My Species Doth Protest Too Much: Following the Empyre event, Brand has returned to running S.W.O.R.D. and is doing so in cooperation with the Krakoan council. Despite this, Brand is rather ambivalent to Krakoa as a whole, even telling Magneto that she sees herself as a Spacer first and a mutant second. In fact, she's entirely willing to destroy Krakoa and usurp Storm as leader of the Sol system, simply because she feels they don't have what it takes.
- Mysterious Past: Practically none of her life before becoming the head of S.W.O.R.D. has been revealed, including the identity of her parents. We do know her dad was murdered in front of her, and S.W.O.R.D. vol 2 reveals the murderers were Snark.
- Mole in Charge:
- In the aftermath of Avengers vs. X-Men it is revealed that Brand is hindering the hunt for Cyclops and his loyalists, and has been in fact providing Cyclops with information for years to aid the mutant cause.
- Then S.W.O.R.D #11 flips it around, making it clear that she does not care about Krakoa and cares more about getting the Sol system under her control.
- Number Two: When S.W.O.R.D. was disbanded and replaced by Alpha Flight, Brand became Captain Marvel's second-in-command of the new organization.
- Pay Evil unto Evil: S.W.O.R.D. issue #11 has her space Henry Gyrich, mainly to advance her own agenda. She also lies that it was self-inflicted by his own stupidity.
- Playing with Fire: She can generate flames around her hands that she can make hot enough to melt through steel. Brand officially uses her alien heritage as their source to hide her status as a mutant.
- The Reveal: While she had long been associated with mainly X-Men comics and characters, her status as a mutant did not become revealed until eight years after her debut, although there were a few hints.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Resigns from Alpha Flight after determining that the Avengers and other organizations are not cooperating or communicating efficiently enough for the organization to be of any use and resolves to build something better.
- Smug Snake: She highly overestimates her deceptive abilities. She reveals her plans to Gyrich (and the audience) before killing him and thinks she’s nailing it with no one the wiser. But shortly after that, it’s revealed that just about everyone she interacts with has caught on that she’s up to something and nobody trusts her.
- Sunglasses at Night: Rare is the instance where she's not wearing sunglasses.
- Villain Protagonist: She is actually out to cause Krakoa's destruction, only using it to get the Sol system under her control. Brand considers herself more of an spacer than a mutant and has zero loyalty to them, viewing mutants as just another type of Earther.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: After years of working with idiots and seeing how infighting has crippled Earth's ability to unite and become a major galactic player that can effectively defend itself against alien invasions, Brand decides that humanity will be better off if she is in charge of the whole solar system, even if it means working with Orchis and bringing about the downfall of Krakoa to do so.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Tears into Captain Marvel in the aftermath of Empyre for failing to alert Alpha Flight about the Cotati base on the moon, which turned out to be a hostile invasion force instead of allies, which prevented Alpha Flight from being able to do much to assist in the invasion. S.W.O.R.D. states she had been hoping Carol would use this as motivation to step up her game. Carol did not, in fact, step up her game.
Kid Cable
Nathan Christopher Summers / Cable
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: Extermination #1 (August, 2018)
The once-mysterious Cable (a.k.a. Nathan Summers) is Cyclops' time-traveling son who was infected with the deadly techno-organic virus during his infancy, which he keeps at bay using his advanced psionic powers. At one time a founding member and leader of the militant team called X-Force, previously known as the New Mutants, Cable takes the aimless youths under his wing and whips them into fighting shape in order to prepare them for future threats.
See Cable
Random
Marshal Evan Stone III / Random
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: X-Factor #88 (March, 1993)
Random first appeared as a bounty hunter with the power to adapt his body to counteract any mutant power and to fire projectiles from his gun-morphed forearms.
See X-Men: Acolytes
Frenzy
Joanna Cargill / Frenzy
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: X-Factor #4 (May, 1986)
A former freelance mercenary that worked for Apocalypse, Frenzy joined Magneto as a member of the Acolytes and served as ambassador of Genosha. She joined the X-Men after the Age of X.
Mentallo
Marvin Flumm / Mentallo
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: Strange Tales #141 (February, 1966)
Marvin Flumm was one of the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to go bad. Using his mental powers under the alias of Mentallo, he turned on S.H.I.E.L.D. along with his partner in crime, the Fixer.
- Beard of Evil: A goatee and he's a criminal whose crimes were forgiven.
- Cool Helmet: His Mentallo helmet, which increases his telepathic powers.
- Face–Heel Turn: Began as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent before turning into a criminal.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: The fact that he's an unscrupulous crook is one of the reasons he's not very liked by Brand nor the other members of S.W.O.R.D., but have little choice since he's the best telepath available to work for them. In reality though Brand could have easily gotten any of the other telepathic mutant from Krakoa, but he’s the best available for the job because he’s a crook who, at the end of the day, will be loyal to whoever is paying him (I.E. Brand).
- Mind Reading: His main ability. He's a low level telepath, but good enough (and unscrupulous enough) to be hired by many groups across the years.
- Only in It for the Money: He's mostly recruited by villain groups with the offer of a pay. His job offer at S.W.O.R.D falls under the same boat, as Brand hired him specifically because he'd remain loyal to her, instead of Krakoa, because she's the one paying him (though she is aware of the possibility he could easily turn if given what he thinks is a better offer).
- Potty Emergency: Decided he needed to take a dump while the Knull crisis on Earth was ongoing.
- Purple Is Powerful: Recently he has taken to using purple, and he can be a threat if he tries to.
- The Quisling: He once acted as The Dragon for the fanatically anti-mutant bigot Reverend William Stryker.
- Rogues' Gallery Transplant: Despite being a mutant, he has faced the Avengers and Avengers Academy due to being recruited by groups like A.I.M., HYDRA, M.O.D.O.K. and the Masters of Evil.
Khora
Khora of the Burning Heart
Nationality: Arakko
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: S.W.O.R.D. (Vol. 2) #5 (April, 2021)
An Arakki mutant brought into S.W.O.R.D. by Abigail Brand to, among other things, serve as a replacement for Fabian Cortez.
- Badass Family: X-Men Red reveals that her father's the Fisher King and her sister's Weaponless Zsen of the Inward Watch. It's also strongly hinted and later confirmed that her mother held a seat on the Table of Night, the secretive trinity that works alongside Arakko's ruling Great Ring, and her aunt is Syzsa of the Smoke.
- Blood Knight: She was born in Arakko, which was stuck in a hell dimension for thousands of years forced to fight an endless horde of demons. Frankly, it'd be amazing if she hadn't turned out like this. Brand has to remind her that she cannot stay to fight an army of Mindless Ones during The Last Annihilation. Mindless Ones, we note, have been known to shrug off punches from the Hulk. Fortunately, while Khora was definitely thinking it, she does as her boss orders.Brand: Once [Hulkling]'s through and safe, we're right behind - and no argument on that, Khora -
Khora: I didn't say anything. Only thought it. - Boyish Short Hair: Wears her hair in an almost crew cut, and one would certainly not call her feminine.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Aside from the whole Amenth thing, she and her sister were made to watch Famine kill their mother when they were kids.
- Energy Donation: Her power is a reserve of internal energy that enhances her condition that she can choose to bestow upon another, enhancing any mutant abilities they have.
- Facial Markings: Has them over her nose and on her right cheek.
- In the Hood: Wears a hood during her introduction. Later, her official S.W.O.R.D. uniform incorporates a hood as well.
- Lamarck Was Right: Khora's powers are a slightly different version of the ones her mother had.
- Long-Lived: The Bad Future setting of Sins of Sinister reveals that she's not aged much a hundred years into the future. Nine hundred years later she's clearly elderly, but not yet infirm.
- One-Man Army: If she keeps her inner fire in herself, Khora is strong enough to fight at least ten trained soldiers.
- Proud Warrior Race Guy: She's from Arakko. When she comes to kill a Snark leader, she praises the target for the horrors her troop inflicted on the planet they're on, and scolds her for pleading for her life.Khora: Don't betray that strength with begging. Your line ends here, Gylar clan. Your name ends here. Let it end well.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: Her eyes are naturally gold, but turn red when she powers up. And they glow.
- She Cleans Up Nicely: Looks pretty good dolled up
◊ for the Hellfire Gala. - Superior Successor: If in terms of power and ability, if nothing else. She can boost Mutant powers, like Cortez, but without the side-effects that came with them. She's also much more handy in a fight, and unlike Cortez, she's not a weasel-minded arsehole, so bonus.
- What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?: Played with. After leaving S.W.O.R.D., Khora laments the fact that her powers aren't really valued on Arakko. The Arakkii code of honor means that boosting other people's powers is generally seen as insulting and inappropriate, so her power's considered pointless even though it's actually pretty effective. Eventually, their position changes to see it as not an insult, but rather adding strength onto strength.
The Six
The Foundry
Gloria Dolores Muñoz / Risque / The Foundry
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: X-Force #51 (February, 1996)
Formerly involved with X-Force and X-Corporation, Risque was a menacing vixen who seduced Warpath as part of a deal with Sledge. She gained real feelings for Warpath. She was killed by the U-Men and afterwards resurrected as part of Selene's undead mutant army.
See X-Force
The Power
Fabian Cortez / The Power
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: X-Men #1 (1991)
Though a member of Magneto's Acolytes, Cortez often rebelled against him.
See X-Men: Acolytes
The Control
Takeshi "Taki" Matsuya / Wiz Kid / The Control
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: X-Terminators #1 (October, 1988)
Dyslexic & Aphasic, Wiz-Kid was a wheelchair-bound, mutant, technopath. Taki assisted in stopping N'astirh from fusing Limbo to Earth together forever during Inferno.
See X-Terminators
The Guide
Eden Fesi / Manifold / The Guide
Nationality: Australian
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: Secret Warriors #4 (May, 2009)
A mutant of Australian aboriginal descent with the ability to bend reality and twist space-time for teleportation.
See Secret Warriors
The Eye
Peter Quinn / Peeper / The Eye
Nationality: American
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: Captain America Annual #4 (November, 1977)
An old enemy of the X-Men and Captain America, Peepers was a member of various villainous groups.
- Back from the Dead: Revived by the Five, he has joined the newly reformed S.W.O.R.D. under Abigail Brand.
- Bald of Evil: At least he was introduced as this. It wouldn't be until 2020 that this would be subverted.
- Eaten Alive: He was devoured by one of the Predator X, with Siryn finding his scattered remains.
- Eye Beams: He could fire pale-yellow/red (depending on the artist) beams of concussive energy from his eyes.
- Heart Is an Awesome Power: His sight powers have proven to be very useful at the new S.W.O.R.D. There are also hints that his powers allow him to "see" a person's true character and depths. He asked one question of Fabian Cortez and the latter immediately starts ranting about his horrible prejudices and bigotry.
- Heel–Face Turn: While once a member of Magneto's Brotherhood, he has turned a new leaf and has joined the rest of the mutants at Krakoa.
- The Igor: He was this for Doctor Karl Malus while the two of them were employed by Ravencroft.
- Odd Friendship: Gets along with well Magneto to an almost disarming degree. Magneto was positively ecstatic to see him working with S.W.O.R.D. and values his input and character.
- Pointy Ears: For some reason his ears are pointy.
- Super-Senses: His eyes specifically, which are much bigger than a regular person. He has a telescopic vision that allows him to see things that are at far distances by miles. He could also see things that are too small for ordinary vision.
- Villainous Friendship: With Magneto, surprisingly. While Magneto was visiting S.W.O.R.D. new base, he was pleased and happy to see that Peeper was resurrected. He even considers him one of oldest and most trusted friends. Peeper affectionally calls him Mags.
- X-Ray Vision: He could see through matter.
The Shield
Hisako Ichiki / Armor / The Shield
Nationality: Japanese
Species: Human mutant
First Appearance: Astonishing X-Men Vol 3 #4 (October, 2004)
Hisako Ichiki is a teenage mutant from Japan that studied at the Xavier Institute before becoming an X-Man. Her mutant power allows her to create psionic "armor", giving her enhanced strength and durability. She is currently enrolled at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning.
Others
Henry Peter Gyrich
Henry Peter Gyrich
Nationality: American
Species: Human
First Appearance: Avengers #165 (November, 1977)
The Avengers's old government liaison. Also a gigantic doucebag.
See Here
