Nightcrawler (Marvel Comics, source unknown)
4 – ARCHANGEL (1963)
Archangel is one of the founding members of the X-Men. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, he was one of the original superheroes that debuted with the X-Men comics. Originally known as Angel, Warren Worthington’s powers include great strength and the ability to fly, thanks to his angelic wings. His hero name is inspired not only by his wings, but also but his also by the fact that he is a devout Episcopal Christian. Film Depictions: Cayden Boyd (X-Men The Last Stand, 2006), Ben Hardy (X-Men Apocalypse, 2016)
5 – GHOST RIDER (1972)
Ghost Rider is one of Marvel’s most popular if controversial characters. An anti-hero created by Gary Friedrich, Roy Thomas and Mike Ploog in 1972, Ghost Rider famously got his powers by agreeing to serve the devil as a bounty hunter. Born a Baptist, Johnny Blaze (the Ghost Rider’s most famous human incarnation) is not himself evil, and often seeks solace in church. His main power, the Penitence Stare, forces his enemies to confront and feel extreme anguish for the sins and crimes they have committed. Film Depictions: Nicholas Cage (Ghost Rider, 2007; Spirit of Vengeance, 2012)
6 – MAGNETO (1963)
Magneto is one of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, Magneto, aka Max Eisenhardt, began his career as the chief antagonist of the X-Men, but since then has variously been depicted as both a villain and a hero. The son of Polish Jews killed at Auschwitz during the Holocaust, Magneto is arguably the most famous Jewish comic-book character of all-time. The childhood trauma of his separation from his parents in the Nazi concentration camp was poignantly captured at the beginning of the first X-Men film. Film Depictions: Ian McKellan (X-Men, 2000; X2, 2003; X-Men The Last Stand, 2006; The Wolverine, 2013; Days of Future Past, 2014); Michael Fassbender (First Class, 2011; Days of Future Past, 2014; Apocalypse, 2016)
7 – DUST (2002)
Dust is one of the more recent additions to the X-Men, and certainly one of the most unique in terms of back story. Created by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Ethan Van Sciver in 2002, Dust is one of the best known Muslim superheroes. Born Sooraya Qadir, her mutant power, the ability to become a dust storm, emerged when she was sold into slavery and a man tried to remove her niqab by force. Depicted as a Muslim woman of both great power and faith, the character has become both popular and controversial. Film Depictions: None to date
HONORABLE MENTION – BLACK PANTHER (1966)
Although this is not much touched on in the comics, the Black Panther, in his alter ego as T’Challa, is both king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda and the head of its non-specific church. Film Depictions: Chadwick Boseman (Captain America Civil War, 2016)
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