X-Men – Characters, Films & Collectibles
2026 is the year of the mutants: a new season of X-Men '97 in July, and entry into the Marvel universe in December. Here is who each character is, and what is worth owning.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
Who is who
The X-Men are dozens of characters, which confuses anyone not following closely. The core ones:
The claws and the sideburns. He heals, he does not age. By far the most commercial.
The leader, with the red visor – without it he cannot control his beams.
He controls metal. Not simply a villain – he is the old friend who chose a different road.
Founder of the school, in a wheelchair. The most powerful telepath.
White hair, controls the weather. Among the most popular heroines.
Blue skin, changes shape. Sometimes an enemy, sometimes an ally.
There is also Deadpool, who technically belongs to the same universe – but is strictly for adults, unlike the rest.
Why the same character looks so different
If you have looked at X-Men figures, you will have noticed: Wolverine sometimes wears yellow and sometimes black. It is not an error – these are two different eras.
The costumes of the comics and the nineties cartoon. Bold, bright, instantly recognisable.
This is what X-Men '97 brought back – and it is what anyone who grew up with the cartoon wants.
The look of the films from 2000 onwards. Realistic, sober, uniform across the team.
This is what anyone who knows the X-Men from the films wants.
Practically, for a gift: ask where they know them from. The cartoon or the films? The answer decides which figure will land.
What is coming – and it is a lot
X-Men '97, season two – began on 1 July 2026. The continuation of the classic cartoon, with the same designs and excellent reviews.
Avengers: Doomsday – 18 December 2026. It brings the X-Men into the Marvel Studios universe.
Confirmed for Doomsday: Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) and Channing Tatum (Gambit).
Avengers: Secret Wars follows in December 2027. Marvel's head, Kevin Feige, has said the mutant era begins after that.
A standalone X-Men film is in development, but has no date.
Why they have lasted sixty years
The X-Men first appeared in 1963. And they have something the other superheroes do not.
They did not gain their powers from an accident or from another planet. They were born this way. And the world hates them for it.
It is not a story about super powers – it is a story about being different. That is why the series reaches people who do not read comics, and why it survives from one generation to the next.
What to choose
- Figures: Wolverine dominates – in yellow or black, depending on the era.
- Funko POP: the whole team, in comic, cartoon and film versions.
- Comics: official English editions, from classic runs to current series.
- Apparel: t-shirts with the logo or the characters.
- Gifts: mugs, keyrings, posters and desk items.
See the other collections too: Avengers, Spider-Man and the whole Marvel universe.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does Wolverine sometimes wear yellow and sometimes black?
- Because there are two visual eras. Yellow and blue belongs to the comics and the nineties cartoon – the look X-Men '97 brought back. Black leather belongs to the films from 2000 onwards.
- When do the X-Men enter the Marvel films?
- In Avengers: Doomsday, on 18 December 2026. Confirmed are Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn and Channing Tatum.
- What is X-Men '97?
- The continuation of the classic nineties cartoon, with the same designs and the same costumes. Season two began in July 2026 to excellent reviews.
- Which character sells the most?
- Wolverine, by a wide margin. The claws make him recognisable even in a small figure. Magneto and Storm follow.
- Where can I find X-Men collectibles in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
