Nowadays, comics are so different from the ones created in the 20th century that it’s pretty easy to forget they even exist. Yes, we all know that we have to credit Stan Lee and Jack Kirby with the first issue ofX-Men, but how many modern-day X-Men fans have actually read that first issue? Or even the first 50 issues? Because modern writers and illustrators have reinvented the earlier versions of the X-Men in comic series likeX-Men: First ClassandX-Men: Origins,there isn’t always an obvious reason why new readers should pick up classic volumes. For some, the dated illustrations and defunct dialogue make reading the old stuff pretty unbearable. Even though that “old stuff” is the reason we have all the current series’ that are out today, we get it. Cyclops being a chauvinistic jerk to Marvel Girl isn’t really our cup of tea either.

Still, there’s something to be said for getting back to the root of comics. The X-Men started in 1963 and since then Marvel writers have slowly added more and more mutants to their lineup. In order to really appreciate the development of the X-Men, you have to go back to some of those dusty volumes ofUncanny X-Men. For this list, we’re going back to a prime moment in the X-Men timeline: the '80s. The era of neon lights and shoulder pads graced us with an abundance of super-charged mutants -- many of whom still dominate the pages ofX-Men comics today. CBR is counting down the 20 most powerful mutants to be introduced during the ‘80s.

20 JUBILEE

Jubilation Lee may be the quintessential ‘90s girl (with a stereotypical affinity for malls and oversized trench coats) but Marvel first introduced her to comics in May of 1989. An all-female X-Men lineup found her running from crooked cops inUncanny X-Men#244 and brought her back to their temporary Australian base.

Since then, Jubilee’s ability to create fireworks has proved to be surprisingly useful for the X-Men. Jubilee’s colorful light blasts can detonate like bombs, causing serious damage. Though her creators, Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri, were mostly concerned about adding a relatable and comedic teenager to the X-Men, they also ended up creating a fairly powerful mutant.

19 FORGE

In 1984, inUncanny X-Men#184, Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. introduced the mutant known as Forge. He is a pretty mysterious guy with a short origin story and only a few key issues in the '80s. Most of his appearances in the ‘80s have to do with Forge’s strained relationship with Storm

His mutant gift of intuitive genius makes him a mechanical and technological genius, who’s capable of inventing (or fixing) just about any piece of machinery imaginable. This power comes from his ability to “see” potential energy in a machine before making it a reality. We know being good with machines doesn’t sound that impressive but believe us: the X-Men rely on Forge foreverything. Without him, the X-Mansion would still be stuck in the Victorian era.

18 WOLFSBANE

Along with many of the other New Mutants, Rahne Sinclair made her debut in 1982 inMarvel Graphic Novel#4. Her mutant ability to transform into a wolf is a little fantastical when compared to other mutants, but by the ‘80s, writer Chris Claremont was adding some (let’s just say) “unique” characters to the X-Men lineup.

In 1982, gone were the days of Cyclops and Marvel Girl. Readers wanted teams of X-Men with imaginative and, in Rahne’s case, scary mutations. Wolfsbane’s mutation gives her not only the physical appearance of a wolf, but also strength, speed, and hyper senses associated with your average lycanthrope. She also has claws and fangs -- as if we needed another reason to never get on her bad side.

17 RICTOR

Julio Richter, aka Rictor, eventually became a New Mutant as well, but he was originally introduced in the seriesX-Factor in 1987. We’re fairly certain writer and artist duo, Louise and Walter Simonson, created Rictor because they wanted to show how distressing mutant life can be for kids and teens. Rictor lived part of his childhood in a jail and the rest of it on the run from anti-mutant terrorists. It doesn’t really get worse than that.

During the ‘80s, Rictor spent a lot of time with the X-Factor team, who taught him how to control his ability to generate and release seismic waves. His time on the New Mutants team and X-Force really honed his skills. On a good day, Rictor can level multiple city blocks with his earth-shaking powers.

16 MOONSTAR

Dani Moonstar got her start alongside Wolfsbane in the 1982Marvel Graphic Novel#4. In the ‘80s, the Native American mutant was the only telepathic member of the New Mutants, with the ability to create extremely convincing allusions showing a person’s greatest fears and desires. To put it lightly, when Dani was a New Mutant, she scared her foes until they begged to leave the fight.

During her childhood, Dani was forced to spend a few years in the wild, alongside her tribe’s chief shaman Black Eagle. Her time living off the land made her an expert archer, fisher, and horseback rider. After Dani lost her powers during M-Day, these skills became her only defensive and offensive weapons.

15 DAZZLER

Alison Blaire, aka Dazzler, is the '80s personified. When we first see her inX-Men#30, she’s sporting an all-white jumpsuit, long blonde hair, and some really dated lingo (“dy-no-mite” should never have been said -- even in the ‘80s). For modern tastes, Dazzler’s original popstar persona is probably a little (or a lot) lamer than what we expect from comic books today.

Still, that doesn’t mean we should ignore her character’s light projection abilities because, honestly, they’re coolest thing about her. Dazzler’s mutant ability transforms sound into bright beams of light. The louder the sound, the more light she can emit in a single blast. The X-Men frequently use her powers to distract or, in dire cases, to temporarily blind.

14 KARMA

Xi'an Coy Manh, aka Karma, first appeared in Marvel comics in 1980, inMarvel Team-Up#100. The Vietnamese mutant went on to become a member of the New Mutants and, in 2018, the business sponsor of the (new) New Mutants.

Karma is a low-level psychic, with the ability to possess another person's body. As the only member of the New Mutants capable of telepathic feats, she was an important player throughout the series. She also has limited telepathic powers, allowing her to read thoughts and send psychic blasts. Her time as a New Mutant was more complicated than the other members because of the Shadow King, who possessed Karma and turned her against her teammates.

13 EMPATH

Even though Manuel de la Rocha is a very powerful empath, he’s undoubtedly the least known character on our list. Why? Because he was never actually a member of the X-Men. Back before Emma Frost became Headmistress of Xavier’s School, she worked as a “teacher” at the Hellfire Club’s Massachusetts Academy during the ‘80s. There she trained a group of young mutants called the Hellions.

Manuel, or Empath, quickly became one of Emma’s favorite pupils thanks to his vast potential and his willingness to manipulate others. What makes him most dangerous aren’t his empathic powers, but rather his general lack of morality. He will do anything to get what he wants -- even if it means hurting a so-called “friend”.

12 KITTY PRYDE

If the past seven characters didn’t ring any X-Men bells, we’re fairly certain this one will. Katherine “Kitty” Pryde first met the world of mutants inX-Men#129 in 1980. At that time, she was a 13-year old girl with the ability to phase through solid matter. Charles Xavier and the X-Men took in Kitty and taught her how to use her fantastic ability.

Throughout the ‘80s, Kitty remained the token young teenager on the X-Men. Her childish antics were for amusement and her character wasn’t taken seriously. However, writers since then have tried to redefine Kitty, as seen in the currentX-Men Goldseries where a grown-up Kitty leads a team of X-Men who were once her mentors.

11 CANNONBALL

Sam Guthrie, aka Cannonball ,became a surprisingly popular character during the ‘80s, when he starred alongside Magik and Moonstar inNew Mutants. Born-and-raised in Kentucky, Cannonball brought a certain Southern charm to a team made of misfit mutants.

Lanky and awkward, Sam doesn’t seem particularly useful as an X-Men member but don’t let appearances fool you. His unique gift of thermo-chemical energy propulsion grants him the ability to fly at top-speeds and survive massive explosions. During his time as a New Mutant in the ‘80s, Cannonball saved his teammates from certain destruction on numerous occasions. Since then, his powers (and social skills) have only gotten stronger.