Dramatic romances often get the focus in X-Men comics, but for nearly six decades, the team has been built on some of the most complex and important relationships in Marvel Comics. Without the friendship and rivalry between Professor X and Magneto, for instance, there would be no X-Men at all.
Deep personal bonds keep the X-Men together through the worst of times and keep the nucleus of the team together even in times of great success, like the current Dawn Of X era in the comics. Friends, lovers, enemies, or somewhere in between, many X-Men are tied closely together in life, death, and even beyond.
Cyclops And Jean Grey
Cyclops and Jean Grey are certainly among the greatest couples in X-Men Comics, but their relationship goes far beyond romance. The pair are close friends and colleagues and arguably form the heart of the X-Men in any era.
That was true during their formative years, the highs and lows of The Dark Phoenix Saga, and at the moment as well. The two of them lead the current incarnation of the X-Men and it was their idea to resurrect a dedicated team, seeing the need to continue to represent the values and promise of the X-Men in the world.
Rogue And Gambit
Rogue and Gambit have been contentious lovers for thirty years now, but their relationship is one of the most enduring in X-Men comics. Whether they're friends, lovers, or rivals, the two are never far apart.
That includes the current comics, where Gambit has been seen playing cards in the X-Men treehouse complex where Rogue is currently based. Though they generate a lot of sparks thanks to their mutual flaws, they've been a stabilizing force for each other and arguably for the X-Men as well through many ups and downs.
Wolverine And X-23
Wolverine has had many mentoring relationships - his close connection to both Kitty Pryde and Jubilee are examples of this - perhaps his greatest relationship is with Laura Kinney. Originally known as X-23 and now going by Wolverine, Laura is Wolverine's clone.
He initially resisted any kind of relationship but has since taken on more of a fatherly role in her life. He has actually adopted her and she is part of his extended family, including his son, Daken. Though they're both classic loners, the two share much more than a codename.
Storm And Wolverine
Storm and Wolverine might be one of the most unlikely X-Men friendships given how different they are, but they're actually very close. Logan and Ororo have profound respect for each other going back to their earliest adventures together.
Wolverine has always endorsed Storm as a leader and she has always treated him as a valuable part of the team, seeing him more as a man than the monster he feared to be. Though their relationship drifted into romance once, it's mostly built on mutual respect and admiration.
Mystique And Destiny
Mystique and Destiny are a major romantic couple in the X-Men universe, but their relationship is perhaps more profound than fans realize. Not only are they the leaders of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants that once included Rogue, but they are also integral to the past and future of Moira MacTaggert, and consequently all of mutantkind.
Moira's fear of Destiny is so great she has bent the entire resurrection protocol on Krakoa out of shape to prevent the precognitive mutant from coming back to life. That has led to major consequences in the Inferno storyline, which are sure to have ramifications not just for Moira but all mutants.
Magik And Kitty Pryde
Magik and Kitty Pryde have been close ever since they first met. They've been essential lifelines for each other as young children in a world of cosmic threats and constantly shifting realities.
Their bond is perhaps best reflected in the fact that Kitty Pryde is able to wield the Soul Sword, the powerful mystical weapon Magik uses, and did so on a number of occasions including during early issues of Excalibur in the late 80s. Illyana was the first person to greet Kitty after her resurrection on Krakoa, tackling her to the ground in joy.
Wolverine And Nightcrawler
Wolverine and Nightcrawler have been good friends since they both joined the team, and their jovial spirit in battle was a big part of some of the best X-Men comics of the 80s. They're also two of the most philosophical members of the team.
That is likely obvious with Nightcrawler, who has often wrestled with questions of faith. It's true of Wolverine as well, who seeks some kind of structure to make sense of his very confused and chaotic life. He always finds a place with Kurt Wagner, his constant friend and ally.
Kitty Pryde And Rachel Summers
Kitty Pryde is close with a lot of X-Men, but perhaps no one more than Rachel Summers. The two have been very close since their stint in Excalibur, where they leaned on each other for support when it seemed the X-Men were dead. Rachel's need for family and a sense of place seems to be located in Kitty more than anyone else.
Though they have been separated by enormous distances and even death in some cases, they always come back to each other. There have been hints that the relationship is more or could be, but the one constant in the last thirty-plus years has been their deep love and respect for each other.
Storm And Jean Grey
Storm and Jean Grey represent one of the key relationships in X-Men comics. The two became very close not long after Storm joined the team.
Their respect and love for each other are illustrated in many stories, but especially in Classic X-Men where Jean plays a role in helping Storm face her claustrophobia, one of the best Storm comic stories. Storm also risked everything during The Dark Phoenix Saga to try and help Jean Grey and has always supported her despite the doubts and concerns of others about her power and potential.
Professor X And Magneto
There is no greater relationship in X-Men comics than Professor X and Magneto. The two close friends became heated rivals over the future of mutants, and their conflict has defined the history of the Marvel Universe in many respects.
Their philosophical conflict seems less at the moment, with both men at the center of the Krakoan experiment, but deep divisions remain. It's arguable Magneto has 'won' in the sense mutants are asserting themselves like never before, but the tug of war continues as it has since the beginning.