The first issue in the X-Men comic book series, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, was published in 1963. When this original series failed to find an audience, it quietly faded away. However, after a 1975 revamp, it gained popularity and eventually became one of the most successful comic franchises in history.

The X-Men are mutants, humans who have experienced accelerated evolution and were born with superhuman powers and abilities. As mutants, the X-Men are often hated and feared by regular humans. In addition to dealing with human prejudice, the X-Men must also cope with powerful division within their own mutant community: some mutants wish to use their abilities to dominate humans, while other mutants choose to coexist peacefully with them.

The early 1960s, when the X-Men characters were first created, was a time of great political and sociological change in the United States. The country was gradually emerging...