X-Men First Class charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga, to reveal the secret history of famous global events. Before mutants revealed themselves to the world, and before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were instead the closest of friends, working together with other Mutants (some you know, some you don’t) to prevent nuclear Armageddon. In the process, a rift between them opened, beginning the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood  of Evil Mutants and Professor X’s heroic  X-Men.

When it comes to the four previous X-Men Movies the first two were great; the second two… not so much. I am not sure how I feel about the X-Movie franchise throwing out the real origin of the X-Men, but I’m willing to give director Matthew Vaughn a shot. I will say this, I am very happy this is not a Wolverine-centric movie. I’m sure Hugh Jackman will pop up at some point in this one, but I like the focus on Professor X and Magneto as young mutants trying to make their way in the world.

These are some of the mutants director Matthew Vaughn has enrolled in this X-Men: First Class:

Charles Xavier (Professor X) – Throughout most of his comic book history, Xavier is paraplegic, although his body houses one of the world’s most powerful mutant minds. As a high-level telepath, Xavier can read, control and influence human minds.

Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) – He has been the X-Men’s most prominent enemy ever since his first appearance. In his early appearances, his motives were bent on megalomania, but writers have since fleshed out his character and origin, revealing him to be a Jewish Holocaust survivor whose actions are driven by the purpose of protecting the mutant race from suffering a similar fate.

Emma Frost (The White Queen) – Like Professor X she is a mutant telepath, though she is well-noted for her dry wit. She was initially known as the White Queen (complete with the revealing white costume for which she is known). Over time Frost has changed from one of the X-Men’s most dangerous foes to one of its most central members.

Raven Darkholme (Mystique) – Throughout most of her history, Mystique has been a supervillain, she is a mutant shapeshifter with blue skin and yellow eyes when in her natural state. At one point, she mentioned that she is over 100 years old. Mystique is the mother of  X-Man Nightcrawler, and the adoptive mother of  Rogue.

Hanky Mccoy (Beast) – When first introduced, the Beast was a mutant with ape-like superhuman physical strength and agility, as well as oversized hands and feet. Throughout his history, Beast progressively transforms, permanently gaining increasingly animalistic physical characteristics; including blue fur, feline facial features, pointed ears, fangs, and claws. As he continued to transform his physical power and animal senses increased to even greater levels.

Alex Summers (Havok) – Havok is a mutant with the ability to absorb ambient cosmic energy into every cell in his body and transform it into waves of plasma energy. Alex has difficulties with his powers until he meets Charles Xavier and learns to control them.

Dr. Moira MacTaggert – She is a female CIA Agent who is the first human to witness mutants using their powers. She tracks down Charles Xavier and with his help convince her superiors to work with mutants for the greater good.

Sebastian Shaw – Shaw was a Nazi collaborator who experimented on a young Erik Lehnsherr, forever changing his life. Shaw’s mutant abaility allows him to absorb energy and re-channel it. His evil plan is to ensure mutants rule the Earth.

Janos Questad (Riptide) – Is never far from the side of Sebastian Shaw, his powers allow him to create powerful whirlwinds strong enough to bring down entire buildings.

Azazel – He is the biological father of X-Men teleporter Nightcrawler. Azazel can teleport by opening a portal through another dinemsion. He is working with Sebastian Shaw to ensure mutants rule the Earth.