The X-Men are a group of superheroes who, unlike others, were not born with their powers nor did they obtain them through a scientific accident. They are mutants: individuals who possess a special gene, the "X-Gene," which grants them extraordinary abilities upon reaching adolescence.
Because they are different, the rest of humanity fears and rejects them. For this reason, Professor Charles Xavier, a powerful telepath, founded the "School for Gifted Youngsters." There, he teaches mutants to control their gifts with a dual goal: to protect a world that hates them and to seek peace between humans and mutants.
Their main story is a constant struggle between two visions: that of Professor X, who believes in peaceful coexistence, and that of his old friend Magneto, who believes that mutants are the next step in evolution and must dominate to survive.