The Brotherhood of Mutants is the antithesis of the X-Men: the team believes that mutants are superior to humans. They will protect their kind at any cost, have attempted to rule over humanity, and have even sought to end humankind altogether. Because of their intentions, and the heavy hitters in the group, the Brotherhood of Mutants is a formidable force that regular tests the might and mettle of the X-Men.

The Brotherhood of Mutants were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who introduced them 60 years ago in X-Men #4 (March 1964). When the X-Men revealed themselves to the world, Magneto formed the Brotherhood with Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Toad, and Mastermind.

As with most superpowered teams, the Brotherhood of Mutants has seen many incarnations during its tenure. Magneto tried to recruit Thor, but the Asgardian hero refused to join, then he approached Blob, but he also declined. Magneto and Toad were captured during a conflict with the Stranger, and in their absence, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver left the Brotherhood to join the Avengers.

Once Magneto returned from his incarceration on the Stranger’s home world, he formed a new Brotherhood with Mastermind, Blob, Unus, and Savage Land Mutate Lorelei. Magneto created Alpha, a being with unlimited power, but things went wrong during a fight with the Defenders. While using his powers, Alpha turned the Brotherhood into infants. Eric the Red restored Magneto to adulthood, he formed another version of the team, and they tried to capture Mister One and Mister Two, but were unsuccessful.

Mystique decided to form her own Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with her foster daughter Rogue, Pyro, Blob, Destiny, and Avalanche. They attacked Ms. Marvel/Carol Danvers and Rogue absorbed her powers and memories. Mystique wanted to assassinate vocal anti-mutant politician Senator Kelly, but the X-Men saved him, and the Brotherhood was captured. Rogue freed them, though some members were caught again by Rom. When Rogue’s powers became too volatile, she decided to leave the Brotherhood and joined the X-Men to learn how to control her abilities.

In a shrewd move to keep her team out of prison or on the run, Mystique rebranded the team as Freedom Force and they worked for the US government. The new Spider-Woman/Julia Carpenter, Crimson Commando, and others joined their ranks. They fought the cyborg Reavers on Muir Island and they were sent to rescue nuclear physicist Reinhold Kurtzmann who was being held in Kuwait. Eventually Mystique and others left the team, some were killed, and others were imprisoned.

Toad formed the next version of the Brotherhood with Pyro, Blob, Sauron, and Phantazia. They worked with the Morlocks to defeat X-Force, and then they attacked X-Factor. After a battle with Darkhawk and Sleepwalker, Toad’s version of the team disbanded. Then X-Factor leader Havok temporarily formed a new Brotherhood to investigate the Clan Destine genetic experiments, and to keep an eye on the activities of Dark Beast and Nate Grey.

Blob led the next version of the Brotherhood with Toad, Mimic, and Post as members. They freed Professor Xavier who was imprisoned by Operation: Zero Tolerance, and he repaid the group by training them. They fought the then-sentient Cerebro, and were hired by Mystique to retrieve the remains of X-51. Then Mystique hired them, along with Mastermind and Sabretooth, to make another attempt on Senator Kelly’s life. As their plans were in motion, the X-Men intervened – as did the redemption seeking Pyro – and they stopped the Brotherhood.

Mutant healer Xorn, who thought he was Magneto, infiltrated Xavier’s school to recruit Basilisk, Angel, and others for the next version of the team. He tried to lead them to takeover Manhattan, lost control of the situation, accidentally killed Basilisk, and then Wolverine decapitated him.

Exodus formed a Brotherhood with Black Tom, Nocturne, Sabretooth, and others to attack the X-Men. They thought they were getting help from Juggernaut acting as their mole, when he was actually a double agent for the X-Men.

Many mutants have been a part of the Brotherhood of Mutants, fueled by their contempt for humans, their disgust for the X-Men, or simply a desire for power and position. Whatever their motivation, the Brotherhood of Mutants has established themselves among the most fearsome Marvel villains.