The biggest problem might be what I touched on, comics are diverse more than they have ever been and X-men books recently are killing with diverse roster but what makes characters iconic or main stays? Being used in Iconic stories. Who is remember in those stories? the lead characters the ones with importance. What are the biggest stories over last couple years
1. E for Extinction- Morrison Run
2. Gifted- Joss Whedon Run
3. Messiah Complex-Various writers
4. HoXPoX- Hickman
5 AvX-Various writers
And I am just explaining why I seem harsh on diversity. If characters don't get used in big stories they don't get elevated and don't show up frequently in books later. The one character in recent years isn't from big names that is almost one now is Magik. Magik elevation as character can be traced to being used AvX and then stories after that. Another character that is getting elevated like crazy is Cypher and we should see it pay off over the next few years. The point is being used in big stories makes other writers use in big stories which is why it is important to note that Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost, Xavier, Moria, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Kitty as the focus of the X-men. Could you imagine if Bishop was captain commander instead of Cyclops? Could you imagine if Sunspot was on the council get all these great interactions with the major players? Could you imagine if Forge was in charge of X-force instead of Beast? what if Monet was in charge of the Marauders instead of Kitty.