The Murky Land of Copyright Law

I had to venture into that murky land on Google this afternoon because I had a problem in my novel. The X-Men make an appearance in it (but not as characters key to the plot), and I wanted to know if that required legal consent. I read on writersweekly.com that such a situation would be trademark infringement, but also gave a (helpfully specific) suggestion that (and I quote): "It might be easier, less risky, and cheaper ... to simply create your own superhero for your character to admire" (Hoy). I think I'll try that (well, at least in a revision).