There’s no point in pretending that all comic book characters live long, happy lives. In the case of Marvel Comics, many heroes tend to meet tragic deaths, even if they eventually find their way back to life. Some of Marvel’s worst deaths have happened in the X-Men comics. These deaths are sometimes brutal, often sad and, in more than one case, deeply shocking.
The X-Men have a long history with death. They’ve lost countless characters over the years, and while some deaths remain, many others don’t. For example, the Krakoa era, thanks to the resurrection system, opened the door to many mutant deaths with little permanence. Despite this, the team found many ways to shock and sadden readers.
10
Mystique was once shot down in space
His death was just part of a horrific series of events
Issue |
House of X #4 |
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Creators |
Jonathan Hickman, Pépé Larraz |
Thanks to the events of House of X And Powers of Xthe X-Men didn’t need to fear death. However, that didn’t mean they had to accept it. For example, Mystique becomes an unwitting participant in Xavier and Magneto’s plans as they dangle Destiny’s resurrection over her head. Most of Mystique’s missions were suicide missions, which she didn’t learn about until it was too late.
One of these missions took Mystique to a space station run by Orchis, an anti-mutant organization. The goal was to implant a Krakoan gate into the space station, allowing the X-Men to spy on the organization’s actions. Although the mission was technically a success, Mystical got caught up in the process, which successful in her getting shot into space and left to die alone. To make matters worse, she was sent back to the space station for another mission.
9
Thunderbird’s death was a complete shock
He Died While On A Mission, But Readers Still Didn’t See It Coming
Issue |
Strange X-Men #95 (1963) |
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Creators |
Chris Claremont, Len Wein, Dave Cockrum |
Some X-Men continue to work with their teams for a long time, while others have shorter stays. Sometimes new X-Men recruits only make it through a few problems before falling into the hands of the enemy. Thunderbird was one of those recruits. He joined the team during Giant-Sized X-Men #1 (1975), and his presence is significant because he helped found the All-New, All-Different team.
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Unfortunately, Thunderbird’s death came just two issues later, in X-Men #95. Thunderbird’s death was shocking for two reasons. Firstly, he was only recently introduced and seemed essential to the new team. Second, the circumstances of his death were sudden and alarming. The team was on a mission to stop Count Nefaria, leading Thunderbird to jump on the villain’s plane. However, the plane exploded seconds later, killing Thunderbird.
8
Xavier’s death at the hands of the Cyclops
Cyclops was tricked into killing Xavier by the Phoenix Force
Issue |
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 (2012) |
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Creators |
Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, Laura Martin, Chris Eliopoulos |
Over the years, the Phoenix Force has left its mark on mutants. Although Jean Gray is perhaps the most iconic wielder of the Phoenix, she is far from the only person this entity has possessed. During the events of Avengers vs. X-Men, the power of the Phoenix Force was shared between five mutants, including Cyclops.
You would think that splitting the Phoenix Force among five mutants would help prevent some of the more catastrophic side effects. Unfortunately, they would be wrong. Under the influence of the Phoenix, Cyclops kills Charles Xavier. It was one of those moments of instant regret, where Cyclops felt pain and loss like never before. Not only was this scene dark for readers, but it was also quite shocking. Mutant-on-mutant violence is a frequent theme in comic books, but what made this one so surprising was the characters involved.
7
The death of destiny
The pain of the mystic in the face of the loss of destiny
Issue |
Strange X-Men #255 (1989) |
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Creators |
Chris Claremont, Marc Silvestri, Dan Green, Glynis Oliver, Michael Heisler |
Some deaths change a character forever. One of these deaths occurred in Strange X-Men #255. In this issue, Destiny fell in battle against Legion. To understand the impact of this death, readers must understand what led to Destiny’s death and how it relates to the larger X-Men universe. Destiny is a member of the Freedom Force, part of the Brotherhood of Evil. This is how Mystique and Destiny met, eventually falling in love and getting married.
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Destiny is a powerful psionic person with precognitive powers.. In other words, it should have been impossible to surprise her with an attack, let alone a deadly attack. It’s hard to say who was more surprised by Destiny’s death: the character or the readers. However, it is clear that Mystique was the most affected by this death. Mystique’s pain and anguish are clear and deep.
6
The aftermath of Moira MacTaggert’s death
She died again and again and remembered it all
Series |
House of X/Powers of |
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Creators |
Jonathan Hickman, Young Gun, Pepe Larraz, RB Silva, Marte Gracia |
Moira MacTaggert has one of the most complicated relationships with the X-Men. For years, she was known as the mutants’ ally, but it was revealed that she was their secret nemesis. During the events of House of X/Powers of X, it was revealed that Moira had lived multiple livesincluding nine different lives with Charles Xavier.
This revelation set the stage for the Krakoan era, with Moira providing the plan based on her past lives. Moira’s many lives included a peaceful first life, but her death and rebirth began a quest for answers and revealed herself as a mutant to Xavier. Moira’s subsequent lives were all radically different: in one, she sought a cure for the x-gene; in another, she fell in love with Xavier’s devotion; and in a third, she died at the hands of the Sentinels and came back radicalized from the experience. These deaths, and a few others, gave rise to a version of Moira willing to use mutants for her own gain.
5
Nightcrawler’s Sacrifice
He saved his mutant Messiah
Issue |
X-Force #26 (2010 |
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Creators |
Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost, Mike Choi, Sonia Oback, Cory Petit |
Following the “M-Day” event, Hope Summers became one of the most important mutants in history. She was the first mutant to be born after the event, which many feared would bring about the end of mutantkind. Frequently known as the Mutant Messiah, Hope became a natural target for villains such as Bastion.
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It is safe to say that the attack carried out by Bastion was as bloody as it was brutal. His forces suffered many casualties that day, some more shocking than others. For a moment, it even looked like Bastion might succeed in killing Hope, but Nightcrawler interceded. As Bastion was about to deliver the killing blow to Hope, Nightcrawler teleported away, grabbing Hope before fleeing to safety. Unfortunately, the shot intended for Hope hit Nightcrawler instead, killing the mutant a few moments later.
4
Iceman’s death at the Hellfire Gala
His death proved that even omega-level mutants can fall
Issue |
X-Men: Hellfire Gala #1 (2023) |
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Creators |
Gerry Duggan, Carlos Gomez, Kris Anka, Russell Dauterman, Matteo Lolli, CF Villa |
Iceman is a classic X-Men character who has only gotten stronger. In fact, by the time the Hellfire Gala took place, many fans had come to believe that Iceman was invincible, even immortal. Iceman is an Omega-level mutant who has suffered many severe beatings and survived to tell his tale.
Unfortunately, what happened at the Hellfire Gala proved that Iceman can be difficult to kill – but it’s not impossible. The Orchis invaded Gala, resulting in many shocking battles, such as Iceman versus Nimrod. During their fight, Nimrod injected Iceman with molecular napalm, which melted the mutant from the inside out.. It was a horrible sight and a shocking death. Worse still, some fans are convinced that the hero was not resurrected like the others.
3
The Fall of Wolverine
Everything went wrong when Wolverine lost his healing factor
Issue |
Death of Wolverine #1 (2014) |
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Creators |
Charles Soule, Steve McNiven |
They say that every story must have an ending, although this phrase often seems not to apply to the world of comics. An ending is just a new beginning in the Marvel Universe. Despite this knowledge, the events of Death of Wolverine seemed heavy and real to many readers.
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Death of Wolverine depicts a version of Logan who has lost his healing factormaking him vulnerable and deadly. Without his regeneration, even using his claws could cause damage severe enough to kill him. Mister Fantastic hatches a plan to restore Logan’s healing ability, but it requires him to survive in the meantime. Logan finally tracks down a scientist responsible for horrific experiments. Although he kills the scientist, he is encased in the hardening Adamantium, leading to his death. This marks a poignant and impactful moment in Wolverine’s story.
2
The Sacrifice of Jean Gray
Jean Gray protected everyone she loved from the Phoenix Force
Issue |
Strange X-Men #137 (1980) |
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Creators |
Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Terry Austin, Glynis Wein, Tom Orzechowski |
The X-Men are no strangers to the need for sacrifice. Certain events have always inspired heroes to step up and make one of life’s toughest choices. During the events of Strange X-Men #137, it was time for Jean Gray to make this impossible decision. At that time, Jean had just freed himself from the Phoenix’s control when the Shi’ar Empire attacked him. The Shi’ar are known for their brutal methods and lack of empathy. They had only one goal: destroy the Phoenix.
During the ensuing battle, Jean Gray felt the Phoenix Force attempt to take control. At this point, she knew very well what would happen if she were to be fully possessed again. So Jean Gray opted for the only option she had left and sacrificed herself to save everyone she loved.. This event was traumatic for various reasons. First of all, Jean died before Cyclops’ eyes. Second, this was the first time Jean died in the comics.
1
The entire X-Men team has perished
Every member of the X-Men fell in Old Man Logan
Issue |
Wolverine #70 (2003) |
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Creators |
Mark Miller, Steve McNiven |
The events of Old Man Logan has changed many X-Men characters and even readers. It was a powerful story with long-lasting effects. Set in a dark, dystopian future filled with death and suffering, the tale is perhaps best known for depicting an elderly Wolverine. However, the significance of the story extends far beyond that.
It starts with Logan falls under the control of Mysterio, who manipulates him to massacre the entire X-Men team.. This shocking twist is made even more devastating by Wolverine’s immense guilt for what he unknowingly did. With the X-Men gone, the world collapses into chaos, leading to a dark and fractured future. Old Man Logan. The storyline remains a powerful exploration of loss, guilt and the resilience of its characters.
X-Men
Since their debut in 1963, Marvel’s X-Men have been more than just a team of superheroes. While the team really hit its stride as the All New, All Different X-Men in 1975, Marvel’s heroic mutants have always functioned as super-outcasts, protecting a world that hates and fears them for their powers. .
Key members of the X-Men include Professor X, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, Iceman, Beast, Rogue and Storm. Often touted as the second most powerful superheroes in the world, after the Avengers, they nonetheless remain one of Marvel’s most popular and important franchises.