X-MEN’S GREATEST DEATHS
The X-Men put their lives on the line for a dream of co-existence despite being hated and feared…and here are the X-Men who have paid the ultimate price in their service to mutantkind.
RIP…Or Goodbye For Now
Thunderbird
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #95
An Apache tribesman, John Proudstar was the X-Men’s first casualty. Proudstar’s unexpected death would continue to haunt Professor Xavier, who felt helpless about his student’s demise. Check out Thunderbird’s searing end, as the mutant strongman takes out one of Count Nefaria’s planes…and gets caught in its explosive wake.
Jean Grey
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #137
No one can forget when Jean Grey, founding X-Man and the former Marvel Girl, sacrificed herself to the Dark Phoenix. Once the psychic entity had sustained Jean, but left unbridled the Phoenix embraced its destructive nature. Jean’s death not only shattered the team- it has devastated readers for decades. Her heroic final stand is in this classic issue.
Cypher
In New Mutants (1983) #60
Doug Ramsey’s power set, the ability to translate any language written or spoken, rendered him ill-suited for combat. Regardless, Cypher was a valued New Mutant, proud to be amongst the second generation of X-Men. While battling Cameron Hodge’s anti-mutant militia, Cypher took a bullet for his teammate Wolfsbane…making his untimely end all the more tragic.
Colossus
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #390
Piotr Rasputin’s defining moment as an X-Man. The Legacy Virus once tore through the mutant population, killing hundreds. Colossus injects himself with the deadly virus- spelling his own end, but unleashing a cure for mutantkind.
Psylocke
In X-Treme X-Men (2001) #3
Saying farewell to this dearly departed X-Woman proved temporary- although she was killed during a mission in Spain, Betsy Braddock would return under mysterious circumstances, re-joining the team in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #455.
Banshee
In X-Men: Deadly Genesis (2005) #2
Deadly Genesis featured the rise of Vulcan, the unhinged and despotic brother of Cyclops and Havok. While attempting to save plane passengers from Vulcan’s wrath, the Irish-born Banshee perished in a blaze of glory, befitting of the large life he had led.
New X-Men…a lot of them
In New X-Men (2004) #23
Writers Chris Yost and Craig Kyle delivered an acclaimed run on New X-Men…and one that was never short on fatalities! Anti-mutant extremist William Stryker launches a missile attack on a bus of students, killing all onboard. This buzzkill issue also saw New X-Man Icarus incur mortal wounds. And we won’t even mention what happens to Wallflower a mere two issues later (New X-Men #25).
Nightcrawler
In X-Force (2008) #26
The impact of this esteemed X-Man’s death was felt widely by his teammates and readers at large. During the X-event Second Coming, Kurt Wagner died a hero’s death when he accidentally teleported through Bastion’s arm. All while protecting Hope Summers, the Mutant Messiah.
Professor X
In Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #11
Professor Xavier has faced more peril than any of his charges during his history as founder of the X-Men. The prof first staged his death in the pages of Uncanny X-Men (1963) #42, only to later “die” at the hands of Legion, his deranged son. This final and fatal time, Cyclops is possessed by the Dark Phoenix, killing the man he considers a mentor and father.
Wolverine
In Death of Wolverine (2014) #1
Wolverine’s death shook the X-Men to their very core, perhaps because it was so unbelievable. With the loss of his healing factor, Marvel’s most beloved mutant faces mortality at last. Writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven present the four-part event that ended Logan’s tragic reign…permanently.