Summary
Contrary to popular belief, not every superhero story has a happy ending. Particularly in the more grounded realities of theMarveluniverse, the hero’s journey comes to a close every so often. In the history of Marvel Comics, there have been plenty of moments where iconic Marvel characters meet their fates, though their deaths are sometimes only temporary.
While some of these deaths are iconic for how they impact their respective universes going forward, others are incredibly memorable moments in comic book history. From A-list Avengers to supporting characters, these Marvel heroes had themost iconic deathsin the entire franchise.
10She-Hulk
Injured By Thanos Before Suffering A Heart Attack
Despite being one of Marvel’s more light-hearted characters, Jennifer Walters is the victim of a tragedy that upends the stability of the Marvel universe. Inthe iconicCivil War 2plotline, She-Hulk is seriously injured during a battle with none other than Thanos, taking a blow to the chest from a missile, while fellow superhero War Machine is killed by the Mad Titan.
Jen survives long enough to awaken from a coma and supports Carol Danvers in utilizing mutant Ulysses Cain’s precognition to save more lives, despite War Machine’s inevitable fate. Before succumbing to a heart attack, Jen’s final words encourage Carol to fight for what she believes in, ultimately kicking off the powder keg that is the conflict inCivil War II.
9Professor X
A Loss That Affected Mutants Everywhere, Especially Cyclops
It’s quite rare in Marvel Comics for the X-Men and Avengers to be at odds with each other, but that conflict takes center stage in theAvengers vs. X-Menfrom 2012. Unfortunately, there’s no taking sides in this war, as it’s kickstarted when several X-Men characters arepossessed by the malevolent Phoenix Force, pitting many members against each other.
Unfortunately, this results in some pretty major casualties, including the X-Men’s own mentor, Charles Xavier. In a tragic twist, a possessed Scott Summers (a.k.a. Cyclops) is the one who lets his anger get the best of him and kills Charles. To make matters worse, Xavier’s brain was later harvested by Red Skull, who used it to inherit the mutant’s psychic powers.
8Doctor Strange
Killed By Kaecilius Before Being Temporarily Resurrected
One of the most recent deaths in Marvel Comics history was none other than Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. Released in 2021, theDeath of Doctor Strangewastes no time showcasing the loss of Strange, who is suddenly killed by Kaecilius, his old enemy. As a result of Strange’s death, Earth becomes susceptible to supernatural threats.
While Strange is temporarily resurrected as a temporal remnant created by the sorcerer as a failsafe, he is eventually reclaimed by Death at the end of the storyline. However, just before he goes, Strange names Clea, his former lover, as the new Sorcerer Supreme while also telling her that he regrets not having stayed with her.
7Carol Danvers
A Death That Allowed Danvers To Return In Two Forms
Carol Danvers has dealt with her fair share of detractors, but few have been able to actually best her in battle. The exception, of course, is Ghazi Rashid, who formerly held Danvers hostage while she was in the Air Force before she ever became Ms. Marvel. However, Danvers wasn’t prepared for the emotional toll the battle would have on her, causing her to combust in a burst of light.
Thankfully, this wasn’t the end of Carol Danvers' story, as she was reincarnated in two new lives - one as a restored Ms. Marvel, while the other saw her become a powerless civilian named Catherine Donovan. It wasn’t long before Danvers got her full self back and could return to fighting as Ms. Marvel, lateradopting the mantle of Captain Marvelfrom her predecessor, Mar-Vell.
6Natasha Romanoff
Taken Down By A Former Comrade
It might be hard for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to imagine Chris Evans' Captain America turning onScarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. Sadly, that’s the fate that comes to pass in theSecret Empirestoryline, in which Steve Rogers is corrupted by the Tesseract. Natasha Romanoff becomes the mentor to a group of heroes opposing Rogers, known as the Champions.
However, Natasha’s plan to kill Steve herself doesn’t go so well. When the fight ends up being Captain America versus Spider-Man, Natasha jumps in front of a killing blow to save the web-slinger. She ends up dying at the hands of Rogers' vibranium shield, and Spider-Man retaliates by severely beating Natasha’s killer.
5Bruce Banner
Sadly, Jennifer Walters isn’t the only member of her family who perishes in theCivil War 2storyline. After Ulysses Cain predicts a massacre caused by the Hulk, a whole cavalcade of heroes arrives at his lab to prevent it from happening. Bruce becomes enraged, but before he can transform into the Hulk, he’s shot in the head by an arrow from Hawkeye.
It’s later revealed that Clint Barton’s murder of Banner was pre-planned, with the specific arrow provided to Hawkeye by the scientist himself to prevent a potential Hulking out. Bruce’s body is later stolen by the Hand, who resurrects Banner to do their bidding.
4Wolverine
Dies After Becoming Encased In Adamantium
Wolverine is admittedly a tough mutant to kill, thanks to his healing factor and prolonged lifespan. However, even mutants are capable of changing bodies, which is what finally weakens Logan during theDeath of Wolverinestoryline in 2014. With his healing factor fading, Wolverine is targeted by all his old nemeses, forcing him to face figures from his Weapon X past.
In the end, Logan ends up being killed by the very thing thatgave him his strength: adamantium. During a fight with Dr. Cornelius of the Weapon X program, Logan becomes encased in a shell of adamantium, which eventually smothers him and leaves the former X-Man a statue in sunlight. It’s one of the most morbid deaths in Marvel history, but it’s a fitting end for such an iconic Marvel hero.
3Peter Parker
Fights The Sinister Six Before Dying In Mary Jane’s Arms
Death is something that plagues Peter Parker’s story from the very beginning, from being orphaned by his parents to the guilt he feels over Uncle Ben and eventhe loss of Gwen Stacyat the hands of Green Goblin. In 2011, Peter Parker finally met his match in the most brutal takedown, as part of the comic book arcDeath of Spider-Man.
Peter’s killing blow comes when he takes a bullet for Captain America courtesy of The Punisher, though the fight doesn’t end there. Parker ends up fighting off the entire Sinister Six while injured, saving Norman for last by crushing him with a truck to rescue Aunt May, which is quite the full circle moment. It is sadly Peter’s final victory before dying in the arms of Mary Jane Watson.
2Jean Grey
Sacrifices Herself To Prevent Further Chaos
Few Marvel heroes have had not one, buttwofilm adaptations depicting their iconic death. Jean Grey is notable for being one of the strongestX-Mencharacters, especially during theDark Phoenixstoryline from 1980, in which Grey is overtaken by the Phoenix Force and turns on humanity, devouring an entirely populated planet and threatening to destroy Earth.
While Charles Xavier was able to get Jean Grey back to her normal self, she faced the consequences of the Shi’ar Empire for destroying a planet under their watch. Rather than succumb to the powers of Dark Phoenix once again, Jean sacrifices herself to the Shi’ar’s blast, to the devastation of her lover, Scott Summers, who subsequently leaves the X-Men out of heartbreak.
1Captain America
A Death That Shook The Marvel Universe
One of the most memorable deaths in Marvel Comics history was that of Steve Rogers, Captain America himself. Sadly, it’s not as happy of an ending for the iconic Avenger as the MCU gave him, in which he lived a fruitful life with Peggy Carter. The storyline, known asThe Death of Captain America, begins shortly after the firstCivil War, with Rogers assassinated by Crossbones.
As it turns out, Crossbones was hired to kill Rogers by Red Skull, but that’s not the end of the bloodshed in the storyline. While Tony Stark and Sam Wilson go investigate Rogers' murder, Bucky Barnes takes his frustration out on Stark, though the duo eventually makes up when Stark fulfills Steve’s dying wish of wanting Bucky to bethe new Captain America.
