7 Most Famous (But Meaningless) Superhero Deaths

By Noel Thorne / May 25, 2013

1. Charles Xavier/Professor X (Multiple times)

While perhaps not the most famous of superhero deaths, Professor Charles Xaviers many, many deaths are perhaps the most meaningless in comics. This guys died so many times his name should be Kenny! So, how many times and in what ways has Chuck died? Here we go (deep breath): 1) He first died in 1968 (Uncanny X-Men, Volume 1 #42) when hes caught in an explosion set off by Grotesk but comes back as it turns out that the Xavier who died was actually Changeling and not really the Prof. 2) In 1981 (Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 #141) he dies in the dystopian future X-Men story Days of Future Past, killed by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. 3) 2 years later he was killed after being infected by a Brood Queen embryo in Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 #167 in 1983 he was brought back after his mind was transferred into a cloned body made by the ShiAr. 4) In 1992, he was shot by Stryfe (who was disguised as Cable) with a techno-organic virus-infected bullet in Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 #294 and was subsequently brought back by Apocalypse. 5) In 1995 (X-Men, Volume 2 #41), Xavier was accidentally killed in the past by Legion which led to the Age of Apocalypse storyline. 6) 2005 and when Scarlet Witch cast her No More Mutants curse in the House of M storyline in House of M, Volume 1 #5, Xavier was among those dead in the alternate reality the curse caused the curse was undone though and Xavier was returned. 7) In the 2007-08 Messiah CompleX storyline, Xavier was mistakenly shot by Bishop and was revived by Exodus and Omega Sentinel. Phew! So whats the count? 7 deaths! This guy has died 7 times! But 4 years is apparently too long for Marvel to go without killing off Chuck and at the conclusion of last years Avengers Vs. X-Men Event, Phoenix Force Cyclops killed Xavier for the 8th time in the characters history (and that's not even counting the "Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe" storyline which would make it 9)!

The event once more sparked interest in the mainstream media as international papers reported Xaviers death even if readers of X-Men comics were rolling their eyes at seeing a character, whose purpose seems to be to be killed and return again and again, die once more. What's amazing is that writers are still using Xavier dying as a major ending to large storylines, as if the character dying actually means something - which, given the sheer number of times he's "died" proves that his death means nothing. So, will Xavier be brought back? Well hes died 8 times and been brought back 7 Id say were odds on for another miracle resurrection. And then onto Death No. 9 for Charles Kenny Xavier in whatever Marvels Event is for 2016! Where can I read the (supposed) death of Charles Xavier? The latest Xavier death can be read in Avengers Vs. X-Men by Jason Aaron et al. * What did you think did I miss out any famous superhero deaths? Which one was your favourite and which character who hasnt died yet would you like to see bite the dust? Let me know in the comments below.