10 Times the X-Men Lost

by

The X-Men are known as one of the strongest superhero teams around. Their power starts with Professor X, a remarkably powerful telepath. Alongside him are incredibly strong members like Storm and Iceman, and Jean Grey, who often wields the immense power of the Phoenix Force. Rogue can absorb other people’s abilities, while Gambit and Cyclops excel at fighting from a distance. Even in close combat, Wolverine is a formidable force. While defeating the X-Men is a huge challenge – many villains have tried and failed – it’s not entirely out of the question.

The X-Men have faced defeat many times throughout their history. While losses are common for any superhero team, the stakes are often incredibly high for the X-Men, making their defeats particularly painful. Here are ten of the most crushing losses the team has ever suffered.

10) “X-Men Disassembled”

“X-Men Disassembled” was a 2018 attempt to refresh the X-Men comics. It began with a new weekly *Uncanny X-Men* series where the team faced off against X-Man, who believed he could save the world by imposing his idea of a perfect society. The X-Men opposed him, but suffered defeats along the way. Eventually, X-Man combined with Legion, becoming incredibly powerful, and managed to trap the X-Men in his own universe. Even though the team wasn’t destroyed, I consider this a failure because they couldn’t actually stop him.

9) House of M

The ‘House of M’ storyline is controversial among X-Men fans, largely because the X-Men suffer the most throughout the event. After the Avengers and X-Men discuss the Scarlet Witch’s unstable mental state, she alters reality, creating a world where mutants are the dominant species – a change encouraged by Quicksilver. Eventually, Wolverine and Layla Miller restore everyone’s memories, leading to an attack on the ‘House of M’ and the revelation of the truth. The Scarlet Witch’s condition worsens, and she undoes her changes, but also casts a spell that deprives most mutants of their powers. While the world is saved, the X-Men are left more devastated than ever before.

8) “E Is for Extinction”

Grant Morrison’s *New X-Men* is considered a landmark series, and it begins with a shocking story called “E Is for Extinction.” The X-Men believe they’ve triumphed, but they’ve actually suffered a devastating loss. Cassandra Nova attempts to wipe out all mutants, and Wolverine and Cyclops only discover her plan mid-execution. She unleashes massive robots called Mega-Sentinels on the mutant nation of Genosha, resulting in the deaths of 16 million mutants while battling the two X-Men. Though they defeat her and bring her back to the X-Mansion, she escapes and fights her way to Cerebra, intending to use it to kill all mutants. Emma Frost stops her physically by breaking her neck, but Nova cleverly transfers her consciousness into Xavier’s body and destroys her own, where Xavier’s mind was trapped. The X-Men are left believing they’ve won, unaware that Nova has completely outmaneuvered them.

7) X-Men (Vol. 2) #2

The first three issues of *X-Men* (Vol. 2) feature a conflict between the X-Men and Magneto, along with his followers, the Acolytes. Initially, the X-Men’s Blue Team defeats the Acolytes, but Magneto quickly intervenes. In issue #2, Magneto and the remaining Acolytes overpower the X-Men. Seeking revenge for being de-aged and mentally altered, Magneto attacks the X-Mansion and captures Xavier and Moira MacTaggert. He gains control of the X-Men, leading to a final showdown where the Gold Team attempts a rescue. Despite their efforts, the X-Men are defeated, and Asteroid M is destroyed due to a betrayal within the Acolytes.

6) “Old Man Logan”

“Old Man Logan” is a famous Wolverine story where the X-Men suffer a devastating defeat. The villains launched a full-scale attack on heroes, but surprisingly, they only sent Mysterio against the X-Men. Mysterio used illusions to trick Wolverine into believing his teammates were enemies, leading him to tragically kill them all. While it’s hard to believe Wolverine could defeat the entire team, this event is still considered a major loss for the X-Men.

5) “The Dark Phoenix Saga”

“The Dark Phoenix Saga” is a fan-favorite story where the X-Men face a series of defeats. It begins with the team being captured by the Hellfire Club. Then, Jean Grey transforms into the Dark Phoenix and easily defeats them in their first encounter. Although the X-Men eventually manage to subdue her with careful strategy after she threatens an entire solar system, they’re then confronted by the powerful Shi’Ar Imperial Guard. The Guard puts Jean on trial for destroying the D’Bari system, and the X-Men request a trial by combat. The Imperial Guard overwhelmingly defeats the team, leading Jean to believe that sacrificing herself is the only way to prevent the Phoenix from causing further destruction. Ultimately, Jean takes her own life. Despite their efforts, the X-Men suffer a devastating loss, losing a close friend in the process.

4) “Days of Future Past”

In the alternate future depicted in “Days of Future Past,” the world is ruled by Sentinels. The remaining X-Men attempt a risky plan to prevent this grim reality: they send Kate Pryde back in time to prevent an assassination they believe triggered the events. Meanwhile, the rest of the team directly confronts the Master Mold, hoping to dismantle the Sentinels’ power. Unfortunately, the Sentinels quickly defeat the team, and the remaining X-Men are ultimately destroyed in a heroic last stand.

3) “Legion Quest”

In “Legion Quest,” Storm, Bishop, Iceman, and Psylocke traveled back in time with Legion. Legion believed that killing Magneto in the past – in Israel, during their shared history – would allow him to live a normal life, as he blamed Magneto for all of Xavier’s troubles. The X-Men desperately tried to prevent Legion from altering the timeline, fiercely protecting Magneto. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t stop Legion from delivering a fatal blow. As Legion attacked Magneto with a blast of psychic energy, Xavier unexpectedly sacrificed himself, stepping in front of the attack. Xavier’s death shattered the timeline, ushering in a completely new and apocalyptic era.

2) Avengers vs. X-Men

The epic crossover event *Avengers vs. X-Men* saw Earth’s mightiest heroes clash with the mutant team over the powerful Phoenix Force. Over the course of the 12-issue series, both sides experienced victories and defeats. Ultimately, they had to unite against the incredibly powerful Dark Phoenix, possessed by Cyclops. Determining a clear winner in *Avengers vs. X-Men* is tricky. Although the X-Men initially fought alongside the Phoenix Five, they later switched allegiances as the situation escalated. By the finale, only Cyclops remained as a threat, and he was defeated. While some X-Men members contributed to the winning team, the event is generally considered an Avengers victory, effectively marking a loss for the X-Men.

1) X-Men: Hellfire Gala (2023) #1

For five years, the X-Men existed in a new world called Krakoa, but this era ended in tragedy. Each year, the mutants hosted a grand event called the Hellfire Gala, inviting humans to witness the selection of their leadership. However, the third Gala was deliberately targeted by Orchis, a group dedicated to mutant destruction. They unleashed Nimrod, a supremely powerful Sentinel, from space, wiping out most of the X-Men as they were being presented. The attack was brutal – Moira MacTaggert killed Jean Grey, Nimrod defeated Iceman and Juggernaut, and Orchis soldiers rounded up the remaining mutants. Doctor Stasis forced Xavier to surrender Krakoa, using his abilities to exile all mutants except those who knew the secret Red Triangle defense. Krakoa began with confidence and ambition, but ultimately ended in devastation.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-best-x-men-stories-20s-marvel-comics/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-25 00:14