One Epic Avengers Vs. X-Men Event Completely Derailed the Biggest Mutant Story Ever Told

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The Avengers and the X-Men are currently Marvel’s most popular and significant teams, having surpassed the Fantastic Four in recent years (although the Fantastic Four’s current comic series is surprisingly strong). Both teams have been featured in many successful comics and have a history of large-scale crossovers, dating back to their initial conflict in the early days of Marvel (check out X-Men (Vol. 1) #9 for a classic Jack Kirby cover!). In more recent years, the two teams have frequently competed for the top spot in terms of popularity, and their rivalry culminated in a major storyline in the 2010s called Avengers vs. X-Men.

As a critic, I have to say this storyline really disappointed me. It all kicked off when the Phoenix Force was headed for Earth, and it quickly devolved into an all-out war between the X-Men. We saw the emergence of the Phoenix Five, and Cyclops tragically became the latest host for the Dark Phoenix. Honestly, it felt like a blatant attempt to capitalize on the success of The Avengers movie. What frustrated me most was how it completely undermined years of compelling character development and world-building that had been happening since the House of M event. The Decimation and Utopia eras were genuinely some of the most ambitious and rewarding periods for the X-Men, and to see that all undone by a massive crossover event just felt like a waste of potential.

House of M Destroying the Mutant Race Was the Beginning of the X-Men’s Biggest Story Ever

X-Men fans have strong feelings about Scarlet Witch removing the powers of most mutants in 2005, but it did lead to some interesting new storylines. While the period right after this event, known as M-Day, wasn’t the strongest, the team found new momentum when they relocated to San Francisco in 2007. The birth of Hope Summers, the first mutant born after M-Day (as seen in “Messiah Complex”), added even more drama and action to the mix.

The mutant population had dwindled to just 198 individuals, and the effects of M-Day weren’t limited to Earth – mutants on other worlds also lost their powers. Meanwhile, Cable and Hope were traveling through time, pursued by Bishop. The X-Men faced a new challenge in Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers and ultimately founded Utopia, a safe haven for the few mutants remaining. This period in the comics was filled with energy, building on the story of Hope Summers through arcs like “Messiah War” and the Cable series. The story reached its peak in “Second Coming,” where Hope helped the X-Men defend Utopia from an attack led by Bastion and his Prime Sentinels.

Hope Summers teamed up with the Five Lights, a group of newly emerged mutants, and was quickly becoming a central figure in the mutant world. The Avengers vs. X-Men storyline initially suggested she would be incredibly important, and the story’s first issue highlighted her connection with Scarlet Witch – two characters who ultimately determined how the conflict ended. Throughout the entire story, Hope played a key role, eventually receiving the Phoenix Force and partnering with Scarlet Witch to restore the mutant population’s powers.

Hope’s story concluded with her setting off to find her own path, which felt like a promising setup if Marvel intended to continue her adventures in a solo series. However, since they didn’t pursue that, it felt like a dead end. She was essentially sidelined as the focus shifted back to the original five X-Men. Forgotten for a long time, she regained importance during the Krakoa era, only to be removed from the main story again, this time sent to the distant White Hot Room of the Phoenix, likely meaning we won’t see her for a very long time.

Avengers vs. X-Men Ruined the X-Men’s Hope

From the start, Hope Summers was a major character in the X-Men universe, defining a particularly fascinating period in their history. While the “Utopia” era could be quite dark, it was a refreshing change for fans and generated a lot of excitement. Hope was a compelling character, and many believed she was being positioned as the next Jean Grey (which later became even more complex when it was revealed a time-traveling Jean Grey was connected to Hope’s birth). Even the way her story concluded in the AvX event left readers expecting great things for her future.

It took ten years after the AvX storyline for the character Hope Summers to return, and when she did, she was a strong addition to the Krakoa era. However, her story left many readers wondering if her original arc, the one that initially made her so popular, could have had a more satisfying conclusion. Marvel seemed to build her up as a major character, then sidelined her for years, brought her back into the spotlight, and then sidelined her again. AvX had lasting consequences, and one of the biggest disappointments was how Hope’s story was handled.

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2026-06-02 19:44