Throughout its decades of editorial history, X-Men have been involved in some of the most impressive battles in Marvel Comics. With an enemy list longer than most fans can count, the Merry Mutants have had plenty of opportunities to show off their combat prowess over the years.
But not all fights are the same. And the X-Men’s biggest battles remind readers why they are one of Marvel’s most prominent franchises.
15
The Hulk vs The X-Men
World War Hulk: X-Men by Christos Gage, Andrea Di Vito and Laura Villari
When a vengeful Hulk returns to Earth after the destruction of the life he built on Sakarr, he returns with a brutal mission against Marvel’s Illuminati – including Professor X. Naturally, this puts Charles’ Children of the Atom squarely in the Giant’s crosshairs. of Jade. .
Still recovering from the events of the Decimation, the Merry Mutants – including Juggernaut himself – do their best to defend themselves against the Hulk with terrible results and only survive when they take pity on their near extinction and leave. The X-Men are without a doubt some of the most powerful heroes the Marvel Universe has to offer, but the Hulk is the strongest there is.
14
The Marvel Universe vs Onslaught
Attack: Marvel Universe #1 by Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, Andy Kubert and Joe Bennet
The entity known as Onslaught is one of the greatest threats the Marvel Universe has ever faced, and no team was more prepared to lead the fight against it than the X-Men. Born from the dark recesses of Charles Xavier’s psyche, Onslaught grows to threaten most of Earth’s Mightiest Heroesinvolving the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and even Doctor Doom in a battle for his very existence.
Ultimately, most of Marvel’s non-mutant heroes end the battle by being reborn in a parallel universe. And although they and Onslaught have long since returned, it’s still the X-Men who pose their biggest obstacle.
13
Xavier’s Academy vs The Marauders
X-Men #207 by Mike Carey, Chirs Bachalo and Tim Townsend
As the first major crossover of the Age of Decimation reaches its climax, tensions between Marvel’s various mutant factions reach a fever pitch in “Messiah Complex,” which results in an all-out brawl between the X-Men, the newly minted formed X-Force, the students of Academy X, the Marauders and even Predator the Mutant Messiah, a Hope Summers.
Considering the then-recent decimation, this meant the battle included most of the remaining heavy hitters in Marvel’s mutant community. Resulting in one of Charles Xavier’s many apparent deaths, this war for Hope raised the stakes at a time when the X-Men were arguably the most desperate.
12
Krakoa x Orchis
X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 by Gerry Duggan, Russell Dauterman and RB Silva
The final Hellfire Gala was controversial among fans for several understandable reasons, but it can’t be denied that, while cruel, it was also one of the X-Men’s biggest battles in modern history. With astonishing feats of power from the likes of Jean Gray and Nimrod, Hellfire Massacre set a brutal pace that Fall of X followed loyally.
After witnessing the success of Krakoa in previous years, the 2023 Hellfire Gala was as poignant for readers as it was for the X-Men themselves. But the X-Men never go down without a fightand this battle reminds readers who the X-Men are in the face of extinction.
11
X-Men vs Cassandra Nova
New X-Men #116 by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Mark Morales
Cassandra Nova is one of the X-Men’s emerging villains of the 21st century and her initial battle against the Children of the Atom goes a long way towards demonstrating the threat she poses and How far are the X-Men willing to go?n. Wreaking havoc in the halls of the Xavier Institute after orchestrating the Genoshan genocide, Nova breaks through the team’s defenses to reach her hated brother.
Ultimately, the battle ends with her unknowingly occupying Charles’ body, tricking the X-Men into defeating their own leader. This may not be the most glamorous fight the X-Men have ever faced, but thanks to Cassandra Nova, it’s certainly one of the most disturbing.
10
X-Men vs Dark Avengers
Dark/Weird Avengers X-Men: Exodus #1 by Matt Fraction, Mike Deodato Jr. and Terry Dodson
When Norman Osborn rose to power as America’s top cop during the Dark Reign period, no hero went unnoticed – especially the recently decimated Children of the Atom. Seeking to put the X-Men in their place by quelling a mutant riot in San Francisco, Iron Patriot and his Dark Avengers as well as his newly formed Dark X-Menthey end up fighting with Xavier’s former students with disappointing results.
Learning firsthand what it’s like to be bested by Scott Summers, Osborn’s defeat leads to more than a few awesome character moments, with Emma Frost acting as a double agent and even Valkyrie-powered fan favorite Dani Moonstar, even even trampling Ares himself into submission. .
9
Avengers vs X-Men
Avengers vs X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, John Romita Jr. and more
The Avengers and the X-Men are arguably Marvel’s two most prominent superhero teams, and an all-out war between these two entities has resulted in one of the most dynamic battles fans have seen in a while.
With both teams facing off on the beaches of Utopia over the fate of Hope Summers, this battle features titanic clashes between Marvel mainstays such as Cyclops versus Captain America, Enchantress versus Doctor Strange, and even Thing versus Namor. This initial battle was arguably the selling point for the entire premise of Avengers vs. X-Menand although it’s just the opening salvo to a story full of climactic battles, it doesn’t disappoint.
8
Utopia Vs Bastion Army
‘X-Men: Second Coming’ by Craig Kyle, Matt Fraction, Zeb Wells and more
One of the most dramatic battles in X-Men history, the team’s battle for San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the franchise’s Utopia period. Trapping the entire mutant species – including big heavy hitters like Namor, Colossus and Magneto – in San Francisco to battle Bastion and an army of Nimrods, “Second Coming” pushes the Children of the Atom to the limit like never before.
With all the remaining mutants fighting for their lives against a seemingly limitless army of highly advanced Sentinels, this fight is pure high-octane action that shows just how powerful the X-Men really are, as well as how terrifying the threats they face can be. . .
7
X-Men Vs Orchid
Fall of the House of X #5 by Gerry Duggan, Lucas Werneck and Stefano Caselli
The Fall of X may have pushed the X-Men to their limits, but the team’s all-out battle against Nimrod and Orchis reminded the Marvel Universe what mutants are truly made of. As one of the final events of the First Krakoan EraThis climactic war for survival surprises readers on several action plans.
With incredible character beats for icons like Storm, Cyclops, Magneto, Polaris, and Synch, this is truly one of the most satisfying Children of the Atom fights in years, and one of the highest points for the X-Men in recent memory following the tragedy unbridled celebration of the Hellfire Gala.
6
Krakoa vs. The Eternals
AX: Judgment Day by Kieron Gillen, Valerio Schiti and Marte Gracia
Pitting two of Marvel’s most powerful factions against each other, the Eternals’ attack on Krakoa is one of the most dynamic X-Men battles in the history of any franchise. With the Eternals manipulated into seeing the mutants As an offshoot of the Deviants, they have sworn to destroythe Gods Who Walk the Earth throw everything they have at Xavier’s dream.
From scintillating psychic warfare to devastating kaiju battles, this war is one of House of Ideas’ most energetic adventures yet, as the Eternals’ offensive on the mutants’ homeland pushes each X-Men icon to their limits for the sake of their house. .
5
Mutants vs Monsters
“Inferno” by Chris Claremont, Louise Simonson, Marc Silvestri and more
The events of “Inferno” took a long time to unfold, but it wasn’t long before Hell in the Land of the Goblin Queen turned into a massive battle. Covering the entire city of New York, the event also involves icons from the Big Apple like Spider-Man and Daredevilwithout losing focus on the mutants’ central ties to the narrative.
With the New Mutants facing an army of demons, a possessed squad of X-Men facing off against their allies in X-Factor as well as the Marauders, and Jean Gray and Enchantress settling their personal scores with the Goblin. Queen and the demon S’ym, this mystical mess is arguably the climax of Chris Claremont’s sixteen-year stint in the X-Men family of titles.
4
Strange X-Men vs. Looters
“Mutant Massacre” by Chris Claremont, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson and more
“Mutant Massacre” was the first major mutant crossover eventand its shocking brutality and dynamic character beats maintain its status as one of his greatest battles to date. As Mister Sinister’s Marauder systematically eliminates the Morlocks beneath New York City, the X-Men are challenged on every conceivable level in what has been their darkest hour yet.
Featuring the first battles between rivals Wolverine and Sabretooth, the first death of the then-gentle giant Colossus, the devastating loss of Angel’s wings and even involving Thor, God of Thunder, Mutant Massacre changed the trajectory of the X-Men, both in -continuity and from an editorial perspective.
3
Arakko vs Uranus
AX: Judgment Day by Kieron Gillen, et. everything and X-Men: Red #5-6 by Al Ewing et. all
While the Eternals’ war against Krakoa was one of the X-Men’s most dynamic battles, it was Uranos’ siege of Arakko that was the biggest highlight of AX: Judgment Day. Unleashed by the Prime Eternal Druig for an hour of untold devastation, Thanos’ grandfather makes quick work of mutant powerhouses like Magneto and the rest of the world’s Great Ring – even ripping Max’s heart out of his chest.
The second round of Uranus’s personal war with mutantkind is even more impactful, serving as the culmination of forty years of character history for Magneto and resulting in the mutant martyr’s heartbreaking death – but not before he and Storm carry out one of the most powerful and intimate. combined attacks in X-Men history.
2
X-Men vs. The Imperial Guard
X-Men #137 by Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin
The Dark Phoenix Saga is considered by many to be one of the greatest X-Men stories, and its final climax – which pits the team against the hyper-powered Shi’ar Imperial Guard in trial by combat – remains one of its greatest battles.
Arguably the first major battle of the Claremont Era, This is a war the X-Men are doomed to loseand it’s all the more satisfying for exactly that reason. The mutants’ battle on the moon is the perfect summary of how far they are willing to go to defend each other. And despite the much greater risks the X-Men have faced since then, this first major conflict still rages on decades later.
1
Phoenix vs Enigma
Rise of the Powers of X #5 by Kieron Gillen, Luciano Vecchio and David Curiel
When discussing the greatest battles in X-Men history, it’s impossible to disregard the one battle that features every X-Man from all time and space. Incorporating every mutant from across the Multiverse to face the entity Enigma, Jean’s Phoenix form fights for the survival of the mutants’ destiny against her ultimate enemy in an incredible battle that encapsulates every corner of X-Men lore.
In many ways, Jean Grey’s phoenix can be considered the pinnacle of mutantkind. And with its own kind serving as the wind beneath its fiery cosmic wings, the Phoenix’s war against the Enigma is truly the biggest battle in X-Men history.