62 Years of Marvel History Reveal a Dark Truth About the X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday

John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna for Marvel Comics

The Avengers: Doomsday trailer has finally arrived. While the finer plot points remain shrouded in mystery, it is clear that this installment serves as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most ambitious crossover to date, featuring plenty of high-stakes conflict between its marquee heroes. The footage teases a showdown between the Avengers and the X-Men—a classic rivalry before, inevitably, these factions unite against a common, much more dangerous threat.

<p>Surprisingly, full-scale brawls between the Avengers and the X-Men are relatively scarce in Marvel’s expansive print history. While nearly every major hero has exchanged blows at some point, prolonged team-on-team warfare has remained a rarity.</p>

<p>For much of its existence, the X-Men franchise has operated within its own insular corner of the Marvel Universe. Save for occasional cameos or crossover events, the mutants frequently spent months—or even years—avoiding meaningful interaction with the rest of the superhero community. This self-contained storytelling naturally limited the potential for major inter-team clashes.</p>

<p>However, there have been several notable exceptions where these titans of the comic industry locked horns. In preparation for <em>Doomsday</em>, here is a look at the history of these monumental comic book showdowns.</p>

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    <span><strong>"Enter... the Avengers!" (<em>X-Men</em> v1 #9, 1964)</strong></span>
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            <figcaption>The debut encounter between the X-Men and the Avengers in X-Men #9 (1964)</figcaption>
            <small class="body-img-caption">Source: Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics</small>
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<p>This early narrative by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby perfectly captures the whimsical, uncomplicated charm of the Silver Age. The story is a straightforward one-shot where the original X-Men venture into rural Bavaria to thwart an adversary of Professor Xavier, only to stumble into the Avengers. Of course, due to comic book convention, they immediately come to blows.</p>

<p>Looking back, the power disparity between the classic Avengers roster—including heavy hitters like Thor and Iron Man—and the teenage X-Men is glaringly obvious. The X-Men were essentially punching well above their weight class.</p>

<p>Rereading this issue today is particularly amusing due to Jean Grey’s portrayal. Far from the god-like cosmic entity she would become during the iconic <em>Dark Phoenix Saga</em>, this version of Jean is nearly incapacitated by a simple hole in the ground and effectively neutralized by the Wasp, who blindfolds her with her own hair. It serves as a fascinating reminder of how far the character has evolved over the decades.</p>

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    <span><strong>"Tempest Without, Crisis Within!" (<em>Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars</em> #3, 1984)</strong></span>
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            <figcaption>The Wasp bests the X-Men in Secret Wars #4 (1984)</figcaption>
            <small class="body-img-caption">Source: Mike Zeck for Marvel Comics</small>
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<p>The original <em>Secret Wars</em>, helmed by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck, was Marvel’s first true crossover event, designed in part to launch a new line of action figures. The premise saw a collection of heroes and villains abducted and deposited onto "Battleworld," an alien construct where they were forced to fight at the behest of an omnipotent entity. It essentially functioned as a giant sandbox for creators to smash their favorite toys together.</p>

<p>While <em>Secret Wars</em> left a lasting impact on Marvel lore—most notably the debut of Spider-Man’s black symbiote suit—it also felt strangely antagonistic toward the X-Men. Shooter seemed to use the platform to curb the mutants' popularity, notably stalling the burgeoning romance between Kitty Pryde and Colossus and having the Avengers treat the X-Men with open disdain throughout the series. This led to a series of lopsided fights where the X-Men were systematically taken down by individual Avengers like Spider-Man and the Wasp. It remains a stark reminder that in the world of comics, plot convenience often trumps raw power levels.</p>

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    <span><strong><em>The X-Men vs. the Avengers</em> (1987)</strong></span>
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            <figcaption>The three-way clash between the Avengers, X-Men, and Soviet Super-Soldiers (1987)</figcaption>
            <small class="body-img-caption">Marc Silvestri and Josef Rubinstein for Marvel Comics</small>
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<p>Roger Stern and Marc Silvestri’s 1987 miniseries is a prime example of the complications arising from Marvel’s "sliding timeline." The story is firmly rooted in the Cold War era, featuring stereotypical Soviet Super-Soldiers that feel like relics of a bygone geopolitical climate. The plot centers on the moral implications of Magneto’s history as a villain, with the Avengers and X-Men finding themselves on opposite sides regarding a Soviet-led assassination attempt on the Master of Magnetism.</p>

<p>It remains a gritty, Cold War-steeped narrative that serves as a fascinating time capsule. Despite the creative shift during the series' final act, which resulted in a slightly abrupt conclusion, the miniseries remains an essential read for those looking at the complex ideological history between the two teams.</p>

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    <span><strong><em>Avengers vs. X-Men</em> (2012)</strong></span>
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            <figcaption>The opening round of the conflict in Avengers vs. X-Men #2 (2012)</figcaption>
            <small class="body-img-caption">Source: John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna for Marvel Comics</small>
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<p>Summarizing the 2012 <em>Avengers vs. X-Men</em> event is a tall order, as it represents the culmination of seven years of dense narrative buildup. At its heart, the story revolves around Hope Summers, a mutant prophesied to save her species, and the impending return of the destructive Phoenix Force. When Captain America attempts to take Hope into protective custody, Cyclops flatly refuses, setting off a chain reaction of global conflict.</p>

<p>The appeal of <em>AVX</em> lies in its commitment to high-octane spectacle. While the main title grapples with cosmic stakes, the various tie-in issues lean heavily into the "clash of the titans" aesthetic, offering readers the crowd-pleasing, hero-on-hero skirmishes that defined the era. It is unapologetically grandiose, leaning into the inherent silliness of the premise with genuine enthusiasm.</p>

<h3><strong>The Verdict: Who Reigns Supreme?</strong></h3>
<p>Statistically, the X-Men have a lackluster track record against the Avengers, struggling to secure a decisive victory. Their challenges often stem from significant power imbalances; the Avengers tend to engage only when they have heavy hitters like Thor or Monica Rambeau leading the charge. The X-Men’s only definitive win came during the <em>AVX</em> event, aided significantly by the immense power of the Phoenix Force.</p>

<p>As we anticipate the release of <em>Avengers: Doomsday</em>, the X-Men might be hoping for a better showing—though, given the film's title, it seems the Avengers might have the upper hand once again.</p>

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<p><em>Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18.</em></p>

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Source: Polygon