By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Charles Xavier, the character that has mentored the X-Men since their debut in 1963, is killed off in this week’s Avengers vs. X-Men #11.

In the issue, Xavier confronts Cyclops, who during the story has been battling the Avengers while under the influence of the evil Phoenix Force. Xavier urges Cyclops to stop the fighting, both verbally and telepathically. A fight between Cyclops, Emma Frost (who is also under the influence of the Phoenix) and the Avengers occurs. In the end, Cyclops uses his Phoenix powers to kill Xavier.

Issue writer Brian Michael Bendis said that in light of Xavier’s reduced role in the X-Men books in recent years, killing him off might be a way to, ironically, restore some meaning to his character.

“He was this thing that was just floating around the X-books, with not the same amount of gravitas that he once had,” Bendis said. “I did point out that he would matter more in death.”

Bendis added that, as Earth-shaking as this moment is, the best is yet to come.

“What Cyclops has to do now, is dig himself out of the biggest, deepest hole in the history of comic books,” Bendis said.

Cyclops also absorbs Emma Frost’s portion of the Phoenix Force. Thus, Avengers vs. X-Men miniseries will apparently culminate in a battle between Cyclops and the Avengers, who are now fighting alongside the remaining X-Men.

Source: The New York Daily News
Interior image from comicsblend.com.