As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and someone who has watched every animated superhero series under the sun, I must say that 2024 seems to be a particularly grim year for our beloved characters. From the MCU to DC, it feels as though the writers have taken a machete to their rosters.
Given the abundance of superhero movies and TV shows today, it’s no wonder that not all costumed heroes survive their on-screen adventures. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe emerging at the end of the 2000s and DC Comics-inspired TV dominating the 2010s, the 2020s remain an open field for new contenders.
2024 saw a significant number of superhero characters meet their end on the big and small screen within the realm of film and television. While it’s impossible to count every such death across all superhero media, here we focus on those that have left a lasting impact in 2024 alone, whether they were unexpected or long-awaited. These heartbreaking farewells stand as some of the most poignant moments in comic book-inspired storytelling.
Superman
The third season finale of “Superman & Lois” saw the introduction of Lex Luthor, portrayed by Michael Cudlitz, who crafted a Doomsday doppelganger to keep Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) deceased and punish Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) for incarcerating him. The fourth season, which serves as the series finale following the cancellation of “Superman & Lois” by the CW, picked up where they left off, with a fight between Superman and Doomsday continuing. Unfortunately, this time it ended with Superman dying in the very first episode of the new season.
The consequences of Superman’s demise, as he was fatally wounded by Doomsday and his heart handed over to Lex Luthor, have been tough to witness. As Lois and her sons grieved their husband and father, we couldn’t help but question if this was the end. Despite Clark Kent appearing in flashbacks during the early episodes of the season, it seemed as though the Man of Steel had indeed perished. However, after Lois’ father, General Sam Lane (Dylan Walsh), bravely gave his own life by donating his heart to revive Superman, Kal-El was miraculously brought back to life within his Fortress of Solitude.
Indeed, while Superman has been revived, it’s clear he’s not his old self anymore. Now sporting a human heart, he encounters restrictions he never knew before. Even his aging process is becoming typical. As we follow “Superman & Lois,” we’re happy that one of the listed deaths has been undone.
Human Torch
Long-standing Marvel enthusiasts were ecstatic when they learned that Chris Evans would rejoin the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the action-packed “Deadpool & Wolverine.” However, our excitement soared even higher when it transpired that he wouldn’t be portraying Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, but instead, his character from the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch. It wasn’t the way we anticipated seeing Evans back in the Marvel superhero realm, but it was undeniably a delightful surprise.
Unfortunately, the event was abruptly terminated prematurely. Following an intervention by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and a trip to the Void, Johnny joins a group of other heroes in opposing the malevolent Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). However, the Human Torch doesn’t fare well in this scenario. After reuniting with Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Johnny loses his powers due to Pyro (Aaron Stanford) and then the trio is apprehended. Following some harsh words directed at Nova, Johnny experiences a tragic outcome when the villain ruthlessly strips his skin from his body, resulting in fatal consequences for him.
It seems like the most unfortunate manner for a superhero to perish, and sadly, it’s Deadpool’s chatterbox nature that leads to his untimely demise initially. However, with Marvel Studios’ upcoming movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” there will likely be a new Human Torch eventually, portrayed by Joseph Quinn this time around. Here’s hoping he chooses his friendships wisely and avoids speaking carelessly to the wrong individuals in the future.
The Venom symbiote
Titled “Venom: The Last Dance,” it’s quite easy to envision the main character, the Lethal Protector, meeting his end in battle during what appears to be the last installment of the “Venom” series. Following events where Eddie Brock and Venom (played by Tom Hardy) are compelled to flee, they encounter pursuers not only from Earth but also from the symbiote’s native planet.
On his homeworld of Klyntar, Knull (Andy Serkis), the ruler of symbiotes, seeks the Codex that was generated when Venom revived Eddie from death in the initial film. This pursuit suggests a grim future for both parties as Knull’s enforcers prepare to assault their planet. However, this prediction only holds true partially. Instead, they find themselves at Area 51, where they are besieged by Xenophages (Knull’s symbiote hunters). In a desperate attempt to save Eddie and thwart Knull, Venom selflessly offers his life by sacrificing himself in a vat of acid, but Eddie is powerless to intervene.
Despite Eddie eventually being rescued and exonerated from all the Venom-related charges, he finds it difficult to leave behind his old symbiote companion in life. To add to the intrigue, the post-credits scene of “Venom: The Last Dance” presents a black cockroach (infested with a fragment of Venom that the Imperium had kept) emerging from the debris. This tiny hint suggests that perhaps some remnant of Venom may persist somewhere.
The Crow
Looking at the outcome, it wasn’t shocking that “The Crow” flopped at the box office. The 2024 remake marks the second live-action adaptation of James O’Barr’s graphic novel, but unlike the 1994 film starring Brandon Lee, it seems unlikely this version will spark a cult following. In truth, including “The Crow” in this list feels like a bit of a shortcut. To become the Crow initially requires one to actually die, which is exactly what happens to Eric (Bill Skarsgård) at the start of the movie. However, that’s not all. After transforming into the Crow to avenge his death and that of his lover Shelly (FKA Twigs), he pursues her killer, the wicked Vincent Roeg (Danny Huston).
In this tale, Eric manages to vanquish Roeg, thereby banishing the villain to the netherworld and rescuing Shelly’s soul from eternal torment. However, in doing so, he pays the ultimate price – his life on Earth. On the same evening that Shelly perished, she was miraculously revived. She learns then that Eric had given up his existence for hers. Though The Crow still exists in the afterlife, he’s essentially deceased, having chosen self-sacrifice to save the one he adores. His act is undeniably heroic, but it’s a pity that “The Crow” doesn’t compare to its predecessor that was released three decades ago.
Nicepool
In summary, there are numerous versions of Deadpool that meet their end in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” but what truly saddens us is the demise of Nicepool, a character not often associated with Ryan Reynolds. While he shares the identity of Wade Wilson, this version hails from another realm and lacks the regenerative abilities common among his counterparts. Unlike most Deadpools, Nicepool is more inclined towards kindness rather than witty remarks or sarcasm. He also chooses not to conceal his appearance under a mask, unlike Deadpool who uses it as a disguise.
It’s no shock when Nicepool loses his head due to the Deadpool Corps’ attack after Deadpool uses him as a shield. The mercenary known for his mouthy nature doesn’t realize that his nicer version lacks the same mutant powers, making him vulnerable in battle. We don’t have many details about where Nicepool originated, but what we do know is that he dies bravely, or so Deadpool claims to Wolverine before the adamantium-clawed mutant corrects him.
The Flash and Supergirl
Over the past few years, we’ve seen numerous interpretations of the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” tale. Whether revisiting the initial comic book story or transforming it into live action within the Arrowverse, DC appears to struggle to move past its most iconic multiverse-shattering catastrophe. The year 2024 brought a resurgence of “Crisis” with the animated “Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths” trilogy, which was distributed digitally and directly to video throughout the year. Much like the original comic, there were some emotional deaths, most notably those of Barry Allen, also known as The Flash (Matt Bomer), and Kara Zor-El, or Supergirl (Meg Donnelly).
In the original 1985 comic book series, The Flash and Supergirl were the first characters who perished and remained dead in subsequent issues. However, they managed to evade their demise in the live-action Arrowverse adaptation (with Green Arrow sacrificing himself instead). But in “Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths”, the storyline reverted to its original format by taking the lives of The Flash in “Part One” and Supergirl in “Part Three”. There are several other casualties among the heroes in this DC animated “Tomorrowverse”, but these two losses are particularly significant. With the conclusion of the DC Animated Movie Universe, due to James Gunn’s rebranding of DC Studios, these incarnations of The Flash and Supergirl have met their permanent end.
Dupli-Kate and Shrinking Rae
In the second season’s fifth episode titled “This Must Come as a Shock,” it appears that both Dupli-Kate (played by Malese Jow) and Shrinking Rae (voiced by Grey DeLisle) meet their end. However, they later turn out to be still alive. The Lizard League manages to consume Shrinking Rae, while every replica of Dupli-Kate is brutally killed in battle. This scene is designed to be startling and thought-provoking, emphasizing the Lizard League’s true menace, which is far greater than the Guardians of the Globe initially believed.
It turns out that both characters, Rae and Kate, survived despite initial assumptions to the contrary. Rae manages to escape the Komodo Dragon, albeit injured and requiring hospitalization. However, it isn’t until the season finale titled “I Thought You Were Stronger” that we discover Kate is also alive. It transpires that the original Kate gave up superheroics for a normal life, leaving one of her duplicates to take over as the main Dupli-Kate on the Guardians team. Faced with the impossible choice between abandoning the Guardians and her lover Immortal forever, she finally confesses that she’s still among the living. So, while we believed Rae and Kate were dead, “Invincible” deceived us all.
Gambit
Rest assured, Channing Tatum’s portrayal of Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine” remains intact. However, not every version of the card-playing mutant across the multiverse is secure. Contrary to the depiction in “Invincible,” we can confirm that A. J. LoCascio’s Gambit met his end and vanished following the attack on Genosha in Episode 5 of “X-Men ’97,” titled “Remember It.
In their alliance to vanquish the revitalized Master Mold, Gambit and Rogue (Lenore Zann) come together once more. However, in the course of battle, Gambit selflessly gives up his life – a sacrifice made not only to destroy the mutant-slayer, but also to protect his cherished beloved. This unexpected turn of events left viewers stunned in “X-Men ’97”, as Gambit’s untimely end occurred early in the series, and his aspirations for a genuine future with Rogue had only just begun to unfold.
Without a doubt, Gambit isn’t the only mutant who perished during the assault on Genosha, but his sacrifice could certainly be considered the most heroic. Not only did he valiantly halt the Master Mold, thus saving countless lives, but he pushed his abilities to their maximum extent in the process. If any X-Man deserves recognition for their extraordinary feats, it’s our animated friend, Gambit.
Madelyne Pryor
Regarding the tragic heroes who perished in the Genosha attack, it’s truly unfortunate that Madelyne Pryor (Jennifer Hale), a character not aware of her own origins as a secret clone of Jean Grey, didn’t get the closure she deserved. Madelyne was integrated into the X-Men at some juncture, be it during or post “X-Men: The Animated Series,” without anyone on the team, including Jean’s husband, Scott Summers (Ray Chase), who had a child with the clone, being aware of this fact.
As I unraveled the truth, the X-Men, my comrades, turned against the clone – she took the name Madelyne to distinguish herself. But things took a dark turn when Mr. Sinister brainwashed her into becoming the malevolent Goblin Queen. It was tough, but Madelyne managed to break free from that past and find solace on Genosha. She began anew, rising as a beacon of hope for her people, leading them with courage and determination.
Regrettably, events unfold much faster than expected. Despite Cable’s (Chris Potter) journey from the future to alert her of her demise, he couldn’t stop it. The time-traveling mutant could only watch as his mother met her end in the first wave of the assault, her body discovered and buried by the survivors later on. Given Madelyne’s valiance during her tenure as Jean, her character’s future possibilities were vast. However, due to the potential complexity of having two Jean Greys in “X-Men ’97”, this clone didn’t receive a fair chance.
Banshee and Marrow
Although Banshee (David Errigo Jr.) and Marrow weren’t heavily present in “X-Men ’97,” it is established that both characters meet their end during the Genosha attack. In various comic book storylines, these two heroes have held significant roles within the X-Men team. Interestingly, Banshee has collaborated with the mutant superheroes on multiple occasions, as depicted in the show’s own timeline (as seen earlier in “X-Men: The Animated Series”).
In “X-Men ’97”, these two characters won’t return since they were fatally destroyed in “Remember It”. A Sentinel captured them, leaving Banshee no chance to save them, and he met a brutal end at the hands of the mutant-killing machines. Marrow also didn’t have an opportunity to defend or escape. Their deaths in this animated series mark a sad and inevitable end for characters who hold significant roles within the Marvel Comics universe.
The Comedian and Rorschach
Even though The Comedian character has been portrayed as deceased since the ’80s in real life, it’s important to note that he meets his end once more in the latest animated film, “Watchmen Chapter I.” This fresh take on Alan Moore’s original graphic novel aims to be truer than ever to the comic book, and this includes introducing the story with the demise of Edward Blake, also known as The Comedian (Rick D. Wasserman).
In a sense, labeling the Comedian as a superhero might be pushing it, given his role within the Watchmen group. However, he’s too significant a character to be disregarded. He’s taken out early on, and his murder sets the story in motion. The second chapter of “Watchmen,” following Rorschach’s (Titus Welliver) escape from prison, unfolds all the way to the conclusion of the iconic DC comic book series. In this narrative, Rorschach meets his end upholding truth, emerging as the true hero who genuinely cares about righteousness.
Rorschach’s demise, while not entirely unexpected, leaves a heavy emotional impact given the circumstances. The graphic novel and broader DC Universe imply that his influence will persist, and ultimately, the truth regarding Ozymandias’ (Troy Baker) deeds will be revealed.
Many of the old Marvel heroes
Despite Elektra, Blade, X-23, and Gambit surviving their time in the Void from “Deadpool & Wolverine,” not every Marvel hero from the pre-MCU era of superhero films has managed to survive. While we are familiar with the sad fate of Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm, other characters’ deaths are hinted at in the third installment of “Deadpool.
In this scenario, it is regrettable that characters like Ben Affleck’s Daredevil, the Punisher portrayed by Thomas Jane, Magneto, and Quicksilver meet their end at the hands of Cassandra Nova and her sinister forces. Unfortunately, we won’t get a chance to see Affleck in his Daredevil suit one last time or witness Thomas Jane reprising his Punisher role. However, it is comforting to know that these characters existed.
Given that Marvel Studios may have future projects for Magneto and the X-Men, and Daredevil: Born Again is set to bring Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher together, it’s possible there are other motives behind leaving these classic Marvel characters out. For instance, Quicksilver, portrayed by Evan Peters in the X-Men films, has already been seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson playing him then. However, Deadpool & Wolverine’s portrayal of some iconic Marvel characters from the early 2000s off-screen is unfortunate.
Basically every animated DC character
Absolutely, it’s important to note that the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t solely responsible for killing off popular characters. The DC universe also has a history of doing so. For instance, in “Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths,” many universes and continuities are destroyed. This includes the original “Super Friends” cartoons, the early 2000s’ “Teen Titans” animated series, and the DC Animated Universe, which comprises “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Justice League Unlimited,” “Batman Beyond,” among others. Even the main continuity of the animated trilogy, the Tomorrowverse, seems to be reborn at the end, but in a different form than it originally was.
So, are you asking if these characters won’t reappear? While it’s possible that they won’t return in their original form, they might still be present in different ways. For instance, “Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three” marks the last performance of Kevin Conroy as Batman before his passing in 2022, and Mark Hamill’s Joker also retired from the role following Conroy’s death. This serves as a poignant tribute to the DC animated worlds that have been part of our past, and “Crisis on Infinite Earths” provides a heartfelt farewell we can’t help but take notice of.
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2024-11-27 22:31