A Founding X-Men Character is Permanently Killed Off and Replaced in 2024

X-Men: The End of an Era and the Rise of a New Beast

The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment in X-Men history, culminating in the conclusion of the 2019-2024 Krakoan Era and the launch of a new beginning titled From the Ashes. The mutant sanctuary of Krakoa fell, resulting in an increased animosity toward mutants. Relationships among core characters frayed or became irreparably damaged. Some iconic figures distanced themselves from the X-Men, disillusioned with the vision of Professor X, while others achieved celestial status as cosmic heroes. Among the most significant developments was the definitive death and subsequent replacement of a founding member of the X-Men, Beast.

The Demise of a Beloved Character

Introduced in 1963 alongside Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, and Jean Grey, Hank McCoy, known as the Beast, reached a tragic conclusion in 2024. After a gradual descent into villainy throughout the ongoing series, Beast was killed off, with a new clone stepping into his shoes in Marvel’s From the Ashes storyline. This new incarnation is now acknowledged by former allies, including Cyclops, as the ‘true’ Beast.

The Transformation into Villainy

In X-Force volume 6, a series spearheaded by Benjamin Percy and Joshua Cassara, Beast’s role grew darker as he became head of a covert mutant task force. Over the course of its 50 issues, readers witnessed his transformation from hero to villain, culminating in his replacement by a clone devoid of most of the original’s memories.

A Fall from Grace

The original Beast met his end in X-Force #50, where his former teammates thwarted his bid for godhood over mutants. His escalating corruption led him to clone himself and even create brain-damaged versions of Wolverine as enforcers. This marked the beginning of his decline, sparked by a violent attack on the small nation of Terra Verde, which he believed posed an economic threat to Krakoa.

In pursuit of what he deemed necessary for the survival of mutantkind, Beast’s methods grew increasingly brutal. Actions included the abduction of his foes’ children as leverage, assassinations of political adversaries, and unethical experiments on prisoners. Yet, while this drastic transformation seemed shocking, it was not entirely out of character for him.

The Consequences of Arrogance

Hank McCoy’s greatest flaw had always been his hubris; he steadfastly believed that he could rectify any situation single-handedly. This arrogance previously led him to distort time itself to teach Cyclops a lesson, a warning he received from the time-traveling mutant Tempus, who foretold of dire repercussions if he continued down this path. His reckoning arrived when he sacrificed himself to save Wonder Man, paving the way for his clone to officially replace him.

Introducing the New Beast

Initially, when the new Beast emerged, he was a younger, more idealistic version of Hank McCoy, resurrected from cloning technology discovered during an assault on his former base. Stripped of nearly 40 years of memories, this new Beast was determined to prevent his predecessor’s heinous actions from continuing.

Continuing the Legacy

After the original Beast’s passing, the clone was the only version remaining. Although heroes like Wolverine expressed their doubts about him, Cyclops welcomed the new Hank, warmly referring to him as his brother.

A New Mission with the X-Men

The new Beast assumed a key role in the X-Men’s relaunch, becoming the scientific advisor for Cyclops’ team based in Alaska. Together, they tackle a bizarre new disease that turns mutants into volatile “ticking time bombs.”This role has garnered him some acceptance within the team, mainly because Cyclops has chosen to treat him similarly to the Hank he once knew.

The Weight of the Past

However, this new character is acutely aware of his memory loss and has not experienced life in Krakoa’s utopia; he was catapulted into a reality filled with fractured relationships and changes.

The Inevitable Return of the Original Beast

Despite the original Beast’s demise, fans have not seen a body—an almost certain sign that his return is on the horizon. However, it is unlikely he will regain his previous heroic status due to the severity of his actions, recognized as some of the most egregious among Marvel’s heroes.

Paving the Way for a New ‘Dark Beast’

For many years, a character known as the ‘Dark Beast’—a malevolent version of Hank McCoy from an alternate reality—has existed. It seems probable that the original Beast may adopt a similar role, transitioning into this villainous persona instead of seeking redemption.

The transformation and replacement of Beast reflect the complexities of power and morality explored within the X-Men narrative. The X-Force storyline serves as a moral cautionary tale about the potential for corruption that power can instigate even among the noblest of heroes. Once deemed the moral compass of the X-Men, the narrative arc surrounding Beast raises critical questions about accountability and redemption in the realm of superhero narratives.

As fans grapple with these significant changes, the legacy of Beast—both the original and the new—continues to evolve, shaping the future of the X-Men franchise.

Source & Images