After 30 Years, X-Men Kills Off a Fan-Favorite Mutant Hero

Summary Monet becomes the first casualty of X-Men's "From the Ashes" era, as she dies in the fight to become Apocalypse's successor in X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2.

Monet's death may be a misdirect, or a tease – but if it is legitimate, it is a shocking first character demise for X-Men's new era, considering the character is a fan-favorite, and also incredibly powerful.

If Monet is truly gone, it seems likely that the X-Men will expect Apocalypse to pay for her demise.

Warning: SPOILERS for X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2

The X-Men franchise just suffered the first major character death of its "From the Ashes" relaunch era – as fan-favorite Monet becomes the first casualty of the fight to determine who will be crowned the heir of the mighty ancient mutant Apocalypse. The shocking death makes it clear that truly anything can happen in this new era for Marvel's mutants.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 – written by Steve Foxe, with art by Netho Diaz – continues the tournament to replace En Sabah Nur, pitting the contestants against Apocalypse’s wayward son, Genocide. A monstrous power in his own right, Genocide lays waste to all around him, keeping his father’s potential successors on their toes.

To prevent a breach in Exodus' containment suit, Monet St. Croix a.k.a. Penance, uses her red diamond form to protect him, right before her mutant ally collapses Genocide into an incredibly dense orb – with Monet shockingly caught in the crossfire.

The X-Men are no stranger to death and resurrection. This constant cycle of death and rebirth is so ingrained in the franchise, that it even served as a major story point for the first Krakoan Age. However, with the Krakoan Resurrection process no longer an option, the X-Men are back to fighting for their own survival – and that’s a battle Monet just lost.

Related Why X-Men Has a Blue Team and a Gold Team (Official Lore Explained) The Blue and Gold era of the X-franchise featured some of its most iconic lineups - and the precedent set by this division continues to this day.

Generation X Loses An Icon, As MONET Dies Fighting Apocalypse's Son

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 – Written By Steve Foxe; Art By Netho Diaz, JP Mayer, Sean Parsons, Alex Sinclair, & VC’s Clayton Cowles

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[Monet is] not the only mutant so far to fall to Apocalypse’s trials, so there is a very high probably that her seeming demise is actually a misdirect.

A beloved member of Generation X, X-Corp, and the primary X-Men team, Monet St. Croix is one of the most powerful mutants the Children of the Atom can call upon. With a heightened physiology granting her super-strength, speed, and flight, along with an array of telepathic abilities and an alternate, nigh-invulnerable, crystalline form, there are very few threats that Monet can’t take on by herself – and she’s almost always acted like it. And in this instance, where St. Croix finally asks for backup, it seemingly comes in the form of her death.

Aside from her incredible power levels, Monet is a genuine fan-favorite, and her apparent death here feels suspicious to say the least. She’s not the only mutant so far to fall to Apocalypse’s trials, so there is a very high probably that her seeming demise is actually a misdirect, either on the part of the creators, or from Apocalypse himself. Either way, to her fellow competitors, Penance’s death is all too real, and it’s only a matter of time before they seek vengeance on Apocalypse for the loss of so many friends.

If Monet St. Croix is truly gone, the X-Men are going to expect Apocalypse to serve his share of penance for her demise.

Monet’s "Death" Is An Intense Start To X-Men's New Era

But The Fan-Favorite Mutant May Still Live

Monet St. Croix is truly a powerhouse of the X-Men, and with her incredible array of abilities, she’s usually equipped to handle any situation. Unfortunately, in this instance, the fan-favorite Generation X standout appears to have bitten off more than she can chew, at least for the time being. Whether this is truly the last fans have seen of Penance is still up in the air. However one thing is for sure – if Monet St. Croix is truly gone, the X-Men are going to expect Apocalypse to serve his share of penance for her demise.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.