10 Comic Books Deaths That Changed the Medium Forever

Image via DC Comics Published Jul 21, 2026, 6:06 AM EDT Eddie Possehl is a dynamic and driven writer/director with a passion for the written word and all things film, television, comics, and games. His passion for storytelling led him to establish his own production company in hopes of achieving his dreams. His dedication to his craft has attracted renowned talent like Yuri Lowenthal to collaborate with him on his projects. As he grows and improves, Eddie is a shining example of a self-starter. Sign in to your Collider account The comic book medium is notorious for the use of death. Mainly, the apparent reluctance that comics commonly have to actually keep people dead or have their loss have a massive impact, rather than just being used for shock factor. It doesn't mean, however, that there aren't deaths that genuinely did change the comic medium and leave a true impact. While there are some obviously important deaths that everyone knows—Uncle Ben or Bruce and Martha Wayne—there are others that some (mostly general audiences) may not be aware of. Regardless, their existence means that comics aren't total strangers to utilizing death in a way that actually means something. The best deaths in comic books are ones that truly change everything moving forward, reshaping a character's worldview or marking a seismic shift in an established dynamic. Superman (Clark Kent) Image via DC Comics One of DC Comics' golden boys, Superman, has met his end numerous times. There's one, however, that actually means something: when he went up against the ever-menacing Kryptonian monster Doomsday in Superman #73 (1993). This specific story has been recreated many times in major Superman media, like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Superman & Lois. Its status as a comic book icon is undisputed, as it shifted the status quo heavily at the time. Back in the '90s, no one really thought that the Man of Steel could actually die. This comic book event dissected what the death of a seemingly invincible hero would actually mean, and introduced four replacement Supermen in his time away: Steel (John Henry Irons), The Eradicator, Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw), and Superboy (Conner Kent). This death truly shifted the DC Comics universe as people knew it. Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) Image via Marvel Comics Marvel has had some extremely heartbreaking deaths over the years, but one that non-comic book fans may not know about is that of Captain Marvel—not Carol Danvers, but the Kree hero rendition, Mar-Vell. When a superhero dies, it is typically because of a massive, action-packed battle, but that is not the case with Mar-Vell. This classic Marvel superhero actually met his end at the terrifying hands of cancer. This death changed everything in the realm of superheroes, showing that they can, in fact, die from non-superhero-related means. The circumstances of his end are what make it so heartbreaking, as there was nothing anyone could do about it. The Marvel universe simply had to sit by... and watch. Alexandra DeWitt Image via DC Comics What's worse than a superhero dying is the way they die inside when someone close to them perishes. One of the wildest and most gruesome in DC Comics is when the beloved Alexandra DeWitt, love interest of Kyle Rayner's Green Lantern, was found dead—cut to pieces—and stuffed in a refrigerator. It is, by far, one of DC Comics' most horrific deaths, and one that had lasting repercussions even outside the medium. This moment in Green Lantern #54 (1994) is extremely controversial, causing writer Gail Simone to create her own website detailing the trope of brutalizing women in comic books to further progress male storylines. The term "fridging" endures to this day to refer to this reprehensible trope. It makes sense, too, given how shocking the death was and still is. Robin (Jason Todd) Image via DC Comics What makes the murder of Jason Todd, the second Robin, so impactful is the fact that this wasn't a decision made by the writers or editorial at DC Comics. No, it was a decision actually made by the fans of the book themselves. When Jason was fatally injured by the Joker, the comic book company gave fans a choice. At the end of Batman #427 (1988), two phone numbers were provided for fans to call, with one being a certified vote for the death and another for him to survive. With a total of over 10,000 votes, Jason was sentenced to death by a small margin of 72 votes. Not only is this one of the only deaths to be directly decided by fans, but it wound up bringing the iconic "Under the Red Hood" arc to life many years later, giving the character a new life that turned him into a favorite Bat-Family member. The Flash (Barry Allen) Image via DC Comics The problem with a lot of comic book deaths is the fact that when a superhero dies, they typically don't stay dead for very long. That is not the case with Barry Allen, aka The Flash. In the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event from 1985 to 1986, Flash saves the day by literally running himself to death to counteract the Anti-Monitor. As he saves everyone in existence, he disintegrates into thin air and would remain gone, in real-world time, for a whopping 23 years. His absence allowed for his protégé, Wally West, to shine as the Scarlet Speedster, which would then lead to some of the best Flash stories ever told. The timeline of events also made for one of the coolest comebacks from death a superhero's ever had. Ultimate Spider-Man (Peter Parker) Image via Marvel Comics Spider-Man is the golden boy for Marvel Comics, and his run in the 2000s Ultimate Marvel Universe is one of the most critically acclaimed of all time. Nearly everyone adored Ultimate Spider-Man (2000), so when he wound up dying at the end, people were not only shocked, but absolutely heartbroken. His death was excellently handled by writer Brian Michael Bendis, though, and his death marked a redemption of sorts, saving his Aunt May and telling her: "Uncle Ben, I couldn't save him... No matter what I did. But I saved you." The tragic end of Peter Parker also brought about the introduction of Miles Morales, who's now become a movie star across the globe and one of the most beloved mantle-holders of the Spider-Man legacy. Collider Exclusive · Marvel Personality Quiz Which MCU Hero Are You? Spider-Man · Daredevil · Iron Man · Punisher · Thor · Cap Six heroes. One destiny. Answer 10 questions to discover which Marvel Cinematic Universe hero shares your personality, values, and fighting spirit. Will you swing, fly, or thunder your way to glory? 🕷️Spider-Man 😈Daredevil 🤖Iron Man 💀Punisher ⚡Thor 🛡️Cap FIND YOUR HERO → 01 What drives you to do what's right? Choose the answer that feels most like you. AWith great power comes great responsibility — I protect those who can't protect themselves. BMy faith and my conscience — I believe justice must be served, even in the dark. CLegacy and ego, honestly — but I've learned that others depend on me now. DThe system failed. Someone has to make sure the guilty actually pay. EDuty to the innocent and honour to my name — I was born to protect realms. FThe values I was raised with — freedom, decency, and never backing down from a bully. NEXT QUESTION → 02 It's 2 AM. Where are you? Your answer says more about you than you'd think. ASwinging between skyscrapers, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood. BRunning rooftops in Hell's Kitchen, listening for trouble. CIn my lab, upgrading my suit with a cold cup of coffee nearby. DStaking out a target I've been tracking for three weeks. ESomewhere between the stars, or at a feast that got out of hand. FOn a morning run — I was up at 4, actually. Couldn't sleep. NEXT QUESTION → 03 How do you handle a villain who keeps escaping justice? Every hero has a method. What's yours? AWeb them up and leave them for the police — again. BBuild an airtight case and dismantle their entire operation from the inside. CDeploy a containment system I designed specifically for them. Tech wins. DMake sure they don't escape a third time. Permanently. EChallenge them to single combat. Honour demands a decisive end. FRally allies, adapt the plan, and bring them in — by the book, even if it's hard. NEXT QUESTION → 04 How do you feel about keeping a secret identity? The mask — or the lack of one — says everything. AEssential — my loved ones would be in danger if anyone found out who I am. BCritical — the mask protects my mission as much as my face. COverrated — I announced myself to the world and I'd do it again. DI'm a ghost. The less people know about me, the better. EMy name is known across the Nine Realms. There's no hiding it. FI don't hide — but I understand why some need to. Transparency builds trust. NEXT QUESTION → 05 You've lost someone important because of your heroism. How do you carry that? Every hero pays a price. The question is how they pay it. AWith guilt that never fully goes away — it pushes me to do better, every single day. BI channel it into purpose — their memory is the reason I keep fighting. CI buried myself in work for years. I'm only recently learning to face it. DIt transformed me completely. I'm not the same person I was before. EWith warrior's grief — I honour them by fighting with everything I have. FI keep moving forward. Stopping means letting the loss win. NEXT QUESTION → 06 What's your role when working with a team? Who you are under pressure is who you actually are. AThe enthusiastic wildcard who somehow makes it work — and keeps the mood up. BThe strategist who works best alone but shows up when it matters most. CThe one who funds it, equips it, and occasionally takes over the whole operation. DI don't do teams. I'm more effective operating solo, on my terms. EThe heavy hitter — I crash in, draw fire, and turn the tide of battle. FThe leader — I earn trust, build the plan, and make sure no one gets left behind. NEXT QUESTION → 07 Where do you draw the line between justice and revenge? The answer defines what kind of hero you really are. AClearly — I don't kill, and I wrestle with that line constantly. BI try to hold the line, but I've come terrifyingly close to crossing it. CPractically — I do what's necessary to protect people, including hard calls. DI crossed that line long ago. What I do is justice — the system just won't admit it. EIn battle, victory is justice. Mercy is earned — not automatic. FFirmly. The moment we abandon our principles, we become what we fight against. NEXT QUESTION → 08 When you're not saving the world, what does life look like? The person behind the mask is always the more interesting story. ATrying to juggle school, a part-time job, and not failing my friends. BWorking as a lawyer by day, fighting for justice in court and on the streets. CRunning a global company, attending galas, and pretending I'm sleeping enough. DQuiet. Isolated. Surviving with a clear mission and no distractions. ENavigating a bizarre and fascinating mortal world — coffee is extraordinary. FAdapting to a world decades ahead of everything I knew. Quietly, stubbornly. NEXT QUESTION → 09 What keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you're honest about what you're actually afraid of. AThe people I couldn't save — and the ones I might not reach in time tomorrow. BWhether the monster I fight every night is starting to live inside me too. CThe threats I can see coming and whether my tech is actually good enough. DNothing. Silence is the only peace I get. I've made my choices. EWhether I'm truly worthy — of the hammer, of the throne, of the people I protect. FA world where no one stands up anymore. Where good people do nothing. NEXT QUESTION → 10 The battle is lost. You're outnumbered, outgunned, and exhausted. What do you do? This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully. ACrack a joke to buy a second, then find the one web shot that changes everything. BBlock out everything except the sound of the next threat — and keep going. CActivate the emergency protocol I built for exactly this scenario. Always have a plan. DI don't accept that it's lost. I keep fighting until I physically cannot anymore. ECall the lightning. All of it. The storm answers to me. FPick up the shield. Stand up. Because as long as I can stand, it's not over. REVEAL MY HERO → Your Hero Has Been Identified Your MCU Hero Is…Based on your answers, the Marvel hero who matches your spirit, values, and instincts has been revealed. 🕷️ Spider-ManYou carry the weight of the world on shoulders that are younger than they should have to be — funny, loyal, and endlessly self-sacrificing. You do the right thing not because it's easy, but because no one else will. You understand that responsibility isn't a burden you choose — it's one that finds you. Whether it's a neighbourhood mugging or a multiverse crisis, you show up. Peter Parker's lesson — that great power demands great responsibility — isn't a slogan to you. It's the code you live by, even when it costs you everything. 😈 DaredevilYou fight in the shadows between law and chaos, guided by a fierce moral compass that refuses to let the guilty walk free. You use every tool available — your mind, your body, your faith — to protect those the system overlooks. You've looked into the darkness and chosen not to become it, though the line has never been easy. Matt Murdock's duality — champion in the courtroom, devil in the alley — mirrors your own. Relentless, conflicted, and unwilling to stop. That is exactly you. 🤖 Iron ManBrilliant, driven, and occasionally insufferable — but always the person who solves the unsolvable problem. You lead with your mind and back it up with resources, innovation, and a stubbornness that borders on heroic. You started out looking out for yourself, but somewhere along the way the world became your responsibility. Tony Stark's arc — from ego to sacrifice — is your arc too. You build, you plan, and when the moment comes, you're willing to give everything. Because in the end, you're Iron Man. 💀 The PunisherYou've been through fire that would break most people — and it did change you, completely. What's left is unyielding, relentless, and operating by a code forged in grief. You don't ask for forgiveness, and you don't expect gratitude. You see a corrupt, broken world and you've decided to do something about it, consequences be damned. Frank Castle's war is born from love twisted by loss — and so is yours. Uncompromising and unflinching — the world may not agree with your methods, but your conviction is absolute. ⚡ ThorPowerful, proud, and on a lifelong journey to become worthy of the legend you carry. You lead with strength but have learned — sometimes painfully — that true greatness comes from humility and growth. You're larger than life, yet more vulnerable than you let on. Thor's story is one of transformation: from arrogant prince to worthy king, from isolated warrior to beloved protector. You bring the storm when it's needed — and the warmth when it matters just as much. 🛡️ Captain AmericaYou believe in something bigger than yourself — and you fight for it even when the world has moved on and nobody else will. You don't bully the small guy, and you never stop when it gets hard. Steve Rogers didn't become a hero when he got the serum — he was always one. So were you. Your strength isn't in your fists; it's in your refusal to compromise what's right, no matter the cost. In a world full of people taking the easy road, you're the one who picks up the shield and stands up — every single time. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ Captain America (Steve Rogers) Image via Marvel Comics Everyone knew that the "Civil War" crossover story was going to have some shocking moments and real heartbreak, but nobody expected the assassination of Captain America. That's right, after the big conclusion of "Civil War," in Captain America #25 (2004), Sharon Carter of all people snipes the All-American hero multiple times as he walks the stairs of the Capitol building, turning himself in. This moment was incredibly shocking and one of the largest consequences of the "Civil War" story arc. It would lead to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle, and for the world to mourn one of the greatest heroes of their time, despite some being against him during the whole Registration Act ordeal. Minor characters dying could have been expected, but one of the tentpole characters? Not many assumed that would happen. Gwen Stacy Image via Marvel Comics Spider-Man has been through some rough deaths in his life. Honestly, the Wall-Crawler has been through more tragedy than most other Marvel heroes. Of the worst, though, was the heartbreak of losing Gwen Stacy, his first love. What's worse is that the circumstances surrounding Gwen's death remain unclear. While it's sometimes speculated that she was already dead when the Green Goblin threw her off the George Washington Bridge, there's no denying that she snapped her neck from the recoil of Spidey's own webbing. It was such a profoundly impactful death that comic historians consider it the end of the Silver Age of comic books in 1973. The terror in the Web-Slinger's heart that he may have been the one to cause her death haunts him for the rest of his life. What's even more heart-wrenching is that Stan Lee never intended for her to die. While Lee was in Europe, writer Gerry Conway took over the book and killed the love interest. Lee would later go on record saying that he never intended for this to happen, and planned for Pete and Gwen to live a long, happy life together. Not only is this death impactful, but it has a wild story behind it. Thomas and Martha Wayne Image via DC Comics There's no denying that of the most important deaths in comic history, the ones that created the one and only Batman, have to be near the top of the charts. The murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne at the hands of petty crook Joe Chill would traumatize young Bruce Wayne and lead to him dedicating his life to ensure something like that could never happen again, thus becoming the Batman. The Caped Crusader is quite easily one of the greatest and most popular superheroes of all time—just look at his sales figures—meaning the traumatic event that inspired his origin is beyond important. Without Batman, the DC Comics universe, and the readers' own, would be extremely different. The Dark Knight has had such an impact on the world, and, well, Joe Chill is to thank? Uncle Ben Image via Marvel Comics There's no question that arguably one of the most important deaths in comic book history is the one that turned Peter Parker into the Amazing Spider-Man himself. The murder of the young hero's uncle not only turned him into the hero he is today—still referencing it at every turn—but spurred one of the most iconic quotes in fiction: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility." While other characters have returned in some capacity or another, Uncle Ben remains gone, largely because his absence allows Peter to continue his path as a superhero guided by a sense of responsibility, duty, and morality. Don't expect to see him returning any time soon — or ever — but Uncle Ben will forever be one of the most important figures in comic book history. Cast Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Gerry Becker, Bill Nunn, Jack Betts, Stanley Anderson, Ron Perkins, Michael Papajohn, K.K. Dodds, Ted Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth Banks, John Paxton, Tim DeZarn, Taylor Gilbert, Randy Poffo, Larry Joshua, Timothy Patrick Quill, Lisa Danielle Runtime 121 minutes Director Sam Raimi Writers David Koepp