In recent years, my feelings towards the X-Men franchise, particularly regarding Charles Xavier, have been less than favorable. The once-beloved father figure and mentor transformed into a shadow of his former self—a paranoid, conspiracy-oriented war criminal. I was left wondering if Marvel had forever tarnished the noble legacy of the Professor. However, with the conclusion of the X-Manhunt event, I find myself pleasantly surprised—Xavier has made a remarkable comeback, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Xavier’s noble dream of unity and peace among mutants is more vibrant now than it has been in years.
In X-Manhunt: Omega #1 (2025), penned by Murewa Ayodele, Gail Simone, Gleb Melnikov, Federica Manciń, and Enid Balám, we witness a pivotal moment. Charles Xavier and his resurrected wife, Lilandra, are on the cusp of escaping Earth while being pursued by Cyclops’s X-Men.
Earlier developments in this storyline revealed Xavier to be grappling with a debilitating brain tumor, which had severely clouded his judgment and exacerbated his paranoia. Following the successful removal of this tumor by Lilandra, Charles returns to Earth to bid a heartfelt farewell to his children—this emotional moment left both the X-Men and me in tears.
Marvel’s Redemption of Charles Xavier
As I reflect on Xavier’s tumultuous journey, I admit my frustration with his gradual portrayal as a compromised character. I have voiced my disdain in numerous articles, expressing my concerns with the narrative choices made by the current X-Men writers. Although these developments have led to intense and unpredictable storytelling, I yearn for the days when the X-Men could count on their steadfast leader for unshakeable moral guidance. While I suspect we may not see the return of that version of Xavier anytime soon, his redemption arc is undeniable.
Awakening post-surgery, Charles finds himself disoriented yet clearer-headed than in years. Despite the complex emotions surrounding his relationships with his children, he musters the bravery to face them before saying goodbye. Soon, many leaders of the modern X-Men, who have viewed Xavier as family, gather to hear the Professor’s poignant final words. When Cyclops urges Xavier to surrender, he simply replies, “I’m retiring,” and then offers a heartfelt message to mutants worldwide.
“Thank You for Being Everything I Ever Hoped and More…”– Charles Xavier
Charles Xavier’s Dream Thrives Once More
“I tried to heal the world. I failed. We are all of us, the sum of our greatest triumphs and our deepest failures. As well as the long ghost walk in between. The others will look to you. All of you. For guidance, for protection, for comfort. They do not ask for perfection. They only ask that you be there when they need you.
To the rest of you around the world. No more fighting each other. Fight for freedom. Fight for justice. Do not fight your brother. Look upon your sister with patience. Help others. And ask for help when it is needed.
And for pity’s sake… please build another school.
Thank you for being everything I ever hoped and more than I could ever have dreamed.”
These poignant words encapsulate the essence of Charles Xavier’s farewell. Even as I recount them, the emotional weight of his message overwhelms me. His regret for past transgressions and sorrow for a fractured family resonates deeply within his farewell. Charles is acutely aware that he cannot mend his tarnished reputation on Earth. He understands that his presence alone fosters fear amongst mutants. Thus, this parting is not merely a goodbye but carries the weight of a eulogy.
The X-Men Extend Forgiveness to Professor Xavier
A Collective Mourning as Charles Xavier Says Farewell
Ultimately, it is not just Xavier’s heartfelt words that resonate; the heartfelt responses from the X-Men profoundly impact the narrative. Every X-Men comic that has emerged since the fall of Krakoa has built up to this poignant moment. Each hero grapples with their conflicting feelings towards Xavier’s actions—rage, betrayal, loneliness, and grief permeate their responses. However, united for the first time since Krakoa’s collapse, the leaders of the X-Men embrace a renewed familial bond. They are a family once more.
Wolverine lays down his claws, overcome by sorrow, while Cyclops begrudgingly suppresses his tears beneath his visor. Emma Frost, unable to hold back, weeps as she bids farewell to a cherished teacher for the last time. In the midst of this poignant moment, Rogue, burdened by her grief, struggles to utter her goodbye. As Xavier and Lilandra embark on their journey into the stars, the last words echo in the void: “Goodbye, Professor.”
A New Era for the X-Men Begins
A New Chapter Unfolds for the X-Men
At long last, it seems that Xavier’s dream has resurfaced. Although he has entrusted the responsibility of realizing this vision to his family, the ideal of a united and harmonious world will forever remain a testament to Charles Xavier’s legacy. Like any devoted parent, his deepest wish is for his successors to thrive without fear, living lives full of happiness and fulfillment. Though Xavier’s past mistakes remain irrevocable, his dreams and aspirations endure through those he loved, who now embrace the weight of this responsibility. The dream is indeed now theirs to uphold.
As an ardent fan, I express my sincere gratitude to Marvel, writers Murewa Ayodele and Gail Simone, and the remarkable talents that have revitalized the X-Men in such a powerful way. Even with Charles Xavier’s departure, it feels as if the family has been reunited. From the ashes of anger and sorrow, new hope emerges. While Xavier may never fully atone for his past actions, the X-Men have rekindled a dream that once perished amid the chaos of Krakoa.
X-Manhunt: Omega #1 (2025) is currently available from Marvel Comics!