X-Men’s Deathbird Is Becoming A Hero In the Marvel Universe

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Imperial War: Exiles #1!

Deathbird is best known as an X-Men villain, but she’s making a convincing heroic turn in Marvel’s space saga Imperial, taking on an exciting and unexpected new role in Marvel lore nearly fifty years after her introduction. More than just a hero, the deadly Shi’ar warrior known as Deathbird is now fully invested in playing the part of protective aunt.

Imperial War: Exiles #1 is written by Steve Foxe, in collaboration with Jonathan Hickman, and features art by Francesco Manna. The issue picks up as Deathbird and her niece Xandra, the deposed Empress of the Shi’ar Empire, make a harrowing escape from Shi’ar space.

As of this issue, it seems Deathbird’s transformation into a true Xandra loyalist is complete.

Deathbird Is Officially A Hero, As The Perennial X-Men Villain Seems Fully Reformed

Imperial War: Exiles #1, Written By Steve Foxe And Jonathan Hickman; Art By Francesco Manna; Main Cover By Francesco Mortarino And Raúl Angulo (Color)

Like most of Marvel’s most notable Shi’ar characters, Deathbird was introduced to Marvel Comics in the late 1970s by visionary writer Chris Claremont. Her primary role in the X-Men franchise was antagonistic for her first few decades, but in modern Marvel lore, she has steadily been trending in a more heroic direction for years now.

The surprising turning point for her character came when she was installed as an advisor to the then-reigning Shi’ar Empress, Xandra, the daughter of her sister and rival for the throne, Lilandra. At first, this seemed like a precarious position to put her in. Deathbird seemed prime to betray her niece at the first available opportunity.

Certainly, it would be within the bounds of her character if it still happened. However, readers who have followed Deathbird’s character arc will recognize that her stalwart loyalty in Imperial War: Exiles #1 reads like the culmination of her increasing devotion to Xandra. She has signaled her loyalty before, but their dynamic in Exiles #1 feels almost borders on love.

“Exiles” Will Test Deathbird’s Loyalty And Prove If She Can Make A Heroic Turn After Decades As An Enemy Of The X-Men

Imperial War: Exiles #1 Deathbird Variant Cover By Ricky Yagawa

It is hard to make a true character redemption stick in Marvel Comics, but Deathbird is worth exploring as an expressly heroic character. She is a powerful mutant, and a fierce fighter. That said, her resolve as a hero will quickly be tested in Exiles #1. The preview pages for the issue ends with Deathbird setting a course for Earth.

By the end of Exiles #1, that will lead to a reunion with Charles Xavier, and the freshly resurrected Lilandra. Notably, this will be Xandra’s first time meeting her mother. How Deathbird will play into that dynamic, and whether it will affirm her heroism or cause her to regress into antagonism, are big, looming questions leading into the series.

Marvel has dabbled with a heroic Deathbird in previous stories, and slowly sowed the seeds for a legitimate redemption arc over the past several years. Now it is time to find out if that redemption takes root, and if her role as a protective aunt and a loyal supporter of Xandra truly changes her position in X-Men canon.

Imperial War: Exiles #1 will be available September 3, 2025 from Marvel Comics.

Movie(s)

X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

First Film

X-Men (2000)

TV Show(s)

X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)

Video Game(s)

X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)

Character(s)

Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23

Comic Release Date

213035,212968