AVENGERS VS. X-MEN DEATH

Marvel Comics has announced that Professor Charles Xavier dies in Avengers Vs. X-Men #11, in stores on Wednesday.

In the penultimate chapter of the series by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel, the forces of the Marvel Universe rally against the final two members of the seemingly all-powerful Phoenix Five -- Cyclops and Emma Frost. As the battle rages, Cyclops makes a decision that not only takes the life of the man who formed the X-Men and raised him like a son, but that also may damn both the Avengers and the X-Men.

"When we first crafted Avengers Vs. X-Men, we didn't set out to kill any characters but as the story progressed it became obvious that this had to be the last stand of Charles Xavier," said editor in chief Axel Alonso. "He's one of my favorite characters and while like all fans I'm sad to see him perish, both Brian and Olivier deliver a powerful, dramatic conclusion to his story. Rest assured his death will reverberate across the Marvel Universe, leading into major launches like Uncanny Avengers and All-New X-Men this fall."

In the series finale on Oct. 3, the remaining Marvel heroes launch their final assault on the Phoenix Five and the force that threatens to consume all of reality.