Thunderbird
John Proudstar
Created by Len Wein & Dave Cockrum
First Appearance
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)
Appearances
72
Primary Team
X-Men
Debut Era
1970s
An Apache warrior with superhuman strength, speed, and endurance. Thunderbird was recruited for the All-New, All- Different X-Men alongside Storm, Wolverine, and Colossus — and was killed on only their second mission, making him one of the first major superhero deaths in comics. His sacrifice proved that the new X-Men played for real stakes.
Appearances Over Time
Series
Most Appearances By Series
X-Men: Red (2018) 7 issues
Weapon X-Men (2025) 7 issues
Classic X-Men (1986) 6 issues
X-Force (2008) 5 issues
X-Men: Legacy (2008) 4 issues
House of M: Avengers (2008) 4 issues
X-Men: Die by the Sword (2007) 3 issues
X-Force (1991) 2 issues
The X-Men (1963) 2 issues
X-Men (1991) 2 issues
Events
Event Participation
Necrosha (2009) 3/13
First Appearance
Giant-Size X-Men #1
1975
First X-Men Appearance
The X-Men #94
August 1975