Onslaught
1996When Professor Xavier mind-wiped Magneto after he ripped the adamantium from Wolverine's skeleton, a piece of Magneto's dark psyche merged with Xavier's own suppressed negative emotions to create Onslaught — a psionic entity of near-limitless power. Onslaught seizes control of Xavier's body, kidnaps Franklin Richards and X-Man (Nate Grey), and launches an assault on New York City. The X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four unite to stop him, but the non-mutant heroes must sacrifice themselves by walking into Onslaught's energy form to weaken him enough for the X-Men to destroy. The heroes are presumed dead, secretly shunted into a pocket universe (Heroes Reborn), and anti-mutant sentiment reaches a new peak.
12 core issues, 19 optional tie-ins/crossovers
PrologueJuggernaut arrives battered and terrified, warning of Onslaught
PrologueOnslaught contacts Nate Grey; sets up his interest in Nate's power
Prologue
Prologue
PrologueCable investigates Onslaught's identity
PrologueOnslaught toys with the X-Men; Bishop's memories are key
PrologueJuggernaut reveals Onslaught is Xavier; Onslaught unmasked
PrologueXavier revealed as Onslaught; the X-Men confront their mentor
Onslaught takes full control of Xavier; X-Men vs. Onslaught begins; Juggernaut punched into orbit
X-Men regroup; Onslaught's plans expand beyond Xavier
Onslaught captures Nate Grey for his power
Tie-In
Tie-In
Tie-In
Tie-In
Tie-In
Onslaught's citadel rises over Central Park
All-out assault on Onslaught; heroes converge on Central Park
Tie-In
Tie-In
Final push against Onslaught's physical form
The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and other heroes sacrifice themselves to destroy Onslaught; Heroes Reborn begins
Epilogue
EpilogueAftermath; the world blames mutants for the heroes' deaths; anti-mutant hysteria surges
EpilogueXavier surrenders to authorities; the X-Men face a world without their mentor
EpilogueFinal wrap-up of the Onslaught aftermath