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The comic book medium is notorious for the use of death. Mainly, the apparent reluctance that comics commonly have to actually keep people dead or have their loss have a massive impact, rather than just being used for shock factor. It doesn't mean, however, that there aren't deaths that genuinely did change the comic medium and leave a true impact.
While there are some obviously important deaths that everyone knows—Uncle Ben or Bruce and Martha Wayne—there are others that some (mostly general audiences) may not be aware of. Regardless, their existence means that comics aren't total strangers to utilizing death in a way that actually means something. The best deaths in comic books are ones that truly change everything moving forward, reshaping a character's worldview or marking a seismic shift in an established dynamic.
Superman (Clark Kent)
One of DC Comics' golden boys, Superman, has met his end numerous times. There's one, however, that actually means something: when he went up against the ever-menacing Kryptonian monster Doomsday in Superman #73 (1993). This specific story has been recreated many times in major Superman media, like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Superman & Lois.
Its status as a comic book icon is undisputed, as it shifted the status quo heavily at the time. Back in the '90s, no one really thought that the Man of Steel could actually die. This comic book event dissected what the death of a seemingly invincible hero would actually mean, and introduced four replacement Supermen in his time away: Steel (John Henry Irons), The Eradicator, Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw), and Superboy (Conner Kent). This death truly shifted the DC Comics universe as people knew it.
Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)
Marvel has had some extremely heartbreaking deaths over the years, but one that non-comic book fans may not know about is that of Captain Marvel—not Carol Danvers, but the Kree hero rendition, Mar-Vell. When a superhero dies, it is typically because of a massive, action-packed battle, but that is not the case with Mar-Vell.
This classic Marvel superhero actually met his end at the terrifying hands of cancer.This death changed everything in the realm of superheroes, showing that they can, in fact, die from non-superhero-related means. The circumstances of his end are what make it so heartbreaking, as there was nothing anyone could do about it. The Marvel universe simply had to sit by... and watch.
Alexandra DeWitt
What's worse than a superhero dying is the way they die inside when someone close to them perishes. One of the wildest and most gruesome in DC Comics is when the beloved Alexandra DeWitt, love interest of Kyle Rayner's Green Lantern, was found dead—cut to pieces—and stuffed in a refrigerator. It is, by far, one of DC Comics' most horrific deaths, and one that had lasting repercussions even outside the medium.
This moment in Green Lantern #54 (1994) is extremely controversial, causing writer Gail Simone to create her own website detailing the trope of brutalizing women in comic books to further progress male storylines. The term "fridging" endures to this day to refer to this reprehensible trope. It makes sense, too, given how shocking the death was and still is.
Robin (Jason Todd)
What makes the murder of Jason Todd, the second Robin, so impactful is the fact that this wasn't a decision made by the writers or editorial at DC Comics. No, it was a decision actually made by the fans of the book themselves. When Jason was fatally injured by the Joker, the comic book company gave fans a choice.
At the end of Batman #427 (1988), two phone numbers were provided for fans to call, with one being a certified vote for the death and another for him to survive. With a total of over 10,000 votes, Jason was sentenced to death by a small margin of 72 votes. Not only is this one of the only deaths to be directly decided by fans, but it wound up bringing the iconic "Under the Red Hood" arc to life many years later, giving the character a new life that turned him into a favorite Bat-Family member.
The Flash (Barry Allen)
The problem with a lot of comic book deaths is the fact that when a superhero dies, they typically don't stay dead for very long. That is not the case with Barry Allen, aka The Flash. In the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event from 1985 to 1986, Flash saves the day by literally running himself to death to counteract the Anti-Monitor.
As he saves everyone in existence, he disintegrates into thin air and would remain gone, in real-world time, for a whopping 23 years. His absence allowed for his protégé, Wally West, to shine as the Scarlet Speedster, which would then lead to some of the best Flash stories ever told. The timeline of events also made for one of the coolest comebacks from death a superhero's ever had.
Ultimate Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
Spider-Man is the golden boy for Marvel Comics, and his run in the 2000s Ultimate Marvel Universe is one of the most critically acclaimed of all time. Nearly everyone adored Ultimate Spider-Man (2000), so when he wound up dying at the end, people were not only shocked, but absolutely heartbroken.
His death was excellently handled by writer Brian Michael Bendis, though, and his death marked a redemption of sorts, saving his Aunt May and telling her: "Uncle Ben, I couldn't save him... No matter what I did. But I saved you."The tragic end of Peter Parker also brought about the introduction of Miles Morales, who's now become a movie star across the globe and one of the most beloved mantle-holders of the Spider-Man legacy.
Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Everyone knew that the "Civil War" crossover story was going to have some shocking moments and real heartbreak, but nobody expected the assassination of Captain America. That's right, after the big conclusion of "Civil War," in Captain America #25 (2004), Sharon Carter of all people snipes the All-American hero multiple times as he walks the stairs of the Capitol building, turning himself in.
This moment was incredibly shocking and one of the largest consequences of the "Civil War" story arc. It would lead to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle, and for the world to mourn one of the greatest heroes of their time, despite some being against him during the whole Registration Act ordeal. Minor characters dying could have been expected, but one of the tentpole characters? Not many assumed that would happen.
Gwen Stacy
Spider-Man has been through some rough deaths in his life. Honestly, the Wall-Crawler has been through more tragedy than most other Marvel heroes. Of the worst, though, was the heartbreak of losing Gwen Stacy, his first love. What's worse is that the circumstances surrounding Gwen's death remain unclear. While it's sometimes speculated that she was already dead when the Green Goblin threw her off the George Washington Bridge, there's no denying that she snapped her neck from the recoil of Spidey's own webbing.
It was such a profoundly impactful death that comic historians consider it the end of the Silver Age of comic books in 1973. The terror in the Web-Slinger's heart that he may have been the one to cause her death haunts him for the rest of his life. What's even more heart-wrenching is that Stan Lee never intended for her to die. While Lee was in Europe, writer Gerry Conway took over the book and killed the love interest. Lee would later go on record saying that he never intended for this to happen, and planned for Pete and Gwen to live a long, happy life together. Not only is this death impactful, but it has a wild story behind it.
Thomas and Martha Wayne
There's no denying that of the most important deaths in comic history, the ones that created the one and only Batman, have to be near the top of the charts. The murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne at the hands of petty crook Joe Chill would traumatize young Bruce Wayne and lead to him dedicating his life to ensure something like that could never happen again, thus becoming the Batman.
The Caped Crusader is quite easily one of the greatest and most popular superheroes of all time—just look at his sales figures—meaning the traumatic event that inspired his origin is beyond important. Without Batman, the DC Comics universe, and the readers' own, would be extremely different. The Dark Knight has had such an impact on the world, and, well, Joe Chill is to thank?
Uncle Ben
There's no question that arguably one of the most important deaths in comic book history is the one that turned Peter Parker into the Amazing Spider-Man himself. The murder of the young hero's uncle not only turned him into the hero he is today—still referencing it at every turn—but spurred one of the most iconic quotes in fiction: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility."
While other characters have returned in some capacity or another, Uncle Ben remains gone, largely because his absence allows Peter to continue his path as a superhero guided by a sense of responsibility, duty, and morality. Don't expect to see him returning any time soon — or ever — but Uncle Ben will forever be one of the most important figures in comic book history.
