The Avengers and X-Men have a long history, but based on the past actions of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, it's a wonder the X-Men ever trusted them.

As two of Marvel Comics’ most iconic superhero teams, the Avengers and the X-Men have a long and storied mutual history. Unfortunately, not all of that history is positive. And the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have come to blows with Marvel’s Merry Mutants on more than one occasion. Despite their many triumphs, the Avengers’ track record regarding the oppression of mutants is less than stellar. Keeping that in mind, it’s far from surprising that the two teams don’t always get along. And after the actions of the fan-favorite Avenger War Machine following the events of the Decimation, it’s a wonder that the X-Men ever worked with Marvel’s premiere superhero team ever again.

After the events of House of M by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel sees the world’s mutant population decreased to a dwindling 198, the X-Men officially become the figureheads of an endangered species. As such, the Office of National Emergency, under the direction of Valerie Cooper, works to “protect” the world’s remaining mutants by sequestering them in the Xavier Institute. But with some of the most dangerous characters in the Marvel Universe calling that mansion home, standing guard isn’t a job for typical S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. As such, that position is taken up by the one group known for keeping a close watch on mutants: the Sentinel Squad ONE.

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Unlike the Sentinels of the past, however, these metallic golems first appear in Decimation: House of M - The Day After #1 by Chris Claremont, Randy Green, and Aaron Lopresti as manned vessels turned into oversized Iron Man armors by none other than Col. James Rhodes himself – much to the extreme discomfort of every mutant in the Institute. Whether or not Rhodey tries to justify his actions as being for the good of the remaining mutant population, it doesn’t change just how grotesque his part in this affair really is. Sentinels are literal monoliths of mutant oppression, and regardless of intentions, having them stand guard over the world’s few remaining mutants essentially turns the Xavier Institute into a reservation, not a sanctuary. The X-Men’s anxieties are justified when the turncoat Bishop finally weaponizes the automated Sentinels against his old teammates in the pages of Messiah Complex by Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, and more. This ultimately vindicates the mutants’ objections and makes War Machine and the Office of National Emergency seem even more inept and tone-deaf as they cause the endangered species more harm than good.

While Rhodey acts on his own in this capacity outside of the traditional Avengers apparatus, his behavior still reflects a pattern of negligence perpetrated by the majority of his fellow Avengers. Not only do they rarely involve themselves in mutant affairs due to more traditional superhero concerns– even when the species is on the verge of extinction – but they actively turn a blind eye to the mutants’ suffering even when directly confronted with the reality of their situation. During the events of Civil War, multiple pro-Registration Avengers like Iron Man and Carol Danvers – the future Captain Marvel – come to the Sentinel-patrolled Xavier Mansion asking the remaining Decimated X-Men to aid in their fight while simultaneously ignoring the SRA’s uncanny resemblance to the Mutant Registration Act of old.

Ultimately, the Avengers may be Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but they’re far from its most politically conscious or forthright. And if Rhodey’s own actions are any indication, they all need to seriously reconsider their stance on mutant rights. After everything Earth’s Mightiest have done – or rather, everything they haven’t – it’s a wonder that the X-Men have ever trusted Marvel Comics’ Avengers.

Tristan Benns is a freelance writer, podcaster, and lifelong geek. Having previously written for The Nerd Stash and Comic Book Resources, he's also worked as a tutor, an editor, and even as a salesman in a comic book store. If he isn't asking you about your feelings on the Oxford comma, he's probably asking you to name your favorite Green Lantern or telling you all about Scott Summers' tangled love life whether you're listening or not. You can find him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @backissuebenns.