The following contains spoilers for A.X.E.: Judgment Day #5, now on sale from Marvel Comics.

In a desperate ploy to stop a world-ending war between the Eternals and the X-Men, the Avengers revived the long-dormant Progenitor Celestial, who responded to the crisis by giving the inhabitants of Earth just one day to prove that they're worthy of the right to continue existing. Unfortunately, while the heroes were able to end the war by overthrowing the corrupt Prime Eternal Druig and replacing him with the hedonistic but altruistic Eros, it was too late, and the Progenitor delivered its judgment before sentencing the entire population of Earth to death.

However, even in the face of the slow but inevitable destruction of all life on the planet, the surviving heroes refused to give up, and an unexpected leader soon emerged to rally their dwindling ranks. In A.X.E Judgment Day #5 (by Kieron Gillen, Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia, and VC's Clayton Cowles), Nightcrawler assumed command over what little remained of the superhero community, becoming a guiding light during what might prove to be the Marvel Universe's darkest hour.

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Judgment Day #5 Nightcrawler and Captain America

In the immediate aftermath of the Progenitor's declaration that humanity had failed, many of the world's greatest heroes were on the verge of giving up. However, Nightcrawler refused to accept the fate the Earth had been handed. Appearing before a despondent Captain America, he gave the Sentinel of Liberty a much-needed pep-talk before teleporting both of them to the North Pole, happily sacrificing himself to ensure that the Living Legend could stand up to the Progenitor and tell the people of Earth that they are all Avengers now.

After his subsequent resurrection on Krakoa, Nightcrawler gathered the Earth's remaining heroes, who worked together to come up with a plan that could defeat the Progenitor. While most of the superhero community launched a suicidal assault on the Progenitor, Nightcrawler and a small contingent laid low, allowing the Progenitor to believe that they had wiped out all resistance and giving a smaller team a chance to infiltrate the Celestial's body and attempt to slay it from within. Knowing that the team would need a distraction, Nightcrawler ordered the surviving members of the Five to revive Captain America, asserting his authority as the leader of what little remains of the superhero community.

Although Nightcrawler's decision to assume command of the fight against the Progenitor may surprise some comic fans, it does make sense when one considers his recent history. While Nightcrawler has never been afraid to fight for what he believes in, he's often stood aside and let others assume the mantle of leadership in times of crisis. Early in the era of Krakoa, however, Nightcrawler was made a member of the mutant nation's ruling Quiet Council, and his experimentation with leadership hasn't stopped there. During his time on Krakoa, Nightcrawler not only formed the Legionaries but founded a religious movement known as "The Spark", proving himself to be a capable commander and an inspiring priest.

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Judgment Day #5 Nightcrawler

While Nightcrawler's recent achievements are impressive, his innate humanity is what makes him the perfect leader for a crisis like Judgment Day. Unlike many of his fellow X-Men, who have embraced an "us vs. them" mentality that has driven them to become distant and dismissive towards non-mutants, Nightcrawler has held on to his innate compassion for others. With the Earth's shrinking population giving in to terror and despair, his empathetic nature has made him an invaluable source of emotional support for everyone. By helping all beings find the strength they need to forgive each other, they are able to work together to save their planet.

Nightcrawler extending an empathetic hand to the mutants of Krakoa united the fractured superhero community under one banner and gave the people of Earth some much-needed hope. While it's currently unclear what the future of the Marvel Universe holds, Nightcrawler's incredible leadership has seemingly assured that the Earth will live to see it, cementing his position as one of, if not the greatest hero in Marvel history.