May 1, 1975 CE
First Appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1
Nightcrawler debuts as part of the new international X-Men team recruited by Professor X. #comics #xmen
Chronological Storyline (47 Milestones)
Aug 1, 1975 CE
Joins the X-Men in X-Men #94
Nightcrawler becomes a regular member of the X-Men team alongside Storm, Colossus, and Wolverine. #comics #xmen
1976 CE
First Solo Story in X-Men Annual #1
Nightcrawler gets a solo backup story revealing his circus origins. #comics #origin
1978 CE
Romance with Amanda Sefton Begins
Nightcrawler reconnects with his childhood friend and sorceress Amanda Sefton, beginning a long-term relationship. #comics #romance
1980 CE
The Dark Phoenix Saga
Nightcrawler plays a key role in the Dark Phoenix Saga, helping to confront Jean Grey. #comics #xmen
1981 CE
Days of Future Past
Nightcrawler appears in the dystopian future timeline of Days of Future Past. #comics #xmen
1982 CE
First Limited Series: Nightcrawler (1982)
Nightcrawler stars in his own four-issue limited series, exploring his past and his relationship with his father. #comics #solo
1983 CE
God Loves, Man Kills
Nightcrawler is a central character in this graphic novel dealing with religious bigotry. #comics #xmen
1984 CE
Secret Wars
Nightcrawler participates in the Beyonder's Secret Wars on Battleworld. #comics #marvel
1985 CE
Excalibur #1: Founding of Excalibur
Nightcrawler co-founds Excalibur with Captain Britain, Shadowcat, and Rachel Summers. #comics #excalibur
1986 CE
Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn
The first Excalibur storyline establishes the team's base in England and Nightcrawler's role as a leader. #comics #excalibur
1988 CE
Nightcrawler Becomes a Priest
In Excalibur #4, Nightcrawler is ordained as a Catholic priest, deepening his spiritual journey. #comics #religion
1989 CE
Excalibur: The Cross-Time Caper
Nightcrawler and Excalibur travel through alternate realities in this epic storyline. #comics #excalibur
1990 CE
Return to the X-Men
After Excalibur's initial run, Nightcrawler returns to the X-Men in X-Men vol. 2 #1. #comics #xmen
1991 CE
X-Men: The Muir Island Saga
Nightcrawler is involved in the Muir Island Saga, dealing with the Shadow King. #comics #xmen
1992 CE
X-Men: Fatal Attractions
Nightcrawler confronts Magneto in this crossover event. #comics #xmen
1993 CE
X-Men: The Phalanx Covenant
Nightcrawler helps rescue Generation X from the Phalanx. #comics #xmen
1994 CE
X-Men: Legion Quest
Nightcrawler is part of the team trying to stop Legion from killing Magneto. #comics #xmen
1995 CE
Age of Apocalypse
In the alternate timeline, Nightcrawler is a member of the X-Men and dies heroically. #comics #alternateuniverse
1996 CE
Onslaught Saga
Nightcrawler battles the psychic entity Onslaught. #comics #xmen
1997 CE
Operation: Zero Tolerance
Nightcrawler is hunted by Bastion's Prime Sentinels. #comics #xmen
1998 CE
X-Men: The Hunt for Professor X
Nightcrawler searches for the missing Professor X. #comics #xmen
1999 CE
X-Men: The Twelve
Nightcrawler is one of the twelve mutants targeted by Apocalypse. #comics #xmen
2000 CE
X-Men: Eve of Destruction
Nightcrawler helps stop Magneto's takeover of Genosha. #comics #xmen
2001 CE
New X-Men by Grant Morrison
Nightcrawler appears in Grant Morrison's run, dealing with new threats. #comics #xmen
2002 CE
X-Men: The Draco
A controversial storyline reveals Nightcrawler's father is a demon named Azazel. #comics #origin
2003 CE
X-Men: Unstoppable
Nightcrawler helps rebuild the X-Men after the destruction of Genosha. #comics #xmen
2004 CE
Nightcrawler (2004) Ongoing Series
Nightcrawler gets his first ongoing solo series, exploring his faith and family. #comics #solo
2005 CE
House of M
Nightcrawler is depowered in the House of M reality. #comics #xmen
2006 CE
X-Men: Deadly Genesis
Nightcrawler is part of the team uncovering the truth about the original X-Men. #comics #xmen
2007 CE
X-Men: Messiah Complex
Nightcrawler plays a role in protecting the first mutant born after M-Day. #comics #xmen
2008 CE
X-Men: Divided We Stand
Nightcrawler leads a team of X-Men in San Francisco. #comics #xmen
2009 CE
X-Men: Utopia
Nightcrawler supports the mutant nation of Utopia. #comics #xmen
2010 CE
Second Coming
Nightcrawler sacrifices himself to save Hope Summers, dying in X-Force #26. #comics #death
2011 CE
Nightcrawler's Funeral
The X-Men mourn Nightcrawler's death in X-Men: Legacy #250. #comics #xmen
2012 CE
Avengers vs. X-Men
Nightcrawler is briefly resurrected by the Phoenix Force. #comics #xmen
2013 CE
Nightcrawler Returns in Amazing X-Men #1
Nightcrawler is fully resurrected from the afterlife by his father Azazel. #comics #resurrection
2014 CE
Nightcrawler (2014) Ongoing Series
A new solo series by Chris Claremont focuses on Nightcrawler's adventures. #comics #solo
2015 CE
Secret Wars (2015)
Nightcrawler appears in the Battleworld domain of the X-Men. #comics #marvel
2016 CE
X-Men: Apocalypse Wars
Nightcrawler fights against Apocalypse in this crossover. #comics #xmen
2017 CE
X-Men: Gold
Nightcrawler joins the X-Men Gold team led by Kitty Pryde. #comics #xmen
2018 CE
X-Men: Red
Nightcrawler appears in the X-Men Red series. #comics #xmen
2019 CE
House of X / Powers of X
Nightcrawler is a key figure in the new Krakoan era. #comics #xmen
2020 CE
X-Men: Empyre
Nightcrawler participates in the Empyre crossover. #comics #xmen
2021 CE
Way of X
Nightcrawler leads a team to explore mutant spirituality on Krakoa. #comics #xmen
2022 CE
Legion of X
Nightcrawler continues his role as a spiritual leader in the Legion of X series. #comics #xmen
2023 CE
X-Men: Before the Fall - Sons of X
Nightcrawler deals with the fallout of the Krakoan era. #comics #xmen