The following contains spoilers for X-Force #41, now on sale from Marvel Comics
Beast's descent into pure villainy has been a major undercurrent of the modern X-Men titles. In particular, the founding member of the team gave into some particularly harsh tactics while commanding X-Force. It's unlikely this version of Beast can find redemption. It's probably why a backdoor to resurrecting a heroic version of the character has already been established, and why his teased fate in Wolverine would be so cruelly fitting.
However, death might not be enough to bring down Beast, who could truly be on the verge of inheriting his most villainous variant's moniker. X-Force #41 (by Benjamin Percy, Paul Davidson, GURU-eFX, and VC's Joe Caramagna) reveals that Beast has been cloning himself and hiding copies of his current self around the world in secret locations. This means any future story — X-Men or otherwise — could include a Dark Beast, setting him up to become a truly enduring villain in the Marvel Universe.
How Beast Creates A True Super Villain Plan
Both Wolverine and X-Force have highlighted the darkest elements of Beast's evolution as a villain. While Logan and Maverick have been working to counter his actions in the present, X-Force has been brought across time and space to contend with the future results of Beast's actions. Guided by Quentin Quire, X-Force has been confronting potential timelines where Beast's machinations resulted in death and destruction for the entire universe. Part of this may stem from tactics taken by Beast in the present day.
X-Force #41 opens with Beast traveling the world in secret, depositing copies of himself around the world. Hidden away under some of the planet's most famous — and theoretically untouchable — locations, these clones will remain in stasis until the current one has died. Hidden all around the world in locations like the Roman Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, and Stonehenge, these Beast copies will await their time to enact Beast's vision for the future. It's a horrifying reveal one would expect from villains like Doctor Doom or Mister Sinister. However, it could also cement Beast's villainous transformation going forward.
How Evil Beast Could Become A Perfectly Adaptable Marvel Villain
With Fall of X fast approaching, it appears the X-Men's period of success in the Krakoa Era is about to end. If that's the case, it would make sense for certain elements to be reset as they were in the past comics — including reversing Beast's dark transformation. His last remaining means of resurrection through the Five would bring back his more heroic Avengers-era incarnation. However, the copies of the darker, more ruthless Beast might become unearthed over time. Even if X-Force and Quire bring down many of these copies, it's an easy enough ret-con or plot-twist to reveal more were hidden, or that other villains located and stole them away.
This idea of a dark version of Beast hiding away copies of him at his most villainous stage sets up Dark Beast to be a perfect reoccurring Marvel villain. Any story could use a copy of Beast getting loose, keeping this chapter of the character's life alive. It would be a great reminder of the X-Men's hubris coming back to haunt them even if they move on from Krakoa. This new evil form Beast could face off with many heroes from across the Marvel Universe, serving as an easy (and easily expendable) evil genius character willing to cross moral boundaries in the name of mutant superiority. Wolverine and X-Force have played Beast's turn for pure horror, complex drama, and surprising dark comedy — hinting at the possible darkness to come. Future creators could even explore if there's any chance to redeem this dark version of Beast, and what that redemption would look like.
From a storytelling perspective, Beast burying clones of himself lays the groundwork for various potential stories. Beast has already proven his potential as a universe-wide threat, evidenced by entire futures collapsing under his rule. This new development highlights how easy it would be to keep versions of the current dark Beast in the Marvel Universe going forward. It's a clever element of the Krakoa Era that could — and should — come into play down the line.