Jean Grey’s absence from the Marvel Universe is keenly felt by virtually all X-Men fans, so this one shot (out of continuity though it may be) offers some measure of respite for those of us who want to see more stories featuring the character, as she receives headline billing for the first time in years.

Set in the “First Class”-verse, the story chiefly deals with Jean’s attempt to properly come to terms with the death of her friend, the event that prematurely awakened her powers so many years before. It’s just a shame the issue itself doesn’t fully explain that aspect of the story, reducing the explanation to an early caption box where it should really have been made into a wider point during Xavier’s initial dressing down.

Still, if you can get past that, it’s an enjoyable little story, though with an oddly bleak tangent about the way Jean sees the people she left behind when she moved to Xavier’s. It’s particularly refreshing to see a Jean Grey story that doesn’t heavily involve her romantic relationships with Cyclops and/or Wolverine, and which isn’t explicitly about the Phoenix. Aside from the fact that the First Class universe shows Jean’s powers (and, for that matter, her personality) as far more developed than they were in the original X-Men run, there’s nothing here that couldn’t be considered canon if you want it to be. It’s recognizably the modern Jean Grey as she would have been as a teenager, rather than the teenage Jean Grey, if that distinction makes any sense.

While writer Joshua Hale Fialkov does a decent enough job with the writing (although the story does struggle to fit inside a single issue, resulting in some odd plot leaps on occasion) it’s Nuno Plati’s art that really sells it. Plati’s artwork is graceful and feminine without being overtly sexualised. The storytelling switches effortlessly from the dramatic to the subtle, every facial expression packed with emotion. Plati’s choice of palette, in particular, is fantastic: bright and airy, making fantastic use of computer effects. It has an almost animated look to it, which is certainly no bad thing.

Although this kind of story is never going to win an Eisner, it’s the sort of book that’ll scratch any itches you’ve got about seeing Jean Grey in action. It’s a competently executed and enjoyable read, and while it works as a stand-alone story, it also manages to inform the character in her other appearances. It’s likely that if you were ever interested in buying this, you already own it. If you’re still on the fence, give it a chance to entertain you.

source: http://www.comicbookresources.com

Get the book from Marvel.

What if? Astonishing X-men #1 deals with the possibility of Jean’s return to the X-men at the hands of Ord of Breakworld.

Astonishing X-men began in 2004 nearly immediately after Jean’s death in New X-men. It was written by Joss Whedon and penciled by John Cassaday. Whedon gave the readers “subtle” hints that Jean Grey would be making her return early on the series but instead of going with the this idea, he decided it was time to resurrect Colossus who had died at the start of the new millennium.

What if? Astonishing X-men #1 is written by Jim McCann (New Avengers: The Reunion) and pencilled by David Yardin (X-men Origins: Gambit). The story basically deals with the return of Jean Grey and how her friends and ex- husband deal with her return. Emma Frost, (naturally enough) is less than thrilled at Jean’s return and basically wants her out of the mansion. Jean herself gets a piece of action at the start, defeating Ord with her mental abilities and it appears that she also no longer possesses the infinite powers of the Phoenix Force. The X-men even have a “Welcome Back Jean” party which everyone will probably laugh at. She even has a slightly redesigned costume, with the black neck of her Phoenix costume stretching across the shoulders.

What if? Astonishing X-men #1 will be in your local comic book shop around the 23rd of December and will make a perfect stocking filler for any Jean Grey fan this Christmas!

Link to the preview for images.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=4111&disp=table