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.

Wow, what a great piece of artwork showing a first person view from the perspective of Cyclops and Phoenix removes his ruby quartz glasses. Great idea and terrific execution. I would love to buy this print if anyone can find it.

source fyxmen.tumblr.com

The romance between Jean Grey and Wolverine has been by far the most mishandled, misconstrued, and at times destructive pairing in the history of X-men. I know that’s saying a lot, but given how long this plot has been used I think we can objectively say it ranks right up there. I’ve never come across a comic book couple that has such ardent detractors and die-hard supporters. As a fan in general, I think it’s one of those “good on paper” type ideas that just was so poorly fleshed out that it’s become an open scab throughout the story of the X-men. Part of the problem was how it started. Chris Claremont originally had Logan attracted to Jean Grey because he just soured on Cyclops and Jean Grey. He has gone on record as saying he completely despised the Scott/Jean romance after what happened with Madelyn Pryor and had he stayed on board, he would have broken them up and put Jean with Logan. He’s already shown this in his X-men Forever series. It was one of the many reasons he split with the editors at the time. I think this sort of sets the tone because it wasn’t so much done because these characters complimented each other. It was done more so as a foil to the Scott/Jean romance. That just really doesn’t work. That would be akin to being a soccer fan just because you hate American football.

As a result, Logan and Jean’s attraction was made to be really spotty. There were moments like Xtinction Agenda and Inferno where they kissed, but Jean pushed away. Then there were later moments like in Morrison where the kissing was mutual, but coupled with Jean lamenting over her love for Scott. The movies played this up even more by not just having Logan be the anti-Scott, but by having the part of Jean that was attracted to him be the darker part that became Phoenix. That really doesn’t fall in line with her character and it speaks poorly of Logan’s influence not just on her, but on everybody he’s close to. In both cases it’s always the same. There’s an unrequited love between them. Logan loves Jean, but Jean doesn’t love him in the same way and the man she does love is a man Logan can’t stand. This sort of angle is good for a few plots, but it has been dragged out for so long over the years that it’s not just old. It’s destructive to their characters.

I look at X-men Forever as the best example. In this Chris Claremont clearly wanted them together now that no editors were in his way. But he couldn’t undo the depth and complexity of the relationship Jean had with Scott, much of which he himself built up. The only way to make it happen was to force it and that just destroyed the elements of each character. It made Jean come off as a cheating skank and Logan come off as some overly emotional pretty boy when he’s supposed to be the ultimate loner. This highlights the main stumbling block to their affairs. Logan and Jean aren’t really made to compliment each other in the proper context. X-men Forever just thrust them together through sheer editorial force. Other mediums like the movies, Ultimate X-men, and the Earth X series put them together without any real depth. It was all just attraction that was pulled out of the air and used as a plot device. At no point was any effort made to really let it happen naturally as has been done with other successful pairings. The only instance I can cite that really made a serious effort to show their chemistry was Age of Apocalypse. That’s where their romance was built around their respective characters and plot. It felt natural as it emerged and it was a good dramatic element to the underlying story. That’s been the lone exception and I can’t contemplate too many other areas where it has been done quite as well.

Now I know there are some who are completely disgusted by Jean and Logan as a pairing. That’s perfectly fair. People can have their own tastes. Some hate it just because they love Scott and Jean so much better or they prefer Logan with someone else. My position is that any pairing can be made to work if it’s done properly. And Jean/Logan has almost never been done properly. It’s almost always been detrimental to each character. It either makes Jean out to be a skank or it takes away some of the defining characteristics that make Logan who he is. That’s why I’ve often dreaded seeing references to it in most comics. That is also why I’m often against Jean hooking up with Logan when she comes back in 616 because given how it’s been handled, it has little chance of ending well. I can understand in some ways how these two would be drawn together. They do have serious chemistry. That attraction is not just physical. There is some emotional depth to it and they do have potential. It’s just the kind of potential that’s not easily realized.

I’ve tried to keep this in mind as I’ve written my X-men Supreme series. At the moment, I have Jean and Logan dating. There’s no unrequited love or unspoken passion. They actually are boyfriend and girlfriend and they actually are dating as a real couple. It’s an angle to the characters I haven’t seen explored too often even in fanfiction. I wanted to set my series apart in that respect so I’ve made a concerted effort to flesh out the Jean/Logan romance while avoiding some of the mistakes I feel have been made in other mediums. I’m sure some of the Jean fans here will disapprove. I respect that. But this is something I feel should be addressed because it’s been so mangled in so many other ways.

Now I don’t know how many here on this board have been following my series. Right now I’m just 9 issues in and Jean and Logan have been together since issue 5. But since you guys are the hardcore Jean fans I want to know what you think about the Jean/Logan pairing. Can it be done well? Has it been done well? Have I done an okay job with it on my end? Am I completely wrong on my assessment? If so, please tell me. I want to know what you think. Jean and Logan are both some of my all time favorite comic characters. I’ve often had a conflicted view of the romance plots they’ve endured and I think it’s something that deserves to be discussed.

by MarvelMaster616 – Check out his site at www.xmen-supreme.com

A look at the relationship between Scott Summers and Jean Grey:

From the moment they were both placed on the X-men, Scott Summers and Jean Grey immediately fell in love with each other. Their romance was slow to start due to Scott believing he could never have a relationship with Jean due to his powers and Jean believing that Scott was too busy with leading the X-men to be with her. However the two were soon drawn to each other and after they shared their first kiss they would become one of Marvels premier couples.

As Cyclops and Marvel Girl the two did leave the X-men for a brief time after they believed Xavier to be dead. Scott pursued a career in radio presenting while Jean decided to become a swimsuit model. The two did eventually return to the fold and continued their relationship, much to the delight of the readers at the time.

When the second genesis of the X-men were formed Jean and the other old team members decided to leave to pursue normal lives for a while. Jean was saddened when Scott decided to stay and lead the X-men and for a while it looked like their relationship might have ended. Jean gradually became more involved with the X-men once more and after her transformation into the Phoenix she decided to become a full time member. On one mission when the team faced Magneto Jean and Scott believed each other to be dead but despite their strong love for each other Scott revealed to Storm that he didn’t feel any emotion concerning the supposed death of his lover.

Scott and Jean were reunited and their relationship started to develop more with Jean establishing a psychic link between them. When Jean became the Black Queen, Scott was determined to free her from Mastermind’s control even going as far to try and defeat him on the Astral Plane. Jean soon snapped out of Masterminds control but his tampering soon led her to turn into the Dark Phoenix.

Jean Grey’s personality slipped into dormancy and the Phoenix took full control of her. The Dark Phoenix battled the X-men and defeated them. She then travelled into space and devoured an entire planet before returning to earth again where Professor Xavier discovered the psychic barriers placed in her mind had been destroyed by Masterminds doing. He replaced them and Jean appeared to be back to normal and without the power of the Phoenix. Scott held her in his arms and proposed to her. She accepted but before the couple had the time to celebrate they were teleported to Shi’ar space where Jean was to be executed for her gruesome deeds as the Dark Phoenix.

Jean took on the mantle of Marvel Girl once more and the X-men were teleported to the moon where they faced off against the galactic warriors, The Imperial Guard. The Guard quickly took out all the members of the X-men except for Scott and Jean who were confessing their love for each other and saying goodbye if the worst came to the worst and Jean was to be executed. The two star struck lovers gave it all against the Guard but when all appeared to be lost Jean transformed into the Phoenix again! Realising that she had to be stopped the X-men tried to defeat her. Jean herself too realised that she had to be stopped and before exchanging a sorrowful goodbye to Scott she committed suicide on the moon.

However death was not enough to defeat Jean Grey and years later she awoke from a cocoon placed at the bottom of Jamaica Bay. Scott and Jean were reunited but this time it appeared that Jean and the Phoenix had always been two separate entities with the Phoenix stealing Jeans identity and life within the X-men for many months. Scott at the time was married to Jean Grey’s clone Madelyne Pryor and decided to keep this secret from Jean as she had lost her telepathic powers after her return. Jean eventually put the pieces together and discovered the secret for herself.

Hurt, Jean believed Scott had taken advantage of the situation and it looked like there was no chance of the couple getting back together. After X-factor defeated Apocalypse and used his base as their own Scott and Jean made love to each other for the first time since Jeans rise from the depths. The two decided to reunite and overcame many challenges to their relationship like Madelyne Pryor who had since made a deal with the demon N’astirh becoming the malicious Goblin Queen. Madelyne Pryor at the time was also revealed to be Jean Grey’s biological clone and this created some problems for herself and Scott. Madelyne’s agenda was to sacrifice her son and other babies so she could open a gateway from Limbo into Earth and she and her demonic forces could rule the world. Madelyne and her servants were defeated and Scotts child was saved in the process. Jean and Scott looked after baby Nathan until he had to be sent to the future in order to be saved from the terminal condition known as the techno organic virus.

Eventually Scott and Jean returned to the X-men where Scott appeared to be greatly attracted to the Asian telepath Psylocke. Psylocke seduced Cyclops and after Jean found out about this she confronted Psylocke. The two women eventually sorted out their differences and Jean forgave Scott. Jean also proposed to Scott and the pair got married with Professor Xavier and the X-men attending the service.

On their honeymoon Scott and Jean were sent into the future to look after and protect Nathan from various threats. After this ordeal the two soon made an early retirement away from the X-men but were drawn back into the team after they required their help. In another battle against Apocalypse Scott apparently perished and Jean was left to cope with his death on her own. It was revealed that Scott had in fact not perished and had merged with Apocalypse. Jean thought she still felt Scotts presence within Apocalypse but Professor Xavier said he didn’t feel anything remotely close to Scotts being in the monster. Jean outraged at the X-men and Xavier for dragging them back into the team instead of letting them enjoy a normal life left the X-men.

She eventually returned and she and Cable (her stepson from the future) discovered that Cyclops was alive but was trapped under Apocalypses influence. Jean using her telepathic powers separated the two beings and Cable defeated Apocalypse. Cyclops was finally freed from the ancient beings control.

Scott and Jean did in fact stay with the X-men but grew apart due to Scott’s encounter with Apocalypse and Jean’s re-emerging Phoenix powers. Scott even refused to sleep with Jean and decided to receive some marriage counselling with the sultry Emma Frost. The two soon began a psychic affair with Jean soon finding out about it. Jean tore through Emma’s mind and both embarrassed and tormented her for seducing her husband. Scott took a temporary leave of absence from the X-men as he needed time to think about his life and process his love for Jean and Emma. Scott returned to the X-men when Magneto who was in fact a clone called Xorn attacked the X-men from within their ranks. Jean was killed in combat by Xorn and she died in the arms of Scott again. She told Scott to live and to not mourn her death for long. The two lovers embraced each other for the first time since his psychic tryst with Emma Frost and Jean soon died again.

Scott surprisingly moved onto his relationship with Emma very quickly after Jeans death, much to the disagreement of the other X-men members. Nevertheless Jean is always in his heart and he still thinks about her from time to time much to the dismay of Emma.

Scott and Jean were one of Marvels main couples for a long time and it remains to be seen if they will reunite once more when Jean returns.

It’s the fight you have all been waiting to see and thanks to CBR, I’ve found a battle between the two telepathic goddesses. In an X-men 2 film special edition of the magazine called Wizard, Grant Morrison (New X-men writer at the time) shared his thoughts on who would win in a fight between the Phoenix and the White Queen.

The fight sees Emma Frost using her telepathic powers and newly discovered diamond form to defeat Wolverine and Cyclops. Jean Grey stumbles across the battle and is surprised when she sees the White Queen towering over her husband and her long time friend. Jean refuses to use a mental probe, instead she is eager to challenge Emma Frost to a long awaited confrontation. Emma does a quick mental probe of the situation and try’s to persuade Jean into not battling her. Jean ignores her and gives her a taste of her awesome mental powers in the form of a devastating mind blast! Emma Frost is injured by the might of the mind blast and staggers backwards. The fight progresses and each woman receives the upper hand at various stages of the battle. Jean suddenly receives a boost of power with a little help from the Phoenix Force and mind blasts Emma into oblivion. Emma cannot go on any longer and falls to the ground before the might of the Phoenix. The winner of the battle is Jean Grey!

How was that fellow Jean Grey fans? Did it quench your thirst for a Jean/Emma fight or do you still want more? I’ll inform you of other Jean/Emma fights I find but until then, we’ll be hoping for another confrontation between these two mental maidens in the near future!

Click the image below to enlarge.

For some laughs you can see what it would like if Phoenix and the White Queen went after each other WWF style! Here’s a hint, Phoenix wins.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is based around the story of the Civil War comics event that took place in 2006-2007. The game itself is similar to its predecessor with the added feature of a new attack known as a fusion, which sees two heroes combining their powers to defeat an opposing enemy or threat to them.

In July 2009 Jean Grey fans were happy to hear that she was indeed playable in this installation of the series. The game developers said in an interview that they had always planned to include Jean in the game and that she was one of the characters who was favoured by a lot of the game developers.

In the game Jean possesses both her telepathic and telekinetic powers and even has access to some Phoenix powers such as resurrection. Her default outfit in the game is her Phoenix outfit and her alternate outfit is her X-men First Class costume. She is unlocked by collecting five pieces of the M’Krann Crystal throughout the course of the game. She has special conversations with her son, Cable and the Young Avenger, Patriot. In the game Jean is listed as being a crowd control character.

Overall Jean Grey really lives up to her name in this game and she is a valuable asset to any team in the game. Her telepathic and telekinetic powers are very powerful and her Phoenix powers are kept at a certain level, so fans can experience her as a superhero rather than a goddess. She has excellent fusions with other characters such as Cyclops (only playable on the PS2 and Wii platforms) and Storm. Jean Grey is really all the fans expected and more in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2.

Conor McKenna

photo credit: popculturegeek.com

Can there be a more perfect family? Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Wolverine (the black sheep obviously) phoenix and dark phoenix.

You have to love the commitment from a family willing to go all out like this.

photo credit: leandro_rab

Jean Grey through time and reality. Here are the many versions of our favorite x-woman.

- Phoenix: Green, Red, White
- Here Comes Tomorrow Phoenix
- X-Factor Jean: Red, Blue, both Green.
- Gold and Blue Jean (Normal and Ponnytail).
- Age of Apocalypse: First costume, Weapon X and Phoenix.
- Marvel Girl: Original Costume, original variation, Green Skirt..
- Muir Island Costume.
- 3 X-men Movie
- X-men Evolution
- Wolverine and the X-men.
- Alex Ross Milennium.
- 1602
- Amalgam: Green Phoenix, Mary Marvel Girl, Black Jean, Firebird.
- Revolution
- New X-men: Green Shirt, Yellow Jackey, Coat.
- X-men the End.
- X-terminators
- Jean first Look.
- Jean in the cocoon.
- Ultimate X-men
- Earth X Phoenix and dead Phoenix.
- X-men Mangaverse (2 Variation)
- The Future adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix.

When I think of Scott and Jean I think of soul mates. Of course we must disregard the farce of the storyline being fed to us know with Scott and Emma (see my thought on Scott and Emma). When I think of Jean and Logan I think of an illicit and sordid affair. So obviously my loyalties lie with Scott, despite his uncharacteristic coupling with Emma.

But Jean has also been paired with Wolverine on more than a few occasions as writers try to force a square peg in a round hole, in my humble opinion. But I realize there are many fans of Logan that may disagree with me. So let me hear you – both sides.

What do other Jean Grey fans think? Who would you rather see Jean with ultimately?

Please leave your responses in the comments.