FemaleNetwork.com has published a Top 20 Comic Book Heroines We Love list and included Marvel’s favorite red head at #5. While the ranking is a little low in our opinion we can appreciate the other gals on the list. Wonder Woman was ranked #1, in case you were interested.

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.

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

Wow. Nice hair. Adam Hughes should definitely think about drawing the Jean Grey more often.

Phoenix Artwork by Todd Nauck.

Todd Nauck is a well-known veteran of the comic book industry and works regularly for Marvel and DC Comics, with 15 years of credits including Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man Family, Teen Titans Go, Young Justice as well as countless others. Earlier this year, Nauck created exclusive Super Bowl heroes on behalf of Marvel Comics featured in the ESPN Super Bowl Sunday Countdown show. He also writes and draws his creator-owned title, WildGuard, through Image Comics.

Stumbled across this artwork of Jean as Phoenix by Gazbot on deveiantart.com. Not often you seen Jean with a little meat on her bones. I like it, so here it is. What do you think?

It was a crisp cold night in the cemetery and the stars were dancing in the sky. The moon was shining down on one of the headstones as if it was waiting for something to happen. Had they forgotten about her? Her lifeless corpse buried in the earth where it would reside until it was time for her to rise again. She saved the world one or twice…it was beautiful. Now, what would become of Jean Grey? She was killed in the X-men’s last encounter with Magneto and was held in her lovers arms until it was time for them to take over. She gave so much to the world but it didn’t give her anything back in return. Now was the time for Jean Grey to leave them and she didn’t understand why at the start but it all made sense didn’t it? Her decaying body glowed and lit the lonely coffin. Her rotted flesh was renewed and she was breathing again! Disorientated the Phoenix clawed her way out of the coffin, her knuckles were bleeding but she couldn’t feel anything… then the smell of death surrounded her again. She was dying ! The dirt restricting her breathing and was bringing her back where she belonged. Suddenly she was surrounded by a huge firebird and it guarded her from the insect infiltrated earth. She was being pulled from her dark dungeon and soon she was back… back in the world. The firebird dissipated into the air and Jean was left alone again. Her lungs were filled with sweet air and she could finally think again. “Scott,” she muttered.

She looked back at her grave, an echo of her former self. She was home… but why didn’t it feel like home? Wait… the mansion, it was gone, but that would mean that they were dead! No, she refused to believe it. It wasn’t their time yet. She ran towards the ruins of the mansion surprised by her own energy. She couldn’t see any bodies and she couldn’t pick up any thoughts… her eyes were filled with tears. She knew they were alive but where… Then she remembered, Cerebra! If her calculations were correct then the subasement should still be under all the debris. She cleared her thoughts and used her telekinesis to clear a path to the subasement. She saw a faint light underneath her and climbed her way down. Oh God… it was awful. So many memories were flooding through her head. Sinister, the Marauders and a baby… what was this? How could he? She travelled down the underground tunnels, every step revealed more memories. The place was filled with psychic residue everywhere. Moments later, she discovered Cerebra… it was still intact!

“He has to be somewhere,” she said. Placing the helmet on her head she started to see lights flashing in her mind. There was more! What happened to them? Suddenly she felt him. How could she forget what he felt like…San Francisco. It was so far away but nothing would stop her now! After all she faced death didn’t she?

Jean looked back at the mansion before it was time for her departure to San Francisco. She suddenly realised she was still in the clothes that she was buried in. She waved her hand in the air and her green Phoenix costume replaced her tattered dress. She took a deep breath and levitated herself into the air…flying, she missed it. It was a time where she felt completely free and at one with nature. Then before she realised it she was flying above the sleepy little town that was Salem Center. Hours passed and Jean was getting tired of looking at her reflection in the murky waters that surrounded her in every direction. She looked like herself but she felt so empty inside…she was missing something. In the dead night Jean saw lights flickering in the distance. It was San Francisco. Jean laughed, she could feel her friends thoughts. Scott and Emma and… Emma. Scott loved her now but he still loved… No, she had to be happy for him, it was her idea after all and she’d have to live with it for the rest of her life. Graymalkin Industries was right in front of her but Jean didn’t want to go in but she had to and all these negative feelings were… This was her new home and she knew these people like her own family…even better maybe. It was time…time for her to return to the fold.

Jean approached the front door with caution and opened it gently. It was embedded with darkness inside. Everyone was asleep. Suddenly she saw a woman standing in front of her…or a girl.

“W-Who are you?” asked the girl.

Jean couldn’t see the girls face in the darkness and instead of talking she chose to scan her mind via her telepathic powers.

“You’re in my mind, aren’t you?” shouted the girl. “Ms. Frost!”

Upstairs Emma Frost awoke from her sleep and rushed downstairs to the aid of the mysterious girl.

“Pixie!” she said “What is the matter girl!”

Emma stopped and looked at Jean. She froze. It was her. Why now? Why did she have to come back.

“Jean…” she muttered. “Why, why now?!”

Jean opened her mouth but before she could say anything Scott was standing on the staircase.

“Jean!” he exclaimed.

“Scott…” she mumbled.

Emma’s skin turned into a liquidated diamond. In her diamond form she was protected from her emotions and all the hurt that was about to follow.

Scott hugged Jean but she pulled away from him very quickly.

“No, Scott…” said Jean. “Don’t make this any harder than it already is…”

“Jean – I…” stuttered Scott.

“Oh your’re welcome to her Scott!” shouted Emma. “I don’t need you to hold me back anymore!”

Scott glanced at Emma. He was torn between the two women. He always loved Jean but now his loyalties were with Emma.

“Emma, you’re the woman I love.” he said.

“Really?” barked Emma. “And how long will that last? Until the next bloody redhead catches your eyes?”

“Emma…Scott loves you, he wouldn’t leave you.” said Jean.

“Yes, until you manipulate his mind Grey!” said Emma.

There was such anger in her voice. She meant every word. You can’t fool a telepath.

“Emma! Jean would never do that!” said Scott.

“Ha, quick to her defense aren’t we Scott dear!” laughed Emma. “God knows, she has the power, and she’s abused it before!”

“Wake up, Emma!” said Jean abruptly. “He’s with you now! He loves you!”

Emma snickered at Jean.

“Every time I look at him all I can feel is his love for you!” said Emma. “I’ve tried to ignore it but so help me I can’t! Scott only has room for one woman in his heart and that will always be you, Grey!”

Scott looked at Jean.

“Emma. I will always love Jean. I married her and we raised a child in the future but why can’t you understand that you are the one that I love now!” said Scott. “Look into my mind and into my heart.”

Emma placed her hands on Scott’s head. Jean looked at them. Her head said that Scott deserves to be with Emma but her heart said otherwise.

Emma looked into Scott’s eyes.

“Y – You do love me…” sobbed Emma.

“I will always love you, Emma” said Scott.

“I told you, Emma. Scott loves you now.” said Jean. “But I do realise that I can’t stay here at the moment. I have to adjust to things. Work a few things out in my head.”

Scott turned to Jean.

“Jean, no matter what happens you are always welcome here.” said Scott. “You will always be a part of this family and you will always be in my heart.”

“Thank you, Scott” said Jean quietly.

Scott hugged Jean. They both knew that they couldn’t be together but they did know that they would always be friends.

“Goodbye, Emma, and take care of Scott. He’s a good man. I hope that you can find the love that we once shared all those years ago.” Jean whispered to Emma.

“I will, Jean. Goodbye…” replied Emma.

Jean Grey was surrounded by the warmth of the Phoenix and was enveloped by the huge firebird. She flew off into the sky. Jean felt upset but in her heart she felt that she did the right thing by bringing Scott and Emma together again. She would one day return to her family but in the meantime she wanted to find a new life. One that could make her happy.

by Conor McKenna

Jean Grey? Ah, she was one of my most prized students. She had so much potential but tragically we lost her to Magneto a few years ago…I loved her so much.

I met Jean when her telepathic powers first emerged. She had just lost her childhood friend and felt her slipping away in her own mind. Jean was so utterly depressed that she refused to go outside, instead finding shelter in her own room. I helped her to suppress her telepathic powers and we both decided to work on her telekinetic abilities.

Jean eventually went on to join my X-men and even got used to using her once more available telepathic powers. She spent a while with the X-men and soon became known as the Phoenix. Whilst on a mission to space she bonded with an entity known as the Phoenix Force but this power would soon consume her and turn her into Dark Phoenix, one of the X-men’s most fiercest foes. Jean eventually chose to commit suicide on the moon, choosing her humanity over godhood.

Years later she would return to the world and form X-factor with the rest of the original X-men members. However she soon returned to the X-men along with her lover Scott Summers. I remember clearly the day she got married to him. She was so happy…we were all happy.

Jean remained pure of the Phoenix Force for several years until it slowly manifested within her, effectively restoring her lost telekinetic powers which she had exchanged with the psychic mutant Psylocke many months previous to this. When Magneto resurfaced Jean was killed in combat and even the Phoenix Force couldn’t bring her back from death this time.

Jean did return once more but she now resides in the White Hot Room, as she described it, collecting the missing pieces of the Phoenix Force.

Jean was like a daughter to me and I miss her very dearly. Sometimes I look at pictures of her and think what could have happened if we – um… sorry, anyway I hope that she will one day return to us and grace our lives with happiness once more.

Charles Francis Xavier

Is Jean’s return scheduled for this year? Many readers think so and Marvel has added her to the cover of their Women of Marvel 2010 Wall Calendar.
You can buy it from Amazon by clicking this link: Women of Marvel 2010 Wall Calendar

Here is the back of the calendar.