Marvel Girl #1
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.
How to draw Jean Grey
X-Men is one of the oldest and still coolest comics from the Marvel universe. So many likable characters and story lines that it’s a blast to read. Many fans of the comic book have their favorite characters, but one of the most popular is that of Jean Grey or Phoenix. She has an interesting story and great mutant powers. So in this sped-up tutorial, you’ll see how to draw Jean Grey in your X-Men outfit. So good luck, pay attention, and enjoy!
For more free tutorials, many in real time, check out http://ipaintgirls.com
Cyclops Point of View – Phoenix Art
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
Jean Grey and Wolverine – Lost Loves
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.
Phoenix Artwork by Todd Nauck
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.
Phoenix Artwork by Gazbot
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?
How to draw Jean Grey as Phoenix
I have drawn and painted Jean Grey in many costumes and poses, but never in Photoshop. Here is a youtube video of Jean being drawn as Phoenix. I like these speed drawings. Enjoy.
Marvel Girl Homemade Costume
If I had to choose one look for Jean, as the prototype, I think I would have to choose her Marvel Girl costume. Sure, the Phoenix costume has all the flash and that defines her more than anything, but seeing Jean in the Marvel Girl costume harkens back to a simpler time for her and her merry band of mutants. Plus, I am a sucker for miniskirts.
Thanks to kelldar for letting us post her homemade costume of Marvel Girl.
Kotobukiya White Phoenix Statue
In addition to the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix statues being released by Kotobukiya, I found this gem, which is a San Diego Comic Con International Preview Night only release:
http://marvel.com/images/733363./from/content.story.12155
The White Phoenix of the Crown, based on the design from Phoenix: Endsong.
submitted by Mir
Phoenix Rising
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!