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.
Chris Claremont Speaks about Jean Grey's Return
I just returned from a comic book convention in Philadelphia (2008) and had the privlege to hear Chris Claremont speak in a few panels. He was very friendly and talked openly about many subjects, including his work on the X-men and more specifically about Jean Grey.
Chris was asked a question by the panel moderator, “How did you feel about bringing back Jean Grey?”
He paused for a moment, tilted his head back and sighed a little. I knew exactly how he felt. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have Jean in the Marvel universe and apparently she is back again if you have been reading the Marvel crossover series, “Secret Invasion“. But her death was poetic justice. She killed billions of people and had to die. The X-men fought for he and lost; she paid the ultimate price but did so willingly. To bring her back was to make everything before a wasted sacrifice. But I digress…
Top Ten Quotes by Jean Grey
Top 10 + 1 Quotes by Jean Grey
Jean is good at getting the last word in so it is easy to find quality quotes from her. But, it was hard limiting this to only the Top 10 quotes, which meant using most quotes from the Dark Phoenix Saga, since there were so many great ones. I just couldn’t limit it to only 10 so I added one for good measure. Would you add any additional quotes? Feel free to add a comment with new quote.
- “I am fire and life incarnate! Now and forever — I am Phoenix!”
Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #101 - “If even one more person died at my hands…It’s better this way. Quick. Clean. Final. I love you, Scott. A part of me will always be with you.”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #137 Her final words other than “Scott!”. - “I am what was, what is, what will be — the black angel, Chaos-Bringer!I AM POWER!”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #136 - “Finish me with your claws. I beg you. I don’t want to HURT YOU!!”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #136 - “I…hunger, Scott — for a joy, a rapture. Beyond all comprehension. That need is a part of me, too.”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #136