20 Of Our Favorite X-Men Characters

Dark Phoenix (Image via Marvel)

14. Jean Grey

Okay, first off, you have to know that Jean Grey is one of the most ridiculously overpowered mutants of all time. That’s all well and good for a limited story arc or two, but it seems as if Marvel writers can’t help but resurrect her over and over and over and….

But, she’s an important character. Moreover, when written well, Jean Grey’s story is compelling and heartbreaking. She’s part of a love triangle of sorts with her husband, Cyclops, and Wolverine (who, to be fair, more often holds an unrequited schoolboy crush on her).

On the surface, her abilities are pretty straightforward. She’s a telepath with telekinetic powers to boot. However, she becomes truly astounding when you consider the raw strength behind her powers. Jean is an Omega-level mutant, one of the most powerful kinds of mutants out there. Exact definitions of “Omega-level” are hard to come by, but most agree that Jean Grey is the epitome of such power.

As part of the X-Men team, Jean first went by the moniker of Marvel Girl. However, after she merged with the cosmic Phoenix Force, she was more commonly known as Phoenix. Together with this nearly limitless power, Grey inspired terror across the galaxy. Though the Phoenix Force has inhabited other hosts, its union with Jean Grey is considered to be the most powerful and complete combination.

After some time spent with the Phoenix Force, Jean was overcome with the god-like powers now available to her. She helplessly turned into a destructive entity known as Dark Phoenix. At one point, Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix consumed an entire star and inadvertently obliterated a nearby planetary system and its inhabitants.

In a brief moment of clarity, Jean committed suicide to ensure the safety of the universe. Of course, comics being what it is, she’s returned many times over. Still, the Dark Phoenix Saga, beginning with Uncanny X-Men #101, is truly great comics writing.