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WARNING! Spoilers for X-Men #12
Now that founding X-Men member Jean Grey has merged with the Phoenix Force and taken to the stars as a cosmic powerhouse, she’s become nearly unstoppable. However, one villain has uncovered a way to stop even the Phoenix in her tracks, and it’s made me realize that Jean Grey does have a critical weakness that holds her back.
In X-Men #12 by Jed MacKay, Netho Diaz, Sean Parsons, John Livesay, Fernando Sifuentes, and Clayton Cowles, Cyclops faces off against an alien army that seems to be targeting him. He’s overpowered by them due to their ruby quartz armor, and before long he’s face-to-face with their leader, Captain Karkos.
Cyclops asks what they want with him, and Karkos explains that he’s “one of the few denizens of this primitive planet with galactic importance”. As it turns out, Karkos is after Cyclops because of his connection to the Phoenix, making him a liability to Jean and exposing her weakness.
Jean Grey’s Ultimate Weakness Has Finally Been Discovered
X-Men’s Cyclops Is The Key to Controlling the Powerful Phoenix
With Cyclops in his custody, Captain Karkos reveals that the Phoenix has been causing trouble across the galaxy for criminals like himself due to the immense power at her disposal. However, he’s realized that he could use that to his advantage by finding a way to control the Phoenix, thus securing that power for himself to do with as he pleases. He tells Cyclops, “Theres no better way to control someone than to have a hostage. Like a mate, perhaps.” Karkos’ plan is to capture Cyclops and use him as leverage against Jean, and I have to admit, it’s an effective one.
To follow Jean Grey on her cosmic adventures, check out Phoenix by Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo!
Jean Grey is already the X-Men’s best psychic, but with the Phoenix Force at her command, she’s solidified herself as a major threat. Karkos has observed that he would in turn become powerful if he could get her to carry out his bidding, and keeping Cyclops as a hostage would accomplish that. Jean Grey and Scott Summers care deeply for each other, so I can imagine that seeing her husband in danger would give her a reason to do as Karkos says. As sweet as these X-Men’s relationship is, it can’t be denied that being married gives Jean Grey a glaring weakness that villains like Karkos can exploit.
Cyclops’ Death Would Unleash Jean Grey’s Full Destructive Potential
Capturing Cyclops the Phoenix, But Killing Him Would Anger It
Cyclops has proven to be a weak spot for Jean Grey in more ways than one. His capture could be enough to potentially control the Phoenix, but his death would have a far more dire outcome if it were to come to pass. In X-Men #10, Cyclops engages in a tense dispute with a O*N*E agent that culminates in him insisting that he’s willing to die for his cause. However, he stresses that killing him would have consequences. In his words, if he were to die by human hands, “the Phoenix will return to Earth for vengeance, and I don’t know if the planet will survive that.”
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Jean Grey is synonymous with the Phoenix Force, but the founding X-Men member has just empowered a new character, gifting them with the cosmic entity.
Essentially, Cyclops is well aware that his well-being has an impact on Jean Grey and could lead to the return of the Dark Phoenix. In many cases, losing a loved one would cause grief, but Jean’s grieving process would be much more disastrous than most. If he were to get kidnapped, Jean would be willing to follow orders to ensure Scott’s safety, but killing him would unleash her dangerous power in an unyielding rage. The X-Men do have a contingency against the Phoenix in case something does happen to Cyclops, but I still find it interesting that she has such an obvious weakness in plain sight.
Jean Grey Is All-Powerful, And Losing Cyclops Would Make Her Even More Dangerous
Cyclops Needs to Be More Careful to Avoid Setting Off the Phoenix
Jean Grey’s love for Cyclops is undeniable, yet I’ve come to realize that it’s also her greatest detriment. She’s finally gained full control over the Phoenix Force, but that can fall away at any moment if harm befalls Scott Summers. Even a relatively weak criminal like Karkos has managed to get the jump on Cyclops, so there’s always a chance that he could get captured – or worse, if someone truly wanted to spite the Phoenix. Jean Grey‘s weakness transforms her relationship with Cyclops into a liability, and the X-Men should keep a closer eye on Scott to prevent villains from exploiting it.
X-Men #12 is available now from Marvel Comics!
“}]] Jean Grey has a major weakness holding her back. Read More