Original X-Men member Jean Grey is receiving a new solo series in the wake of Fall of X, the foundation-changing crossover event possibly heralding the end of the Krakoa era for Marvel’s mutants, with a preview of the first three issues released by Looper teasing the premise of the book, along with a surprise return by the villain Jean likely wants to deal with least: her clone, Madelyne Pryor.
The new Jean Grey series will be written by Louise Simonson, with art by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo. The first several issues, coming in the aftermath of Fall of X, will revisit pivotal moments from Jean’s past, and the history of the X-Men, while also teasing the appearance of former Goblin Queen Madelyne Pryor, as well a Phoenix-empowered Scott Summers.
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Jean Grey Will Explore Franchise History From New Angles
Solicitations for the first three issues of Simonson, Chang, and Maiolo’s Jean Grey reveal that while the series finds its hero facing an alternate version of her history, it is “no What-If” – with the synopsis for Issue #2 declaring, “Jean Grey is not where she is meant to be…and neither is the rest of mutantkind.” With the issue also set to explore a version of Cyclops who has been corrupted by the Phoenix Force, it remains for readers to discover how and why Jean has ended up in this alternate reality, coming off the heels of Fall of X.
The cover for Jean Grey #3 features Jean facing off against her double: the infamous clone Madelyne Pryor, who initially appeared in the pages of X-Men comics following the first of Jean Grey’s deaths. If the previews for issues #1-3 are any indication, the series – which is being called a “mega-adventure” – promises a tour through X-history, while also serving as an urgent continuation of the franchise’s current era, with Jean Grey seemingly fleeing from the Fall of X and Krakoa’s destruction by going into the past. Not content to simply visit earlier eras, writer Simonson appears to have found away to make Jean’s own history foreign, hostile territory.
With the short-term future of mutantkind looking bleak, it is a smart creative decision to send one of its most recognizable characters, original X-Men team member Jean Grey, on a whirlwind tour of the past in order to provide readers with a book that brings a different tone than what the rest of the X-titles are currently offering. One of the franchise’s most powerful mutants, as well as the most well-known host of cosmic entity the Phoenix, Jean is a natural character to hold the key to saving her people. What’s more, giving Louise Simonson the opportunity to tell a timeline-spanning Jean Grey story will surely be a thrilling treat for X-Men readers.
Jean Grey #1 is available from Marvel Comics on August 23, 2023.
Source: Looper
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