Rebirth. Reborn. Renewed.
Torn from her own time, Jean Grey hasn’t exactly had it easy. Her futures laid out before she saw what became of her or could become of her. It’s a lot to process for anyone let alone a teenager and all the baggage adolescence carries. As Marvel’s ResurrXion continues, Jean’s solo series starts with the psychic mutant taking a breather from her team.
| Published by Marvel Written by Dennis Hopeless Art by Victor Ibanez Colours by Jay David Ramos |
Her adventures in X-Men Blue as well as sharing her life and space with four adolescent boys can take there toll. Jean Grey #1 opens with our titular hero slurping ramen in Japan on a break away from her responsiblities. However there is never a break from your worries and Jean begins her #1 consumed with ‘what ifs’ and ‘would bes’, the shadow of the Phoenix Force hovering over her shoulder.
Any chance to gain clarity is quickly lost as Jean finds herself in the path of the ‘Wrecking Crew’ and we’re offered the chance to see our fiery red haired psychic spring into action.
Hopeless writes a really strong Jean Grey, she is her own despite her history and he uses the series to show that more than we’ve seen in X-Men Blue so far. This is a Jean that doesn’t have the guidance of Charles Xavier so how much of her old self’s restraint and mastery she’ll develop is anyone’s guess.
From The Ashes
It’s pretty clear she’s still only really honing her abilities as well as her discretion leading to pretty bizarre encounter with a terrified survivor.
While Hopeless is developing this new Jean from the ashes of her former self, there is a sense predestination in the pages. Jean feels and so we feel it. Her inner thoughts make up the majority of dialogue and text in the comic. Despite her battle wit the Wrecking Crew, Jean’s head isn’t fully in the moment. It serves to offer more insight into just who this Jean is, what makes her tick and what she fears most above all else. There is a balance though struck by Hopeless, just as it seems to get too bogged down, Jean and her readers are snapped back into the action, into the moment, just in time; each time.
Hopeless is handling young Grey with care, a fragility in her character and history, careful not to lean too far into past versions while still echoing traits of the woman X-Men fans knew and loved.
Drawing enough from her roots, from the things we love most about her character, while setting out a new path, one that may ultimately lead her to the same fate.
The Flame Bird
Jean Grey #1 is brought to vivid life by artist Victor Ibanez and colourist Jay David Ramos.
Ibanez captures Jean’s most inner thoughts perfectly in scrunched up expressions. His work on the scenery and backgrounds should be noted too with particular praise for the last page going his way. The inevitable plot ‘twist’ took my breath away more so for his terrifyingly beautiful capture. Equally Ramos shouldn’t be ignored here either. His colour work particularly in establishing Jean’s presence in every panel gives a lot of life to her new look.
I am 100% behind this series! Jean Grey #1 sets what looks to be an exciting development for the character. I’m curious to see just where Hopeless and theam will take the character. For anyone collecting the latest X-Men run then this should be on your pull list! For fans of Jean Grey, this is a must read! With Iceman set to head up his own solo series later in the year, Jean has set the bar.
Editor-in-Chief, part-time super villain and hoarder of cats. If you can’t find me writing, I’m probably in the kitchen!
