G is for Jean Grey

Jean Grey was one of the founding members of the X-Men.  She was also the first comic book character to be killed in a story I read.

When she joined the X-Men, as Marvel Girl, Jean had the powers of telepathy (she could read minds) and telekinesis (she could move things with her mind).  She originally wore the costume shown here.  It was similar to the outfits the other four members of the X-Men wore.

In their early adventures, Jean did not play a very big role but was still a valuable member of the team. 

As their adventures continued, the X-Men graduated and Jean designed a new costume for herself and her teammates.  Time went on, and Jean, along with most of the original X-Men, left the team to try to live normal lives.

After some time passed, Jean rejoined the X-Men.  On an emergency mission in outer space, the X-Men find that their space shuttle has been damaged.  There is no way to fly the ship back to Earth.  Jean volunteers to use her powers to guide the ship back, knowing that she will probably be killed during the journey.

Miraculously, Jean is not killed.  Instead, the radiation in space causes her powers to increase.  She is no longer the same woman.  Now, she is Phoenix.  She is very powerful.

However, a group of villains try to capture and brainwash Phoenix to use her immense powers for their own nefarious purposes.  During the battle to rescue her, Phoenix becomes evil. She now calls herself Dark Phoenix and is a danger to the entire universe.

The X-Men, lead by their leader, the powerful telepath named Professor Xavier, do everything they can to help contain Dark Phoenix.  After an incredible battle of the minds, Jean Grey gains control and once again becomes Marvel Girl.

While the story could have ended happily, a group of aliens, lead by Professor Xavier's true love, Princess Lilandra, decide Jean Grey might become Dark Phoenix again and she must die.

The X-Men rally to Jean's side.  They battle a large group of alien fighters.  But the odds are overwhelming.  During the battle, the X-Men start to fall!  This causes Jean to become Dark Phoenix.

Part of Jean's goodness remains inside of her.  She tries to fight the power of Dark Phoenix.  Only Jean's true love, Scott Summers, the mutant Cyclops, remains standing with her.  Jean realizes there is only one way out.

In order to stop the fighting....in order to save the universe from the danger of Dark Phoenix...in order to protect the people she loves, Jean sacrifices her own life.

I had never known a superhero could turn evil...I never knew a superhero could die.  It was kind of a big deal for me.