This Inspirational Jean Grey Line Came at One of the X-Men’s Darkest Moments

by

Death rarely sticks in superhero comics. Writers have plenty of methods to revive characters – from magic and cloning to time travel and rewriting history. This is particularly true for mutants, who have been frequently brought back to life recently through something called the Resurrection Protocols of Krakoa.

Many comic book readers think death isn’t a serious plot device because characters often come back to life. However, even temporary deaths can deeply affect the characters who care about them, and writers can use this to create truly impactful scenes. A great example is in Uncanny X-Men #303 from 1993, which explores the consequences of a major character’s death and includes a particularly memorable line from Jean Grey.

Jean Grey Comforted Jubilee After a Heartbreaking Death

Issue #18 of X-Force introduced the Legacy Virus, a devastating plague specifically targeting mutants, and one of the X-Men’s most dangerous enemies. Created and unleashed after his death, the virus was intended as his final, harmful impact on the world. A particularly tragic victim was Illyana Rasputin, the younger sister of Colossus.

Illyana was once Magik, a teenage superhero skilled with a sword. However, she was transformed back into a six-year-old during a storyline called “Inferno,” giving her a chance to experience the childhood she’d missed while trapped in a dangerous dimension. Sadly, despite the X-Men trying to help her, she eventually died from the Legacy Virus.

Illyana’s death had a profound impact on all of the X-Men. While Colossus was hit the hardest, and ultimately left the team to side with Magneto’s Acolytes due to his grief, Jubilee also suffered greatly, as she had grown very close to Illyana, almost like an older sister.

In Uncanny X-Men #303, Jean Grey sensed Jubilee was upset and went to comfort her. At first, Jubilee didn’t want to talk about what was bothering her, but Jean encouraged her to share. Jubilee was frustrated and helpless because she couldn’t help Illyana. While she regularly saved the world with the X-Men from threats like aliens and robots, she felt powerless against the Legacy Virus.

After sharing her feelings, Jubilee told Red, “I just want to be left alone!” Jean couldn’t accept that. She hugged Jubilee and said, “We’re born alone and we die alone… It’s the time we spend living – connecting with others, experiencing life, and learning together – that truly matters.”

Uncanny X-Men #303 Showcased the Maturity of Marvel’s Writing

The latest issue sparked a really impactful conversation, and Marvel understood its significance. The cover boldly proclaimed it as the X-Men issue to read that month! Surprisingly, instead of a huge fight or crossover event, this issue centered on a deeply moving conversation and character development. The writers prioritized emotional storytelling and the connections between the characters.

Jean and Jubilee hadn’t really known each other before this story began, but it felt natural for Jean to offer comfort. It wasn’t just because Jean can feel what others are going through—the story also pointed out that she used to be connected to the incredibly powerful Phoenix Force.

Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper comic insights

Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper comic insights

By signing up, you’ll receive emails about our newsletter and special offers, and agree to Valnet’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can stop receiving these emails at any time.

The Phoenix Force was a powerful, god-like energy representing the natural cycle of life and death, giving Jean Grey a unique and profound understanding of both. Because of this, her advice carried more weight than that of her fellow X-Men, even those with closer relationships with others, like Wolverine and Jubilee.

Illyana’s death, while lengthy for a comic book character, didn’t stick. The story began in 2007 with the comic New X-Men Vol. 2 #37, titled “The Quest For Magik.” The villain Belasco brought her back to life in Limbo, but without a soul, trapping her permanently as her demonic Darkchylde self.

After a dangerous journey where the New Mutants became lost in Limbo, Illyana managed to return home to Earth. With assistance from Legion and numerous other mutants, she was able to recover her lost self. Being with the X-Men didn’t just give her a reason to live—it allowed her to truly live again.

Read More

2025-12-27 07:21