|
In the early 1990's I stumbled on something that I normally
wouldn't for the type of interests I had as a child growing up. Comic Books. A predominantly male characteristic
for a slightly effeminate guy like myself who watched soap operas, played with dolls and would much rather sing and dance
than play cops and robbers.
I was into my teen years by this time, and my fascination
for the super hero genre has always lingered. I enjoyed "Super Friends" as a younger child and the "Superman" films
were highly enjoyable. So upon finding the X-Men for the first time, I had no idea that nearly sixteen years later,
it would still be with me.
I have always been drawn to the female character in anything
I entertained myself with. Daisy Duke, Scarlett (G.I.Joe), Daphne (Scooby-Doo), Jem (as a whole), etc. I was already
aware of Storm, so I figured she would become my favorite character once I got into the X-Men. Was I wrong!
Her name, Jean Grey. For the life of me, I had no
idea why she didn't have a code name like the other X-Men. For some reason this woman fascinated me, and I wanted to
learn everything I could about her. I was in for a lot of research.
I won't go into the specifics here, but Jean was actually
the first female of the X-Men (created way back in 1963 when she was called Marvel Girl), has gone through a huge series of
story arcs that have killed, revived and revamped her character over the years(This is where Phoenix comes in). The
typical cliche of a dead character returning from the grave is largely because of Jean herself.
I have found her completely fascinating, strong, secure,
stable and a bit hot tempered. And like her life, as I got older, I found myself "Rising from the ashes" of several
of my own defeats.
Considering my penchant for obsessive behavior, I became
addicted to everything X-Men and more specifically Jean"Marvel Girl/Phoenix/Dark Phoenix/Madelyne Pryor/Back to Phoenix" Grey-Summers.
Aside the comics, there were posters, toys, statues, you name it, I pretty much have it if it's related to Jean.
She is my hero, and I love her :)
| AN ACTION FIGURE OF JEAN THAT I OWN |
|
|
| Famke Janssen as Jean Grey in "X-Men" |
|
The X-Men have been spawned into two successful animated
programs. The third major motion picture film is in the process of filming currently as well. All have portrayed
Jean, and I couldn't be happier! Catherine Disher and Venus Turzo played Jean respectively in the cartoons, and Famke
Janssen plays Jean in the X-Men films (her performance in X2:X-Men United broke my heart).
| JEAN IN THE '90's CARTOON X-MEN |
|
|
While Jean is currently deceased in the comics yet again,
I eagerly anticipate her return. In fact, I've stopped reading the X-Men titles all together for the first time in sixteen
years. Scary, huh?
Whether dead or alive, Jean "Phoenix" Grey will always be
someone I look up to and admire.
"Where I'm concerned it's the thought that counts, and yours,
like you, are beautiful," Jean (Uncanny X-Men 137)
|
