Summary

  • Jean Grey encounters her darkest form, Madelyne Pryor, in Jean Grey #3 and witnesses her terrifying upgrade.
  • Madelyne Pryor, also known as the Goblin Queen, possesses demonic powers, absorbs the Phoenix Force, and augments her powers with the techno-organic virus.
  • This super-charged version of Madelyne Pryor showcases her immense power, overwhelming Jean Grey, and fitting into the thematic elements of the book.

TheJean Grey was a charter memberof the X-Men, and has experienced numerous ups and downs since. Recently, after Orchis attack on the Hellfire Gala, Jean Grey has become unstuck in time, meeting alternate versions of herself, and inJean Grey #3, she comes face to face with her darkest form, who then receives a terrifying upgrade.

Jean Grey #3 is written by Louise Simonson and drawn by Bernard Chang. On her quest through history, Jean Grey has arrived during Madelyne Pryor, AKA the Goblin Queen’s attack on New York City, which was chronicled during the Inferno crossover event. In this new timeline, the Goblin Queen not only has her demonic powers, but she also absorbs the Phoenix Force.

Madelyne Pryor Goblin Queen Ultimate Form

Finally, she infects herself with the techno-organic virus, which augments her powers to god-like levels. She then attacks the real Jean Grey, who is only saved when she is whisked away by other Grey variants from across the timeline.

Jean Grey's Dark Clone Was one of the X-Men's Greatest Villains

Jean Grey and Madelyne Pryor both use their powers from Marvel Comics

Jean Grey has one of the more convoluted backstories in X-Men lore. Mister Sinister created a clone of Jean Grey earlier in her life. Named Madelyne Pryor, this clone fell in love with Cyclops and together had a child, which was Sinister’s goal all along. Sinister felt this child would be extremely powerful, and he could control it. This plan failed, and eventually Pryor would ally herself with two demons S’ym and N’astirh, who turned her into the Goblin Queen. After the events of Inferno, Pryor continued to make appearances, and was last seen as a member of the Dark X-Men team.

Madelyne Pryor Somehow Got Even Darker

Madelyne Pryor Goblin Queen Ultimate Form 2

While Pryor may be heading for redemption on Earth-616, this alternate version encountered by Jean Grey is bad news. She is channeling powers from three different sources. Her demonic magic makes her enough of a threat, but factor in the Phoenix Force, one of the most powerful and destructive entities in the Marvel Universe, and Pryor becomes even more dangerous. Finally, the addition of S’ym’s techno-organic powers seals the deal. Now a synthesis of science, magic, and a cosmic being, this new version of Madelyne Pryor is ready to cause serious damage. She puts on a display of sheer power for Jean Grey, who is overwhelmed by it.

Jean Grey encountering this super-charged version of her darkest form fits with the book’s thematic elements. Jean Grey is tripping through time, meeting past selves and seeing the roads not taken. In the case of Madelyne Pryor, it is a dark road, and in this alternate timeline, she goes further, stealing powers and asserting her will over Earth and the X-Men. There is a possibility this is all in Jean’s head, and this new version of Pryor is a deep signal from her subconscious. Whatever the case, Madelyne Pryor has assumed her ultimate, deadly form.

Jean Grey #3 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!