THE X-MEN’S FIRST ISSUES: MARVEL GIRL

(Jean & Cyclops, Phoenix & Wolverine, Marvel Girl & Angel)

Marvel Girl: Jean Grey (Marvel Girl/ Phoenix/ Dark Phoenix), though rather inconsequential early on, marks the beginning of the original, or what is now often referred to as the Uncanny X-Men, story arc. In issue 6, “The Sub-Mariner! Joins the Evil Mutants,” Jean cooks dinner for the boys. During issue 13’s epic battle against Prof X’s monstrous step-brother, the Juggernaut, Angel, Cyclops, Beast, and Iceman are nearly beaten to death trying to delay the Juggernaut long enough for Prof X to call for help from … Johnny Storm, the Human Torch (F@#k yeah, I love superhero crossovers!). When Prof X sends Iceman and Beast to aid Cyclops and Angel, Marvel Girl begs to join her team but the professor refuses, saying he needs her with him. For what? To combine telekinetic powers in a prowl across the Astral Plane to locate Johnny Storm? No. Prof X needed Marvel Girl by his side so she could push him around in his wheelchair. The end. The final page of issue 13 (below) depicts the bruised and beat-up boys lying comfy atop beds in what looks to be a clinic or sickbay within the X-Mansion, while Marvel Girl assumes the role of team nurse.

(Jean plays her roles. Issue 13.)

Aside from the occasional white-male alien or Atlantean and her predictable, semi-incestuous counterpart, the Scarlet Witch, Marvel girl accounts for all the diversity in early X-Men comics. She is the only female in an otherwise all-boys boarding school. Scandalous! So, to appease parents and protect the formative, virginal eye-balls that read X-Men, Jean Grey must maintain the early 1960’s ideal of chaste feminine “perfection.” She serves men, while remaining untouchable (often through telekinetically induced slap-stick humor) though radically desirable. Everyone loves the “real human doll” Jean Grey. The boys in the group often comment on her looks. She is often pawed at and receives a lot of “Good job, gorgeous,” “hey, good looking,” “pretty girl,” “little lady” and like comments from her male teammates. Like X-Mad-Men, Mad-X-Men, or whatever. Cyclops and Angel often compete for her affection in their own ways. In issue 1, when Beast asks Marvel Girl what powers she possesses, Angel muses aloud, “The power to make a man’s heart beat faster!” In issue 3, even Prof X silently confesses his love for Jean Grey in a thought-bubble soliloquy. (Remember, this is long before Moira or Lilandra). Though, to my knowledge, romantic love between Prof X and Jean Grey is never seriously or significantly revisited in the main X-Men story arcs. Perhaps Lee and Kirby realized the absurdity of writing five male characters, all harboring the same romantic thoughts and intentions regarding the sole female character.

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