Every Time Jean Grey Has Officially Died in X-Men Comics

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Marvel fans know Jean Grey has “died” many times in the comics. It’s become a running joke that she seems to meet her end more often than she’s actually alive and well. However, that’s not entirely true. While she’s faced death several times, her official deaths are surprisingly few. Thanks to her powerful connection with the Phoenix Force, she always finds a way to return.

Jean Grey’s story is defined by constant sacrifice and renewal, and her multiple deaths are central to the history of the X-Men. Each death has ultimately contributed to the larger narrative about mutants. Here’s a look at the officially recognized deaths of Jean Grey.

Honorable Mention: Uncanny X-Men #100

In the 1976 comic Uncanny X-Men #100, the X-Men are trapped on a space station facing deadly solar flares. To save her teammates, Jean Grey bravely volunteers to fly a broken shuttle, knowing it’s almost certain death. Even her powerful telekinetic abilities wouldn’t protect her from the radiation. However, in issue #101, when the shuttle crashes back to Earth, Jean doesn’t die – she’s transformed into the Phoenix.

The story of Jean Grey’s supposed death began a cycle of death and rebirth for her, but it’s only briefly mentioned here because it wasn’t originally presented as a definitive death. Uncanny X-Men #100 ends with a cliffhanger hinting at Jean’s demise, which is then revealed – along with the first appearance of the Phoenix Force – in issue #101. While not a true death, this event is hugely important for the X-Men, as it ultimately leads to the famous Dark Phoenix Saga, which happens relatively quickly after this point.

6) Binary #2

Jean Grey most recently appeared to die in the 2025 comic Binary #2, as part of the ‘Age of Revelation’ story arc. In this instance, she sacrifices herself to prevent the X-Virus from spreading beyond Earth, but before she does, she passes the Phoenix Force on to Captain Marvel. Interestingly, this death is shown only through flashbacks in the comic, and fans generally expect Jean to return in future issues, as she rarely stays gone for long.

5) X-Men: Hellfire Gala

Marvel fans experienced a particularly heartbreaking death of Jean Grey in 2023’s X-Men: Hellfire Gala. During the mutant celebration, Orchis attacked, causing widespread chaos. In a shocking moment, Moira McTaggert stabbed Jean, which proved fatal. Even in her final moments, Jean used her telepathic abilities to protect other mutants.

This death is particularly sad for two reasons. First, Jean was killed by Moira, a key figure in establishing the new era for mutants. It’s devastating to see Moira betray everything she helped build, especially during what should have been a time of celebration. This makes Jean’s death all the more heartbreaking.

4) House of X #4

As a huge comic book movie fan, one of the coolest things about the recent Krakoa era – especially for characters who tend to bite the dust a lot – has been the Resurrection Protocols. It’s almost perfect that Jean Grey’s ‘death’ was what really put them to the test. Back in 2019’s House of X #4, Jean led a team on a mission to take out Orchis’ Mother Mold, a place building Sentinel robots. Let’s just say it was a one-way trip – everyone involved didn’t make it back.

The Resurrection Protocols are activated, successfully bringing Jean and the others back to life – a major victory for the mutant community. Notably, this resurrection is unique because it happens without any involvement from the Phoenix Force, marking a new kind of experience for Jean.

3) Phoenix: Endsong #5

A particularly memorable and tragic death for Jean Grey occurs in the 2005 comic Phoenix: Endsong #5. As the Phoenix Force threatens to overwhelm her once more, Jean asks Cyclops to end her life to spare herself further pain. Having struggled with the Phoenix Force for so long, she’s exhausted and wants peace. Cyclops, honoring her wish, uses his optic blasts to kill her and allow her to finally rest.

Jean does eventually return, but her death is a powerfully sad moment, made even more impactful by the fact that Scott is the one who ends her suffering, and that she specifically asked him to. Unlike previous instances, this isn’t a selfless sacrifice; Jean simply wants to find peace from her pain.

2) New X-Men #150

Grant Morrison’s New X-Men #150, published in 2004, features what is arguably Jean Grey’s most shocking death. The story involves a complicated deception: Xorn is disguised as Magneto. During a battle with Xorn, Jean confronts him, and the encounter goes terribly wrong. Xorn, possessing Magneto’s powerful abilities, touches Jean and unleashes a deadly electromagnetic pulse that causes a massive stroke, ultimately killing her in a gruesome manner.

As Jean Grey has a habit of returning, she’ll inevitably reappear, but the scene of Scott Summers trying to comfort her as she’s dying is particularly heartbreaking.

1) Uncanny X-Men #137

I mentioned before that the Dark Phoenix Saga foreshadowed Jean Grey’s initial apparent death, and sadly, her true death happens relatively soon after issue #101, in issue #137. By this point, Jean is completely overwhelmed by the Phoenix Force’s power, becoming a threat not just to Earth, but to the entire universe – she’s even destroyed a whole solar system. This culminates in a battle between the X-Men and the transformed Jean on the moon. For a short time, Jean manages to regain control, but horrified by the destruction she caused and realizing she can’t contain the Phoenix Force, she chooses to sacrifice herself.

Jean’s courageous decision to pilot the shuttle is what brought us to this pivotal moment, and it’s this act of selflessness that truly defines her character in X-Men comics. It’s a key reason why the Dark Phoenix Saga remains one of the most famous and influential stories in Marvel – and comic book – history.

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2026-01-08 22:15