It’s well known that Stranger Things takes inspiration from X-Men comics. The character Eleven is very similar to Jean Grey, and her storyline often echoes the famous “Dark Phoenix Saga.” In Season 4, the show made this connection even more explicit, reimagining Doctor Brenner’s Hawkins Lab as a dark mirror of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
The connection to X-Men was established right from the start, in the very first episode of Stranger Things. A copy of Uncanny X-Men #134, from June 1980, appeared on screen – a key issue in the “Dark Phoenix Saga” where a character named Mastermind uses psychic powers to manipulate Jean Grey, ultimately leading to the emergence of the dangerous Dark Phoenix. This mirrors the way Brenner experimented on Eleven, unintentionally opening the door to the Demogorgon. Over time, this initial reference has taken on even greater meaning.
Stranger Things Season 1’s X-Men Reference Sets Up Another Psychic Power
In the comic book Uncanny X-Men #134, the Hellfire Club manipulates Jean Grey for their own purposes. They use a mutant called Mastermind, who can create incredibly realistic illusions by invading people’s minds and altering their perceptions. The show Stranger Things hinted at this kind of power in season 2 with the character Kali, Eleven’s sister, but she didn’t fully explore it. It’s in Stranger Things season 4 that a character truly demonstrates the full potential of this mind-bending ability, becoming the show’s version of Mastermind.
Season 4 of Stranger Things revealed Henry Creel, who is actually Vecna, the series’ main villain. Vecna controls the Upside Down and is determined to wipe out humanity. His abilities are similar to those of the comic book character Mastermind, but more developed. Vecna traps his victims in convincing illusions of reality, using these false worlds to invade their minds. Once he has a strong mental connection, he begins to inflict harm and warp their perceived reality.
It’s exactly what Mastermind did to Jean Grey in the “Dark Phoenix Saga.”
Stranger Things’ First X-Men Reference Means So Much More Than We Thought
Many fans have noted that Stranger Things draws heavily from the X-Men comics, particularly the story of Jean Grey. What’s interesting is how the show keeps building on these influences. The connection to Uncanny X-Men #134 felt significant in season 1, became even clearer with the character Kali in season 2 (who resembles the White Queen from the Hellfire Club), and now has a whole new layer of meaning after the reveal of Vecna in season 4.
The big question now is whether Stranger Things will continue to draw inspiration from Uncanny X-Men #134. Season 4 heavily featured Vecna and even a version of the Hellfire Club. This suggests the show might revisit those themes again in season 5, potentially bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.
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2025-11-21 02:42