Few things remain static in the ever-changing world of the Marvel Universe, but it's usually a pretty sure deal that is taking down Thanos.
A Founding X-Men Hero Is Now Marvel's "Most Powerful Person in Existence"
From Superhero to God to Something Even More Powerful
In Phoenix #5 by Stephanie Phillips, Alessandro Miracolo, Marco Renna, Cory Petit and David Curiel, founding X-Men hero same level as Marvel's Abstract Entities - the beings who both represent and define natural law. Open the image gallery above to see their discussion.
As Jean wins the day, the narration confirms that after speaking with Eternity and overcoming her fears, "Jean Grey was the most powerful person in the universe."
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Eternity assures Jean that it's safe to embrace her potential as the Abstract representation of "Creation," warning that she needs to grow beyond thinking in of life and death. When Phoenix returns from visiting the Abstract Entities, she effortlessly slays Gorr the God-Butcher, explaining that he came after her in error - she is not a god, since "gods have limits." As Jean wins the day, the narration confirms that after speaking with Eternity and overcoming her fears, "Jean Grey was the most powerful person in the universe."
How Did Jean Grey Become Marvel's Most Powerful Hero?
Jean Isn't Just a Phoenix Force Host - She's Its Creator
2024 saw the end of the X-Men's 2019-2024 Krakoan Era, and the story ended with a bang. In Rise of the Powers of X #5 (Kieron Gillen and Luciano Vecchio), Jean Grey faced the godlike AI known as Enigma. In order to fight this robotic intelligence, Jean connected all mutants past, present and future. This caused not just the Phoenix Force's rebirth, but its very creation (as a being which exists outside time and space, the Phoenix isn't bound by linear time.) Jean won the day, and was left with a stronger bond to the Phoenix Force than ever before, as well as a greater understanding of its nature as a force of connection that bonds all mutants - and perhaps all superhuman beings. See her achieve this status by opening the image gallery below.
Enigma's AI was based on the villainous scientist Nathaniel Essex - the human whose experiments created the classic X-Men foe Mister Sinister. Like Jean, Enigma existed outside time and space, representing the most powerful villain the X-Men had ever faced.
Marvel's new 'From the Ashes' era has seen the newly powerful Phoenix get her own solo series, going on a quest to discover her limits. It turns out, she doesn't have any. Jean Grey's new bond with the Phoenix elevates her beyond even the gods, meaning anything is possible, so long as she's prepared to live with the consequences. That's become clear with her choice of villains, with the dark god Perrikus, the God-Butcher Gorr and now Thanos knocking on her door.
As 2025 begins, X-Men's Jean Grey is Marvel's most powerful hero, and it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.
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Jean Grey Is Making Her Title Official By Taking on Thanos
The Mad Titan May Have Crushed Hulk, But This Time He Picked the Wrong Mutant
Jean Grey will face Thanos in the Phoenix #7, taking on the Mad Titan at the height of his power. Recently, the Thanos forced his way onto the Galactic Council of Marvel's spacefaring species, gathering all the resources he needs to become a bigger threat than ever before. However, with the cover to Phoenix #7 showing Thanos screaming in pain, it seems even that likely won't be enough to face off with what X-Men's Jean Grey has become.
The Galactic Council traditionally includes some of the most powerful beings in Marvel continuity, with Gladiator, Annihilus, the Brood Queen, Richard Rider's Nova and Ronan the Acc as past .
As 2025 begins, X-Men's Jean Grey is Marvel's most powerful hero, and it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon. While beyond-godlike upgrades rarely stick, the entirety of Phoenix has been about Jean exploring her new powers, their implications and their cost. This is clearly Marvel's longterm direction for the character, meaning that while Hulk may still have Marvel's most impressive muscles, even he must now bow to X-Men's Jean Grey as the most powerful hero in the Marvel Universe.
Phoenix #7 is coming January 22 from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
- X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- First Film
- X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
- X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men '97 (2024)
- Character(s)
- Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
- Video Game(s)
- X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine's Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
- Comic Release Date
- 213035,212968
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
Hulk
- Created by
- Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
- First Film
- The Incredible Hulk Returns
- Latest Film
- Avengers: Endgame
- First TV Show
- The Incredible Hulk
- Latest TV Show
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
- Cast
- Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Mark Ruffalo
Bruce Banner, AKA the Hulk, is one of Marvel's most iconic heroes. The character, who shifts between a mild-mannered scientist and a brutish green brawler, has starred in several live-action and animated movies and TV shows across seven decades and counting.
