Jean Grey Returns to the Marvel Comics Universe?

I’ve been posting about a rumored Marvel Comics reboot.  Today, that rumor was launched into high gear.  Marvel is now openly teasing the return of Jean Grey, an event that has long been awaited and something that most people would happen as part of the ongoing Avengers vs X-Men saga.  If true, this will absolutely be the biggest story in comics heading into the San Diego Comic Con.  And, beyond just the return of a much beloved character, Jean Grey could very well be the key to this Marvel Universe reboot that everyone seems to be buzzing about.

In the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, Marvel Comics has provided a sneak peek at the very first image of the resurrected Jean Grey.  Dressed in her old-school Marvel Girl costume, the image is clearly that of Jean Grey.  And to make it absolutely clear that this is the real deal and is really happening, the article contained the following statement…

To answer your questions: Yes, this is Jean Grey — as in, the Jean Grey who’s been absent from Marvel Comics ever since dying for a second time back in the mid-’00s. And yes, she is modeling her vintage blue-and-yellow X-Men outfit from her Marvel Girl days. Does this mean that the fan-favorite character is finally returning? We can only confirm that her presence in the Marvel Universe will not be imaginary. This will not be part of the Ultimate line-up. She will not be a zombie hologram, like Shard on X-Factor. What could this all mean?

And aside from the fact that the above image is really that of the honest-to-god Jean Grey, Marvel isn’t revealing very much more.  However, in the introductory paragraph, Entertainment Weekly does drop a few vague hints in regard to what all of this is about, saying…

EW is excited to reveal an exclusive first look at an upcoming initiative by Marvel Comics that will build off the current Avengers vs. X-Men crossover and radically alter the Marvel Universe as you know it. For now, we just want to tease you with a first look at an exclusive piece of art by Marvel CEO Joe Quesada.

Okay, so there are two things in this statement that are worth paying attention to; “an upcoming initiative” and “radically alter the Marvel Universe as you know it.”  The fact that the return of Jean Grey is called out as an event that “builds off” Avengers vs X-Men indicates that Marvel has something big planned after AvX.  Possibly right after.  And the little tidbit there at the end about it radically altering the Marvel Universe goes right along with the possibility of a Marvel Comics reboot.  Taken with everything else that’s been rumored to be in the works at Marvel Comics, the Return of Jean Grey could stand to be an even bigger event than Avengers vs X-Men.

As more information is released regarding the possible (probable?) return of Jean Grey to the Marvel Comics Universe, I’ll be sure to keep you in the know.  Until then, feel free to share your thoughts on this event in the comments below.