Phoenix (June 19, 1979) – This Day In Comics – Uncanny X-Men #125
In an attempt to save her fellow X-Men by piloting their damaged shuttle back to earth, Jean was exposed to fatal levels of radiation. Dying but determined to save Scott and her friends, Jean’s love pushed her to reach her full potential as a psychic and telekinetic. The ship landed in Jamaica Bay, with the other X-Men unharmed. Jean then resurfaced in Uncanny X-Men #125 (June 19, 1979) wearing a new green and gold costume and adopted the codename Phoenix, having gained immense powers.
This new identity and immense abilities eventually resulted in Jean becoming overwhelmed and corrupted by her god-like powers after a failed attempt by the villainous group called the Hellfire Club to control her mind. She transformed into a force of total destruction; now called Dark Phoenix, she consumed a star, inadvertently killing the inhabitants of the star’s planetary system, and jeopardized the entire universe. Eventually, in a regained moment of mental clarity, Jean committed suicide to ensure the universe’s, and her fellow X-Men’s, safety.
