What If? Astonishing X-Men #1
In *What If? Astonishing X-Men* #1 (2010), a shocking twist reshapes the X-Men’s fate when Ord resurrects Jean Grey instead of Colossus—setting off a chain reaction that tests loyalty, power, and identity. Written by Jim McCann and illustrated by David Yardin and Ibraim Roberson, this alternate take explores the fallout as Emma Frost is drawn into Cassandra Nova’s influence, unleashing the Phoenix Force through the Cuckoo Sisters. Cover by J. Scott Campbell, the issue delivers a haunting, emotionally charged journey where the cost of power is measured in lives, and even the strongest bonds are pushed to the breaking point.
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The X-Men discover that Ord has resurrected Jean rather than Colossus but her reunion with the team does not go smoothly. Angry at Jean's return, Emma falls under the influence of Cassandra Nova who has the Cuckoo Sisters release the Phoenix force trapped inside of them into her. Now with the power of the Phoenix, Emma kills Ord and flies to his planet, destroying that as well. Emma returns to Earth to battle her former friends and it is Kitty who is able to bring her down. As the Phoenix Force is violently expelled from Emma's body, Kitty is caught in the blast and killed.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).