Warning! Spoilers ahead for X-Men #2
Rather than being the constant victim and pawn of the Phoenix Force, the X-Men's Superman. Additionally, Jean Grey has been discovering new uses for powers in a very similar manner to how Kal-El himself gained new powers and abilities during the Golden Age of comics. Jean Grey's recent exploits see her as an incredible hero and asset to the mutant nation of Krakoa who could certainly operate on her own without the need for a team if she wanted to.
In Marvel's King in Black, Jean Grey synchronized multiple heavy-hitting heroes against Knull for an intense counterattack while also being a major player herself. In X of Swords, Jean left her seat on Krakoa's Quiet Council, ing Scott Summers to assemble and together a massive force of mutants to save the day in the battle against the forces of Arakko, a move that was motivated largely by Jean herself. Additionally, she and Scott are now leading the first elected team of the X-Men of Krakoa, and she's been utilizing her powers in some pretty incredible ways now that they're based in New York.
Now, Jean is basically coming into her own as a powerful and unique A-lister regardless of her team status, something she's never really been able to do before due to complications with the Phoenix Force (and/or being fought over by male heroes like Scott and Logan's Wolverine). Now, Jean is undergoing a personal era of transformation not unlike the Golden Age Superman, discovering new uses for her powers like in the recent X-Men #2 from Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz, seeing Jean reading the mind of a deceased being for the first time (thanks to some help from Polaris).
It's almost as if some sort of switch has been flipped for Marvel's editorial team where they've realized how much Jean can truly offer and provide as an Omega-level mutant with powers no one else really brings to the table when it comes to being out in the field. Jean has always been one of Marvel's strongest heroes (there's a reason the Phoenix sought her out). However, it's only now that she's been truly able to shine on her own two feet.
Much like DC's Superman, Jean's unique and extremely high power levels make her a top-tier hero whether she's on a team or not. It's about time she started getting the credit she's due in the pages of Marvel's X-Men and one could imagine a truly exciting miniseries where Jean Grey could go on solo missions, seeing her taking her powers and abilities to new heights while evolving even further as a Marvel A-lister. While that's just a wish for now, fans can always keep their fingers crossed.
