Warning: SPOILERS for Dark Web: X-Men #3
The X-Men’s first major battle in 2023 ends in the complete opposite way that most fans would expect – not with a major fight, but with a surrender and understanding of the enemy. The X-Men begin the new year after surviving the calamitous events of Judgment Day and the machinations of Mr. Sinister only to run headfirst into the Dark Web event. In Dark Web: X-Men #3, the ultimate villain of the event is defeated not through a series of punches and usage of mutant powers, but through the kindness of Jean Grey, a candidate for the new leader of the X-Men.
The aftermath of Judgment Day left the X-Men island of Krakoa in ruins, but the nation was eventually salvageable. The same could not be said for the secret of mutant resurrection, which infuriated humanity and made them fear mutants more than ever before. The final month of 2022 led to the Dark Web event, in which Peter Parker’s clone Ben Reilly obtained new, mystical powers, and used them to plunge the Earth into a world of inanimate objects come to life; these mechanical monsters attempt to devour civilians left and right. One of the culprits behind the event is none other that Madelyn Pryor: Jean Grey’s evil clone.
In Dark Web: X-Men #3, written by Gerry Duggan with art by Rod Reis & Phil Noto, Jean Grey comes face-to-face with Pryor in her castle in Limbo. Pryor demands Jean Grey’s memories, and Jean realizes Pryor wants exactly one thing: “You were after the memories of my time with Nathan before he had to leave.” realizes Jean, referring to Nathan Summers, better known as Cable – Madelyn’s son. Pryor, disarmed, had no idea that Jean would simply give up her memories without a fight. “Giving those memories to you,” says Jean “doesn’t take them from me.”
The X-Men Win By Understanding The Villain, Not Fighting Her
![The X-Men’s First Victory of 2023 is The Opposite of What Fans Expect](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/jean-grey-gives-madelyn-pryor-her-memories.jpeg)
Madelyn Pryor was simply one more tool of Mr. Sinister (who has since made an even bigger move against the entire nation of Krakoa), and it is only logical that Jean Grey would help out her clone. After all, Jean herself was a victim of Mastermind and the Hellfire Club during the events of the Dark Phoenix Saga; both Jean and Madelyn were manipulated and are far from evil, but are certainly misunderstood and perhaps even feared. This event also shows Jean’s capability as a leader – other X-Men would happily attack Pryor until she relented, but Jean is compassionate; she does not need her telepathic powers to see a person’s true nature.
The Dark Web event is quickly coming to a close, but the X-Men have already decided that 2023 is the year of understanding and not violence. Judgment Day has taught them the team must come together through hope in the end (and Jean’s own Phoenix Foundation proves as much), and prospects look better for the team than ever in the new year. The X-Men’s time in the Dark Web event might be coming to a close, but their year is just beginning.