Fans watching the final episode of X-Men ’97 were probably a little surprised when it was revealed that the Jean featured in the first two episodes was not real.
However, comic Book fans are very familiar with the Goblin Queen and know that she easily has the most tragic history in the X-Men.
Madelyne Pryor was introduced as a romantic foil for Cyclops
Madelyne Pryor is first introduced in Uncanny X-Men #168 where she shocks Cyclops and his family with his striking resemblance to Jean Grey , who was believed to be dead for a time. Cyclops and Madelyne’s relationship progresses incredibly quickly, the two fall madly in love and marry not even a year later.
Originally, Madelyne Pryor was just going to be someone who looked a lot like Jean Grey.
But it’s a seemingly cursed marriage from the start. While Scott initially retired to start a family with Madelyne, he brings her back to his as an X-Man when Magneto returns to lead in Xavier’s absence. Madelyne eventually gives birth to their son, Christopher, but Jean Grey’s return drives a wedge between Madelyne and Scott.
Cyclops leaves to join Jean and the original X-Men to form a new team, X-Factor. Feeling rejected the day after Jean’s return, Madelyne takes their son and leaves. She is attacked and Christopher is kidnapped, leading her to join the X-Men in Australia while she and Cyclops try to find him.
How Madelyne Pryor Became the Goblin Queen
Although Scott and Madelyne repeatedly try to reconcile, it never sticks. The breaking point comes during the Inferno event when Madelyn makes a deal with Limbo’s demons to find her son. By doing so, Madelyne learns that she is actually a clone of Jean Grey, created by Mr. Sinister .
The Goblin Queen is a clone of Jean Gray made by Mr. Sinister brought to life by the Phoenix Force.
The Sinister clone was perfect, containing Jean’s genetics and powers, but it was lifeless. It was actually the Phoenix Force that brought him to life and sought a new host after Jean rejected him. When Madelyne learns that she is a clone, she manifests a dark persona, the Goblin Queen.
As the Goblin Queen, Madelyn blames Cyclops and Jean for her troubled life. She warps reality and tries to kill the X-Men, eventually confronting Jean in a fight. The two are evenly matched, but Madelyne is killed when the Phoenix Force fragment she possessed chooses to bond with Jean instead.
In the years that followed, the Goblin Queen managed to cheat death several times. Most recently, she took charge of the Limbo embassy alongside her current lover, Cyclops’ brother Alex.
The Goblin Queen’s powers and weaknesses are explained
As a clone of Jean Grey, the Goblin Queen possesses similar telekinetic and telepathic powers. However, it is never clear if she is on the same level of raw strength as Jean.
The Goblin Queen’s natural powers and ruthless nature allow her to rule over the demons of Limbo.
Due to her demonic dealings in Inferno, Madelyne possesses several demonic abilities and is skilled in witchcraft. Currently, she wields this power as the Queen of Limbo, allowing her to control a number of demons.
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