10 Insanely Awkward Moments In Marvel Comics History

10. Jean Grey Learns That Professor X Loves Her - X-Men #53 (1996)

Jean Grey was going about her day when her consciousness was transferred to the Astral Plane by a colossal entity called Onslaught. This mysterious being states that he is the saviour of mutantkind and asks Jean to join him in his crusade, believing her psychic abilities will be invaluable to his cause.

Jean refuses, accusing Onslaught of being disingenuous with his claims. Furthermore, she tells Onslaught that the only person she will follow is her mentor, Professor Charles Xavier.

Onslaught informs Jean that the X-Men founder is is not as innocent as he appears to be. When Jean dismisses this claim, Onslaught transports them both into Xavier's mind so they can witness his own thoughts and memories.

They travel to the time when Jean was fifteen years old and had only just joined the X-Men. When she tells Xavier not to worry about her, the professor admits to himself that's impossible since he is in love with her.

The panel lingers on Jean's horrified face as she realises her teacher, whom she perceived as a second father, had harboured feelings for her since she was a teenager.