10 Shocking Comics Events That Changed Characters Forever

Chris Claremont's run on X-Men is one of those legendary runs that simply will not happen the same way again. When you look at everything he introduced laid out on paper, NONE of it should work. It should all fall apart into a laughable mess. But in defiance of science and man, it didn't. And no moment in this legendary 17 year run better exemplifies this than the introduction of the Phoenix Force.

There are three plot points that changed the face of X-Men forever: the Sentinels, the Shi'ar, and the Phoenix Force, which permanently altered the course of the lives of both Cyclops and of course, Jean Grey. What had once been a typical "girl member" of the team was instantly transformed into a tortured soul, burdened with power she knows she can't handle, and for the sake of those she loves, must sacrifice herself to rid the universe of such potential for total destruction (until Marvel brings her back over and over).

The Phoenix Force is a constant threat looming over the heads of both Grey and the X-Men as a whole, and its introductory issues help you understand just what a game changer it is.