Hey Fenix, Josh, Perceval - great replies. That is all really interesting stuff. I think all great storytellers owe a huge amount to the ancient myths & legends from all over the world.

Perceval - you hit the nail on the head with your description of how we should view myths & legends. That is exactly why they were created - they were guides for peoples lives & how they should act. Call them the ancient version of self help books!!:) I love your description of Jean's "Phoenix journey" - that's exactly how I wanted to see it portrayed.

I know I've had moments when I've hated Morrison's run on New X-men (I still think 150 was a major let down) but if everything has been geared towards this epic & he doesn't chicken out at the very end, then I'm going to be really pleased. This story really has the potential to turn Jean into one of Marvel's greatest characters.

Josh - I hadn't thought about the similarities to Kubrick's 2001. That's a really interesting idea. Perhaps the "White room" where Jean has been is some kind of "waiting room" for her pysche. It's not the cosmic equivelant of heaven, but possibly a step below that. A holding place if you like where the essence of what makes Jean, Jean is kept safely until her body (in the egg) is reformed. It'll be interesting to see if Morrison mentions that Jean's essence went to this "white hot room" the first time she died.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings!