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JEAN BOMB

Classification: Extraterrestrial weapon of mass destruction

Creator: Scientists of the Conquest

User/Possessors: The Fearless Leader

First Appearance:Uncanny X-Men I#245 (June, 1989)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: To fatally disrupt any and all relationships: personal, professional, organic, inorganic, macro or micro, reducing it down to the most primally sub-atomic networks. The bomb's mere presence was enough to dissolve the most loving bonds, prompting brother to slay brother and boon companions to tear themselves apart. The effect of the Jean Bomb would eventually affect the planet itself, until nothing remained but stray atomic particles.

History:

(Uncanny X-Men I#245 - BTS) - The Fearless Leader of the Conquest, a cabal of alien races banded together for the sole purpose of conquering other worlds, felt he was in need of a new super-weapon. Leaving it up to his scientists to come up with this desired new piece of technology, the leader then occupied his time with deciding on which world to invade next.

(Uncanny X-Men I#245) - Just as the Fearless Leader and his staff had decided that the planet Earth would be the Conquest's next target, his scientists informed him of the succesfull creation of what they called the ultimate secret weapon, codenamed: "The Jean Bomb". After he learned what the bio-weapon could actually do, the Fearless Leader commended his staff on their efforts and then ordered the invasion of Earth to begin.

   Not hindered by any knowledge of the planet they were about to conquer, the Fearless Leader picked Australia as the focal point of his campaign. However, the notoriously laid-back Australian population confused the invaders, thinking their easy going demeanor a shrewd trick. Even deposing the (lord) mayor of Sydney and destroying the world famous Sydney Opera House didn't provoke any sort of violent response from the locals. Realizing the conventional invasion approach had failed when Conquest troops started getting friendly with the natives, most notably Colossus, Havok, Longshot and Wolverine who happened to be enjoying a night on the town, the Fearless Leader returned to his ship and ordered the immediate deployment of the Jean Bomb.

   When the Conquest's Strike Commander realized what the Fearless Leader was up to, he ordered his men to blast the command vessel carrying the Jean Bomb. With a little help from Havok (Alex Summers), the ship was disabled, ending the invasion with a whimper.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont (writer), Rob Liefeld (pencils), Dan Green (inks).

The Jean Bomb was intended as a parody on the divisive effect Jean Grey's controversial death and subsequent resurrection had on all of Marveldom. At the same time, the overall storyline of Uncanny X-Men I#245 was meant as a loving spoof of the early 1989 DC crossover Invasion! In this three part storyline, an alliance of alien races banded together to invade the Earth (and, incidentally, also had a weapon called "the Gene Bomb"). Where DC's Alliance of aliens targeted strategic spots like Gotham City and Paradise Island, Chris Claremont's remarkably similar looking alien legions decided Australia would be the ideal place to invade, once more proving their total lack of awareness regarding the Earth's reputation as a planet to reckon with.

Profile by Norvo.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Jean Bomb has no known connections to

images: (without ads)
Uncanny X-Men I#245, p7, pan3 (main image)
Uncanny X-Men I#245, p7, pan1-3 (three panels)
Uncanny X-Men I#245, p16, pan3 (Havok & aliens going after vessel holding the Jean Bomb)

Appearances:
Uncanny X-Men I#245 (June, 1989) -  Chris Claremont (writer), Rob Liefeld (pencils), Dan Green (inks), Bob Harras (editor)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

First Posted: 12/26/2013
Last Updated: 12/26/2013

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