The X-Men #137

Published in September 1980, The X-Men issue 137 serves as the climactic conclusion to The Dark Phoenix Saga. Written by Chris Claremont with pencils by John Byrne and inks by Terry Austin, this issue was the culmination of a long-form narrative arc that transformed Jean Grey into an entity of immense cosmic power and eventual tragedy. The creative team aimed to explore the consequences of absolute power and the emotional toll on the X-Men as they faced a trial by the alien Shi'ar Empire to determine Jean's fate.

The issue is widely regarded by critics and historians as a watershed moment in comic book storytelling. By choosing to allow the character to sacrifice herself rather than pursue a traditional hero's victory, Claremont and Byrne broke the unspoken conventions of the medium at the time. The bold design and emotional depth of the narrative were received with significant acclaim, cementing the issue's status as a quintessential piece of 1980s pop culture and establishing the standard for high-stakes superhero drama.