Warning – Contains SPOILERS for X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1Despite his reputation as the resident gruff loner of the X-Men, Wolverine has a well-documented history of taking on protégés as a surrogate father figure. From classic mutant icons like Kate Pryde and Rogue, to newer mutant stars like Pixie, Quentin Quire, or Oya, Logan has a soft spot for young mutants in need of guidance. But for many fans, Logan only has one true apprentice - and she just died showing exactly why.
X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 by Gerry Duggan, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, and many more finds the titular team of mutants in the familiar conflict of fighting for their very lives against mutant-hating Sentinels. Just as this year’s new lineup of X-Men is announced - including the one and only Jubilation Lee - the ultimate mutant-hunting machine known as Nimrod quite literally drops into the party, killing or severely wounding the latest team of X-Men in one strike. Just before the mechanized monster finishes her off, a dying Jubilee readies herself for a final volley against Nimrod, spitting, "@$ you, machine." It's a moment of defiance in the face of certain death that should make Wolverine proud.
Jubilee & Wolverine Share the Same Underdog Spirit
Jubilee ultimately doesn’t get to take her shot at Nimrod, but using her last words as an insult to the greatest threat the X-Men have ever faced is perfectly in keeping with her character and is a reflection of why her pairing with Logan is so iconic. Introduced in 1989, Jubilee was orphaned due to a mysterious car accident, and was rescued from mutant hunters after meeting the X-Men at a mall she'd decided to call home. Of all Wolverine’s protégés, Jubilee was by far the most willful - a '90s 'mall rat' who had no time for authority. Seeing a kindred spirit and a kid in need of help, Wolverine became Jubilee's mentor, and the two had many adventures together, to the point where Jubilee is often thought of as Wolverine's original daughter. Against Nimrod, she shows the family spirit, and goes out fighting on a day when even Professor X surrendered to the machines.
Jubilee Died Defying X-Men's Ultimate Evil
Unlike many of Wolverine’s other protégés who were really students of all the X-Men, Jubilee was Logan’s true sidekick, and essentially became the Robin to Wolverine’s Batman. Now she, along with the majority of the new X-Men team, has been killed by Nimrod - particularly tragic as this leaves Jubilation's adopted son Shogo once again orphaned. Recently, the X-Men cracked the mutant technology to resurrect mutants from death, but following Nimrod's attack, the resources to do so have been lost. It's therefore possible that fans will see Jubilee again if mutantkind can regain its standing on the world stage, but the Mutant Massacre has shown who she is even when things are at their worst.
A strong character in her own right, Jubilation Lee has always been able to go toe-to-toe with Logan for stubbornness, even from a young age. While X-Men fans are divided over whether her death is part of a cruel stunt or a vital new chapter in mutant history, one thing no-one can doubt is that Jubilee's final words prove she's every bit as much of a badass as her mentor Wolverine.
X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
