Warning: spoilers for The Variants #4 ahead!Jessica Jones has gone through hell and back trying to reclaim her life from Kilgrave's mind control, but now she's found the one Marvel hero who can beat the Purple Man's seemingly invincible grip over her mind: Professor Charles Xavier. Although forever haunted by the repercussions and legacy of Kilgrave's actions, the Jessica Jones of the present is a far stronger person than she was when she was first ensnared by him. Now, that strength takes the form of a favor called in from Marvel's strongest telepath.
Although the Purple Man remains comatose, his influence has once again returned to torment Jessica Jones. When Maria Snyder, one of his past victims, suddenly kills her family and blames Kilgrave's control, Jessica is horrified to realize that she too carries a "time bomb" in her head as a last laugh from the sadistic villain. With the threat of the Purple Man hanging over her head and Jessica poised to harm anyone and everyone dear to her, the race is on for her to free herself before she loses everything.
In Gail Simone and Phil Noto's The Variants #4, Jessica has finally stopped pushing everyone away and instead reaches out to her husband, Luke Cage, for his connection to the X-Men. When meditating to confront the lingering aspect of Kilgrave remaining in her mind, the specter's gloating over his victim melts in a hurry when Jessica reveals that she has brought Charles Xavier along for backup. Kilgrave's control may be strong, but he's shown to be completely outmatched by Xavier who proceeds to systematically dismantle the Purple Man's psychic imprint in an absolutely brutal beatdown.
The Wrath of Charles Xavier
This is a milestone moment for several reasons. First, it establishes that Kilgrave's mind control can be resisted: although his presence renders those around him completely susceptible to his suggestions, those of sufficient mental might can throw off his command. Second, it re-asserts Charles Xavier's place among Marvel's elite mutants: despite his reputation as someone who is frequently killed off, watching him effortlessly take apart one of Marvel's most powerful mind controllers reinforces Xavier's dominance upon the mental plane. And third, it shows just how far Jessica has come: rather than push away those who wish to help her, she is finally able to look past her own wounds and willingly embrace her allies, thereby enabling the treat that is Kilgrave's much-deserved psychic smack down.
Despite being in a coma, Kilgrave is still very much a threat to the Marvel universe. The scars he has left in his victims prove he is still able to strike out despite being incapacitated, and the Purple Man’s powers linger on in his children. When he does inevitably return (as all good villains must), it will be under the specter of Charles Xavier - Jessica Jones's ally, and the hero who can beat Kilgrave without even breaking a sweat.
The Variants #4 is now available from Marvel Comics.