‘Phoenix Song: Echo’ TPB explores Echo’s past in intriguing ways

It’s a good example of how Echo may not have as much control over these powers as she might think, but given the history of this power, who does? Much of the opening issue is focused on Echo coming to grips with her abilities and other characters questioning her. Roanhorse is also setting up future confrontations using key characters like Forge and a character named River.

River has a way to see past ancestors, but soon we learn boosted by the Phoenix, he can actually take Echo to the past. It’s a very cool way to tap into Echo’s Indigenous heritage and send this adventure into different timelines. Much of this collection is about Echo jumping back to previous ancestors seeking help as an enemy called the Adversary chases her so as to steal the Phoenix Force. Not only are there culturally significant moments but Echo comes away stronger knowing her lineage a bit better.

There are scenes, however, that seem to run on to fill page counts. There’s a scene in issue #4, for instance, where Echo spends numerous pages attempting to help people while in another realm. One could argue it shows Echo is a hero even without powers, but we already knew that. This tale also wraps up unfortunately too quickly. Once Echo, Forge, and River join forces it’s literally a handful of panels before they’re patting each other on the back for winning the day. Given all the buildup, it’s a shockingly quick end.

Thankfully, this story reads far better in the collected format than it did as single issues. There are pacing issues where the story slows way down like in the opening chapter which takes its time from scene to scene to get inside Echo’s head. There’s nothing bad about how it’s paced per se, but it does feel slow and could have been tighter.

Dang, Echo goes hard.
Credit: Marvel

Art is by Lucas Maresca and Kyle Charles, with colors by Carlos Lopez and Bryan Valenza. Their styles are broken up well enough between scene changes, with one being quite clean and focused and the other being grittier and more detailed. The detail in the background environments is a welcome contrast to the cartoony touch in the characters. Echo’s costume looks great, along with other heroes who pop up for that matter (like Forge and Elektra who popped up in an early preview), and the fire effects are fantastic. The art never gets a chance to go full splash, but you gather that Echo’s abilities are incredible and awe-inspiring from the tighter panels that feature the powers.

Letters by Ariana Maher are good, with key changes in speech conveyed well through word balloon differences. An “Aaahhhhh!” seen in the preview shows how Maher can add extra emphasis well with a word balloon that wraps around each letter. There are a lot of changes from word balloons to captions that help convey different tones and speakers.

Phoenix Song: Echo is a compelling story thanks in part to Echo being new to using the Phoenix. Roanhorse smartly explores Echo’s past ancestors while also showing us how the hero can come into her own when challenged. Who knows how long Echo will have the Phoenix Force, but it’s well worth picking this up to better understand the character.