With the previous Jean Grey miniseries from the end of the Krakoan era revisiting familiar territory and looking backward to past storylines, I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about the announcement of the new Phoenix monthly. However, this title has shown itself to make bold moves in the opposite direction, charting fresh ground for the iconic character. Rather than lingering on Jean’s well-known history, this series redefines her role sending her into uncharted cosmic adventures. Accompanied by beautiful art, the first volume of Phoenix is a visually impressive journey that feels authentically innovative and gives new promise to this character.
Collecting issues #1-5, this trade finds Jean Grey after reuniting with the Phoenix Force, utilizing its powers to help rescue planets across the galaxy. Her initial actions inadvertently release Perrikus, an ancient villain whose escape triggers escalating cosmic threats. Throughout these issues, Jean encounters Cyclops’ father Corsair and battles the Black Order and Gorr the God Butcher. Best of all, this first arc explores Jean’s personal journey of balancing her humanity with godlike powers, culminating in a confrontation with Eternity, who guides her toward a deeper understanding of her role within the universe.
Marvel
Stephanie Phillips breathes fresh life into Jean Grey’s storied connection with the Phoenix Force, skillfully moving beyond the well-trodden narratives of death and rebirth. Phillips positions Jean as a cosmic guardian striving to use her immense powers for good, but whose best intentions inadvertently release evil, setting off a chain of events with galaxy-spanning stakes. Her storytelling thrives on blending grand cosmic conflicts with quieter moments of humanity, highlighting Jean’s empathy and vulnerability alongside her awe-inspiring strength. I was unsure of this series when it first dropped, as it removed Jean from the general X-Men mix, but it’s been a wise choice and has truly given new space for Jean to grow and develop. Characters like Adani, whose tragedy intertwines compellingly with Jean’s journey, add emotional depth and emphasize Jean’s true power as her resilience and compassion.
Marvel
Artist Alessandro Miracolo, supported by vibrant colors from David Curiel, delivers dynamic visuals that perfectly match the ambitious sci-fi vision of the book. Great panel layout with pinup worthy shots of Jean engulfed in radiant flames in surreal cosmic environments brings a boldness and scale essential for this story. His artwork, despite my initial concerns about similarities to other styles, evolves distinctly throughout the series, striking a balance between explosive action sequences and nuanced emotional expression. It’s a beautiful looking book that won me over with its competence and panel design.
Ultimately, Phillips and Miracolo have crafted a Phoenix story that feels genuinely forward-looking, breaking away from Jean Grey’s well-trodden past to offer something new and exciting. Both visually impressive and narratively satisfying, this first volume confidently positions itself among the stronger modern X-Men stories. I haven’t loved everything released in the current “From the Ashes” era of X-books, but the first volume of Phoenix left me eager to see where Jean’s cosmic journey will take her next.
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