The Phoenix Force is one of the most powerful cosmic entities in the Marvel universe and a nexus of psionic energy. It is a force of creation, but also one capable of devastating destruction. Over the years, the Phoenix Force has had many hosts who have bonded with and possessed the power of the Phoenix. The most frequent and by far most famous host of the Phoenix is the mutant telekinetic-telepath Jean Grey; however, some of the Phoenix Force’s other hosts include Rachel and Scott Summers, Illyana and Piotr Rasputin, Emma Frost, Namor, and Quentin Quire. In From the Ashes, Jean Grey was once again Phoenix, but now in Age of Revelation, there is a new Phoenix, someone who has a long established history with the X-Men.
InBinary #1, Jean Grey is dead, and Carol Danvers has been chosen to be the new host for the Phoenix Force. From Carol’s narration, we learn that Jean personally selected Carol to be the one to transfer the power of the Phoenix Force after her death. As of this issue, we do not know when or how Jean Grey died, or why she chose Carol to be the new host for the Phoenix Force, but perhaps Stephanie Phillips will fill in that information in subsequent issues of Binary. When asked in our X-Men Monday whether we will find out what happened to Jean Grey, Stephanie Phillips gave a somewhat cryptic response saying, “Yes. But it won’t be what you think… or what Carol thinks…”
In some ways, Carol is a logical choice to replace Jean as host of the Phoenix Force. For one, like Jean, Carol is also brave, heroic, selfless, and compassionate. These qualities make her a worthy and capable host, one who can handle the responsibility that comes with the awesome power of the Phoenix Force. Carol also has experience and proven success when it comes to cosmic abilities. During the events of the Brood Saga, Carol became a cosmic-powered hero named Binary in Uncanny X-Men #164 after absorbing the power of a white hole, which allowed her to generate the power of a star. In Binary #1, Carol says that being Binary was the closest she came to possessing any power comparable to that of the Phoenix; therefore, choosing to adopt the name Binary once again seemed appropriate.
Carol Danvers as the newly Phoenix empowered Binary. Credit: Marvel Comics
Binary introduces Carol’s new status as Phoenix in the midst of the Age of Revelation event. Following the detonation of a gene bomb, the X-Virus has caused the deaths of millions of people. Those who survived the X-Virus have mutated into mutants. The areas affected have been divided up into Revelation Territories ruled over by Doug Ramsey aka the heir of Apocalypse, known as Revelation. Those who have joined Revelation make up his Choristers and Seraphim. In this issue, we also learn that those who defy Revelation are branded Babels and have had their ability to communicate taken away.
When we pick up with Carol, she is the self-appointed protector of her hometown of Beverly. Carol has encased the town in a telekinetic bubble in order to protect the residents from the X-Virus. Despite her benevolent reasons for keeping the town inside the bubble, some of the residents have grown resentful and hostile towards Carol. Some have even gone as far as accusing Carol of acting like a dictator, while others have asserted the claim that the virus was never real to begin with. This outright rejection of Binary as protector of Beverly has Carol questioning whether she is doing the right thing, or if the townspeople are correct for not trusting Carol and her good intentions. Carol’s self-doubt is made readily apparent when her narration says, “I just want to know that what I’m doing is the right thing…that this is what Jean Grey would have wanted for the Phoenix”. Not only is Carol doubting her abilities and whether she deserves the power and responsibility of the Phoenix Force, but she is also comparing herself to Jean Grey in a way that suggests that Carol is feeling inadequate and a failure as a host of the Phoenix Force. This inner conflict is likely to follow Carol throughout Binary as she continues to fight to protect the residents of Beverly.
In the issue, we discover that one of the townspeople, Hank, is allied with a mysterious woman to try and discredit Binary and turn the people of Beverly against her in order to weaken and undermine Binary. At the end of the issue, we get a hint of who this mysterious woman could be, as we see someone in a black hood resembling Jean Grey watching over Binary. Could this be a resurrected Jean Grey back from the dead? If so, what is she planning, and how does Carol factor into those plans? The solicitation for Binary #2 teases that “a blast from the past” will bring “chaos and destruction” that will put the power of the Phoenix to the test.
Binary #1 kicks off this limited series on a strong note, presenting Carol Danvers as the new host of the Phoenix Force and clearly outlining what her struggles and limitations are with these new powers. Giada Belviso and Rachelle Rosenberg’s art brings dynamic action to the page, bringing lots of exciting flair to Carol when she is powered up in her Binary form. Stephanie Phillips writes Carol with ease, making her a clear and natural choice to take on Carol’s unique voice. Binary #1 is a solid first issue, and leaves readers hungry and wanting for further issues with Carol as this new and exciting iteration of Binary.
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