[REVIEW] PHOENIX #1

The X-Men have left the Age of Krakoa behind and are heading into an all-new, sorta different direction. Rising “from the ashes” is none other than Phoenix, aka Jean Grey, who is perhaps the character this new re-brand was made for, although the metaphor may be a little too on-the-nose. Jean has always had potential outside of a team environment but hasn’t really had the opportunity, apart from a brief solo-outing, headlined by her time-displaced teen counterpart. If you’ve been able to keep up with me so far, kudos to you!

If you’re just joining us, Jean has once again bonded with the Phoenix Force and is using their combined powers for good, such as absorbing the energy of a sun to extend its lifespan or stabilizing a black hole. Y’know…normal stuff. Of course Jean’s good nature doesn’t always mesh well with a fiery, cosmic deity, and needless to say…mistakes are made.

Writer Stephanie Phillips puts an interesting spin on the Jean/Phoenix dynamic and takes her in a direction that, frankly, makes a lot of sense. While I was less than thrilled with Jean bonding with the cosmic entity YET AGAIN, the idea of her being out among the stars like a mutant Carol Danvers is strangely appealing. Adding in fellow cosmic hero Nova (Richard Rider) is an inspired choice and Phillips manages to write him perfectly. When it comes to Jean herself, Phillips does a solid job, though she largely depicts her from the POV of an alien girl, whose planet is saved early on, and who serves as our mostly realizable narrator. It’s an interesting tactic with plenty of potential itself, though future issues would benefit from Jean’s own inner monologue.

The art on the book is solid as well, with pencils by Alessandro Miracolo and colors by David Curiel. The art flows nicely from scene to scene and complements the narrative perfectly. Miracolo does an exemplary job handling the smaller moments between star-crossed lovers Jean and Scott, as well as the larger, space-opera action scenes. Curiel’s colors are vibrant throughout each page and give life to the Phoenix in a way few artists can. You can feel the heat coming right off the page (no small feat, especially when reading digital comics). The Krakoan Era may be over but the fun is only just beginning.

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8.6

Premise

9.0/10

Execution

8.0/10

Script

9.0/10

Art

8.0/10

Cosmic Action

9.0/10

Credits

• Writer: Stephanie Phillips
• Artist: Alessandro Miracolo
• Colorist: David Curiel
• Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
• Cover Artist: Yasmine Putri

Credits (cont)

• Editor: Annalise Bissa
• Publisher: Marvel Comics