Of all of the various X-Men stories throughout their 40 years of history, none have achieved the mantle of success and influence “The Dark Phoenix Saga” acquired around 23 years ago. Chris Claremont and John Byrne set the example for comics to follow, where villains triumphed, heroes fell and love and compassion resulted in the ultimate sacrifice.
The Phoenix Force, a fiery cosmic force representing the flow of life in the universe, united with Jean Grey’s mutant psionic abilities. This marriage of power allowed the Phoenix control over thought, manipulation of matter and unaided flight through endless space, resulting in God-like capabilities. The X-Men believed such a power at their disposal could only aid in their fight towards mutant acceptance and peaceful coexistence with humanity.
It was a time when each X-Man got a chance to flesh out their individual characteristics while coming together as a team. Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm and the ever-powerful Jean Grey as Phoenix meshed to become a seemingly unstoppable force against any outside opposition. Their greatest challenge, however, came from within, as the omnipotent Phoenix Force succumbed to the darkest sides of human nature.
The Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club, a wealthy and powerful organization of power hungry mutants, wanted to exploit the Phoenix Force for their own elitist gains. Mastermind, a mutant with the ability to project illusions, began to manipulate Jean Grey to become the Inner Circle’s Black Queen. These subtle and convincing manipulations brought out dark aspects of Jean Grey’s persona. The Phoenix Force fed off these sinister impulses, eventually transforming the loving and passionate Jean Grey into a corrupt being obsessed with power and destruction: Dark Phoenix.
After effortlessly defeating the X-Men, Dark Phoenix took to the stars. Drunk with power, she found sustenance by destroying a sun. This caused the deaths of billions in a foreign solar system for which she felt no remorse. Feeling satisfied, she returned to Earth hungry for more experiences. She encountered her old mentor Professor Xavier, who battled her telepathically for the fate of the universe. A small part of Jean Grey allowed Xavier to regain her sanity and end her devastating reign.
With Dark Phoenix contained, the X-Men believed the worst was over. But the destruction of the foreign sun garnered the attention of an intergalactic empire. The Shi’ar Empire deemed Phoenix’s existence to be a grave threat to all existence and sentenced her to death. The X-Men valiantly chose to defend Jean Grey’s life by battling the Shi’ar’s Imperial Guard on a battleground located on the Blue Area of the Moon. The X-Men fought hard for their teammate’s life, and after a grueling and devastating battle, the X-Men fell. Feeling the corrupt Dark Phoenix emerging again, Jean Grey heroically took her own life so the universe could live.
“The Dark Phoenix Saga” touches so many levels: the love between Jean Grey and Scott Summers (Cyclops), Wolverine’s solo ravaging of the Hellfire Club, young innocence portrayed by Kitty Pryde, the corruption ultimate power can bring and human sacrifice is what made the story resonate so powerfully even today.
According to mythology, a Phoenix dies only to be reborn, and Marvel Comics has since resurrected the character of Jean Grey. Her character in “New X-Men” has once again manifested powers of the Phoenix Force. With the bold directions the X-Men are currently embarking on, Phoenix’s return could be the event fans have been waiting 23 years for.
