Marvel Read-Through: The Dark Phoenix Saga
Where to begin with this one? It’s all been said before: one of the most important comics, one of the most highly-regarded comics, a turning point for the X-Men and Marvel, a genre-defining story. It’s the Dark Phoenix Saga. It’s been adapted into multiple cartoons and two (mediocre at best) movies. It still influences X-Men stories today (just at the end of 2023, Jean Grey revisited this era of her history and merged with the Phoenix Force to save the day for a group of mutants). It’s possibly Marvel’s biggest and most well-known arc. So as I sit here in my Dark Phoenix t-shirt (I’m 100% serious), trying to come up with something that hasn’t already been said about this seminal piece of comic book history, I realize that there isn’t much more to be said about it. But I’ll share my thoughts anyway.
We all know the story: The Hellfire Club uses telepathic tricks to recruit Jean Grey aka Phoenix to aid in their quest for world domination. They are defeated by the X-Men but the telepathy unlocks the full potential of the Phoenix Force inside Jean, transforming her into the all-powerful Dark Phoenix. She feeds on a star, causing it to explode and destroy its solar system, which kills 5 billion people. Despite everyone’s best efforts, Dark Phoenix can’t be contained so Jean kills herself to save the universe.
The first two thirds of the arc are focused on the X-Men vs. the Hellfire Club, with the threat of Jean’s full powers looming in the background. It’s such a perfect buildup to the final act despite the main plot being so disconnected. It’s the genius of Chris Claremont and John Byrne. The writing is the best I’ve ever read. The art is spectacular. The two of them are without a doubt one of the best creative teams in comics ever. It’s reminiscent of the early days of Lee-Kirby with how many new characters and ideas are being introduced without anything feeling over-stuffed. Each character on the team shines and is fully-fleshed out and developed. Even the newbies and the part-timers. Speaking of which…
Kitty Pryde and Dazzler! Honestly, I did not know that the Dark Phoenix Saga was where some of the most iconic mutant characters were introduced. Beyond the two heroes above we got the first appearance of the Hellfire Club and its members, including Emma Frost. I’m just waiting for her to become one of the biggest characters in Marvel. She’s great. The team-ups with Kitty and Dazzler were fun and didn’t detract at all from the story or the main characters. I like how Claremont and Byrne have stuck Kitty in here as a one-time partner before she fully joins the team later on. We’ve met her, the team’s met her, and we’ve all learned who she is several issues before she becomes part of the main X-Men roster. Both characters have such original powers (Kitty can phase through solid objects and Dazzler turns sound into light). Claremont is firing on all cylinders.
The best thing about all this is how connected the issues are. X-Men has become the long soap opera we all know and love. Picking up exactly where we last left off, the plots and characters continue to progress seamlessly. I think the character work is my favorite part. Team books can easily suffer from focusing on just one or two characters and leaving the rest behind. It happens far too often. Not every writer can balance a whole team and give everyone their moments and development, but Claremont so easily does it. Cyclops coming into his own as team leader and Jean’s growing powers obviously get the most time, but every single character that appears is three-dimensional, from the rest of the main roster to Professor X, Angel, and even Beast. It’s a masterclass of team writing. I can’t sing Claremont’s praises enough.
I have to talk about Byrne’s art. He uses every inch of the page to his advantage. Every drawing is a work of art. I stared at some pages for minutes without continuing to read. As good as Claremont is at writing, Byrne is at drawing. Utah landscapes, lavish Hellfire parties, sewers, all-out superhero battles, vast space scenes, alien locales, and more. It’s all perfect.
Character work is just as good as scenery with Byrne. He conveys so much through facial expressions and body position. I truly believe that these two creators are the best there ever was.
If I place myself as a reader at the time, I’m sure losing Jean would have a bit of a bigger impact on me emotionally, but I know she’ll be back in just a few years’ time. Despite knowing that her story isn’t actually over, I can say it’s a great and satisfying end to Jean’s arc. We’ve spent around twenty issues with Phoenix’s power as a background threat, with Jean questioning her limits, and with the team becoming wary of her true potential. Then we get the Dark Phoenix Saga where it all wraps up: She reachers that potential but remains a hero and sacrifices herself. One of the purest characters never lets power corrupt her (when her psyche is in charge at least). Jean and Scott’s love is affirmed multiple times before she dies. It’s an excellent tragic ending.
X-Men has now completed its journey from mediocre book to Marvel’s crown jewel. This is the X-Men I love. This is why they’re Marvel’s biggest team.
Up next: Eternals and Celestials and Thor, oh my!
Issues Read:
X-Men #129–138
Favorite issue: #135. Seeing Dark Phoenix at full power for the first time, the X-Men vs. Dark Phoenix battle, and the infamous killing of 5 billion make it my favorite
