Phoenix is an interesting, troubled book. Once touted as the launching pad for Marvel’s new cosmic line, that role was quickly taken over by the Imperial event. This caused Phoenix to make a quick about-face more than halfway through its run, shifting to a different kind of story. The book now feels adrift, especially with the departure of series writer Stephanie Phillips and so much overlap with the Storm series, which is troubled in its own way. The title has no unique narrative purpose, and the recent revelation that the upcoming Binary tie-in for Age of Revelation would not feature Jean Grey caused a stir as well. What does the future hold for Phoenix as a title or as a character?
Phoenix #14 doesn’t provide those answers, but it is the strongest issue of the book in a long time. Stephanie Phillips and artist Roi Mercado deliver an issue with the most excitement and depth since Phoenix #5.
Sara Grey is a shadow, created from light but cast in darkness. She’s a product of her sister’s vast power, unintentionally brought to life. This has created a reckoning, bringing the In-Betweener, the great cosmic entity of dualities, to the fray. Sara’s existence has created an imbalance, and if Phoenix won’t correct it, the In-Betweener will. Jean, for her part, doesn’t want to lose her sister again. Phillips recalls the vast, staggering array of losses Jean has experienced: her parents, cousins, uncles and aunts, her niece and nephew, and her brother-in-law, all exterminated by the Shi’ar. It’s a sobering reminder that this character, with such great power, is also steeped in so much tragedy. Though a shadow, a creation, Sara is still her sister and has all the memories of the life Sara Grey lived.
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This shared childhood plays out in another flashback, much like the ones in Phoenix #12. Sara and Jean join some friends and break into an abandoned “haunted” house in their neighborhood. What starts as a moment of youthful rebellion soon triggers Jean’s latent mutant powers. She spooks the others when she feels a psychic connection to the spirits that were once in this home. Sara, ever the protective sister, covers for Jean and dispels any suspicion that it was an elaborate prank.
The showdown between Jean and the In-Betweener brings the entire cosmic pantheon into play. Jean is seemingly aware that Sara shouldn’t be placed above the needs of the universe, but is reluctant to lose her family again. Powerful, universal forces such as Eternity, Infinity, the Living Tribunal, Oblivion, and others join the In-Betweener in the White Hot Room to kill Sara and prevent Phoenix from escaping. But in the White Hot Room, Phoenix never stands alone. Phoenix #14 ends with some very surprising appearances, at least two of which are such niche references that some fans might be scratching their heads. Others who delight in Phoenix lore and the intricate web of cosmic players will be delighted.
Phoenix #14 is drawn by Roi Mercado and colored by Java Tartaglia. Mercado is a relatively new artist, with Phoenix being his first ongoing series. His inexperience is evident, but some leeway can be afforded him for that. He does an admirable job on the whole, but one can’t help but feel that to sell the scale of the book, Phoenix really needs an artist comparable to those on Storm and Magik to truly shine and elevate Phillips’ writing. Sadly, Phoenix #14 doesn’t meet the visual bar needed to be truly impressive. Tartaglia’s colors are serviceable but don’t stand out in a noticeable way.
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This issue is well-paced and successfully sets the stage for the next one by establishing clear stakes. It introduces a believable cosmic threat and a compelling dilemma for Jean Grey to resolve. A notable strength of this story arc is the effective use of flashbacks, which have proven to be a valuable tool for deepening the narrative. However, the issue is not without its flaws. The dialogue remains somewhat stilted, and the artwork fails to capture the grand scale and cosmic nature of the climactic showdown.
Phoenix #14 is the strongest issue of Phoenix in a long time. This troubled book has undergone numerous changes and twists in its production, and those issues have often hindered what was initially the most promising concept among the From the Ashes titles. While this most recent arc hasn’t been able to meet the emotional weight such a story deserves, Phoenix #14 ups the stakes in an interesting way and sets the table for a truly cosmic showdown.
‘Phoenix’ #14 Review: Offers a Glimmer of Hope
Phoenix #14 is the strongest issue of Phoenix in a long time. This troubled book has undergone numerous changes and twists in its production, and those issues have often hindered what was initially the most promising concept among the From the Ashes titles. While this most recent arc hasn’t been able to meet the emotional weight such a story deserves, Phoenix #14 ups the stakes in an interesting way and sets the table for a truly cosmic showdown.
