The X-Men are some of my favorite characters in Marvel Comics. I am not going to lie, I am HYPED that Marvel Studios now has control over this franchise. Some of the X-Men films have been….sub par. The final Fox owned film, Dark Phoenix, is coming to us this June, and I am mildly excited. It seems like every trailer we see, it gets better and better. To prepare those of you who know nothing about the Phoenix force, here is a list of 5 comics you should check out before seeing this movie in theaters.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga Omnibus
The greatest comic book saga ever told, in one cosmic-sized Omnibus! It begins with a shocking story in which Marvel Girl sacrifices herself…only to be reborn as Phoenix! But when a galaxy-spanning adventure reveals that Jean Grey has somehow attained power beyond conception, Cyclops and the X-Men can only watch as Phoenix is corrupted absolutely.
As the team faces the Shi’ar Empire, Hellfire Club and more, can Jean Grey be redeemed? Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum and John Byrne weave an epic tale of triumph and tragedy that changed everything for the X-Men – and all of comics! It’s the full Dark Phoenix Saga, with bonus tales illuminating Jean Grey’s defining story!
COLLECTING: X-MEN 97-105, 107-108, 125-138; PHOENIX: THE UNTOLD STORY 1; MATERIAL FROM CLASSIC X-MEN 6, 8, 13, 18, 24, 43; BIZARRE ADVENTURES 27, WHAT IF? (1977) 27
Uncanny X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga
An epic tale of triumph and tragedy! When the Dark Phoenix rises, suns grow cold and universes die! Gathered by Charles Xavier, the X-Men have dedicated their wondrous abilities to protect mankind – even those who hate and fear them. one of their own, Jean Grey, has unwittingly attained power beyond conception – and been corrupted, absolutely.
The X-Men must decide: Is the life of the woman they cherish worth the existence of an entire universe? This touching tale of ultimate power and the triumph of the human spirit has been a cornerstone of the X-Men mythos for over three decades.
COLLECTING: X-Men 129-138, ClassIc X-Men 43, Bizarre Adventures 27 (1st story), Phoenix: The Untold Story, What If? (1977) 27
X-Men: Phoenix Rising
The mother of all back-from-the-dead stories! Jean Grey was touched by cosmic power, Jean Grey went insane and destroyed a world, Jean Grey sacrificed her life to save the universe – but it wasn’t Jean Grey at all! Mutantkind’s most remarkable resurrection, spread across three titles: AVENGERS, FANTASTIC FOUR and X-FACTOR!
Guest-starring the Sensational She-Hulk, the Incredible Hercules and more!
COLLECTING: AVENGERS (1963) #263, FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #286, X-FACTOR (1986) #1, and material from CLASSIC X-MEN #8 and #43
Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey
Like a Phoenix from the ashes, she will rise! Years ago, Jean Grey died at the hands of a villainous mutant – and the X-Men mourned her. But that was then – and in the years that have passed since that shocking loss, the world has changed. Jean’s teammates have lived without her, and some have died without her.
But now, when strange and mysterious events start happening all over the world, an unmistakable pattern forms, and Jean’s friends and loved ones can only come to one startling conclusion. Impossible as it seems – the one true Jean Grey is back from the dead!
COLLECTING: PHOENIX RESURRECTION: THE RETURN OF JEAN GREY 1-5
X-Men: Phoenix in Darkness
Jean Grey’s cycle of death and rebirth continues as one of comics’ most celebrated writers leaves his unmistakable mark on the Phoenix! As Jean’s connection with the cosmic firebird rekindles, Magneto returns!
The X-Men thought that his mutant menace had finally been ended – but he was hiding in plain sight all along, waiting to make his move. With the X-Men scattered and blindsided, New York afl ame and Xavier’s students corrupted, Jean must reclaim the power of the Phoenix…no matter the terrible cost!
Then, 150 years in the future, the X-Men’s ultimate foe has finally revealed his true face. But when the Phoenix Egg is discovered, will the X-Men of tomorrow become the next victims to burn in the Phoenix Force’s purifying flames? Experience a pivotal chapter in the life and legacy of Jean Grey!
COLLECTING: NEW X-MEN (2001) 146-154
About Dark Phoenix
This is the story of one of the X-Men’s most beloved characters, Jean Grey, as she evolves into the iconic DARK PHOENIX. During a life-threatening rescue mission in space, Jean is hit by a cosmic force that transforms her into one of the most powerful mutants of all. Wrestling with this increasingly unstable power as well as her own personal demons, Jean spirals out of control, tearing the X-Men family apart and threatening to destroy the very fabric of our planet.
The film is the most intense and emotional X-Men movie ever made. It is the culmination of 20 years of X-Men movies, as the family of mutants that we’ve come to know and love must face their most devastating enemy yet — one of their own.
Dark Phoenix hits theaters June 7th!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for almost ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association, Hollywood Critics Association, and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.
Dark Phoenix Put Me To Sleep (Literally!) | Mama's Geeky
Sunday 29th of September 2019
[…] plan to see the movie? Check out these comic books you should read before seeing Dark Phoenix. That should help. A […]
Dan Crane
Thursday 2nd of May 2019
I realize this is going to date me, but I remember reading those Claremont/Byrne/Cockrum issues way back in the late 70's and to me those issues represent some of the greatest comic book stories of all time. What I remember the most was the excruciating agony after reading an issue and having to wait for the next one to arrive (back then I used the primitive method of actually subscribing to them directly from Marvel, as comic shops were not a thing yet). It was exceptionally painful for the earlier issues as the Uncanny X-men came out bi-monthly (that's every other month).
Those were the days.
Mama's Geeky
Friday 3rd of May 2019
OH wow every other month! Man, that sounds horrible! I still hate having to wait for issues as I do subscribe and get them every week at my local shop. Still, if I love a story line, I buy the trade because it is easier to re-read LOL