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Title: X-Men: Phoenix Rising by Roger Stern, Bob Layton, John Byme, John Buscema, Jackson Gulce ISBN: 0-7851-0711-8 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: May, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.17 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Phoenix's First Resurrection
Comment: To many, this is the story that ruined the X-Men. That is understandable. To many, the classic death of Jean Grey/Phoenix on the moon at the end of the "Dark Phoenix Saga" is not something to be tampered with. Therefore, when Marvel decided to resurrect Jean for the formation of X-Factor in the mid-1980s, many felt cheated. They felt that this story cheapened the original "death". For me, I'm glad that Jean is alive again (although she's dead again in the recent Grant Morrison X-Men run, I was told!). I felt that this story opened up so many story possibilities - especially the emotional tug-of-war that Cyclops, then married to Jean-lookalike, Madelyne Pryor, had to face.
The problem with many comic fans is that they can't seem to see beyond the "scandal" or "controversy". For example, the Batman story, "A Death in the Family". Everytime you hear fans discussing that storyline, they have to bring in the controversial decision that D.C. made at that time to set up a 1-800 number for people to call in voting whether to let Robin live or die. Seeing beyond that little piece of marketing ploy, the story by Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo is pretty tight and solid. Same thing here. Jean Grey lives. The Phoenix entity that died on the moon was a different person altogether (therefore, Jean is not guilty of the crimes committed by Dark Phoenix). If the fans would just take time to examine the story carefully, they would find this a solid book to begin with.
Firstly, we have the issue from Avengers wherein the cocoon holding Jean underwater is found. The fans also screamed when they discovered this - Jean's resurrection taking place in "Avengers" rather than "Uncanny X-Men". But then that was the time when Jim Shooter was head at Marvel and continuity BETWEEN the books was very tight (unlike the current no-continuity nu-Marvel). I, for one, do not see a problem with that. And I'm thankful to see again the work of Roger Stern, John Buscema and Tom Palmer, whom I consider the best Avengers creators ever (check out their work on "Avengers: Under Siege" to see what I mean). The second part of the storyline takes place in "Fantastic Four" and it's largely written and drawn by John Byrne. Great flashback scenes here explain in detail what really happened to Jean and Phoenix in "X-Men #101". I was told that Chris Claremont tampered a little with this story and some panels were redrawn by Jackson Guice. This, of course, contributed to Byrne's finally leaving the FF soon after. The best part of the book, and also the part that packs the most emotional punch is the last chapter - a reprint of X-Factor #1. Bob Layton writes and Jackson Guice pencils this tale of how Jean's closest pals/lovers, namely, the original X-Men, react to her being alive again.
Reading this carefully, one can see the seeds being planted for future storylines in the X-books like "Inferno" and "X-cutioner's Song". Scott is pushed to the limit emotionally and ends up a wreck, abandoning his wife Madelyne and son, Nathan. The original five X-Men, including Jean, forms X-Factor. The last panel with Madelyne discovering Scott's "unfaithfulness" on TV (in an X-Factor ad) is priceless.
Lastly, this book comes with an Introduction by Kurt Busiek, who had the guts to claim credit for coming up with the idea of Jean's resurrection in the first place. Overall solid writing and art throughout. Long live Jean...
Rating: 4
Summary: Essential
Comment: The entire Phoenix Saga is by far the most compelling story line in Marvel's history. This graphic novel is unfortunately missing several issues that follow the supposed death of Jean Grey (which would leave some newbie readers a little lost). It also does not end with any sense of closure as "The Dark Phoenix Saga" and "Inferno" graphic novels did.
There isn't a lot of action here as you would find with most other X-Men graphic novels. However, this is an important link in the chain of Phoenix-related events. The development of the characters and the twisting of the plot is unmatched. No true fan can deny that this paricular era of Marvel's history was the finest in comic story-telling. The art is superb and the depth of the characters is what REALLY makes this worth reading.
Discover the complexity of Jean's revival. Watch the unravelling of Scott and Madelyn's marriage. See the forming of a new superhero team. Witness a woman's descent into madness... "Phoenix Rising" is an essential part of any worth-while collection.
Rating: 4
Summary: A few things missing, but still good.
Comment: Short and to the point, this novel depicts the return of Jean Grey and the creation of X-Factor by the original X-Men. It is a very well done story, but it was definitely missing a few cogs. It should have included X-Men #201, which depicts why Cyclops left the X-men. A few segments from Defenders #152, which show why Angel, Beast, and Iceman were ready to retire would have been a huge plus. (Not the entire issue, however, as most of the comic was not that good.) Still, a nice job.
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Title: X-Men: From the Ashes by Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, Bob Wiacek, John S. Romita, Walter Simonson ISBN: 0871356155 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: March, 1991 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Terry Austin ISBN: 0785111476 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: August, 1990 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: X-Men: Enter The Phoenix by Chris Claremont ISBN: 0812543254 Publisher: Tor Kids Pub. Date: 15 January, 1996 List Price(USD): $3.99 |
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Title: X-Tinction Agenda (X-Men)(STAR0364) by Chris Claremont, Louise Simonson, Rob Liefeld ISBN: 0871359227 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: November, 1992 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: X-Cutioner's Song: Featuring the X-Men, X-Factor and X-Force by Scott Lobdell, Peter David, Fabian Niceza, Fabian Nicieza, Kelly Corvese, Bob Harras ISBN: 0785100253 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: May, 1994 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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