PHOENIX: AN ESSAY By: Jody Weinman

There was a reason for the feverish whispering in theatres towards the end of X2: X-Men United. The Phoenix character has always been one of the most intriguing and mysterious characters in the Marvel universe. Jean Grey never wanted the Phoenix power; but it chose her. Now, as we wait for the May 26, 2006 release of X-Men 3, let us take a look back at the history of the Phoenix, and the young woman it chose.

From the very beginning, as Jean Grey made her first comic book appearance in X-Men # 1, you always knew there was something special about her. After all, she was the only female in the original group of X-Men, so it was never a lock that Scott Summers would win her heart. Some of the best moments of the early 1960's X-Men were the thoughts of Scott and Jean. Because of his power, Scott was so worried about hurting anyone he got close to that he never made a move on Jean. Jean always liked him but assumed the feeling wasn't mutual.

Years passed, and eventually they found themselves together. Fast-Forward to the monumental Uncanny X-Men # 101, as Jean Grey emerges from the water after saving the X-Men's lives; only she isn't Jean Grey at all. She is donning a new green and yellow costume, and is calling herself Phoenix. Now this scene has been re-created in the 1990's Saturday morning cartoon "X-Men", and basically sticks to the original Chris Claremont story.

The only major differences is which X-Men are present on the mission. Then we have the interpretation from  X2: X-Men United, where again, the characters are different, but the basic story remains. Scott believes Jean to be dead; which will always be the most key starting element to the Phoenix Saga, whether portryed in the comics, television, or the big screen. 

In both the comics and 1990's cartoon, Jean collapses right after declaring herself Phoenix, and Scott and Professor X take care of her. The cartoon did a really good job of capturing how painful it was for Scott and Charles both to see Jean in such a condition. But eventually, Jean is well again. In the comics, there is a brief period of Jean being the Phoenix, wearing the yellow and green outfit, and having much-increased powers. During this time, Scott feels very uneasy with Jean's new power, and there is a big strain put on their relationship. There is even a brief period where Beast and Phoenix think the rest of the X-Men to be dead, until it is revealed they were trapped in the Savage land. This all leads up to what is in my opinion the best story arc in comic book history, The Dark Phoenix Saga. Bringing this story to the big screen will only be challenging because the original work has set such a high bar.

I have never felt a deeper connection to a story in comics than this one. In the comics, Mastermind, a mutant with the power of illusion, joins the Hellfire club and goes by the name Jason Wyngarde. He uses his illusions to trick Jean into thinking she is back the 1800's and she is to marry Jason. Eventually, the X-Men battle the hellfire club, and Jean gives all her Phoenix power to Mastermind, completely overwhelming him. Everything seems fine, then Jean attacks the X-Men, and it is evident that the "darker" side of the Phoenix has indeed taken over. We then get an idea of the incredible power of the Phoenix as she flies off and replenishes her power by feeding on a sun.

Unfortunatly, that sun being destroyed killed off the entire D'Bari race; all 5 billion of them. Princess Lilandra has the X-Men transported to the flagship of the Shi'Ar starfleet, and she informs them that Phoenix must die for her actions. Professor X, in a last ditch effort to save one of his first students; challenges Lilandra to a duel of honor. Jean; now able to take temporary control of the dark side of her Phoenix power, decides to wear her old Marvel Girl outfit from her days with the early X-Men. The battle ensues, and leads to the moment of truth; as Scott and Jean are together; alone. Jean explains to Scott that she cannot deal with the burden of any more deaths on her conscience, and she must die. She then uses a weapon among the ruins to destroy herself, once and for all.