Jean Grey will once again soar the spaceways as Phoenix in a new series coming later this year by Stephanie Phillips (Grim) and Alessandro Miracolo (White Widow).
Part of the “From the Ashes” publishing initiative that follows the end of the current Krakoa era in the X-Men titles, the new series will spin directly out of the final Krakoa issues we’re seeing hit stores between now and the summer, in particular X-Men Forever and Rise of the Powers of X. While Marvel’s a little coy on what exactly happens to bring Jean Grey and the Phoenix back together, the new series has them working in apparent harmony.
“Jean is one of the most powerful characters I’ve ever written,” Phillips said. “The beauty and challenge to Jean is that she is imbued with a cosmic force alongside the morals, shortcomings, and empathy of a human being. The dichotomy between those two is something incredibly special about Jean, and means that she is constantly doing a dance between humanity and absolute power.”
The series will emphasize the cosmic nature of the Phoenix — and guest-star another cosmic hero, Nova:
She is Jean Grey. She is Phoenix. She saves the world. She brings death. One woman, alone in space, who not only must do what no one else can: she yearns to. A desperate S.O.S. from Nova brings the Phoenix to the edge of a black hole, where hundreds of lives hang in the balance… and whatever Jean does—or fails to do—will bring darkness to the universe and haunt her in ways she can scarcely imagine…
“So, that dance is what we hope to have on full display in this story… a cosmic ballet that shows how beautiful the Phoenix Force can be when working in tandem with Jean Grey,” Phillips said. “And let me assure you, Alessandro Miracolo has made that cosmic dance look absolutely gorgeous.”
Phoenix #1, featuring a cover by Yasmine Putri, arrives in stores July 17.