Dark Phoenix Saga Review
The Uncanny X-Men – “The Dark Phoenix Saga” (1979-80)
Collects The Uncanny X-Men issues 129-137. Writers: Chris Claremont and John Byrne, Penciller: John Byrne, Inker: Terry Austin, Colourists: Bob Sharen and Glynis Wein, Letterist: Tom Orzechowski. Published by Marvel Comics in 1979-80.
In a perfect world, I’d be able to make this review more timely by telling people that if they were intrigued by how the Dark Phoenix story played out in X-Men: The Last Stand, then they should consider checking out the original story as written over 25 years ago in the comics. Unfortunately, that movie had nothing to do with The Dark Phoenix Saga as it was originally presented. In fact, it had little to do with Dark Phoenix at all (other than resurrecting Jean Grey, having her block Cyclops’ blasts in a scene, do battle with the X-Men in her old house, and her ultimate fate), and instead gave us a “Super Jean Grey” sub-plot, and called her Phoenix. Which leaves the sixth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the best interpretation of this story to appear outside the comics.
Instead, I guess you could check this out to see why so many fans were so bothered by the movie and what they keep going on about with this Dark Phoenix stuff. Or, you could just check out because it is the greatest X-Men story of all-time. The Dark Phoenix Saga isn’t just AN X-Men story, it is THE X-Men story, and if the producers of the movie couldn’t do it justice, then they should have just left it alone. I know some defenders will say that comic book fans are too hard to please, that elements of this story would be too hard to portray in a movie. I agree that the space elements of the story would need to be left out; I’d even allow for the movie to replace the Hellfire Club with Magneto’s Brotherhood for expediency’s sake (although a Jason Wyngarde/Mastermind-type character is a necessary edition to the story). Many changes were made to God Loves, Man Kills to adapt it for X2, but they worked. Because the makers of that film respected the story. Every comic book movie that’s not named Sin City has made significant changes from the books, and comic book fans have accepted many of them because they got the feel of the characters and story right. Read more
Uncanny X-men 137
#2 Comic to Own for Phoenix Fans – “Phoenix Must Die”
The second most important phoenix comic to own after Uncanny X-men 101 is Uncanny X-men 137 where we witness the death of Jean Grey / Phoenix. Maybe the best written comic of all time.
The X-Men find themselves amidst a Shi’ar tribunal, hovering around earth to judge and sentence the Phoenix. Charges are presented. There is legal wrangling. A duel for Phoenix is agreed upon, and the X-Men are given a day to rest. The duel is to be between the X-Men and the Imperial Guard, and they fight on the Dark Side of the Moon in a base of fabulous technology. They fight valiantly but are defeated one by one. Phoenix goes out of control and Professor X directs the X-Men to attack her. Scott talks Phoenix to her senses, and she sacrifices herself to save the universe.
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