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
Quotes
Top 10 + 1 Quotes from Jean Grey
Jean is good at getting the last word in so it is easy to find quality quotes from her. But, it was hard limiting this to only the Top 10 quotes, which meant using most quotes from the Dark Phoenix Saga, since there were so many great ones. I just couldn’t limit it to only 10 so I added one for good measure. Would you add any additional quotes? Feel free to add a comment with new quote.
- “I am fire and life incarnate! Now and forever — I am Phoenix!”
Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #101 - “If even one more person died at my hands…It’s better this way. Quick. Clean. Final. I love you, Scott. A part of me will always be with you.”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #137 Her final words other than “Scott!”. - “I am what was, what is, what will be — the black angel, Chaos-Bringer!I AM POWER!”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #136 - “Finish me with your claws. I beg you. I don’t want to HURT YOU!!”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #136 - “I…hunger, Scott — for a joy, a rapture. Beyond all comprehension. That need is a part of me, too.”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #136 - “But the fire of the Phoenix burns through lies, you understand? The gaze of the Phoenix is like an x-ray tearing through every self-deception. So burn, Emma!”
Jean Grey, New X-men #139 - “Scott, am i worth it? I destroyed a world–in my mind, I can still hear the screams of the dying–and it felt good! I don’t want that feeling ever again. And yet–I do!
Marvel Girl/Jean Grey, Uncanny X-men #137 - “And you’re Emma Frost–The Hellfire Club’s White Queen. I understand you call yourself something of a telepath. Well, “Your Majesty.” Let’s see how good you really are.”
Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #131 - “You and I are quits now, X-men. Our paths will cross no more. My destiny lies in the stars.
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #135 - “Jean to Phoenix to Dark Phoenix–a progression as inevitable as death.”
Dark Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #137″ - Open your eyes, Scott. Nothing will happen. I’m telekinetically keep your optic blasts in check. I…wanted to see your face, That’s all. You have a good face.”
Jean Grey, Uncanny X-men #131