Marvel Comics is bringing the original Jean Grey back in a miniseries called Phoenix Resurrection from Matthew Rosenberg and Leinil Francis Yu. The first issue (out now) offers more questions than answers about the powerful telepath’s return to the land of the living.
How does the first issue set up Jean’s return? Let’s check out what readers can expect from the book.
SPOILER ALERT! The following will spoil the events of Phoenix Resurrection #1.
The book starts with two kids on bikes in the city of Annandale-on-Hudson in New York, the hometown of Jean Grey. The kids find a girl unconscious on the ground with blood coming out of her eyes.
They investigate the body when the girl suddenly wakes up with blank eyes and says, “We were better off dead” backwards. A red-haired girl appears behind the kids, asking if they want to play with a bird. She throws it into the air and embers come out of the bird.
The X-Men appear on the scene hours later, in response to a reading from Cerebro. The two children are in the same state as the unconscious girl, but the two are actually hovering in the air.
Rachel Summers, the daughter of Jean and Cyclops from another timeline, begins to feel ill and heads to the infirmary as the X-Men return to their base. Kitty Pryde calls a meeting of the X-Men and informs them of suspicious readings around the world and that three teams will be sent to investigate.
The first location is the former home of the Hellfire Club, where Jean was once a member after being subverted by Mastermind. The second is Mont Saint Francis, where Magneto’s Acolytes once called home, with the final reading coming from the North Pole.
All three teams face off against various enemies that shouldn’t be around. The Hellfire Club is seemingly home to an army of Hellfire Soldiers, who turn out to not be human and disappear after Colossus creates an exit.
Rogue and the time-displaced First Class X-Men fight Seamus Mellencamp at Mont Saint Francis. Seamus, who Rogue points out is supposed to be dead, disappears after punching him through a wall. The North Pole team (consisting of X-Force members) runs into the young original Wolverine, who disappears after a brawl with the team. A bright light comes across the sky and all three teams look up to see a giant fire bird in the sky.
The issue then goes “elsewhere” to two waitresses, one a redhead wearing a nametag with Jean on it. Gladys, the other waitress, asks if she sees the bird in the sky but she doesn’t. Jean goes back inside and waits on a red-haired man named Cassidy, who talks in an Irish accent. This is obviously Sean Cassidy, AKA Banshee, who is a former member of the X-Men, presumed be dead.
Jean goes home to her parents when Jean treats her pet bird to a snack. We see a picture of Jean in a graduation gown, as well as one with a young Jean and her parents.
The parents ask about her day when the doorbell rings. Jean goes to answer it, revealing it’s Scott Summers at the door for a date. Interestingly, the double picture of Jean has now changed. The picture of Jean in her graduation gown has transformed into one of Jean and Scott.
This version of Cyclops died before the X-Men vs Inhumans storyline, so this entire issue is one giant mind fuck.
But what does this all mean? Is this really Jean? If it is, does the Phoenix have her in this dreamlike state? The second issue of Phoenix Resurrection goes on sale Jan. 3.
In the meantime, let us know your thoughts and theories in the comments section below.
