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X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga Omnibus
The greatest comic book saga ever told, in one cosmic-sized Omnibus! It begins with a shocking story in which Marvel Girl sacrifices herself...only to be reborn as Phoenix! But when a galaxy-spanning adventure reveals that Jean Grey has somehow attained power beyond conception, Cyclops and the X-Men can only watch as Phoenix is corrupted absolutely. As the team faces the Shi'ar Empire, Hellfi re Club and more, can Jean Grey be redeemed? Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum and John Byrne weave an epic tale of triumph and tragedy that changed everything for the X-Men - and all of comics! It's the full Dark Phoenix Saga, with bonus tales illuminating Jean Grey's defining story! COLLECTING: X-MEN 97-105, 107-108, 125-138; PHOENIX: THE UNTOLD STORY 1; MATERIAL FROM CLASSIC X-MEN 6, 8, 13, 18, 24, 43; BIZARRE ADVENTURES 27, WHAT IF? (1977) 27
660 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2018
11 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Chris Claremont
3,276 books888 followersChris Claremont is a writer of American comic books, best known for his 16-year (1975-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industry's most successful properties.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 16, 2020
One of the most famous X-Men stories or comic book stories in general is the Dark Phoenix Saga, the chronicle of how the X-Men’s Jean Grey is overcome and corrupted by a cosmic power that is too much for any human to control. It’s one of the most essential and influential stories of all time and this edition is hands-down the best way to read it. This compiles all the stories from the first escape from the Sentinel space station that led to Jean Grey bonding with the Phoenix Force, to the initial space adventure with the Shi’ar, and to the fight with the Hellfire Club and Jean’s transformation into her darker self. It’s all here in one gorgeous edition for the first time, including the back-up stories. The story is ahead of its time and is a must-read for any comic book fan.
November 29, 2023
The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont is probably one of the most major comic book events in the Marvel Comics Universe timeline. I'd say it's right up there with Jim Starlin's Marvel stories about the Mad Titan Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet in terms of scope and power. I finally got a chance to read it and I really enjoyed it, but there are some points I would like to make about the story and, also, how hard it would be to adapt into a single film.
Okay, the first thing that I didn't like about the film was the strange dialogue. Hearing characters like Colossus/Peter Rasputin and Storm saying things like 'By the Gods!' or 'By the White Wolf!' is a little ridiculous. Also, the amount of dialogue during fights is ridiculous. Basically, you get two characters fighting and they both engage in extensive trash talk and bragging about their powers. If I had powers like Wolverine or Nightcrawler, I wouldn't boast about them right to my opponent's face because they would then know how to defeat me easily.
Also, the comic moves along really fast. I would have liked a bit more backstory and explanations for certain events. Especially with the destruction of the D'Bari homeworld and the fights between the X-Men and the Imperial Guard. It's kind of hard to absorb all the data thrown at you when you things are constantly changing.
Finally, the characters were a little strange. I guess since I grew up watching the 20th Century Fox Marvel X-Men movies, I expect the X-Men to behave a certain way. Especially Logan, who is a total hothead in this book. Also, his relationship with Jean is incredibly less-developed and likeable than the relationship he and Jean had in the original timeline movies. I understand, also, that Cyclops at the end of the story is in incredible grief, but I do not feel sorry at all for him since in Avengers vs X-Men, he KILLS CHARLES XAVIER with the same Phoenix Force, and you can see the seeds of that anger and resentment against Charles building up.
It's a great read, but not perfect. However, I can see now how hard it would be to adapt it as a single-length film since you would have to cover a LOT of story. I don't think even a 'Snyder Cut'-length film (over three-and-a-half-hour long big-budget production) would successfully adapt a four-hundred page graphic novel, not without cutting out a few scenes in the process.
Okay, the first thing that I didn't like about the film was the strange dialogue. Hearing characters like Colossus/Peter Rasputin and Storm saying things like 'By the Gods!' or 'By the White Wolf!' is a little ridiculous. Also, the amount of dialogue during fights is ridiculous. Basically, you get two characters fighting and they both engage in extensive trash talk and bragging about their powers. If I had powers like Wolverine or Nightcrawler, I wouldn't boast about them right to my opponent's face because they would then know how to defeat me easily.
Also, the comic moves along really fast. I would have liked a bit more backstory and explanations for certain events. Especially with the destruction of the D'Bari homeworld and the fights between the X-Men and the Imperial Guard. It's kind of hard to absorb all the data thrown at you when you things are constantly changing.
Finally, the characters were a little strange. I guess since I grew up watching the 20th Century Fox Marvel X-Men movies, I expect the X-Men to behave a certain way. Especially Logan, who is a total hothead in this book. Also, his relationship with Jean is incredibly less-developed and likeable than the relationship he and Jean had in the original timeline movies. I understand, also, that Cyclops at the end of the story is in incredible grief, but I do not feel sorry at all for him since in Avengers vs X-Men, he KILLS CHARLES XAVIER with the same Phoenix Force, and you can see the seeds of that anger and resentment against Charles building up.
It's a great read, but not perfect. However, I can see now how hard it would be to adapt it as a single-length film since you would have to cover a LOT of story. I don't think even a 'Snyder Cut'-length film (over three-and-a-half-hour long big-budget production) would successfully adapt a four-hundred page graphic novel, not without cutting out a few scenes in the process.
May 17, 2021
A classic defining X-men story. It’s one of the best X-men stories you can read and this omnibus collects the origin story of Phoenix and its set up along with the entirety of the Dark Phoenix saga and its set up. In addition it includes numerous back up stories written years after the original story that shed new light on the story and even the original ending before it was changed.
Even if you never read this saga but knows how it ends because you watched other X-men related media or read other stories, this collection is still worthwhile and comes highly recommended.
Even if you never read this saga but knows how it ends because you watched other X-men related media or read other stories, this collection is still worthwhile and comes highly recommended.
May 29, 2019
Being a huge fan of X-Men comics, I always felt like a poser because I had never read the Dark Phoenix Saga. It’s one of the most famous and beloved of the series, yet I only knew about Phoenix from what I saw of her in the 90’s tv show. I loved her from that moment, but I appreciate the character even more now that I’ve finished this omnibus. Jean Grey’s time as Phoenix and then Dark Phoenix is a perfect example of what the X-Men represent and who a hero should be. My favorite line is in the final issue when we find out the fate of the Phoenix. The all knowing individual comments about Jean and says something like “she gave up life as a god, so she could die as a human.” I thought that was such a humbling thing and I loved it. I also loved a lot of the banter between the X-Men throughout and how we get into the minds of these characters. I do have a few qualms though, and the main one is with Jean Grey’s inconsistent agency throughout the storyline. She is one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel universe, but there are so many times she is reduced to her dependence on Scott or Mastermind (aka Jason W-something). She’s all about loving her men and although Scott is her end game, I wonder what else she wants out of life? I asked myself that question a lot while reading. I felt better about everything when she saved the entire universe by ending her own life. Sadly that does turn her into a martyr of sorts. She literally loves so much that she would die for those she shares that love with. I definitely think Phoenix is a character that deserves to be celebrated more, her polar opposites are what make her intriguing and just a great hero/villain. It’s painful to see a character we love go through so much and not be able to escape the demons within themself. Oh and really quick, my other qualm was I wanted more Dazzler! This was an overall great omnibus and I’m so glad I finally read the Dark Phoenix Saga, just in time for the new movie too. That may have been one of the reasons I picked up the book, but I’ll read again because of the interesting characters, amazing artwork, and because the Phoenix’s outfit is fierce and I just need more of that in my life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2020
This is the story that has cast a shadow over pretty much every X-Men story that came after.
The story itself still holds up. I mean, Claremont has a way of taking the interpersonal relationships of the team and putting them in the spotlight, while at the same time having these huge plot points occurring as well. And the pacing of the overall story, how one plot bleeds into the next, is really remarkable. You can certainly feel the tenseness and excitement from these pages. I can only imagine what it was like reading this monthly back then in single issues.
I think part of what makes this work so well is that there is a hefty amount of realism. There are consequences for actions, even if the characters aren't directly in control. Not only that, but Claremont has this style where it seems things are wrapped up in a very convenient and "comic booky" kind of way, only to pull the rug out from under us and have the next twist take us to the next chapter.
If you are an X Men fan and haven't read this, you have to. It's a comic book classic that must be read if you are a comic book fan and so much more so if you are an X Men fan. The dialog sometimes is a bit heavy handed, and the exposition can be a lot at times, but overall this is a great story line and great drama.
Even though you know how this one ends, the journey of the story itself is well worth it. Highly recommended.
The story itself still holds up. I mean, Claremont has a way of taking the interpersonal relationships of the team and putting them in the spotlight, while at the same time having these huge plot points occurring as well. And the pacing of the overall story, how one plot bleeds into the next, is really remarkable. You can certainly feel the tenseness and excitement from these pages. I can only imagine what it was like reading this monthly back then in single issues.
I think part of what makes this work so well is that there is a hefty amount of realism. There are consequences for actions, even if the characters aren't directly in control. Not only that, but Claremont has this style where it seems things are wrapped up in a very convenient and "comic booky" kind of way, only to pull the rug out from under us and have the next twist take us to the next chapter.
If you are an X Men fan and haven't read this, you have to. It's a comic book classic that must be read if you are a comic book fan and so much more so if you are an X Men fan. The dialog sometimes is a bit heavy handed, and the exposition can be a lot at times, but overall this is a great story line and great drama.
Even though you know how this one ends, the journey of the story itself is well worth it. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2022
Clairmont is a legend this I will not dispute. However, that being said he wasn't a legend right out of the gate and unfortunately that's the beginning of this book. When you get up Dark Phoenix Saga proper and even a bit before it the quality jumps precipitously.
My suggestion is honestly to just try you best to get the necessary info from the early section before you tap out and jump ahead. Look up my review of Dark Phoenix Saga as a story for more.
My suggestion is honestly to just try you best to get the necessary info from the early section before you tap out and jump ahead. Look up my review of Dark Phoenix Saga as a story for more.
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June 11, 2021Obviously a classic with some greatness throughout, but I'm having trouble getting through older comics after ripping through a lot of Brubaker, Bendis, Millar, etc.
No offense to Claremont as it was totally a product of its time, but "I am _______ and I will kick your ass because I am _________!!" (insert X-Man of your choice) in every fight scene really took me out of it.
No offense to Claremont as it was totally a product of its time, but "I am _______ and I will kick your ass because I am _________!!" (insert X-Man of your choice) in every fight scene really took me out of it.
October 4, 2022
A mixed bag. The core stories, those about Dark Phoenix and Proteus, are terrific (if you can forgive some over-writing). But this collection also includes weaker tales with terrible dialogue, rushed plots and ridiculous melodrama.
Still, superhero comics fans are likely to enjoy this collection, particularly as it has some interesting insights from the creators at the end.
Still, superhero comics fans are likely to enjoy this collection, particularly as it has some interesting insights from the creators at the end.
November 14, 2024
Perhaps it was the hype from the reputation of comic fans and websites not matching my own experience, but I felt myself let down by this. I felt the first half was out of joint with the second. Before the final issue, I would have given it three stars, but the end, and the tragic circumstances surrounding the characters will remain with me for some time.
May 13, 2025
The GOAT
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews