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X-Men: Miniseries
X-Men: Phoenix Rising
The mother of all back-from-the-dead stories! Jean Grey was touched by cosmic power, Jean Grey went insane and destroyed a world, Jean Grey sacrificed her life to save the universe - but it wasn't Jean Grey at all! Mutantkind's most remarkable resurrection, spread across three titles: AVENGERS, FANTASTIC FOUR and X-FACTOR! Guest-starring the Sensational She-Hulk, the Incredible Hercules and more! Collecting AVENGERS (1963) #263, FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #286, X-FACTOR (1986) #1, and material from CLASSIC X-MEN #8 and #43
129 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1999
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260 people want to read
About the author
Roger Stern
1,552 books111 followersRoger Stern is an American comic book author and novelist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 21, 2021
The big story line that changed X-Men history forever!
The way Jean comes back doesn’t actually have the worst explanation I’ve read in a comic.
Sure, the bit right at the beginning was totally just so people would pay attention to Jamaica Bay but it wouldn’t be a comic book story without a few conveniences.
I really did hate the way Scott treated his marriage.
I understand mutant rights are very important and Scott feels responsible HOWever, when he married Madelyne, he signed up for another responsibility. One that grew when his son was born. The lack of care or thought Scott had towards his wife and child really frustrated me…
No wonder Madelyne turns out the way she does .
Moving on, I did like that the Avengers and Fantastic Four comics still continued their individual plots throughout the Jean story.
And then there is the X-Factor comic. Bringing back the OG team even though most of their members were retiring out of the hero business….
I feel like they didn’t need to form the group right away. I would’ve liked some build up.
For me, it doesn’t seem quite realistic enough that the team would just fall into place like that after so many years of them NOT being a team.
It would’ve been cool if we saw the boys help Jean adjust to the world more than them fighting a teenager who just found out he had powers…
Overall, I didn’t mind the explanation of what exactly happened to Jean and that she’s back.
I’m not a huge fan of the way the ‘X-Factor’ team was formed so quickly or that Scott abandoned his wife and newborn.
In regards to that last story (Death and the White Phoenix), I might read it again when I get up to its publication date.
Maybe I’ll understand what they’re talking about better once I have more back story!
The way Jean comes back doesn’t actually have the worst explanation I’ve read in a comic.
Sure, the bit right at the beginning was totally just so people would pay attention to Jamaica Bay but it wouldn’t be a comic book story without a few conveniences.
I really did hate the way Scott treated his marriage.
I understand mutant rights are very important and Scott feels responsible HOWever, when he married Madelyne, he signed up for another responsibility. One that grew when his son was born. The lack of care or thought Scott had towards his wife and child really frustrated me…
No wonder Madelyne turns out the way she does .
Moving on, I did like that the Avengers and Fantastic Four comics still continued their individual plots throughout the Jean story.
And then there is the X-Factor comic. Bringing back the OG team even though most of their members were retiring out of the hero business….
I feel like they didn’t need to form the group right away. I would’ve liked some build up.
For me, it doesn’t seem quite realistic enough that the team would just fall into place like that after so many years of them NOT being a team.
It would’ve been cool if we saw the boys help Jean adjust to the world more than them fighting a teenager who just found out he had powers…
Overall, I didn’t mind the explanation of what exactly happened to Jean and that she’s back.
I’m not a huge fan of the way the ‘X-Factor’ team was formed so quickly or that Scott abandoned his wife and newborn.
In regards to that last story (Death and the White Phoenix), I might read it again when I get up to its publication date.
Maybe I’ll understand what they’re talking about better once I have more back story!
July 20, 2021
Cleverly done, how they brought back Jean Grey. I had no idea Kurt Busiek came up with the premise. I like how it crossed over with the Avengers and Fantastic Four as well. Marvel at its best.
Read
March 19, 2015A decent to good coverage (it's multiple tales) of Jean Grey and how she was lost and then came back as the Phoenix. It's an older comic so graded on a curve.
OVERALL GRADE: B minus.
OVERALL GRADE: B minus.
July 28, 2016
Never cared much for this story as the time of publication but I'm very into it right now. Loving it. Have plunged right into the Essential X-Factor collection that follows. Can't believe there are no full color collected editions of these early X-Factor issues. Not even available singly online either. So, it's black and white reprints for me. How's that for dedication and love?
March 2, 2015
X-Men: Phoenix Rising is kind of hard to rate since it’s a mix of issues from different series from different decades. Some of the issues are a lot stronger than others and it never quite finds its tone as a single volume. At times there is a surprising amount of sexism even for its time; Jean Grey is referred to as a “waif” at one point (not sure if meant to be ok because a butler says it) and even the Invisible Woman undermines her. Rather disappointing. There are also some strange panel decisions, some unintentional, such as an unfortunate hand placement which makes it appear as though Jean Grey is giving Cyclops a hand-job mid-argument. Some not so unintentional, such as She-Hulk’s butt cheek taking up half a panel.
On the plus side, there is one stand out chapter which would warrant a five star review on its own. “Greater Love Hath No X-Man” #8 from the Classic X-Men series documents Jean Grey’s heroic sacrifice, doing so with remarkable pathos. Phoenix Rising deserves to be read for this chapter alone. ”Greater Love Hath No X-Man” shows Marvel at its best, with pure storytelling which gets to the heart of its characters.
Although at time a bit hit and miss Phoenix Rising is worth a read for any X-Men fan. Heck, if nothing else, it’s nice to have a female Christ figure for once.
On the plus side, there is one stand out chapter which would warrant a five star review on its own. “Greater Love Hath No X-Man” #8 from the Classic X-Men series documents Jean Grey’s heroic sacrifice, doing so with remarkable pathos. Phoenix Rising deserves to be read for this chapter alone. ”Greater Love Hath No X-Man” shows Marvel at its best, with pure storytelling which gets to the heart of its characters.
Although at time a bit hit and miss Phoenix Rising is worth a read for any X-Men fan. Heck, if nothing else, it’s nice to have a female Christ figure for once.
February 25, 2021
It was petty good. I liked how this story line spread across two (three if you count X-Factor) different story lines. It started with the Avengers, and ended with X-Factor. This is one of the great Rise-From-The-Dead stories. I loved it, definitly one of my favorite Marvel Comics.
November 3, 2020
Thoughts: not a strong edition.
Jean is back.
Poor Maddie Pryor
Jean is back.
Poor Maddie Pryor
April 18, 2022
"YOU CALLED, CHILD OF MAN. AND I, MOTHER OF STARS, ANSWERED.
...TAKE MY HANDS. YOU WILL GAIN YOUR HEART'S DESIRE."
- The Phoenix entity to Jean Grey.
I've been on an 80's kick lately. Cloak and Dagger, Suicide Squad, West Coast Avengers, The New Teen Titans; reruns of TJ Hooker, 21 Jump Street, Murder She Wrote and Knightrider. Next week I'm gonna ask my barber for a MacGyver haircut to match my Marty McFly vest and over-sized crucifix earring. This is your brain on drugs!
I read The Dark Phoenix Saga some time ago and don't recall the particulars, but I remember that Jean Grey was possessed by the Phoenix entity. Together they destroyed at least one planet, killing millions, which earned her a death sentence from the Shi'ar Empire.
Naturally, Marvel found a way to make Jean Grey NOT dead, because why should ANYTHING be permanent. Soap operas for example.
Fantastic Four #286 and Avengers #263 are used as lead-ins for X-Factor #1. The original X-men are fugitives, yet again, and decide to start a new team to rescue mutants under the guise of being an all-human public service team of mutant hunters and exterminators. Jean is such a heavy hitter that they just had to find a way to "un-kill" her.
The final pages are excerpts from Classic X-Men which elaborates a bit more on the background of the Phoenix.
I now want to read more of the early X-Factor.
Didn't love it, didnt hate it. Three stars.
...TAKE MY HANDS. YOU WILL GAIN YOUR HEART'S DESIRE."
- The Phoenix entity to Jean Grey.
I've been on an 80's kick lately. Cloak and Dagger, Suicide Squad, West Coast Avengers, The New Teen Titans; reruns of TJ Hooker, 21 Jump Street, Murder She Wrote and Knightrider. Next week I'm gonna ask my barber for a MacGyver haircut to match my Marty McFly vest and over-sized crucifix earring. This is your brain on drugs!
I read The Dark Phoenix Saga some time ago and don't recall the particulars, but I remember that Jean Grey was possessed by the Phoenix entity. Together they destroyed at least one planet, killing millions, which earned her a death sentence from the Shi'ar Empire.
Naturally, Marvel found a way to make Jean Grey NOT dead, because why should ANYTHING be permanent. Soap operas for example.
Fantastic Four #286 and Avengers #263 are used as lead-ins for X-Factor #1. The original X-men are fugitives, yet again, and decide to start a new team to rescue mutants under the guise of being an all-human public service team of mutant hunters and exterminators. Jean is such a heavy hitter that they just had to find a way to "un-kill" her.
The final pages are excerpts from Classic X-Men which elaborates a bit more on the background of the Phoenix.
I now want to read more of the early X-Factor.
Didn't love it, didnt hate it. Three stars.
June 20, 2012
I'd already read most of the issues in this trade, but was glad to finish off the whole thing. It was good to finally read the whole story of Jean Grey's first comeback from the dead. At least here the art has a very legitimate reason to be inconsistent, what with the story taking place over the course of three issues in three different titles. It also helps the artists in question are as top-shelf as John Byrne and John Buscema (with my all-time favorite inker Tom Palmer working over Buscema). Jackson Guice (at least back then) wasn't bad, but certainly not as good.
The story itself hits all the right notes for bringing Jean back to the people who would care the most, the other original X-Men. It's also telling to foreshadow how two people in the X-Men's world (Maddy Pryor and Cameron Hodge) would have a much more sinister role in their lives. All in all, a good mid-80s Marvel storyline. That said, the introduction by Kurt Busiek is certainly worth it too as he describes his role in bringing Jean back from the dead.
The story itself hits all the right notes for bringing Jean back to the people who would care the most, the other original X-Men. It's also telling to foreshadow how two people in the X-Men's world (Maddy Pryor and Cameron Hodge) would have a much more sinister role in their lives. All in all, a good mid-80s Marvel storyline. That said, the introduction by Kurt Busiek is certainly worth it too as he describes his role in bringing Jean back from the dead.
June 22, 2012
A nice trip down memory lane with some old friends.
...much of what i like about this book falls under the category of "spoiler" so i'll only say this:
If you like the X Men or good comics (or just good storytelling in general) then you should read this book. It neatly wraps up the "Phoenix" story arcs and introduces a new chapter in the lives of the original X-Men as they continue to battle prejudice.
Of course Marvel's books in the "X family" (mutants with an "X Factor" in their DNA) are popular with teens - they've got all the [well written] themes of "needing to belong" and "finding yourself" that we all struggle with. But more than that, you'll find understated commentary on the bigger tensions of our day - race, class and what does it mean to be an American.
Relevant social commentary without being preachy. These are from the 1990's. Back then Marvel wasn't as heavy-handed and obvious on politics.
...much of what i like about this book falls under the category of "spoiler" so i'll only say this:
If you like the X Men or good comics (or just good storytelling in general) then you should read this book. It neatly wraps up the "Phoenix" story arcs and introduces a new chapter in the lives of the original X-Men as they continue to battle prejudice.
Of course Marvel's books in the "X family" (mutants with an "X Factor" in their DNA) are popular with teens - they've got all the [well written] themes of "needing to belong" and "finding yourself" that we all struggle with. But more than that, you'll find understated commentary on the bigger tensions of our day - race, class and what does it mean to be an American.
Relevant social commentary without being preachy. These are from the 1990's. Back then Marvel wasn't as heavy-handed and obvious on politics.
June 4, 2013
rebirth of Jean Grey. This was back when they had a lot of dialog that you do not see in contemporary comics.
August 8, 2020
The return and resurrection of Jean Grey. Back then that was a big deal and worth a crossover by some of Marvel's best writers. (Not an "event", a crossover.)
I own all but one of the X-Men Classics back-up stories as single issues, including the Marvel Age content. But it has been thirty years or longer since I've read any of this. Still, I remembered most of the content, which still holds up today. (That said, the original X-Factor team concept was not exactly inspired even then...)
What I had not been aware of were a few rewrites by Chris Claremont to John Byrne's Fantastic Four story; changes that Byrne apparently had not been made aware of before publication and which might have led to his leaving the book less that a year later. Anyways, the original scripted pages are also contained in this volume.
I thoroughly enjoyed this return to one of the best periods in Marvel Comics history!
I own all but one of the X-Men Classics back-up stories as single issues, including the Marvel Age content. But it has been thirty years or longer since I've read any of this. Still, I remembered most of the content, which still holds up today. (That said, the original X-Factor team concept was not exactly inspired even then...)
What I had not been aware of were a few rewrites by Chris Claremont to John Byrne's Fantastic Four story; changes that Byrne apparently had not been made aware of before publication and which might have led to his leaving the book less that a year later. Anyways, the original scripted pages are also contained in this volume.
I thoroughly enjoyed this return to one of the best periods in Marvel Comics history!
May 14, 2022
Hoping around in the wrong ways when reading these x-men titles. This one takes place after Secret Wars, so that’d make it about 5 years after the Dark Phoenix Saga…
It’s an interesting mix of a few different comics linking the same story. I guess that was their idea of how to bring Jean back… the Phoenix wasn’t actually Jean but a copy... that was a little disappointing to read, but I guess it had to be done if they wanted to bring her back?
It’s also the first issue and the introduction of X-Factor, a team comprised of the original X-men. They promote themselves as these “Ghost Busters” for taking care of the “mutant menace”, but it’s really a front for finding and helping mutants in trouble. Neat idea.
Edit: Oh yeah, Scott Summer straight up just leaves his wife and kid. What the heck, man?
It’s an interesting mix of a few different comics linking the same story. I guess that was their idea of how to bring Jean back… the Phoenix wasn’t actually Jean but a copy... that was a little disappointing to read, but I guess it had to be done if they wanted to bring her back?
It’s also the first issue and the introduction of X-Factor, a team comprised of the original X-men. They promote themselves as these “Ghost Busters” for taking care of the “mutant menace”, but it’s really a front for finding and helping mutants in trouble. Neat idea.
Edit: Oh yeah, Scott Summer straight up just leaves his wife and kid. What the heck, man?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2022
Retcons are always difficult, but this one seemingly worked. Jean was beloved by so many, how could they not bring her back?
Throw in Maddie, and this has all the makings of a soap opera.
I appreciate the introduction which gives us the genesis of the idea of how to bring Jean back. I also like the appearance of the a Avengers and the FF as crucial elements.
That said, I wish this was more fleshed out.
Amazing art, good storytelling, a worthy read.
Throw in Maddie, and this has all the makings of a soap opera.
I appreciate the introduction which gives us the genesis of the idea of how to bring Jean back. I also like the appearance of the a Avengers and the FF as crucial elements.
That said, I wish this was more fleshed out.
Amazing art, good storytelling, a worthy read.
August 25, 2018
Ever wonder how Jean Grey/Phoenix comes back to life after The Dark Phoenix Saga? This volume explains it... and that’s it.
Nothing else besides that is resolved here.
This volume is incomplete.... although the characterization, dialogue and art is top notch.
Marvel should release a better, fatter version of this with more story.
Nothing else besides that is resolved here.
This volume is incomplete.... although the characterization, dialogue and art is top notch.
Marvel should release a better, fatter version of this with more story.
July 23, 2020
Ah, the good old days of John Byrne, Roger Stern and Bob Layton doing their thing.
It's refreshing to read these stories again, back when political agendas weren't the priority...just fun story telling.
The return of Jean Grey was originally suggested by pre-pro comics scribe Kurt Busiek and the house of ideas brought it to fruition.
It's refreshing to read these stories again, back when political agendas weren't the priority...just fun story telling.
The return of Jean Grey was originally suggested by pre-pro comics scribe Kurt Busiek and the house of ideas brought it to fruition.
July 19, 2018
Een belangrijk moment in de geschiedenis van de X-Men en een must-read voor fans.
August 23, 2022
now that I am aware of how Kurt Busiek was able to angle in the return of Jean Grey from the Phoenix Saga to start X-factor. I can honestly say I don't care. This book is dull.
March 11, 2021
Good with emotional moments. Solid.
November 29, 2016
Memory lane, man.
I guess I was a little obsessive about Phoenix when I first started getting into X-Men; Jean's death is kind of the fulcrum event between the old guard and the new guard (Jean/Kitty) and when I started reading X-Men, I was collecting in two directions - forward and backward. I would read what happened this month, and then get through the crop of old stuff that I picked up at flea markets and backwater comic stores - so I knew Jean was dead before I read the death itself. I even had the "alternate ending & interviews" issue with John Byrne talking about grapes.
This, though - this was current. I was reading FF, Avengers and X-Men when this happened, and the house ads for X-Factor made everyone unreasonably excited. I say all of this to say that I cannot, with any responsible objectivity, evaluate the interior content. I can say that all of the parts of this reveal unfold across four titles, and they're all included here, along with material that came later. Exactly what you need from this collection.
I guess I was a little obsessive about Phoenix when I first started getting into X-Men; Jean's death is kind of the fulcrum event between the old guard and the new guard (Jean/Kitty) and when I started reading X-Men, I was collecting in two directions - forward and backward. I would read what happened this month, and then get through the crop of old stuff that I picked up at flea markets and backwater comic stores - so I knew Jean was dead before I read the death itself. I even had the "alternate ending & interviews" issue with John Byrne talking about grapes.
This, though - this was current. I was reading FF, Avengers and X-Men when this happened, and the house ads for X-Factor made everyone unreasonably excited. I say all of this to say that I cannot, with any responsible objectivity, evaluate the interior content. I can say that all of the parts of this reveal unfold across four titles, and they're all included here, along with material that came later. Exactly what you need from this collection.
December 30, 2019
One of the most moving deaths in comics, Jean Grey in Dark Phoenix Saga, undone in a stupid way & not even in an X-Men book. Avoid like the plague it is
August 7, 2011
Getting through this one almost felt like work. Although I'm aware of the significance of the event, within the universe in which it takes place, it felt every bit as old as it is.
Some portion of the blame should perhaps fall to the editors of today, who felt that random issues of various series makes a good trade.
Some portion of the blame should perhaps fall to the editors of today, who felt that random issues of various series makes a good trade.
January 2, 2013
This is such a great collection of the Phoenix Force mythos. I had read the Dark Phoenix Saga, and wanted to read what happened after. Eventually I want to read all of the X-Men collection, but in the meantime this book was more than enough to blow my mind and find new reasons why I love Jean Grey and why I'm obsessed with the X-'verse.
January 22, 2013
This was a brilliant, yet controversial story. Sure, Jean Grey has already been killed but in some bizarre twist of faith, she is resurrected and tries to pick up where she left off. This causes problems for Cyclops and the other X-Men as well. I don't know whether I disliked this one or loved it. The ending was a bit sad and left me wondering but the overall story was not too bad.
January 18, 2013
Jean Grey alive? Find out what happened to her after the infamous Dark Phoenix Saga. What a great collection of comics.
April 30, 2013
Would have given this 5 stars, except that it ends in a very odd place. And I can't figure out where/if the story is continued in another book!
December 15, 2013
Of Jean Grey and the Phoenix.
The tale of how Jean Grey became the Phoenix, who/what the Phoenix is and the reappearance of jean after everyone though she was dead.
The tale of how Jean Grey became the Phoenix, who/what the Phoenix is and the reappearance of jean after everyone though she was dead.
September 17, 2015
Jean Grey is back, but is it really her? How will the ex x-men react?
August 4, 2016
Love this so much, the return of Jean Grey, what more does one need?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews