Jared Matthews’s Reviews > X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga > Status Update
Jared Matthews
is on page 186 of 187
The last issue is truly a roller coaster of emotions, particularly as the duel reaches its end. Slowly, the readers hope for the X-Men’s success dies as they get beaten one by one until only cyclops and Jean Grey remain.
Then, Phoenix is reborn, a fate worse than their defeat. However, Jean is briefly in control. She begs the X-Men to kill her, but they can’t. She does what she has to do, taking her own life.
— Sep 04, 2026 09:32PM
Then, Phoenix is reborn, a fate worse than their defeat. However, Jean is briefly in control. She begs the X-Men to kill her, but they can’t. She does what she has to do, taking her own life.
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Jared’s Previous Updates
Jared Matthews
is on page 161 of 187
Wolverine recognizes the obvious distinction between Jean Grey and the Phoenix. However, he’s skeptical whether they can be cleanly separated, with Grey exempt from any blame.
Professor X acts like a protective father, willing to duel to protect her. Cyclops’ is unchanged, ever defensive of Jean, believing in her goodness. Jean is horrified by her actions but unsure how to take responsibility.
— Sep 04, 2026 08:25PM
Professor X acts like a protective father, willing to duel to protect her. Cyclops’ is unchanged, ever defensive of Jean, believing in her goodness. Jean is horrified by her actions but unsure how to take responsibility.
Jared Matthews
is on page 160 of 187
In the epilogue, Claremont shows what the effects of the Dark Phoenix saga have had on each of the X-Men, individually.
While some might expect them to take her side, their responses are much more nuanced, and a realistic result to betrayal.
Nightcrawler, with many of the X-Men, are conflicted. While they love Jean as a sister, they aren’t prepared to excuse her of the atrocities she committed as Dark Phoenix.
— Sep 04, 2026 08:25PM
While some might expect them to take her side, their responses are much more nuanced, and a realistic result to betrayal.
Nightcrawler, with many of the X-Men, are conflicted. While they love Jean as a sister, they aren’t prepared to excuse her of the atrocities she committed as Dark Phoenix.
Jared Matthews
is on page 160 of 187
Claremont does a great job at exploring what the heroes are thinking about to themselves, and deliberating at. Many of his pages are purely thought bubbles.
— Sep 04, 2026 08:18PM
Jared Matthews
is on page 158 of 187
The epilogue’s courtroom setting and political style is a major change of pace from the physical and fast-paced battle that had been happening up to this point.
However, it lets the dust settle. The characters are held truly accountable for what transpired and the damage they were responsible for.
In Claremont’s typical storytelling style, everything doesn’t go back to normal after Dark Phoenix is defeated.
— Sep 04, 2026 08:13PM
However, it lets the dust settle. The characters are held truly accountable for what transpired and the damage they were responsible for.
In Claremont’s typical storytelling style, everything doesn’t go back to normal after Dark Phoenix is defeated.
Jared Matthews
is on page 156 of 187
The last issue feels a bit out of place, almost like an epilogue. At least so far, it feels like the next to last issue would have been a better stopping point for this volume. However, I don’t know what me going to be the fate of the Phoenix, so maybe I’m speaking too soon.
— Sep 04, 2026 07:51PM
Jared Matthews
is on page 156 of 187
Throughout the entire story, even in her most evil moments, Cyclops never gives up on Jean. He knows that Dark Phoenix isn’t really Jean and that she is still in there.
His commitment and loyalty to Jean shows most strongly when everyone else has given up on her and sees her as the enemy, perhaps reasonably so.
It’s hard to tell if his love for her is making him blind or making him patient and understanding.
— Sep 03, 2026 08:11PM
His commitment and loyalty to Jean shows most strongly when everyone else has given up on her and sees her as the enemy, perhaps reasonably so.
It’s hard to tell if his love for her is making him blind or making him patient and understanding.
Jared Matthews
is on page 139 of 187
What sets this story apart from many other comic book “crises” is the orientation of the heroes towards the villain.
Typically the heroes want to stop the villain by whatever means necessary, even if that means death.
However, in this case, the villain is the friend of the heroes. More than stopping her, they want to save her. Their orientation is one of helping the villain rather than hurting them.
— Sep 03, 2026 07:50PM
Typically the heroes want to stop the villain by whatever means necessary, even if that means death.
However, in this case, the villain is the friend of the heroes. More than stopping her, they want to save her. Their orientation is one of helping the villain rather than hurting them.
Jared Matthews
is on page 127 of 187
When the Dark Phoenix reaches its potential, it is what is most terrifying: an evil God. Limitless power, with no restraint on purposing it for good.
While this the “evil god” is a typical kind of comic book villain, what spectates Phoenix is the transformation.
Not only is she a near limitless evil god, but she is not alien. She is from earth, with family and friends. This makes her all the more unsettling.
— Sep 02, 2026 07:51PM
While this the “evil god” is a typical kind of comic book villain, what spectates Phoenix is the transformation.
Not only is she a near limitless evil god, but she is not alien. She is from earth, with family and friends. This makes her all the more unsettling.
Jared Matthews
is on page 101 of 187
Part of the reason that Wolverine succeeds in this arc is that he’s put in positions where he can do what he does best: fight as a lone wolf with a chip on his shoulder.
When he is separated from his team, his speed and raw power is given full reign to go on a rampage against the myriad of enemies intent on stopping him.
In this context, his arrogant attitude can seem more like relentless heroism.
— Sep 01, 2026 07:54PM
When he is separated from his team, his speed and raw power is given full reign to go on a rampage against the myriad of enemies intent on stopping him.
In this context, his arrogant attitude can seem more like relentless heroism.