Daily Comics Digression #11: Fight of The Phoenix

Daily Comics Digression #11: Fight of The Phoenix

That is some NICE art!

Anyone who is a fan of the X-Men knows of the long roller coaster ride that is Jean Grey's life and death and life and death story. Like the very mythological creature itself that has been her namesake for years, Jean Grey/Phoenix seems to go through storytelling cycles ever since Chris Claremont gave her godlike powers. And although some of these story lines are considered to be classics by many devoted fans, It can't be denied that these powers have irrevocably altered her character and limited her narrative potential. Like an albatross around her neck, the Phoenix powers make her membership on a team of albeit gifted humans ridiculous. Kinda hard to find any tension in a tale when you have a hero who can snuff out the sun.

The X-Men will surely have a hard time fighting the Ringmaster after this.

Inevitably, Phoenix would always have to die in order for the story of the X-Men to live. In effect, Claremont's gift of goddesshood to Jean Grey was more like a curse, never allowing her to move past a character development dead-end.

So Jean Grey, the real one (not the one who is from the past), recently was brought back into the fold of the X-Men. Interestingly, however, this time things may be different. This time, Phoenix and Jean are breaking up their partnership, separating for good. This move may potentially fix the problem Jean has had for years. By letting go of the story anchor that is the Phoenix, new aspects of her personality and powers can be explored. I am cautiously optimistic about this change.