PHOENIX #12 – A New Blast from the Past

Creative Team – Stephanie Phillips(writer). Roi Mercado(artist). Java Tartaglia(color artist). VC’s Ariana Maher(letterer). Lucas Werneck(cover artist).

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Phoenix #11 here!

The Story

The universe is a mysterious place, as Jean Grey knows all too well. She thinks she’s seen it all, until she realizes that’s not the case. Out of all the things she’s experienced, seeing her sister she believed to be deceased is certainly at the top of the list of the strangest things she’s encountered. Sara, who was believed to be dead at the hands of mutant-hating fanatics, the Purifiers, tells the story of how she survived. But not only survived, but thrived, becoming a mutant in the process.

What started with a crash landing of Sara onto a new planet, ended up turning into her being the leader of a new world that’s a safe haven for mutants and mutant sympathizers.

There are parts of Sara’s life that she doesn’t fully understand, like how she crash landed on this new planet, when she was being preyed upon by the Phalanx. But what Sara does know is that after she blocked off her mind from the Phalanx, she is now a mutant. Sara isn’t just any kind of mutant, as her mutant abilities allow her to unlock other’s potential mutant abilities, as she does for her new friend Keldros Verrick.

Sara knows how all this sounds to Jean, but before they’re able to discuss it further, the mutant sisters are interrupted by a blast from the past, quite literally.

The Writing

After reading Phoenix #11, I’ve been asking myself for the past month how it can be possible that sara is back. Knowing Stephanie Phillips is behind the story, you’re guaranteed that it’ll be an exciting tale, and that wasn’t wrong. I really enjoyed getting to know Sara’s transition from a human wife and mother who deems herself unextraordinary to this powerhouse mutant wrapped in mystery. That is, if Sara’s story is true. The final page will leave you excitedly questioning everything while anxiously hoping the next month goes by quickly.

The Art

Roi Mercado, Java Tartaglia, and Ariana Maher are the artists of the comic, and once again, they all bring their A-game. The tone of Phoenix impressively changes drastically with each issue, and the artists do a fantastic job at matching it. In Phoenix #12, Sara’s haunting backstory of her becoming a mutant was brought to life by Mercado and Tartaglia. You could feel each emotion on the page, especially when Sara is dealing with the Phalanx. I look forward to seeing what the artists do on the next issue of Phoenix!

Final Thoughts

What I love about this comic run of Phoenix is that there’s always something new around every corner. Whether it be a sibling that comes back from the dead, a cosmic entity trying to take Jean down, or a planet in need of help, Stephanie Phillips knows how to keep you on your toes and your eyes locked to the comic.

Overall Grade – 8.7/10

Let me know in the comments below what you thought of Phoenix #12!

This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast. If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Phoenix #12, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!