First Look at New X-Men Series Phoenix With Writer Stephanie Phillips

This July, the X-Men’s Phoenix will take center stage in a new solo series — the first to come in the new era of mutants: From the Ashes. CBR recently spoke to series writer Stephanie Phillips on the challenges that come with writing one of Marvel’s most iconic characters and can exclusively release four unscripted pages of the debut issue.

The new series launches following the end of the X-Men’s Krakoan Era, and now all of mutantkind is working to rebuild. Phoenix #1, on sale July 17 from Marvel Comics, launches the series with a bang as a desperate S.O.S. from NOVA brings Phoenix to the edge of a black hole. As she does her best to save hundreds of lives, Marvel teases that whatever Jean does — or fails to do — will bring about darkness that will haunt her in ways she can’t imagine.

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PHOENIX #1

• Written by STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
• Art by ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO
• Cover Art by YASMINE PUTRI
• On sale July 17

CBR: How does it feel to be able to write one of the first series that launches the X-Men’s new era, From the Ashes?

Stephanie Phillips: That’s a cool privilege. Scary to be one of the first books out there, but I think Jean deserves that spot. Seeing what the other books are cooking, I think Phoenix will be a really good compliment to the rest of the new X line.

Jean Grey is one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe. What is it like to write a solo series for such an iconic character?

Jean’s power is fun to write while also having its own creative challenges. I want Jean to wield her power in creative ways that we haven’t necessarily seen before. I don’t think Jean should lose her ability to problem-solve with her humanity and empathy, though I also think that makes her fallible at times (and far more interesting to write/read!). It’s a fun mix of having a character with immense, almost god-like, abilities, who is still a woman missing her husband, dealing with her space pirate father-in-law, and trying to spend quality time with some of her other cosmic pals. And, yes, for the many many people who have asked me, Captain Marvel will make an appearance.

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You’ve written many amazing X-Men comics before, and your vision for the characters in your stories has always been incredible and unique. How will Phoenix depict Jean Grey and is there a specific angle that you’ll be approaching the story with?

Thematically, I’m interested in exploring the interplay between human and cosmic forces that is happening within Jean. Some in the cosmic universe know her as Jean Grey, and some fear her as the Phoenix. I want us to explore how that will impact her mission as a hero in the stars. The book also looks at the hierarchy of the cosmos and where Jean fits into the hierarchy. There are some incredibly powerful entities out in space… what will they think of Jean’s presence as the Phoenix?

What are you the most excited for fans to see in the upcoming series?

The art. Alessandro Miracolo deserve[s] to be a name every single comic reader knows, and Phoenix will show you why. Alessandro’s interpretation of the scripts, his depiction of Jean, and his giant cosmic settings are, simply put, beautiful.

Phoenix #1 goes on sale Aug. 17 from Marvel Comics.