Connect with us
Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 review: Destruction never felt so right

Comic Books

Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 review: Destruction never felt so right

A legacy rises! What will Teen Jean do when she’s face to face with the thing she fears most?

[amazon_link asins=’B0723GPN6M’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’3aa83865-7d78-11e7-b658-6904c2bc024f’]

The time-displaced, teen Jean Grey still awaits her fiery fate of the Phoenix, but this time, she’s not just getting advice from other hosts — she’s gone straight to the source. When she comes face to face with her adult, cosmically-possessed self in Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1, what will she learn?

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

The Skinny

Young Jean is used to being unstuck in time, so she knows to be careful when ending up in unfamiliar surroundings. But just a little power flex will tell her that, somehow or another, she’s wound up just where she might be able to get the answers she’s been searching for.

So being a teenager, and a frightened person just as inquisitive as her adult self, when the two do meet, the younger can’t help but unleash a barrage of questions to the being that describes itself as “life incarnate.” But grown up Jean is dealing with her own shit, and despite near-omnipotence, is not as put-together as one might expect. That’s pretty scary.

Telling gives way to showing as the Phoenix blasts off with Jean to galactic parts unknown for a major display of force. Why are you afraid of a protective power like this, kid? Oh, if you only knew. So why don’t you tell her? Will you? The choice Jean makes here will surely CHANGE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER!

Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 review: Destruction never felt so right

The Lowdown

Okay, maybe not, but it should surely change Jean’s outlook on things going forward, so much so that this Generations one-shot seems like it ought to be part of the character’s regular series by Dennis Hopeless. That’s probably a good thing, as Cullen Bunn (who also handles Jean’s adventures over in X-Men: Blue) is able to nail what Hopeless has been developing and expose a larger audience to that building tale. Still, it’s a little jarring to see such important things happen elsewhere.

Thank goodness Bunn and company nail it so well! He can’t quite match the Hopeless dialogue, but the overwhelming concern Jean shows for her future is spot-on, and even taken a bit further when she must decide if saving herself is worth potential disaster for the timestream. The litany of questions she has for her old (yet somehow older) self is a nice nod to her overall curious nature, as shown in adult Jean, too, who we find reading a genetics book on the beach.

Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 really does feel like more of an old-style X-Men book than other recent attempts, and not just because there’s a green and yellow firebird costume. The drama here is very personal, and the decisions made have high stakes. There’s even a throwback to the old days when the uses of a character’s powers were highly detailed, as young Jean must take care when entering this new environment not to arouse psychic suspicion, and keep her mental defenses sharp so that the the possessed Jean doesn’t learn the awful truth.

Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 review: Destruction never felt so right

Matching the standout performance of Bunn is artist R.B. Silva who, if there’s any justice in this fire-filled universe, you’ll be seeing a lot more of soon. His facial expressions are evocative, but his real expertise in Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 is in the creative, but more importantly, story-dictated panel layouts. The non-traditional transitions are not here just because they look cool, but they add personality and depict movement and grandeur much more exquisitely than something more standard would.

[amazon_link asins=’B0723GPN6M’ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b13b99dc-7d78-11e7-816c-1134136f2a03′]

Rain Beredo puts the finishing touches on with his colors, giving flashback scenes a grainier texture. The Phoenix’s fight with another cosmic entity jumps off the page in part because of the contrast between hot fire and cold consumption.

The Upshot

Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 does a great job of bringing Dennis Hopeless’ story of Teen Jean facing her fate to a broader audience, without sacrificing Cullen Bunn’s own voice to accomplish it. Through his work on the X-Men books, Bunn has cemented himself as dependably rock-solid, and a pillar of Marvel Comics going forward. The art by Silva and Beredo should be a coming out party for them, making their names as Bunn strengthens his own. Jean Grey’s future is bright, and not just because it’s filled with blinding fire.

Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 review: Destruction never felt so right
Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1
Is it good?
It's great. Bunn's writing has become unassailable and the art will make you wonder where Silva and Beredo have been hiding.
Bunn seamlessly continues the story from Jean's solo series
Jean's voice doesn't have the Hopeless flourishes, but is otherwise consistent
Real stakes, as Jean makes her most important decision ever
Art is moving, both figuratively and literally
One plot point, while making you gasp, will also make you wonder how the super-psychic didn't see it coming
Extra length may not have been necessary. As good as this issue is, it might be even better if it were more succint.
9
Great

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Full June 2024 Marvel Comics solicitations: Ultimates #1 and more Blood Hunt Full June 2024 Marvel Comics solicitations: Ultimates #1 and more Blood Hunt

Full June 2024 Marvel Comics solicitations: Ultimates #1 and more Blood Hunt

Comic Books

Marvel reveals Rachel Summers and Betsy Braddock to get X-Men series Marvel reveals Rachel Summers and Betsy Braddock to get X-Men series

Marvel reveals Rachel Summers and Betsy Braddock to get X-Men series

Comic Books

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 20, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 20, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 20, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel reveals Ultimate Gwen Stacy coming in 'Ultimate Spider-Man' #4 Marvel reveals Ultimate Gwen Stacy coming in 'Ultimate Spider-Man' #4

Marvel reveals Ultimate Gwen Stacy coming in ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ #4

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup