X-Men: Dark Phoenix (often just referred to as Dark Phoenix) is out on Wednesday 5th June in the UK, and after the brilliant epicness of Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity Wars, there’s little doubt that everyone’s looking forward to seeing what Dark Phoenix brings to the table and whether it will reach the heights the last two Avengers films did - we think it certainly will. For those who want to know a little more about Dark Phoenix, read on …
- Who is Phoenix?
In the comic books, Phoenix is a cosmic entity called The Phoenix Force, which is the sum of all life in the universe. On an emergency mission into space with the rest of the X-Men, the shuttle they use to fly back to Earth is damaged, and Jean Grey calls out for help. The call is answered by The Phoenix Force, who is so impressed by Jean’s character that it duplicates her, at which instant The Phoenix Force is overwhelmed by Jean and believes itself to be the actual Jean Grey. Unfortunately, the real Jean Grey is left comatose in a cocoon, whilst an imitation Jean Grey with immense superpowers walks around thinking it is the real Jean Grey!
2. So who’s Dark Phoenix?
“Dark Phoenix” is what Phoenix becomes after a psychic duel between Cyclops and Mastermind, and Mastermind kills Cyclops’ psychic image. This enrages Jean/Phoenix, and the unrestrained power ends up overwhelming Jean and turns her into Dark Phoenix.
3. How powerful is Phoenix/Dark Phoenix?
Probably the strongest villain the X-Men have ever faced. Coupled with the fact that they believe Phoenix is inhabiting the real body and mind of Jean Grey will make fighting Dark Phoenix even more difficult for the X-Men.
4. Phoenix/Dark Phoenix vs. Thanos - who would win?
Although it depends which version of Thanos we are writing of, it is generally accepted that Thanos without the Infinity Gauntlet doesn’t stand a chance against Phoenix/Dark Phoenix, as Phoenix/Dark Phoenix is the total sum of all the psionic energy of the universe. However, Thanos is an eternal mutant and member of the Titanian Eternals, so certainly has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to fighting cosmic entities. There seems to be an interesting plot potentially happening here for phase IV of the Marvel Universe saga …
5. Strange and not-so-strange bedfellows …
Beast joining forces with Magneto? Will the Avengers or any of the other mutant superheroes show up to help out? Will there be any more casualties? How will Cyclops and Wolverine take the idea of having to kill Jean Grey? You’ll simply have to watch the film and/or read the original comics to find out!
Whilst Avengers: Endgame marks the end of the Marvel Comics Universe (MCU) films, it could be argued that Dark Phoenix is the final, true farewell to this chapter of the MCU. Let’s hope the next phase has films as great as the last few Marvel films.