REVIEW: ‘Phoenix’ #11 - The Past Resurfaces, The Future Trembles

When it was first announced that a Phoenix series would spin out of Fall of X and lead into the From the Ashes era, I had my reservations. During the Krakoan Age, I came to deeply appreciate the powerful, commanding portrayal of Jean Grey—one who left the Quiet Council to follow her own path, co-founded the new X-Men, saved countless lives from Gameworld, and ultimately accepted her identity as the Phoenix during Judgment Day. With all that character development, I was worried the new series might bury Jean under the weight of Phoenix lore and cosmic baggage.

Thankfully, those fears proved unfounded. From the outset, Stephanie Phillips made it clear that while the Phoenix Force plays a major role, this is just as much a story about Jean Grey the person: her choices, her emotions, and her evolving sense of self. If you've followed the series so far, you'll know this isn’t just about immense power, it’s about the consequences of wielding it, and how it shapes the woman at the center of it all.

Issue #10 wrapped with the defeat of the Dark Gods, a resolution for the wayward child Adani, and the stunning reveal that Jean’s long-lost sister, Sara, is still alive. Now, in issue #11, Jean is focused on finding her. It’s unclear how much time has passed, but we learn Jean has informed Cyclops, and she’s been plagued by recurring dreams, visions of her sister dying in different ways. This is especially strange given that Sara was believed to have died at the hands of the Purifiers years ago.

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Jean takes Scott’s advice and seeks out the White Hot Room—an extra-dimensional realm linked to the Phoenix Force that hasn’t been seen since Fall of X, when it became a sanctuary for Krakoa and several mutants. Phillips smartly addresses Jean’s prior avoidance of the space, explaining her reluctance to disturb its peace. This narrative thread ties up some lingering questions fans might have had about the White Hot Room's absence.

Jean's connection attempt unexpectedly leads her to Sara, but the reunion comes with a price. It seems Jean’s presence may have destabilized the White Hot Room, potentially severing the Phoenix’s connection to it. The issue then jumps briefly to the future, where an older Cable senses temporal shifts, presumably triggered by Jean and Sara’s reunion. It's implied that this disturbance will draw Cable back into the past, setting up what could become a major emotional and cosmic crossroads, perhaps forcing Jean to choose between Cable and Sara.

The big reveal here is that Sara is also a mutant, something previously unknown. In the time since her apparent death, she’s built a sanctuary called Greyhaven, using her powers to activate and support other mutants. This feels thematically rich, considering Sara was once a vocal advocate for mutant rights, an activism that led to her death. Longtime readers may also recall Sara’s connection to the Phalanx, which isn’t referenced here but could resurface as a plot point later.

Phillips excels at grounding Jean Grey’s cosmic saga in deeply personal stakes. Yes, Jean is one of the most powerful beings in the universe, but she’s also a sister, overcome with emotion in the face of a miraculous reunion. So much so that she fails to ask the obvious, and possibly vital, questions. This lapse may well be the spark that ignites the next arc's impending chaos.

Phoenix #11 continues to deliver a story that balances galactic scale with emotional intimacy. It’s a tale about power, yes—but more importantly, it’s about the human heart behind it. And with that heart burning brightly, I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.

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About Phoenix #11

Release Date: May 14, 2025

Written by: Stephanie Phillips

Art by: Roi Mercado

Cover by: Lucas Werneck

Page Count: 26

Synopsis: A BOOMING VOICE SOUNDS ACROSS THE COSMOS… …the voice of EGO, THE LIVING PLANET - and he speaks in distress: of a great imbalance! A fracturing! A coming death…And the only one who can stand in its way is the PHOENIX! But that's not all… In this all-new arc, JEAN GREY's calling to space and responsibility to the galaxy becomes suddenly, critically personal with the return of a long-lost loved one - whose presence will throw everything Jean knows into total chaos!