As I dove into Phoenix #12, I quickly realized this issue wasn’t going to be what I expected. Rather than focusing on Jean Grey’s reaction to her emotional reunion with her long-lost sister, Sara, the story instead shifts perspective—showing us who Sara Grey is, was, and what she’s endured since her last appearance in the comics decades ago.

While I initially hoped for a more Jean-centered narrative, I had to step back and consider that, while I’m familiar with Jean’s history—and by extension, Sara’s—many readers are not. For Stephanie Phillips to tell the story she’s crafting now, it makes sense that she would take a moment to fill in the blanks. This issue sets the stage not just for the future of the Grey family, but for the wider circle of characters affected by their lives and legacies.

We learn that while Sara didn’t exhibit mutant powers like her sister, she was deeply involved in mutant affairs. Her activism for mutant rights eventually made her a target of the Purifiers, leading to her assimilation by the Phalanx. That’s where most fans believed her story ended. But here, we discover that Sara somehow survived, ended up off-world, and — according to her — developed the ability to awaken latent mutant powers in others.

It’s a fascinating twist, though one laced with suspicion. On the one hand, readers like myself were excited by the prospect of Jean reconnecting with a family member—especially after the Shi’ar Death Commandos decimated the Grey bloodline years ago. On the other hand, Sara’s sudden reappearance raises a lot of questions. Why hasn’t anyone heard from her until now? Why were her powers never known before? Can we trust her story?

These uncertainties come to a head in the issue’s final pages, when Cable arrives and directly attacks Sara, accusing her of deception and demanding she reveal the truth. It’s a jarring but compelling cliffhanger that throws everything into question.

Ultimately, not much happens here in terms of Jean’s arc—she only appears briefly toward the end. While that initially felt disappointing, I’m reserving judgment. This issue may not push Jean’s personal story forward, but it builds a foundation for something larger and more emotionally complex for Phoenix’s future. Stephanie Phillips has already proven her skill at weaving character-driven narratives with long-term payoffs, and I trust that what feels like a detour now may soon hit with the kind of emotional weight that defines the best X-Men stories.