Thanos’return to a role of supremacy in the Marvel Universe continues, as he faces off againstPhoenix, perhaps the only hero originating from Earth who can truly beat him one-on-one. The battle betweentwo of the Universe’s most powerful beingsis one that fans have wanted for a long time, immediately making this upcoming issue ofPhoenixone of the most highly anticipated of the year.
Phoenix#6 is set to feature the two mighty characters coming face to face. In theX-Menfranchise’s new era, Jean Grey has left her homeworld, embracing her destiny as the avatar of the Phoenix and seeking to become a true cosmic hero – andnow she faces her greatest challenge yet in the form of the Mad Titan.
PHOENIX#6 (2024)
Jessica Fong; Pablo Villalobos
ON THE RUN AMONG THE STARS!
• JEAN GREY has been going toe-to-toe with some of the universe’s toughest foes…but now a new threat is brutally asserting his dangerous reputation: none other than THANOS.
And while she single-handedly battled back the BLACK ORDER, their nefarious progenitor (and his mysterious connection to Jean’s many galactic enemies!) is another story entirely. • To have a hope of victory, PHOENIX will need to reach out – beyond the limits of her own powers – and find allies to take a stand against the Mad Titan!
The synopsis for the issue suggests that Jean will seek help inher fight against Thanos– but in the end, it is likely to come down to her, and the vast power of the Phoenix at her disposal.
Jean Grey Faces Off With Thanos, Taking Marvel’s “Phoenix” Solo Series To The Next Level
Phoenix#6 – Written By Stephanie Phillips; Art By Marco Putri
Thanos has lately returned to prominence in Marvel Comics, but the news that he is headed for a confrontation with Jean Grey is particularly exciting, in the way that it forwards her arc as Marvel’s newest cosmic hero in a way that few other antagonists could serve to do. Even before his legendary tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thanos was on the short list for greatest Marvel villains of all time – just as Jean Grey ranks among Marvel’s greatest heroes.
Jean Grey Takes on The Children of Thanos in Phoenix Solo Series
As Jean Grey continues her adventures as Phoenix throughout space, the cosmic marvel will be forced to battle the deadly Black Order of Thanos.
Traditionally,Thanos has served as anAvengersvillain, and his interactions with theX-Menhave surprisingly been somewhat limited over the years. In Marvel’s vast publishing history, andthe endless Marvel Multiverse, at least one version of Jean Grey has been depictedtaking on Thanos – and completely obliterating him. The advanced synopsis forPhoenix#6 suggests it will be far from that easy this time around; instead,the Mad Titan will serve as an incredible early challenge for Jean to overcome as she embraces her role in the wider Marvel cosmos.
Fighting Thanos Is The Next Big Step In Jean Grey’s Evolution As A Cosmic Marvel Hero
Phoenix #6 – Main Cover By Yasmine Putri; Variant Covers By Jessica Fong; Pablo Villalobos
Going up against Thanos – especially this early in thePhoenixsolo series –makes it clear that Marvel is serious about elevating Jean Grey beyond her status as a perennial core cast member of theX-Menfranchise.As the Phoenix, Jean has long beenconnected to the wider Marvel cosmos, but her storylines largely remained terrestrial, and arguably did not live up to the scope of the character’s potential. Stephanie Phillips’Phoenixseries is designed specifically to rectify that, and bringing Thanos into the mix is a perfect way to raise the stakes.
X-Men Debuts a Founding Member’s Crucial New Power (That Goes Beyond Mortal Limits)
As Jean Grey’s new solo series continues to define her Omega-level status, the extent of the Phoenix’s godlike powers is being explored in new depth.
That is to say, a story in which Thanos is presented as the major threat that he is, only to be defeated by Jean Grey, will serve toestablish Jean’s intergalactic reputation. Further, it will do vital work to solidify in readers' minds that thisPhoenixseries is not a detour for the character, but rather a legitimate new paradigm for how Jean Grey stories are told moving forward, and what role she plays as the Phoenix in the hierarchy of power in the Marvel Universe.
A Long-Heralded Showdown Between Two Of The Marvel Universe’s Most Powerful Beings
A Lot Is Riding On This Fight For Jean Grey
The Marvel cosmos has never been more full of dangerous threats – starting witha classic, the Mad Titan, is an ideal way to situate Jean Grey in their midst. It also puts Phoenix on a level with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes; with Storm currently taking a leading role in theAvengersongoing series, Jean’s confrontation with Thanos emphasizes that she is considered to be every bit as powerful and prominent of a hero as herX-franchise colleagues. For fans, it is finally the opportunity to learn how a fight between two Marvel powerhouses will play out in detail.
Phoenix taking on Thanos is one of the most dramatic, highly-anticipated superhero fights readers have to look forward to in the near future.
For years, Marvel fans have speculated about a showdown between the two, and now Marvel is prepared to give it to them. Rather than coming in a team book, where the climactic confrontation between Phoenix and Thanos might have been cut short, or overshadowed,the spotlight will be entirely on them, and the fate of Jean Grey’s career as a cosmic hero will be made, or broken, by the outcome. In other words,Phoenixtaking onThanosis one of the most dramatic, highly-anticipated superhero fights readers have to look forward to in the near future.
Phoenix #6 will be available July 13, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Thanos
Hailing from the planet Titan, Thanos is a primary antagonist throughout the canon of Marvel Comics. First appearing in The Invincible Iron Man, Thanos is a powerful and calculating warlord primarily concerned with earning the affection of Death herself. In many of his tales, Thanos seeks to gather the six infinity stones to lay waste to half of all life in the universe.
