Issue #150: Planet X Conclusion (Part 5): Phoenix Invictus. How do you sell the oversized (i.e. more expensive) issue? Put Wolverine & Phoenix on the cover, of course! I thought @grantmorrison's name would've been enough. 1/?
The size allows Morrison to give each character at least one page of focus, which is nice. The issue is mostly wild superhero action as the X-Men come to stop Magneto. As with the first issue in this arc (#146), it's so well paced. It keeps you turning the page. 2/?
But I want to focus on moments. Panels or scenes that really stood out to me. Morrison again drops clues that this all has to do with Sublime. It foreshadows the next arc, but also lends credence to my theory (from last issue's thread) that Sublime has been controlling Xorn. 3/?
Magneto's Fall is almost complete as his arrogance and jerk-like treatment of everyone has left him alone. When attacked, only Toad jumps in to save him. Everyone else has already decided against him. 4/?
And the final defeat of Magneto isn't a physical one of power. He's taken down where it really hurts. In the end, no mutants will follow him, he's back in the Xorn mask. He's lost the identity & loyalty & power his ego was so after. 5/?
There are three great death scenes in this issue. Everyone remembers Jean's. The Phoenix overloaded with electromagnetic energy. Scott yells, "Jean!" at least 4 more times. But kind of anticlimactic for the Phoenix. (Still amazing how long Jean stayed dead after this.) 6/?
Second: Magneto/Xorn's death is also well remembered. How can it not be with this page by @Philjimeneznyc, @AndyLanning & @chrischuckry? Wolverine does what he does best & Xorn's head goes bouncing. Plink. Plonk. Plunk. 7/?
But the third (actually first in the issue) is underrated and should be remembered for it's great characterization of both Esme (who's dying) & Emma. Esme rejecting Emma with her last breath is amazing character work. And Emma's embrace of her just as much. 8/?
Even the Epilogue is a great set-up for the next (and last) arc. I've said it before, this arc, Planet X, has special value for me, as it basically got me back into comics after an almost 10 year break. And it still holds up. 9/9
