History ComicBook / TheDarkPhoenixSaga

Fresh off a battle with [[RealityWarper Proteus]], the X-Men are plunged into a battle with the mysterious Hellfire Club, while [[ComicBook/JeanGrey Phoenix]], just back from a vacation in Greece and Scotland, finds herself psychically shifting in time to a Revolutionary War-era ancestor, who's engaged to a mysterious, [[EvilIsSexy roguishly handsome]] man named [[RealNameAsAnAlias Jason Wyngarde]].

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2019's ''Film/DarkPhoenix''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, [[TruerToTheText the latter used a bit more elements from it]] while straying away from its epic scale.

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2019's ''Film/DarkPhoenix''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, the latter used a bit more elements from it.

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2019's ''Film/DarkPhoenix''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, the latter is meant to be a more faithful adaptation and use the Dark Phoenix as its focus.

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2019's forthcoming ''Film/DarkPhoenix''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, the latter is meant to be a more faithful adaptation and use the Dark Phoenix as its focus.

!The Dark Phoenix Saga contain examples of:

* LostAesop: The X-Men's usual "protect a world that fears and hates them" schtick was pretty much forgotten about for this story, as their antagonists were either mutants, former teammates, or aliens. However, the {{Aesop}} of the story itself, that [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity power corrupts]], was firmly held onto.

* HowDoIShootWeb: Kitty Pryde's powers are just emerging when she first appears, and she's no idea how they work. Even after she does figure out how, the strain is still an awful lot for her.

* BadBoss: Emma Frost's introductory issue has her blowing up soon goons for failing to beat the X-Men. Hey, the Hellfire Club pays good money on their goons, they expect ''results''.

* StartOfDarkness: To stop a carload of mutant-hunters from running down Kitty Pryde, Phoenix erects a psychic brick wall in front of it, killing the occupants. When Cyclops goes WhatTheHellHero, she basically slaps him down.

* TookALevelInBadAss: Sure, the Imperial Guard was pretty tough when they first appeared. In that fight the X-Men were gradually losing, least until Corsair and his team dived in. But the second battle....OW! Cyclops was off on his strategy. And more importantly Mastermind goes from being a guy who goes 'boo' with fake monsters to almost destroying the X-Men all by himself.

* DirtyMindReading: One of the early signs of Jean's corruption occurs when she reads the repulsive thoughts of the attendees at Dazzler's concert…and finds that part of herself finds these thoughts attractive.

* CallBack: For the final fight on the Moon, Jean dons her old Marvel Girl outfit.

The Dark Phoenix Saga is one of the most controversial ''X-Men'' stories of all time, yet more due to the {{Retcon}}s and rewrites than the story itself, as it was actually one of the most beloved tales in the franchise's history. It catapulted the already-well-liked Claremont/Byrne creative team to superstardom, even as it also sowed the seeds for what would eventually be their breakup.

* DeathIsCheap: Originally meant to be explicitly averted by all involved -- Jean Grey was to stay dead. Madelyne Pryor was intended to be just what she presented herself as -- a normal human who just happened to have an uncanny resemblance to Jean. Unfortunately, it was decided about six years later that the original five X-Men should have their own book, and there had to be a way to bring Jean back. This led to the continuity trainwreck that was ''ComicBook/Inferno'', and opened the door for the "Jean Grey Memorial Revolving Pearly Gates" jokes.

* DeathIsCheap: Originally meant to be explicitly averted by all involved -- Jean Grey was to stay dead. Madelyne Pryor was intended to be just what she presented herself as -- a normal human who just happened to have an uncanny resemblance to Jean. Unfortunately, it was decided about six years later that the original five X-Men should have their own book, and there had to be a way to bring Jean back. This led to the continuity trainwreck that was ''Inferno'', and opened the door for the "Jean Grey Memorial Revolving Pearly Gates" jokes.

* BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood: The Prydes are initially furious at the thought of Kitty going to the Xavier Institute after the Hellfire Club's attack. Then Phoenix gives them a "little nudge" and they become a ''lot'' more agreeable. It serves as a sign of Jean's encroaching corruption (though in fairness, Kitty going to the X-Institute is far safer than going with Emma Frost). Also, this is not really any different from the way Xavier has been mucking with the minds of ordinary people since the very first issues of the series, so it makes sense (in the context of his previous unquestioning acceptance of ''that'') that Cyclops is not all ''that'' alarmed by Jean taking after him.

* BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood: The Prydes are initially furious at the thought of Kitty going to the Xavier Institute after the Hellfire Club's attack. Then Phoenix gives them a "little nudge" and they become a ''lot'' more agreeable. It serves a sign of Jean's encroaching corruption (though in fairness, Kitty going to the X-Institute is far safer than going with Emma Frost).

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2018's ''Film/DarkPhoenix''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, the latter is meant to be a more faithful adaptation and use the Dark Phoenix as its focus.

* AscendedExtra: You notice the black-haired serving girl? The one taking the robe off Shaw while he gloats over the Hellfire Club's victory? She turns out to be a spy for Professor Xavier.

* SparedByTheAdaptation: In the 1992, Jean survives the ordeal with no catch and the Phoenix Force flies of into space peacefully.

* SparedByTheAdaptation: In the 1992, Jean survives the ordeal with no catch and while the Phoenix Force flies of into space peacefully.

* SparedByTheAdaption: In the 1992, Jean survives the ordeal with no catch and while the Phoenix Force flies of into space peacefully.

* AscendedExtra: You notice the black-haired serving girl? The one taking the robe off Shaw while he gloats over the Hellfire Club's victory? She turns out to be a spy for Professor Xavier (as well as something of a CanonSue.)

* TookALevelInBadAss: Sure, the Imperial Guard was pretty tough when they first appeared. In that fight the X-Men were gradually losing, least until Corsair and his team dived in. But the second battle....OW! Cyclops was off on his strategy and this was before Wolverine was a CanonSue. And more importantly Mastermind goes from being a guy who goes 'boo' with fake monsters to almost destroying the X-Men all by himself.

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2018's ''Film/DarkPhoenixx''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, the latter is meant to be a more faithful adaptation and use the Dark Phoenix as its focus.

Since its original publication, this story has been adapted in two films of the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' film series: 2006's ''[[Film/XMenTheLastStand The Last Stand]]'', and 2018's ''[[Film/XMenDarkPhoenix Dark Phoenix]]''. While the former only incorporated part of the Saga into its plot, the latter is meant to be a more faithful adaptation and use the Dark Phoenix as its focus.

The Dark Phoenix Saga is one of the most controversial ''X-Men'' stories of all time, more due to the {{Retcon}}s and rewrites than the story itself, which was actually one of the most beloved tales in the franchise's history, and catapulted the already-well-liked Claremont/Byrne creative team to superstardom even as it sowed the seeds for what would eventually be their breakup.