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What is the first appearance of Phoenix?

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Oct 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerJean Grey became Phoenix in The X-Men #101, cover-dated October 1976, by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum, rising from Jamaica Bay after piloting a shuttle through a solar flare. Jean herself first appeared as Marvel Girl in X-Men #1 (September 1963); #101 is the first appearance of the Phoenix identity and costume. The Dark Phoenix Saga followed in X-Men #129–137 (1980).

X-Men #101

The issue closes the Sentinels story begun in #98 and opens with the shuttle crash. Cockrum's cover of Phoenix erupting from the water in the green-and-gold costume is one of the defining X-Men images. The story also takes the team to Banshee's castle in Ireland, setting up Juggernaut and Black Tom.

Phoenix keys

IssueCover dateWhy
X-Men #1September 1963First Jean Grey
X-Men #101October 1976First Phoenix
X-Men #129January 1980Start of the Dark Phoenix Saga; first Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost
X-Men #134June 1980First Dark Phoenix
X-Men #135July 1980Dark Phoenix cover
X-Men #137September 1980Death of Phoenix

Collecting

X-Men #101 is one of the most collected Claremont-era issues; a CGC 9.8 is in the store, alongside X-Men #129 in 9.8. See the Phoenix character page, First appearance of Kitty Pryde and the X-Men character page.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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X-Men #1 (Marvel Comics, 1963), CGC 9.0 graded comic book, Universal Blue label — front cover in its holder
MarvelCGC

X-Men

#1 · 1963

9.0
Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

X-Men #1

CGC 9.0 · Universal Blue

(7)
$225,000
X-Men #49 (Marvel Comics, 1996), raw, ungraded comic book — front cover
MarvelRaw

X-Men

#49 · 1996

Not graded
Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Modern Age

X-Men #49

Raw · Not graded

(0)
$562.50
X-Men #7 (Marvel Comics, 1964), raw comic book in VG condition — front cover
MarvelRaw

X-Men

#7 · 1964

VG
Last copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

X-Men #7

Raw · VG

(0)
$562.50
X-Men #9 (Marvel Comics, 1965), raw, ungraded comic book — front cover
MarvelRaw

X-Men

#9 · 1965

Not graded
Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

X-Men #9

Raw · Not graded

(0)
$506.25

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