In a shocking move, Marvel is resurrecting a classic X-Men hero's long-dead sister... as the iconic Jean Grey finally gets her beloved Sara back. The Phoenix #12 will detail the mysterious tale of Sara Grey's resurrection, as Jean must contend with this major revelation and its impact on her relationship with the Phoenix Force.

After the fall of Krakoa the powerful Resurrection Protocols were halted after The Five stayed in the White Hot Room, so it is a major mystery how exactly Sara has been resurrected: Could the Phoenix's life-bringing powers be behind it?

Phoenix #12, from series writer Stephanie Phillips with art by Roi Mercado, will see the revived Sara explaining her "miraculous return" after shocking Jean in the previous issue, brought back to life after more than 30 years dead in publication history.

THE SECRET ORIGIN OF SARA GREY!

Protecting the cosmos as Phoenix, Jean Grey has experienced near-limitless mystery and wonder – a universe of perpetual possibility! But nothing so magnificently unexpected as this: Her sister, Sara, has returned to life. Murdered by the Phalanx many years ago, another in a long line of Greys to lose their lives in untimely, violent ways, Sara nonetheless stands before Jean, alive and well. But – when?! Why?! How?! All of these are questions worth asking. And Jean Grey probably should. Needless to say… this would be a very different story if she did.

Sara Grey Is Alive Again... Under Mysterious Circumstances

There hasn't been a Grey family member alive besides Jean in ages

Sara Grey-Bailey - also called "Sarah" in X-Men Origins: Jean Grey, was never a major character in X-Men comics, appearing only a handful of times and typically shown as Jean's loving and ive older sister. Sara was married with two children and was a vocal er of mutant rights after accepting her younger sister after she "came out" as a mutant. Sadly, Sara and her husband both disappeared following X-Factor #12, after appearing as a speaker at a mutant rights rally. The following year, it was tragically revealed that Sara had been killed by anti-mutant bigots working for Cameron Hodge, before being absorbed by the monstrous Phalanx.

Sadly, that was just the beginning of the horror waiting to befall the Grey family. Jean's parents were later turned into demons by Madelyne Pryor during Inferno, and many years after every member of the Grey family besides Jean, Cable, and Rachel were slaughtered by Shi'ar Commandos, including Sara's two children. In many ways, it is shocking that Jean never pushed for her family's resurrection on Krakoa, even though many of them were presumably human. The solicit for Phoenix #12 states the issue is all about maintaining a balance between "responsibility and longing," meaning Jean might have to choose between her sister's life and her role as the cosmic protector Phoenix, especially if Sara was somehow resurrected accidentally by the Phoenix Force.

Chris Claremont Had Planned To Include Sara On X-Factor

She was going to be revealed as a mutant, just like her sister

In a fun "twist that never was," Chris Claremont - acclaimed X-Men writer for over 16 years - has repeatedly said that his original plan was for Jean Grey to stay dead after Dark Phoenix, and for Sara to X-Factor alongside Scott, Bobby, Warren, and Hank. Infamous X-Men editor Jim Shooter shot down the idea, convinced Jean needed to be resurrected, but Claremont further revealed that he had planned for Sara to be unmasked as a mutant, with the ability to activate a mutant's latent X-Gene. It would be amazing if Phoenix brought Sara back and also made her into a mutant hero, perhaps ing the X-Men on Earth while her sister Jean stays in space.

While Sara has never canonically been a major part of X-Men lore, hopefully her return will spell the beginning of many more canon appearances of Jean's older sister... if she can survive the judgment of the Phoenix.

Phoenix #12 from Marvel Comics debuts on

Source: Marvel