Since Hope first came onto the scene she was considered the "Mutant Messiah," being that she was the first mutant to be born after M Day. But what does her existence really represent? Why is she important? Marvel recently teased the zero issue and start of their upcoming event, Avengers Vs. X-Men that might clue us into what may be in store for Hope Summers. The conversation begins with Cyclops reprimanding Hope for disobeying his orders, but very quickly jumps to Hope demanding that Cyclops "tell [her] about the Phoenix Force." This conversation sort of comes out of nowhere and ends with Hope blasting Cyclops with his own optic blast -- a move that was more than a little bit unjustified.

Here's the funny thing about the Phoenix Force, it doesn't normally ask the host permission to come in, and if the host is a little bit unstable (albeit, temperamental), it could lead to some serious problems. Even Emma Frost -- as strong willed and level-headed as she is -- was not not able to properly contain and control the Phoenix Force during Marvel's PHOENIX: ENDSONG story arc. What would happen if the Phoenix Force returned and did choose Hope as its new host?

In the words of Cyclops himself, mutantkind cannot afford to lose Hope -- in this case, both figuratively and literally. Hope is the reason that Nightcrawler sacrificed himself during Second Coming -- the X-Men have done everything in their power to protect her. But why? And was Bishop right? Bishop did, after all, claim that the "mutant messiah" would also be responsible for the deaths of millions during the Six Second War. What other force could cause that much damage in six seconds? The Phoenix Force can not only go toe to toe with Galactus, but it can incinerate the entire planet like we saw in WHAT IF: PHOENIX HAD NOT DIED? Or destroy a planet, killing five billion people just to quench it's own desire for destruction? So what if the Phoenix Force did return, what then? And what if it returned during Avengers Vs. X-Men?

At the end of PHOENIX: ENDSONG the Phoenix Force had shattered into thousands of pieces, so when the force returned in PHOENIX: WARSONG (which was also the last time the X-Men had to deal with the force), it manifested itself within the Stepford Cuckoos, the cloned daughters of Emma Frost.

The force claimed the minds and bodies of the three girls, manifesting itself within them and began to cause destruction wherever it went -- that is until Celeste, one of the Cuckoos, hardened her heart and that of her two sisters in order to trap the Phoenix Force. If the force returns and manifests in Hope Summers, could this trigger the force trapped within the Cuckoos?

What will happen to Hope? Do you think that the Phoenix Force will take over Hope? If so, when and how will the X-Men stop it?

I hope!

Silly comicvine! The whole event is about the Phoenix Force!

I would love to see Jean comeback from the dead and give hell to Scott for sleeping with Emma. However, if they ever do bring Jean back they need to make it good.

..ugh

@Babs said:

If the force returns and manifests in Hope Summers, could this trigger the force trapped within the Cuckoos?

The phoenix force trapped withing the Cuckoos left them during Nation X. It seemed that the pieces were trying to re-group. So it's possible that whatever is coming for Hope will in fact be the fully reestablished Phoenix.

I hope rachel gets the phoenix back in full

It could go into Scarlet Witch...

Possibly. I wonder if Marvel's going to pull a Jean Grey on us.

Duh.

Does anyone remember the sliver of the Void that is trapped in Cyclops mind? Is the Void strong enough to take on the Phoenix Force?

I don't think it's even a question. It's undoubtedly going to happen sometime this year and I'm 99% positive it's going to be AvX.

@fables87 said:

I would love to see Jean comeback from the dead and give hell to Scott for sleeping with Emma. However, if they ever do bring Jean back they need to make it good.

Jean had already moved on from Scott prior to her death.

Oh you gotta be sh!ting me.

Am I the only one who's not exactly thrilled about this, considering AvX is coming up? I just get this feeling that considering it's a huge mega-crossover event.. it won't be handled right.

OK - can we focus on the important thing - what the hell is wrong with Scott's head and neck in that first picture?

@sora_thekey said:

@Babs said:

If the force returns and manifests in Hope Summers, could this trigger the force trapped within the Cuckoos?

The phoenix force trapped withing the Cuckoos left them during Nation X. It seemed that the pieces were trying to re-group. So it's possible that whatever is coming for Hope will in fact be the fully reestablished Phoenix.

Thought I was the only one that remembered this.......

didn't Marvel just release an image with Iron Fist as the new Phoenix Force Host?

@ZombieBigfoot: Yeah, that's the whole idea behind AvX.

I Hope! Get it? Hope...Hope Summers? Ughhh nvm -____-

@EugeneSaxe said:

@ZombieBigfoot: Yeah, that's the whole idea behind AvX.

I'm still a little uneasy about this, as I already have heavy doubts about the event. Them bringing back the phoenix force during AvX doesn't help.

It seems like the Phoenix visits about as often as Aunt Flo, once every 28-30 days. And much like Flo, the visits grow old and unwanted.

Reason why I would not like Jean back:

1) The Love Triangle

2) She goes crazy again.

Those are like the only two things she ever does!

There would be no love triangle jean was moving on to logan prior to scotts cheating and is anyone expecting a return of bishop

It seems like it would be a lot more interesting if instead of the Phoenix force occupying Hope's body, she would be the incarnation of the Phoenix Force. It would make her title of "mutant messiah" much more fitting, and might explain how she was able to induce/speed up mutations in "the 5 lights"

Been reading how some peeps aren't wanting to get into this new installment of Avengers Vs. X-Men, but I am going to say I am interested because of the Phoenix Force. Especially that teaser image I saw of Iron Fist ( possibly?) wielding the Phoenix Force.

I will actually get off my duff and check out at least one ish if I can.

@sora_thekey said:

@Babs said:

If the force returns and manifests in Hope Summers, could this trigger the force trapped within the Cuckoos?

The phoenix force trapped withing the Cuckoos left them during Nation X. It seemed that the pieces were trying to re-group. So it's possible that whatever is coming for Hope will in fact be the fully reestablished Phoenix.

Took the words right out of my mouth. This has been building for a long time, thing is. I have no anticipation leading upto it. Avenger's Vs X-Men should be a major thing in the comic book world, I should be counting the days....I'm not though. Barely interested in the storyline or hope. The only reason I got it is because I've naturally dropped a few books recently (dajen, x-23, children's crusade soon). I am more excited about the next x-force arc, amazing what simply telling good stories can do.

What happened to Iron Fist

@EugeneSaxe said:

It seems like the Phoenix visits about as often as Aunt Flo, once every 28-30 days. And much like Flo, the visits grow old and unwanted.

Lmao that's pretty accurate

The Phoenix fragments magically escaped the Cuckoos' "flawless diamond hearts" in like Uncanny X-Men #518. And it left Rachel and the Phoenix Sword during War of Kings or something. Either way, if Marvel goes so cliche as to make Jean 2.0 aka Hope become the Phoenix...argh, I would be beyond disappointed in them. What's next, a make out session with Cyclops?

I think the better question is; "Are We On The Verge Of Another Crappy Marvel Event?"

@Queen's Halo said:

OK - can we focus on the important thing - what the hell is wrong with Scott's head and neck in that first picture?

Why don't you know? Cyclops's other mutant ability is to become Giraffeyclops.

This was confirmed weeks ago

GIVE CYCLOPS SOMETHING TO EAT, MARVEL!

Who else thinks this will be the return of not only Jean Grey but also of The Wasp?

Yes

@fables87 said:

I would love to see Jean comeback from the dead and give hell to Scott for sleeping with Emma. However, if they ever do bring Jean back they need to make it good.

Maybe Emma is Jean in Emma's body just messin' with everybody, and Scott knows this subconsciously. When the phoenix comes back all will be revealed ;)

Wonder who it will be....??? There is no way Jean is coming back without the PF and how would she come back if it's going to another host.

@EugeneSaxe said:

It seems like the Phoenix visits about as often as Aunt Flo, once every 28-30 days. And much like Flo, the visits grow old and unwanted.

@Queen's Halo: THANK YOU! That was annoying me so bad!

I hope this will be the last time the characters of marvel have to deal with the phoenix. If they bring Jean back she must have no Phoenix. And no love triangle. Scott and Jean moved on before she died, they just hadn't admitted it to one another.

@InfinityOmelette said:

didn't Marvel just release an image with Iron Fist as the new Phoenix Force Host?

PHOENIX..PAWNCHHH.

If Hope becomes the new host, I bet we see Jean's corpse in a Silver Surfer comic somewhere.

@god_spawn said:

I bet we see Jean's corpse in a Silver Surfer comic somewhere.

I would buy five copies of the issue if this happened.

Iron Man should reference the fact that he just ran into the Phoenix Force and dealt with it's usual good old fashion destroy-everything-ness in Iron Age. I'm sure they'll forget but it seems like it would be more than appropriate, or some quick nod to it on his behalf. Anyways, I think everyone should host it. That sounds fair, yeah? You know super-heroes are supposed to be role models, and what is a more important lesson to teach than sharing? We can all be Phoenix Force hosts people! Think of the monies and plunder we'll have! Oh it will be glorious! You want to be a Phoenix Force host, I just know you do! ^_^

@The Dark Huntress said:

@god_spawn said:

I bet we see Jean's corpse in a Silver Surfer comic somewhere.

I would buy five copies of the issue if this happened.

The white room is annihilated with her. It's about time that back door was taken off the damn hinges.

I hope so.

The Phoenix-force is a great concept and a power that cannot be ignored. It's return, if handled even close to well, would make the X-books interesting to me again.

Maybe even compelling.

As long as its a good story, I am all for a return of the PHOENIX FORCE. I would also love for JEAN to return and as far as i'm concerned, Jean and her Phoenix can do whatever with Hope as I find her mostly uninteresting (at least as she is now). I know Jean was collecting all the fragments so I wonder if this force will be complete or only a piece (or unstable). I still wish to know the signifigance of the WHITE PHOENIX of the CROWN...and what exactly is "The Crown"!?

I'm still thinking Hope is Jean reincarnated and that the Phoenix will come back to her, but with Hope's utter douchiness of character, there's definitely nothing stopping it from manifesting into Dark Phoenix.

Hasn't Hope shown slight Phoenix powers before like at the end of Second Coming and at the campfire after that when Emma sees the Phoenix in her eyes? so maybe she will be the True Host of the Force. And Wait so the Cuckoos have pieces of the Force in them? Doesn't Rachel have some too?

Well, all i can say is that let's just wait for the event to come and what will happen in the end to see what will be the fate of Hope and the Scarlet Witch, the X-MEN and the Avengers, what is the reason for the phoenix comeback, and will this be signify the comeback of Jean....but first.... there is one question that is left bugging in my mind when I saw the teaser....... why is scott too thin and old? i thought scott should be attractive because of Logan calling him "pretty boy" is it because of thinking too much problems? haha...

Let Hope become the host! Then Bishop shows up and takes her out!!