Warning: contains spoilers for Phoenix #6As Jean Grey's new role as the cosmic protector Phoenix continues to evolve, the iconic X-Men hero has assembled an epic new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy to battle Thanos and the Dark God Perrikus. Revealed in Phoenix #6, the new Guardians is comprised of Jean Grey, longtime Guardians warrior Rocket Raccoon, intergalactic protector Nova, the Asgardian Sif, and Captain Marvel, leader of the Avengers.

While Jean Grey has not officially called her powerful new team the Guardians of the Galaxy, that is literally what they are, as they begin a new mission to take down Thanos and wrestle control of the Galactic Council away from his monstrous hands.

Phoenix #6, from writer Stephanie Phillips with art by Marco Renna and David Curiel, sees Jean Grey and Nova teaming up to battle Thanos' deadly Black Order before the Mad Titan uses his powerful Warlock's Eye to mind control Nova and attack Phoenix. Just as all seems lost, Nova breaks out of his possession and the rest of Jean's team arrives, all ready to start their war against Thanos and his minions...

Phoenix Has Assembled An Epic Team Of Cosmic Guardians

Captain Marvel, Rocket Raccoon, Nova, and Sif Jean Grey on a vital new adventure

Jean Grey's journey reclaiming her status as the Phoenix, with full control and power over the Phoenix Force, has led the mutant hero into space, where she has been attempting to establish the Phoenix as a force for good... even though many don't see it that way. The Phoenix Force has caused devastation across the cosmos for millennia, which has caused the ruling Galactic Council to fear the freedom and power Jean Grey now has in space, especially after her corruption as the Dark Phoenix. The Shi'ar warrior Gladiator has used Jean's winning battle against Gorr the God Butcher to convince the Council to allow Perrikus free reign to take down Phoenix, while also appointing the brutal Thanos as leader of the Galactic Council.

"How're we supposed to stop an armada, armies, a big purple troll who now has unlimited psychic potential AND a Dark God?"

Almost immediately Thanos began enslaving planets throughout the galaxy with the use of his many armies, the Black Order, the Warlock's Eye, and Perrikus' , making Jean's mission even more critical. While Jean has now been elevated to an abstract entity, on the same level as other cosmic beings like Eternity and the In-Betweener, that doesn't mean she could defeat Thanos in a duel, since he himself has battled against these abstractions. Thankfully, Jean now has her Guardians to fight back against Thanos and his rule. Nova, whose job it is to protect space, was the first addition to the Phoenix Guardians, but before long Sid, Rocket, and Carol ed Jean as well. Carol has saved the galaxy many times as Captain Marvel and is friends with Jean, Rocket loves a dangerous mission to save his universe, and Sif is set on revenge against Perrikus, who once attacked and nearly destroyed Asgard years ago.

Will This New Guardians Of The Galaxy Be Enough To Stop Thanos?

He must be defeated before he takes over the entire universe

Thanos has new mystical enchantments, and the strength of the Galactic Council behind him, making the Mad Titan more powerful than ever. Plus solicits for future Phoenix issues reveal that Perrikus will be bringing the rest of his Dark Gods along with him in the fight against Phoenix, as well as the newly vindictive Adani, giving Phoenix and her Guardians an ever bigger fight. Thanos, and Perrikus, have both been defeated in the past, but Jean, Carol, Rocket, Rich, and Sif will need to fight harder than ever if they have any hope of saving the galaxy.

As the cosmos' newest protector, Phoenix has fought many battles alone... but finally, the beloved Omega-level mutant has her own team, as the Phoenix's Guardians of the Galaxy step up to the plate and throw their weight behind Jean as she begins her war with Thanos in earnest.

Phoenix #6 from Marvel Comics is available now in stores.