Warning: Contains spoilers for Phoenix #4Infamous Gorr, the Divine Butcherthe monstrous enemy of the beloved Thor and the MCU's villainous star Thor: Love and Thunderhas not been seen in Earth-616 mainline continuity since his “death” in Thor: God of Thunder (2015) #11. In a terrifying twist, Gorr, the Divine Butcher, has returned to Marvel as Jean Gray's mortal enemy in Phoenix #4resurrected with a dramatic upgrade to his already incredible power.
As Jean Gray travels through space, protecting the innocent and trying to change the universe's perception of the Phoenix Forcethe mighty hero has fought against such fierce enemies as Thanos' Black Order before, but Gorr is by far the most dangerous foe she has faced so far.
Phoenix #4, by Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo, features Gorr pursuing the title character, believing her to be a god because, as canonically established in X-Men: Forever – Jean Gray is a Phoenixand the Phoenix is the cosmic deity of life and rebirth. However, like Jean Grey's reincarnations, the resurrection of Gorr, the Divine Butcher has only made him more powerful, as the All-Black's power is now placed in his heart, eliminating the need for the Necrosword.
|
Phoenix No. 4 (2024) |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Release date: |
October 9, 2024 |
|
Writers: |
Stephanie Phillips |
|
Artists: |
Alessandro Miracolo, David Curiel |
|
Cover artist: |
Yasmine Putri |
|
Cover variants: |
Francesco Manna, Nathan Szerdy, Karen S. Darboe |
|
ATTENTION… GOD BUTCHER! His cry echoed throughout the universe: He would be punished. He will exact his terrible revenge. GORR GOD THE BUTCHER will kill the PHOENIX. Plus: CAPTAIN MARVEL comes to visit… |
|
Gorr God the Butcher Has a Completely Black Heart
The Butcher exceeded the need for the Necro-Sword
Gorr, the God Butcher, began as a tragic figure, a man from an unnamed planet whose entire family perished before his eyes and whose prayers to the gods went unanswered. Angered by this obvious injustice, Gorr eventually witnessed a deadly fight between the two gods, which led him to discovering the All-Black Necrosword and beginning a millennia-long campaign of deicide across the cosmos. Ultimately, present-day Thor was able to absorb All-Black and weaken Gorr, before a 6th century variant of Thor decapitated the villain, seemingly ending his reign of terror. Looks like Gorr is back Phoenix #4 is the resurrection of the “dead” Gorr Thor: God of Thunderhowever, some readers theorize that this is actually Gorr's return from the distant future King Thor number.
Related
'There were times when he said things I believed in': Gorr's creator admits he agrees with Thor's God-killing MCU nemesis
Writer Jason Aaron's appearance at the Think Bubble Comic Art Festival featured a wide range of Q&A, including insights into Gorr the Butcher God.
It is said that “Jean Gray is the Phoenix, the Phoenix is Jean Grey”, which Gorr throws in Jean's face by saying, “All Black is me, I am All Black.”
All-Black is the first-ever Necrosword, created by the last King Black Knull by combining the first-ever Symbiote and celestial energies into a powerful and indestructible weapon of the living void. After Thor absorbed All-Black and Gorr's God Bomb, it was assumed that the connection between Gorr and the brutal Necrosword had been severed… but apparently this was not the case. Gorr had spent so much time with All-Black and was so deeply corrupted by his abyss that the symbiotic core of the Necrosword connected directly to the heart of the Divine Butcher, making him a living Necrosword. It is said that “Jean Gray is the Phoenix, the Phoenix is Jean Grey”, which Gorr throws in Jean's face, declaring, “All Black is me, I am All Black”, before stabbing Jean in the heart and seemingly killing her.
Related
X-Men redefines the founding member with a dark update of his origin story
One of the original X-Men receives an origin story update that adds a dark twist to their past but provides clear insight into their future.
Gorr's attack on Jean Gray proves her divinity
But can the Phoenix Force defeat Butcher?
In many ways, Gorr pursuing Jean Gray is a sign of “respect” and an explicit acknowledgment that Jean Gray is “a god by any other name”, even if he does not see himself as a deity. Jean Gray now has the universal concept of life, death and rebirth at her fingertips, making her an obvious target for Gorr. Unfortunately, Jean's new status as a God-like being attracted the attention of the Galactic Council, and the Shiite Gladiator made it clear to the Council that he believed The Phoenix is once again the greatest threat facing the universe. While Jean will surely find a way to defeat the God Butcher, her act of heroism may just be the final nail in the coffin and prove to the Council that the Phoenix must be brought back under control.
Gorr, the God Butcher, has returned and this time his heart is as black as his soul, and the All-Black now resides directly in the evil chest of the dark god. Jean Gray will need to use the full power of the Phoenix Force to defeat Gorr once againbut this failure could come back to haunt the iconic hero.
X-Men
The X-Men series, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, focuses on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath, Professor Charles Xavier, they fight against discrimination and the evil mutants that threaten humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a mix of action, drama and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series and blockbuster films.
Phoenix #4 from Marvel Comics is now available in stores.
