Comic Reviews 11.30.2020

Hey y’all. This week we’re finishing X of Swords. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. I ended up writing way more than I expected though. These issues were very interesting, especially in terms of the ongoing stories of each series. I’m also still reading the Last Remains tie-in issues of Amazing Spider-Man. That comic is mediocre and Matthew Rosenberg’s dialogue is bad. Really bad.

If you want to read about the final issue of X of Swords or my thoughts on the event overall, check out yesterday’s Featured Review. It was a fun piece to write and I hope everyone enjoys it. Anyway, let’s get to the reviews!

Spoilers for: X-Men #15, Excalibur #15

 

X-Men #15

Writer: Jonathon Hickman

Artist: Mahmud Asrar

Colors: Sunny Gho

Letters: VC's Clayton Cowles

Designer: Tom Muller

Cover: Leinil Francis Yu and Gho

 

Jonathon Hickman loves Cyclops. It is extremely evident as Scott always gets the big speeches and best lines. I too love Cyclops, so it probably will not be a surprise to learn I loved this issue. By far the best issue of X-Men in this event and maybe the best X of Swords issue overall.

This issue is split into two stories. The first is Apocalypse’s duel with Genesis. Within this issue, it serves mainly as compliment to Cyke’s big speech about the about the difference between a government’s duties and the duties of citizens. There is a back and forth timed up to the monologue just before Apocalypse claims victory. Except he cannot bring himself to kill his wife. Annihilation takes this hesitation as an opportunity to convince Genesis to wear the mask. She dons it and the battle begins anew.

The aforementioned speech and the events preceding it comprise the first two-thirds of the issue and highlight the difference between the ways the Quiet Council operates and the ways in which the X-Men (and related groups) have operated in the past. Scott and Jean know their son is in danger, as are some of their close friends and powerful allies. They know Krakoa is going to lose the tournament. They have to do something.

YOU TELL 'EM SCOTT

The Quiet Council disagrees. They agreed to a tournament and have to uphold. Of course, the X-Men agreed to no such thing so Scott and Jean reform the group (With Jean being forced to resign from the Council). It is a very interesting distinction to draw and the backmatter makes clear that official Krakoan correspondence never uses the term, but it is often used colloquially. Here, Scott implies that they will stick around following this mission and function similar to the mid-2000’s X-Factor or a similar team, focused on protecting their area (in this case, Krakoa)and the people that live there.

The idea that the first 15 issues of this series has led to the formation of the X-Men in a context with which readers are familiar is interesting thematically, but I am not sure what to make of it yet. All the pieces fit there and its best evidence since House of X/Powers of X that Hickman has a concrete story he is telling here.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention Asrar, who turns in some of the finest pages of his career. Every single panel is given the weight it deserves and clearly portrays events. This is especially true of the centerpiece speech. The facial expressions of Xavier and Magneto, in particular, in this scene are phenomenal. They clearly approve of what Scott and Jean are doing but are unable to do so in an official capacity. Excellent work all around.

 

Excalibur #15

Writer: Tini Howard

Artist: Mahmud Asrar and Stefano Caselli

Colors: Sunny Gho and Rachelle Rosenberg

Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles

Designer: Tom Muller

Cover: Leinil Francis Yu and Gho

 

Everything has gone to hell, although not literally like earlier in the crossover. Annihilation decides they are tired of the tournament and summons the Amenthi hordes. The remaining Krakoans are overwhelmed but Jubilee and the green Priestesses arrive as reinforcements. Elsewhere, Saturnyne is able to restore the Captain Britain Corps, although not in the form she wished.

The Corps’ return is the centerpiece of this issue with the story returning to it constantly as a tension builder. Saturnyne’s emergency plan is a puzzle that, when completed, triggers the reformation of the group. Initially, it seemed as though she was assembling the piece of the shattered Betsy Braddock, but, upon further review, this is clearly not the case.

 All context clues lead to the conclusion that Saturnyne was expecting the puzzle to form a picture of Brian Braddock as she views him as the one true Captain Britain. Instead, the multiverse spit in her face and declared Betsy the symbol that would lead the return of the Corps. Having said that, Betsy is still a shattered stained-glass window as far as anyone knows. Presumably, that will be the focus of this series going forward.

This comic looks so good

The art team on this issue is fantastic. There are a lot of characters in this comic and every single one is rendered well and accurately. Beyond that, impactful moments like the arrival of Jubilee and the cavalry feel powerful because the art reinforces the fact that it is a lifesaving event for everyone (Except Wolverine because, y’know). It is phenomenal work from everyone involved.

 

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