X Of Swords Advances As Storm And Wolverine Take Centerstage In Wolverine #6, X-Force #13, & Marauders #13

Ten swords, ten champions, ten battles for the fate of the world. X Of Swords continues this week with three comics about two heroes. First Pierce Lightning & Tony Thornley set the stage with Benjamin Percy, Viktor Bogdanovic, Matthew Wilson, and Cory Petit’s Wolverine #6. Then Ari Bard & Kenneth Laster keep things moving with Percy, Bogdanovic, Wilson, and Joe Caramagna on X-Force #13. Finally, Christi Eddleman and guest writer Jude Jones take us to Wakanda as guest writer Vita Ayala, Matteo Lolli, Edgar Delgado, and Cory Petit highlight Storm in Marauders #13.

Wolverine #6

Tony Thornley: Hey Pierce- ready to do some crossover-ing?

Pierce Lightning: I was trying to make it a point to think of some sort of sword pun here, Tony.

TT: I get it, I’m just on the edge of a pun here too. 

A Matter of Trust

TT: What an opening scene. This is something I think has been a long time coming with Krakoa. Having Logan, or any character really, confront Krakoa about his agenda was a long time coming. I mean, I don’t think anyone outside Charles or Doug have treated Krakoa as an actual independent character for the past year. This reframed A LOT of the events of the past year for me.

PL: I do really like how this opening scene positions the whole of the X Universe – not just the interpersonal dynamics of the mutants themselves but their standing in the larger Marvel Universe. There have been a number of people critical of this era of the X-Men because they find it unwieldy, complicated and hard to grasp. But in a lot of ways, X-Men feels the most X-Men when it’s at its most insular and dense. 

I think in a lot of ways this Krakoa/Logan scene speaks to how both fans and non-fans of the Hickman era have felt about the X-books as a whole in that there’s got to be something more there. Cynics are going to say they knew all along but bragging about understanding how story beats work is a lot less impressive than they think. [Ed. note: takes a long sip of tea]

And it’s kind of a bummer that penciller Viktor Bogdanovic was so down on this crossover from the jump. It’s bad form to put down the work of your collaborators like that in the first place but it’s even worse to let your bad attitude come out in the work and unfortunately, I think that’s exactly what happened here. [Ed. note: He did a bad Tweet and got, deservedly, dunked on]

TT: Yeah it’s definitely a bit more rough here. The way he depicts Krakoa in particular felt a bit off to me, and the backgrounds seem unfinished. 

So I think it comes down to the story working but the visuals not quite clicking. 

Hero’s Quest

TT: It’s interesting to see the issue split in two from this point. In one perspective, we see Logan begin his quest to find Muramasa. In the other (which we’ll talk about in a minute), we get to meet Solem, the charming bastard.

Logan heads to Japan, and we get a very interesting sort of greatest hits montage as he tears through the underworld to find him.

Pierce, did you recognize his visits at first?

PL: I think we always knew that Percy would lean heavily into the Japanese side of Wolverine’s backstory as soon as the title of this crossover was revealed. But I was still pretty surprised to see Mariko more than anything. [Ed. note: She came back to life in Old Man Logan FYI]

But this greatest hits compilation didn’t really hit for me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Wolverine’s adventures in Japan as much as anyone but they feel like just a known commodity in his world. Did we really need to cover that ground again?  

TT: Considering it’s such familiar beats that they’re almost cliché I don’t disagree with you. I think the moment that works best is the fight with Silver Samurai, because that takes place on Krakoa and I feel like we’re still learning about this take on the Samurai. But then again, it’s another fight with the Samurai, and it just skirts on the edge of being full of offensive Asian stereotypes. 

I think the scenes in Japan work because they’re largely wordless quick hits… But then we get the bizarre data page that’s just all the dialogue deleted out of the previous pages! I don’t know what to think of that page out of it being a supremely weird choice, almost existing just to get another data page in the issue. 

PL: Yeah, this whole issue has a weird flow to it and I can’t help think Bogdanovic really just phoned it in. Even the choreography of the fight with Silver Samurai isn’t very dynamic or clear. 

I feel you on that data page. It felt like when I had to take an art class in college and used a loose tile from my dorm floor with whatever garbage was around glued to it and submitted it as my self-portrait. Just kind of a lazy move. 

TT: Exactly. Then Logan climbs a mountain and finds Muramasa- victim of The Hand! And why have they sacrificed him? Well, we’ll find out in X-Force! [Ed. note: but keep reading to learn about the sensational character find of 2020]

Evil Betrayed

TT: Parallel to Logan’s journey, we get our introduction to Solem. He’s a member of the evil nation of Arakko, BUT he’s so evil that he’s been exiled to a pit. I really like the parallels to Sabretooth we see with Solem.

• He’s vicious.
• He’s murdered important loved ones..
• He’ll win at any cost.

The biggest difference between him and Victor Creed, I think, is that he’s charming as hell.

PL: He kind of struck me as a cross of Creed and Mister Sinister. But I’m not really sold on him. I’ll pin this on the art more than anything but that reads kind of generic to me. I mean, from a design standpoint, he doesn’t look all that different from Gorr the God Butcher. 

I’m also not sure that I care for the queering of another villain unless that’s a detail that will play out meaningfully with regards to Wolverine. This sounds like I want Solem and Logan to get it on (talk about a twist!) but what I mean is I’d like to see Logan’s queerness made more textual rather than the kind of thing we basically just assume because he’s 200 years old and that one Ribic Wolverine/Nightcrawler cover exists. [Ed. note: Also a Wolverine #6, funny enough]

I’m curious to see what about Solem really challenges Wolverine and I liked learning a little bit more about the dynamics of the warriors of Arakko. 

TT: Oh I so agree. And we get it in both the dialog between the Horsemen and the data page that follows this scene. This isn’t a group that’s getting along in Hell. There’s infighting, rivalry and betrayal. It’s just a glimpse but it tells a lot with little information. Most interesting to me was the line that “the (redacted) had all been wronged by Solem” which makes me wonder whether it was just the murder of the Horsemen’s husband or if there’s a lot more to his story. 

I generally enjoyed the issue though. It’s fairly light, and largely setup for what Kenneth and Ari are about to talk about in X-Force. But combined with that issue? I think it’s a lot stronger. 

PL: I suppose that a 20+ part crossover is going to lend itself to a few issues like this and that’s fine. That opening scene has such big implications that it overshadows the rest of the book. I just hope that Percy has a more interesting angle to Wolverine’s history with Muramasa and Japan than what we’re seen to this point.

X-Force #13

Kenneth Laster: Y’know Ari, we always say in a perfect world X-Force wouldn’t be necessary.

Ari Bard: Well Kenneth, it looks like X of Swords might just be the perfect event, because X-Force isn’t here! Remember how Beast and Colossus both suck? Well, Percy put them away for a while so he could continue his Wolverine story instead.

Logan Lore-y 

AB: A lot of this issue is exposition so that Percy can shove the square pegs of Logan’s past into the X-shaped hole in the X of swords event, and it was fine to me? The exposition wasn’t particularly exciting, but I know a bit more about the Muramasa blade now. What did you think, Kenneth?

KL: Logan is a controversial character to many X-Fans and for me, I like some of the things he’s in but I relish not knowing that much about him, especially his Japanese escapades because I can’t imagine they are particularly not Orientalist. However! My grand verdict on the Logan lore in this–is that it’s fine? I think the absurdity of this entire issue set in hell really puts a bit of distance from some of the “mysterious East” tropes that would be really easy to get into but definitely doesn’t avoid them entirely. But I think Percy does a good job in this issue especially to give us just enough exposition to get us oriented to wrap up this little two part excursion. Anything else to add?

AB: It’s sufficient for a recap, but a theme I’ll keep hitting in this review is that Percy struggles to convey emotion sometimes, and it’s really felt here. I think you’re exactly right in that the Logan lore is… fine, but in this emotionally super-charged Krakoan era, I don’t think fine is good enough. I am supposed to care about Wolverine’s history as it relates to the Muramasa blade, so that I understand the blade’s importance as Wolverine is searching for it, but really he’s looking for this blade because a prophecy told him to, right? I’m glad that the issue is set in hell because there’s something important about Wolverine literally going to hell for Krakoa and for a piece of his past, but really, this is a story about the blade’s importance in this fight, not Wolverine’s. Any other thoughts Kenneth? 

KL: I think you bring up a good point with Logan’s personal history feeling at odds with the Krakoan era. Like we’ve got SO much going on with Otherworld, Arrako, and thirty different threads, it feels weird to spend so much time here. However–this is a long event so I’m hopeful that while this journey is wrapped up, this is setting up some stakes for Logan to be explored in the mix of the rest of the event. Like for instance, what did Logan give to Solem?

When Solem Met Logan

KL: Ok sometimes in the depths of hell you meet a cloaked weirdo who will either become your new arch nemesis or boyfriend. It’s a classic meet-cute. What are your thoughts on Logan meeting his new bestie Solem?

AB: He is an absolute delight. What a charming fellow, and he’s so patient and kind with Wolverine as well. A lot of people [Ed. note: Ben Percy] are calling him Wolverine’s Loki because he absolutely is, but I am definitely excited to see how things play out between them, as Solem is definitely the type of person that’ll get in Wolverine’s head and has a way with words, and as we know, words are often Wolverine’s greatest weakness. 

Now, one of the primary things that concerns me is that Wolverine has his signature SNIKT, and Solem’s adamantium skin doesn’t really make a sound, so it might be 1:1. In all seriousness though, I think the Solem and Wolverine meeting illustrates a lot of my frustrations with these issues as a whole, and it’s that there’s nothing for us to care about. Percy gives us plenty of observation and plenty of cool action scenes, and Solem sure seems like a fun dude, but I feel nothing when Wolverine and Solem are interacting. A major concern I have about this event is that most of the Krakoan and most of the Arrakan warriors have no reason to feel any sort of way about each other as individuals. They’re just fighting for their worlds. 

KL: For sure. Solem definitely is working from a weird place because there were the teasers that called him “Wolverine’s new archnemisis” which is basically begging the audience to take bets on whether this character will show up as soon as a creative team leaves the book [Ed. note: Shoutout Rogol Zaar over in Superman]. That said, Solem is a fun character to read. 

There are so many reasons why I should not be into him, but Percy really pulled off the smarminess here. I do fully agree that there is not really any reason for these two to have a connection from the get-go but I am hopeful that Logan is going to have some kind of arc throughout X of Swords and I think that whatever Logan bargained with at the end of the issue is going to come into play in that connection. 

After all the Wolverine issue noted he was close to a devil except in service of his vanity, Logan making a deal in hell with someone akin to a devil does sound like it could be an interesting story down the line. And a poised, elegant, yet formidable guy sounds like a really interesting counterpoint to Logan as a foil so I’m definitely curious to see where this goes.

It’s a Nice Day for a Hell Wedding

AB: Colossus may not be in this one, but we still have our monthly dose of MASSIVE MAN! Look at this beast in hell putting on an adorable wedding for members of The Hand complete with Muramasa swords and all. Isn’t it adorable?

KL: What can I say? I love love. Even in the depths of capital “H” Hell. In my initial skim of this I kept wincing at the sight of the word “Beast,” as we do in our regular coverage, but was very delighted to see this big demon man. He’s got a belly button ring! Already lightyears cooler than Hank McCoy. I can’t say a lot negative about Logan and his lil’ friend Solem fighting The Hand bride and groom and CoolBeast in Hell, other than I wish it was more exciting. Conceptually it seems way more fun than it was executed which I feel ties back to a lot of Percy’s X-Force (remember them?). 

AB: I do remember them, and I think it’s important to talk about what Percy did here and the meaning of a “Tie-in,” because I don’t think that Percy wrote an X-Force book here, rather a Wolverine book. The implicit nature of a tie-in is to connect events happening in an ongoing book or to a regular cast of characters to a limited-time event, and that isn’t what was done here. Wolverine is in X-Force, but the book isn’t necessarily about him, and I’d argue he’s not even essential to that team right now, and ignoring the entire book’s cast and plot line in order to write more Wolverine just doesn’t sit right with me, and I’m someone who believes that creators don’t owe anything to or for the fans. 

KL: Yeah it was a bit of a bummer since I was curious to see how X of Swords kicking off would effect where things left off at the end of X-Force #12 but…it really didn’t at all. I am also super intrigued by X of Swords as such an intensely collaborative effort by the X-Office and how that sort of shifts what “Tie-ins” really are. We are told that each issue is another chapter in the whole story and while I’m certain this isn’t the first crossover to use that to get you to buy in to tie-ins that theoretically could be skipped, but X of Swords is super different so far. X-Factor was the first regular issue that the event is going through and centered Polaris’s perspective on events the way a tie-in might but also had the essential element of the resurrection protocol being futzed with by Otherworld. 

All of this to say–X of Swords reeeeally is shaking up what my brain considers a tie-in. I feel like there’s definitely a chronology in play with this decision with Wolverine into X-Force wrapping up Logan getting the blade really quickly in a way that starting Logan’s story in Wolverine and starting a separate X-Force adventure would mess with a flow of this event coming off as one full story which I kind of appreciate in a novel way. Again I’m curious to see how this continues throughout the other monthly books. 

I do miss bullying Hank McCoy and it’s going to be hard to forgive Percy for robbing me of this opportunity.

Marauders #13

Christina Eddleman: Marauders! Time for pirates and ships and swords! No, just swords? No pirates? No ships? Gerry’s gone? And STORM!? We are in for a treat with guest writer, Vita Ayala, aren’t we Vishal? Oh wait, no Vishal? What a perfect issue to shake up our Mareaders coverage. Jude I am so excited to hear your thoughts on this X of Swords Marauders issue!

Jude Jones: I like this. A lot. Like, a lot lot. This is better than Giant Sized X-Men: Storm by far IMO.  This has everything that issue missed: a focus on Storm who’s voiced like, well, Storm, moral ambiguity, sacrifice – and more!  It wasn’t perfect by any means (and i’ll get to that later), but it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Wakanda…Forever?

CE: I enjoy Lolli’s depiction of both Storm and Wakanda’s history throughout this issue. The contrasting art styles worked well for me. Getting a montage of the highlights of Wakandian history surrounding Skybreaker was exactly the overview I needed being less than well versed in Black Panther, and I really appreciate when that looks amazing and is well integrated into the story.

JJ: I just want to note that I loved, absolutely LOVED the art, specifically the art relating to Wakandan history. The sepia-toned style felt gritty and tangible, giving a gravitas to the notion that the ideas depicted in the art are ancient. We know Wakanda has a long, storied history based on vibranium, and it was gratifying to see that played out. That said, I will again note that Storm’s European-ish hair texture is still an affront to my sensibilities. A Black woman from her part of Africa would not look like that, and those kinds of micro-representations are important. I mean, if an artist can change Manifold’s look to be more “authentically Aboriginal” (which I also take issue with), then we can give Storm locks or a fro, no?

CE: Well if the last few issues of Marauders have been any indication of the likelihood of hair changing, I just hope Storm doesn’t have to be resurrected to get a new look. I will note that Duggan has voiced that he wanted Storm to return to her mohawk in this run, which I definitely would have been a fan of. How about you, Jude?

JJ: I was a big, BIG fan of punk Storm, and I would welcome her back with open arms. I also appreciate the small pictorial vignettes that gave Storm’s backstory over the first few pages, including a small reminder that she’s as much a child of Harlem as she is Kenya (the stoop is a dead giveaway). You might not catch the references if you didn’t know to look for them, but that kind of detail is what I appreciate. 

CE: As someone who very recently worked her way through Marvel Unlimited’s recommended reading list for Storm, I was absolutely delighted to recognize each of those moments that are really central to her history. She’s a character not many writers have handled well, and Vita captures the nuance of her voice and strength beautifully.

Everything Costs

JJ: So as an avid reader of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ run on Black Panther (and pretty much everything else he’s put his hands on), I was happy to see the Queen Mother Ramonda and Princess Shuri represented. I don’t know if, in my years of reading comics, I’ve ever seen that many Black women centered in one issue. They were present and active; thoughtful with agency. I appreciate that all the women were selfless: they all put kingdom before kindness; it’s just a shame that Shuri and Storm serve two different kingdoms. 

Which brings me to my one critique: because we don’t see so many Black women on page often, it was disappointing that they had to fight. I understand “why,” from the larger story’s perspective. I just can’t divorce my desire for representation and unity in the “real” world from what I see depicted on these pages.

CE: The outcome of a rift between Wakanda and Krakoa could have been reached in more interesting ways than an unyielding commitment to country. It did warm my heart to see how willing the Queen Mother and Shuri both were to aid Krakoa in every possible way but draw a line at Skybreaker. However, that the line was only drawn as a precaution until T’Challa returned felt as though it forced a conflict that didn’t need to occur. 

JJ: Absolutely agree. Storm literally just helped save the Wakandan kingdom from, well, intergalactic Wakandans led by a Venom-Killmonger [Ed. note: A looooong story that we have no indication of when it will finally be told] in that Black Panther run. You’d think she’d have more leeway to make a request. You also think she’d be able to reach out to T’Challa directly to ask his permission directly. I’m pretty sure the Kimoyo beads have long distance calling. 

CE: My thoughts exactly. But as we all know, the X-Men don’t have phones, maybe this extends to any issues they appear in as well? Regardless of the set up of this conflict, Storm’s reaction is exactly what I’d expect. She was leaving Wakanda with Skybreaker, no matter what. Her interaction with T’Challa is so resolute and thoughtful. She understands what’s at stake and is unwavered by emotion. I am in love with that energy, even if I fault the set up a little.

JJ: I love how resolute she is. How determined, and direct she is. She acts of necessity, not out of cruelty. I can only hope this kind of sensibility will aid her in the fight against Akkaro. But I am not so sure, unfortunately.  

Another World

CE: Storm has really been stuck in a protective mentor role to Kate so far in Marauders. This issue definitely scratched an itch and gave us some much needed spotlight on Ororo. Now that we’re confident in Kate’s ability to be resurrected safely, perhaps this means a new chapter for Storm as well. She’s turned down leadership within the Hellfire Trading Company, but she is such a fantastic leader. I hope future issues will capitalize on this aspect of her personality.

JJ: I think she’s exhibited better and more consistent leadership than maybe anyone, including Scott and Xavier (maybe a low bar, but still…).  I do wonder how this new rift with Wakanda will play into the Marauders going forward. The Wakandans famously “do not need mutant drugs”, and Storm’s adopted homeland of Kenya is a part of that protectorate. We also see T’Challa destroy the Krakoan gate towards the end of the story. And while Shuri notes that mutants are not persecuted in Wakanda, one wonders: is lack of free passage not persecution? Will destruction of the gates antagonize the mutants in East Africa? Will the Marauder seek to “liberate” those mutants in the months ahead?

CE: That is the stated mission of the Marauders so it is a distinct possibility. The destruction of the Krakoan gateway is a seed sown. I’m not sure when it’s fruits will be reaped, but I’m sure it will be important going forward. I’m incredibly interested in what Storm’s combat will look like with Skybreaker. Its use as a conduit for energy seems particularly well-paired to Storm’s powers. Are we in store for some beautiful combat in X of Swords?

JJ: I was a huge fan of Storm with her Asgardian-hammer Stormcaster (God I love these names), so if those issues are any indication of what’s in store, I could not be more excited. I just wonder what else using the sword will cost her beyond frayed relationships with her kinda-sorta-boyfriend and his family. So far the other swords seem to be forged from the souls of it’s bearer. Storm’s already been through enough – I’m scared to think what else might be taken from her.

CE: The data page’s description of the effect of prolonged contact with the metal causing damage to living tissues seems like a Chekov’s gun to be sure, but your thoughts on the soul are certainly intriguing. I do not doubt that more will be asked of her in this tournament, and knowing Storm, she’ll likely do whatever it takes to save Krakoa.

JJ: I thoroughly loved this issue. I’m not only excited to see more of Storm in X of Swords, but I’m excited to see her role as a leader grow in the Marauders and in the X-Men as a whole. From the premise to the art to the execution, this issue was not just written and inked well, but it represented Storm, in all her competing desires and moral complexity, better than she has been in years. 

CE: It’s incredibly telling that when looking at the essential Storm reading that most people told me the newest things on the list really weren’t worth reading. Storm has not been done justice in a while, and Vita is here to remind us of just how fantastic and central to the X-Men Storm is. I am so grateful to see Ororo grace center stage as one of Krakoa’s champions.

X-Traneous Thoughts 

• I’m curious why this wasn’t just a Wolverine double issue, like X-Factor and Marauders.
• The Hand was a welcome appearance. It feels like we’ll be seeing more of them in the near future. 
• How long before we see Mariko back in her Scarlet Samurai duds?
• This was very serious crossover biz so I assume the letterers had to show restraint with the sound effects but I still found some lovely standouts like SLNCH, SHNK, and DONG DONG
• I was thoroughly distracted by the meal Shuri brought. Looked delicious. 
• “I have been a protector longer than I have been a wife. I know the sacrifices that must be made. I know who I am.” ?
• Storm is back to her roots of being a thief. No matter where you go, there you are, indeed.
• The data page’s description of the Otherworld realms feel a bit detached from this story, but are clearly required reading for the X of Swords story as a whole.
• Not to mention a Dungeon’s Master’s Guide entry for all the neat swords we get.
• Krakoan reads: Subterfuge