Tag Archives: s.w.o.r.d.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Lords of Misery

Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

American Vampire 1976 #3 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – A great return to this series so far that brings the action with each issue.

Batman: Black & White #1 (DC Comics) – A new anthology series from some top talent all giving their spin on the world of Batman.

Byte-Sized #1 (AWA Studios) – Horror comes to the holidays in this new series from writer Cullen Bunn!

Comic Book History of Animation #1 (IDW Publishing) – A new series focusing on the filmmakers and beloved characters of the past century and a half.

Crossover #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue was a lot of fun as the world of comics bled over into the real world causing all sorts of comics. The first issue felt like a love letter to comics and we’re excited to see where it all goes.

Heroes at Home #1 (Marvel) – We’ve been locked up due to COVID for much of the year so how are Marvel’s heroes dealing with it?

Home Sick Pilots #1 (Image Comics) – A brand new horror series that we’re excited to check out.

Legacy of Mandrake the Magician #3 (Red 5 Comics) – A great update to the classic character that has us excited for every issue. A solid series so far.

Mighty Morphin #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The first issue was such a solid re-introduction to the property with a direction that’s great for new and old readers. What’s next? We want to see!

King in Black: Namor #1 and Venom #31 (Marvel) – The opening issue of King in Black was solid and exceeded our expectations. These are the next two tie-ins and we really want to see where this goes from here and if the quality continues.

Locke & Key/Sandman: Hell & Gone #0 (IDW Publishing) – If you think you can unlock the gates of Hell and just invite yourself in, you must be Dreaming! The Sandman Universe crossover begins here. We’re… intrigued.

Lords of Misery (Albatross Funnybooks) – This standalone story reveals the adventure the Goon, along with several other mysterious figures, found himself entangled in after he departed the Nameless Town.

Scarenthood #2 (IDW Publishing) – The first issue took us by surprise and got us to laugh and gave some good scares too. A definite under-the-radar series that fans of horror should check out.

SWORD #1 (Marvel) – The Mutant nation of Krakoa has dominated Earth and now they’re taking their mission to space with the newly reformed SWORD.

Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 (Marvel) – The last issue caught us off guard so we’re excited to see what else this series will throw at fans of Warhammer 40K.

Preview: S.W.O.R.D. #1

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S.W.O.R.D. #1

Story: Al Ewing Art: Valerio Schitti
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 09, 2020
SRP: $4.99

ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MUTANTKIND!
The Mutant nation of Krakoa has quickly become a major force on the world stage… but why stop there? Krakoa has relaunched the Sentient World Observation & Response Directorate – a fully independent organization dealing with all things extra-terrestrial on behalf of all of Earth. Al Ewing and Valerio Schitti, the team behind EMPYRE, bring us the tale of Mutantkind looking to do for the galaxy what Krakoa did for the planet.

S.W.O.R.D. #1

After Dawn of X Comes Reign of X

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This week delivers the conclusion of X of Swords, the sprawling crossover that represented the latest chapter in Jonathan Hickman’s grand vision for the X-Men, and learned that the Reign of X was upon us!

Hickman’s bold take on mutantkind began last year in the critically-acclaimed House of X and Powers of X and continued in the Dawn of X, ushering in a slate of brand-new X-Men titles that took the comic book industry by storm. Now, the saga continues in Reign of X, a new era encompassing the upcoming story arcs in all your favorite X-titles. The Reign of X will see the forming of new teams, the return of major characters, new threats brought about by classic villains, and more game-changing revelations that will alter the X-Men mythos forever! Check out what’s to come in a mesmerizing teaser image by superstar X-Men artist Mahmud Asrar!

It all begins in December as the X-Men deal with the fallout of X of Swords and look to the future. Here’s what’s to come next month:

Hellions #7 by writer Zeb Wells and artist Stephen Segovia will explore the aftermath of the team’s brutal massacre in X of Swords.

Writer Leah Williams and artist David Baldeon continue to investigate mutant deaths and explore the complexities that come with resurrection in X-Factor #5.

Kate Pryde and Emma Frost finally enact their long-awaited revenge on Sebastian Shaw in Marauders #16 by writer Gerry Duggan and artist Stefano Caselli.

Mutantkind sets their sights on the galaxy and beyond in writer Al Ewing and artist Valerio Schiti’s groundbreaking S.W.O.R.D. #1.

An old foe rises in New Mutants #14, the beginning of a wild new era for your favorite young mutants by writer Vita Ayala and artist Rod Reis.

Wolverine reunites with Maverick and Team X in Wolverine #8, a special over-sized milestone issue written by Benjamin Percy with art by Adam Kubert and Viktor Bogdanovic.

The search for Captain Britain is underway as Excalibur returns to Otherworld in Excalibur #16 by writer Tini Howard and artist Marcus To.

X-Force will stop at nothing to protect Krakoa, even if it means interrogating their own, in the action-packed X-Force #15 by writer Benjamin Percy and Marvel’s Stormbreaker artist Joshua Cassara.

And Cyclops makes a fateful decision regarding the future of the X-Men in X-Men #16, written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Phil Noto.

Reign of X

Early Preview: S.W.O.R.D. #1

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S.W.O.R.D. #1

Story: Al Ewing
Art: Valerio Schiti
Variant Cover: Emanuela Lupacchino, Terry Dodson
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 09, 2020
SRP: $4.99

ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MUTANTKIND!
The Mutant nation of Krakoa has quickly become a major force on the world stage… but why stop there? Krakoa has relaunched the Sentient World Observation & Response Directorate – a fully independent organization dealing with all things extra-terrestrial on behalf of all of Earth. Al Ewing and Valerio Schitti, the team behind EMPYRE, bring us the tale of Mutantkind looking to do for the galaxy what Krakoa did for the planet.

S.W.O.R.D. #1

King in Black Rages in January

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Knull makes his long-dreaded arrival this December in King in Black #1, and his conquest of the Marvel Universe will escalate in scale and stakes come January. The god of the symbiotes’ reign will have significant impacts on the Venom mythology as well radical consequences for Marvel’s heroes and teams.

Find out what January has in store for the Marvel Universe as the King in Black attacks!

KING IN BLACK #3 (OF 5)

Written by DONNY CATES
Art and Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

After last issue’s shocking finale, the heroes of the Marvel Universe are reeling. Outgunned and outmanned, but never outdone, they unite and face KNULL, God of the Abyss, as he ensnares the planet in the darkness of his reign! Superstars DONNY CATES and RYAN STEGMAN continue to raise the game — and the stakes for the Marvel Universe in this Earth-shattering epic!

KING IN BLACK #3 (OF 5)

KING IN BLACK: PLANET OF THE SYMBIOTES #1 (OF 3)

Written by CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN & FRANK TIERI
Art by GUIU VILANOVA & DANILO BEYRUTH
Cover by TONY MOORE

DARKNESS REIGNS OVER THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!

KING IN BLACK: PLANET OF THE SYMBIOTES #1 (OF 3)

KING IN BLACK: RETURN OF THE VALKYRIES #1 (OF 4)

Written by JASON AARON & TORUNN Grønbekk
Art by NINA VAKUEVA
Cover by MATTIA DE IULIS

JANE FOSTER RETURNS!

Once there was an entire army of Valkyries, but now Jane Foster is the only one. When the King in Black comes to Midgard, Jane must rebuild the Valkyries to help stop him — starting with Hildegarde, a warrior from Asgard’s own hallowed halls, and X-Man Dani Moonstar, a former Valkyrie herself. But what Jane doesn’t know…is that she never was the only Valkyrie after all. Who is the fourth warrior? Jason Aaron and Torunn Grønbekk team up with artist Nina Vakueva for a story that will rock the foundations of the Marvel Universe!

KING IN BLACK: RETURN OF THE VALKYRIES #1 (OF 4)

KING IN BLACK: RETURN OF THE VALKYRIES #2 (OF 4)

Written by JASON AARON & TORUNN Grønbekk
Art by NINA VAKUEVA 
Cover by MATTIA DE IULIS

SAVE THE SENTRY – SAVE THE VALKYRIES – SAVE THE EARTH!

Knull and his symbiote horrors have come to Earth, and now all Jane Foster sees when she looks at that big blue globe…is a vision of death. Most of Earth’s heroes are locked in battle on the ground, and it’s up to Jane and the Sentry to protect the rest! But Knull’s power has spread over the galaxy and infected creatures even older than the gods…and it may not matter how many Valkyries Jane can bring to their aid.

KING IN BLACK: RETURN OF THE VALKYRIES #2 (OF 4)

KING IN BLACK: GWENOM VS CARNAGE #1 (OF 3)

Written by SEANAN MCGUIRE
Art by FLAVIANO
Cover by KEN LASHLEY

GWEN STACY ENTERS THE FRAY AGAINST THE KING IN BLACK!

Bonded to a synthetic symbiote from another reality, GHOST-SPIDER, aka Gwen Stacy of Earth-65, is unique among the webslingers of the multiverse! But when KNULL descends on her adopted home, his gravity well of dark psychic energy will reap unforeseen consequences not only on Gwen, but on her symbiotic suit as well!

KING IN BLACK: GWENOM VS CARNAGE #1 (OF 3)

KING IN BLACK: BLACK KNIGHT  #1

Written by SIMON SPURRIER
Art by JESUS SAIZ
Cover by DAN MORA

THE BLACK KNIGHT DUELS THE KING IN BLACK!

KNULL’s ferocious assault upon earth has begun and Dane Whitman – Avenger, hero, and wielder of the mighty Ebony Blade as the BLACK KNIGHT – takes up sword and shield to defend against the unstoppable onslaught. Though the blade grants Dane incredible power so too does it consume him with a lust for violence and destruction. As the endless horde of symbiote dragons darken the skies of Shanghai, will the Black Knight overcome the growing evil within himself and join AERO and SWORD MASTER in saving the city?! And what secrets will the battle against Knull reveal about Dane’s past?

KING IN BLACK: BLACK KNIGHT #1

KING IN BLACK: THUNDERBOLTS #1 (OF 3)

Written by MATTHEW ROSENBERG
Art by JUAN FERREYRA
Cover by KYLE HOTZ

KINGPIN’S KILLERS VERSUS AN ARMY OF UNKILLABLE DRAGONS!

An army of evil space dragons have come to attack Earth and are starting with New York. MAYOR FISK has a plan for that. Assembling a group of killers, mercenaries, and just generally pretty horrible people like TASKMASTER, RHINO, STAR, MR. FEAR, and BATROC THE LEAPER, Mayor Fisk tasks them with saving the city or die trying…or die right then and there. The fate of the entire world may rest in the hands of the absolute worst people in the Marvel Universe. What could go wrong?

KING IN BLACK: THUNDERBOLTS #1 (OF 3)

DAREDEVIL #26

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by MARCO CHECCHETTO & MIKE HAWTHORNE
Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO

A DEVIL CONSUMED!

Matt faces a darkness unlike any before. Meanwhile, ELEKTRA may be in over her head for the first time in her life.

DAREDEVIL must find the strength to continue the fight as all hell breaks loose.

DAREDEVIL #26

DEADPOOL #10

Written by KELLY THOMPSON
Art and Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL

KING OF THE MONSTERS VERSUS KING OF THE DRAGONS!

An evil, ancient cult wants to kill DEADPOOL.

An evil, ancient space god wants to kill Deadpool.

Why does everyone want to kill Deadpool??? (I mean, we know why…)

DEADPOOL #10

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #10

Written by AL EWING
Art by JUANN CABAL
Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

THE GUARDIANS CLEANSED?!

KNULL and his dragons are cleansing entire worlds of life. SPARTAX is their next target – and the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY can’t save it alone.

It’s a good day for the return of the legendary STAR-LORD…

Meanwhile, as the team battle cosmic horror, something worse is waiting – as the clock ticks down to the Last Stand in…

THREE…

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #10

SAVAGE AVENGERS #17

Written by GERRY DUGGAN
Art by KEV WALKER
Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

“BLACK SKIES” PART 1!

CONAN rings in the New Year on Ryker’s Island — which he promptly breaks out of with the help of…DEADPOOL. The two warriors fight together against the symbiotes of KNULL, and Conan makes a surprising discovery that may help him overcome KULAN GATH.

SAVAGE AVENGERS #17

S.W.O.R.D. #2

Written by AL EWING
Art and Cover by VALERIO SCHITI

WHAT IS PROTOCOL V?

The S.W.O.R.D. station is thrown in at the deep end of a planetary crisis as Krakoa battles the KING IN BLACK! While a cross-division team take on latex dragons from outer space, Abigail Brand prepares a deniable operation all her own. What is PROTOCOL V – and can the Earth survive it?

S.W.O.R.D. #2

Mutantkind Takes to the Stars in S.W.O.R.D.

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ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MUTANTKIND! This December, writer Al Ewing and artist Valerio Schiti bring fans the newest X-Men title, S.W.O.R.D.! In last year’s groundbreaking House of X, the mutant nation of Krakoa was founded and quickly became a major force on the world stage. Now, Jonathan Hickman’s grand new vision for mutantkind continues as the X-Men look to do for the galaxy what Krakoa did for the planet.

In the startling aftermath of X of Swords, mutantkind will take the bold next step in claiming their destiny by relaunching the Sentient World Observation & Response Directorate to deal with all things extra-terrestrial on behalf of Earth. The events of S.W.O.R.D. will have a tremendous impact not only on the X-Men’s world, but the Marvel Universe as a whole, as the mutants of S.W.O.R.D. warp the cosmic landscape forever. The stellar cast includes Magneto, Abigail Brand, Cable, Frenzy, Wiz Kid, Fabian Cortez, former Avenger Manifold, and many other fan-favorite mutants who will be stepping into the spotlight in a major way.

Known for his critically acclaimed and thought-provoking work on Immortal Hulk, Ewing is now ready to take the X-Men where no one in the Marvel Universe has gone before. S.W.O.R.D. reunites Ewing with superstar artist Valerio Schiti. The pair previously joined forces on Marvel’s cosmic epic, Empyre.

Prepare for the latest evolution in the ongoing saga of mutantkind when S.W.O.R.D. #1 launches this December.

S.W.O.R.D. #1

Review: X-Men #22

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x-men 22As a group, the X-Men fare better when their stories are based on Earth, not in other settings, including outer space.  Part of what makes the characters so interesting and compelling is that they are a reflection of humanity, the same but different, which can really be said of anybody in one sense or another.  When they leave Earth, they lose a bit of this touch with humanity and they become somewhat more like super-powered anybodies.  This five-part story arc called Exogenous has faced this problem throughout, telling a fun enough story, but losing bit of what makes the characters special in the process.  As the final chapter in this story arc, this story includes an adequate wrap-up to the plot, focusing mostly on action sequences, but it is by getting its focus back that this issue succeed.

Throughout the story arc so far, a common theme has been Rachel and her acceptance of the events around her, mostly out of her control as Madeline Pryor is being used against the team, but so too are others interested in the outcome, including the X-Men.  While the story in this final issue of the story arc focuses mostly on action, especially with the attack of the hybrid aliens, it is the moments with Rachel that give this a stronger center, and focuses the series back to where it is best, focusing on the personal aspects of the characters as opposed to the action and intrigue.

This story arc managed to pull back into what the strength is for the series in this last issue before starting something new.  So far the story arc has been far more concept driven, with the hybrid aliens, the return of Madeline Pryor, the betrayal of S.W.O.R.D. from within, but by mixing the focus on characters back into the mix it redeems what has been a fun but lackluster story arc so far.  The moments with Rachel are not dominant here, but they are touching enough to make up for their brevity.  While this has never been a weak series, it did stumble a little bit with this story arc, but by the end finds itself back on the same solid ground where it has mostly been throughout.

Story: Marc Guggenheim  Art: Harvey Tolibao and Dexter Soy
Story:  8.6 Art: 8.6  Overall: 8.6  Recommendation: Buy

 

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