Thoughts on Marvel’s Plans For X of Swords

Welcome back! I’m Steve Gustafson and if you enjoy discussing anything comic book related, you’ve come to the right place. Each week we cover something in the industry and I always enjoy your input in the comment section below.

Previously on…

 
Last week we discussed Our Favorites Spider-Man Stories.Here’s what some of you had to say:

Robert Stewart: “Ultimate Spider-Man. All of it.

JM DeMatteis’ run on Spectacular Spider-Man from 170 (or so) to 200.”

Dexter Plisskin: “The Amazing Spider-Man #33: “If This Be My Destiny” (1965)
Trapped in Doctor Octopus’ undersea lair under tons of mechanical debris in a room quickly filling with water and unable to reach the serum needed to save Aunt May’s life, Spidey does the impossible under the expert layouts of Steve Ditko and the damn-near poetic words of Stan Lee.

The Avengers #236: “I Want To Be an Avenger!” and #237: “Meltdowns and Mayhem” (1983)
On a chance meeting with She-Hulk, Spidey reaffirms his stance that he’s never accepted the invitation of the Avengers to join the team because he considers himself a loner. When She-Hulk informs him that members get paid $1000 a week, perpetually-poor Parker decides he’s not a loner anymore! Spidey proves his worth helping them defeat Moonstone, Electro, Rhino and Blackout at Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. However,National Security Council liaison to the Avengers Henry Gyrich wouldn’t allow Spider-Man to join the team because of his reputation in New York (screw YOU, Jonah).”

Ken Wood: “Venom. Not necessarily the birth of Venom, but the return of Venom and the following fight against Carnage. That fight at the carnival where a roller coaster is about to kill a bunch of innocents and Venom is conflicted with killing Spidey because he’s also trying to save innocent people and with it ending with Spiderman faking his death, then going to Venom for help, then betraying Venom in the end.I always liked Spidey but those were the stories that got me really into his comics.

I recently read Kraven’s Last Hunt for the first time and it was amazing but a long time ago I read Spiderman versus Kraven’s son. The son basically took up the mantle of his father and became a hunter and poisoned Spidey. Spidey went on a trip all over town trying to fight off the effects of the poison, trying to figure out where the spider ended and the man began. It was a trippy but awesome story, and another reason that I fell in love with Spidey.

I also recently purchased and read the death of the Staceys. Great book.

Also, I had some separate issues of him encountering Hulk and Punisher and those were always fun to read.”

Lord Regal: “Spiderman: One More Day

*runs*”

Steven5812: “The story where the Green Goblin sussed out that Peter Parker was Spiderman; as a kid it mad quite an impression on me; Marvel Fanfare (’81) #s 1-2, which introduced MANSPIDER; and ASM #300, the first appearance of VENOM. Those are what immediately come to mind to me.”

Richard C: “– “The Six Arms Saga” // Amazing Spider-Man #100-102 (1971) –”

Jack Burton: “Good list! Id add in: Child Within. Maximum Carnage.”

Steed: “If This Be My Destiny
Spider-man No More
The death of Captain Stacy
The Night Gwen Stacy Died
Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut
The Kid That Collects Spider-man
The original Hobgoblin saga storylines from the early-mid 80s
The alien symbiote costume saga
Gangwar
The Death of Jean DeWolff and the storyline around that time with Sin-Eater
Peter and MJ’s wedding and honeymoon are stories I treasure for how in love they were
Kraven’s Last Hunt
The build-up and debut of Venom’s character
Acts of Vengence where Spidey gains Captain Universe’s powers (and kicks Hulk’s ass)
Carnage’s debut and him being too much for both Spidey and Venom
Spectacular Spider-man 200 with Harry Osborn as Green Goblin and the unforgettable ending silent panels
Maximum Carnage (even if it was OTT)
Amazing Spiderman 400 (Aunt May’s original death is still a heartbreaking read to this day)
Going Home with the introduction or Morlun”

Thank you to everyone who commented!

This week we discuss our…

Thoughts on X of Swords
Are you ready? I’m sure you’ve been super charged to see some epic crossover event happenings return to comic books and Marvel is here to give you something you need!

Yes, Marvel is gearing up to hit the ground running after an industry-wide hiatus caused by COVID-19 with some September solicitations that lay the groundwork for the ‘Dawn of X’ X-Men line.

Our first major clue was the solicitation for Excalibur #12, which is focused on the ‘X of Swords,’ the upcoming first crossover of the ‘Dawn of X’ era. This will focus on a team of mutants wielding magical blades against an existential threat. As part of the announcement, Marvel has revealed the full checklist for ‘X of Swords’ as well.

Excalibur #12 sets the stage for the event’s kick-off, with Apocalypse manipulating Rictor into an ancient ritual – something the villain’s been working on since the series began. X of Swords officially starts with the Creation one-shot, marked as ‘Chapter One’, with subsequent chapters marked in Marvel’s other September X-Men titles.

Even more, the ‘X of Swords’ event has grown to a 24+-part series and Marvel is publishing a handbook profiling all of the major characters.

“The mutant nation of Krakoa faces its biggest challenge yet as their champions draw swords to defend the Earth,” reads Marvel’s description of the event.

The X of Swords Handbook will be written by long-time Marvel writer/editor Mike O’Sullivan and the team of writers who write the company’s Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe titles. 

Is this the right direction Marvel should be taking with the X-universe? How excited are you for this?

That’s all the time I have. See you next week!