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

by Ryan.L on December 09, 2020

Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Valerio Schiti
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
 
 
It is the mutant space program baby!
 
As we saw in the pages of the ‘X of Swords’ event, the mutants have claimed and repurposed the S.W.O.R.D. space station. This issue we see the beginning of the mutant space program. Though there is something more at work here.
 
I can’t believe what I just read. The sophistication that has been put into the current x-books is outstanding. I really applaud the creative team for really thinking out these ideas and how much they scoured through the incredibly long list of mutants to find the mutants that work harmoniously together.
 
When I first saw that we would be getting an x-book based in space I have to admit I was a little worried. After reading this issue all those worries fell to the waste side. We've seen Marvel attempt many other space books. They have all had limited vision beyond the first story arc. This series I can see that it has been set up to just continue to expand the vision more and more. This creative team isn’t thinking small with this series at all. That becomes very apparent when you get near the end of the issue.
 
This issue got me to start researching things, which is a sign of a very intricate but engaging story. I had to look up not only mutants, but also some of what was being revealed. I have been a long time x-reader but this book really pulls from the far reaches of the x-universe, literally (read the book and you’ll get it haha)!
 
Another area where this book is a major standout is the representation. This team has characters that have had little representation in the books before. For example Wiz-kid has appeared in a few series but has never been a main roster mutant. Wiz-kid not only provides representation for the Asian community but for the people with disabilities as well. It’s great to see the books covering representation of all aspects.
 
There is a team member missing as their name and picture has been redacted. There were several parts to the information document section of the book. This leads me to believe it will be a big story element coming up. This missing team member, the psionic analyst, I have so many ideas of who could be in that spot. This team has a lot of lesser known mutants on it so I would love to see one more big name, or a unique lesser known mutant. I guess we will have to wait to find out.
 
The art in this series is what we have come to expect from the x-books. While it is nowhere bad at all, you can see the formula that the artist is following set out in ‘House of X/Powers of X’. But that being said this is still a beautiful book to view. Each page is crafted perfectly and really stands out. The sequence at the end for example was outstanding. Marte Gracia’s use of colors is next level. Truly a visual delight!
 
Overall ‘S.W.O.R.D.’ goes where no mutant has gone before, and I am so excited we get to be a part of the ride. This book is wonderfully crafted with its sophistication and design. This has the potential to be one of the best series in the ‘Reign of X’ line-up. 
 

Our Score:

10/10

A Look Inside