SWORD #1

In the aftermath of X Of Swords, SWORD returns to the Peak with mutant help in SWORD #1, by writer Al Ewing, artist Valerio Schiti, colorist Marte Gracia, and letterer Ariana Maher. This issue does a lot to set-up for the new status quo of the space agency but doesn't really make an argument for why this book should exist.

Magneto arrives at the Peak for a meeting with Abigail Brand. She introduces him to the mutants who make up the new command structure of SWORD, and the two of them discuss the role of SWORD in the universe- Magneto sees them as basically the Krakoan NASA. However, Brand still sees them as an intergalactic SHIELD, trying to protect the entirety of Sol from intergalactic threats. She shows Magneto the Six- six mutants who working together, can teleport anyone anywhere. The Six teleport a team elsewhere, and they retrieve a mysterious black diamond. They bring it back to the Peak, and Magneto realizes that SWORD is beyond anything he imagined it to be.

Al Ewing has done a lot of work on Marvel's cosmic side, and this book is definitely going to play in that part of the Marvel Universe. However, this first issue is kind of lackluster. It's not bad; there are a lot of cool moments in it, like when Magneto completely ignores ex-Acolyte Fabian Cortez but treats Z-list mutant Peeper like he's the second coming or when seeing Frenzy sparring against the Kree/Skrull Empire's ambassador, Paibok the Power Skrull. The conversation between Magneto and Abigail Brand is also pretty interesting.

However, Ewing also throws a lot at the reader in this issue, and it's a bit much. First off, there are a lot of characters in this book, A LOT. While this isn't always bad, for the most part, Ewing doesn't really have access to any of the A-list mutants besides Cable. So while long time fans are going to be happy to see mutants like Cortez, Peepers, Frenzy, Gateway, Manifold, Blink, and others, there are a lot of fans who have no idea who most of these mutants are. There are a lot of characters for Ewing to juggle in this book, and there are a few who are sure to get the shaft when it comes to plotlines and characterization.

Valerio Schiti's art is very good throughout the book. The best sequence is when the Six transport the group mutants into the Elemental Cosmic Heart. Schiti and colorist Marte Gracia work together perfectly for this sequence. It looks great and really shows readers the kind of thing they can be expecting in this book- mutants going to weird and wild places.

SWORD #1 is alright. There are some very cool moments in the book, but Ewing doesn't really make an argument for why this book exists. For example, why is this even a mutant book at all? A SWORD book isn't a bad idea, but it feels like the only reason this is a mutant book is that those are what's selling right now. That said, Abigail Brand is a very cool character, and there are some obscure mutants in this book that some fans love, and that's reason enough to come back. Ewing has proven just how good he can be in other books, and this book does have some potential. Valerio Schiti's art is pretty great throughout, and he and Gracia work well together. This isn't a great start, but this book does have potential.

Grade: C+