S.W.O.R.D. #6
The powers of the galaxy deal with the fallout from the Hellfire Gala’s fireworks in S.W.O.R.D. #6, by writer Al Ewing, artist Valerio Schiti, colorist Marte Gracia, and letterer Ariana Maher. After the world-building of Planet-Size X-Men, this issue hits on the next phase of the Krakoan plan for the Sol system.
After the terraforming of Mars, Doom and Captain America have a conversation as the other guests leave. At the Peak, Abigail Brand gives a presentation to the assembled ambassadors from galactic powers about what the Krakoan plans are for Mars and offers them a gift- mysterium, a mutant created metal, all in exchange for their governments recognizing Planet Arakko as the capital of Sol. Doom shows up and demands to know who’s in charge of Sol, and Brand reveals it- Storm. Back on Mykines after the Gala, Scarlet Witch shows up to talk to Magneto.
The Hellfire Gala, so far, has been mostly good, but this issue is seriously the icing on the cake of the whole thing. Planet-Size X-Men did a fantastic job of selling this colossal event, the terraforming of Mars, and Ewing finished it off in this issue. It’s excellent from the first page; the conversation between Doom and Cap is terrific, with Cap humbled by the mutants’ mood but not afraid of the future. Doom, on the other hand, does something uncharacteristic- offers his help to Cap in the future. Elsewhere, Gyrich tells a shaken Guardian of Alpha Flight fame that they need to talk and brings up Orchis. That’s just the first few pages; that should tell you how great this coming is.
From there, it’s all about Brand’s spiel to the ambassadors, and it’s lovely. Ewing has definitely captured Brand very well in this book, playing her as the perfect leader for this kind of organization. She understands how to use the carrot and stick, and she uses the carrot… until Doom shows up, and then it’s time for one of the biggest sticks of them, all- Storm. The development of mysterium is pretty interesting too, as it gives Krakoa something else to make it essential and integral. The ending of the book, with Magneto and Scarlet Witch is excellent. Ewing makes Scarlet Witch radiate anxiety, and Magneto’s love for her, someone who he thought he was his daughter but isn’t, oozes off the page.
It’s wonderful, and it wouldn’t be possible without Schiti’s amazing pencils. Ewing lays the emotion out, and he captures it perfectly, making the scene come to life. Schiti does this throughout the book; from the beginning exchanges to Brand’s selling of Krakoa as a space power to the amazing double page reveal of Storm, Schiti’s art brings the whole book to life.
S.W.O.R.D. #6 is the best issue of the Hellfire Gala. Not because anything Earth-shattering, or in this case of this story Mars-building, happens, but because it sells that event with aplomb. Ewing and Schiti combine to create something wonderful in this comic. S.W.O.R.D. continues to be one of the must-read X-Men books.
