It's been a long couple of weeks, hasn't it? Between pandemic and politics, there seems to be a never-ending stream of news and updates to keep up with, and most of it is no bueno. I've been a bit AWOL on my own site because of it, which I don't feel great about, admittedly. But the world continues to turn whether I update or not, even if that world is too-often at odds with itself. This week, albeit a very small comic book week for me personally, featured a comic that pulled me out of my funk of refreshing Twitter trends and reading all about the unfortunate state of American politics, and that was Excalibur #14. Written by Tini Howard with art by Phil Noto, Excalibur was shining beacon of beautiful things to enjoy, paired with thoughtful plotting that leaves the reader with plenty to mull over. Continue Reading for my review and discussion of my pick of the week: Excalibur #14! Keep an eye out for the line marking where spoilers start! It was a delightful surprise to open this week's second of three Dawn of X chapters to find interior art to by the ever-brilliant Phil Noto. Noto is currently working on the Cable interiors, as well, by his own request, if an old Gerry Duggan tweet is to be believed. There, Noto's almost ethereal painting style gives a whole new look to an already brand new version of an old, familiar character. When Cable brought in actual Spaceknight swords and lore (see: ROM: Spaceknight comics of yore), Noto's expertly curated style elevated the already entertaining plot to a point of artistic perfection. Noto isn't signed to Marvel exclusively, so while his art can be seen all over Marvel variant covers from Spider-Man to Star Wars to Black Cat, he does a fair amount of "indie" covers, including recent issue of Undiscovered Country.
I'll never not share the story of how writer Tini Howard got this job--in short, walking right up to Head of X Johnathon Hickman, looking him in the eye, laying out her story idea, and demanding the job. He gave it to her immediately. She's already established herself as a skilled X-Men universe writer, and her run on Excalibur has been much like Hickman's own style--complicated, patient, and full of important details. It isn't some people's preferred way of reading, and I can guarantee if someone isn't enjoying Dawn of X in general, they won't enjoy Howard's Excalibur. Nonetheless, I tend to be an "active" reader (as opposed to "passive"), I enjoy a good twist and a good mystery, and I accept fun when it is provided to me, so this issue was chock-full of highly enjoyable content. Immediately upon opening the first page of Excalibur, I fell in love with the art pairing. And it held out--Noto's bold outlines and stunning colors drove the mutant vibe of the entire issue, adding something more-than-human to what is normally a more stylistically--artistically--grounded title, in my opinion. I suspect it has something to do with his faces, as well; Noto does a remarkable job with expression, putting more detail and effort into the eyes, lips, brows, and noses of each character than many artists do on a whole page. I don't think I've ever seen such realistic captures of a person's expression, the intensity of a moment seen starkly on their face, than with Noto's art in this issue. Which, again, ties back into the plot. You could almost say Howard was "thrown an easy pitch" with this one, in terms of X of Swords plotting, but even so-- the more I think about it, the more I find to love about it. Spoilers beyond this point. The issue starts off pretty directly after the previous chapter, Marauders #15, where we discover the participants in the first battle, as drawn by Saturnyne's tarot-style cards: Betsy Braddock versus Isca the Unbeaten. We see Betsy psychically link with life-long friend Jubilee, elsewhere in Otherworld with her baby/Dragon, Shogu. Betsy tells her friend she loves her, and that she's off to battle. In hindsight, one can see how this might startle and panic the as-yet clueless Jubilee, especially after what she's gone through in Excalibur, earlier on. Their link is interrupted when Isca approaches Captain Britain with a few cocky warnings. Although brash, it matches her character, as we've seen her happily show-off her powers to Magik and friends on more than on instance. The fight does not go well for our dear Captain Britain. It seems to only take a few moments before Isca's sword, called Mercy, shatters that of Betsy, shattering her body like glass along with it. Needless to say, everyone watching is shocked. Saturnyne, however, is not. She simply marks the point for Arrako, and moves along. Certainly, I think, Betsy isn't dead. I don't say this out of denial, I'm hardly a Betsy Braddock sweaty, although I admire her and enjoy her character. My theory comes more from Saturnyne's reaction, especially taking into account the sword Betsy was using was meant to be for her brother, Brian. Saturnyne has a thing for him, and offered him the sword before Betsy swooped in and stole it, a few chapters of X of Swords ago. Seeing as the sword was meant for Brian, who Saturnyne would do anything to save, I am certain whatever tricky plan to save him has happened with Betsy, instead. And, as they say, don't call "dead" until you see a body--and the only body available here looks like it was put under a spell. The next fight was something we all thought we saw coming--Doug against Bei, the Blood Moon. Their part of the story starts with a brief interlude explaining Bei's powers, further adding to the allure of her character. At one point, Bei finally speaks to Doug, and he realizes he cannot understand her. It's notable, because his mutant power is literally understanding any language. This alone is enough to spark admiration and curiosity in him, as she (transplanted for the reader) comments on his "sweet" face. Already, something is different from the last battle. She and Doug are taken to separate chambers to be prepared, and Doug is visited by Magik. She'd been the one, before, to admit to him plainly that he will die if he takes up a sword, so seeing her here is neither a bad sign or reassuring. Magik confirms what readers suspect, that none of the other mutants know what happened to Betsy, or if she's even really dead. When he's ready, Magik takes Doug through the doorway into his fate--which turns out to be a marriage ceremony. I admit, I was taken aback by this idea, at first. X of Swords has been marketed as fights to the death, and this is clearly not one such event. I had the epiphany months ago that "tournament" really means that not everyone is getting out of here alive, and here we have rounds that include no death, but rather points earned on both sides. It was this, paired with the events of the following chapter, that make me realize there is something else going on, and Saturnyne is definitely holding something up her sleeve. In the battle between Krakoa and Arrako, when it comes down to it, she can't afford Krakoa to loose, since it will likely mean the destruction and overthrow of her own kingdom. So why would she be twisting the events like this, to favor Arrako? No doubt there is still plenty of information readers are not yet privy to that will change our outlook on Saturnyne's actions. The wedding goes on, of course, with what has to be one of the sweetest vows ever shared between warring mutants who only just met. Bei removes her veil for the kiss at the end, revealing a striking face: part Egyptian in look, Bei has a narrow face on a slightly less narrow head. Her eyes are unusually colored, with almost orange skin decorated by what I suspect to be natural markings. Her near-terrifying beauty doesn't go unnoticed on Doug, who has become more and more enamored with his bride with every moment. Those moments of shocking emotional accuracy in artist Phil Noto's faces that I was talking about earlier show perfectly here, with Doug watching her in absolute stunned awe and gratitude. There has to be an objection, because no mutant wedding goes off without a hitch, and Jubilee--atop Shogu--busts in the makeshift chapel's windows. She's looking for Betsy, since their communique was so harshly cut off, earlier. Saturnyne is already not a fan of Jubilee, after earlier events in the series, and luckily other mutants are able to get to her before further hard is done. Saturnyne summons a now-peaceful Shogu, transforming his flames harmlessly into celebratory fireworks. One small panel during the attack, I have to note, even featured a distant Bei covering Doug against the falling architecture. True to her vows, she is already protecting him. With Jubilee out of harms way, Shogu getting head-rubs, and the other more or less settled, the newly weds are finally able to share their wedding ceremony kiss--one of the most delightfully random, happily unexpected weddings in all of comic history. The remaining issue of this week's X of Swords event, Wolverine #7, held four more tournaments, three of which starred Logan himself, and all of which seemed to have some kind of trick or another to turn the winning point away from Krakoa, no matter the first-reaction outcome. This only further drives my suspicion that Saturnyne is up to something, as yet to be understood or explained. Without a doubt, Excalibur holds the trophy for my favorite release of the week. With Tini Howard's beautiful scripting and Phil Noto's out-of-this-world art, the issue is something to be re-read and appreciated in an industry of one-hit wonders.
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