Writer: Jonathan Hickman and Tini Howard

Art: Pepe Larraz, Marte Garcia, VC’s Clayton Cowles, and Tom Muller

Release Date: July 15th, 2020

Price: FREE

Readers, can I be real for a second? This issue is FREE! So, why wouldn’t you get it? Regardless of what’s inside, it’s worth the money. Therefore, let’s take the time with this review to simply focus on what’s inside. Before I do that, let me begin by saying that there is nothing graphic or offensive throughout the issue either. Thus, a FREE comic setting up future Marvel stories seems like a no-brainer to grab if you can, especially because it’s appropriate for all ages.

Now, this issue is split into two stories. The first story is X OF SWORDS related… kind of. You see, it takes place at a different time. Our assumption is the distant past. Plus, the beings involved are more alien in nature and resemble figures from Ancient Egypt. Could we assume these are the “Ancient Gods” once worshipped in the past? Maybe? Also, if you’ve ever seen the movie/TV show STARGATE, it gives off vibes from that series as well. However, in normal Jonathan Hickman fashion, readers are left with a far-out, unexplained, cold open that gives us very little to work with other than “Otherworld” and “Starlight Citadel”, which is certainly EXCALIBUR related. But ultimately, fans get glimpses of Apocalypse in the past and possible future. Nonetheless, that’s really it. So, if your searching for any sort of answers toward the X OF SWORDS event, you won’t find them in this issue nor will you really see any X-MEN to have fun with. Thus, the cover is overly misleading too.

As for the second story, I for one actually found that installment easier to follow, less cryptic, and more thrilling… and this is coming from a huge Hickman X-MEN fan. It looks like Tom Taylor is getting an opportunity at Marvel again to tell a new tale about everything going “dark”. The implication is that it’s the technology that “goes out”. Using the TV show analogy again, it appears as though this could be similar to the old NBC show called REVOLUTION. Now, all I have to go on is Tony Stark’s tech failing him but I figured I’d try to use a similar parallel as I did above to pop culture, movies, or TV. Is this story in the main Marvel Continuity or is this going to be more like his DCEASED event at DC Comics? We shall see.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Truthfully, my fellow Marvel Comic readers, I’m getting a bit annoyed by Hickman’s cold opens that show very little and provide minimal amounts of intel. Granted, as HOUSE OF X/ POWERS OF X progressed, things became more clear. However, if you recall those beginning issues were a struggle to decipher, especially the POWERS OF X portions. This issue gave me the same vibes. Now, I get it… this was meant as a teaser. However, if it’s sole purpose was to fascinate and lure me into the X OF SWORDS event, it didn’t do its job. It merely frustrated. However, I did leave this free issue eager for Tom Taylor’s DARK AGES event and would love to get more information on that one! Either way, this Comic is FREE and should be acquired at your local shop. Feel free to let me know what you think.

7.5/10

Come September, EXCALIBUR #12 and X-MEN #12 get the ball rolling followed by X OF SWORDS: CREATION #1 and X-FACTOR #4. Hold on to your hats because October and November are going to be legendary X-fans! So, if you’re interested in grabbing some of the DAWN OF X titles to catch up prior to the X OF SWORDS event, click HERE to get your hands on every volume to date. And finally, if you’re looking for something else to read, check out my Amazon Online Comic Shop by clicking HERE. Thank you all for the read and continued support.