Ewing Schiti SWORD series erupts out of Empyre AND X of Swords
Comic Years Logo

SWORD, by Al Ewing and Valero Schiti, to Follow X of Swords and Empyre

author img
BY September 24, 2020

Having a series called SWORD come out after an event named X of Swords might seem a little on the nose, but thew December-premiering series has far more significant implications than just a cool play on words. It represents a changing tide in the Marvel Universe, one that can lead to another Avengers Vs. X-Men conflict. Or, more likely, an Avengers Vs. X-Men Vs. Fantastic Four conflict. The biggest clue to why SWORD will have significant effects on the universe is the creative team of Al Ewing and Valero Schiti.

What Leads To the New Mutant-Heavy SWORD team, led by Abigail Brand?

Al Ewing, Valero Schiti, SWORD, Empyre, Abigail Brand, Manifold, Magneto, Fabian Cortez, Beast, X-Men, X of Swords, Cable, Frenzy, Kid-Wiz, Dawn of X, Krakoa, Kree, Skrull, Emperor Hulkling They say redheads are temperamental—they have nothing on greenheads. (Image: Empyre: Aftermath: Avengers, Marvel Comics)

On Wednesday, the next big event started at Marvel: X of Swords. Also, on Wednesday, we got the last epilogue of the previous event, Empyre. Empyre changed the game for the Marvel Cosmos in big ways. For instance, Uatu the Watcher is back…and pissed off. Hulkling is now the “King of Space.” Ben and Alicia Grimm adopted two children, one Kree and one Skrull. That last one might not be a gamechanger, but it is terrific.

And Abigail Brand, the director of Alpha Flight, is done with the Avengers. In a tirade at Hukling and Wiccan’s wedding reception,  she smacked Carol Danvers in the face for essentially keeping vital information away from SWORD. How can SWORD protect the Earth if the Earth’s defenders won’t cooperate with them? Flash forward an untold number of years into the future, and Abigail Brand is standing over a fallen King Hulkling, having rebuilt SWORD.

Abigail Brand X insignia

Look at the image above. Many readers noticed that the emblem on her outfit looked like an X-Men insignia. And standing next to her happens to be the mutant teleporter Manifold. Behind them, a few shadowy figures that we could only speculate on. But now we have some answers—and it looks like trouble for the united Kree-Skrull Empire.

Why Al Ewing and Valero Schiti Writing and Drawing SWORD is So Important

Empyre, Abigail Brand, Manifold, Magneto, Fabian Cortez, Beast, X-Men, X of Swords, Cable, Frenzy, Kid-Wiz, Dawn of X, Krakoa, Kree, Skrull, Emperor Hulkling Fantastic character concept art from Valero Schiti. (Image: Marvel)

Along with Dan Slott, Ewing and Schiti, the creative team for SWORD, was also the team who brought us Empyre and Empyre: Aftermath: Avengers. Their story will continue not in the pages of an Avengers book, but an X-Men book. It goes further than that, however. Ewing also writes Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s most popular cosmic book. Hulkling might be the king of space in the comics, but Ewing is the king of Marvel’s Cosmic Corner. He’s definitely a writer we’ll have to watch over the next couple of years. But, of course, they’re being secretive.

Al Ewing, Valero Schiti, SWORD, Empyre, Abigail Brand, Manifold, Magneto, Fabian Cortez, Beast, X-Men, X of Swords, Cable, Frenzy, Kid-Wiz, Dawn of X, Krakoa, Kree, Skrull, Emperor Hulkling (Image: Marvel)

“I can’t say much about what S.W.O.R.D. does, but I can say that every team member will have a peculiar role to play,” Schiti told Marvel. “That’s why I designed their uniforms with technical clothing, urban outfits, and even ceremonial uniforms: every role needed a different reference and a different starting point. The space outfits are inspired by trekking or hiking clothes, far from the typical space suit because these characters are explorers, not astronauts.”

Who’s On the SWORD team is as Important as Who Isn’t On It

Empyre, Abigail Brand, Manifold, Magneto, Fabian Cortez, Beast, X-Men, X of Swords, Cable, Frenzy, Kid-Wiz, Dawn of X, Krakoa, Kree, Skrull, Emperor Hulkling (Image: Marvel)

Ewing and Schiti have an interesting lineup for SWORD. Along with Abigail Brand and Manifold, the team consists of Frenzy, Wiz-Kid, Cable, Magneto, and—even more shocking than Magneto—Fabian Cortez. As impressive as this team is, there’s a glaring omission: Beast. There are several reasons why this is worth noting. First, the last, short-lived SWORD series, by Keiron Gillen, Beast was one of the main players. He’s also Abigail Brand’s romantic partner. Or, as she called herself, Beast’s “xenophiliac experimentation partner.”

Al Ewing, Valero Schiti, SWORD, Empyre, Abigail Brand, Manifold, Magneto, Fabian Cortez, Beast, X-Men, X of Swords, Cable, Frenzy, Kid-Wiz, Dawn of X, Krakoa, Kree, Skrull, Emperor Hulkling (Image: Marvel)

But Beast is curiously absent from the new roster. We have no idea what will happen in X of Swords, but over in X-Force, Beast isn’t on anyone’s good side. His actions already made Jean Grey quit the team. And after he publicly apprehended all Russian mutants on Krakoa, Wolverine was infuriated, he punched Beast in the gut. The big blue fury mutant is lucky Wolverine didn’t snikt first. Because he’s on the cover of X of Swords: Creation, the first chapter of the event, he’ll probably play a significant role in the epic. So, where’s Beast in SWORD? Is he dead? In the pit? Did he quit? Break up with Brand?

Or maybe Ewing and Schiti just didn’t want a morally compromised blue fur monster on the SWORD team. Regardless, SWORD might be the linchpin to the future of the Marvel Universe.

Al Ewing, Valero Schiti, SWORD, Empyre, Abigail Brand, Manifold, Magneto, Fabian Cortez, Beast, X-Men, X of Swords, Cable, Frenzy, Kid-Wiz, Dawn of X, Krakoa, Kree, Skrull, Emperor Hulkling Just what kind of relationship do they have? (Image: Astonishing X-Men (2004) #27, Marvel Comics)

COMICSMarvel

Roman Colombo finished his MFA in 2010 and now teaches writing and graphic novel literature at various Philadelphia colleges. His first novel, Trading Saints for Sinners, was published in 2014. He's currently working on his next novel and hoping to find an agent soon.

          

Related Posts

COMICS
Ramona Fradon, Co-Creator Of DC Comics’ Metamorpho And Artist For ‘Aquaman,’ Passes Away At 97
COMICS
Broadening The Phantom Menace Narrative: Star Wars Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Exclusive Comic
Marvel
Who Is The Beyonder, The Next Major MCU Villain
DC Comics
Who Is Angela Spica, A.K.A. The Engineer? The Superman: Legacy Female Villain
DC Comics
Who Is The Joker?, Batman’s Nemesis And Most Notorious Villain
DC Comics
Who Is Metamorpho? The Charismatic And Enigmatic Superhero To Appear In Superman: Legacy

Leave a comment

error: Copyright Protection