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X-Men #12
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Leinil Francis Yu
Colors: Sonny Gho
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Leinil Francis Yu & Sonny Gho

As X of Swords draws closer, Hickman starts getting us ready for the next big X-Men event. One that centers around Apocalypse and whatever secrets he’s been keeping since Xavier asked him to join the rest of mutantkind on Krakoa. This is an issue of staggering reveals so if you’ve been a little suspicious of En Sabah Nur’s motivations this is exactly where you want to be.

Before Hickman takes his deep dive into the past he opens with a conversation between Summoner and one of my personal favs, Rockslide. There’s a reveal bout Rockslide’s abilities that might seem small but it still feels as if Hickman is setting him up for something later. When Apocalypse finally arrives there’s an entire shift in mood as things become serious. A success in great part due to the dialogue and Yu’s artwork being in perfect sync right here. From this point we’re taken through the history of Arakko where Hickman is dropping reveal after reveal. Apocalypse plays a huge role but it’s teased that the actual facts of his actions might have have been skewed due to the passage of time over several centuries. There is also an introduction of an entire ancient race of mutants and the fact that Apocalypse had a whole wife! And while Apocalypse’s motivations still aren’t clear as he’s a character that usually has plans within plans, Hickman gives us this same feeling with his grandson, Summoner.

Now there is quite a bit of information given to us in this issue which might or might not sit well with some readers. Most of it is Summoner narrating as he tells the story to Apocalypse. Just know that all of it is crucial as it seems that Hickman is drawing some strong parallels to Arakko’s history and events set in motion by Moira, Charles, and Magneto now. So you might want to read this one a couple of times and see what you can find and start coming up with your own theories.

Yu and Gho do a fine job of visual storytelling that gives the narration more weight. The battle scene where we see the Twilight Sword and it’s wielder in shadow while Apocalypse and his forces are clearly shown is a nice reveal that still keeps some mystery for the main event. The battle sequences are chaotic and brutal while showing off the ragged landscape of Arakko. There’s also a shift visually during the narration as the story is told in 3 bold panels per page which are filled with some dynamic artwork and some great character designs. The one for Genesis is just perfect and a great mirror for Apocalypse’s own armor. Another standout was Isca’s design though I wish we got to see more. Hopefully she’ll show up when X of Swords officially begins.

Overall, this is an exposition heavy primer before X of Swords kicks off and is a must read.

Infinite Speech
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