thinking about that the X-Men writing team decided to spend two problems on the Parley Dinner, maybe we ought to pay attention to the numerous altercations and moments of banter. While this certainly feels like a filler issue, there’s a lot to unpack here. So, because chapter Thirteen ended with Wolverine murdering Saturnyne, let’s start with where Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen picks up.

The Aftermath of Wolverine’s actions Are Painfully comprehensive in Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen

Well, this got dark fast. (Image: Marauders #15, marvel Comics)

The issue starts with a data page, one of the trademarks of the Dawn of X era. On this page, we learn that the Arakkii destroyed Otherworld, invaded Krakoa, killed essentially all of the X-men and Avengers, and are in the process of destroying the world. Finally, there’s Wolverine, on an X-cross, just like he was in the iconic Uncanny X-Men #251:

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one of the greatest covers in comic book history. (Image: Uncanny X-Men #251, marvel Comics)

And much like that issue, what Wolverine is seeing isn’t exactly real. but it’s going to be if he actually killed Saturnyne. (You didn’t really expect that to happen, right?). Saturnyne understands that Wolverine plans to kill her, and best before he does, she provides him this vision into the future as a “gift.” If she dies, everything dies. The tournament is the only way to keep the Arakkii warriors at bay. but that doesn’t imply Saturnyne is on their side either. Again, she’s playing the Loki role, and we’ll see this come up a few times during Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen.

Some of the Arakkii Warriors have Honor…Others, Not So Much

What a good guy. Didn’t even enslave poor Cypher. (Image: Marauders #15, marvel Comics)

At the end of chapter Thirteen, war slipped some poison into Wolverine’s food. Now, what I thought was going to happen was that Wolverine would smell the poison, attack War, and break the rules of Parley. Instead, Cypher decided that because Wolverine wasn’t touching the wonderful sushi, he’d steal a few off his plate. and then he starts foaming at the mouth. Now, Saturnyne could do something, but because Wolverine got a bit stabby, she considers War’s crime even.

Thankfully, the White Sword comes to Cypher’s aid. He heals the new Mutant alumni, and even more, he asks for nothing in return. What sucks is that this moment, like others, make us really like the Arakkii contestant. and he’s not the only one. Again, we see much more of Magik and Isca the Unbeaten in Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen. but this time, they are literally playing games to see how Isca wins each time. If not for the whole “we need to kill each other” thing, these two would be great friends.

Isca also takes a liking to Cable, who, though Apocalypse passive-aggressively scolds him for being immature. then again…Apocalypse’s 1000-year-old kids aren’t acting their age either. Which leads to a great moment between Apocalypse and his wife Annihilation:

You had three millennia! (Image: Marauders #15, marvel Comics)

Regardless of honor or immaturity or cowardice…or whatever Pogg-ur-Pogg is doing, the Arakkii warriors keep getting much more and much more likable. Well, most of them. Summoner’s still kind of a dick.

Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen finally exposes Death’s Mutant Power…and it’s Terrifying

Death is, as you’d expect, a very stoic character. because we never see his deal with beyond his grim mask, he’s even much more mysterious. The only thing we do know, thanks to chapter Thirteen, is that he’s got some romantic feelings for Storm. but when one of the servers of the Starlight Citadel serves an Egyptian god-figure a scarab in Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen, a sacred symbol, this happens:

Uh, maybe Isca isn’t the scariest opponent after all. (Image: Marauders #15, marvel Comics)

So, uh…whichever X-Man has to fight death in a deathmatch might want to stay behind him.

Get ready for round one of the Tournament…and We already know who will Win!

Can Betsy sue Otherworld for a recount? (Image: Marauders #15, marvel Comics)

Yeah…Captain Britain has to fight Isca the Unbeaten. Basically, Marauders #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen ends by telling us something awful will happen next issue—or something really crazy. After all, how do you beat the unbeatable?

While yes, this issue doesn’t progress the plot very much (or at all), it was a lot of fun. probably the last time these characters will have the chance.

More X of Swords!

Click on chapter numbers for our recaps/reviews. Click the Series/Issue numbers for much more information on the comic from League of Comic Geeks.

Previous Chapters

Chapter One: X of Swords: Creation
Chapter Two: X-Factor #4
Chapter Three: Wolverine #6
Chapter Four: X-Force #13
Chapter Five: Marauders #13
Chapter Six: Hellions #5
Chapter Seven: new Mutants #13
Chapter Eight: cable television #5
Chapter Nine: Excalibur #13
Chapter Ten: X-Men #13
Chapter Eleven: X of Swords: Stasis
Chapter Twelve: X-Men #14
Chapter Thirteen: Marauders #14

Marauders  #15: X of Swords chapter Fourteen

Future Chapters

Chapter Fifteen: Excalibur #14
Chapter Sixteen: Wolverine #7
Chapter Seventeen: X-Force #14
Chapter Eighteen: Hellions #6
Chapter Nineteen: cable television #6
Chapter Twenty: X-Men #15
Chapter Twenty-One: Excalibur #15
Chapter Twenty-Two: X of Swords: Destruction

(Featured Image: Marauders #15, marvel Comics)

The comic book titans of marvel as well as DC are popular, however one more publisher is right up there with the greats: picture Comics. If you have not heard of picture Comics, it is time to begin paying attention. beginning less than 30 years ago, picture Comics take a huge chunk of the comic book market with their fantastic characters. This article will check out who the very best picture Comics characters are, however first, what is picture Comics?

Intro to picture Comics as well as the very best Characters

Image Comics may be new to some readers, however others have been enjoying these iconic characters since 1992. started as a response to the similar styles of DC as well as Marvel, picture Comics seeks to tell different stories. instead of looking to always tell the superhero story, picture Comics utilizes titles like The walking Dead (which released a box set), Saga, as well as Spawn to check out more depth to the medium.

An fascinating side of picture Comics is the method they handle copyright ownership. marvel as well as DC own the rights to characters published under each name. That means marvel has Spider-Man as well as the great Four, whereas DC has the rights to Batman as well as question Woman. In theory, this enables each publisher rights over what gets published as well as written. rather than hold onto the rights to every private IP, or intellectual property, picture Comics enables the creators to keep them. This trust enables creators do handle their development as they see best.

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Another fascinating element to picture Comics are the characters. The array of characters connected to picture Comics is diverse as well as expansive. more people of color as well as women star in picture Comics than the two huge companies, marvel as well as DC. The publisher wants the visitors to see themselves in every character. Black women as well as LGBTQ people are left out of many stories in prominent media. It’s a refreshing take to enable everybody a location to star in a story.

So what characters are the must-read people to follow? The very first you may acknowledge from a prominent AMC TV show.

Best picture Comics Characters to Follow

Negan – The walking Dead

This is a great location to begin if you are new to Image. The walking Dead ended up being a national phenomenon thanks to the TV show. While the characters on the show are the exact same as the comics, the stories differ in a range of ways. We will not get into it, however if you enjoy the TV show, the comics are a must-read. A character who made a genuine sprinkle in the show was Negan. Luckily, he is just as evil as well as entertaining in the comics. picture hit it out of the park with The walking Dead, as well as Negan is part of that. His vicious leadership as well as take-no-prisoners style is simple to hate, however difficult to not autumn for. visitors look at him as a top villain in all of comics, rivaling the very best DC as well as marvel have to offer.

Image Credit: Black Nerd Problems

Hazel – Saga

Saga is a riveting comic that rivals The walking Dead in terms of popularity. Fugitives Marko as well as Alana are two refugees, each members of rivaling sides in a war. After falling in love, they conceive Hazel. Hazel does not request the life she is born into, however she becomes a sign of like in a time of total as well as utter chaos. Her parents are flawed, including bouts of violence towards enemies as well as even medication use. Unfortunately, this hurts Hazel, however visitors like the honesty in the story.

Saga takes location in a futuristic dystopia, however humanity’s issues exist just like they do now. Hazel is born with wings, that ended up being important to her capability to manage her own life. With risk around every corner, Hazel is scared as well as take on all at once. That is something visitors discover extremely relatable. even though she is a child, Hazel is a top character in the entire publisher’s library.

Spawn – Spawn

The anti-hero of Image, Spawn is a character some discovered about from the HBO show in the 1990s. In its very first issue, over 1.7 million copies were offered for the titular demonic creature. at one time human, Al Simmons earns the respect of armed forces peers before being caught doing doubtful things. Simmons is killed by his commander as well as sent to hell, however makes a offer with Satan to come back to Earth. when arriving, he becomes an anti-hero, much like a more graphic Batman. Spawn kills the worst humans on earth, making his life difficult as well as convoluted. Is murder ever okay? These deep themes are central to Spawn, one of the most interesting comic book characters at Image.

Tell us who your preferred picture characters are as well as why!

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Beau Smith-The basic Life.

by beau Smith

Can things be simple? Please notice that I didn’t say “Can things be basic again?” once you pass something, it’s gone. we all pass things every day, never to return. Yes, we can turn around and recreate that moment…say…passing the same car on the road, but even though you’re in your car and the other car is the same car as it was a few minutes ago, the moment is not the same.

The crucial word in what I just said was “Recreate”.

Not a week goes by that someone doesn’t say or write to me, “I wish comic books were basic like they used to be.” The phrasing may not be exact as each person posed it, but the indicating is the same. I believe that readers want less weight in continuity to have to haul around when they read comic books.

Aquaman: “I don’t ride a sea horse anymore.”

Comic books can often become like a casserole gone bad. I don’t indicate by an expiration date, I indicate that you add so much in to the dish that you can no longer taste the core of what made you place it on your plate to begin with.

When I was a kid and we’d go to a church dinner, it would be advertised that they were serving Ham, potato salad, and baked beans. pretty basic and tasty, yes? Well…We would get there, sit down with our feast before us, and find that they had, what my brothers and I would call “Churched It Up.”

“Churched It Up” indicated that the kind, older ladies (Everyone over 30 seemed older to us) that had made the food, by design or to mess with us, added “extra” things to the afore pointed out basic meal. We found that the ham was now slathered in some sort of sticky jelly/jam coating. As a kid, I liked my jelly with my peanut butter, not my ham. The potato salad now had things like nuts and grapes added to it taking away that picnic style taste that potato salad is so known for. We discovered the baked beans (always a counted on taste of stability) had been laced with a sweet pickle juice that puckered your face like a raw lemon.

“Daredevil has been “Churched Up.”

Why were these things done?

I’m not much of a cook. In fact, I’m no cook at all. I’m a basic eater. I’m good at simple. maybe because I am simple.

Were the ladies bored when they were making these dishes and made a decision that they would “spruce the goose” a little? Did they have leftover ingredients and thought, “Aww, heck , toss ‘em in…why not?” Or were they in a heated competition with each other to create the Picasso of potato salad? I’m not sure.

Now that I’ve taken you on the long way around the barn, let me bring this back to comic books. Are you finding the same true for the creation of comic books? Is there too much weight in continuity being layered upon us as readers? If so, is it taking away some of reading pleasure because we can’t just jump into a story, even a stand alone story? I personally wonder because there have been some recent comic book purchases I’ve made where I thought I was gonna get a a story about some characters I thought I knew pretty well, only to find out, like the young Smith brothers in church…The menu has been changed.

“It’s too complicated. Superman doesn’t seem to know either.”

I had picked up a small stack of comic books, with characters I’ve known for decades and some that were brand new to me. one of the lead characters I’ve been reading considering that I was 7 years old (The 1960s) and had continued to read through decades of various changes. I was somewhat prepared for a few twists and turns considering that it had been a couple of years considering that I had read the character’s book in a consistent stream. What I got…was grapes and nuts in my potato salad.

Through my own fault, I didn’t do my research. (I didn’t know I was meant to do substantial research before reading a comic book, but I guess I am.) considering that I had last read this character, they have been “reborn” in a major motion picture. They don’t look the same, their origin(s) have changed yet again, and I was dropped in the middle of an “event” I knew nothing about.

I didn’t do my research. shame on me.

So there was $4.00 …not wasted…but misguided, that I was semi-out of. I gave the comic book to another reader in hopes they would take pleasure in it and get a lot more out of it than I did, hence, $4.00 well spent.

Fantastic four issue 100

I’ve said this for years both as a writer, marketing executive and creative content director, there needs to be tiers of comic book lines where you can choose if you want your books “churched up” as we used to say. I’m not talking about “Kid’s Line” and “Adult Line.” I’m talking about one where you have, I will use broad stroke words, original Line, where it deals with the character continuity of —EXAMPLE: fantastic four issues #1 through #100. then you have another line that deals with the ever-changing origins,re-imagined versions thereafter. (And there were a lot of them.)

“Sometimes even Batman doesn’t know.”

I know so lots of people, of so lots of age groups, not just baby Boomers, that want simplification in their comic book continuity. I’m not just talking about marvel and DC Comics, they want to have character investment, and not indentured readership to an event.

It’s an adjustment of storytelling that editors used to show to writers and artists on work for hire books, and suggest to creators on designer owned projects. Editorial workings have changed a lot more than anything in the last three decades, but that’s another column for another time.

The craft of creating comic books needs to change. That’s not saying that they are being done wrong and they need to change, it’s that they always need to be changing to be compelling. often that change indicates to simplify in one part to development in another. Complication is not always the better answer in creativity. often basic is the purest form of a great story and character.

“Wonder woman seems to get it.”

Your basic friend,

Beau Smith

The flying Fist Ranch

Find me at BeauSmithRanch on Instagram and Twitter

As a villan, Apocalypse’s mandate has always been about one thing: survival of the fittest. He wanted the “cull the weak” from earth with the help of his four horsemen. Of course, the X-Men have stopped him over and over and over again. in some cases those victories took a heavy toll on the heroes. other times, they made Apocalypse look like a chump. and then, at times, they resulted in mismanaged events like The Twelve. but if Apocalypse was expected to be the “most fit” mutant, with thousands of years to plot and scheme, then man…En Sabah Nur is an embarrassment to the villain community. However, in X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter Ten, Jonathan “Head of X” Hickman might have fixed that.

X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter ten reveals a significant moment in En Sabah Nur’s Mythos

The Council of Badassery. (Image: X-Men #13, marvel Comics)

One of the most significant questions about the history of Krakoa and Arakko was what exactly happened when Apocalypse sealed the rift between the split island of Okkaro. However, when Healer and hope Summers start mending his wounds from Amenth’s attack in X of Swords: Creation, Apocalypse’s memory of the events return to him. and what really happened is much different.

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Apocalypse never sealed the rift. Instead, his wife, Genesis, did so. and while she took their children, the original four horsemen, back to Arakko—and forces Apocalypse to stay behind on Krakoa. and the reason why goes against everything we’ve ever learned about the character. As seen in the image above, Genesis—his wife—tells him he isn’t strong enough. but what happened to Genesis or the 100 warriors who went into the rift? Well, we’re going to have to find out.

Before Banishment, Genesis gives Apocalypse a new Directive: become Stronger

how to punch Apocalypse in the nuts with just four words. (Image: X-Men #13, marvel Comics)

When Genesis leaves him behind, she tells Apocalypse to “Judge them.” Now, at first, this sounds like the common “survival of the fittest” train En Sabah Nur has always been on, but Genesis adds something that changes it from “cull the weak” to “make them stronger.” check out the image below:

So, does this fix the Twelve, or is that still unsalvageable? (Image: X-Men #13, marvel Comics)

This subtle difference, to make them—and Apocalypse—stronger, changes the reasoning behind every action Apocalypse has ever taken. instead of failures, each time the X-Men or other heroes have defeated him; Apocalypse has succeeded in making them much more fit. Now, Apocalypse isn’t an unsuccessful villain, but a very successful mutant professor. Hm, how will my students feel if I adopted an Apocalyptic pedagogy?

As of X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter Ten, all ten Swords Are Collected…but only nine Champions?

There are ten circles, but only nine warriors…(Image: Excalibur #13, marvel Comics)

There’s one problem with Saturnyne’s prophecy. She noted ten swords, but two of them, grasscutter and godkiller, are wielded by one hero: Gorgon. Now, Gorgon is a badass, and two god-made swords? Yeah, he’ll hold his own in this contest just fine. but this does imply that, as of X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter Ten, the X-Men are short one warrior…or are they?

but there are ten warriors here. (Image: X of Swords: Creation, marvel Comics)

In X of Swords: Creation, when Saturnyne reads the tarot cards, her ten of swords card has ten warriors, and eleven swords. We know the ten swords and the nine warriors wielding them, so who is this tenth warrior, and what sword are they holding? based on the shadows and some fan speculation, the most likely answer? Magneto and the Cerebra Blade. but there’s just one problem…Mikhail, Colossus’s evil big brother, stole the blade and gave it to the anti-mutant organization XENO.

So, whether it’s Magneto or someone else, what does this mysterious 11th blade mean? ONE much more QUEST!

X-Men #13: X of Swords Reminds everyone that hope Summers might Be the most powerful Mutant

She didn’t start the fire! (Image: X-Men #13, marvel Comics)

It might not seem like a big scene in X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter Ten, but without hope Summers, Apocalypse—and the X-Men—would be in a bad spot for this tournament. hope Summers has two powersets. One, she mimics other mutants powers—several at once if she wants to. Two, she can augment a mutant’s powers, which is what she does as part of “the Five”—the team responsible for resurrecting mutants.

When Apocalypse is dying a slow and uncomfortable death, as said above, she augments Healer’s powers so greatly that they don’t just physically heal him; they unlock a buried memory. Why is this important? Well, Healer’s power work on physical bodies, but not on the mind. Yet, with hope augmenting him, she turns his power up so high thathe heals Apocalypse’s mind too—essentially giving him psychic powers for a short time.

Though she played a major role in the X-Men universe for several years, creators have sidelined. and even now, the X-Men writers don’t feature her that much. but she’s the kind of character that Hickman is drawn to, so I’m sure we’ll see much more of her soon.

Witness Apocalypse’s many Badass moment in Dawn of X Yet

Oh, someone better run. (Image: X-Men #13, marvel Comics)

Yeah. That’s all. X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter ten ends with this moment, and it’s damn perfect.

More X of Swords!

Click on chapter numbers for our recaps/reviews. Click the Series/Issue numbers for much more info on the comic from League of Comic Geeks.

Previous Chapters

Chapter One: X of Swords: Creation
Chapter Two: X-Factor #4
Chapter Three: Wolverine #6
Chapter Four: X-Force #13
Chapter Five: Marauders #13
Chapter Six: Hellions #5
Chapter Seven: new Mutants #13
Chapter Eight: cable television #5
Chapter Nine: Excalibur #13

X-Men #13: X of Swords chapter Ten

Future Chapters

Chapter Eleven: X of Swords: Stasis
Chapter Twelve: X-Men #14
Chapter Thirteen: Marauders #14
Chapter Fourteen: Marauders #15
Chapter Fifteen: Excalibur #14
Chapter Sixteen: Wolverine #7
Chapter Seventeen: X-Force #14
Chapter Eighteen: Hellions #6
Chapter Nineteen: cable television #6
Chapter Twenty: X-Men #15
Chapter Twenty-One: Excalibur #15
Chapter Twenty-Two: X of Swords: Destruction

With Superman & Lois dominating the Kyrptonian material on the CW at the moment, it’s been simple to fail to remember that Supergirl was canceled by the CW last year. The series, starring Melissa Benoist as the super-charming Kara Danvers is currently completing up filming. Yet, new set pictures of what appears to be the Supergirl finale shows a hold of characters returning. only the poor news is that it seems they are back to film a funeral scene. pictures caught by on-set sleuths saw the return of Benoist’s real-life other half (and present He-Man) Chris wood as Mon-El. We likewise see Jeremy Jordan on set as Winn Schott, Kara’s former finest pal. Superman’s pal, Jimmy, er James Olsen is likewise back, as Mehcad Brooks was caught chuckling heartily in a photo. No sighting of Ally-McBeal-turned-Cat-Grant Calista Flockhart, though.

While it warms the hearts of fans who watched the show since it debuted on CBS, before changing to the CW, there is a downside. These set pictures quite clearly show that these characters are going to what looks to be a funeral for a friend. (The lack of David Harewood’s J’onn J’onzz in these pictures concerns your humble reporter for his character’s fate.) since as excellent as these Arrowverse shows are, they do differ from the comics in a major way: the ultimately have to end.

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Check out the Supergirl series finale set pictures from Twitter below:

Of course, these set pictures from what appears to be the Supergirl finale suggest it may be a pretty, well, final ending. Yet, there is always hope for these versions of the characters to return. David Ramsey just popped up on all of the CW series this year, even though Arrow ended after the dilemma On infinite Earths event. Cress Williams may return as Black Lightning on The Flash next year after his series finale this year. So, while it may be over for the show, these characters will online on. (Except perhaps one.) This show was incredibly important as well as full of wonderful, heartfelt stories. It’s a pity to see it end, however such is real-life.

In fact, it’s possible that with Supergirl ending, Kara Danvers might lastly make an appearance on the Supergirl spinoff, Superman & Lois. The very first season of that show kept the “universe” small, focused on the Super-family. In season 2, they will ideally open things as much as return Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman to the TV Justice League.

Supergirl returns for her final flight on August 24, 2021.

What do you think? Is this a funeral we’re seeing in these Supergirl finale set photos? If so, which character do you believe satisfies their end? Share your thoughts, theories, as well as preferred moments from the series in the comments below.

Featured picture via Warner Bros. Television.