X-Men #14

X-Men#14 is yet another example of how X of Swords isn't all just fight-comics and familiar characters, but built on the back of a grand fantasy world begging to be explored. X-Men #14 shows X of Swords is built on a world that is huge, extraordinary, and an imaginative blend of sci-fi fantasy. Read Full Review

Mahmud Asrar and Leinil Francis Yu bring beautiful backgrounds and dazzling details to the pages of this issue. There is a beautiful brutality to the battles and the contrast between those moments and the pre-war peace of Otherworld was brilliant. Read Full Review

This is certainly an issue that can't be missed if only for its clarifying purposes and historical significance to the overall story. Read Full Review

This is a flat, nearly static story, which is elevated by some truly first-rate art. Read Full Review

For an installment dedicated almost entirely to the backstory, X-Men #14 does a stellar and subtle job of pushing "X of Swords" forward. Read Full Review

This is a great issue. The art is well drawn and coloring is vivid. But I have to applaud the writing here. They made a character that isn't really lovable a great protagonist to this event. A person who can shoulder the emotional weight of the mutant nation and balance that against his apparent love for his family. There is also the subtle hint of isolation and the negative effect it can have on the psyche; something that is prevalent within the current pandemic. Read Full Review

Overall this is not an explosive chapter, but one that packs in a ton of exposition. This is the main history lesson of Arakko. A good read, but also a little dry in places. Read Full Review

X-Men #14 is a well done comic, but one's enjoyment of it entirely hinges on whether X Of Swords is working for them. It's all very predictable, but it does do an excellent job of getting across the kind of person Genesis is- she may actually be more hardcore than Apocalypse. The art is great if a little static. However, it's just more set-up for a crossover that already feels like it's gone on too long. Read Full Review

Yet another issue focused entirely on filling out the " in my opinion " meaningless back story ahead of this swordfight. Read Full Review

Avanvolk

Dec 05, 2021

I know most people didn't like this issue because it was mostly a retelling of a story we've already heard with a lot of recycled art, but something about hearing it from Genesis, knowing that we're finally getting the whole picture, an accurate version of the story, now with a lot more context... I found it incredibly appealing. For me, it hit different than the first times.

Emma

Nov 04, 2020

a little slow but the story doesn't stagnate, the art is really good

RiseLegend

Nov 05, 2020

Great character piece and art. This is a lot of retreading old ground and giving us great characterization for Apocalypse and Genesis. You can feel the weight of the emotional impact this will have on Apocalypse as he becomes a much more compelling character. The cautionary tale of Arrako added a nice learning from history dynamic that added a lot to the possible future of Krakoa. I'm excited for the fight and also concerned for what might happen to these characters. The art was spectacular as well with such beautiful colors that emoted such beauty and tragedy. Recommend it.

Psycamorean

Nov 08, 2020

This issue continues a trope in Hickman's writing that seems pretty divisive. I like it though. I like the idea of putting the same events in different lights and seeing how they morph. In this case, Hickman took a rather clinical history lesson and turned it into a character-driven emotional backstory. I don't find this issue lazy. I think people should try to appreciate the artform on display here.

Screaming Enigma

Feb 21, 2024

Another issue for this series with a lot of focus on Apocalypse and I enjoyed it. Yes, a bit of it is a re-telling of story we've already read, even with some recycled art from Asrar, but it's good content nonetheless. I think having Genesis's perspective added a new emotional layer to X of Swords that wasn't present before and I'm glad Hickman decided to go in this direction. Also, I just wanted to point out that the way Yu draws Apocalypse is absolutely fantastic.

Spacey Medicine

Nov 14, 2020

I think this is pretty cool still.

雨人点雪

Nov 05, 2020

I know Hickman tried to tell the different versions of one story, and it woks in the last 2 issues. But, however, this time they sound like the same version.

Kalaoui

Nov 06, 2020

It's not bad but we've heard and seen almost all of this. The few pages with any new material are not worth the price of admission. It's a great story but stretching like this to build suspense and intrigue just kills any momentum or interest I had. I was all in then we slowed it down then was back in and now I'm just meh and waiting for it to be over already. The art from Asrar and recycled Yu stuff is elevating this story but that's it. Disappointing!

Soos X

Nov 04, 2020

Hickman just keeps retelling this story. At least that's over now. This crossover really needs to start moving along.

Jacks Comics

Nov 11, 2020

Art 4/5 Story 2.5/5

Hislight

Dec 24, 2020

This issue was a skimmer...

mattcole15

Nov 04, 2020

Not good. I've liked X of Swords more than most thus far and even thought the last issue was fantastic, but this is just rough. We've already heard this story. I expect better from Hickman, and I expect no recycled art.

Federico Liguori

Nov 05, 2020

This looks like a dead-end. Nothing is happening. Hickman has been telling the same things for months. There is no action and the narrative sections are so convoluted and specific they just feel boring.

CrazyforRAMU

Mar 09, 2021

The art so nice they used it twice! Is it clever? Is it cheap? Both, but I think more of the latter. It's clear that Jonathan Hickman loooves to build up his stories incrementally and repetitively. This issue, although it does deliver some new things, is tiresome enough to suggest that the author needs to be on a tighter editorial leash. The REALLY important question: Do you think Leinil Francis Yu managed to get paid twice?

Prodigalson16

Nov 05, 2020

Ehhhhhhhhhh?

ohhaimark

Nov 15, 2020

Pretty boring. I kept zoning out reading this one.

Lucas

Jul 28, 2023

Won't waste my time Hickman.

Miracleman92

Nov 04, 2020

XOS Ch. 12: Wow! This is a really lazy comic. X-Men #12-14 tell basically the same story from 3 different viewpoints. I like Hickman usually, and gave him the benefit of the doubt with issue #13, but this is just embarrassing. Recycling art too?! What a shame. This issue screams filler and this is coming from a reader who has been enjoying Apocalypse's character development.

Kreniigh

Nov 08, 2020

I was patient with this re-re-retelling of the same story with a few new details back when Hickman was doing it in his Avengers run. I have no patience left for it now, especially when the story is a lot of generic fantasy tropes that are impossible to get invested in.

Halodystroyer44

Nov 05, 2020

Go away Hickman

Foxter

Nov 28, 2020

I am really getting fed up with this. I usually love Hickman and secret wars was probably my favorite event, but at this point I dont think he hasn’t anything woth to tell here and just came back for the juicy paycheck.

Captain Summers

Nov 04, 2020

Pretty disappointig. This event is costing lots of money but I don't think it is worthy it. This issue just feel like a filler and they even recycle the art from a past Lenil Yu issue.

Flexstyle

Nov 08, 2020

Recap + filler.

maelstron

Nov 04, 2020

Recycle art, recycle 80% of the story. I don't even care about Arakko and Krakoa story anymore

BloodyNinja

Nov 05, 2020

A repeated book is not worth any rating at all.