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X-Men: Krakoan Era (Anthology Trades)
Trials of X, Vol. 8
Epic conflicts add to the Trials of X! Backed into a corner, Excalibur's Betsy Braddock makes a desperate choice that will reshape Otherworld - and mutantkind - forever. The X-Men's new nemesis Doctor Stasis finally makes himself known, bringing his terrible creations to bear! The island paradise of Krakoa has no shortage of beautiful vistas, but Wolverine has his sights on the deadliest waves in the world - and a previously unknown threat that lurks in the deep! a sea change for Kid Omega and Phoebe Cuckoo - and seismic revelations for X-Force! And the cosmos shakes when the Shi'ar Imperial Guard battles the all-new Lethal Legion - with S.W.O.R.D. caught in the middle! Collecting EXCALIBUR (2019) #25, X-MEN (2021) #5, X-FORCE (2019) #25-26 and S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #9.
136 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 2, 2023
I'm going a little bit by memory since I don't have the volume in front of me.
I'm way ahead on the X-Men series, so this issue was back when Urich confronts Scott about the secret of resurrection. Somehow I don't remember what happens immediately after this (because I should have read those issues.) I guess this serves as a reminder.
Excalibur is a big issue, not quite the end of the story but definitely the climax. Serves as a good summary too which was helpful because it feels like a long journey to get to this point, but some of that is just waiting for trades.
X-Force - eh. Some of this arc just didn't seem reasonable.
SWORD - well finally something interesting, although a classic trope being used as a cliffhanger. Still nothing in this book to really latch onto though.
I'm way ahead on the X-Men series, so this issue was back when Urich confronts Scott about the secret of resurrection. Somehow I don't remember what happens immediately after this (because I should have read those issues.) I guess this serves as a reminder.
Excalibur is a big issue, not quite the end of the story but definitely the climax. Serves as a good summary too which was helpful because it feels like a long journey to get to this point, but some of that is just waiting for trades.
X-Force - eh. Some of this arc just didn't seem reasonable.
SWORD - well finally something interesting, although a classic trope being used as a cliffhanger. Still nothing in this book to really latch onto though.
February 7, 2024
I am already talking about another trade of Trials of X. God bless the library website, Hoopla ! They make every Krakoan era X-men book available with just a single click.
On Goodreads, I gave TRIALS OF X Vol 8 a 3 out of 5. Vol 8 is getting five stars from me. It really is a role of the dice, which books you will get in one of these trades. I am not as big a fan of Marauders, New Mutants or Excalibur. The ongoing X-men book by Gerry Duggan is good, but it doesn’t excite me the way that S.W.O.R.D. Wolverine and X-Force do.
In the case of this trade I rolled a five. There is one issue of Excalibur, an issue of X-men, two issues of X-Force and an issue of S.W.O.R.D.
Let’s go through each of the titles.
Excalibur: Since day one this book has been all over the place. I am still not sure where magic ends and mutant powers begin. There is often talk of “Mutant Magic” as if it is something separate from regular magic. They use a term that originated in 1602 , “Witchbreed”, to describe mutants. Personally, I would think it would be cleaner to say that mutants are genetically able to do one specific spell each (their specific mutant power) since they have the mutant gene. They are an evolution of humans, and therefore do not need training, or special artifacts to use magic. They just naturally have an individual power. I don’t think that is the case with mutants and magic in the current Marvel universe. I only bring this shit up, because “Turning off magic” is a major part of this issue of Excalibur. Merlyn uses a spell that cancels out the magic surrounding Saturyne’s citadel, so that King Arthyur’s forces can claim it. This creates a very dangerous scenario for Betsy Braddock, her Captain Britain corps and Excalibur, but then you realize that Excalibur still have their mutant powers. Fighting back an army of magic powered humans is a Tuesday for the X-men. This was as exciting an issue of Excalibur as you can get, but I was more than ready to move on to…..
X-men: Hot damn does Gerry Duggan do an amazing job making Polaris into a completely relatable character. This issue focused on Polaris’ run from being voted into the current team of X-men, to the present day. This issue was so good, it made me want an ongoing Polaris book from Gerry Duggan.
X-Force: Surfing Wolverine and Quentin Quire getting over being dumped. I don’t think either of those two ideas would have me rushing to my local comic shop, but somehow Benjamin Percy weaves those two stories into two fantastic issues of X-Force. Benjamin Percy’s book on writing, Thrill Me, there is a section where he recommends weaving exposition and character description into your characters actions. Wolverine surfing and falling for a woman that he finds out on the waves gives you a miniseries worth of Wolverine introspection. The story with Quentin Quire getting dumped is tied in perfectly with Wolverine’s surfing romance. Not for a second is any of this corny. Instead, we get a glimpse into how romance takes on a different shape on Krakoa and how dangerous it can be for mutants that protect the island. These two issues have some of the best Wolverine and Quentin Quire interactions I have ever read.
S.W.O.R.D. : Isn’t it so fucking cool that the Sh’iar Imperial Guard are the Legion of Superheroes? You know what is one of the best things about both groups? Watching them get whittled down by an attacking force. Both the Imperial Guard and the Legion can get brutally decimated by their enemies. One way or another, they always end up replenishing their ranks. This issue features the Imperial Guard getting taken out by Anti- Mutant/ Anti-Arrako aliens in creative and disturbing ways. It’s wonderful. As a bonus, there is also an excellent sequence with Henry Peter Gyrich, trying to win over Alpha Flight member, Guardian, to the side of Orchis. That might not sound very exciting, but some of the best Krakoa era X-men writers (Al Ewing included) can get us into the heads of the mutant hating humans. They can make us understand the perspective of Orchis, and how terrifying the mutant threat can seem. When in the wrong hands, mutant hating humans are just that. They hate mutants just for existing. With a writer that puts in the work, we can relate to Orchis and other groups like them, making us wonder what would we do if an island nation of Super powered beings radically shifted the global economy and colonized Mars within a matter of days.
As far as TRIALS OF X goes, this might have been the best trade yet!
On Goodreads, I gave TRIALS OF X Vol 8 a 3 out of 5. Vol 8 is getting five stars from me. It really is a role of the dice, which books you will get in one of these trades. I am not as big a fan of Marauders, New Mutants or Excalibur. The ongoing X-men book by Gerry Duggan is good, but it doesn’t excite me the way that S.W.O.R.D. Wolverine and X-Force do.
In the case of this trade I rolled a five. There is one issue of Excalibur, an issue of X-men, two issues of X-Force and an issue of S.W.O.R.D.
Let’s go through each of the titles.
Excalibur: Since day one this book has been all over the place. I am still not sure where magic ends and mutant powers begin. There is often talk of “Mutant Magic” as if it is something separate from regular magic. They use a term that originated in 1602 , “Witchbreed”, to describe mutants. Personally, I would think it would be cleaner to say that mutants are genetically able to do one specific spell each (their specific mutant power) since they have the mutant gene. They are an evolution of humans, and therefore do not need training, or special artifacts to use magic. They just naturally have an individual power. I don’t think that is the case with mutants and magic in the current Marvel universe. I only bring this shit up, because “Turning off magic” is a major part of this issue of Excalibur. Merlyn uses a spell that cancels out the magic surrounding Saturyne’s citadel, so that King Arthyur’s forces can claim it. This creates a very dangerous scenario for Betsy Braddock, her Captain Britain corps and Excalibur, but then you realize that Excalibur still have their mutant powers. Fighting back an army of magic powered humans is a Tuesday for the X-men. This was as exciting an issue of Excalibur as you can get, but I was more than ready to move on to…..
X-men: Hot damn does Gerry Duggan do an amazing job making Polaris into a completely relatable character. This issue focused on Polaris’ run from being voted into the current team of X-men, to the present day. This issue was so good, it made me want an ongoing Polaris book from Gerry Duggan.
X-Force: Surfing Wolverine and Quentin Quire getting over being dumped. I don’t think either of those two ideas would have me rushing to my local comic shop, but somehow Benjamin Percy weaves those two stories into two fantastic issues of X-Force. Benjamin Percy’s book on writing, Thrill Me, there is a section where he recommends weaving exposition and character description into your characters actions. Wolverine surfing and falling for a woman that he finds out on the waves gives you a miniseries worth of Wolverine introspection. The story with Quentin Quire getting dumped is tied in perfectly with Wolverine’s surfing romance. Not for a second is any of this corny. Instead, we get a glimpse into how romance takes on a different shape on Krakoa and how dangerous it can be for mutants that protect the island. These two issues have some of the best Wolverine and Quentin Quire interactions I have ever read.
S.W.O.R.D. : Isn’t it so fucking cool that the Sh’iar Imperial Guard are the Legion of Superheroes? You know what is one of the best things about both groups? Watching them get whittled down by an attacking force. Both the Imperial Guard and the Legion can get brutally decimated by their enemies. One way or another, they always end up replenishing their ranks. This issue features the Imperial Guard getting taken out by Anti- Mutant/ Anti-Arrako aliens in creative and disturbing ways. It’s wonderful. As a bonus, there is also an excellent sequence with Henry Peter Gyrich, trying to win over Alpha Flight member, Guardian, to the side of Orchis. That might not sound very exciting, but some of the best Krakoa era X-men writers (Al Ewing included) can get us into the heads of the mutant hating humans. They can make us understand the perspective of Orchis, and how terrifying the mutant threat can seem. When in the wrong hands, mutant hating humans are just that. They hate mutants just for existing. With a writer that puts in the work, we can relate to Orchis and other groups like them, making us wonder what would we do if an island nation of Super powered beings radically shifted the global economy and colonized Mars within a matter of days.
As far as TRIALS OF X goes, this might have been the best trade yet!
September 22, 2024
Collection:
Excalibur #25
X-Men #5
X-Force #25-26
S.W.O.R.D. #9
Excalibur #25
Why is Arthur suddenly alone versus Betsy, and why didn't Saturnyne wake up or do something after exiting the anti-magic zone. Was this all her plan to get some alone time with Betsy to explain her past victory? I'm confused with the progression of this story.
X-Men #5
Polaris goes HARD. Love how this issue showcases how different she is from Magneto in the way they both use their powers, 'cause I bet Magneto would just pull the ferrous matter from Wolverine's body to use as a weapon, instead of using Wolverine's body as a puppet (have it written up like that now makes it sound much worse).
X-Force #25-26
Great covers for these two issues. Finally, an X-Force adventure where Quentin doesn't die halfway. Kind of want this Xeno plot to be over with. There's no development in the X-Men knowing who they are or what their end goal is. It's always just about publicity and projects of Xeno trying to make something happen, which always fails, and it starts getting a bit boring.
S.W.O.R.D. #9
As always, Storm is the baddest bitch in the place. It's so weird how all these superbeings just fall like that and having their guards down against enemies they never faced before and know nothing of... This Shi'ar guard got written to fail and that's a tad bit disappointing. Also the entire plot on double crossings will surely be a mess.
Excalibur #25
X-Men #5
X-Force #25-26
S.W.O.R.D. #9
Excalibur #25
Why is Arthur suddenly alone versus Betsy, and why didn't Saturnyne wake up or do something after exiting the anti-magic zone. Was this all her plan to get some alone time with Betsy to explain her past victory? I'm confused with the progression of this story.
X-Men #5
Polaris goes HARD. Love how this issue showcases how different she is from Magneto in the way they both use their powers, 'cause I bet Magneto would just pull the ferrous matter from Wolverine's body to use as a weapon, instead of using Wolverine's body as a puppet (have it written up like that now makes it sound much worse).
X-Force #25-26
Great covers for these two issues. Finally, an X-Force adventure where Quentin doesn't die halfway. Kind of want this Xeno plot to be over with. There's no development in the X-Men knowing who they are or what their end goal is. It's always just about publicity and projects of Xeno trying to make something happen, which always fails, and it starts getting a bit boring.
S.W.O.R.D. #9
As always, Storm is the baddest bitch in the place. It's so weird how all these superbeings just fall like that and having their guards down against enemies they never faced before and know nothing of... This Shi'ar guard got written to fail and that's a tad bit disappointing. Also the entire plot on double crossings will surely be a mess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2024
I have somewhat mixed feelings for the ongoing Excalibur stories, but I guess they make sense within the context of the lore they're diving into. I mean seriously, we have Arthur as an antagonist and that's a weird kettle of fish.
The X-Men book is pretty dramatic but it still needs a bit more fleshing out at this point in the story. Wolverine has more weird side adventures and for some reason, Kid Omega is getting more character development in this book.
SWORD is pretty fascinating, even if Storm is still wasting time in her Thunderdome (if you get my drift). But quite the cliffhanger to end the volume on.
The X-Men book is pretty dramatic but it still needs a bit more fleshing out at this point in the story. Wolverine has more weird side adventures and for some reason, Kid Omega is getting more character development in this book.
SWORD is pretty fascinating, even if Storm is still wasting time in her Thunderdome (if you get my drift). But quite the cliffhanger to end the volume on.
August 23, 2025
Excalibur: I did like the moral of magic is quaint compared to superpowers," which I feel like undermined some of the earlier Excalibur stories but, as this is a superhero book, is more fun.
X-men: This is fun issue of x-men, and I'm interested to see what the revelation of mutant resurrection will mean for the world (given how often some people have died, it seems like it should be at least moderately well known)
X-Force: Great covers here though the plot is very goofy
Sword: Fun fight, and I like how it is only happening because everyone who could stop it is busy
X-men: This is fun issue of x-men, and I'm interested to see what the revelation of mutant resurrection will mean for the world (given how often some people have died, it seems like it should be at least moderately well known)
X-Force: Great covers here though the plot is very goofy
Sword: Fun fight, and I like how it is only happening because everyone who could stop it is busy
May 5, 2023
I skipped the Excalibur issue, because I'm over that book. The X-Men issue focuses on Polaris and does some decent character work with her. Then there's two X-Force issues that focus on babynappers and, for some reason, yet another romance option for Wolverine. You know, sometimes I really miss the days before Wolverine became the most desirable man in Marvel comics. A fun story anyways. Then over to SWORD, which is an ok story with the young Shi'ar empress showing up to Mars/Arakko.
June 28, 2024
Really enjoyed Logan's storyline, as well as Kid Omega/Phoebe Cuckoo's story in this. X-Force was also great, and the parts on S.W.O.R.D. were also good fun. Excalibur continues to just be a fine read - not horrendous, just not as fun as the others.
TW for violence, war mentions/scenes, blood, kidnapping of babies, mentions of killing babies.
TW for violence, war mentions/scenes, blood, kidnapping of babies, mentions of killing babies.
July 18, 2024
Nothing interesting happening with the X-Men. Quentin Quire will never be interesting. 90's EXTREME story featuring Wolverine hanging ten with a thrill seeking lady who steals babies. She dies in a volcano flow. Even a wolverine can get his heart broken...
March 30, 2025
WIZ-KID BABYGIRL THIS ISNT YOU
also where is magneto is he safe. is he alright. its been so long
also where is magneto is he safe. is he alright. its been so long
July 27, 2023
3.5.
Liked the X-force arc a lot. And I’m intrigued by the traitor.
Liked the X-force arc a lot. And I’m intrigued by the traitor.
May 14, 2023
The XForce and XMen issues are very strong, the Excalibur and SWORD issues are messier and cluttered with too many characters and too much going on. Krakoa works best when writers can balance the cast and the plot.
November 6, 2023
EXCALIBUR (2019) #25 - 3.5/5
X-MEN (2021) #5 -3/5
X-FORCE (2019) #25-26 - 3.5/5
S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #9 - 3.5/5
X-MEN (2021) #5 -3/5
X-FORCE (2019) #25-26 - 3.5/5
S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #9 - 3.5/5
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews