Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
PENCILS: Steven Sanders
COVER BY: John Cassaday
Size: pages
Price: 2.99
When I began to read the third issue of S.W.O.R.D. by Kieron Gillen and Steven Sanders I thought about the mental ping pong game that's been going on when I try to put together an opinion about this book. A character and organization created in Astonishing X-Men as a means to an end for a story arc, next to be used a prop in the pages of Secret Invasion and then another means to an end in Spider-Woman, did Abigail Brand and S.W.O.R.D., not quite an X-Men spin-off, not quite a Nick Fury/Avenges spin-off, really deserve it's own book? Before the comic was released, I'm pretty sure I said no to the question. After issue #1 came out, I was warmer to the idea but found myself wishing Jamie McKelvie was drawing the series as opposed to a back up story as I didn't care very much for Steven Sanders art, particularly his take on Beast (and I can admit that I'm somewhat biased towards McKelvie's art). When issue #2, sans a McKelvie backup, I thought I was firmly in the camp of really disliking this book. It wasn't so much Kieron Gillen's story and dialogue, which were great as usual. But the combination of Sanders art plus a story that felt a bit scattershot worked against me. I mean, I love Death's Head as much as the next guy, but it all seemed a bit random. But then a funny thing happened this week, I read S.W.O.R.D. #3 and that mental ping pong match scored a point in favor of the comic.
I enjoyed the hell out of S.W.O.R.D. #3. For whatever reason, and I'm not even sure what those reasons were, everything just clicked for me, in that cosmic way that a good comic book just clicks into place and provides enjoyment.
Kieron Gillen has taken the task of a one-dimensional character in Abigail Brand and the entire S.W.O.R.D. organization, who up to this point have just been described as S.H.I.E.L.D. in space, and given her and them personality and a sense of being and purpose. As I read those first 2 chaotic issues and got reacquainted with Brand and Beast as a couple (I suppose now that Beast has quit the X-Men, this book is his new home); Brand and the S.W.O.R.D. team including a depressed over the loss of Kitty Pryde dragon in Lockheed; and a surprise inclusion of the bureaucrat you love to hate, Henry Peter Gyrich; it became clear that Gillen was writing the chaos with a reason and a purpose and now with this third issues, pieces are starting to fall into place.
One of those pieces has been Steven Sanders art. As I referred to earlier, I was instantly turned off by his art for some unknown reason in issue #1. Oh wait, I am sure of the reason. I hate the way he draws Beast. But I don't really blame him for that. No, that blame still lies with Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely for ruining Beast as a character with that damn second mutation concept (Hey, I'm allowed to hang onto SOME crazy obsessed fan irrational opinions when it comes to the X-Men, aren't I?). So purely judging it off that one character design, I became blinded to what is actually some pretty great art. It's interesting to see how his style of clean lines morphs and changes as needed, sometimes cartoony with, ironically, people like Gyrich, and other times harsh and realistic, like with Lockheed. In addition to some great actual drawing of characters, Sanders showed some real grace and style in his pacing of this issue, which ostensibly was a breakout story, as Beast and Lockheed work to bust Brand out of captivity thanks to Gyrich. The tension and confusion of not knowing exactly what was going on was controlled masterfully and by the end of the issue, I found myself loving Beast just as much as I did when I first read him as a character way back in the Simonson X-Factor days. I totally got swept up in the story and lulled into a sense of enjoyment, which is a great feat by a quality artist.
Like I said, this issue was mainly a breakout tale and the teaming of Beast and Brand is a blast to read. Gillen has a knack for witty banter and really shows it off with this issue. Layering in the insanity of government with Gyrich and probably one of the most intriguing creations I've seen in a long time in the form of the captive Unit, an immortal robot hell bent on molding the universe to an image of perfection. I find myself looking forward to future issues for many reasons. Seeing what the story is behind and with Unit and seeing how S.W.O.R.D. functions in the Marvel Universe at the top of that list.
And then there's Lockheed. Earlier this week, I wrote of the return of Kitty Pryde to the X-Men. Kitty, who I believe to be the heart of the X-Men, is one of my favorite characters and with that comes Lockheed. Probably the best of the pets in the Marvel Universe, Lockheed is loyal, loving and as the cover to this issue depicts, 100% bad ass. It's great to see him as a main player in a book, and I only hope that the return of Kitty doesn't take Lockheed away from the pages of S.W.O.R.D., selfishly because it's too much fun to have him around.
I find myself excited about the promise of the world of this comic book. The idea of a S.H.I.E.L.D. in space is actually a damn good concept that could provide a lot of great stories and angles and opportunities for aliens and all sorts of fun. Throw in the loose X-Men connection with Beast and Lockheed, as well as the loose Avengers/Spider-Woman/Nick Fury angle, and once we get over all this Osborn crap down on Earth, the world of S.W.O.R.D. could be a might fun place to visit once a month. Three issues ago, I wouldn't have said that I look forward to this book as an ongoing, but now, I'm one of those crazy people on Twitter who are going to bed you to give this a try so that it doesn't get canceled, like all the good books do like Captain Britain and the MI:13 (never forget!).
Do yourself a favor. If you like the X-Men or if you like science fiction or space themed stories, then go to the comic shop, grab all 3 issues to date of S.W.O.R.D. and give them a try. You may find after the first issue that you don't see what the fuss is, and by the second issue be super skeptical, but by S.W.O.R.D. #3, you may find that you're like me and enjoyed the hell out of it and you'll ask "when #4 is coming out?" And I'd simply respond, "Next month" and smile knowingly.
Ron Richards
Candidate for cover of the year (so far)
ron@ifanboy.com
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My Astonishing Omnibus should be arriving next week. Once it’s done and read I’ll highly consider going back and collecting this series. I mean, who doesn’t love that cover?
My stack overall was pretty weak, but strong enough that I can’t complain too much. I had three 5′s, but they all probably should’ve been really high 4′s. I seemed to rate everything a star higher than it should’ve been this week. Must be feeling generous.
I ended up giving my POTW to Titans, which BARELY beat Batgirl. That’s saying a lot since I hated Titans a few months ago while Batgirl is probably the second best comic being put out right now (behind Chew.) I only came back to Titans after seeing JT Krul’s name attached (who as far as I know has only done everything involving either Titans team and Blackest Night) He’s proving to be pretty good and I have a feeling that once Sterling Gates rises to power, JT Krul will be the guy people will talk about as the next big thing at DC.
Great choice! This was also my pick this week. I was on the fence about this series after the first two issues. They were good, but didn’t blow me away. It all changed with this issue. I’m hooked.
Your pick is one of the things I love about the comic world. We both are enormous X-Men fans who read a high volume of X-comics, but our opinions on this series couldn’t be more disperate.
I thought this issue was a complete groaner from art (I really despise the way Beast is drawn in this title) to the overly winking dialog.
I’m also going to disagree on Brand having been one-dimensional in the Whedon run. Clearly Gillen has more room to let her breathe here, but I don’t think he inflated a completely flat character.
I’m glad you’re enjoying this title, but I’m not picking up any more of the issues.
Yeah, I didn’t think Brand was one-dimensional in Astonishing. I quite liked her character. This was my only pull of the week, and it was my favorite issue yet. Sanders is really good and Gillen seems to be good at extremely witty. I was sad when I got to the half-way point of the book and looked and saw I only had half of the book to go.
Nice review, very well written.
but there is no way i’m going near this book.
I have new respect for Gillen since his run on Thor started.
But yeah I can’t see myself reading this series. The preview art with that horrible looking Beast made me realize I was not going to like it. But I’m gald your enjoying it though and it’s a good review.
(Pick was Catwoman #83 *BN tie-in)
It’s a great book and you really should try to look beyond the way beast is drawn. It’s a bit out there but there’s a cat-sized dragon dual-wielding pistols on the cover.
I enjoyed the art more than the writing, but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested. Dropped it with this issue.
Awesome and perfect pick of the week.
lol. Even with the great review, I have no interest in this book. The characters just don’t strike me as that interesting. Maybe I’ll pick up #1 for shits ‘n giggles.
this has been a fun series and I’ve really been enjoying it but I cannot fathom how this could top the emotional impact of Amazing Spidey this week. I can’t believe how much Joe Kelly actually made me CARE for a one-dimensional character like The Rhino. It was phenomenal but i look for to reading SWORD #3 now too
This book is fantastic, glad to see it getting love!
Though I echo the thoughts of others that Brand has never been a one-dimensional character. When she first appeared in ‘Astonishing X-Men’ she almost instantly became a favorite character among many of my friends, just based on a few scenes. She was one of the most important characters in the last arc of that series and each subsequent appearance — Secret Invasion, Spider-Woman — has made her more interesting. Whether she and Beast and SWORD have the market clout to carry a series for any length of time remains to be seen, but it’s not as though Gillen was working with an empty vessel here.
Excellent review Ron.
Excellent choice. For me it was a three way tie this week between Dark X-men (Nate Gray for Life), Unwritten, and Adventure Comics. Yet I also enjoyed this book immensely as well. I to hope this book is gonna stick around for a while. It might help if Marvel would fraking play up the whole ‘this is the only book where you can find Beast’ angle but oh well. If this months cover doesn’t get you to try this book then I don’t know what will.
Question: If you say 1&2 aren’t that great, is it really necessary to drop the 6 (or is it 3.99?) bucks on them? I mean I say jump right in with the good stuff.
I’ll be interested to see what Conor and Josh thought of it, if they read it.
@Storyteller- My pick was Adventure. Very fun and a great heart to it. Unwritten was very strong as well.
Read what now?
This book feature’s Kitty Pryde’s dragon….but not Kitty Pryde. The dragon (which I assume can BREATH FIRE) uses guns? It seems like every time I turn around another remarkably odd characteristic of the X-Universe slaps me in the face.
Nice pick. Good book. My POTW went to the Conan one-shot. Great art and storytelling. Could be a contender for POTY.
I love how "Captain Britain" has become iFanboy’s "Remember the Alamo."
-J.
I like that cover a lot; probably the silliest Cassaday cover I’ve ever seen. It’s almost a odd/funny as the Jim Lee poster from X-Men #1 where Lockheed is smoking a Cigar with Strong Guy and Cable (though I can’t remember any other time where I’ve seen Strong Guy or Cable smoking.)
A lot of small animals in the Marvel U get to carry weapons I notice.
Adv. Comics #6 is my POW.
Matthew
@stuclach-He can breath fire, but doesn’t use guns. That’s Cassaday being funny and drawing a bad ass little dragon. I personally think he should have put an eye patch on him, but to each his own.
Can’t comment on the potw, haven’t read it but for my money the best book I read was far and away ASM. It was such a great, and unexpected read! If you didn’t read it run out and grab it! This is my favorite single issue of ASM since revelations!
@drakedangerz – Maybe they should have given him a metal arm and/or eyeball.
Amazing Spider-Man this week was too good. I’m sorry, but that was by far one of the best single issues of a super hero comic I have read in a very long time.
@sircox
I agree kind of bummed it didn’t get the nod, hard to think of a better superhero book I have read in a long time!
I have to agree with the dissent on picking SWORD as POTW. When you have at least three really great books this week. Between Amazing Spiderman, Adventure Comics, and Daytripper you have three really great stories that really made me care for the story and characters. ASM made you really care about a dumb villain like Rhino not only in one story but two with the backup story. That backup story had as much of a impact as the first story learning how Rhino moved away from crime going straight and develop a positive relationship. Then you have Adventure Comics with a great story of how Superboy gained the confidence to not worry about Lex Luthor. You also got to see how truly evil Lex can be by what he did to his sister. Plus you got Krypto! Finally you have Daytripper with a great story about finding yourself by letting go. You got certified three 5 star books that could have split for POTW honors. SWORD is at best a 1a pick. I can’t wait to hear what about the issue moved him over these other issues. Should be interesting.
ASM was indeed a good read. I had more fun with SWORD, however. Both still trail the Conan one shot by a wide wide margin.
I think issues 1 was as good (2 was a slight drop off), but the Beast rendition was just too jarring for many, Ron included, to properly enjoy it. It will be a real shame if this series gets canned because of Sanders’ design choice for Beast (which is bad). I love the rest of the art, but Beast is everywhere.
Just to clarify: I am not (and was not) questioning the pick (as POTW is entirely Ron’s opinion), I was simply expressing my bafflement at the cover.
Fun to see a random #3 issue as POW. As for picking up a 3 issue run, the first 2 of which weren’t too good, mmmmmmm maybe not…
@stuclach in the book the S.W.O.R.D. agents switch to asbestos armor, as stated by Gyrich. Although Lockheed didnt use the guns, the armor could explain why he uses them in a FUTURE issue.
The first two issues were good…
The cover is awesome; I almost bought it for that reason alone, but then I remembered I didn’t like Sanders art, either. Maybe I’ll give it a second look, though. If a fellow X-Men Acolyte like Ron can dig it, there may be something there for me.
Besides, this week’s comics were pretty goddamned weak. *Nothing* blew me away. Really kinda disappointing.
For the first time in a long time, I can’t make a pick. There was just too much goodness. I guess I’ll have to settle for a tie between Amazing Spider-Man, Daytripper, and Unwritten. All of those books were soooooo good.
sword cancelled! Start the revolt!
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/01/17/s-w-o-r-d-cancelled-campaign-starts/
Yeah! Start the revolt! Everybody that love S.W.O.R.D. needs to mail and e-mail Marvel and write them:
LET’S KEEP SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
PLEASE KEEP PUBLISHING S.W.O.R.D.
A short lived series, but understandable given how awfully it sold out of the gates. I enjoyed the story, for sure, but just can’t get past the way Sanders chose to draw Hank. It’s just impossible to look at that visual and enjoy this story for everything it was otherwise.