Marvel's 'X of Swords' X-Men crossover has almost doubled in size to 24-part event
Originally described as 15 parts, a new 'X of Swords' checklist is much larger
Marvel's 'X of Swords' X-Men crossover appears to have expanded in scope from what X-line editor Jordan D. White described to Newsarama as a "15-part story", with a new checklist for the crossover showing 24 parts – with more potentially in the wings.
"'X of Swords' is what we have always thought of as a classic X-Crossover," White told Newsarama in March 2020, following the event's announcement at C2E2. "It's a 15-part story that crosses the entire line. It's a big story that affects all of the X-World, so it's only right it jump into every book."
White also described 'X of Swords' as having 15 parts in the event's C2E2 announcement.
'X of Swords' kicks off in September with X of Swords: Creation #1, labeled 'Chapter One' on the 'X of Swords' checklist, with X-Factor #4 featuring 'Chapter Two' also in September.
The checklist shows the order of chapters as they'll appear in Marvel's monthly X-Men titles, including X-Men, Marauders, X-Factor, Wolverine, Cable, Excalibur, X-Force, and Hellions, as well as three one-shots: the previously mentioned Creation, X of Swords: Stasis in October, and X of Swords: Destruction in November. Another possible tie-in featuring Captain Britain was possibly revealed in the latest episode of Marvel's Pull List, though no details have been revealed.
'X of Swords' – pronounced "ten of swords", like the Roman numeral - brings together threads from throughout the current 'Dawn of X' era of the X-Men, and centers on mutants wielding magical blades from across the Marvel Universe in battle against a still unrevealed opponent.
Though the exact details of the set-up remain to be seen, Apocalypse has been pulling the strings of the mutants of Krakoa for some time, trying to set up an ancient magical ritual involving the Otherworld – home to its own magical blade, the Sword of Might.
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'X of Swords' kicks off in September with two prelude issues in Excalibur #12 and X-Men #12.
I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)