X of Swords: Creation #1 (September 23): Hickman generally makes it difficult to summarize his work, given how he writes on so many levels. But, this issue in particular defies easy summarization. I'll say right at the start that the 66 pages move extremely quickly, thanks not only to Hickman and Howard's script but Laraz and Gracia's beyond spectacular art. I'll try to stick to the 30,000-foot view here.
After Summoner returns through the External Gate with a wounded Banshee, Apocalypse forms a team to return through the Gate with him to save Arakko. (He confirms that the part of Arakko that joined with Krakoa in "X-Men" #2 was a small part, seemingly sent simply to bring Summoner to Earth.) The Quiet Council is against this move until Krakoa informs it that it will do what Apocalypse wants. Apocalypse's team consists of Polaris (at Magneto's request), Havok (at Cyclops' request), Rictor (seemingly one of Apocalypse's disciples now), Rockslide (a "friend" of Summoner), Siryn (given her father's experience in Arakko), Archangel (to keep Apocalypse honest), Beast ("a creature of habit"), and Monet (who feels like she might want Saturnyne's job down the road).
Everything goes to Hell in a hand basket pretty quickly. Apocalypse is overwhelmed to see his children, the Horsemen. War tells him that the only thing that kept them going in such a hellscape wasn't love, and she and Summoner then stab him. The Horsemen and Summoner make quick work of the team: Summoner uses his knowledge of Rockslide's physiology (from the game that they played in "X-Men" #12) to cut him in half, and Pestilence takes down Rictor. Archangel and Siryn carry Apocalypse and Rictor to the gate, and Havok sends Beast with them to get help, leaving Havok, Monet, and Polaris to protect the gate.
Saturnyne eventually stops the combat. Death informs her that he seeks Krakoa by right of the Twilight Sword and "our liege who wields it," so it's interesting the Horsemen have thrown in their weight with the enemy who initially sundered Okarra. Saturyne makes Death the acting regent of Dryador, one of Otherworld's ten lands, which the Horsemen conquered at the issue's start. She informs the Krakoans that, in three days' time, they will fight the Horsemen to stop them from taking Krakoa.
Meanwhile, on Krakoa, Cable and Rachel enter Banshee's mind and learn of Summoner's treachery. Saturnyne contacts them directly and instructs them to find an object that she burns into their minds. Cable goes to Cyclops and Jean, and Cyclops recognizes the object. Accompanied by Cyclops and Jean, Cable uses his sword to reactivate object, the "igniter" that powers up the "trans-space bridge" on S.W.O.R.D.'s orbital station, the Peak.
Hickman is so detailed here that I feel like I have a good understanding of what's happening even if I don't understand the stakes. He makes it clear that Saturnyne - despite repeatedly telling everyone that the outcome is preordained - is working within the context of that destiny to affect the outcome. To that extent, the biggest mystery at this point is what sort of creature exactly Saturnyne's fish-like priestess brought with her from "some forgotten place," "some forgotten time."
In other words, I'm here for X of Swords! Hickman has a lot of places to go here, and I'm excited to accompany him on that journey.
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