X of Swords: Marvel's Next Major X-Men Crossover Revealed

Marvel Comics has been teasing the debut of a major new X-Men storyline that will kick off the second phase of writer Jonathan Hickman's multi-year X-Men saga. Now we know the name of that story - X of Swords. As revealed at the Marvel Comics: X-Men panel at C2E2, X of Swords is a crossover event that will link together all the ongoing X-Men titles. X of Swords begins in July, following a prelude tale in Marvel's Free Comic Book Day 2020 special. While Marvel isn't revealing much about the plot of this crossover, their press release does tease the story will begin "the next phase of Jonathan Hickman’s vision for mutantkind, which will affect the entire X-Men line." The "X" in the title is meant to be read as "Ten." As with 2019's Powers of X, we assume that title will make more sense after reading the crossover. The title is probably inspired by the tarot card Ten of Swords, which generally represents betrayal, rivalry and tragic endings. The new art shown during the panel suggests the crossover will also literally revolve around sword-wielding X-Men. [note - we'll update this article with new X of Swords art as it becomes available] [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=20-most-anticipated-comics-of-2020&captions=true"] What could X of Swords be about? Since the new mutant status quo was established, most of the X-books have focused on the growing pains facing the nation of Krakoa as it asserts its place on the world stage and various human enemies work to tear down what Moira MacTaggert, Professor Xavier and Magneto have built. Meanwhile, there have been increasing signs Xavier isn't in his right mind, while Mystique may be plotting to bring Krakoa burning down. X of Swords may build on any of those ongoing story threads as Krakoa faces a dire new threat. The emphasis on swords is certainly interesting in light of the recent X-Men #7. That issue revealed a grim ritual known as Crucible, where de-powered mutants have to fight Apocalypse in order to earn an honorable death and be reborn as full mutants again. Does the title also refer to the sword Apocalypse uses to kill these mutants? Are there ten resurrected mutants in particular who form the crux of this conflict? It's also worth remembering that the X-Men franchise features several noteworthy swords, including Magik's mystical Soulsword and Wolverine's healing factor-canceling Muramasa blade. Does the title imply there are ten swords of special significance to the mutant race? [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/marvels-x-men-now-have-a-bold-new-status-quo-ign-now"] No doubt Marvel will have more to reveal as we get closer to July. For now, check out our biggest questions about the new X-Men status quo, stay tuned to IGN for more big C2E2 announcements over the course of the weekend. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

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