X-Men #15 is a powerful issue, the best of this book's foray into X Of Swords. It's pacing is much like the pacing of the story itself, except it's actually trying to say something, whereas the slow parts of X Of Swords were set-up that was meant to stretch the whole thing out, sometimes having very little to actually do with the plot of the story. Hickman finally had something to say in this issue, and that makes it much more effective than any other issue he's written for this particular story. Asrar's art does the heavy lifting for the Quiet Council scene with aplomb while also capturing the power of the battle between Apocalypse and Genesis. X Of Swords has been remarkably uneven, even Hickman's own work in this very book, but this issue is wonderful. Read Full Review

X-Men #15 is a great issue for Cyclops fans, setting up an exciting end for the X of Swords tournament and future X-Men stories to come. Read Full Review

Taken all together, this issue was absolutely wonderful. A mix of fine storytelling, cutting dialog, brutal fights, and frankly incredible art. X-Men hasn't been this entertaining in a long time Read Full Review

Since House of X/Powers of X reshaped the X-Men line for the "Dawn of X" era, some fans have complained that this new status quo does not resemble the X-Men they've known and loved for decades. In X-Men #15, writer Jonathan Hickman addresses those concerns head-on. His response? Yes, you are correct. Read Full Review

Sacrifice is etched into the fabric of X-Men #15, and Hickman does wonders with these multifaceted characters. Cyclops, the unwavering captain, puts the species on his back in his willingness to do whatever it takes to get Cable and crew out alive. Apocalypse, the ancient one, buries his desire for a millennia long awaited reunion. It's all so beautifully tragic and hooks you in for the 2nd to last issue of this X of Swords series. Read Full Review

I think I am at the point where I am ready for the conclusion. I'm most curious to see what Saturnyne's role in all this is and if that will be clarified. Is she a hero or a villain? Or maybe somewhere in between? I wonder how she is going to fall in this theme of love and family that has been crucial to this event. Read Full Review

X-Men #15 is the chapter that X Of Swords was in dire need of. Jonathan Hickman does a fantastic job having Cyclops and Jean Grey step up to show that the X-Men will not stand on the sidelines while Krakoa's champions risk their lives for them. The whole meeting with the Quiet Council set a strong tone for the final two chapters having major stakes as everything is on the line as we reach the end of X Of Swords. Read Full Review

X-MEN #15 is not what I expected and was truthfully heavy on the dialogue while also creating small panels where my boy Mahmud Asrar couldnt shine as well as he normally can with such small space to work. When given the canvas, Asrar can be explosive. Look no further than the last page of this issue as proof. However, the over-saturation of text and conversation dulled down the issue and put the breaks on a narrative that should be reaching its epic conclusion. That said, X OF SWORDS has been batting 300 each week (in terms of successful issues). Heres to hoping Chapter 21 and 22 kill it because X-MEN #15s info dump wasnt my cup of Darjeeling. Nonetheless, if you made it this far, youre going to see it through anyway. I know I am. Read Full Review

Hickman gets to underline what makes the X-Men heroic before the start of whatever is going to come after X of Swords. I liked it. Read Full Review

Overall, X-Men #15 was definitely one of the better issues since X of Swords kicked off. My opinion of the event hasn't change, but my confidence in this creative team just writing the "X-Men" is still there. Read Full Review

Me: No. No. Huh Huh. No. No! No! No! Hell No! NO! NO! I refuse to... No! No!

Alright Hickman you win, I like Cyclops.

X-Men
Volume: 4, Issue: 15
“X of Swords; Chapter: 20”

Publisher: Marvel @marvel
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Mahmud Asrar @mahmudasrar
Colors: Sunny Gho @sunnygho
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Leinil Francis Yu @leinilyu & Sunny Gho

While Apocalypse faces off against his wife Genesis to determine the victor between Arakko and Krakoa, Cyclops and Jean Grey appear before the Quiet Council. Based on a dire warning from Cable and unaware that Gorgon had evened the lead, Scott proposes a rescue mission and sealing the gateway behind them forever. Failing to obtain the proper blessings of the Council, Scott, unwaivered, informs those gathered before him that their vote changes nothing and carries forth.
Meanwhile, Genesis believes to have the upper hand, but underestimates her husband and suffers a brutal wound. Apocalypse faces Saturnyne, refusing to follow through. Suddenly, Genesis dons the helm of Annihilation once more, declaring that nothing is yet settled.

What a great issue. I would have been content if this entire thing was just Cyclops before the Quiet Council. But between him and Apocalypse, this was awesome!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Reviewed by: @meanadam of The Comic Book Club of Instagram
Note: follow @the_comic_book_club on Instagram more

This was the best issue for X of Swords yet. Hickman writes Cyclops fantastically here and, in doing so, effectively gets you behind him. I also enjoyed the battle between Apocalypse and Genesis. Asrar's art was a nice cherry on top as well. Great stuff all around in this book.

big wheels in motion here. scott summers and jean grey really stepping up. this was wonderful

I genuinely enjoy the politicking, what can I say?

Hickman really likes Cyclops and it shows. Thankfully, so do I.

Put this issue on the Cyclops' Greatest Hits Album.

Finally!

This event has been full of ups and downs, but Hickman comes through with a phenomenal issue.

Good.

This is what I expected from XoS. Bureaucratic exposition with awesome sword fights mixed in, was that really too much to ask?

I was a bit disappointed to see how many Xmen legacy members were willing to throw away their seats on the council, but that just goes to show you how little sense some of the council members make.

XOS Ch. 20: This was really good! After reading this I feel like it really was a mistake to extend this crossover. X Of Swords has been so hit and miss it is a bummer good individual chapters like this one are dragged down by the not so good chapters. Here's hoping Hickman and Howard can stick the landing.

Scott Summers is the greates mutant who has ever lived. 🙅‍♂️

It's good when he wants it to be. Words and art were great but a little too late if I may say so.

The story was good. The art was rough.

The Apocalypse/Genesis fight goes, inevitably, into overtime. Scott and Jean, with out-of-date information, launch a rescue operation even though the Quiet Council tries to cut them off at the knees. This issue had interesting developments and they were portrayed with fine skill -- but I never got past the feeling that the Krakoan scenes were being stretched out to fine-tune the pace of the event.

Remember The Phantom Menace? The movie which had an awesome space battle and an awesome swordfight and an awesome motor race and an hour of slightly less awesome politics?

No particular reason why I bring it up... but I did like The Phantom Menace.

I dont like X of Swords. I found it to be lame. So this issue validated those feelings

Almost nothing happened.

Lots of talking and kissing Cyclops's feet