X-MEN: X OF SWORDS - CREATION #1 is a gloriously well-constructed opening chapter to such a large-scale event that really showcases the talent on the book with a setup piece and an exceptionally large cast that has everything from jaw-dropping large-scale action to positively Shakespearean drama that will shock, surprise and take your breath away! Read Full Review

Pepe Larraz builds beautiful visual worlds throughout this issue. Not only is every page visually impressive, but Larraz captures the tone of the story with every page. There is a beautiful sense of scale and magnitude to these pages and they draw you in from start to finish. Read Full Review

Overall though, this is a fantastic start to the event and it is only going to lead to big things for the line as a whole. Read Full Review

X of Swords: Creation #1 is an epic start to an event that is vast and daring with its ideas. Visually striking, the X of Swords event is already tremendous and awesomely entertaining. Read Full Review

So as forces gather on both sides of =[A]='s External Gate, X of Swords: Creation #1 heralds one hell of an incoming epic; the first crossover event of this new era of X-Men. Packed with energy, new lore, new threats, and some shocking turns and returns (just wait for the final page, True Believers), X of Swords: Creation #1 sets the X-Men up beautifully for their first post-Krakoa crossover. Read Full Review

Overall 'X of Swords' shocks, awes, intrigues and inspires. It's a dense story with such a visual delight. If the next 21 chapters holds this level of momentum, it will be an exhilarating ride! Read Full Review

The next X-men crossover event is now out! Come check out what dark storm is on the horizon. Read Full Review

X of Swords: Creation has a lot going on in it, and it wouldn't at all be on readers if it seemed like too much. But it accomplishes exactly what it needs to do in the end and sets the stage for what looks to potentially be an impressive crossover that is actually worthy of the "event" status. Read Full Review

X of Swords: Creation #1 is a strong start for the event. Hickman and Howard have created a great script, while Larraz and Gracia make everything look great.  Read Full Review

X-MEN fans, this is a very thorough start to a multi-title event the likes that haven't been seen since MUTANT MASSACRE. It's rich in new and old history alike with shades of ancient Egyptian lore sprinkled in, not to mention 15th-century European mythology and legend. However, readers should be warned of the heavy nature of this inaugural tale. It's cryptic at times and filled with a complexity that may turn off the average fan at first. Read Full Review

All in all, X Of Swords: Creation #1 did a lot for me as a reader who still needed to see more to complete that investment in the event. If you thought this run of X-Men was ambitious, Hickman jumped into this event telling you to hold his beer. Read Full Review

X of Swords has arrived in this giant sci-fi/fantasy tale of discovery, war, and betrayal! Read Full Review

Marvels newest event kicks off in grand style with a fun set up and some great character moments, just be prepared to read it slowly and do some homework. Read Full Review

If X-Men by way of Lord of the Rings sounds like a good idea to you, then this is a must-read event. Read Full Review

X Of Swords: Creation #1is an epic start to theX of Swords crossover, boasting story and art worthy of an event series. Fans of theDawn of Xstoryline will be in for a treat, and hopefully, this momentum is continued throughout all 22 parts of the event. Read Full Review

It's a start to something and what's teased at the end indicates what comes after may be more interesting than what gets us there. Read Full Review

The mythology surrounding this event is dense and stupefying, but when you get down to the-nitty gritty character drama, there is something to enjoy in X of Swords so far. Read Full Review

The new X-Crossover makes a bold statement towards a mythic conflict but does so with the pacing of your high school history class. Read Full Review

X Of Swords: Creation is a tough comic to recommend. It's not a bad comic- it's well made, the story works, the art is good. However, it's still kind of a hard sell because this is the beginning of a 22-part storyline, and it doesn't feel like there are 22 issues of story here. The set-up is good, but as with any huge event story, one has to judge the first issue on something besides how good the first part is and on what the story that comes after is going to be like. This event story is especially huge, with few other stories in recent memory being this big. As good as this issue is, what comes next is still a hard sell. Read Full Review

This isn't a start of an event. I'm rereading all my X-books beginning with House of X and Hickman and Howard have been dropping hints since House of X #1. No spoilers, but most of the X-Men and Excalibur runs are must reads. You might be lost otherwise.

Wow, that was actually really epic

Wow! I mean seriously wow!!!!! I’ve been looking forward to this since I first heard about it. I had very high expectations but seriously I am just absolutely blown away!!! That was tremendous! Story 10/10 art 10/10 complaints absolutely none! This looks like it’s gonna be one heck of a ride

this was a good start to a crossover, i like how they didn't hold back and you get the sense of what's at steak upfront, and the art is beautiful just amazing.

The WAR is coming!!! It is epic. It is breathtaking. It is surprising. And I am omega excited.
Dark world, ancient mutants, betrayals, questions, adrenaline, action and F*Cking orbital station. Hickman is genius. It is 68 pages of pleasure. Can’t wait to read the next chapter!

Outstanding work! This is so well crafted on so many levels by Hickman/Howard. Even the predictable moments work because of how they are portrayed by Pepe. As someone who grew tired of events, I am surprised at how well this landed. Hickman is good when he gets going, I hope the train doesn't get derailed because 22 issues is insane. But I wanted more and more so it's safe to say Hickman knows what he's doing.
Larraz art is so well crafted that nothing was this close since his House/Power of X last year (Well maybe Bennet on Immortal is a close second). So much detail was put into this work (Those capes look way too good!) that I can't fathom how many days it took to draw and ink. Gracia's colors were a perfect compliment and even a small thing like the bruised/sick eye of the King's herald looked beautiful. Epic! more

THis is going to be so good in so many levels!

XOS Ch. 1: Great start to the crossover! Summoner, Apocalypse's vulnerability, Saturnyne being a badass, Monet getting another chance to shine, all the various characters interactions. Everything worked for me. This was a really good comic!

Best event first issue since Messiah Complex!

I have grown tired of the large number of comic events that almost never reach my expectations. However this is not one of those events. This issue is a fantasy epic starring the X-Men. While Hickman and Howard did an incredible job crafting the story, the true star is Pepe Larraz. The art is some of the best I have ever seen in comics. I don't think I could have wanted more in an opening issue to an event. Hopefully the rest of the crossover will keep up the great work.

This was surprisingly excellent. I didn't know what to expect from this event, and the 22 chapters were daunting, but I gotta say, this issue got me on board completely. The FCBD story is repeated here and while I didn't enjoy it on its own, it makes a lot more sense in context and with the benefit of reading what led to this issue. I'm very excited for chapter 2 next week!

Looks to be another epic event from Hickman. This has all the makings of an X event from the 90s with it's 20+ tie-insz and I am all for it. It's been a while since we have had an X-centric event and this looks to be fun and most importantly, separated from the rest of the Marvel Universe. No other tie ins from non X related books. That's a lot of restraint from Marvel considering the X-line is one of their top sellers right now. I can only hope that the rest of the event can build of this great start. I didn't think Larraz could get better and here I thinking my past self is a fool. Some of the most beautiful line work I've seen in years, it looks like a painting at times, with all the depictions of armies and space structures. Just get it and get on board this train more

A strong start to this crossover. This really feels like something big, and that feeling is consistent throughout this issue. I continue to really enjoy how Apocalypse has been written in Dawn of X so far as well especially, whether it's under Hickman in the main X-Men title or by Howard over in Excalibur. There are a lot of interesting things set up here with Apocalypse and other characters as well, such as Archangel and Cyclops. Also, that kill from the High Summoner was crazy and only made better by Larraz's fantastic art.

Art 5/5
Story 4/5

This is a great start to X of Swords, but understandably difficult to get into if you've not been keeping up-to-date with most of the X-Books. Pepe Larraz's art in this book is superb - he definitely is a top comic book artist now with how beautiful his panels are, but his storytelling ability is also top tier. There are so many page turns that perfectly capture the dramatic moments in this book. And of course, top praise to Daddy Hickman and Tini Howard for being able to come up with such a bizarre story that ties multiple concepts together that works. Also NGL, lots of the story felt very East of West, which I'm a huge fan of. Can't wait to see how this gigantic crossover unholds!

There are some things I’m a little wary about, but overall I’m excited for this one!

" You asked me if there was anything i regret... This. This i regret."
- APOCALYPSE

X of Swords kicks off like an iceberg: majestic, vast, potentially dangerous. Also, frankly, a little slow. I think that the authors are taking care and even possibly repeating themselves to make sure everybody understands what's going on. This is epic in every sense, particularly visually. But I feel like individual characters are a bit adrift in both the art and the words. This is still a hell of a Big Damn Event™ and I am INVESTED in where it goes from here.

I liked this way more than the last x men. This did a better job of telling whats going on and made more sense than that issue. Im excited to see what happens.

Not bad

Nice fanfic here

This is a tournament event mehh

It's okay. I'm not totally sold on the event, but this made me ever so slightly more interested.

Could turn out to be great, but as of now... Too many things. Too many references. If you're not a die-hard X-Men fan you won't get many things. Also, this event comes out of nowhere. There was not a reference in the previous X-Men issues. I don't know, I'm really getting tired of Hickman's fantasies and master plans.

A boring lore dump with stunning art.