X-Lapsed, Episode 131 – Excalibur #15 (2021)

You have mentioned before that the last 3 parts of X of Tens were released on the same day and it's notable that my reaction to them on that day was very different to the one I'm having rereading along with you. This issue of Excalibur is much worse when it is divorced from theother two books. I don't quite understand how but it feels like there are missing scenes. We need an explanation of the fact that the Krakoans won the contest of champions and that Annihilation is breaking the terms of the contest by continuing to fight. If the Krakoans are not declared the winners how does Storm know she can attack Annihilation without losing the contest? It makes no sense without the clear evidence that the Arrakovians have cheated.

There are also some weird character moments. Why is Isca the Unbeaten so bloodthirsty? The character we saw in Marauders doesn't want to kill every Krakoan just for fun. And the Doug and Bei stuff feels really forced. I was astounded when Duggan and Noto made them seem like a true couple in Cable but that really doesn't come off here. In a way it feels more like a misjudged comedy bit.

There was also lots of stuff I loved. I liked the revelation that Saturnyne's entire plan was to recreate the Captain Britain Corps. It makes sense that having a representative in every plane of reality would be a position of power that she would seek. The idea that she needed a "pure heart shattered in time of greatest need" as part of her spell also explains why she couldn't perform the spell until there was a crisis. Of course my usual refrain is I prefer to have that kind of information drip fed to me over months rather than revealed in the penultimate episode of a massive crossover but I think we've established that I've lost that battle.

I loved the use of Jubilee in this issue. Of course she would team up with any group who were focused on protecting her son and would get them to help the Krakoans wherever possible. I don't know why, but I love it when previous sidekicks develop into great leaders (see also Kitty). Maybe with no Betsy we could see Jubilee step up to be leader of Excalibur.

I also liked the Annihilation and Apocalypse elements of the story. Annihilation is terrifying. Mahmud Asrar produced truly menacing pages when she was declaring her intention to conquer everywhere. Tini Howard really brought her A game to that dialogue- it was poetic and evil- just perfect. They also really sold me on Apocalypse's feelings for Genesis. He behaved like someone who has found then lost their true love.

On the whole I still wind up generally positive on this issue but looking at it in isolation really does damage it compared to reading it swiftly desperate to click on the next part.

Anyway until Excalibur crosses over with the Punisher and Saturnyne casts a love spell with a different kind of Jigsaw, Make Mine X-Lapsed!

One thought on “X-Lapsed, Episode 131 – Excalibur #15 (2021)”

Damien Drouet-Whiter

February 26, 2021 at 9:57 am

You have mentioned before that the last 3 parts of X of Tens were released on the same day and it's notable that my reaction to them on that day was very different to the one I'm having rereading along with you. This issue of Excalibur is much worse when it is divorced from theother two books. I don't quite understand how but it feels like there are missing scenes. We need an explanation of the fact that the Krakoans won the contest of champions and that Annihilation is breaking the terms of the contest by continuing to fight. If the Krakoans are not declared the winners how does Storm know she can attack Annihilation without losing the contest? It makes no sense without the clear evidence that the Arrakovians have cheated.

There are also some weird character moments. Why is Isca the Unbeaten so bloodthirsty? The character we saw in Marauders doesn't want to kill every Krakoan just for fun. And the Doug and Bei stuff feels really forced. I was astounded when Duggan and Noto made them seem like a true couple in Cable but that really doesn't come off here. In a way it feels more like a misjudged comedy bit.

There was also lots of stuff I loved. I liked the revelation that Saturnyne's entire plan was to recreate the Captain Britain Corps. It makes sense that having a representative in every plane of reality would be a position of power that she would seek. The idea that she needed a "pure heart shattered in time of greatest need" as part of her spell also explains why she couldn't perform the spell until there was a crisis. Of course my usual refrain is I prefer to have that kind of information drip fed to me over months rather than revealed in the penultimate episode of a massive crossover but I think we've established that I've lost that battle.

I loved the use of Jubilee in this issue. Of course she would team up with any group who were focused on protecting her son and would get them to help the Krakoans wherever possible. I don't know why, but I love it when previous sidekicks develop into great leaders (see also Kitty). Maybe with no Betsy we could see Jubilee step up to be leader of Excalibur.

I also liked the Annihilation and Apocalypse elements of the story. Annihilation is terrifying. Mahmud Asrar produced truly menacing pages when she was declaring her intention to conquer everywhere. Tini Howard really brought her A game to that dialogue- it was poetic and evil- just perfect. They also really sold me on Apocalypse's feelings for Genesis. He behaved like someone who has found then lost their true love.

On the whole I still wind up generally positive on this issue but looking at it in isolation really does damage it compared to reading it swiftly desperate to click on the next part.

Anyway until Excalibur crosses over with the Punisher and Saturnyne casts a love spell with a different kind of Jigsaw, Make Mine X-Lapsed!

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One thought on “X-Lapsed, Episode 131 – Excalibur #15 (2021)”

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