Sunday Trade: S.W.O.R.D.

[lurkerwithout]

X-Men: S.W.O.R.D: No Time to Breathe written by Kieron Gillen, pencils by Steven Sanders, Craig Yeung, colors by Matt Wilson, letters by Dave Lanphear

S.W.O.R.D. The Sentient World Observation and Response Department. The top-secret acronym agency of Marvel Earth, tasked with alien defense. Created, along with its commander the half-alien Abigail Brand during Joss Whedon's X-Men run. Originally meant to be the start of an ongoing series but then downgraded to a mini. Because people are stupid and I hate them...

In the wake of the latest Skrull invasion and the takeover of America's various acronym super-secret agencies by Norman "the Green Goblin" Osborn (don't ask) S.W.O.R.D. now has two commanders. Agent Brand and longtime government lackey Henry Gyrich. Who is plotting to take over. For the world's own good of course. In opposition? Well Brand. And her boyfriend, sometime X-Men and Avenger Hank "the Beast" McCoy. And one very melancholy little space dragon...

Kieron Gillen is probably the best thing to happen to the X-franchise since Grant Morrison. And this mini-series just helps reinforce why. I mean if nothing else for his use of Death's Head and the Adam X cameo...