The contests keeps going, and Arrako pulls out to a commanding lead in X-Force #14, by writers Benjamin Percy and Gerry Duggan, artist Joshua Cassara, colorist GURU-eFX, and letterer Joe Caramagna. In chapter seventeen of X Of Swords, things aren’t going well for the mutants, and this one illustrates that perfectly but also raises some interesting questions.

Magik faces against Pogg Ur-Pogg again in a fight without swords. He swallows her, but she fights her way out and reveals something about him- his massive body isn’t his real form, and he’s actually a little troll like creature. From there, more contests happen, with Arrako pulling ahead. Saturnyne tries to talk Brian Braddock into becoming Captain Britain again, and he refuses. He races Redroot through the Crooked Market but is set upon by three Furies, old enemies of his Satunyne sicks on him. Redroot wins but destroys something in her race, making her Jim Jaspers’ prisoner. Braddock’s destructive battle also might land him in Jafford’s Debtor Oubliette, but Saturnyne offers him a way out- just ask for help. Krakoa loses more contests before Storm and Death face off. Storm’s powers are still affected like Wolverine’s were from their drinking contest, but even without them, she makes quick work of Death.

Percy and Duggan have pretty much saved X Of Swords in their last few issues, and this one is no exception. They’ve posed an interesting question in the books they’ve written is simply this- what is Saturnyne’s game here? She obviously wants Brian Braddock to be Captain Britain again, but allowing the forces of Arrako to win as much as she seemingly does is bad for her kingdom- they’ve proven they want to destroy everything. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the rest of the story.

It was great to see the Furies again- they’re a rare Alan Moore Marvel creation and one of Captain Britain’s oldest foes. It’s also nice to see Storm prove that even without her powers, she’s more than a match for just about anyone she comes up against. This issue opens up many interesting cans of worms, and it moves the story forward, which was a massive problem in the first half of X Of Swords.

Joshua Cassara’s art is terrific throughout this book. Everything looks gorgeous, and it’s hard to pick a stand out moment because so much of it is outstanding. GURU-eFX’s colors give the whole thing a superior painted quality that really adds to the artwork as well.

X-Force #14 continues to right the ship of X Of Swords. It’s a fast-paced issue but gets across everything it needs to. Percy and Duggan don’t waste a panel- everything builds the story. Cassara’s art, combined with the deft coloring of GURU-eFX, is a treat for the eyes. X Of Swords started off rocky, but chapters like this prove that it can be a great story.

Grade: B+