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Legion of X #10
- Writer:
- Si Spurrier
- Artist:
- Netho Diaz
- Letterer:
- VC's Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist:
- Ben Harvey
- Publisher:
- Marvel
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-02-01
- Colorist:
- Javier Tartaglia
Marvel's Legion of X series follows Nightcrawler and his Legionnaires, a team assembled to forge a new kind of justice for Krakoa. With the help of David Haller, aka Legion, they've built an HQ in The Altar, a bubble reality contained in Legion's subconcious, adjacent to the Astral Plane. After Warlock was possessed by Nimrod in the Astral Plane, The Altar was compromised. Using Warlock's connection to Cypher and Krakoa through him, Nimrod has invited an astral Technarchy to infiltrate the minds of Krakoans. Elsewhere, mutants across the globe have been exhibiting monstrous secondary mutations. Legion of X #10, written by Si Spurrier with art by Netho Diaz, inks by Sean Parsons and Álvaro López, colors by Java Tartaglia and Ruth Redmond, letters by Clayton Cowles, and design by Tom Muller and Jay Bowen, is a climactic finale that leads right into Sins of Sinister.
There are a ton of moving pieces in this issue, feeling like the perfect culmination of everything that's happened up to this point. With fifteen major characters across three different locations, this is a momentous issue. Legion, Professor X, and Blindfold are attempting to battle the intrusion of the Technarchy in the Astral Plane. Banshee -- the current Spirit of Variance -- is with Juggernaut, Lost, ForgetMeNot, Warlock, and Cypher as they attempt to defeat Nimrod's violent drones. All the while, Nightcrawler, Doctor Nemesis, Pixie, and Black Knight deal with Szardos and Orchis on the other side of the planet.
Spurrier handles each conflict impressively. The pacing throughout the issue is balanced, with scenes leading up to breaking points and cutting away to action elsewhere at the perfect moments. The omniscient narration utilized in the Astral Plane is beautifully poetic, and while the dialogue across the issue is to the point and reflective of each character in their given circumstances, the fact that Spurrier manages to navigate all of these plot threads simultaneously while giving each the space it needs to have emotional weight is truly an incredible feat. Though this issue does feel like a climax in many ways, it also sets the stage brilliantly for what's to come in Sins of Sinister.
Diaz's artistic accomplishments in Legion of X #10 are staggering. From a rain-soaked battle on the soil of Krakoa to a psychic confrontation in the otherworldly Astral Plane, each confrontation is bursting with energy. Major explosions, quiet moments of contemplation, and dramatic reveals are all expertly laid out. Much of this issue is pure action, and it's always easy to follow along the page. There is a ton happening, but it never feels too cluttered or difficult to discern.
Tartaglia and Redmond's colors are excellent. The saturation levels present on the Astral Plane make the setting a wonder to look at. When Banshee uses his powers as the Spirit of Variance, explosive purple hues command the page. Cowles' lettering work is another impressive feat in this issue. Multiple characters have different types of dialogue boxes, making it easy to determine who is speaking at a glance. The expressive design work takes center stage on a handful of data pages, conveying pivotal narrative information in a way that fits the tone of the book and adds to the overall presentation.
Legion of X #10 is the result of a tremendous effort from everyone involved. It features a giant cast, full-scale battles on multiple fronts, and intricate plot threads weaving together seamlessly. While serving as a finale and as a prelude of what's to come, it balances its emotional and thematic messages well. Parental relationships, and the idea of loss are writ across conflicts larger than life. With Legion of X #10, Spurrier and the rest of the creative team deliver a rich, action-packed issue.