In Marvel's X of Swords, ten X-Men will wield a sword to take on the swordbearers of Arakko in a tournament to the death. For Doug Ramsey, his sword is actually Warlock, his Technarch best friend he met during the first volume of New Mutants.
New Mutants writer Ed Brisson explained his decision to make Doug's sword Warlock in a Newsarama interview. First, he said, "I don't think Magik's sword will be a surprise to anyone. She's going to battle with the Soul Sword."
Dipping into the complexities of Doug and Warlock's situation, he said, "However, things are slightly more complicated with Cypher and Warlock. It's seemed as though Warlock and Cypher are permanently merged on the island, even though we've seen glimpses that maybe this isn't the case. Warlock is alive and well, but has chosen to remain hidden for some reason."
He continued, "This is the first time in 'Dawn of X' that we really show he's here and now has to come out in the open in order to battle with Doug in this giant war against Arakko. Doug's not the greatest warrior, so there's a lot of anxiety on his part, but Warlock is the greatest friend and isn't going to let Doug go into this alone."
Brisson elaborated, referring to the Douglock plot in the original Excalibur series, "They've merged before and this is an extension of that: Warlock will be Doug's sword and he will be the best self-friend sword that there is."
Doug's X of Swords journey begins in New Mutants #13 by Ed Brisson and Rod Reis. The issue is now on sale from Marvel Comics.