Review: Excalibur 14 (Marvel)

Excalibur # 14
Written by Chris Claremont
Art by Aaron Lopresti
July 2005
Marvel

It took fourteen whole issues and here it is - the reason that people actually like Chris Claremont (people includes myself of course). This is the final issue of Excalibur, an odd situation in which it was not solicited for the last two months, yet the announcement only came last week that it was being axed for House of M. According to the letters page in the book, it will return in November with New Excalibur # 1 (being the fourth incarnation of Excalibur for the x-books) to deal with the House of M after-effects.

This book is called a "House of M" prelude - the Marvel Summer saga which if you have not yet heard about you are living under a rock (and I would like to join you there). For the last few issues of Excalibur, they decided to actually take part in continuity and show us what Magneto was up to with his daughter, the comatose and crazed Scarlet Witch after the events of Avengers Disassembled. This issue wraps all that up and sets the stage for House of M.

Last issue seemed to give a hasty wrap up to the sideline story (well it was a main story, but felt as useless as a sideline) on the other Genoshan characters. Now we get to the meaty part of continuity in which we explore Dr. Strange's arrival to Professor X and Magneto dealing with the fate of Scarlet Witch. The issue opens up in a warped reality of Professor X's mind, offering us answers to questions we didn't know we should have - such as his role in this, Magneto's onset of powers, some great exchange between Gaby Haller and Xavier, and a few more bits and pieces.

As typical Claremont, if you are not steeped in x-history you may lack something. You need to know about Magneto's origin, Professor X's origin, Gabrielle Haller, and more for this to really set in as being quality. Once you have those facts under your belt, the story sets up an intriguing psychodrama and really provides insight into what this House of M is all about. While Marvel is keeping most underwraps, it seems it has to do with Magneto and Scarlet Witch uniting to re-make the world in an ideal form. Here we get to see how and why the two would be intricately linked - and how their powers might play off each other (details and loopholes abound, but with a little suspension of disbelief it seems interesting for now).

Overall not the best X-title for non-diehard fans, and not the best final issue. This issue did give Claremont the chance to write a storyline that is not overly contrived and dialogue that is not painfully "Stan Lee" esque. So with above average art (as the series run has had) and a good story, this issue makes me interesting in these characters again, interested in what the House of M has to offer, and interested (but also wary) of the relaunch of Excalibur.

Overall Grades:
Art = B+
Coloring = B
Overall Writing = A-
Dialogue Writing = B
Overall Rating = B+