Originally Posted by
AppleJ
Sadly I am going to have to echo these sentiments.
This series continues to frustrate me. Honestly, the plotting and the dialogue and the pacing just don't do a thing for me. I find myself hating Apocalypse, baffled that these characters keep doing his bidding with weak protests at most, the magic references make me shrug with complete indifference and I seriously can't be made to care what his goals are. This does nothing to interest me in X of Swords. I can't understand the praise that's being heaped on it.
As for Romy - Rogue is unnecessarily prickly and bossy toward Gambit, after being so warm and flirty last issue. We get more bad jokes from her about Gambit's cats to the point it's now so obnoxious that I'm starting to hate the cats. Yes, couples squabble, but this lands more as if they don't even like each other. Just UGH. Gambit displays more of his "master thief" skills by now toting the stolen gem in plain sight. WHY?!!? It was bad enough he easily plucked it from an open cabinet. Now he doesn't even bother to hide it?! Then he lies to Rogue about its identity for no clear purpose. Why is he suddenly mistrustful of her about Candra of all people?! Tini wants us to be impressed and know she read MMX by even referencing their last meet up with her. Actually Candra's spirit was maybe the best part of this issue? Her crack about the obvious joke around tying Rogue up was at least funny. Gambit can't stop calling everyone mon amie.
He is given the choice of helping Candra versus helping Apocalypse, neither one a win for him. Why he would make a move for Apocalypse I cannot fathom as the threat of the gate closure is rather minor, but somehow we're to believe chucking the stone to Apocalypse was the lesser of two evils. Meanwhile Betsy is especially useless this issue. She's very like, "oh you have the Candra stone? Well give it to A!" And Ric is all "yes sure, let's murder some Eternals to further this plot". Wth ... seriously?!
Why. Are. You. Helping. Him?! 12 issues of this now. It's miserable. I don't want to read an Apocalypse book with a side of droopy Blue team. Nobody is clever or skilled. Well Ric is skilled, but not clever. Everyone is wasted in this book.