X of Swords Destruction pg 16 (Pepe Larraz art, Hickman and Howard story) - Magik opening portal for alien demons

Heck of a non-hell portal from Magik!

My first piece of original art from Pepe Larraz, first piece of computer original art as well. It’s an odd piece for me that I really don’t know how to feel about it but really wanted to get a piece of Larraz X-Men art in my collection. For my flavor and taste, I rarely enjoy the fully computer drawn art pages, not that they aren’t beautiful it’s just missing the romanticized idea of hand drawn pencil/pen on paper (with the visible mistakes erased), instead of digital pen and Wacom tablet. My work industry primarily involves lots of amazing artists working on computers creating entire new worlds, but for pleasure seeing or getting the very unique one of a kind art pages brings more joy.

This is what an authorized certificate tells me to be a one of a kind authentic print of Larraz’s page art from the X of Swords final chapter - Destruction. To be completely honest, this storyline had a huge build up for something really magical and when I read it, I enjoyed the world the were playing in but the storyline and contests were really poorly executed. I am not a fan of Tini Howard’s work but really love the world Hickman created for the X-Men to now live in.

This page, however with all the reasons to not like it listed above, is absolutely beautiful. It’s a great example of Larraz’s talent. His composition and storytelling in the art alone is eye-catching without all the verbal garbage that X of Swords presented. The page features a portal that Magik opens as a final battle thrust of the sword that turns the tides of the war between the Amenthi Demon Summoners and the X-Men, spilling out hordes of alien demons to wipe out the Summoners. The deadly vortex swirl of her Soul Sword helps to eviscerate the enemy literally at their gates. The detail of the destruction is immense and really made this foul-tasting storyline a visual feast. Overall the sweet art outweighs the sour storyline, the computer art is overtaken by the detailed design of what Larraz’s hands can magically perform. I don’t yet love this piece, the reasons are complex, but very happy to have a representative piece like this in my collection.