Writer: Tini Howard

Art: Marcus To, Erick Arciniega, VC’s Ariana Maher, Tom Muller, Matthew Wilson, and Mahmud Asrar

Publisher: MARVEL COMICS

Price: $3.99

Release Date: January 27th, 2021

A brand spanking new Captain Britain Corps star-studded with Betsy Braddocks from across the multiverse are now constructed and ready to roll when needed. However, the dilemma seems to be that our EXCALIBUR can’t find their own Betsy Braddock because she appears to be stranded in another dimension herself. Nonetheless, in this alternate dimension, our Betsy Braddock is… the Queen! Let’s dive into EXCALIBUR #17 by Tini Howard and see what in the world is going on with Betsy and how things can be restored to some type of normalcy.

If you’re interested in this comic or any of the others mentioned, simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon.

Truthfully, I practically bagged EXCALIBUR before X OF SWORDS. I read it… but merely to stay up to date with all things X-MEN-related. However, I didn’t find it enjoyable and it was rather confusing especially to new readers of EXCALIBUR. Now, I wasn’t a new reader, however, it was never my jam. Howard had a way of just making the premise and direction of the series more disjointed than it needed to be, especially the Apocalypse related material. That said, these past two issues since X OF SWORDS have been surprisingly entertaining and easy to digest. Furthermore, Howard has made the series so much easier to comprehend and new user friendly. If you’ve ever been interested in reading EXCALIBUR, I recommend picking up from issue 16 and rolling along from there. It’s rather enjoyable.

Now, the most entertaining aspects of this issue were sole with Betsy and her encounter within the alternate universe she found herself in. Come on… A Betsy Braddock/ Kwannon team-up was sheer genius by Howard! Nevertheless, I’m just not digging the current team of Jubilee, Rogue, Gambit, and Rictor. Every time the issue jumped back to that crew, the comic lost momentum. Betsy, Brian, Otherworld, and England are the headliners of this series and need to be the focus. Additionally, the X-crew mentioned above seem to squabble too much and argue about silly things. Honestly, they just seem out of character. With Jonathan Hickman shaking up X-MEN providing a new roster, maybe Howard should consider the very same thing once Betsy gets back on her feet? There’s at least one blue boy I wouldn’t mind joining the squad.

FINAL THOUGHTS

EXCALIBUR is getting better. However, it has some extra baggage that, in my opinion, needs to be left behind. When Howard took the time this issue to focus on the dear Captain, the issue popped! Betsy is the queen… literally! She makes this engine purr. Nonetheless, when Howard continues to showcase the other EXCALIBUR team members, it just seems to come off as disjointed, almost comedic, and uncharacteristic of many of the members. Howard needs to stick with what works and that’s Captain Britain and an entire Corps of HER!!! Part ways with the current roster, refocus, and I think this series could be something special. Readers, there is promise here and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen next for the first time in a long time. Pick this issue up and let me know what you think. Have a great week and God bless!

8.2/10

If you’re interested in EXCALIBUR #17, click HERE to get a copy! If Tini Howard’s EXCALIBUR run is something you’ve really quite enjoyed, click HERE to get related trades and comics. Additionally, if you’ve been really digging Hickman’s X-MEN, click HERE to get your hands on related Dawn of X trades, volumes, and issues. And finally, if you’re looking for something else to read, check out my Amazon Online Comic Shop by clicking HERE. Thank you all for the read and continued support. Stay safe and stay healthy.

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