In S.W.O.R.D., a veteran cosmic hero fo Marvel’s Annihilation joins the X-Men’s new space organization to help mutants fit into the Marvel Universe.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for S.W.O.R.D. #1 by Al Ewing, Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia, VC’s Ariana Maher, and Tom Muller, on sale now.
Krakoa has emerged the apparent victors of X of Swords, and mutantkind can, for the first time in a long time, focus on things other than their entire world’s impending doom. Abigail Brand, still reeling from her disillusionment with Alpha Flight, has repurposed an old space station and breathed new life into S.W.O.R.D. Now that the organization is back, not to mention acting as the face of all mutants for the rest of the universe, diplomacy is more important than ever. Of course, diplomatic matters run more than one way, and as such an Annihilation veteran has joined the crew for serious discussions and friendly combat.
During Magneto’s tour of the station as a representative of Krakoa, Brand shows him to the diplomatic suite, aptly named the “Stranger Room.” There, he is reunited with Frenzy, who had previously served under his leadership as an ambassador of Genosha. Before turning her attention to Magneto’s arrival, Frenzy has some business to finish, specifically mopping the floor with another visitor to the station. The combat is purely ceremonial, and Ambassador Paibok of the Kree/Skrull Alliance is more than pleased with the facilities.
Paibok might not be a name that all Marvel fans recognize, but he isn’t new to the universe by a long shot. First appearing in 1991’s Fantastic Four #358 by Tom DeFalco and Paul Ryan, Paibok was born in the Tarnax System, part of the Skrull Empire at the time. He quickly rose through the military ranks, first serving as an espionage agent before becoming a commander. When the Skrull Emperor was searching for a way to bring the Fantastic Four to their knees, it was Paibok who suggested replacing someone close to them with a Skrull agent, settling on Alicia Masters. Paibok was also one of the original members of the Fearsome Foursome alongside Huntara, Devos and Klaw. The group didn’t last long, and a confrontation with his former teammate Devos would land both of them in the Kyln. During Paibok’s incarceration, the Annihilation Wave broke out, destroying the space prison and leading to Paibok being enslaved by Annihilus through the tyrant’s mind-controlling parasites.
Now in a diplomatic position, Paibok is fighting a different kind of battle than what he is used to. The Skrull is impressed with the arena aboard the Peak, and with what the mutants of S.W.O.R.D. are accomplishing with the station. When Frenzy hears his praise, she is quick to ask if Paibok’s recommendations could bring Emperor Hulkling for a visit anytime soon, but Paibok is hesitant that this will happen, citing certain issues that still linger awkwardly between the Skrull/Kree Alliance and the mutants of Krakoa. Magneto asks what those issues might be and Brand informs the elder mutant that his declaration of Scarlet Witch as an enemy of the state has created a rift between the Alliance and Krakoa, considering that Wanda is Emperor Hulkling’s mother-in-law.