Kieron Gillen (PHONOGRAM, THOR) and Steven Sanders (THE FIVE FISTS OF SCIENCE) have delivered three chapters of a much-beloved ASTONISHING X-MEN spin-off, teaming Abigail Brand and Beast for a romantic-comedy-action among the stars; a whiskey-guzzling Lockheed is also a prominent figure within the series' pages. In these few issues we've been given a closer look at the relationship between Brand and Beast; we've seen the effects of Kitty Pryde's departure on Lockheed; we've seen Henry Peter Gyrich imprison any and all aliens on Earth for “security” purposes; we have witnessed a fairly epic confrontation with our heroes and the mercanary Death's Head; and we've met the enigmatic Unit—all (and more) depicted by Gillen's masterful writing and the nothing-short-of-beautiful art of Sanders.

Wrap it all up in covers by John Cassaday and what you've got is one of the most solid packages in all of modern comics; it's a fast-paced and entertaining story that manages to stand alone while bridging the Whedon-Cassaday and Ellis eras of ASTONISHING X-MEN and connecting it all to the Fraction era of UNCANNY, making it a story of great importance (SWORD was in fact home to the first update on Kitty Pryde's condition).

Marvel have announced the cancelation of the series with SWORD #5 in March, marking the end of what may be Marvel's most unique title (while Deadpool of all characters sees publication in NINE books [check out Marvel's March solicits to see for yourself]), but there are fans seeking to keep the series alive. If you've enjoyed this titles as much as I—and many others—have and wish to see it continue please GO HERE to find out how you can join in the campaign to keep something beautiful from dying needlessly.