X-Men: Excalibur III by Chris Claremont issue #10

Casting Fate was a pretty cool issue because much of the action dwelled a lot on the supporting characters and their troubles, particularly that of Callisto and Karima as they joined forces to see who or what had attacked Dark Beast and the Magistrates last issue while they were exploring underground, and trying to get to some weaponry and arsenal as requested by Charles and Erik. Dark Beast (Sir D-Beastie) is barely hanging in there which got everyone worried because who knows what creatures lurk underground that can overpower him. So Calllisto and Karima decided to check it out, most especially after Wicked got injured when she tried to see below by channelling a spirit.

This is the second issue where Charles and Erik remain separated which is already killing me so I was glad when we got to the end and Charles finally does come around their honeymoon suite house to check up on him. Anyway, back to Callisto and Karima first. Their scenes are the major focal point that this issue was about which was actually pretty cool and exciting to read about. I thought these ladies are impressive as a pair and they are more than competent when it comes to kicking ass. I was afraid for their lives, however, because for a while it looks as if they were being overpowered but both gals managed to pull through  by the eleventh hour and I have never been so relieved! I am enjoying Callisto's overall presence and participation in the story. She's daring, assertive and outspoken, if need be.

On the other hand, I want to read more about Karima's internal struggle regarding her humanity in a slippery slope because her being part-Sentinel may take over any time and there's a danger to that, considering she's working with mutants. I'm quite surprise that the others are able to trust her and it would really, really suck if he suddenly turns on them. I think that might happen for the sake of drama and character development and I'm alright with that.

Meanwhile, Shola is taking charge of facilitating order with the help of the youngsters. Hub is basically functioning as either a mode of transportation or a message courier; the latter role of which is forcibly given by Erik who is now in his Magneto costume. I'm surprised Hub didn't even recognize who he is or perhaps she's too young to know about Magneto. After she got some first aid for Wicked and Sir D-Beastie, Magneto also commanded her to pass a message to Charles the next time she sees him, and she obliged. Charles eventually does return to their neighbourhood, worried about leaving Callisto and Karima by themselves underground but he has no way of contact because his telepathy is blocked by the catacombs down there. So he opted to handle what he can which was to meet his husband in their house. Shola accompanies him, explaining that Erik pretty much surrounded the place with a  force field so none of them can come in. Charles knew that's not a good sign because when Erik shuts out outside contact, something is terribly amiss. Shola offered to try to penetrate through it but Charles simply asked him to leave so he can deal with his marital problems with Erik. Check out this panel:

 After Charles observes the fact that Erik just fixed their housing problems (some general maintenance like electricity, etc.), he can't help but wonder if whatever mess Erik got himself into would be up to Charles once more to help repair. "The man I left, I considered a friend." I do believe there's an upsetting degree of difficulty to stay friends with a man like Erik Lehnsherr so it's astounding how Charles can put up with any of his crap, particularly when you consider the atrocities he had committed in the name of mutant superiority. It's really shocking how either of them--especially Charles--can care about each other when one opposes the other's ideologies and goals. Their relationship seems to thrive on dysfunction, however. The more dire their circumstances, and the more helpless it may seem to form any discernible reconciliation, that's the moment Charles and Erik always manage to be there to offer comfort or support when it matters the most. These moments have happened throughout the comics. Now it's great that they remain this attached to one another, but it's also quite exhausting to stay friends with someone who is so much of an inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. And yet both of them allows this inconvenience--treasure it even--in the rarest of moments whenever it's in their reach because I think they're familiar enough with their history to know that there is no way of knowing when would be the next they'll lose each other again. They're doomed to repeat that cycle of screw-ups and hurt feelings.

Two issues ago, Charles expressed to Callisto that they must all be prepared in case Erik decided to switch sides and be the bad guy again and I thought that was rather depressing to think about your supposedly longest friend, but he does have a point. Erik did do something impulsive without weighing the effects this may have on Charles and their purpose in Genosha. The only difference now is I think Erik harmed their cause to save his daughter which is a noble gesture but it's still selfish and reckless. This was supposed to be their final reunion, a second honeymoon and a chance to make their marriage work. And I don't mean they're married in just the shippy sense; I also meant as partners and leaders of a brand new world--this is the very first time their politics have aligned and nothing should prevent them from becoming the ultimate power couple--except, of course, Erik's insistence to do things his way and his way alone. I think that's mainly their problem. The X-Men: First Class film did a fine job to illustrate the ways Erik tends to fail Charles. He claims to want Charles by his side but it's him who goes about things his way without even considering Charles' opinion about it. And that's not a partnership, let alone a marriage.

This is why I'm so hurt by Erik's decision for this series, even though it was for the sake of his daughter's safety. I think whatever Charles and Erik have--platonic, romantic, whatever--is fundamentally flawed because they cancel each other out. It's not just the mere fact of not wanting the same things (which I think is utter shite; time and time again we see that THEY NOT ONLY WANT THE SAME THINGS--THEY ALSO WANT THEM WITH EACH OTHER), it's the barrier of communication, their inherent stubbornness not to see things in the other person's perspective, and outside factors that are beyond their control, that make their relationship so doomed. *bites lower lip, fighting back tears*

There's always something coming between them

I'm going to be unloading more of my feels in next issue's review.

RECOMMENDED: 8/10