This week in the Fall of the House of X, the Sabretooth War still hasn’t reached its end, while the one against Orchis draws nearer to theirs.

PRELUDE TO THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X

Just two issues this week: Wolverine #49 and X-Men: Forever #3.

RECAP OF THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X

Shortly after the fall, Sabretooth wakes up within the Killing Seed, where a vision of Doug Ramsey forces him to relieve memories of his most violent moments. This attempt at therapy and making him feel guilty over his actions fails, and Sabretooth escapes. Elsewhere, Wolverine convinces Oya and the Exiles that his fight against Sabretooth isn’t theirs, and to go away. Meanwhile, Laura catches up with X-Force, who make it to Krakoa in just enough time to watch Sabretooth and Wolverine face off.

Later, Cypher wakes up during the battle against Orchis and, with an assist from Sebastian Shaw, helps sabotage some Sentinels. Destiny looks into the future and announces there’s no way for the mutants to win. Nightcrawler reunites with his parents, Mystique and Destiny, and they clear the air about his true origin. Nightcrawler forgives Destiny, but she informs him that she lacks maternal love for him because of a psi-blockage put in her mind by Xavier. While Destiny and Mystique fight about seeking revenge on Xavier, Nightcrawler allows Exodus to take his Hopesword to find Hope Summers, who has sent an SOS to the battlefield while on her way to kill the Phoenix.They make contact in a portal created by Manifold, but she tells him it’s her destiny to be a martyr for the cause, and he gives her the sword. Legion, hearing her telepathically communicate with Cable for what may be the last time, swaps her sword with a big gun like her father would use. She communes with Jean and sets off to find her target. Elsewhere, Dominion meets Hope’s biological mother nine months before she is born.

ANALYSIS OF THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X

Not really much to discuss in Wolverine #49. The arc is almost finished, and someone will win the fight while someone else will lose. Have a feeling it will be Wolverine…!

Conversely, X-Men: Forever #3 has more going on, but arguably too much. It’s a very crowded issue that’s rushing to fit in a lot of story as the main event hurdles to its conclusion, and it doesn’t spend enough time on any of the concurrent plots for them to emotionally resonate. It’s a shame, because a lot of it is very good, particularly the Destiny/Mystique/Nightcrawler conversation and the stuff with Hope. Lots of people have critiqued this event for feeling rushed and this issue is a good exemplification of that. C’est la vie.

NEXT IN THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X

Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #3 and the finale of X-Men: Forever #4.