Excalibur #116

Excalibur #116 was published by Marvel Comics in January 1998 during the final year of the series' original run. The issue serves as part of a transitional period for the title, written by Ben Raab with artwork by Dale Eaglesham, who took over duties as the series neared its conclusion. The storyline finds the team in a state of flux, grappling with internal tensions and the shifting landscape of the mutant corner of the Marvel Universe during the late nineties.

The creative direction for this period of Excalibur leaned into high-concept superhero fantasy while attempting to wrap up long-standing character arcs before the series was canceled in issue #125. Eaglesham’s illustrative style, characterized by a clean and sharp aesthetic, provided a stark contrast to the more experimental visuals of the book's earlier years. At the time of release, the issue was received as a standard piece of the ongoing British mutant saga, viewed by readers primarily as a bridge between the departure of long-term creators and the eventual finale of the mutant team's tenure.