Uncanny X-Force

Uncanny X-Force 25-35

I tried, but I was completely unengaged for the final, interminable arc of Uncanny X-Force.  It revolves around the latest iteration of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants’ attempt to turn Kid Apocalypse to the dark side of the Force.  Lots of fighting and empty angst provide eleven issues’ worth of filler material. Let’s take a closer look.

Jerome Opena does most of the covers, and continues to be the best part of this title.

The Fantomex/Psylocke relationship has zero chemistry.  (Neither did the Archangel/Psylocke pairing, but that was in another arc; And besides, Warren is dead.)  Fantomex seems to be in it for the sex and Betsy is on the “desperate to feel anything because she is magically (literally) incapable of feeling sorrow” track.  Yet Remender persists in wasting pages on this directionless couple. Either write a better relationship for Psylocke or focus on the sweet ninja action that she does best.  

So after writing that last paragraph, I decided to go through each issue to see what what Remender was trying to accomplish each month.  I came up with this:

• 25
• Betsy quits.
• Fantomex quits.
• Brotherhood captures Deadpool, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler.
• Omega Clan shows up.  
• 26
• Brotherhood captures Psylocke.
• Deadpool, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler escape.
• 27
• Brotherhood captures Kid Apoc
• Fantomex rescues Psylocke
• Brotherhood kills Fantomex
• EVA takes humanoid form.    
• 28
• X-Force teleports to a dystopian future to avoid death.
• Psylocke tries to kill herself to prevent that future from happening.
• 29
• Future X-Force keeps Psylocke alive, sends the team back to the present.  
• 30
• Brotherhood does mean things to Kid Apoc to make him a killer.
• 31
• Brotherhood does mean things to Kid Apoc to make him a killer.
• 32
• Brotherhood captures Deadpool trying to rescue Kid Apoc.
• Brotherhood does mean things to Kid Apoc to make him a killer.
• Nightcrawler betrays X-Force so that he can kill AoA Blob.  (Not sure how the two are related.)
• Brotherhood captures Wolverine.
• 33
• Nightcrawler kills AoA Blob
• Brotherhood does mean things to Kid Apoc to make him a killer.
• 34
• Brotherhood does mean things to Kid Apoc to make him a killer.
• Wolverine kills Daken
• Deadpool kills Skinless Man
• Nightcrawler escapes with Mystique.
• Kid Apoc doesn’t become a killer.
• 35
• Fantomex is resurrected into 3 bodies, one for each brain.  

To sum up, there are a bunch of captures and escapes, a pointless two-issue detour to the future, five issues of Kid Apocalypse temptation (which fails), and a lot of fighting.  Deadpool gets way too much of a soul (this attempt at character growth is a complete fail) and Daken whines about his daddy issues for far too long.

As much as I love Phil Noto’s art in other places, it’s too jarring of a contrast to the style set by Opena, et al.  It doesn’t work here.

Too cartoony for what's needed.

I got nothing out of any of this.  No emotional satisfaction from the characters, the action, the plot anything.  I’m cutting everything after the Dark Angel Saga, and I’m not going to miss it for a second.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Stupid (Cutting)

Uncanny X-Force

Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force 1-3

A placeholder story that isn’t fun enough to merit its existence.  (A fanatic plans to kill a bunch of people with a huge bomb. X-Force has to stop him, blah blah blah.)  Simone Bianchi’s art isn’t bad, but not good enough to keep around.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Didn’t suck (Cutting)

Uncanny X-Force 10-19

The Dark Angel Saga is officially eight issues long, but the issues around it read as unofficial bookends.  It’s a long arc. Warren Worthington III finally goes full evil as his Archangel persona completely takes over, almost twenty-five years after Apocalypse implanted those metal wings and turned his skin blue.  X-Force, desperate for answers, enlists the AoA Beast in his capacity as Apocalypse expert. He takes them to the AoA universe (apparently he has a portal for it) to track down the goober that’ll save Warren. (I just watched Into the Spider-Verse again last night.  Going to see if “goober” becomes a permanent replacement for “McGuffin.”)   The team meets up with the remaining AoA X-Men and Wolverine gets thrown out of sorts after meeting the alternate Jean Grey.  Fight fight fight, and X-Force returns to their reality with the goober. Upon their return, they’re ambushed by Dark Beast, Warren, and the Horsemen from earlier in the run.  Also, Jerome Opena returns for five more issues!

Nice showdown setup.

Love Psylocke kicking ass.

The screaming bullet's a cool touch.

More fight fight fight as Archangel enacts his plan to reboot evolution on Earth (or something).  The AoA X-Men show up to help, Fantomex unleashes Kid Apocalypse to help, and Psylocke end up killing Warren with the goober.  A lot of stuff doesn’t make sense - How did AoA Blob and Iceman make it to the 616 universe? How did Warren get resurrected at the end with no memories?  (Probably something to do with the goober.)

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Uncanny X-Force 20-24

From there, Remender pulls the team into the Otherworld arc, where Captain Britain and his crew put Fantomex on trial for killing the former Kid Apocalypse.  (Apparently he gets no points for cloning a brand new replacement to atone for the murder. The motivations for that are also confusing - Fantomex raises this kid to prove that nurture can create a hero out of him, but he expressly killed Apocalypse in the first issues because he believed the nature to be too strong to make that child redeemable.  Don’t get it.)

Anyway, lots more fighting in Otherworld, which as far as I can tell is Marvel’s version of DC’s Gemworld, a fantasy-type place that’s got bright colors and an aesthetic that leaves me cold.  It’s around here that I’m starting to lose patience with the title. All the fighting would be fine if the reasons behind it weren’t so lackluster. Though thinking more about it, it’s a general bad reaction to Remender’s writing.  It’s never resonated with me in any positive way. It leaves me feeling muddled and blech inside, like I’ve been slogging through emotional mud. The only thing that got me this far is the Opena art. On this story, new artist Greg Tocchini isn’t bad, but he’s not enough to tip the scales.  Depending on how the rest of the series goes, the Otherworld saga may not make the cut.

For all my bitching, I do like how the story ends.  Psylocke realizes that Jamie Braddock, her brother, must die in order to save the Omniverse.  When Captain Britain can’t bring himself to do it, Psylocke mind controls him into performing the assassination.  Their final exchange pokes a neat hole into Brian’s hollow journey on the high road.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Disliked

Uncanny X-Force

Uncanny X-Force 5.1, 19.1

I don’t understand why Marvel needed to publish these as X.1 issues instead of as annuals or part of the regular run.  They’re still written by Rick Remender, albeit with different artists. 5.1 pits X-Force against the Reavers, the Brooklyn Brawlers of the X-Universe.

Had his moments, but usually got his ass kicked.

19.1 follows the AoA X-Men back to their universe after the events of the Dark Angel Saga (which I’ll review below).  Suffice it to say that diminishing returns from this alternate reality, as well as the constant winnowing of the most interesting revamps, make this a ho-hum entry.    

I’m not going to miss either of these issues, easy cuts.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Boring

Uncanny X-Force 5-9

I’m totally disappointed that Jerome Opena doesn’t pencil any of these issues.  Esad Ribic and Billy Tan get the assignment. But the transition’s completely smoothed over by Dean White’s colors.  I didn’t realize it during Opena’s run, but it’s the palette that defines this title. It unifies the tone of this team far more than the pencils, something that I rarely give the colors credit for.  

I mean, this is how I normally think of Billy Tan:

Replacement level artist.

But a pass by White performs miracles on the finished product, allowing it to share the same stage as Opena:

Look at that Psylocke!  So good!

Opena for reference.

Unfortunately, he can’t completely save Tan from himself.  His Magneto is off in so many ways, from the youthful face to the helmet construction to the way it fits on his head.

Looks so wrong.

This issue (number nine) does not go the way I imagined.  Magneto asks X-Force to kill a now-elderly Nazi hiding out in South America (of course).  And that’s exactly what happens - Wolverine calmly collects his sword, flies out to Rio, and beheads the guy.  No debate, no convincing needed. It’s shocking in its straightforwardness, which makes it surprisingly powerful.  The best of this bunch.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Uncanny X-Force, Naomi, Pearl

New comics!

Naomi 3

I’m getting pretty sick of Naomi’s constant questioning.  I get that she’s super confused and desperately needs answers, but I also want her to shut up and listen.  How else is she going to hear the replies? With no previous knowledge of the total, I’m going to count the number of questions and non-questions Naomi says in this issue.

Declarations: 13

Exclamations: 24

Interrogatives: 41

Yeah, she does a lot of shouting and asking.  I’d be so disinclined to give anyone who acted that way any kind of answers.  But her parents, despite their frustration and fear, start to explain things at the end of the issue.  I really hope it goes somewhere, because I can’t take another issue of this pestering teenager, no matter how justified her inquiries.  

Also, seriously Bendis?  Another Gemworld tie in? What’s with your fascination for that place?

Pearl 7

Lots and lots of Bendis-speak, the good kind.  He introduces an FBI agent, who’s sure to add more chaos to the mix.  Standard Bendis fun.

Uncanny X-Force 1-4

Wolverine and Archangel are the only holdovers from the previous Kyle/Yost X-Force team as Rick Remender takes over as writer for the next incarnation.  The replacements are just as willing to get, as Deadpool puts it, stabby stabby - Fantomex, Psylocke, and the aforementioned Deadpool. The first story arc is notable for the Jerome Opena art.  This was my first exposure to his work, and I absolutely love it.

Nice dramatic low angle.

Love the designs, especially the Civil War-era Famine.

If Remender was going for shock, he succeeded.

Opena loves that ground-level shot.

The story isn’t bad, either.  The team has the opportunity to kill the resurrected Apocalypse, but when they realize he’s still a child, their ability to get the job done at any cost meets one of the most expensive ethical prices.  (Fantomex is the only one willing to pay it.)

Here it is again.  (Hasn't gotten old yet)

A strong start, but I wouldn’t have been so excited the first time around if I’d known that Opena wouldn’t return for another ten issues.

      

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Pretty good

X-Force: Sex and Violence

X-Force: Sex and Violence 1-3

This is the best Kyle/Yost X-Force by far.  It discards all the the gloominess, all the cruft (Wolfsbane, I’m looking at you), and just has a darn good time.  The writers focus on Wolverine, Domino, and the two elements in the title. Things that I liked:

The cover to the first issue.  Domino’s unyielding pose. The unique framing of the scene.

I was surprised that I could be surprised by a gunshot interrupting a conversation in comics.  It obviously works well in the movies, but I would have thought that the possibility of spoiling the panel, especially without a page turn, would have precluded its success on the page.  But it genuinely worked on me.

Dell’Otto infuses so much energy and motion into his art without sacrificing readability.  (Something that Clayton Crain isn’t the best at over on the main X-Force title.)  

I realize as I’m commenting on moments for this post that they really are all depicting either sex or violence.  It’s as it should be - Kyle and Yost are unapologetic about it, and that’s what makes this miniseries succeed. (Though sure, top notch execution has a lot to do with it too.)

Note how Dell’Otto ties the two themes together with the red blood for the violence and red environments for the sex.  

The build up to the action for the final fight is exquisite.  By the last page in this sequence, I can’t turn the page fast enough to see all the ensuing mayhem.  

You just know shit's about to go down.

A cliched, juvenile ending, but the perfect way to finish off this insanely fun action flick.  This deserves to come out of the box and take a place on the shelf.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Good

X-Necrosha

X-Necrosha 1

X-Necrosha: The Gathering 1

X-Force 21-25

X-Men: Legacy 231-234

New Mutants 6-8

New X-Men 32

Woof, this is a hefty volume.  Selene’s plot to reach god-level power bleeds over from X-Force to X-Men and New Mutants.  Frankly, it would have been much stronger without the crossover - None of the other titles add anything to the main story - The New Mutants deal with the resurrection of Doug Ramsey and the X-Men fly off to Muir Island to fight Proteus.  The trade is rounded out with some vignettes detailing how Selene gathered her minions. (Boring.)

The main X-Force arc is perfectly fine.  Selene heads to the ruins of Genosha, where her crony Eli Bard resurrects the millions who died there.  She then absorbs all of their energies, thus assuring her ascension to glory. X-Force fights their way through trash mobs and mini-bosses before taking her down, your typical video game level.  

Clayton Crain continues to drown his painted panels in blacks, greys, and blues.  The dark palette, combined with some muddled storytelling, often makes it hard to tell what’s going on.  But as with his previous issues, he’s capable to generating some spectacular images.

It helps to mix in some hot colors.

Why in the world is this Wolfsbane arc still going on?  It has been a complete waste of space for over twenty issues now.  

While the New Mutants section drags out far too long, I do like how writer Zeb Wells handles Cypher’s internal narration.

The mix of words and binary is neat.  As is his dispassionate use of sarcasm.

Cypher’s ability to understand all languages also means that he can read body language and actions, which translates to a huge power upgrade.  It’s a slick interpretation of his powers by Zeb Wells.

Clay Mann draws the X-Men issues.  It’s impressive how much better he’s gotten since then.

Amazing growth from this...

...to this.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes for X-Force and X-Necrosha.  No for the rest.

Rating: Fine for X-Force and X-Necrosha.  A mix of Stupid and Didn’t suck for the rest.

Kyle/Yost X-Force

X-Force 12, 13 17-19

I’ve generally been okay with Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost’s splatterfest on X-Force, but they go a little too far here.  Up until now, for all the copious amounts of blood that’s been spilled, every death’s been instantaneous - One shot, one kill.  The (relative) lack of pain makes it palatable. This is also how I prefer my movie violence.

This is fine.  So's this:

But in issue 18, the writers go for torture and suffering, and that ratchets up the ick factor by orders of magnitude in my book.  

I still remember my first time watching a scene like this.  It was Murphy’s death in Robocop.  The thought of it disturbs me to this day, I still refuse to see it again.  This sequence gives me similar feelings. The only thing that makes it better is the fact that X-23 ends up destroying the lab and doesn’t need her consciousness transferred into a cybernetic body to get her revenge.     

I also have objections to the writers’ treatment of Boomer in issue 13.  She’s a voiceless hostage the entire time, with no agency whatsoever. She’s treated like a sexualized object, and there’s an obscenity to her murder, regardless of the time travel save a couple of issues later.  

What is she wearing??

That death pose feels really exploitative

So yeah, I have some problems.  On the plus side, some of the other art by Clayton Crain really impresses.

Great use of color here.  It really pops.

There's something classical and dramatic about this that I like.

Heh, Vanisher speaks truth here.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Fine