The Hellfire Gala is underway, and God knows it needs the security of the X-Force. Benjamin Percy and Joshua Cassara get to focus on the security detail involving Domino, Wolverine, Sage, Kid Omega, and Beast for the biggest party of the year. And everyone is invited. That even includes Iron Man, but when Beast’s messing around comes back to bite him and Krakoa, will this security team be enough? Not if Deadpool has any say in it!
This issue is very good at entrances. There are multiple, and Cassara knocks each one out of the park. Iron Man gets a super slick cool-guy entrance, while Deadpool not so much. They are splashy entrances that suit this big fashion party event. Those entrances help establish the pomp of the event, while much of the book zips around the party as we check in with each character. Overall the art and story give us a sense of the chaos in being the security for a party like this while showing how dedicated and professional its heroes are. Oh, and I didn’t even mention yet another great multi-character page by Cassara to show off all the mutants in attendance.
Then there’s Beast. The dude is immoral, to say the least, and something he did earlier in the series is biting him in the ass. This issue ties into Emma Frost, who is used expertly in this issue. If you’re a fan of hers you’ll dig how in control and aware she is during the Gala. It’s also interesting to see how Xavier is used as he is walking a fine line between doing the right thing and meddling much too much and breaking ethical laws.
It’s big trouble in little Krakoa for Beast.
Credit: Marvel Comics
This issue also has two interesting battles: one of the mind and ego between Kid Omega and Iron Man, and another between Wolverine and Deadpool. It’s fun to see Percy write such a kooky character like Deadpool since so many of the characters in this series are darker in tone and deadly serious. He sticks out well, especially with the professionalism of Domino and Wolverine’s inability to smile. In general, this issue blends fun action and serious situations well.
That goes for the two data pages as well. One features “Beast’s argument” and is quite haunting. If this is how Beast sees himself he’s basically a supervillain. The other involves Deadpool and it’s super silly.
X-Force #20 is an enjoyable issue thanks to its chaotic energy and its mixing of serious and silly. We all knew the Hellfire Gala was going to be a hot mess, but this issue surprises with some unexpected developments. Plus, it’s fun to see this team work a party rather than attend one.
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