X-Force is a series that has felt unique in the modern Krakoa era. The team is something of a mutant CIA, which comes with fighters and intelligence gatherers. In the latest story arc, the team’s cohesion is wavering, and series writer Benjamin Percy seems hellbent on showing how Kraven the Hunter can break them to pieces. With Deadpool now on the team, one might assume Wade is going to screw it up even worse, but could he actually be the element that saves them all?
It’s too early to answer that question, but it’s safe to say X-Force continues to be a fun action extravaganza. Pair that action with Kraven’s internal monologue, and you have a recipe for a narrative about hunters. As a clone of Kraven, this version seeks to prove himself as the greatest Kraven on Earth. What better place to prove himself than on an island of super-powered characters?
Subtly tying into A.X.E.: Judgment Day, X-Force #32 shows when the mutants are distracted, a hunter like Kraven can come in and do some heavy damage. All the while, Deadpool’s head is all that remains of the character, and it’s positioned on Kraven’s spear like a decoration. Meanwhile, the stripped-down X-Force team consists of Sage, Omega Red, Beast, and Black Tom, with Wolverine currently off getting judged by the Celestial. That allows series artist Robert Gill to show Kraven slice and dice a bunch of familiar mutant bystanders.
Two significant elements take this comic from a good action romp into something with substance. The first is Omega Red being totally weird. A scene involving the unborn bodies in the resurrection area will have your stomach turn. The other involves Deadpool’s transformation into a plant thing, and may have the same effect. It’s a fun idea captured well by Gill and color artists GURU-eFX. The series has always explored body horror and weirdness, both of which are captured well here.
Kraven attacks while the mutants are busy with Celestials.
Credit: Marvel
Data pages are limited in this issue as they are short and add only a little to the narrative. They’re both briefs, one a memo and another a logbook page. They’re sort of there just because, rather than adding a lot. Something else that didn’t quite work is the second to last page, conveying the Shadow Room locations changing on Wolverine. It’s not very clear what is happening — is Kraven tiring Wolverine out, or are we just supposed to understand he has complete control? — and that might be because there aren’t enough pages to get the point across. It’s a cliffhanger that could have been reworked a bit.
If you’ve enjoyed Kraven and Percy’s ability to capture the psychotic hunter’s personality, you’ll love X-Force #32. Not only does it feature Kraven at the height of his powers doing what he loves, but this issue firmly establishes that the X-Force is only as strong as their active members and team unity is at any given time. Basically put, they’re screwed!
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