Despite all odds, X-Force (well, and Wolverine, probably) seems to be the last X-Men book that compels me to read it anymore. If anyone had told me that back I’m 2019, I probably wouldn’t believe them, but here I am, tired of Gillen, Ewing, and Duggan, but never sated by Percy.
Which is interesting, because I’ve not been totally in love with the book for most of its run. I tend to pop in and pop out, looking at how friends are reacting to it and pushing forward based on that. Its politics have left me lukewarm at times, and it definitely has big quality swings, but it’s a book that’s most fun issue by issue, and is one of the few superhero books that have had the space to tell a long-form story, which is a nice itch to scratch. Along with that, it feels like some things that were bubbling under the surface are finally finding meaning in a way that is bringing things together nicely.
The major arc that has dominated the series is Beast’s curve toward becoming the most evil mutant on the planet today, which to be fair, was probably true as soon as he took the role of head of Krakoan CIA, but he has certainly lived up to that description. Past stories involved him doing biochemical warfare, but this time he’s built a secret prison on the moon and doing experiments on those he’s taken prisoner.
What I immediately appreciate about this story is that it’s obviously portrayed as a monstrous depiction, and not just because Beast is as morally compromised as a Marvel comic will allow him to be, but also through characters who are themselves scumbags. This secret horror prison is clearly portrayed as being something that’s inexcusable, regardless of who is actually imprisoned, which is a nice perspective given the general lean toward fascism that superhero comics tend to take.
Another part of Beast’s portrayal that felt like it clicked better for me was his incompetence. Some might question this, but generally throughout the series, Beast has caused all of X-Force’s problems by doing some war crime or otherwise mad scientist shit that then snowballs into ruining everyone’s day. For most of the run, I didn’t really know how this was supposed to read, because I was so focused on the series—fairly bluntly—saying “CIA BAD” as often as possible.
Now, I don’t think the slight difference is much, and it still isn’t really that good, but it is better, and more importantly, funnier. Beast is doing all of this as “a noble sacrifice…for the god of the nation,” and keeps stepping on all of these rakes he left everywhere, and in the process keeps hitting the rest of X-Force with rakes, and then doesn’t understand why no one will talk to him anymore! It lands much better than the flat moralizing of the previous volumes, even if that was my own reading comprehension’s fault.
There’s other stuff in here that’s good too. I really like the integration of Omega Red into the team, and I’m happy Logan took more of a back seat this volume. Sage’s overall arc is getting clearer, and I think her struggle with alcoholism is interesting, if a little simple. I also think more interesting and entertaining things could be done with her, but y’know, c’est la vie, etc etc.
I also feel like noting how much I miss Cassara on this book, though Chris Allen and Robert Gill are holding their own, but no one drew Krakoan science in the gross way that Cassara did, and I refuse to follow him over to the main book to get more of it.
Ultimately, I think this book makes a strong argument for being the one of most clear purpose since the Krakoan era began. It has rewarded sticking with it by being generally enjoyable, all while building more in its horrible tower of bureaucracy. Not all of the reveals land, and I can see how some of its decisions could be improved, but on the whole, I’m happy to keep chuggin’ along.
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