X-force has had many incarnations over the years, from the original New Mutants team turned militant by Cable (and Rob Liefeld) to the reality T.V. show team that became the X-Statix. The most recent incarnation is very similar in style to the black ops X-men Cyclops put together during the Messiah Complex crossover. Cyclops' X-force was an incredibly effective team with it's assorted skill sets and experience from Elixer to Wolverine but when Wolverine and Angel continue the group hidden from Cyclops and all the other X-men, they bring on board a much deadlier and experienced team. With the starting line-up for the team consisting of Wolverine, Angel (mostly as Archangel), Psylocke, Deadpool, and Fantomex. I expect there to be a lot more straight to the point action and bad-assery and the Kyle and Yost series was pretty Badass.
Issue one of the new X-force titled "Uncanny X-force" is a great starter for this series. Rick Remender, who I love from his Fear Agent work, throws you right into the action with Deadpool as he cinematically sneaks into a strangely Egyptian/Tron entombed city. The scene between Psylocke and Angel as they discuss his Archangel side and whether or not he will be able to control it gives a great look into the dynamic of the couple. Remender does an outstanding job giving these characters a clear voice, with Fantomex and Deadpool both on the team I feared that there would be too much sarcasm and aloofness, but the banter and pacing is perfect. From the battle to rescue a now captured Deadpool to the reveal at the end, Apocalypse resurrected as a young boy, I say kudos to you Mr. Remender, I am anxiously awaiting next issue.
Jerome Opena's art is terrific. There are some great panel layouts that belong in a movie. you really feel the action and brutality of this team. While it does not have the same darkness as the Kyle/Yost X-force series wt art by Michael Choi and Clayton Crain , which had lots of black and grey with color coming mostly in slews of blood, it still maintains a darker muted feel. This time around we have more traditional comic coloring styles but still maintaining the dark tone. The surreal landscape as Deadpool approaches Apocalypse's ship are great (I believe that is Ship from the original X-factor, unless there are more Celestial ships laying around than I thought.) The end shot of a young boy Apocalypse with kids toys all around him as he looks upon his tutor with that grey skin and red eyes is evilly innocent and creepy. Evil children are scary.
- Geoffrey K Boyd
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