X-Force #6 – Review

By Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost (Writers), and Clayton Crain (Artist)

I have to admit, this one surprised me quite a bit. I never thought that Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost would manage to get a satisfying conclusion out of the increasingly convoluted “Angels and Demons” arc, but, lo and behold, they have. While there are a few things keeping X-Force #6 from being truly great, it is easily the best issue yet.

In an effective change of pace, the storyline is framed within a status report given by Wolverine to Cyclops. Long story short, all hell breaks loose at the Purifier base as all the various tensions and plotlines explode into an orgy of violence. Wolverine breaks up a standoff between Risman and Bastion, Archangel goes on a rampage against the choir, X-23 and Warpath kill a lot of Purifiers before facing off with someone changed by Magus, and Rahne stands up to her Purifier father. All of it works extremely well to bring the first arc of the re-launched series to a satisfying and appropriately, open-ended conclusion. That said, I have to acknowledge that are a few gaps in the storytelling that I wish Yost and Kyle would have taken the time to explain. While I won’t spoil anything here, the gaps involve the nature of Magus and transformation of Warren Worthington.

I have to hand it to the writers for changing the storytelling style for this issue. The decision pays off in a big way and allows the few plot holes to be fairly understandable given the context. If I have one complaint, however, it is that Wolverine’s narration is a little bit heavy on the “tough guy” image from time to time. Also, he swears quite a bit (which actually works well in giving the narration a conversational tone) and it made me realize the series would be much better off as a MAX title. Clayton Crain’s artwork (which I’ll get to in a moment) is already shockingly (MAX level) graphic, so why the need for censorship for some commonly used swear words? I know that’s a discussion for another day, but I feel it’s worth bringing up.

Crain’s artwork (see, I told you I would get to it) has never been better. The color palette is still a bit too dark and the characters occasionally look oddly proportioned, but those flaws can’t overshadow how visually compelling the action in this issue is. It is brutal, disturbing, and (oddly enough) beautiful all at the same time. Some of the pages have to be seen to be believed.

I really don’t know how much more I can say. I went into X-Force #6 fearing the worst and came away from it more than pleasantly surprised. If the momentum from this issue can be sustained, X-Force is going to be one series worth keeping an eye on. Action fans and “X” fans, consider this one a must buy. (Grade: B+)

– Kyle Posluszny

X-Force #1 – Review

By: Craig Kyle and Chris Yost (Writers), Clayton Crain (Artist)

I thought I was getting a story about a newly formed team of heroes, but the prologue told me that it was formed by Cyclops during the Messiah Complex storyline. From someone who doesn’t read X-Books, I immediately felt alienated. I hate it when publishers make you buy other issues from several different titles in order to understand the story – that’s another reason why I don’t like superhero comics – they’re so unaccessible. They will never bring new readers if they expect them to know all the previous history. And I’m not made of money.

I picked this up because X-23 was on the cover and Kyle & Yost created her. The story tells us how Reverend Risman, leader of the Purifieres, turns himself at a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility only to kill everyone in there with the help of an inside man. He’s after something which is revealed later in the issue. Cyclops sends the team to fight Risman and bloody action ensues. Then, Risman threatens to kill Wolfsbane if the team doesn’t back off. So, take a guess if she survives or not. I don’t see how he can harm her, I mean she’s on the cover of #2!

Is this the same Clayton Crain who drew The Darkness & Universe? I hated the way he drew those books, but this is a great improvement. The techniques he uses here are much different, giving it a more painted feel. Anyway, get this comic only if you’re an X-completist. The rest of us should stay away. (Grade: D+)

-Daniel Yanez

A Second Opinion

Normally lettering in a comic book doesn’t bother me. But Cory Petit’s lettering for sound effects is obtrusive and just plain ugly. Just awful. Clayton Crain’s art is a mixed bag as well. Most of the credit deserves to be given to his coloring and texture techniques, but his storytelling is pretty weak. There’s a few good action shots near the end of the book, but I can’t help but be distracted when he photo traces a lot of his background elements. It’s no where near as jarring as Aerial Olivetti’s crappy artwork (avoid Cable #1 when it comes out – she’s drawing it, if that’s what you want to call it), but I get the same feeling that Crain uses a lot of the same over-rendered techniques.

Craig Kyle and Chris Yost have never impressed me as writers. Their work here is marginal at best. Newly appointed leader of the Purifiers, Matthew Risman, rambles on towards the end of the book. His sermon serves as nothing but a boring history lesson that most readers will probably skip through. X-Force was created by Marvel so our merry mutants could kill people. And kill people they do. But killing two-bit henchmen and C-list characters isn’t my idea of a good time. You want me to take this book seriously? Kill someone more interesting than some dude who amounts to nothing more than a second-rate KKK grand wizard. (Grade: D)

– J. Montes

A Third Opinion

Come on! How could you possibly screw this up? You’ve got the X-Men’s walking murder machine, Wolverine, Wolverine junior (X-23), Warpath (the guy could probably snap someone in half with his bare hands), and a werewolf. Just open the cage, slap the Marvel MAX logo on there, and the book practically writes itself.

What a raging case of blue balls this thing turned out to be. I heard the premise a few weeks ago and started having wonderful flashbacks of Garth Ennis’ Punisher MAX series, but my daydreams were dashed to pieces when I opened this book Wednesday morning. Who thought a mutant assasination squad could be so boring. Sure, maybe it was all build up to a big fight scene for a future issue, but if I say that in next month’s review slap me.

This book is hurt by the artwork. The coloring, penciling, and digital manipulation clashes and it’s more distracting than helpful in telling the story. There were some really nice panels spread out, but not enough consistency for my tastes. Really, the only thing that saved this book for me were the last few pages of all out animal violence.

I don’t mean the creative team too much disrespect, but I think the readers would have reacted better to a really catchy battle in the beginning with about half of the text gone. As a simple man once said, “When you gotta shoot, shoot; don’t talk.” Much like Ultimates 3 I would have been wiling to overlook the shaky aspects, but the artwork has to carry the lion’s share and it really doesn’t. I’m sorry to say this but… (Grade: D+)

-Chris Williamson