X-Force #19 – Review

By Craig Kyle & Chris Yost (Writers) and Mike Choi & Sonia Oback (Art)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Things were looking pretty grim for X-23– one of my favorite characters, at the end of last month’s issue of X-Force. Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost wouldn’t actually kill her, would they?!

The Story: X-23 is saved from more torture by an unlikely ally. Meanwhile, Wolverine desperately tries to locate X-23, while Elixir fights for his life. Also, the seeds continue to be planted for the upcoming Necrosia crossover.

What’s Good: X-Force #19 is at its best when the focus is on X-23’s current situation. Thankfully, the bulk of the book is devoted to it. X-23’s scenes are intense, brutal, and executed in a way that takes advantage of the character’s past and unique and slightly odd personality. Now, that’s not to say that the rest of the book is forgettable or anything because on a creative level, X-Force #19 is quite impressive.

Writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost continue to weave a compelling, ambitious plot threads that take advantage of all different areas of “X” continuity. In that sense, X-Force #19 continues the trend of the series reading like no other “X” book on the stands. With Necrosia creeping closer, Kyle and Yost hammer home the sense that pretty much anyone could make a return (possibly even from the grave).

The artwork in X-Force #19 by Mike Choi and Sonia Oback is as expected, extremely slick, clean, and polished. From X-23’s bloody escape, to Wolfsbane’s battle with the Frost Giants, the cinematic visuals hit all the right notes. The characters look great, the action is executed with style, and the storytelling gets the job done.

What’s Not So Good: The problem with X-Force #19 is that you can’t help but get that sense that Craig Kyle and Chris Yost tried to cram too much into one book. The flow of action is often broken by a jump to either another set of characters or some sort of scene that’s laying the foundation for the near future. While I understand the need to jump around because so many threads are being juggled at once, each jump tends to kill whatever momentum is built up.

Visually, my only complaint is that the art team’s females all look pretty similar. While I’ve noticed that in the past, it’s particularly a problem in the latest issue of X-Force because so many females show up throughout the book. Sure they are all attractive and realistic looking, but they look like they all might be related in some way.

Conclusion: A comic like X-Force #19 is tough to grade. It does a lot right, yet for a couple of reasons, it never manages to come together in a satisfying way.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

X-Force #18 – Review

By Craig Kyle & Chris Yost (Writers) and Mike Choi & Sonia Oback (Art)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: The last issue of X-Force gave me the feeling that the creative team behind it was desperately trying to get the series back up to speed after the miserable Messiah War storyline. I look forward to seeing where they take things, now that the series looks to be close to getting back on track.

The Story: X-23 gets taken away by the H.A.M.M.E.R. people. Wolfsbane and her lover deal with the frost giants. The rest of X-Force save lives, human and mutant.

What’s Good: From the awesome opening (nice to see Warpath really making an impact like that) to the brutal ending (not one of my favorite characters!), X-Force #18 delivers all the action, intensity, and violence I’ve come to expect from the series. But, while that’s definitely great and all, the best thing about the latest issue of X-Force is how effective the storytelling is. The threads that got interrupted by the crossover are effortlessly picked back up (and, in ways, wrapped up) while new ones are established in a way that feels natural to the way the series has been playing out since it began. Especially notable is how writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost once again show their appreciation for recent (and not so recent) “X” continuity by throwing a number of things into X-Force that longtime fans should really enjoy. An interesting character thought dead makes a rather chilling return, X-23’s past catches up with her, and Wolverine’s scene with Cyclops really takes advantage of the tense, respectful relationship they share.

The artwork by the team of Mike Choi and Sonia Oback is, as expected, very slick and incredibly polished. While I still wish the art was a bit more gritty, there’s no denying how great X-Force #18 looks. The character work is particularly impressive as nearly every single character displays a realistic level of emotion in almost every panel. Also worth mentioning is how cool the full page images that are sprinkled throughout the book look.

What’s Not So Good: While it lends itself well to some nice artwork, the whole Wolfsbane storyline continues to leave me a bit bored. Frost giants fighting wolves is cool and all, don’t get me wrong, but it really breaks momentum and distracts from the main plot. The Wolfsbane scenes could easily be cut in favor of something a bit more relevant and therefore, they fall into “Not So Good” territory.

Conclusion: X-Force #18 gives readers everything they should be looking for in an issue of the popular X-Men series. Pick it up!

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

X-Force #17 – Review

By Craig Kyle & Cristopher Yost (Writers) and Mike Choi & Sonia Oback (Artists)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: The less said about the Messiah War, the better. I still have *shiver* flashbacks from the trenches. So instead of diving into my nightmares, let’s just move forward…

The Story: X-23 attempts to rescue Boom-Boom from the Leper Queen and, as a result, becomes a H.A.M.M.E.R. prisoner.Meanwhile, Rahne Sinclair and Hrimhari are attacked by Frost Giants. Hellion and Surge are helped by Wolverine and Archangel, but Surge can’t seem to control her powers. As for Domino, she arrives back in the present just in time to see…

What’s Good: Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost write the latest issue of X-Force as though the Messiah War never even took place. A good move that I appreciate quite a bit, especially since it allows the writers to hit the ground running at almost the same speed they were traveling before a brick wall (roughly the size of the Great Wall and with the words “Messiah “War” painted on it) got in the way. The story by Kyle and Yost is frantic, violent, and pretty thrilling, just like an X-Force story should be.

I didn’t realize how much I missed the work of Mike Choi and Sonia Oback until now. The artwork in X-Force #17 is sleek, detailed, attractive, clean, and clear. In other words, it looks much better than the work done for the last few issues of the series. A few scenes, like the Frost Giant attack or the final spread, are great to look at and show the range Choi and Oback are capable of.

What’s Not So Good: The only real problem I have with X-Force #17 is that its storyline never really comes together all that well. It’s a bunch of little segments that continue where the series left off months ago, but it never completely stops feeling disjointed and jerky. It brings a bit of closure to the recent past and sets things up for the future, but there just isn’t a whole lot to really chew on as far as story is concerned. Understandable, but not exactly satisfying.

Conclusion: It’s nice to see X-Force get back into the swing of things. Once it settles down a bit, I’m sure the series will regain its spot as one of the best “X” books

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

X-Force #9 – Review

By Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost (Writers), Mike Choi (Art), and Sonia Oback (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Despite the problems I have with X-Force from a continuity standpoint, I have found the series to be entertaining and visually impressive enough to keep reading. That said, I am feeling a bit let down by the latest arc. Maybe the addition of Domino will change my opinion of things…

The Story: The latest issue of X-Force juggles a number of story threads at once. One of them follows Warpath as he comes face to face with the Demon Bear and gets a little unexpected assistance from someone who knows a thing or two about taking down a demon. Another gives a brief glimpse of Wolfsbane’s current and worsening situation. The main plot however, is told through Domino’s perspective. It offers a glimpse inside the character as Vanisher informs the team about what really happened to the Legacy virus.

What’s Good: Despite jumping around all over the place in order to fit all the necessary characters into the story, X-Force #9 proves to be mostly satisfying both visually and plot-wise. Domino’s narration is a large part of the reason why. She is written in a way that benefits her (in catching people up with the character) and the team (in relation to the events taking place and her past). Great work all around by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost as far as Domino is concerned. My verdict concerning the Warpath and Wolfsbane segments is still up the air at this point, but at least they provide some nice-looking artwork. Speaking of which, props to Mike Choi and Sonia Oback for the bloody, brutal fight scene in the issue as well.

What’s Not So Good: I have two main complaints with this issue. The first is that it attempts to fit far too many things into too few pages. For example, the segments featuring Elixir, S.H.I.E.L.D., and Wolfsbane feel more like distractions than additions to the plot. The second complaint is that the artwork, while extremely nice, just doesn’t feel right for the book. While it doesn’t effect my score in any way, I feel it is worth noting. The artwork by Mike Choi and Sonia Oback just feels too…I dunno…pretty and polished.

Conclusion: While it isn’t breaking any new ground or amounting to more than the sum of its parts, X-Force is a solid, dependable source of entertainment for X-Men fans. This is continues that trend.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

X-Force #5 – Review

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

The previous issue of X-Force was, in my opinion, the strongest yet. Everything about it seemed to suggest that the series was finally moving in a positive direction as the story, characters, writing, and artwork came together really well. Unfortunately, X-Force #5 isn’t quite as strong as I had hoped, but it does take the story in an interesting direction that I believe will pay off well when the arc concludes next issue.

This issue focuses mostly on the division between Matthew Risman and Bastion, the leaders of the Purifiers. Risman comes to recognize the error of his ways in allowing Bastion to seize control of the Purifiers and plans to take action into his own hands by using the winged-warriors (created last issue). Bastion, meanwhile, continues to manipulate the Purifiers through William Stryker in order to bring about the total destruction of the remaining mutant race. For a Purifier-centric issue, the story works well, but it makes the inclusion of X-Force seem like an afterthought. To be honest, the team doesn’t do a whole lot. Wolfsbane is once again in Purifier captivity while the rest of the team chases down an enraged Archangel and that’s about it! The issue lacks any sense of balance between the two storylines and suffers because of it.

By framing most of the issue around Matthew Risman, readers are given a glimpse into the humanity of some of the religious extremists. When Risman is in control of the narrative, things work extremely well. But I must say that Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost disappoint when it comes to everything else. There are a few solid lines of dialogue, but, as a whole, anything outside of the Purifier storyline feels like filler. In short, the storytelling style works well, but the rest of it is average at best.

Visually, X-Force #5 is a pretty good looking book, but a little bit of light would go a long way. I understand the dark, gritty look and it fits the style of this series extremely well, but sometimes it gets a bit out of control. When the action comes across as more confusing and muddy than kinetic and bloody, it might be time to lighten things up. That said, the larger scenes are quite impressive and the character work continues to improve so I can’t come down too hard on Clayton Crain.

Overall I feel that X-Force #5 presents an equal measure of the good and bad aspects of this series. It is a decent, but slightly below-average read. (Grade: C-)

-Kyle Posluszny

X-Force #2 – Review

By Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost (writers), Clayton Crain (art)

X-Force continues to stumble along. It’s greatest offense is that its simple storyline could probably easily fit into three issues. Instead, it’s completely drawn out, filled with an overabundance of expository dialog. Heck, within the first 12 pages of this second issue, there’s already two recaps on what happened in the first issue. Is this really needed? It’s most likely because Marvel hopes to collect all six-parts into a trade paperback later.

Continuing where the first issue left us, Risman is holding Wolfsbane hostage and Wolverine’s ready to stand down. But X-23, being the loose canon she suddenly is, goes against Logan’s orders and unleashes a powerful explosion in the church, killing just about everyone. Yet, somehow, Warpath manages to survive unscathed while Risman escapes with Wolfsbane (even though they were pretty much right in the center of the blast). This event plays out incredible stupid and makes Wolverine look like a fool – especially in front of Cyclops when he has to later explain his team’s failure.

After their debriefing, the team goes back out on a murdering spree, destroying Purifier bases across the land in hopes of finding Wolfsbane and Risman. Meanwhile, Risman and Bastion come to the realization that if they want to really destroy the X-Men, they’ll need some serious help. They venture to the bottom of the sea to find Warlock? Yes, that Warlock from the New Mutants!

Okay, the whole Warlock thing surprised me – it even made me grin a little. It’s a character I’ve been missing for a long time. But honestly, concept aside, I don’t trust Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost. Plus, this idea is pretty hokey. So far, this writing team has done nothing but stumble with this story line and the concept behind it. This book is below average on all fronts – art included. Clayton Crain is good with a Wacom tablet, but his art is so inconsistent that I can’t say it’s good. Sometimes it looks decent (though over-rendered), other times it looks like a step up from refined thumbnails. His action sequences are also very stiff. I’d like to see this book succeed, but I just don’t see it happening without a lot of help or new creative team. (Grade: D)

– J. Montes

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