- X-Force #26 review
Chapter Five of this epic 14 issue crossover delivers some shocks and develops this exciting story. Second Coming spans every X-title and each series is authored by their respective writer. With such a diverse talent pool, maintaining a tightly plotted story should be tough. So far, the X-authors are up to the challenge.
Writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost deliver one of the best X-Men comics I’ve read in a long time. It reads like the blockbuster event the Marvel was hyping this event to be. Only five issues into this event and the X-universe will never be the same. The fight for Hope continues as Cyclops sends teams to bring her back to safety. Mainstream X-characters that were lost in ridiculous stories are reunited with their brethren. Rogue and Nightcrawler battle Bastion as they protect Hope. The clash ends with a jaw dropping moment that leaves the other X-Men speechless.
The artwork is the true hero of this issue. Mike Choi’s pencils and Sonia Oback’s coloring combine for one of the most visually stunning books on the market. This is a beautiful book with pages that are wall-art frame-able. The full-page panel of Wolverine jumping from a truck while his costume is smoldering kicks ass. Every panel is crafted with the highest quality and are just fun to admire. From action to still moments of emotive tension, this is phenomenally sharp and rich.
The X-Men are finally given a majestic and sweeping event worthy of this franchise. If the flowing installments can maintain this tension and speed, Second Coming will go down in the annals of great X-Men tales.
4.5 out of 5
Daken, Wolverine’s mysterious son, takes over his daddy’s comic. Expecting to witness a train wreck, I am very pleasantly surprised. What could have easily been a thoughtless stopgap during Dark Avengers has become a smartly written expose into the seedy mind of Daken.
Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu have joined pens to pit Daken against Bullseye. Using his wits and powers of suggestion, Daken is weaving doubt and deceit among his team members. With a Machiavellian flare, Daken is engaged in a battle of the minds with Bullseye and Norman Osborne. Setting up events like chess pieces, his final play is still unknown but this arc is moving toward what should be an interesting climax. Way and Liu are smart in their take on Daken. Rather than the typical slash and pound, this intellectual posturing is well written and fun.
Giuseppe Camuncoli’s art is brilliant. From Daken feigning concern, Bullseye’s rage, and Osborn’s tantrums, each expression is captured beautifully. His battle between Daken and the Thing is of particular mention, fluid and smartly paneled.
While its nothing earth shattering, this issue is unexpectedly solid. I am very intrigued to see how Daken’s plan works out.
3.5 out of 5
It’s Cable vs. Bishop in a mutant royal rumble! X-Force led by Wolverine, just jumped into the future to help Cable protect Hope, the first mutant child born after M-Day. It may seem like the sides a little lopsided but Bishop has an ace up his sleeve. Long time X-Men fans will be pleasantly surprised at who Bishop enlists to join his crusade.
Bishop’s character certainly is tragic. Once an ally and X-Man, he is now convinced that Hope is responsible for a dark future for mutants. He’s resolute that Hope must die. Cable and the X-Men are convinced that she is the only hope for mutant survival.
Cyclops narrates and gives a succinct summary of all pertinent events. I feel like a sucker. I’ve paid for the last twelve issues of Cable and it was just summarized in six panels.
Mike Choi and Sonia Oback are a powerful team on the art. There’s a dark realism that creates wartime setting. X-Force and Cable are the more violent X-titles; Choi and Oback captures a fierceness in these characters that can sometimes be glossed over by other artists.
The last panel is a fun reveal. This title sets the stage for the war. However, some of the pieces feel like recycled X-stories. There’s a danger that this will be nothing new. I am cautious, but hopeful.
2.5 out of 5
