This week in X-Force: 16 character cards appear on the recap page, another attack takes a life, and Xavier goes out and says X-Force is the mutant CIA. Just another day in Krakoa as we get a bit more fleshing out of how this operation is going to run.
This issue opens with another attack on mutants, though this time it isn’t on Krakoa. It sets in motion further talk from the quiet counsel to stop sitting on their hands and to attack back. This attack leads to two key scenes further showing the intelligence and weapon sides of X-Force. I continue to adore what Benjamin Percy and Joshua Cassara are doing with Jean, Beast, and Sage as they do a little CSI work and investigate the scene of the crime that opened the book. It’s cool to see mutant powers being used to crack the investigation and move things forward.
We also get a great scene with the quiet counsel which is incredibly fun to read thanks to the various personalities. Even Storm shows a little attitude at one point and it’s becoming abundantly clear this is not going to be a casual government that gets along.
A scene-stealer in this issue takes place in the armory. I continue to marvel at how Percy and Cassara are fleshing out the dedicated areas for investigation and battle. Krakoa isn’t just pretty forests, but techo-organic playgrounds with real purpose. Props to Percy for seeding a hint at something involving Logan, and you’ll literally let out an audible yelp of joy when you see how good Cassara and color artist Dean White (and GURU-eFX) render a classic X-Man. It’s also hilarious to see the schedule of said character in a data page.
Speaking of data pages, I must point out Percy’s, which will make you laugh and also add another layer of complexity to Xavier and his plan for Krakoa. We learn this issue Xavier is very rich and his companies have quite the names.
This issue also has the gall to end on some heavy action and a major cliffhanger. Sure, mutants can’t really die anymore, but this is some serious imagery to go out on. Opposite of this is the continued layer of complexity to this world. With character work, explanation, and action to get through, I continue to love how these Dawn of X creators infuse a bit of detail here and there. Take for instance an attack later on in this issue which is manned by human allies. Once again, humans and mutants can coexist, but in the very same issue, a mutant is disgusted they’d compare the X-Force to a human organization such as the C.I.A. It’s a nice way to show nothing is black and white.
This is yet another good issue in a series that has taken me by surprise. It continues to do a good job with its characters, flesh out the various departments of the X-Force and adds in action and CSI style detective work too. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for a title to flesh itself out, because once we’re aware of all its parts it’s going to go hog wild with its action and thriller storytelling.
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