Uncanny X-Force

[NorCalCO]

Put all Uncanny X-Force reviews here.


Uncanny X-Force #6
Writer: Rick Remender
Pencils: Esad Ribic
Inks: John Lucas
Colors: Matt Wilson
Cover: Esad Ribic
Letters: VC's Cory Petit

If you've never read Uncanny X-Force, it's about a secret team of mutants who are willing to take lives to accomplish a specific mission. Taking lives is a big no-no for the X-Men and the existence of the team is largely kept secret. The members of X-Force have no such qualms and the roster currently consists of Archangel, Wolverine, Psylocke, Fantomex and Deadpool.

This issue is part 2 of the "Deathlok Nation" story arc, which is the second arc since this book started at #1.

The Good
We get to see Fantomex being a badass. He is teamed-up with Deathlok for much of the issue, We also get to see Psylocke still dealing with her morality in the wake of the events from the first arc involving Apocalypse. I like Ribic's art and the colors are extremely vibrant. The story itself moves forward at a good pace and you can feel it building up. The conclusion will be in the next issue and from the way they left this issue, I'm expecting it to be great.

The Bad
Not being incredibly familiar with Deathlok or "The World," the story was a little difficult for me to get in to. Also, there are some Deathlok super-hero cyborgs from the future (most notably Captain America) and all throughout the book they constantly repeat their plans. It gets a little annoying and Fantomex even remarks on it at one point.

In general, Rick Remender is doing a great job with this title and it remains one of my favorites each month. If you plan to pick this up, I also recommend getting #5 and #5.1, if not Remender's entire run back to #1. I promise you will not be disappointed.

My rating: 6/10

[jakefury]

Uncanny X-Force #7
Deathlok Nation Part 3

Writer: Rick Remender
Penciler: Esad Ribic

This issue is the final chapter in the 3-part Deathlok Nation storyline. For those who haven't been reading, in an alternate future a Deathlok program was instituted and basically what we have is a bunch of heroes modified with Deathlok tech. They've been trying to kill Fantomex and steal the World. The World is a breeding facility that is responsible for the Weapon Plus program that's given us many of Marvel's greatest living weapons. It was miniaturized by Fantomex and in his possession until the cyborg army of Deathloks acquired it. Luckily, the original Deathlok showed up to give Fantomex and X-Force a hand. They've journeyed to the Sahara Desert and decided to enlarge it so they can go inside and kill the mysterious Father. Father is the mysterious, baddie responsible for the Deathlok program we've seen in this arc.

The Good:
This issue has action galore and we get to see X-Force throw down with their Deathlok counterparts. The temptation of Deadpool by Father almost had me believing he'd betray his teammates. The art by Ribic is very good and fits the story very well. The continued developments with Archangel slowly losing it and Deadpool being the subject of undue scorn from his teammates are some intriguing storylines this book has going for it. Also, the big reveal at the end of what Fantomex was hiding in the World is a jaw dropping moment.

The Bad:
Nothing.

Overall:
This series so far has been one of Marvel's very best. IMO this arc was equally as good as the Apocalypse Solution and that's saying something. Remender has done a top notch job and I can't wait for more.

9/10

[NorCalCO]

Great review Jake, as always.

Every single issue of Uncanny X-Force has been pretty great. If you're not reading this book, you're missing out. One of the best things Marvel is doing right now IMO.

[jakefury]

X-Force #8
"Unintended Consequences"
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Billy Tan

Recap:
In this issue, the black ops team of mutants takes on one of the oldest x-Men villains in the book. He's taken control of a top secret nuclear facility and has the weapons aimed at Utopia and NYC. It's up to Psylocke to tackle him on the psychic plane while her teammates try to shut down the nuclear weapons.

The Good:
Billy Tan is the artist for this issue and he does a great job. I'm not sure if it's a one time deal but I'd love to see him become the permanent artist. This issue is basically a one-shot but that doesn't make it a bad or meaningless issue. We get to see the continual development/breakdown of Warren's psyche and how Betsy is attempting to help him deal with it. Speaking of Betsy, she's definitely the star of this issue and we get to see a taste of her physical and mental prowess.

The Bad:
Deadpool gets controlled telepathically. I didn't think that was really possible to be done. Some of the dialogue is a bit strange. There's one bit where Fantomex and Warren are having a discussion and Warren brings up he & Betsy's sex life. It felt a bit awkward and out of character for him. The guest villain went down way easier than he has in the past. I feel like they could have stretched it out for at least a 2 issue arc.

Overall:
Another pretty good issue from Remender in a series of them. It's definitely not a must read but still fun nonetheless.

6/10 Is about as high as I can go. It had some questionable things for me as a long time X-Fan.

[Supreme Marvel]

Cool. I hate OoC stuff in comics.

[jakefury]

Thanks man.

[NorCalCO]

Read this last night as well. Review is spot-on, Jake.

[Purrpura Bastette]

I was waiting for someone to review this. Thanks Fury. I would have given it an extra point though, for obvious reasons. It seems like Bets does all the dirty work.

[jakefury]

She did in this issue.

[Purrpura Bastette]

The .1 issue as well.

[Lance]

I had a problem with Deadpool getting telepathically controlled as well. Fantomex of course was spectacular.

[Erik-El]

I have not read this yet but it does not sound too good. Oh but very nice on Tan doing the art. It is always an enjoyable experience to see his art, story aside. Even Ultimatum had some high points because of his art.

After a few days, I plan to move all this to a Uncanny X-Force review thread now that we have a few different issues already reviewed separately.

[Purrpura Bastette]

It's not that bad....

[jakefury]

It isn't a bad issue by any means. I just think RR forgot to do his homework.

[Admin]

I'll promote this.

[Admin]

The forgetting homework also applies to Venom. In the preview Venom remarks how he's poisoned by Kraven.

....He's immune to that.

[InnerVenom123]

Are there any scans of DP resisting telepathy?

Also, I dunno, maybe Shadow King somehow overrides whover tried to do telepathy on DP before???

[InnerVenom123]

Apr 22, 2011 13:06:11 GMT -5 Admin said:

The forgetting homework also applies to Venom. In the preview Venom remarks how he's poisoned by Kraven.

....He's immune to that.

Could be a magic poison. Also, which preview pic?

[ckal]

Not a bad issue, but nothing great. I too was surprised Remender had Deadpool mind controlled. Has never happened before.

I would rather not have had this extended into a two issue + arc because I just don't care for that villain. Telepathic guys like him I am not a fan of.

[Admin]

Fury, when you have a few, be sure to address your loyal readers

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