Marvel’s X-Men lineup would not have been completed without the X-Force title. The book boasts some powerful character dynamics and impressive visuals thanks to author Steve Fox and artist teams Marcus Toe and Eric Arciniega, but this X-force era is uneven and this collection doesn’t change that impression completely.
Collecting 2024 X-Force Run Issues #6–10, the book concludes Forge’s newly assembled strike team in tackling both internal and external threats. The series balances two major threads, with Forge, Captain Britain, Askani (Rachel Summers) and Tank facing magical technical villain La Diabla, and another storyline where Sage helps the desperate professor Xavier. The latter thread is tied to the entire line of X-Manhunt crossover, featuring the shocking release of the last remaining Krakoan Resurrection Egg. The book’s Forge side offers several emotional beats, including action-heavy sequences and a complicated reunion of his complex Mystique and Storm, but the Sage/Xavier plot slows down the pace and explores Xavier’s opposing motivations. The book tries to combine continuous subplots with crossover requests, but not all land.
Amazing
Marcus to and Erick Arciniega do an amazing job on the whole volume. Action sequences for La Diabla are often blocked and effectively capture actions. I enjoyed how Betsy and Rachel’s powers were displayed, and quieter moments (like the Sage and Xavier scenes) have a more subdued palette. The beautiful linework of To and Arciniega colors remain highlights even when the pacing of the story is dragged. The lettering is clear and helps the action flow smoothly.
Like some of the others in Ashes, there is clear ambition that some of the writers are trying to cover in their respective plots, but it is confusing by the crossover, as they feel wandering around in the end. It has good character moments, but split focus and uneven pacing wants me. If you are following this run, it is worth seeing how these threads develop towards the finale, but it may not translate the skeptics of this current era.
‘X-Force by Geoffrey Thorne Vol. 2: Solution ‘Review
Geoffrey Thorne Vol. 2: Solution
Like some of the others in Ashes, there is clear ambition that some of the writers are trying to cover in their respective plots, but it is confusing by the crossover, as they feel wandering around in the end. It has good character moments, but split focus and uneven pacing wants me. If you are following this run, it is worth seeing how these threads develop towards the finale, but it may not translate the skeptics of this current era.
Strong character moments and team dynamics, outstanding scenes from Forge, Betsy and Rachel.
Eric Arciniega makes both action and quiet moments pop with stylish art from Marcus.
Split focus and crossover tie-in lead to uneven pacing and scattered stories.
