Writer: Benjamin Percy
Art: Robert Gill, Guru-eFX, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Tom Muller, Joshua Cassara, and Dean White
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price:$3.99
Release Date: November 17th, 2021
X-FORCE may be the covert, espionage mutant group used to protect Krakoa behind the scenes. However, that doesn’t mean they are all business all the time! Readers will uncover in this week’s X-FORCE #25 that Kid Omega’s relationship with Phoebe Cuckoo may or may not have blossomed while WOLVERINE spices up his life with some new interests to help his solitary soul. Let’s dive into X-FORCE #25 by Benjamin Percy to see what fun things are in store for everyone’s favorite, mutant, behind-the-scenes task force.
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THE DISPATCH
Were you expecting a follow-up on a mind-controlled Colossus or with Beast and Black Tom’s infestation? If so, you won’t get anything related to that or the last issue of X-FORCE for that matter. Additionally, after the cliffhanger that dropped with Colossus as INFERNO #2 concluded, I was also expecting him to be a vital cog in the X-FORCE series moving forward. Well, after this issue, it appears as though that angle won’t be revisited for quite some time.
Readers, X-FORCE #25 ultimately focused on Quentin, Phoebe, and a surfing WOLVERINE. Yup… a surfing WOLVERINE. But that is the least of the questions this week’s issue by Percy brings to the surface. Why would anyone want to ride an adamantium-finned surfboard that’s razor-sharp? Furthermore, how is there a new female, mutant, love interest that just pops up to surf with WOLVERINE out of nowhere merely to be cast as the antagonist two pages later? Plus, how does WOLVERINE not suspect anything? I understand the word “force” is in the title but this new character, as well as the relationship and surf, was incredibly forced and seemed extremely out of character for WOLVERINE. Moreover, readers get very little development in a new story while Percy takes pause on what was a stellar prior issue of X-FORCE.
ART
On a more positive note, this artistic team did a fantastic job this week. Robert Gill is wildly known for his crisp, clean technique, fluctuated line weights, old-school method, and balanced process to character design. This week’s X-FORCE #25 is no different. Furthermore, the bright, dynamic transition of colors involving the scenes with Kid Omega and Phoebe to WOLVERINE within the surf, drastically stands out making the issue come to life. Plus, the detail cluttered throughout the issue was incredible. From the shine of the surfboard to WOLVERINE’S claws cutting the waves, Gill and this artistic crew spared no expense.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Every comic is someone’s first comic. To an individual looking to hop on board X-FORCE, this isn’t a very enticing issue as their first. Furthermore, after the prior exciting issues involving Man-Slaughter and even Colossus, X-FORCE #25 slams on the breaks to interrupt a storyline that was firing on all cylinders. Was it change for the sake of change? Beats me. And yes, I know stories take time to develop. However, what did we get this issue? Ultimately, X-FORCE #25 lacks depth, direction, and placed a powerful story on the back burner. Could this narrative build into something more? Sure. However, this week’s X-FORCE tale is missing the hook to keep me interested as this arc unfolds especially looking ahead to see the story continues in December and is missing from the January Solicits. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!