Writer: Benjamin Percy
Art: Chris Allen, GURU- eFX, VC’s Joe Carmagna, Tom Muller, Jay Bowen, Dean White, and Joshua Cassara
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 1st, 2023
The Omni-Mutant, alogn with Xeno’s Endgame is official exposed in this week’s X-Force #38 by Benjamin Percy. It’s all been leading to this – Xeno’s showdown with X-Force, and the terrible truth of their horror-show experiments! Who, or What, is the Omni-Mutant?!
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the X-Force #38 Review.
THE DISPATCH
X-Force #38 opens with some pretty impressive illustrations by Gill and this art team. Bloody, Kaiju clones and genetic mutates of the X-Force team form this impressive Omni-Mutant showcasing the inventive creativity of the art team. Without a doubt, Gill and his crew are a huge highlight of the issue this week. Moreover, the intense action out of the gate was a fantastic way to kick-start this comic. Plus, as someone recently very critical of Percy’s Deadpool, I found this week’s take not too bad. Some Deadpool quips and commentary opened up X-Force #38 in a mildly humorous fashion that fits well with the narrative. Deadpool wasn’t too over the top and provide a nice tone to counteract the Kaiju monstrosities.
Nevertheless, I expected more from the Genengineer. However, now that we know who he is, he felt a bit flat in this week’s X-Force #38. The mysterious appeal as to who Xeno was and why felt as though Percy built the concept up for years only to dissolve it in less than one issue. The last issue of X-Force was played up as a “can’t miss” installment. The reveal was viewed as clever and highly anticipated. So, why is it over already? How can this mastermind be taken down by three mutants and … Max? Readers, it just didn’t jive with the prior 38 issues. My only thought would be that Percy tried to wrap it up quickly because a new writer and creative team were hitting the book in X-Force #39. Nonetheless, that’s not true. So, why was this story built up to be rushed on out so quickly? Fans needed more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
X-Force finally gets a win. However, it felt too easy and too convenient. Additionally, Xeno’s plan was clever, as well as their behind-the-scenes maneuvers. Nonetheless, it still didn’t seem very original considering what we’ve already established at Krakoa since the HOXPOX era began. Heck, everyone’s cloning these days. Yet, the most disappointing aspect of X-Force #38 was the rapid conclusion that ripped away years’ worth of build-up in half an issue.
After finding out last month who Xeno was, we get no more details about his background or his purpose, nor do we see any of his sleeper cells. Why? Well, because the ragtag, thrown-together X-Force team of Domino, Omega Red, and Deadpool manage to take down Xeno… something that they never could do in the past with Wolverine and an Omega Level mutant but magically were capable of now. Readers, I said it before and I’ll say it again, maybe we just need some new blood on this title to spice up the team and the plot.