In a perfect world, X-Force wouldn’t be necessary. But as the past three issue have told us, that is not the case. In X-Force #4, Ben Percy and Joshua Cassara finally hit their stride in giving us Mutant CIA and the brains and the brawn of Mutant Intelligence. This All-New, All-Different, All-State-Sanctioned X-Force doesn’t come without its own set of questions regarding nationalism, death, and how cool Forge is. That’s why we’re here!
Kenneth Laster: Ari, is another week and another X-Force. This issue definitely felt like we were finally “there” in terms of how this book was sold when it was announced and I personally can say that I am without a doubt here for it! Your thoughts?
Ari Bard: It’s almost there for me Kenneth, almost. In terms of story and characters, everything fit together really well during this episode. The banter was on point and the pacing was solid. Unfortunately, some of the more emotional moments, especially early on fell flat for me. They did nail the ending though, so that leaves me with even more hope for next issue. I definitely think Percy’s arrived to the party fashionably late only to discover everyone’s sort of scattered around the room and not talking to one another. I am here for whatever and whomever he brings to the table. Speaking of which, let’s gather around the table for the first Quiet Council meeting!
SHHH IT’S THE QUIET COUNCIL!
KL: So the major framing device of this issue is Xavier making a case for the need of this iteration of X-Force to the rest of the Quiet Council which I thought was pretty good pitch for where the series is gonna go. I can definitely tell Percy was having fun writing the members of the Council and I applaud the X-Line’s commitment to making Sebastian Shaw the punching bag of Krakoa. The element that stood out the most to me in this conversation was Mystique’s critique of the “Mutant CIA” pitch. Xavier is really hesitant to confirm that comparison and Mystique brings up a lot of criticisms of the messiness of human (read American) intelligence agencies. “Blood and Blackmail” and no morals except nationalism is pretty damning read and one I wasn’t expecting in a superhero comic, especially when one of the big names in cape comics right now’s whole deal is “used to be CIA.” Narratively, I think that Xavier trying to push away from that comparison is another interesting piece in the ongoing slippery slope of morality in nation building, which I am excited to see explored more. Thoughts on the Quiet Council meeting?
AB: This is definitely the most well run oligarchy I’ve ever seen. The efficiency and respect with which they make important political decisions is quite admirable, especially because everyone has a different voice. I’d say poor Sebastian Shaw, who gets attacked for using his, but I don’t feel bad for him so it’s okay. Percy’s voice for •┤Ȧ├• is my favorite, and I feel as though his views as superior shine through. I also love Mystique who is just dripping with sarcasm and attitude, while also making some great points about the unsavory qualities associated with something deemed a “mutant CIA.” Is Percy going to use this to make a whole lot of political commentary? I hope so!
KL: With regards to that decision making I loved how much Jean was a force for getting stuff done. Her role very much felt like “y’all are really cute with your quips but these are the stakes lets get it done” which I think is a good role to have on that council (and when writing scenes with so many fun snarky characters). Another fun thing that stood out was the use of Hercules and Athena (which may be because I just started playing Assassins Creed Odyssey). I thought the framing of Intelligence and Brawn through myth was interesting and I think there’s historically a precedent in basing modern governing systems on classical Greek and Roman models. What distracted me the whole time was that the projection of Hercules is the Marvel Comics Hercules which is very funny because you really can’t use myth as a literary device when the myth is a character who literally exists in this universe and is known to be drunk 90% of the time. [Ed. note: I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Herc is trying his best to stay sober right now.] Again, it’s not a major beat, I just love when you have to work around myths just being an accepted reality in comic book universes. Speaking of the Athena and Hercules of Krakoa…
CSI Krakoa & The K Team (What is This a Crossover Episode?)
AB: it’s time to divide up the team! CSI Krakoa and The K Team are great names for the two divisions. I guess that makes Logan, Quentin, and Domino the Hercules and Sage, Jean, and Beast the Athena. I will say though, while those three have knowledge in spades, they can sometimes be found lacking in the wisdom department. After the super not-so-secret spy team is formed, but before all of the cool fighting and action comes everyone’s favorite part: gadgets and analysis! (just me?) I think this is where Percy is having the most fun. The best and most detailed parts of the series so far have been recon, autopsy, or tech-based analysis work. Can we talk about Sage’s supercomputer that is just all five-digit numbers and some Krakoan? I’ve never seen such sophisticated encryption. Once Forge comes in, however, Percy really hits his stride. As he says himself, “My tech always wins.” A Krakoan organic hybrid weapon that charges with water and can act as a sword, cannon, or anything in-between, how cool is that? His one gadget is actually all the gadgets. Best Q ever! What’d you think about all the tech-talk?
KL: Despite my chronological age being in my early twenties, my technological age is probably 74 because that supercomputer checks out to me! I totally dug the two halves getting down to work with the very much CSI vibe of Sage, Hank, and Jean and, like you said earlier Q James Bond gadget scene. I feel like I enjoyed the “how” more than the what in the investigation because I couldn’t keep track of the back and forth of whether the group that killed the Maddrox dupe (RIP) was the same as the attack on the first issue. However, I did enjoy the exploration of how the trio use their abilities to case the scene. The gadget scene was just plain fun. It was short and sweet and ooooh what could Logan have wanted Forge to make before he was called away? I guess we’ll never know because…
Only Fools Rush In (And Get Blowed Up)
KL: Now that the two halves of the intelligence agency currently known as X-Force firmly established, we get to see how they work together in action and oh ho ho does it go so wrong so quickly. After Hank and Sage set up the stakes of one of Xavier’s businesses under attack with human scholars (so they will stay dead if killed), Domino, Logan, and Quire rush in and ⅔ of that crew end up being…well I don’t know the math but we end up with half a Logan and a Quire head. They dead. Thoughts on this last few pages? We know they’ll get better but this was a really wild last page.
AB: I think your math adds up Kenneth. This was the moment that convinced me that Percy could definitely handle the emotional weight of what he was writing. Most of this issue is pretty statically serious. They are going through the motions of preparing for a mission, and, with the exception of the first few pages, the issue isn’t much of an emotional roller coaster. These last couple pages, however, you can see the entire scene takes place in Domino’s facial expressions. The questioning, realization, and shock are all fully displayed on her face, and what else is there to be said besides, “Oh, #$%&!” It’s such an elevated moment compared to the rest of the issue, and it did a great job of bringing me to the edge of my seat. These new villains must really be clever, huh?
KL: Or…lucky? That wasn’t meant to hint at anything I just realized we were talking about Domino earlier…unless…Mr. Percy if I’m close…call me! I think I mentioned in the very first issue I am kind of into the idea of more than one organized antagonist in this book. They might end up getting muddled but I like the idea of who is this threat? Oh they are a totally different threat or they might be linked to this other threat. It really sells the need of the intelligence side and gives them challenges which are harder to create than big things to punch. But I guess we’ll have to see how clever these new (or old) adversaries are in the next issue!
X-Treneuous Thoughts
- When are we making a “Which Quiet Council Member Are You” quiz?
- Doug was in the Quiet Council scene! Mistake? Probably!
- They also called •┤Ȧ├• Apocalypse, which is rude.
- Petition to replace the classic epic handshake meme with the panel of Forge and Logan?
- Xavier’s business data page was so full of ridiculous names. Oh god X-Coin. I hate it.
- Forge’s data page was perfect. Hell yeah Forge Squats. Do you see that workout routine?! This man is the brains and the brawn! Petition to rename Forge’s biceps The Brains and The Brawn?
- We’re into Petitions now! Watch out world!
- The Krakoan reads: Half Measures
- Make sure to check out this week’s coverage of Fallen Angels #4, New Mutants #3 and #4, Marauders #4, and Excalibur #4
Ari Bard is a huge comic fan studying Mechanical Engineering so he can finally figure out how the Batmobile works.
Kenneth Laster writes, draws, and studies Film and Gender Studies so he really hopes you’re hiring!
Ari Bard is a huge comic fan studying Mechanical Engineering so he can finally figure out how the Batmobile works.
Kenneth Laster is a critic, cartoonist, and cryptid with a movie degree.
