In a perfect world, X-Force wouldn’t be necessary. As Beast says himself, he’d “Prefer to avoid trouble altogether.” Unfortunately, trouble always finds its way into Krakoa and in X-Force #6, The team is in full force trying to stop the plant monsters. How well do they work together? Do we get to see more of Forge’s sweet, sweet muscles? What exactly are, “the plant monsters?” These questions and more will be answered on this edition of ‘X-Forced into it!’
Kenneth Laster: Ari, its wild that it’s been exactly 30 years since the last issue of X-Force! Wait I’m hearing it’s actually only been–3 weeks??
Ari Bard: I’ve been told that one year of normal time equates to 15 years of reviewer time so that checks out, but it is legitimately mind boggling that the last issue came out less than a month ago. Nevertheless, here we are with a new issue and a new mission. This one appears to have the same outrageous, cheesy action as the last one with a little extra espionage and political intrigue thrown in there. What’d you think Kenneth?
KL: I liked it! As much as I’m into the constant momentum of the DoX era, I think this was a solid done in one character spotlight on the one and only Hank McCoy. I also think I’m getting more of a feel on the tone of this book being a little bit of Leifeld and a little bit of My Chemical Romance and I’m not mad! Speaking of Goth musical ensembles, let’s get into the many metaphors of X-Force!
Metaphors and Melodies
KL: Welcome to the Black Parade Dark Orchestra! Hank McCoy provides today’s internal monologue and my man is giving me big 2000s Pop Punk vibes and it sure is something. Metaphors and Hank McCoy are no strangers to each other but I can definitely see this monologue being read as more as a Percy-ism rather than a Hank-ism in the feel of the “edge”? What are your thoughts on the thoughts of the conductor of the dark orchestra, Ari?
AB: What a problematic badass. When we get the inevitable X-Men and James Bond crossover, Beast will play the villain, and this is his theme. You can hear the overture as you read through the panels. Its starts with a soft and silent fluttering as they tiptoe through the forest. You can tell through the smaller font size. Kudos to the effective lettering there. Nevertheless, as we continue through the scene and each instrument comes in as Beast narrates them into your brain.
It’s interesting that you say 2000s Pop Punk and it’s something I could definitely see, but might I suggest BRADIO’s “Flyers?” It’s a Japanese funk rock tune that also really hits the more lighthearted attitude with which Beast takes international espionage, but more on that later. I also love how the panels get fuller and more dense as the supposed “full orchestra” is supposed to come in. I think the entire team structured this scene well, and it was a lot of fun. Beast isn’t just a conductor, however. He’s also the mind, the conscience, and a father. Can one man embody this many metaphors? Is Beast all of these things? It’s up to you to answer these questions Kenneth.
KL: Look if Hank McCoy wants to be my Daddy, who am I to object?! But the real question is–Does Daddy Know Best??
Moral Ambiguities
AB: Daddy certainly thinks so now doesn’t he? I said we’d get to the casual nature with which Beast embodies political murder plots and international espionage, and here we are. Hank McCoy has been quite the naughty boy hasn’t he? I’m relatively new to the X-scene, but I’ve picked up on a few things and I think it’s time for my first hot take.
AHEM
I think evil Beast is hilarious. He is so indignantly righteous and over-the-top but never says so outright to anyone but the reader, and I love it. It’s so ridiculous, brash, and probably borderline offensive but even the nation of Krakoa needs that every now and again. The blase but matter-of-fact attitude he uses when freely admitting his moral shortcomings is super outrageous, and I want it all the time. I probably just dumped a lot on you right there Kenneth, but Beast dumped a lot on all of us in the week’s issue and we came out alright. I’m sure you will too. What did you think of Beast’s extremely questionable behavior?
KL: My foray into X-Lore has been relatively recent but the one thing I can gather from the handful of modern Hank portrayals I’ve read as well as X-Twitter is that Hank McCoy and ethics have a rocky relationship. Which also feels like the touchstone for Percy in this issue. I will say with Hank’s extremely well established history of moral failings, this issue felt almost like a parody of that which could work but I really need to see where Percy is going with it. The backlash of his antics seem to have a pretty immediate consequence so I’m curious to see where that goes but this issue also seems like a reestablishment of Hank by calling this out as his “deal” and will be important soon. I also think the recurring theme in this book of the muddy world of espionage is such a perfect thing to hang onto Hank and I’m curious to see how quickly this role makes him descend. Anything else?
AB: Well, Beast isn’t the only “Daddy” that seems a little sure of himself. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and according to a certain data page. What about Xavier dying on purpose so that Krakoa could be more solidified and unified? That’s what I call a big risk and a shady sacrifice. Any thoughts on that one Kenneth?
KL: Yeah lot of iffy choices in this issue. Xavier is no stranger in planning his death, but planning his death to spark the creation of a military force does feel icky. Which is definitely what is intended and I find myself torn between wanting the paradise of Krakoa and being interested in seeing Krakoa fall into the same shady aspects of human governments. I wonder if its too much moral ambiguity too quickly. I like the concept of questioning the ethics of creating and sustaining a nation, but at the same time, I do want to keep liking these characters. And with how many moral compromises are just a little off putting–which again I feel is intentional and I’m still along for the ride, but I do hope that this sacrifice has some good story follow up.
Monstrous Plants
KL: Terre Verde, and the telefloronic threat! So many plant people! Most of the “plot” “plot” is straightforward even with the twist. Leader is attacked, he’s fine–but they got his son, but his son is working with them(!) X-Force fights, Beast does something morally grey, the son is alive and will get his revenge! I’ll say the telefloronic stuff aren’t the most exciting threat but they are a welcome change to the mercs from the past week but for all the good Stephen Segovia and Guru-eFX do, I can’t help thinking how nasty (in a good way) they would have looked with Joshua Cassara and Dean White still on art. What were your thoughts on these plant folk?
AB: I really liked the plant people! I think that this second branch of possible evolution was a great idea. While the plant people themselves were simply another evil cult of bad guys, Beast’s theory about them is what makes them interesting. The idea that even if the X-Men do a great job at preventing any cybernetic technological advancements, the ones we associate most with the idea of humans taking over and posing a threat to the X-Men, there could still be an equally dangerous threat on the human side of things. That was a very cool and logical series of conclusions, and I liked the motive of preventive measures up until Beast went a little too far.
As for the art, I’d have to agree with you. I think the team could have taken a few more risks because right now I’m left a little disappointed and with a lot of questions. Aren’t these plant people essentially the same as Forge’s tech right now? It would seem that way, but the use of their abilities was so rudimentary. I would have like to see a little more explosiveness in the action, but something tells me Percy will have a chance at redemption coming soon. Do you think the plant people will be back, and is there anything else you have to say about these plant people?
KL: I certainly hope they will be back, at least as a follow up for Hank’s mistakes. Until then I guess we’ll have to keep an eye out for suspicious looking shrubbery on Krakoa!
X-Treneuous Thoughts
- I’ll say it: I don’t think anyone’s drawn a definite design for Xavier’s Cerebro hat and now everyone’s too afraid to ask!
- Beast is officially Dr. Doofenshmirtz mixed with Dr. No
- “Terre Verde” literally means Earth Green, this and the data page of Xavier’s companies from a few issues back make me want to take away Percy’s naming privileges
- Don’t patronize Marvel Girl!
- Spending the break between issues watching all of Derry Girls has primed me to enjoy Black Tom’s dialogue even more.
- Krakoan teaser reads: Domino
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.
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.
