Uncanny Avengers #1

I love the High Evolutionary. He’s so over the top ridiculous, such a perfect “comic book” villain his appearance almost guarantees that I will enjoy a comic. It certainly seems that Rick Remender imprinted on a lot of the same comics I did, so maybe we’ll get the Evolutionary War villain doing some neat stuff in this opening arc. (That said, my real hope is that the villain for this one is the Man-Beast, a tremendous and ridiculous older Thor and Spider-Man villain.)

Remender has used the Axis crossover as an excuse to totally reshuffle the Uncanny Avengers roster. Rogue (still using Wonder Man’s powers) and Scarlet Witch carryover from the previous series, the rest of the cast is new. Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Sabretooth, the Vision, Brother Voodoo, and Quicksilver round out this new lineup. That is sort of an odd line-up, and the team is lacking a true powerhouse, but the potential for drama is high. Divorced heroes, brothers and sisters, and replacements make up the team. There is real potential for sparks between these folks.

The other interesting thing is that unlike the last volume of Uncanny Avengers, this team hasn’t been brought together to serve a specific mandate. Rogue is worried about the missing Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, and she gathers the other heroes to make an attempt to track down her old teammate. I like this approach. It certainly seems like Rogue is overcompensating for how horrible she was to Scarlet Witch in the last volume, but frankly, that personality correction is more in line with the Rogue I know and love from years of X-books.

So the team ends up teleporting to Counter Earth, the world that orbits the sun directly opposite the Earth. This Counter Earth is populated by High Evolutionary’s ani-men, who show more personality in the opening few pages than they have since Quicksilver’s late 90’s series. This is going to be fun.

Daniel Acuna is in my top five for artists these days (and maybe top two). His character work is excellent. The costumes look fantastic. And the sensibility of the combat and panel layouts reminds me of Jack Kirby. Quicksilver’s new suit isn’t quite dynamic for me yet, but Acuna makes it work. And Rogue looks fantastic, as does the new Cap. Marvel really did a nice job with that new Cap suit, didn’t they? It almost always looks swell.

It isn’t surprising, considering how much I’ve loved Remender’s work for the last few years, but I’m in for as long as this volume of Uncanny Avengers lasts! 

All-New Captain America #1

Man, do I love this comic. I’ve been a fan of Rick Remender’s Marvel work for years now. Stuart Immonen is one of my top 5 comic artists. And I love the Falcon. So this was not a hard sell for me. But seeing these three beloved elements come together into such a strong combination is still a joy.

Rick Remender has really picked up the comedic dialogue in all of his books recently. I noticed it in Uncanny Avengers and Axis first, but the style continues here. Falcon has some tremendous asides and one-liners as he takes on hordes of Hydra goons. But the high point of dialogue, without a doubt, comes from the mysterious super-villain of the issue; Batroc the Leaper. Batroc is in a new hooded outfit that I don’t quite love, but man; his anti-American rant is just top-notch. (The ONLY thing that brings me down in this premiere issue is the possible final fate of Batroc. But we don’t’ see a body, so I’m not going to freak out yet.)

I also find it interesting that Remender is continuing the buddy-aspect of the title too, just with new characters. Now that Falcon has risen to be the star of the book, the sidekick/partner role has fallen to Ian Rogers, the new Nomad. Now, I love the Nomad name, but I loved the old costume too. So Ian’s much more Kirby-esque design is pretty strong, but I do miss that old swashbuckler look. And it would give Ian some discs to toss around too. Think about it, Ian!

Hydra can be boring, but supplemented by Batroc and a competent speeder-bike pilot; they seem like a good challenge for this whole issue. Best of all, faceless, nameless goons like Hydra agents can be killed with no repercussions to the overall Marvel U. And yet, FalCap DOES NOT KILL. In fact, he is vigorously opposed to it! Ian doesn’t have that limitation, but how wonderful was it seeing FalCap trying to be the better man in these fights. He even chooses saving a Hydra goon over his shield!

(Another aside: Redwing is dead meat. While I adore the concept of Sam having his feathered friend around, there is too much built in pathos and tragedy in killing the bird. I hope I’m wrong.)

None of this would have the same impact if it wasn’t for Stuart Immonen’s pencils. The breaking glass on a Hydra goon’s mask. FalCap scrunched up behind his shield to avoid gunfire. The frantic scramble into a mysterious elevator. These moments have weight and impact. I found myself thrilled as I flipped the pages to see what happened next. Immonen’s X-Men work has been fine, but seeing the pencils shine like they do here? I’m excited for the future of this EXCELLENT comic.

Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1

I’m sort of conflicted on this one. There are a lot of good things about Rick Remender’s massive crossover, but there are some fairly glaring problems too.

First of all, this really feels like an epic Marvel crossover. This story clearly picks up after months of Uncanny Avengers issues, but I’d hope that the context is enough to catch everyone up on what is happening. (I read this with my 9-year old and she picked it up OK.) There are numerous great moments scattered through the book; from the use of Plantman (looking way more plant-y than I remember) all the way the surprise ending. Along the way, Remender has a great moment between the Summers brothers and a wonderful, timely arrival from the X-Men. Actually, that X-Men moment really struck me at how perfect that Uncanny line-up has always been. With Colossus, Storm, and especially Nightcrawler, man, that team just looks like it belongs front and center in the Marvel U.

I appreciate the use of Scarlet Witch and Rogue as such central characters, but man, having both them fail to fight off Red Onslaught’s power does make them seem a bit weak. Scarlet Witch in particular came off as too big of a threat to be walking around. After House of M and “No More Mutants,” maybe she shouldn’t just be walking around with her powers any more after all. Rogue comes off a tad better, especially after the talking up she gets from Professor X. I understand why Remender held off from explaining her current Wonder Man situation too; there were enough status quo changes in the book already!

Now for main problem. The smart-ass quipping. Remender does a great job with Iron Man. Iron Man is supposed to be clever, overconfident, and somewhat jokey. The character sounds like he could have Robert Downey Jr. inside that armor. And Hawkeye has always had that sarcastic tone too. But Vision? Odinson/Thor? The new Captain America? Every single one of them sounds the same, smarting off and being smart asses. It is hard to hear different voices for the Avengers when they are all this…sit-comy.

That said, I LOVED Red Onslaught’s dialogue. He used “scum” and “trash” enough to really have me hankering for a beat down. I can’t wait for him to get what he deserves! Remender also does a wonderful job with Magneto. Magneto calls someone a “cur,” instantly proving Mags’ superiority on the battlefield. Ahab gets some great smack talk in too. Remender is pretty great at getting the reader anxious to see the villains get served.

Adam Kubert has a big order here. There are a TON of heroes involved, and they all look pretty great. I mentioned how dynamic the X-Men looked, but the Avengers are just as nicely done. I’m a bit confused on a few things (doesn’t Thor have one arm?) but they are minor. I LOVE the look and feel of Red Onslaught. He dominates every page he appears on, as an event-central villain should. The design on the surprise foes at the close of the issue seem to have a nice, sleek look too. It’s too bad Kubert can’t do a book regularly any more.

This is a GOOD event that feels like the high-octane battles I remember from my youth. Remender has always channeled the 80’s in a good way, and he’s still doing so here. 

Captain America: Loose Nuke, Iron Nail

Since the current Iron Nail story is so tied to the Loose Nuke story, I'll be taking a look at both for my sublist assessment!

Few titles needed a refocus as much as Rick Remender’s Marvel Now Captain America. While I enjoyed the concept and repercussions of the Dimension Z story, it was not a saga that needed 10 issues to tell. By the end, I was barely making myself read the conclusion of the story. I appreciate self-contained stories as much as the next guy, but man, trapping Cap in another world, losing the costume and supporting cast, and keeping the main villain off-panel for much of each issue? Not a recipe for a compelling story.

Fortunately, Remender has refocused to EXACTLY the types of stories I want in a Cap title. First off, he set Cap and Falcon against Nuke, a classic Daredevil villain with perfect plot ties to Cap and the super-soldier program. Remender did a great job with Nuke’s characterization throughout, with constant references to “fighting for our boys” and the like. Nuke’s fears that American servicemen and servicewomen will be forgotten came from a sympathetic place, even as he engaged in horrible, mind-controlled atrocities.

Even better, I love the way Falcon has returned to his role as Cap’s most capable partner. Cap’s having a hard time dealing with the fallout of Dimension Z, and Falcon is his moral rudder during this emotional storm. Falc keeps him on-track AND helps him during his fights. Best of all, Falcon’s pet Redwing actually gets a moment too! At one point, Nuke tosses a grenade at the heroic duo, but Redwing knocks it aside. Now that’s a handy super-pet! I remember laughing out loud when I read it.

Later, when new villain Dr. Mindbubble has a slew of SHIELD agents going after our heroes, Falcon has a great line about how obvious it is that their opponents are not controlling themselves. It’s a “ho-hum, how normal” type comment that shows off how smart and professional the two heroes are at this point.

Another aspect of the book I’m enjoying is the inclusion of Arnim Zola’s daughter Jet Black. As I said in her first appearance, she could not look more like a Kirby creation, honestly, it is like Remender just transported Big Barda into the Marvel U. Heck, the more I think about it, the more accurate that comparison is. I thought Jet’s Marvel NOW issue was the weakest issue in a long time, which was a bummer, but fortunately she’s back to her hard-a$$ ways in the Iron Nail story.

The art has been great too. Carlos Pacheco came onboard during the Nuke story, while Nic Klein has been remarkable in his ability to keep the book with a consistent look. I absolutely hate Cap’s current armored look, but both Pacheco and Klein draw it well enough that I can tolerate it. The new villains Iron Nail and Dr. Mindbubble look like 1970’s Marvel creations, which is exactly how they should be portrayed. Nuke has never looked better either (and he may not get another appearance, if his status at the end of his story is correct).

This looks and feels like a classic Marvel super-hero story. Old bad guys, new bad guys, old heroes, new heroes. This book is adding to the Marvel Universe while utilizing the rich history of the main character. This is a GOOD comic with a solid spot on the sublist.  

SAFE

Punisher: Franken-Castle TPB

Listen, this is straight-up ridiculous, there is no getting around it. Frank Castle rides a dragon to attack the castle fortress of a cyberpunk monster hunter and his army of samurai killers. Punisher gets chopped to shreds by Wolverine’s son Daken, then goes after him for a rematch after the Legion of Monsters implants a Bloodstone (of the Ulysses and Elsa Bloodstones) in Frank’s chest. Hell, Punisher re-focuses his mission of revenge after seeing a subterranean kid (one of Mole Man’s people) get killed. Guys, a Mole Man kid inspires the Punisher. 

THAT is how crazy this comic is.

And you know what? It is straight up fun. Now, that’s an easy accomplishment when you are strong a writer as Rick Remender. Castle is always in character, even when he’s stomping around and dealing with ridiculous situations. He might be a little quippier than normal, but basically, Frank Castle acts just the way you would expect about all the madness that surrounds him.

Now, that’s a lot easier when the art is provided by talents like Dan Brereton and Tony Moore. Moore’s work in the opening chapters on the City of Monsters instantly populates the Marvel U with a great new location AND establishes the stakes and supporting characters. I even found myself rooting for Manphibian and I don’t even know who he is! Most of all, Moore makes the monsters look like innocents. They are clearly the victims in this story, and that is made clear from panel one. Brereton handle s some flashback art when dealing with the cyberpunk hunter’s origin, and it is, of course, beautiful.

This is not a comic for fans of the gritty street level Frank Castle. Heck, even at the beginning of Remender’s run he’s fighting the Sentry, the Hood, and a host of resurrected Scourge victims. This series does have some nice angst, as Frank does some pretty awful stuff right before his first meeting with Daken. See, the Hood, thinking that if he removes the Punisher’s motivations that Castle might back off, the Hood resurrects Frank’s family. And Frank burns them alive. He makes lots of comments that it wasn’t really them, but man, this is comics. Are you sure, Frank? And wouldn’t you want to give it a minute to maybe make sure?

So yeah, Remender mixes in some pretty deep stuff with the monster-on-monster ultraviolence. The most shocking part will be that you find yourself really rooting for the monster hunters to get what they deserve. They’re pretty bad villains in a pretty GOOD comic. 

Uncanny Avengers #7

Thank goodness this comic is coming out. While the main Avengers title is wrestling with cosmic origin issues and ennui, this book delivers the hits. Red Skull! Grim Reaper! Apocalypse! The Horsemen of Apocalypse! Those are the types of problems that heroes solve by hitting them in the face! Let’s hear it for the Avengers!

Rick Remender must have mastered his Claremont 101 courses. This book has villain plotting, Celestials, and relationship building. How many books feature insane looking villains taking on the Celestials?

Amusingly enough, the two newest members of the Uncanny Avengers both strike out in their attempts to hook up with teammates. Wonder Man is still smitten over the Scarlet Witch, and Wasp continues her affection towards alpha males (in this case, Havok). Neither couple seems too close to getting together though; Wanda and Alex are some damaged goods!

I wasn’t sure if I liked the omniscient narrator caption boxes, but Remender officially won me over when he referred to Sunfire as the “solar samurai.” That narrator’s weighted tone makes the entire issue feel important. The neatest part of the trick is the way the narrator backs out of the panels when it is just characters talking. He doesn’t have anything to add when Wonder Man is pouring his heart out to Scarlet Witch. But when Sunfire and Cap are facing down a ramming Celestial starship? Let the purple prose flow!

Daniel Acuna brings a nice sense of continuity to the Celestials. I fell in love with his work on the Eternals series years ago, and he hasn’t lost his knack for the cosmic giants. They look fantastic. The designs for the Apocalypse Twins are fun too. All of the Horsemen look like a Jack Kirby designs used in a Guillermo Del Toro movie. (That’s a compliment!)

Excellent

Captain America #6

Listen. I like Jack Kirby’s insane run on Cap from the 70’s. I like Rick Remender. I like John Romita Jr. I love Captain America. But this story has been going on too long.

I understand sales are dropping pretty quickly on this book, and it is not hard to see why. This is a pretty entertaining story, but it doesn’t exactly feel right for Captain America, does it? Heck, that great looking scene on the cover can’t even happen because Cap is in a tattered costume, wounded, in an alien dimension with a hostile AI in his chest! Cap has been on the run and getting beaten down since the series opened, and that barely changes here. Cap seems to be on the offensive, at least, but he is barely recognizable as our Cap.

It’s too bad, because I really believe that Remender is adding some great new pieces to the Marvel puzzle with Jet Black and Ian. The children of Arnim Zola have a ton of potential, and I think both (but especially Jet) could find a place in the ongoing Marvel U. (I don’t but that Cap would put her down, but I like the cliffhanger!)

Romita Jr’s pencils are always great at kinetic action scenes, but I found myself taken with his facial expressions in this one. Jet Black’s smug smile while Cap’s got her and Ian’s defiance are both crystal clear. I’m also coming around to the weird, gooey version of Arnim Zola. And man, that cover makes me appreciate Cap’s real costume. They need to dump the armor in Avengers, THIS is the real Cap!

Fair

Uncanny Avengers #6

Talk about the best of both worlds! I love John Cassaday’s art as much as the next guy, but if we are getting Daniel Acuna as the regular artist on this book AND it is going to come out more regularly??? Well, I’m pretty darn pleased about that. Acuna has been one of my favorites for years now (ever since his revelatory but short run on the Eternals). He can do a mix of Jack Kirby and Alex Ross that no one else can, and he’s a perfect fit for this title. Thor looked great, but that’s pretty easy to do. Now Apocalypse? This has got to be one of the best-looking takes on the character I’ve ever seen. The power and might inherent in his body and armor is so clear, there is no doubt he has the upper hand when dealing with young Thor. And the design on those old-timey Horsemen of Apocalypse? Wow! Absolutely fantastic. I’m actually upset we won’t see more of those guys, their look is tremendous!

Rick Remender deserves another hand too. After moving on from X-Force and over to the Avengers, he’s still working on Apocalypse. I’ve rarely seen a writer use the idea of immortal warriors so well. Of course Thor and Apocalypse fought in the distant past! Of course Thor had a magical weapon before Mjolnir! And OF COURSE the whole battle happened because of Kang’s manipulations.

Seriously, how seamlessly is this tangled web put together? Everyone involved is perfectly in character. The plot adds to the ongoing current story. Plus Thor gets some great moments to kick butt and earn himself a solid win.

This is pretty much a perfect comic for me. Ongoing plot movement, strong character dialogue, consistent use of continuity, tremendous art, and villains getting smashed. Wonderful.

Excellent

Captain America #5

I’m still not convinced this was the right way to kick off a new Captain America series. I’m seeing the falling sales numbers and the negative reviews online, and it just bums me out. I love that Rick Remender has embraced the madness of Jack Kirby’s run on Captain America. He’s introduced some great new characters in Ian and Jet Black, and Cap’s fighting spirit is on display every issue. Heck, next month’s cover has me excited to see Cap fighting back!

But I’m not sure it is a good idea to spend 5 issues in an insane alternate reality with only two or maybe three recognizably human characters. The Phlox of whatever they are called are just too inhuman to be relatable, and that hurts the drama of the current storyline. It is hard to believe that this story will really “count” in any meaningful way. At most, we’ll get a redesigned Arnim Zola and Jet Black back in the Marvel U. I suppose Ian could make it out somehow, but man, that would be one big parallel with Batman and Damian, wouldn’t it?

I like that Jet Black is showing some signs of a conscience. With no actual Big Barda appearing in comics, I suppose I’ll take a copy in the Marvel Universe!

John Romita Jr.’s art is always fun; take a look at that panel where Zola’s gross copy slops out of Cap’s chest cavity! But this arc lets him indulge in his most insane monster-drawing, and that means that once again, things look a bit too far out. You have to be a real fan of his style to pore over 20 pages of insane monsters.

Fair

Captain America #4

Let me boast for a moment. I read comics to my two daughters all the time, and since they are getting their comics filtered through me, they are exposed to weird characters and books that aren’t usually the top draw. I know that I’m doing the right thing, because when my five-year-old saw the cover to Captain America #4, she said “Is that Big Barda?” So not only does my daughter know who Barda is, but that means that John Romita Jr’s attempt to design a Kirby-esque character certainly succeeded.

I give Rick Remender and Marvel a lot of credit. This isn’t exactly a guarantee for sales. Since the relaunch, Cap has been exiled to another dimension, aged 11 years, and grown an Arnim Zola faceplate in his chest. The story is self-contained and new-reader friendly, but man, this isn’t a book someone would pick up off the street and “get.”

So yeah, Cap is looking mighty haggard after 11 years and constant fighting against Zola’s influence on his psyche. I like the addition of Cap’s Mom to his mythos. I don’t think I’ve seen much of her before; now she’s the one who instilled Cap with his sense of honor and moral fortitude.

It will also be interesting seeing if Ian ends up being added to Cap’s supporting cast. (How weird is it that Captain America and Batman both got crazy artificial sons recently.) Jet Black has the look to go places too; that Kirby design totally works. I still think that this is going to all be wiped out in an alternate world or something, but I hope Jet Black makes it back to the Marvel U.

Man, John Romita Jr. I love his monsters; he’s been drawing fantastic creatures for decades now. He’s the perfect artist for this. He can deliver the period stuff too, the 1930’s materials is dramatic and effective. I won’t lie, I’m looking forward to seeing JRJR do some more straightforward super-heroics, but for now, seeing Arnim Zola’s monsters will do.

Good

Secret Avengers #37

I really like Rick Remender’s Hawkeye. That’s the main thing I come away with after Remender’s run on this title; his no-killing Hawkeye seems clearly informed by the classic West Coast Avengers I read as a kid. I missed this version of the character. Hawk’s anguish about putting down the Descendants is exactly what a good Avenger should struggle with.

A lot of the team members get a moment or two to shine in this conclusion. Venom, Valkyrie, and Black Widow aren’t headliners, but they get to recap some stuff and we see how they helped. Captain Britain is another character who really seems to fit in as an Avenger now. Remender leaves the Black Ant/Eric O’Grady in a nice spot, too. The character is still out there and later writers are going to have a lot of freedom in developing him further.

One issue I have with the conclusion is how a few of the core characters feel a bit forced in. Hank Pym has been popping in and out of the story for months now, and once again, after a pretty sweet one-page appearance, he’s out of the book. I assume he’s fine and will morph back his normal self, but when we last see him, he’s a pretty gross cyborg. I also don’t know if I was as touched by the original Human Torch’s appearance as I should have been. The guy hasn’t been around in so long, I don’t think it hit me like Remender intended.

Matteo Scalera has really grown on me since his first issue. His scratchy style works well for mass combat and destruction, a good skill in comic book art. His Hawkeye has improved by leaps and bounds too. After seeing his Master Mold and Beast, I’d be curious to see him drawing some more X-Men. What is he moving on to after this?

Good

Captain America #3

Wow, this really is a pretty drastic shift in tone from Ed Brubaker’s run, huh?

I have liked just about all of Rick Remender’s output over the last few years, and I like his Cap, too. But I’m not liking it as much as I thought I would. I’m not sure jumping into an alien dimension story is the right way to kick off a relaunch like this. The tone and feeling in issue 1, where Cap was facing the Green Skull and then dealing with long-time foe Arnim Zola is more what I was hoping for from this book.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that Arnim Zola is getting this spotlight and that the bio-fanatic is such a threat for Cap. But this is the second issue where Zola has been a more off-screen presence than on, and where the main antagonists are big, weird-looking creatures drawn by John Romita Jr.

This issue quickly establishes a bond between Cap and an alien family so that there will be some resonance when the family suffers a loss. It’s just too quick and too alien to have a huge impact. I understand a fair amount of time passes in those few pages, but it’s not enough to make the reader get too wound up.

Of course, the final page reveal shows what Remender has had up his sleeve this whole time. Cap has picked up more than an adopted son during his travels around Dimension Z, and Romita really sells the horror on Cap’s face and the triumph on Zola’s. I’m very excited to see Cap facing down some villains that don’t look like Romita’s Limbo demons from Inferno, and this final cliffhanger gives me hope that is coming.

Fair

Captain America #2

Let’s start with the art. Rick Remender is writing the perfect story for his artist. John Romita Jr. has been drawing demons and monsters since I was a kid. His Daredevil and X-Men runs were filled with Blackheart’s devils and the demons of Limbo. So that means that drawing Arnim Zola’s genetic mutants are about the perfect use of his talents. 

The creatures in Dimension Z are sporting some fantastic exoskeletons and crazy whisker/face prong things. We don’t see a ton of the monsters here, but the ones we get are good ones, and Remender’s dialogue has me hoping for more. 

As I finished this issue, I was trying to figure out why I’m enjoying this story, but I didn’t care for Rogue’s solo adventure in the crazy dimension during AvX. I think it boils down to stakes. Cap is protecting Ian, a new character, Arnim Zola’s child, and Cap’s constant worry and protectiveness makes Ian important to the reader. It all happens in one issue, thanks to sped-up comic time, but man, I already worry for the kid!

Another strength is the self-reliance of Captain America. Cap has got his shield and his skills, so even if Zola has weakened Steve Rogers, he can still get by. He’s been surviving in this dimension for a year. Rogue’s powers are more passive by nature, and setting her up in a solo story just doesn’t fit as well.

Remender drops his first hint about Hank Pym’s new job as tech supplier for Cap. If this is the only home Pym has in Marvel Now, I hope we get to see him soon!

Good

Uncanny X-Force: Dark Angel Saga (part 2)

The story is very complicated, involving Archangel’s plan to re-create the Earth with the Celestial lifeseed. (Fortunately, we’ve got Deadpool openly mocking the plot every chance he gets.) Another strong point of the story is the tremendous line-up of villains. The new Horsemen from Uncanny X-Force team up with the surviving members from the old X-Factor days, plus Dark Beast. You simply can’t beat Archangel as the big bad, too. He’s charismatic and falsely sincere in an enraging way. He’s got all the power and status of Apocalypse, but Remender establishes it in only a few issues. This is masterfully plotted.

Remender even leaves the book in an interesting place. I’m not sure which of the AoA X-Men are even still alive, but we know that the alternate Nightcrawler is going to stick around. I sort of hope some of the others make it too. The AoA Earth needs them!

It certainly doesn’t hurt that Remender is blessed with some absolutely fantastic artist. Mark Brooks handles the Age of Apocalypse issues, and his ability to reinvigorate those great 90’s design really makes it work. I mean, I knew I loved the alternate Iceman and Sunfire, but who knew that silly Gambit looked that neat? Or that AoA Jean Grey looked that great throwing her powers around?

And when did Jerome Opena get this good? Didn’t he work on Punisher and Moon Knight? He was OK then, but his art is stunning now. His work on Genocide (formerly known as Holocaust), Dark Beast, and the other Horseman is wonderful. And Psylocke’s ridiculously “ass-y” evil costume? Great design and very comic-y all at once.

I'm going to go ahead and say it: This is a new X-Classic!

Excellent

Uncanny X-Force: Dark Angel Saga (part I)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Have a heaping helping of X-Force!

I posted a review of Deathlok Nation recently, and I gave it a “Good” rating. Well, if that one was good, then this one is Excellent. Rick Remender takes his time with a long narrative that spans ends of the Earth, centuries of time, and alternate worlds. Everything from the Age of Apocalypse to Jason Aaron’s Deathlok to Grant Morrison’s The World has some time in the sun.

The book opens with the aftermath of Archangel’s ascendance in Warren Worthington’s mind. It seems Archangel was destined to take Apocalypse’s place should the X-villain die. Warren has lost the battle and now Archangel is taking his place. X-Force wants to try and help their fallen buddy, so they enlist the Dark Beast. The former horseman of Apocalypse sends the X-team to the Age of Apocalypse to join up with the surviving X-Men to grab a Celestial Life Seed. Of course, Dark Beast can’t be trusted, but I still relished the chance to see all these characters again. Jean Grey, Magneto, Rogue, Gambit, Silver Samurai, Iceman, Sunfire, and Nightcrawler make up the core of the team, led by former Exile Sabretooth. By the end of the story, it seems like only a few of these guys are still standing.

I found it interesting that Deathlok is wearing an “X.” He’s a full on member of X-Force in this one. Wolverine is the dour leader, and Psylocke the protagonist struggling with her feelings for her former love. Deadpool absolutely steals the show as the comic relief. I was shocked how many times I actually laughed out loud at the dialogue ol’ Wade was spouting. That said, I don’t think any comic fan can read this story and not fall in love with Fantomex. I always thought he was fine, but seeing him take charge of the team, fall in love with Psylocke, and kick all kinds of butt… you have to love him.

TO BE CONTINUED...