Ahab has returned to exterminate X-Force! What twisted scheme is Ahab conducting that has attracted the attention of X-Force? The team has begun to put the pieces together, but will they figure it out in time to stop mass genocide?

The first story arc has wound down but the heat has turned up high in X-Force #4. Writer Ed Brisson delivers an action packed issue that’s full of ups and downs for the team and an ending that’ll have folks buzzing.

What Brisson does that’s excellent is keep up reveals throughout the issue as we learn what Kid Cable is up to but that hints at something else creating a greater mystery. And, he does it with the action and humor we’ve come to expect from the previous three issues. There’s also over the top moments that just ups the fun of it all.

That over the top fun is helped by artist Dylan Burnett who with Jesus Aburtov‘s color and Cory Petit‘s lettering provides a style that’s perfect for Brisson’s narrative. There’s an aspect to the story that’s hyperbolic in a way and is an example of bigger being better. The upgrades some characters get is just fun in a silly way that only comics can deliver and the moments and beats delivered by Brisson are nailed through the art.

The issue is the end of the first arc but what it sets up will reverberate for some time. The end will get folks talking and has me so excited to see what comes next and what the team have up their sleeve. X-Force has always been about over the top action and this series delivers that and then some.

Story: Ed Brisson Art: Dylan Burnett
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.95 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

X-Force has been framed for murder! And in order to clear their names, they must reluctantly team up with the young Cable and Deathlok. But will they be able to put aside their differences long enough to stop a mutant genocide?!

X-Force #1 was a bit of a shocker in its quality and how much fun it was. Writer Ed Brisson rocked that issue much like he has with X-Force #2. This second issue picks up from the disaster of a mission that was the first with a nation rounding up mutants in a Holocaust like parable and X-Force doing what it can to stop exactly that. Then, there’s the x-factors of Kid Cable and Deathlok who are on a mission to figure out how this small nation is getting weapons from the future.

Brisson delivers all of that and more in an issue that’s full of action, some heart, some team tension, and a bit to make you think. Then there’s the reveals throughout the comic including teases as to where the weapons are coming from, with a nice feint thrown in. There’s some solid revelations that at times feel a bit been there done that but it’s all done in such a way that it feels like classic X-Men in the focus.

Brisson is helped by Dylan Burnett on art, Jesus Aburtov‘s colors, and Cory Petit‘s lettering. The art style stands out in such a way that it alone is a draw. There’s some solid styling here when it comes to character design and flow of the comic itself. There’s some interesting comparisons that can be made as t what it all is a reminder of, but, it really stands out as there’s little on the market like it today. The style feels like it also helps with the attitude of the comic in a way adding to the cool factor.

There’s revelations here. There’s action. There’s heart. The issue has a lot packed in and really moves the story along. It not only defines the focus of the current X-Force but it also helps place the series as to where it stands in the greater X world. The comic has a classic style to it and Brisson definitely hearkens to the feel of the team years ago. This is a back to basics comic in many ways and in doing so, it moves the series and characters along rather far.

Story: Ed Brisson Art: Dylan Burnett
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review