The world is fractured. Forge uses his powers of invention to devise the only fix: an all-new, all-different X-Force! Forge leads a custom-made, handpicked team of mutants – Rachel Summers, Betsy Braddock, Sage, Surge, and introducing Tank – in off-the-books missions so dire, so integral to the fate of the Marvel Universe, there’s no time to stop for permission! As Forge detects increasing threats across the planet, he will recruit a specialist for each target – first up: that regenerating degenerate, Deadpool! X-Force #1 is an interesting debut that feels more Avengers, and that’s not a bad thing.

Forge has been a character I’ve been a fan of for a long time. The idea of a mutant whose power is to build things is one I could relate to in some ways, and lets face it, the tech is pretty cool. But, Forge has also been a character that’s been a bit of an outsider. Sometimes a friend of the X-Men. Sometimes an adversary. He’s a complicated character that’s respected, liked, loved, and hated. So, Forge heading up a team is a concept I’ve wanted to read and check out since it was first announced.

Written by Geoffrey Thorne, X-Force #1 is a fun start, though a bit familiar. Forge has a vision and decides on a mission to stop threats that can destroy the world, stop them before they escalate. So, the issue jumps between Forge recruiting the core of his team while they also deal with their first threat. Thorne does a pretty solid job with the comic. It’s highlight is its characters and their dynamic, creating a team that has just enough conflict and ribbing on each other to keep things interesting and whose powers create some intriguing possibilities for battle. The humor, the action, it blends well together for a comic that feels like the team is saving the world, but at the same time, the comic doesn’t feel too serious.

The art by Marcus To is good. With color by Erick Arcieniega and lettering by Joe Caramagna, X-Force #1 mixes superhero action with kaiju horror. There’s a pulp, almost B-movie aspect to it, and that’s not bad, that’s exactly what this particular story is. The characters look solid and the team design is great as well. The tech feels cool, in that James Bond spy sort of way, and doesn’t distract or feel too advanced for the world. The villain for the story, while fun in that Sunday creature feature sort of way, doesn’t quite threaten enough though but that’s also sort of the nature of what the team is going against too. But, that puts the focus more on the team visually and through the narrative.

X-Force #1 is an entertaining start. It has grand ideas and a team you might not expect that shows a lot of potential. While the first issue’s villain and battle is fun, it doesn’t feel quite grand enough for an opening debut. Still, it’s fun in a creature in a rubber suit sort of way. The name might be familiar, but X-Force #1 takes things in a new and interesting direction.

Story: Geoffrey Thorne Art: Marcus To
Color: Erick Arciniega Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle