Reviews

X-Force #2 Comic Review

  • Written by: Geoffrey Thorne
  • Art by: Marcus To
  • Colors by: Erick Arciniega
  • Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
  • Cover art by: Stephen Segovia, Rain Beredo (cover A)
  • Cover price: $3.99
  • Release date: August 28, 2024

X-Force #2, by Marvel Comics on 8/28/24, pays an unannounced visit to Wakanda when Forge’s Analog detects a hotspot that threatens all reality. Can Forge’s science work to stop a threat made of pure magic?

Is X-Force #2 Good?

As strange as it sounds, X-Force #2 feels like the first issue in the From the Ashes era that presents a return to good old-fashioned superhero storytelling. Forge’s team of refugees may not be considered the A-tier of recognizable mutants, but at this rate, writer Geoffrey Thorne is headed in the right direction.

When last we left the newly-formed team under the sage guidance of Forge in X-Force #1, Forge developed a unique sphere, the Analog, that would alert him to world-threatening hotspots around the world. After assembling a new team comprised of Sage, Rachel Summers, Betsy Braddock, Tank, and Deadpool, the team went to Japan to stop a giant goo monster that escaped from one of Mr. Sinister’s unattended labs. The issue ended with Deadpool earning his hazard pay and Surge joining the team.

In X-Force #2, the team, now joined by Surge, heads to a world-ending hotspot identified by the Analog in Wakanda. Unfortunately, the Analog doesn’t provide details, but the team knows they’re in the right place when the jet blows up, sending the team hurtling to the Wakandan jungle below.

Geoffrey Thorne starts the issue by highlighting a mild amount of interpersonal conflict from various articles. Betsy and Rachel question whether Surge is okay with joining Forge’s crusade. Sage questions Forge about the wisdom of sneaking into Wakanda. A team where everyone agrees is boring, so this is the right play. That said, the logistics of everyone falling to the ground at the same moment when the jet blows up in the sky doesn’t make a lot of sense.

When the team hits the ground, a powerful magic takes over, converting most of the team into ancient warriors in service to the magic’s master. Sage and Forge appear to be immune to the magic due to their deep connection to physical reality.

Here, Thorne plays the plot smart by mixing and matching the affected team members based on their strengths and weaknesses. It’s a good way to put the team back on its heels, isolate some team members from others, and create an opportunity to showcase specific members while keeping everyone in play at some level.

Sage gets captured, but with the use of her goggles and mutant brain, she’s able to surmise that the leader she’s brought to, Nketi the Spellmaster, is using a magical artifact to remake the world in the image of Wakanda from 8,000 years ago. However, when magic pushes reality too far, it takes a small nudge in just the right place to restore the natural order of things.

Overall, this is a straightforward, tried and true superhero comic. I think it’s fair to say that’s all longtime X-Fans have wanted for several years now, so if Brevoort can steer the titles in a similar direction as X-Force #2, the From the Ashes era may have potential.

How’s the Art? Marcus To’s superhero opus is bright, energetic, fun, and exciting. The new costumes look snappy, To’s action is well done, and this issue looks super-solid in terms of completeness and detail.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

X-Force #2 is a good old-fashioned superhero comic that pits the team against the blossoming threat to the world. Geoffrey Throne’s approach to episodic storytelling appears to be just the ticket to giving each team member a chance to shine, and Marcus To’s art is excellent.

8.5/10

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