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Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » X-Force: Under The Gun

X-Force: Under The Gun

1 rating: 4.0

Marvel Graphic Novel/Comic

X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 (April 1991) and soon afterwards was featured in … see full wiki

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The newly formed X-Force takes on newly formed old villains and organizations.

Dec 9, 2011

by Madpenguin
posted in Speech Bubbles: Comics & Graphic Novels

Rating:

Following the events that took place on the island of Genosha, the New Mutants are slowly recovering from the wounds of war that involves Warlocks death, and Rahne aka Wolfsbane, choosing to remain on the island. The end of the team appears to be on the horizon. However, the leader of the group Cable, refuses to believe this and is prepared to create a new beginning. He embarks on his on own mission to find new recruits.

Previous Volume:

X-Force: A Force to Be Reckoned With

X-Force: Under the Gun

While in their new headquarters, several members of the newly formed mutant faction X-Force train for combat in their own way. However, the senior members of the team still struggle on whether if following their leader Cable is the right thing to do. Unknown to them, a very old enemy from the X-Men's past, founding member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants named the Toad, is plotting a scheme to kill this new group simply because he feels there are way too many "X's" running around. -summary

After re-reading these stories for the first time in maybe 18 years or so, I have to say that they're still just as fun now. This third book in the New Mutant/X-Force trade paperback is even more action packed than the previous books. Writer Rob Liefeld never really had a problem with being entertaining when it came down to delivering the action. Fortunately, he doesn't use the over the top action as a crutch to mask a non existent plot. There's more than enough surprises and mysteries going on to keep things interesting. I still remember how deep the suspense was when it came down to revealing more and more details on Cable's past, along with the direction they decided to take with X-Force member Cannonball as well. This volume collects issues 5 - 15 and material from Annual #1.

Things kick off here when former Magneto henchman the Toad, assembles the newest incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, the third gathering to be exact, which is made up of Blob, Pyro, Sauron, and Phantazia. He realizes the dangers of battling these X-Teams, therefore, he seeks an alliance with the leader of the Morlocks, Masque. Together they invade X-Force's HQ and engage in a brutal battle, probably the most serious battle ever between the Brotherhood and any followers of the X by this time.

If the first batch of issues weren't a convincing enough indication that X-Force means business, and they do not operate like the X-Men or X-factor, then I'm sure these first stories will turn any reader into a believer. This group plays for keeps, with not only Cable shooting to kill, in which he shoots Sauron from behind putting two bullets through his chest, but when the Blob is viciously attacked by Shatterstar, even he acknowledges that this is a different group of "X-Men", and he's not going to forget that when they definitely clash again. The battle is indeed brutal and there are casualties. Now I am aware that the X-Men also have killed their enemies, most notably in vicious battle with Mr. Sinister's Marauders, but they were almost always pushed to that extreme, while some X-Force members really don't need a push at all.

The stories also feature many subplots. In regards to Cable, there are flashbacks of his mysterious past, connections to his arch-enemy Stryfe, and it all creates more questions that aren't answered here. X-Force also must deal with other threats, most notably one happens to be the anti-terrorist organization SHIELD, who believe them to be mutant terrorist, and a man named Mr. Tolliver seeking revenge on Cable. The merc with the mouth Deadpool returns and he battles a couple of the members, to include he battles Cable one on one at some point.

Although I enjoy the more thought provoking works; I do have a very soft spot for the straight action titles, especially when they're done right, and X-Force is no doubt done very well. The stories are very entertaining and I ran through this book quickly. Cable is a very cool character; the guy is all business, but has a macho attitude that never comes off cheesy. His lines are delivered with a flair that is reminiscent of Wolverine only a little bit better. In addition, he has the intimidating style and major fire power to go along with it. The character interactions add to the fun, and while their lines felt heavily forced in the earlier issues, it appears to be lightly toned down here. Still, the cheese factor is present on occasion.

The duties on the artwork is shared this time around, between Rob Liefeld, Mike Mignola, and Mark Pacella. There's an obvious difference on some occasions. The character designs are a product of the 90's Marvel way of thinking, "look pretty before anything else first". There's some nice detail with characters like Warpath looking like a built wrecking machine, and this is the best I seen the Blob drawn by this point. The female characters like Domino, Boomer, and Siryn aren't bursting with sex appeal to the point of being ridiculous, but they do look good. The action is the best part visually, and there are plenty of good moments displaying detailed stabbings and bad beatings. Unfortunately, the artwork does have moments where it can be downright bad. The reader will know what's going on, it's just that the backgrounds would be very bland and everything would just look ugly. The first issue also has some very bad coloring, as the colors clashed in the worst way. I'm also not too fond of the lack of attention paid here on some occasions. Dialog boxes will be placed above the wrong speaker, and wrong characters will be spoken to. There aren't too many times this may occur, but it tosses in a moment of confusion and there's just no excuse for that.

Under the Gun is a very good follow up to the last book, and it also features a couple of panels on X-Force's top ten enemies. I still remember reading that for the first time, and it was indeed a shock on who #1 was. In closing, if you love action, if you love the X-Men, then get this book along with the first one, you more than likely won't be disappointed.

*As a side note, issues 16 - 18 are not in the next TPB due to them being part of the 12 part series X-Men: X-Cutioner's Song.*

Pros:
-Lots of action, character development, moments of good artwork

Cons:
-Moments of bad artwork and editing

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FM_ALEX December 12, 2011

Man I haven't read any old X Force stuff in forever, great review.

Madpenguin December 12, 2011

It was like reading it again for the first time. There were a few stories I had completely forgotten, like the battle with Weapon Prime.

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woopak_the_thrill December 09, 2011

"look pretty before anything else first". LOL! Love that comment, and this was further practiced by Image comics in the 90's. I think I own this in comic book form. Thanks for the review, Frank!

Madpenguin December 09, 2011

hehe, well that was their mindset. Even though they would kick out a good story now and then, at least in the early 90's, after about 95 is when they really got terrible.

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