REVIEW: ‘X-Force’ Issue 9

X-Force Issue 9 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Geoffrey Thorne, art by Marcus To, colors by Erick Arciniega and letters by Joe Caramagna.

As the main team fight against Colossus, La Diabla and Rampage, Sage is dragged into Part 6 of the X-Manhunt crossover.

This issue tells two stories simultaneously, with little connection between them. Whilst the previous chapters of X-Manhunt have been waylaid and interrupted by Xavier strolling through them and the resulting conflict with the various X-teams, Thorne splits the story down the middle. Forge and X-Force are in an exhilarating fight scene for all of X-Force Issue 9. It’s energetic and intense, acting as if the mutant community isn’t being torn apart. On the other side, Sage is on her own mission, helping Xavier reach his ultimate goal. The chapter overlaps with the ending of X-Factor Issue 8, clarifying the ending.

Xavier has a Krakoan egg, which can resurrect mutants on Krakoa. The one Xavier and Sage find is likely the last in existence, and only Xavier knows who’s inside. The whole issue builds towards finding out who is inside the egg, but there isn’t much tension or surprises. There is a feeling of unease around Xavier, considering his illness and unpredictability. But every decision he has made has been about preparing and using the egg to help his daughter.

The pacing is much slower, but that is needed to take stock and remember Xavier’s end goal. But it’s the fact that the pace suddenly goes from three issues of non-stop action to a quiet, ponderous chapter that is harsh. The action with Forge and the main team alleviates that, but the disconnect between the two stories is jarring.

It’s bold not to move the main story aside during this crossover, as it displays the characters in full flow. Forge, Captain Britain, and the others are deep in their battle. If a casual reader steps in, it is bewildering to see Colossus fighting against his former friends in such an intense confrontation. But that also encourages readers to go back and read the rest of this exciting and interesting series.

X-Force Issue 9 explores just one relationship in detail: Sage and Professor X. They haven’t seen each other for a while, but Sage is one of the former X-Men who will follow Xavier anywhere. That devotion is heartwarming. Like Storm and the others who have stepped to Charles’ aid, they know that his actions have been questionable and inexcusable. But how he raised and protected them has made them immensely loyal and willing to die for them. Always.

Xavier does showcase brief moments of love and care towards Sage in this issue, but his heart is focused elsewhere. It’s a form of selfishness but also a drive to protect the one he adores the most, even if it means sacrificing his other “children.” Some, like Sage, have figured that out and are willing to let Xavier make those sacrifices.

The artist has varying material to work with in X-Force Issue 9. Forge, and the main team’s side of the story is visually fun. There is a mixture of magic and tech clashing in the middle. The characters are fighting for their lives, and the extremes they go to are intense. Sage’s side has less to work with, but there is still beauty to those pages. She is slinking around in alleyways and secret safehouses. The amount of movement is minimal, and it relies on the characters to stay intriguing.

Xavier always looks unsettling when wearing Cerebo because the massive headpiece obscures any facial features or emotions. There is also the presence of John Wraith, the teleporter who got Xavier away from the X-Men, but he is purely that, a presence. The final pages get much more interesting when the egg hatches and its inhabitant is revealed. It’s not a heart-stopping surprise, but there is a purity to the redesign for a figure that has not been seen in a long time.

The colors are fantastic throughout the issue. The uniforms and the superpowers are vibrant and dazzling, especially on Forge’s side of the issue. The intense purple of Captain Britain contests the green magic of La Diabla, plus what is generated by Rachel and Forge. Sage, Wraith, and Xavier are surrounded by cold grey metal. But in the center of the room is the orange Krakoan egg, with something within like the amber from Jurassic Park. The lack of distinct colors aside from the characters draws the eyes to the center of the page. The lettering is clear and easy to read, coming from one of the most consistently brilliant letterers in the business.

In X-Force Issue 9, the story tries to please everyone. There is a side of the issue for those wanting to continue the main story and another that continues X-Manhunt, drawing that crossover towards its conclusion. However, those two being next to each other makes it difficult to focus on the other. Despite the attempts to rejuvenate the pace and some beautiful art, the comic is a dull penultimate part of a crossover that has spanned the whole line of X-books.

X-Force Issue 9 takes ages to get to where it needs to be, purely answering a few questions without generating suspense or any feeling of peril. It feels removed from the main story and slow, but at least it has reminded everyone that Xavier has had a plan this whole time and a daughter in danger that he is desperate to save.

X-Force Issue 9 is available where comics are sold.