Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Uncanny X-Force #30
Marvel Comics
Remender, Williams & White
Uncanny X-Force continues its long running story about the ultimate mutant, turned supreme villain, Apocalypse. This issue builds on a lot of the themes and plots from the previous issues, but it is amazingly self-contained. Basically, the kid named Evan, who is really a young Apocalypse, is kidnapped by some of the bad guys. The issue serves as a means to unleash the intense evil and power that Apocalypse possesses, but can it be done? The road that Remender takes the reader on in this issue is very Darth Vader-like but much more impactful and effective. I found the issue to be a terrific read.
Evan is taken on a joy ride by Sabretooth, Daken (Wolverine's son) and Shadow King. The trio is all about getting Evan to turn villain by forcing him to fight them as they kill off innocent civilians. It's a fairly effective tactic to get Evan to unleash all of his potential and see how deep his clean upbringing really runs.
Aside from Evan being forced to fight, the bad guys also reveal a lot about Evan that he doesn't know. Now, the case being made here is that Evan was lied to by Wolverine and company and that Sabretooth and friends are giving it to him straight. However, Evan isn't sure he isn't being lied to by Sabretooth and company. This struggle allows Evan to lean towards emotions rather than his senses as he seems to lose trust in just about everyone. It's all good story telling and fairly believable, especially because of Evan's age.
I loved the artwork in this issue. The book has a shiny look to it, but when there is blood to be shed the book definitely launches into a very gory and in-your-face look. There's sadness in the face of Evan that is captured well, but it's the deception depiction that is captured the best in the book. On the whole, this is a very good story visually.
If you haven't read Uncanny X-Force and you happen across this one you should pick up. Then after you've read it, you should go back read the previous issues. They make this issue better than it already is, which is something that's entertaining while setting up more payoffs down the road. You know you have a special comic book when Wolverine and the others don't even appear in the book and it's as good as any other single issue in the series. This is another terrific issue in a fantastic saga of a series.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
