Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Uncanny X-Force #35
Marvel Comics
Remender, Noto & Martin
Rick Remender's run on Uncanny X-Force ends with a nice wrap-up issue. Characters mend fences, they hash out their feelings and they walk through the door that will lead them to something other than being a team member of X-Force. It's a fantastic way to end this series that has seen the remaining characters get put through so much in the thirty-five issues. While not every character survives the series, those that do have unquestionably developed regardless of their overexposure (Wolverine) in the Marvel Universe. Remember has undoubtedly left his mark.
While this series has had a number of themes throughout the run, the book thrives on its relationships. Specifically the love story relationships in the book. I enjoyed how Remender brought back some of the feelings of one of the love stories in the book. However, I was a little disappointed that the other love story in this run wasn't discussed at all. I am being vague because I simply don't want to spoil the surprise. Overall, the love story angle was a great way to wrap up the book.
Remender also visits the lost opportunity with regard to Wolverine and his son. This angle is a bit tougher to buy into. The relationship has simply been played with by too many creators and Remender never had a chance to differentiate his take on it versus the other's interpretations.
Finally, Remender takes a look at Deadpool and his interaction with many of the characters from the final arc. It's a good way to show the reader just how influential he was on the other characters. This might get lost with all the jokes and action when in the moment. However, when reviewing the impact after the fact as is done in this issue his involvement becomes more clear.
Noto does a great job on art duties. The entire issue is full of emotion and moments of clarity and Noto displays these elements perfectly. The book retains its painted style, which has been constant throughout, and this helps to keep the book's "feel" from issue one until the end. The book looks fabulous.
Uncanny X-Force is one of the best series I've read in recent years. This issue is very calm and hits on the portions of the story that occurred ten or fifteen issues ago. This might not be ideal for someone that came in for the most recent arc, but it helps to hold together the theme of this issue: relationships. Amazingly, this book has a happy ending. Then again, if you viewed this book as a love story then it makes sense. This was a bittersweet ending to a terrific book.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
