Review: Uncanny X-Force #5

UNCANNY X-FORCE #5 PREVIEW

WRITER:  Rick Remender

PENCILS:  Esad Ribic

INKER:  John Lucas

COLORS:  Matt Wilson

LETTERS:  VC’s Cory Petit

COVER:  Esad Ribic

PUBLISHER:  Marvel

RELEASE DATE:  February 16, 2011

After the explosive conclusion to issue four, one would think issue five could not compare to it’s predecessor — well think again!

Rick Remender continually puts out the best X book on the shelves month after month – and issue five is no exception! Believe me, I have been reading Marvel’s Merry Mutants for over twenty years and nothing has ever combined such comedic timing, senses shattering action, shocking endings and overall greatness than the first five issues of Remender’s Uncanny X-Force! 

Issue five takes a dip into the surreal as we enter into Fantomex’s “world” where he was created. We take a walk down memory lane and are treated to a fleeting glance at the “Weapon Program,” a nice touch by Remender and Ribic, and realize that someone or something has dabbled in Fantomex’s “world” while he was gone. What comes next is a battle Royale between Fantomex and monstrous techno-organic versions of Marvel’s finest heroes with the winner escaping with their lives and “the world.”

This was another enjoyable read that hits upon all the aspects fan boys are craving in their comics. High octane battles? Check! Improved character development? Check! Easter eggs? Check! Great art and story? Check! Old ladies getting killed by a cybernetic Spider-Man? Most definitely — Check! I have to say, I am so pleased that Remender has chosen to leave Marvel’s cash cows – Wolverine and Deadpool – present enough to make significant contributions to the book, but not to completely over power it. It is a true testament to the quality of the writer to take a character like Fantomex, the least known figure of the book, and not only make him the focal point of the tale – but to also make it an exceptional one. It would have been so easy for Remender to make X-Force just another Wolverine book and leave the supporting characters as only that — support. But he truly makes this a team book, from fundamentals and dynamics to arguments over missions, each character brings their strengths to the table and no one figure emerges more important than the next. If anything, Deadpool and Wolverine tend to take a back seat to the rest of the team and this X fan couldn’t be happier with the way Remender and Ribic’s stories have turned out.

If you are not reading this book you are missing out on an amazing ride that Remender and Ribic have custom made for not only X fans but all fans of comics.  And if you are put off because you think you need to know decades worth of X history to understand this book — don’t be! Remender and Ribic have created a book that stands on it’s own two legs and doesn’t need support from any other X book or creative team. All you need to know is that Uncanny X-Force is continually a great read and that everyone needs a little R&R once and awhile!