X-Force #16 Review: Look upon the Leviathan

[Wolverine12]

The issue picks up with the team having mostly cleaned up the invasion from last issue and Dr. Reyes and Dr. McCoy studying the parasite. They determine it is basically a Krakoan tumor that was self excised. Beast want's to weaponize it and Reyes reminds him they should make sure they can stop the spread before considering any other options. When asked about being able to detect the tumor Black Tom said he didn't feel anymore and Krakoa was unaware of it at any time. We move on to the field team which consists of Wolverine, Forge and Quentin, Forge is actually tagging along for this mission and he brought some awesome gear. Phoebe shows up to give Quentin a kiss and tell him not to die this time so he will remember the kiss, it was a sweet moment. The team dives down and finds the ship, battles a few infected sea creatures and then Logan see's a massive leviathan, the creature's eye is as big as all of Logan, this stuns him for a moment, so much so that both Qq and Forge take notice and Logan exclaims he saw a god. The creature left but other infected show up and begin to overwhelm the team, Namor then shows up and complains about Krakoa, easily defeats the remaining creatures and then tells X-force if they cause trouble in the sea again he'll sink their island, so pretty standard Namor stuff. The last page is a data page that talks about humanity being reminded of how small they are when faced with wonders such as mountains, pyramids etc, and despite how these monoliths dwarf them there is a desire from humanity to conquer them whether that be climbing the mountain or exporing the pyramids, Logan is going to kill the Leviathan.

I know this series has slipped in a lot of peoples opinion on this board but I've never really felt that way and today reaffirmed my enjoyment of this title. It was a fast read as it was mostly action but I don't think that is a bad thing at all. The dialogue was entertaing, the plot is moving forward which I think is an odd thing to have to talk about, but due to XoS everything was just kind of in limbo, and Percy has really nailed the voice of each character. Reye's handled this examination much better than the Russian soldiers as she used her powers very effectively. Beast continues down his dark path and the rest of the team just go on a crazy sea adventure. For me it was just a fun read.

The highlight of the issue is Cassara's art. I can't say enough good things about this man, His characters are expressive, the infected creatures were genuinely scary looking and he was really able to sell the scale of the leviathan that gave a person like Logan pause. I hope he never leaves this title and Marvel would be smart to sign him on to a long contract. In what I thought was a really good issue, his contribution was the best part.

[Captain Nash]

I have to say, and it may be because of other life events, but I'm starting to get no real enjoyment out of any of the books. Like, it's not bad or anything, but I'm just realizing I get absolutely no thrill at all. That really hit home after this issue for some reason. It just doesn't matter. I've been reading X-books for over 30 years and this is the first time I've felt this apathetic, like I'm just reading out of a sense of duty.

But yeah, it was a decent issue. It just isn't jiving with me anymore. But all the books feel that way at the moment, Hellions is the only one that seems to leave any real impression.

[ChronoRogue]

I have to say, and it may be because of other life events, but I'm starting to get no real enjoyment out of any of the books. Like, it's not bad or anything, but I'm just realizing I get absolutely no thrill at all. That really hit home after this issue for some reason. It just doesn't matter. I've been reading X-books for over 30 years and this is the first time I've felt this apathetic, like I'm just reading out of a sense of duty.

But yeah, it was a decent issue. It just isn't jiving with me anymore. But all the books feel that way at the moment, Hellions is the only one that seems to leave any real impression.

Ah that's sad. I kinda get it, usually if I feel a need to step back from the books it's usually because it's been terrible writing or my favorite characters are just gone. (which to be fair is half-true for me)

Personally I'm still enjoying Krakoa conceptually. The X-Men are in a unique spot and it's getting really fleshed out. Utopia was similar but always felt... very temporary.

As far as X-Force, I agree it was a decent issue. I was mostly interested in the surprise Namor bit. Interesting how he calls them mutants as if he's not one himself...

[Soulsword323]

I enjoyed this. Percy does a good job bringing in new concepts.

Particularly loved the Cecilia/Beast scene (yay for using her powers to squash that parasite!), and I continue to enjoy Percy's Forge. With Quire resurrected, I'm guessing that we'll be getting Xeno's evil Kid Omega, and Jean will probably return to deal with that. They created that inversed Domino, so I assume that's where Percy is going next with Quire.

[Wolverine12]

I have to say, and it may be because of other life events, but I'm starting to get no real enjoyment out of any of the books. Like, it's not bad or anything, but I'm just realizing I get absolutely no thrill at all. That really hit home after this issue for some reason. It just doesn't matter. I've been reading X-books for over 30 years and this is the first time I've felt this apathetic, like I'm just reading out of a sense of duty.

But yeah, it was a decent issue. It just isn't jiving with me anymore. But all the books feel that way at the moment, Hellions is the only one that seems to leave any real impression.

I can understand the apathy, I felt the same way after Remender left Marvel until Hickman came along. There were a few bright spots during those years but a lot of the time I felt like I was buying the books just so they hopefully didn't cancel X-Men comics completely. I hope you find a title soon that brings back that spark of joy.

[TraneTrax]

As a whole this book isn't my cup of tea, but I do really appreciate the smaller character moments. Forge is just having a great time, and his slightly bro-y attitude is a welcome addition. That bit with the flame thrower was hilarious to me. He should be in the cast full-time. Same with Dr Reyes (who looks incredible drawn by Cassara). Someone need to stand up to Beast whom he actually respects as an intellectual peer.
If there's a future issue of Wolverine where he goes all Ahab for a bit, I'd be down with that.
I do wish the team had recruited Loa or Lifeguard or some other mutant with underwater capabilities, but I know X-force's work is technically classified.

[loke13]

The Namor was hands down the best thing about this issue. Nice to see he's still a dick and wary of Xavier.

[Rang10]

I liked this issue, it helped recover some faith on it. I really liked Namor, he is so badass and rude.

[Dthirds3]

So, whats the odds logan hunting that levlithan casuses a war with namor

[guy_gardner]

As a whole this book isn't my cup of tea, but I do really appreciate the smaller character moments. Forge is just having a great time, and his slightly bro-y attitude is a welcome addition. That bit with the flame thrower was hilarious to me. He should be in the cast full-time. Same with Dr Reyes (who looks incredible drawn by Cassara). Someone need to stand up to Beast whom he actually respects as an intellectual peer.
If there's a future issue of Wolverine where he goes all Ahab for a bit, I'd be down with that.
I do wish the team had recruited Loa or Lifeguard or some other mutant with underwater capabilities, but I know X-force's work is technically classified.

yeah...I think X-Force lost it "covert and classified" card after Krakoa's second or third invasion or maybe the Russian mutant inquisition

[silvercover]

as someone already said, this feels like one of the more messy X-men teams we have currently going that don't really feel like they mesh well in chemistry as well as intended role, only beaten by Excalibur's lineup. Wolverine, Beast, Sage and Domino id say fit in the role the book is advertised to serve, Quentin initially felt like he fit with being the guy who can get the info they need in but he then ends up being quite flashy and also dies a lot, Jean played her role well for what Quentin ought to be but as we already saw her nature conflicts with it so she's not part of it now, Colossus is advertised but hardly feels like a member while Tom's role is more of someone to defend then go out like the others. remember also that this team is supposed to be like their only official team and is even given more authority than the others like being able to instruct the 5 in the resurrection but they feel sloppy and don't look all that impressive/strong.

[superjosh]

I have to say, and it may be because of other life events, but I'm starting to get no real enjoyment out of any of the books. Like, it's not bad or anything, but I'm just realizing I get absolutely no thrill at all. That really hit home after this issue for some reason. It just doesn't matter. I've been reading X-books for over 30 years and this is the first time I've felt this apathetic, like I'm just reading out of a sense of duty.

But yeah, it was a decent issue. It just isn't jiving with me anymore. But all the books feel that way at the moment, Hellions is the only one that seems to leave any real impression.

I feel you. For me, it's definitely the weight of real life for me. I have a hard time enjoying certain things. Like I'm still entertained by light comedic stuff that I've always watched. But I'm pretty numb to a lot of things. And I'm findind it hard to motivate to watch movies or a TV series that covers difficult subjects.

I've been spending so much of my time following current events. I know I should take a break or look away, but I feel like it's so important right now to pay attention. I'm also trying to make sure my parents are healthy and safe. So then when it comes to comics, I'm just like meh now.

So with this issue being kind of inconsequential, I just don't see ever having to read it again... and repeat reading and appreciating is what I love most about comics!

[strathcona]

I have to say, and it may be because of other life events, but I'm starting to get no real enjoyment out of any of the books. Like, it's not bad or anything, but I'm just realizing I get absolutely no thrill at all. That really hit home after this issue for some reason. It just doesn't matter. I've been reading X-books for over 30 years and this is the first time I've felt this apathetic, like I'm just reading out of a sense of duty.

But yeah, it was a decent issue. It just isn't jiving with me anymore. But all the books feel that way at the moment, Hellions is the only one that seems to leave any real impression.

I feel exactly the same... even down to Hellions being the only book that I seem to enjoy.

[Sutekh]

Phoebe shows up to give Quentin a kiss and tell him not to die this time so he will remember the kiss, it was a sweet moment.

Could have been, like, an ironic kiss of death sort of moment? 'Cause I don't recall if Phoebe is the specific cuckoo who had to burn out her telepathy and kill herself to quell Quentin's drug-and-telepathy-fueled 'Riot at Xaviers' or 'just one of the surviving sisters who felt her die in their mind but this seems super out of character...

[Jwyatt]

On first read, I didn't really enjoy it because I kept thinking this has nothing to do with the 'mutant CIA' premise. I enjoyed it more when I thought of it more as a generic super-hero fight.