Review - X-Force Epic Collection: Under The Gun

Under the leadership of the enigmatic Cable, X-Force dedicates themselves to stopping mutant threats by any means necessary. They face off against the Mutant Liberation Front, Juggernaut, and a newly reformed Brotherhood of Mutants. Then, they must contend with betrayal after Deadpool exposes a spy within their ranks.

X-Force Epic Collection: Under The Gun collects X-Force #1-15, Annual #1, Spider-Man #16, and Wolverine #54, by Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Fabian Nicieza, and Greg Capullo.

If there’s one comic series that is viewed as being prototypical of the “extreme” nature of early-‘90s comics, it’s X-Force. Characters are dressed in shoulder pads and pockets galore, carrying guns that are disproportionately large. The excessiveness extends beyond the visuals as well. Within its first 15 issues, X-Force introduces one too many subplots and fills its pages with too many characters to keep track of. The series opens with X-Force doing battle against Juggernaut, with the help of Siryn and Spider-Man. Shortly after this, they’re attacked by the Brotherhood of Mutants and then by a task force created to bring Cable down. While all of this is going down, there’s also a side story involving the External named Gideon and his tutelage of Sunspot, Deadpool’s continued pursuit of Cable, and a flashback issue that details some of Cable’s past with his group Wild Pack. Sadly, very few of these storylines or characters have much depth. It all reads as one long toy commercial, which shouldn’t be surprising when you consider the fact that X-Force would get its own action figure line by Toy Biz. Individuals appear on page strictly to engage in action sequences and not much else. It’s not hard to believe Louise Simonson when she said, “[…]Rob really wasn't interested in the stories at all. He just wanted to do what he wanted to do, which was cool drawings of people posing in their costumes that would then sell for lots of money.”

Indeed, Rob Liefeld is the weakest link as far as contributing talent is concerned when it comes to this collection. His art is cringe-worthy and leaves me wondering how and why he was so popular to begin with. His proportions are ridiculously off in almost every panel. Men have hulking bodies with teeny tiny feet, while the women often look like they’re just a pair of floating breasts and a head (with lips that often look like swollen buttholes). His art also lacks versatility when it comes to expressiveness. Everyone looks permanently angry. Although, I suppose if I looked like a Liefeld drawing, I’d be mad all the time too. Another aspect of his style that’s always made me twitchy is that everyone looks to be in their 50s or 60s, which is odd when you consider the majority of the characters on the team are actually supposed to be either in their late teens or early twenties (Cable being the exception). Liefeld’s contributions extend beyond the art, as he’s credited with plotting as well. This undoubtedly explains why X-Force is as excessive and unfocused as it is. Bless Fabian Nicieza for trying to add some cohesion and depth to what he was given as the scripter.

Despite my harsh words for Liefeld and these early issues of X-Force, I actually see the book as a guilty pleasure. It’s so ridiculous that it’s entertaining to read. It’s a mess, but a fun one to observe. Of course, it’s not without redeeming qualities. Some of the character work is actually really engaging. Cable’s paternal dynamic with Cannonball adds layers to the team’s dynamic, while Boom Boom’s willingness to challenge authority ensures that everyone isn’t always merely following orders. Feral is an interesting character as well. True to her name, she’s unpredictable and increases the tension within the book. Siryn is another standout, though most of her growth as a character won’t occur until after Liefeld’s departure from X-Force. Story-wise, there are elements that work well. The subplot with Tolliver and Deadpool, where they expose a mole within X-Force’s ranks, is arguably the most well done. The return of the Brotherhood, this time under the direction of Toad, is also fairly enjoyable. The notion that Toad has grown out of being the snivelling sidekick to greater villains and into being a leader himself is neat, even if the overall arc itself is a bit hastily put together.

X-Force Epic Collection: Under The Gun surely qualifies as being dubbed “so bad, it’s good.” It’s overstuffed and outlandish in every possible way, but if you squint there’s a bit of heart underneath all of those damned pockets. For those who grew up in the ‘90s or may have a nostalgic obsession with this era, this collection is a perfect little nugget of trash entertainment that’s ideal for turning your brain off for a minute and just experiencing the excessiveness of it all.

RATING: C