X-Force #2

By Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara and Dean White

As we get close to wrapping up the second issues from the Dawn of X relaunch, we can get a better feel for which series we connect with the most. Personally, X-Force has been the book that has stood out the most to me. Last issue ended with the apparent death of Charles Xavier, which is a huge blow for mutantkind. Terrorists reached the island and did the unthinkable, and now the mutants have to figure out where to go next. The second issue picks up immediately after the first issue, and we see the aftermath of the catastrophic event.

One of the best things about this series so far is the tone that Benjamin Percy has used for this book. Of all the series that have come out, there is a darker feel to X-Force that is not matched by the others. Percy sets us up this issue as you would expect. Some characters try to find a way to fix the situation, some characters get mad and vow revenge, and some characters blame themselves. Percy establishes Magneto well in this issue. We see him take a diplomatic and worldly approach as he wonders what might happens if the world finds out about Charles. Percy’s Jean is big this issue as well. He writes as a strong woman who knows the stakes and is willing to step up to the plate. The action this issue comes from Logan attempting to figure out more of who is behind the attack. The deeper Kid Omega and Logan dig, the more they find, and the more disturbing it is. Percy ends the issue with us wanting to know more.

The pencils this issue are handled by Joshua Cassara with colors by Dean White. Cassara turns in another good performance this issue. The second page in this issue is the big one where all the characters look at a fallen Xavier. Cassara draws this page wonderfully on the principle of scale alone. All the mutants are gathered around the body and Magneto is floating in the air holding cerebro. Cassara also gives us a page where the lone surviving attacker is being taken care of medically. It’s a six panel page and the panels go back and forth between the doctors and Logan as he sheathes and unsheathes his claws. Cassara draws these panels in a very interesting manner. He continues to be a great boost to this series. The colors by Dean White are also integral to this issue. White’s moody color palette adds to the seriousness of the issue. White uses a lot of black this issue, but he does also use some darker blues and greens. The thing that really stands out with White’s work, is that it has a chunky texture to it that separates it from other colorists right now.

X-Force #2 is another amazing thrill ride for this series. Benjamin Percy has written another exciting issue, and the pencils and colors help boost the enjoyment. X-Force is emerging as the front runner for best series coming out of Dawn of X.