Uncanny X-Force #10 Review

After a thoroughly disappointing second arc focused on the Psylocke/Fantomex love quadrangle, the hope was that Uncanny X-Force had nowhere to go but up from there. Fortunately, that seems to b the case. Though this series certainly still has its flaws, issue #10 improves on the formula by quickening the pace, ramping up the action, and returning focus to the full team.

Sam Humphries offers readers a much clearer understanding of the Revanants and the threat they pose in this issue. After a fairly awkward scene in which Bishop practically vomits a torrent of exposition across a two-page spread, the battle is allowed to begin. Humphries makes full use in this extended action sequence of his newest artistic collaborator, Ramon Perez. Perez suitably alters his style from his recent Wolverine and the X-Men work, capturing the darker, harsher tone of this corner of the Marvel Universe. But in addition to shadows and bloodshed, Perez proves equally adept at conveying the surreal nature of the astral plane and its psychic manifestations.

In some ways Humphries shows a stronger sense of characterization in this issue. He uses his new foe to explore the fragile psyches of Storm, Psylocke, etc, we get a better sense of what drives each team member. But in other ways, the usual flaws remain. The unnecessary and censored cursing returns (though I honestly have no idea what specific words are being obscured in Puck's dialogue). And Psylocke's voice continues to feel off. This issue sees her use the words "scrubs" and "busters" as mid-fight insults. What is this, a Fast & Furious sequel?

Jesse is a writer for various IGN channels. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com