Review: X-Force #50

Benjamin Percy throws everything but the kitchen sink at us in this final chapter of his X-Force run, delivering a frenetically paced brawl between X-Force & Beast Prime.

The core conflict w/ Beast Prime, the central narrative thread throughout this final X-Force arc, feels rushed & unsatisfying. Percy has planted seeds for a complex & morally ambiguous storyline for months, but the resolution feels unearned. Beast Prime's motivations are relegated to explanatory monologues that ring hollow & Defenders Era-Beast isn’t given enough time to convey his own ideology. There was a ton of potential to really get into the moral quandary between these two viewpoints yet Percy ran out of pages to explore things further & the “happy” ending comes across as a cop out.

This has been a recurring theme throughout Percy's time on X-Force. Intriguing plot threads are teased, only to be sidelined or abandoned altogether in favor of lesser storylines, like the Colossus/Rasputin arc that extended well beyond its shelf-life. That arc, which dominated a significant portion of the series’s back-half, ultimately feels like a roadblock that prevented this more compelling Beast story from reaching its full potential.

Even w/ those complaints, there's no denying the thrill factor here. Robert Gill's art, combined w/ Guru_eFX's dynamic colors, brings the action sequences to life w/ stunning visuals. Each X-Force member gets a moment to shine, showcasing their unique abilities in exciting detail. Unfortunately, where the action excels, Percy’s script isn’t as equitable in giving each member a final sendoff (I’m looking at you Omega Red). The underwater scenes in particular were phenomenal & I will miss the blues & greens utilized throughout this series.

Overall, X-Force #50 is a visually impressive comic, but it stumbles in its attempt to deliver a satisfying conclusion. While the action sequences are undeniably exciting, the story’s core thesis feels underdeveloped.

Rating: 8/10