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Uncanny X-Force (2010)
Uncanny X-Force, Vol. 4: The Dark Angel Saga, Book 2
Having traveled to the Age of Apocalypse, X-Force team up with the Amazing X-Men for the final push against Apocalypse's heir, in a bettle Royale that will force Wolverine to make the hardest choice of his life. One world must die! Plus: someone has wiped out a small town in Northern Montana and in its place a new alien landscape has grown. What is Tabula Rasa? Can Fantomex and Deadpool work together to survive its harsh terrains long enough to unlock its mystery? Then: the fate of the entire world rests on Deadpool's shoulders! A new Death is born! Refugee mutants from the Age of Apocalypse descend on our world! Can the Merc with a Mouth hold off long enough for X-Force to regroup? Is there any hope of staving off the Age of Archangel? Not if Iceman and the Blob have their say. Monsters of doom and glory, Rick Remender (Venom, Punisher), Jerome Opena (Punisher, Moon Knight) and legendary colorist Dean White (Avengers) reunite to serve up another boss bowl of breakneck action in the hottest book on the stands!
Collecting: Uncanny X-Force 14-19
Collecting: Uncanny X-Force 14-19
168 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2012
17 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Rick Remender
1,242 books1,422 followersRick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 30, 2015
4.5 stars
First, for all of you who (like me) read these volumes in single issues sometimes, this collects 14-19, not 14-18 like the Goodreads blurb states at this time.
Well, this was the conclusion of the Dark Angel Saga, and I was not disappointed. This had the same high-stakes plot, consistent enough art, and snappy dialogue as the previous volumes.
That's right. I said snappy.
I'm bringing that word back, with or without your help!
After the snafu in the Age of Apocalypse world, the team is basically forced to come to terms with the fact that 'curing' Warren is probably not an option any longer. Archangel is fully in control, and worse, has reunited with his Four Horsemen.
{Insert Giant Fiery Death Ray Machine in Sky Here}
Betsy (Psylock) is the only one who hasn't completely thrown in the towel, and continues to try to 'talk sense into him'.
Not only does it not work, her plan backfires spectacularly when Archangel needs a new Death.
Remember how Fantomex was cooking up something weird in his laboratory in The World?
Well, the timer hasn't exactly dinged! yet, but it looks like he's going to have to pull his ace out of the hole a little bit early.
{Insert Inappropriate Dick Joke Here}
Or not. Jeez, so touchy.
I love how Genesis was basically given Clark Kent's life in his virtual reality childhood! I LOL'd a bit when I read that...
Anyway, he may be the superhero that Uncle ClusterFantomex was hoping he'd turn out to be, but, in the end, it's all going to come down to whether or not Psylock can pull the trigger on the man she loves.
Gratuitous ass-shot of Psylock for Jeff.
You're welcome, buddy!
Once again, Deadpool, Fantomex , and Wolverine keep this from being nothing but a downer with their SNAPPY comebacks, one-liners, and general hatred of each other.
This ends on a cliffhanger that has something to do with Captain Britain from the Otherworld (who I know next to nothing about), so I've already got the next volume on deck! So far, this is turning out to be a series that I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for an X-title.
First, for all of you who (like me) read these volumes in single issues sometimes, this collects 14-19, not 14-18 like the Goodreads blurb states at this time.
Well, this was the conclusion of the Dark Angel Saga, and I was not disappointed. This had the same high-stakes plot, consistent enough art, and snappy dialogue as the previous volumes.
That's right. I said snappy.
I'm bringing that word back, with or without your help!
After the snafu in the Age of Apocalypse world, the team is basically forced to come to terms with the fact that 'curing' Warren is probably not an option any longer. Archangel is fully in control, and worse, has reunited with his Four Horsemen.
{Insert Giant Fiery Death Ray Machine in Sky Here}
Betsy (Psylock) is the only one who hasn't completely thrown in the towel, and continues to try to 'talk sense into him'.
Not only does it not work, her plan backfires spectacularly when Archangel needs a new Death.
Remember how Fantomex was cooking up something weird in his laboratory in The World?
Well, the timer hasn't exactly dinged! yet, but it looks like he's going to have to pull his ace out of the hole a little bit early.
{Insert Inappropriate Dick Joke Here}
Or not. Jeez, so touchy.
I love how Genesis was basically given Clark Kent's life in his virtual reality childhood! I LOL'd a bit when I read that...
Anyway, he may be the superhero that Uncle Cluster
Gratuitous ass-shot of Psylock for Jeff.
You're welcome, buddy!
Once again, Deadpool, Fantomex , and Wolverine keep this from being nothing but a downer with their SNAPPY comebacks, one-liners, and general hatred of each other.
This ends on a cliffhanger that has something to do with Captain Britain from the Otherworld (who I know next to nothing about), so I've already got the next volume on deck! So far, this is turning out to be a series that I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for an X-title.
June 12, 2023
With this story, Rick Remender brings to a stunning close the story begun by the creative team of Louise and Walt Simonson back when they were handling X-Factor. In the pages of their classic run, the couple mutilated an original X-Man and remade him into razor-winged Horseman of Death. Now, Remender has used his excellent opening arc in The Apocalypse Solution to lead in to this event. Apocalypse is dead and now Archangel has risen to take his place.
For this six-issue main event, Jerome Opeña returns on interior art chores and Wolverine brings friends to what would be their last stand against the ultimate heir of Apocalypse. It is epic. The ten issues without Opeña were worth slogging through to get through six uninterrupted chapters of his detailed pencils. This could be his last extended story arc on the title since he is moving on to a new title in the wake of Avengers Versus X-Men and the Marvel NOW! relaunch.
Psylocke is one of my all-time favorite characters and Opeña draws her less Barbie doll than other artist ever did. His Betsy Braddock as a telepathic ninja is dangerous but vulnerable. She is a star on this book and less token telepath. Remender grew her character by bringing her so much sorrow that it almost too much to bear. Having read the next twelve issues, there is more to come.
Still, Remender crafted a very poignant end for Psylocke and Angel. Although it happened on the psychic plane, Betsy used her last moments with Warren to live a life together that would have produced two daughters and the couple growing old together. This means that the loss of Warren would effectively leave her a widow and her hands stained with his blood after having driven the implement of his death into his chest.
This story has a lot of surprises and moments that just amazes the reader. A great story with great art and that rewards the long time reader. A satisfying read.
Read as individual issues on the Marvel Unlimited app.
October 10, 2018
Rick Remember brings us the next heartbreaking chapter in the tragic ballad of Warren Worthington III. With great artwork throughout, this is an excellent book.
One question I'd ask the artist, though, is how does Wolverine's costume regenerate when his body does? Most peculiar...
One question I'd ask the artist, though, is how does Wolverine's costume regenerate when his body does? Most peculiar...
August 20, 2021
This was quite epic.
It starts with Warren and his new horsemen using the life seed to take control of some region and the remaining X-force members teaming up to defeat them but it won't be that easy as Warren has big plans and unleashes real evil and kills so many, meanwhile its the battle for Betsy's soul. Enter the age of Apocalypse X-Men and its an all out war between them and the X-force, and who will be left standing and how will it change it all?
It was a great volume and I loved that moment between Warren and Betsy where they grow old and all, just such a great sequence and it does pose some serious question about nature and nurture and the aftermath of it is going to be interesting. And especially Genesis and what Wolverine and Psylocke do forward but the ending was so good. This series is getting so good and this was the highpoint of the series and I love it. Its one of the best Warren stories for sure and Remender writes him so well! The art is getting better with every issue here.
It starts with Warren and his new horsemen using the life seed to take control of some region and the remaining X-force members teaming up to defeat them but it won't be that easy as Warren has big plans and unleashes real evil and kills so many, meanwhile its the battle for Betsy's soul. Enter the age of Apocalypse X-Men and its an all out war between them and the X-force, and who will be left standing and how will it change it all?
It was a great volume and I loved that moment between Warren and Betsy where they grow old and all, just such a great sequence and it does pose some serious question about nature and nurture and the aftermath of it is going to be interesting. And especially Genesis and what Wolverine and Psylocke do forward but the ending was so good. This series is getting so good and this was the highpoint of the series and I love it. Its one of the best Warren stories for sure and Remender writes him so well! The art is getting better with every issue here.
March 8, 2014
Where to start...hmm...well, our heroes just returned from the Age of Apocalypse with the device to possibly save Warren from the Archangel persona, only to discover that it's too late; Archangel is in total control.
The team is unable to defeat Archangel and his horsemen, so they escape, minus Betsy, who stays, unwilling to give up on saving Warren.
The villain that led them into the AoA in the previous volume, had actually stranded them there, returning to this world to be alongside Archangel, and is helping him to use the device that was to save Warren to reform the world in the image he wants.
This is the mega-villain destroy the world and reform it in a new image type of Archangel/Apocalypse here. Big stuff.
Wolverine is out of commission for a good part of the action here, having been taken out by Archangel, and with Betsy staying with him, that leaves Fantomex, Deadpool, and Deathlok (who you might remember showed up in volume 2 and stayed behind to guard 'The World').
Deathlok fits in with the other 2 perfectly, so you have 3 badass assassins taking on Archangel and his cronies, which leads to some very violent very fun exchanges. A particularly fun one is when the AI that runs Deathlok lets the psychotic killer in him take over and go to town on people. The way Remender writes Deathlok makes him so much more interesting than he's ever been in anything else I've seen. Wade and Jean-Phillipe get some great bonding time here, and if anyone has a better idea for a buddy cop movie than those 2, please tell me.
The fight against Archangel and his forces doesn't go too well, and once Wolverine actually recovers, he's the last one left standing...
things really look like they're going to end badly, when the cavalry shows up quite unexpectedly, and not the cavalry anyone was expecting.
I won't spoil that gem, but it was about the same feeling as watching a movie and having the unexpected save come out of left field and making you just jump up in your seat and fist pump "YESSS!". (Sorry I'm a geek. I know, it's just a book, but damn.)
I won't go on from here, but lets just say things are poetic in how they work out. The major theme of the first volume becomes somewhat unimportant in the fallout of what happens here. It also adds a whole new layer to one of our team members, which is fantastic.
If you read Jason Aaron's 'Wolverine and the X-Men' the events at the end of this book explain some of what happens in that book as well.
I know one thing for sure: I would for sure read 'Campus Illuminati Assassin Squad'.
Wow, just a fantastic Saga. Much better than a lot of the 'Events' that take the whole of Marvel or DC to do and take much longer to come together. This just shows what a great writer can do when he's allowed to go nuts. Bravo Mr. Remender, with these last 2 books, you're now a must-read writer for me.
Oh, and did I mention, he's already set up the next volume/storyline with a WTF appearance at the end of the book?
Not to mention, a new team member totally out of this world...I'm giddy like Christmas morning in anticipation.
You have to read both parts, but I'm going out on a limb and saying if you read any "X" books, this is a must, and if you enjoy good reading, this is essential. This is what a great comic writer can do when he's not crushed by editorial staff dictating moves. YAY!
The team is unable to defeat Archangel and his horsemen, so they escape, minus Betsy, who stays, unwilling to give up on saving Warren.
The villain that led them into the AoA in the previous volume, had actually stranded them there, returning to this world to be alongside Archangel, and is helping him to use the device that was to save Warren to reform the world in the image he wants.
This is the mega-villain destroy the world and reform it in a new image type of Archangel/Apocalypse here. Big stuff.
Wolverine is out of commission for a good part of the action here, having been taken out by Archangel, and with Betsy staying with him, that leaves Fantomex, Deadpool, and Deathlok (who you might remember showed up in volume 2 and stayed behind to guard 'The World').
Deathlok fits in with the other 2 perfectly, so you have 3 badass assassins taking on Archangel and his cronies, which leads to some very violent very fun exchanges. A particularly fun one is when the AI that runs Deathlok lets the psychotic killer in him take over and go to town on people. The way Remender writes Deathlok makes him so much more interesting than he's ever been in anything else I've seen. Wade and Jean-Phillipe get some great bonding time here, and if anyone has a better idea for a buddy cop movie than those 2, please tell me.
The fight against Archangel and his forces doesn't go too well, and once Wolverine actually recovers, he's the last one left standing...
things really look like they're going to end badly, when the cavalry shows up quite unexpectedly, and not the cavalry anyone was expecting.
I won't spoil that gem, but it was about the same feeling as watching a movie and having the unexpected save come out of left field and making you just jump up in your seat and fist pump "YESSS!". (Sorry I'm a geek. I know, it's just a book, but damn.)
I won't go on from here, but lets just say things are poetic in how they work out. The major theme of the first volume becomes somewhat unimportant in the fallout of what happens here. It also adds a whole new layer to one of our team members, which is fantastic.
If you read Jason Aaron's 'Wolverine and the X-Men' the events at the end of this book explain some of what happens in that book as well.
I know one thing for sure: I would for sure read 'Campus Illuminati Assassin Squad'.
Wow, just a fantastic Saga. Much better than a lot of the 'Events' that take the whole of Marvel or DC to do and take much longer to come together. This just shows what a great writer can do when he's allowed to go nuts. Bravo Mr. Remender, with these last 2 books, you're now a must-read writer for me.
Oh, and did I mention, he's already set up the next volume/storyline with a WTF appearance at the end of the book?
Not to mention, a new team member totally out of this world...I'm giddy like Christmas morning in anticipation.
You have to read both parts, but I'm going out on a limb and saying if you read any "X" books, this is a must, and if you enjoy good reading, this is essential. This is what a great comic writer can do when he's not crushed by editorial staff dictating moves. YAY!
February 12, 2014
This is quite simply a fantastic story. Great plot, awesomely nuanced characterizations, detailed settings and character designs, and a mood that is both darkly hopeless and dryly smirk-worthy.
All the characters of X-Force feel three-dimensional, with complex relationships among the team (like the Fantomex-Deadpool dynamic) and lots of adult dialogue (mostly centred on cynicism and understatement). I love this.
The art by Opena does a masterful job of conveying the weight and seriousness of this storyline, so that even the lightest moments have a darker shadow just behind them.
As Archangel begins to explore his own dream of mutant domination, it feels like we're actually seeing the flip side of a two-tone grey coin, and I begin to wonder if this isn't a reasonable end with slightly horrifying means. That's what it means to have Remender writing your X-story: no one is a caricature, and Archangel especially is unpredictable, nuanced and almost normal in his pursuit of a form of justice for all mutantkind.
And Deadpool is my favourite Deadpool here - just the right balance of id and saying exactly what we'd be thinking with dark humour and still grounded in the reality around him. Every crack is not only a little crazy but totally on point to the scene at hand. I just about died reading his exchange with Sabretooth in the last issue. Can we just please give Remender an exclusive contract to write Deadpool for the rest of his life? Please?
This is a first-rate piece of work by Remender and Opena. I can't imagine how they'll keep up this level of thoroughly well-crafted story, but I keep hearing about Remender's legendary run here so here I go once more. Wish me luck!
All the characters of X-Force feel three-dimensional, with complex relationships among the team (like the Fantomex-Deadpool dynamic) and lots of adult dialogue (mostly centred on cynicism and understatement). I love this.
The art by Opena does a masterful job of conveying the weight and seriousness of this storyline, so that even the lightest moments have a darker shadow just behind them.
As Archangel begins to explore his own dream of mutant domination, it feels like we're actually seeing the flip side of a two-tone grey coin, and I begin to wonder if this isn't a reasonable end with slightly horrifying means. That's what it means to have Remender writing your X-story: no one is a caricature, and Archangel especially is unpredictable, nuanced and almost normal in his pursuit of a form of justice for all mutantkind.
And Deadpool is my favourite Deadpool here - just the right balance of id and saying exactly what we'd be thinking with dark humour and still grounded in the reality around him. Every crack is not only a little crazy but totally on point to the scene at hand. I just about died reading his exchange with Sabretooth in the last issue. Can we just please give Remender an exclusive contract to write Deadpool for the rest of his life? Please?
This is a first-rate piece of work by Remender and Opena. I can't imagine how they'll keep up this level of thoroughly well-crafted story, but I keep hearing about Remender's legendary run here so here I go once more. Wish me luck!
November 14, 2012
Rick Remender continues his landmark run and Jerome Opeña returns on art duties for the conclusion to Uncanny X-Force: The Dark Angel Saga, Book 1. This book is dark (like the previous volumes, true), but things just seem so hopeless for our heroes, we have to wonder how they will overcome Archangel and his cronies (Dark Beast, Genocide, the Final Horsemen, and a smattering of Age Of Apocalypse baddies) who've come over to our dimension.
Fantomex again saves the day! While the author certainly gives every team member a chance to shine, it is Fantomex that steals the show.
The "Dark Angel Saga" is followed by an epilogue, a quieter issue that brings us right up to the post-"Schism" status quo of the X-Universe, where Wolverine starts up the Jean Grey School For Higher Learning.
Probably one of the best titles Marvel has right now, if not THE best, this series, from its inception, has taken risks and has dared to push the proverbial envelope, challenging its readers and never letting them catch their breath. Absolutely EVERY issue is essential reading, not a page is wasted. I want more books likes this!
Only three more volumes to go for Uncanny X-Force . Next up is Uncanny X-Force: Otherworld.
Fantomex again saves the day! While the author certainly gives every team member a chance to shine, it is Fantomex that steals the show.
The "Dark Angel Saga" is followed by an epilogue, a quieter issue that brings us right up to the post-"Schism" status quo of the X-Universe, where Wolverine starts up the Jean Grey School For Higher Learning.
Probably one of the best titles Marvel has right now, if not THE best, this series, from its inception, has taken risks and has dared to push the proverbial envelope, challenging its readers and never letting them catch their breath. Absolutely EVERY issue is essential reading, not a page is wasted. I want more books likes this!
Only three more volumes to go for Uncanny X-Force . Next up is Uncanny X-Force: Otherworld.
November 10, 2014
Ah Rick Remender, you sure know how to spin a golden X-Force tale. This volume is the big payoff for Remender's entire arc up to this point and a lot of moving parts from earlier volumes come back together and see resolutions here. It's a very strong story but it's even better if you can invest in the previous volumes leading up to it. It's well written, well paced and very intelligent.
November 28, 2021
A true masterpiece of modern superhero comics. UXF is a marquee X-run and this is its apex.
I love the OG Age of Apocalypse and this spiritual successor is everything great about AoA condensed in an equally epic albeit more succinct story, there’s no slog, no filler. Just superb art and story.
I love the OG Age of Apocalypse and this spiritual successor is everything great about AoA condensed in an equally epic albeit more succinct story, there’s no slog, no filler. Just superb art and story.
November 22, 2024
Man this was so good. Remender at his best. This guy is a must read writer there are so many gut punches and I love Betsy the more I dive into this series and my heart breaks for what Warren's going through. Than you have Fantomex who has emerged as my 'Guy' in this run love the personality Remender has given to him and also to the entire cast.
If you missed this series back in the day it's one you have to go back to I promise.
If you missed this series back in the day it's one you have to go back to I promise.
August 30, 2020
This is the wrap up to the Dark Angel saga and things really get out of hand. Archangel as the new Apocalypse begins his plan to transform the world, and only X-Force and some heroes from the Age of Apocalypse Universe are there to stop him.
Things get a little confusing at points, but that's pretty much par for the course for the X-Men. Still, this remains a really good series.
Things get a little confusing at points, but that's pretty much par for the course for the X-Men. Still, this remains a really good series.
February 17, 2015
I don't really care about Age of Apocalypse stories, especially when Apocalypse isn't in them, and I don't like reading X-Force if the art is anything less than stellar. But they get back the painterly art guy as opposed to the inky art guy, and there's a new villain called Genocide who's basically Ghost Rider in a bubble boy suit, which sounds lame but is friggin' great. For as simple as X-Force stories are (find the mission, kill the thing) there's a whole of of this that doesn't really make sense, but then Wolverine chops someone's arms off and you're like "holy shit" and you forget about the fact that it's all a bunch of time travel gobbledygook.
Occasionally this story gets so weird it wanders into Morrison-esque territory, but it's hard to tell if it's being intentionally fabulist and strange or if Remender reeeally just has no idea how to write a coherent sentence. But Deadpool is reliably funny, the Four Horsemen finally get some significant page space to kick ass, and Genesis and a new Angel are introduced just long enough to get them over to Wolverine and the X-Men, Vol. 1, the most important X-comic in the universe.
All in all, you know, it's fine. I'm over the gore and it's all kind of simplistic -- just X-Men in a saucer ship on a mission, which just doesn't do it for me. I want the school and the drama and the whole X-world. But you know , it does the thing it wants to do just fine. I'm just not that pumped about it.
Occasionally this story gets so weird it wanders into Morrison-esque territory, but it's hard to tell if it's being intentionally fabulist and strange or if Remender reeeally just has no idea how to write a coherent sentence. But Deadpool is reliably funny, the Four Horsemen finally get some significant page space to kick ass, and Genesis and a new Angel are introduced just long enough to get them over to Wolverine and the X-Men, Vol. 1, the most important X-comic in the universe.
All in all, you know, it's fine. I'm over the gore and it's all kind of simplistic -- just X-Men in a saucer ship on a mission, which just doesn't do it for me. I want the school and the drama and the whole X-world. But you know , it does the thing it wants to do just fine. I'm just not that pumped about it.
May 29, 2025
This is more like a 4.5 because it was surprisingly emotional and I almost can’t believe Marvel was publishing something this good not written by Hickman at the time. However… ending pages kinda made me mad because of course, there is no real finality
March 15, 2020
The Dark Angel Saga portion was amazing in every aspect but good God was the art terrible for issue #19. The writing was up to par for that issue though. Genesis is such a cool concept.
December 16, 2019
The Uncanny X-Force return from the Age of Apocalypse to discover that Archangel has completely succumbed to his destiny as Apocalypse's heir. With the Celestial Life Seed, he sets out to destroy the world and put it on a new evolutionary path. Wolverine, Psylocke, Fantomex, Deathlok, and Deadpool are not enough to stop him. Help arrives from the AoA's X-Men -- Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Sabretooth, Sunfire, and Wild Child.
This volume continues the dark tale with the same sense of humor. Unlike Book 1, however, Book 2 drags a bit and feels a little more forced. Archangel spends a lot of time trying to win Psylocke to his point of view, and the inclusion of the AoA X-Men is a clear lead-in for the upcoming Age of Apocalypse title. In the process, it takes the classic storyline in a new and unrecognizable direction.
I did appreciate the clever introduction of Genocide. The famous AoA villain Holocaust never had a counterpart in our timeline, and now that we see him, we get an interesting backstory. It is a nod to the original Horsemen with disturbing implications for poor Autumn Rolfson (Famine).
There is a lot going on, and Rick Remember is able to keep the pace moving admirably. The art reinforces the tone making The Dark Angel conclusion only one small step behind The Dark Angel opening.
This volume continues the dark tale with the same sense of humor. Unlike Book 1, however, Book 2 drags a bit and feels a little more forced. Archangel spends a lot of time trying to win Psylocke to his point of view, and the inclusion of the AoA X-Men is a clear lead-in for the upcoming Age of Apocalypse title. In the process, it takes the classic storyline in a new and unrecognizable direction.
I did appreciate the clever introduction of Genocide. The famous AoA villain Holocaust never had a counterpart in our timeline, and now that we see him, we get an interesting backstory. It is a nod to the original Horsemen with disturbing implications for poor Autumn Rolfson (Famine).
There is a lot going on, and Rick Remember is able to keep the pace moving admirably. The art reinforces the tone making The Dark Angel conclusion only one small step behind The Dark Angel opening.
March 9, 2012
I could not put this down. The previous 3 volumes culminate into a massive, tense, far-flung battle. Much like Grant Morrison's early JLA run, this is how a book about a super team should work. Every single member is important, and each has a very specific role to play. But it doesn't stop there. Remender throws the X-Force all over the place in this volume, beating the hell out of every single character and leaving several of them changed forever. I love how he's completely comfortable making giant leaps with the characters, forcing them to deal with vastly different circumstances at every turn. While this does feel "the end" of the first big arc for the X-Force, it does not at all feel like Remender is out of ideas. He's set himself up for a completely different set of team dynamics, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
April 4, 2021
This is certainly one of the most violent, but also one of the most poignant X-tales ever told.
The art by Opena (and Rodriguez) is gorgeous, and Remender perfectly utilizes his diverse cast of anti-heroes, deftly weaving together the characters' shared history to create an epic battle between flawed good and horrendous evil. All cast members are characterized to perfection, and intriguing new creations introduced. It remains one of the most satisfying super-hero comic-book collections of the modern era.
The art by Opena (and Rodriguez) is gorgeous, and Remender perfectly utilizes his diverse cast of anti-heroes, deftly weaving together the characters' shared history to create an epic battle between flawed good and horrendous evil. All cast members are characterized to perfection, and intriguing new creations introduced. It remains one of the most satisfying super-hero comic-book collections of the modern era.
April 29, 2013
What a great throwback to the nineties! Remender's story gets a little convoluted and weird, but the dialogue remains enjoyable, Fantomex is more thoroughly explored, and the Age of Apocalypse universe is put to good use. Opena's art is always dark and stellar, rich with detail. For someone who wasn't reading X-books in the 90s, maybe this read won't mean nearly as much, but I dug the hell out of it.
July 13, 2021
Still very good!
Gotta give this one to mister Rick "i'm very wordy and i really like to write difficult words for other peoples to read" Remender.
Here, we see the end of the Age of Archangel. We have good fights, nice plans, nice characters and a good ending. And Opena's art is just insane!
I really like this run. My favorite mutant stuff by far. Has it ups and downs but it can keep up to quality of the first volume.
Gotta give this one to mister Rick "i'm very wordy and i really like to write difficult words for other peoples to read" Remender.
Here, we see the end of the Age of Archangel. We have good fights, nice plans, nice characters and a good ending. And Opena's art is just insane!
I really like this run. My favorite mutant stuff by far. Has it ups and downs but it can keep up to quality of the first volume.
December 13, 2014
They pulled together a really great story with this one. Archangel is an intelligent and formidable villain, with an ambitious but legitimate plan. Everyone is in character, and all Chekhov's guns were fired. It was intense. (Also, I finally know where Genesis came from in the Wolverine and the X-Men series!) I wasn't crazy about Uncanny X-Force in the beginning, but I'll definitely keep reading.
November 1, 2012
Excellent, truly excellent stuff. The culmination of the first year or so of X-Force stories goes out with a bang and doesn't let off the momentum throughout. The only complaint I have is the art in the final issue, which is poor.
March 19, 2012
Rick Remender is a bad mother#$@!er, jack.
December 10, 2018
Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 kicks off straight after the previous book with the team having to deal with the fact that Archangel has turned to the Dark Side and is full Apocalypse mode! :D This of course leads Betsy aka Psylocke to try and turn him back but of course he is ahead of her needing a new recruit in order to aid in his plans for multi-world domination! :D
The plot moves on at an incredible pace with story and character elements being thrown in all over the place the characters are really put through the ringer! :D Bringing in characters like the Beast and the Celestials really puts the plot on the spin as well! :D This works to keep everything on the epic level and that the stakes the team is playing for are epic! :D Beast inclusion changes the team actions and dynamic which works brilliantly! :D The team is supposed to be illicit but in reality in starts to look like a secret that everyone is in on and simply doesn't want to let anyone else officially in! :D It is kind of in the know gag with sharp edges! :D This of course make the teams position more precarious and it a great set up for future developments and plot lines! :D
The consequences for Psylocke and Archangel are incredible and this sets the tome for the book with her desperately trying to save him! :D The tension really continues to ramp up throughout! :D The addition of Captain Britain and his lackey Corp also put a spin on in and his capture of Fantomex really put the storyline on a knife edge! :D Opeña, Remender, Rodriquez et all produce a tail that works on every level from the the crisp bright art which renders the character expressions perfectly, to the great scrip that keep all the characters hopping! :D The book itself never ceases to be anything but epic with character revelations and trial all over the place! :D Deadpool get to do his Shish Kebab and gets into a Gimli Legolas competition that works brilliantly! :D
On the other side with so many team involved as well the story is excellent ant world building! :D Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 has more twists and turns than a ball of string and this serves the book brilliantly as you can never be sure which way things are going to go with the book! :D This makes the book itself perfect as a set up book! :D The book answers questions but at the same time really sets things up for future ones! :D The cloning technology and its uses for example the new Apocalypse really set the plot on totally tangents to what you would expect making for a book that is completely unpredictable! :D This also sets up the characters into another ethical dilemma for future plotlines! :D
Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 fires off on all cylinders! :D The humour keep coming throughout with Wade and Wolverine serving as the cultural observers of the group with rib cracking jokes throughout the really keep things in amongst all the plotting and viscera on a light tine that really gives the book its quirky feel throughout! :D At the same Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 delivers on the character development with Betsey's British origins really being explored enabling this side of the character of Psylocke to be explored! :D This also enables Captain Britain and his 113 Corp to get in on the action as well this helps to place the storyline into it's context as well! :D It serves as knock on the noggin to the team showing that no matter how out there their actions are, even when they are for the greater good, there are people out there who will object to the way that they go about things! :D Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 delivers on all fronts! :D It is full of character development, heroics, grand standing, epic world building, ball of string plot twists, adventure and action packed throughout! :D Crisp high five! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Go and get! :D Make sure you have the next one! :D
The plot moves on at an incredible pace with story and character elements being thrown in all over the place the characters are really put through the ringer! :D Bringing in characters like the Beast and the Celestials really puts the plot on the spin as well! :D This works to keep everything on the epic level and that the stakes the team is playing for are epic! :D Beast inclusion changes the team actions and dynamic which works brilliantly! :D The team is supposed to be illicit but in reality in starts to look like a secret that everyone is in on and simply doesn't want to let anyone else officially in! :D It is kind of in the know gag with sharp edges! :D This of course make the teams position more precarious and it a great set up for future developments and plot lines! :D
The consequences for Psylocke and Archangel are incredible and this sets the tome for the book with her desperately trying to save him! :D The tension really continues to ramp up throughout! :D The addition of Captain Britain and his lackey Corp also put a spin on in and his capture of Fantomex really put the storyline on a knife edge! :D Opeña, Remender, Rodriquez et all produce a tail that works on every level from the the crisp bright art which renders the character expressions perfectly, to the great scrip that keep all the characters hopping! :D The book itself never ceases to be anything but epic with character revelations and trial all over the place! :D Deadpool get to do his Shish Kebab and gets into a Gimli Legolas competition that works brilliantly! :D
On the other side with so many team involved as well the story is excellent ant world building! :D Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 has more twists and turns than a ball of string and this serves the book brilliantly as you can never be sure which way things are going to go with the book! :D This makes the book itself perfect as a set up book! :D The book answers questions but at the same time really sets things up for future ones! :D The cloning technology and its uses for example the new Apocalypse really set the plot on totally tangents to what you would expect making for a book that is completely unpredictable! :D This also sets up the characters into another ethical dilemma for future plotlines! :D
Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 fires off on all cylinders! :D The humour keep coming throughout with Wade and Wolverine serving as the cultural observers of the group with rib cracking jokes throughout the really keep things in amongst all the plotting and viscera on a light tine that really gives the book its quirky feel throughout! :D At the same Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 delivers on the character development with Betsey's British origins really being explored enabling this side of the character of Psylocke to be explored! :D This also enables Captain Britain and his 113 Corp to get in on the action as well this helps to place the storyline into it's context as well! :D It serves as knock on the noggin to the team showing that no matter how out there their actions are, even when they are for the greater good, there are people out there who will object to the way that they go about things! :D Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2 delivers on all fronts! :D It is full of character development, heroics, grand standing, epic world building, ball of string plot twists, adventure and action packed throughout! :D Crisp high five! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Go and get! :D Make sure you have the next one! :D
June 5, 2020
Rick concluded his Dark Angel Saga and it ends as it began...confused, full of action, full of great moments and dark.
I have to first rave about Jerome Opeña's art. He does most of the art except for the final issue (which suffers for his non-involvement). It is some of the most beautiful comic book art I have ever seen. It is worth having this for the art alone. Every panel should be framed. I love it so much. It's the kind of art that makes you walk with a spring in your step hours after seeing it.
Remender's writing? Not as much. He isn't bad but the things that irritate me are still going strong in this fourth volume. He has some great character moments. He has some really clever ideas. He knows how to make a global threat feel real. There is a lot to rave about in his writing. He is a solid writer with great ideas. Then why am I a bit sour on him? Because this volume is 100 pages of fight. It is also 100 pages of confusion. I followed the key story - Angel turned bad (like all X-Men eventually do) and is the new Apocalypse, who will end the world so mutants can take their rightful place as the rulers of the world. He has a World seed that was stolen from another dimension and is shit out by Celestials who are the most powerful beings in the Universe. We have a bunch of X-men and X-Men villains from that alternative reality running around. We have Alternative Iceman having godlike powers all of a sudden. We have the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse. We have a miniature world. We have Fantomex (who still needs a backstory so I know who he is!) and his weird ship. We have a clone of the original Apocalypse who is being raised in a virtual world. I mean I followed it but it is more confusing than a Doctor Who episode on acid.
Is it fun? Sure, I guess. Is the fact characters seem to die five times - irritating? Sure. Is the fact Psylocke can't bring herself to kill Angel to save the world - stupid? You bet.
Overall - I see the appeal of this run. Beyond the art - it is a thrill packed adventure. I just wished it had a more coherent story.
I have to first rave about Jerome Opeña's art. He does most of the art except for the final issue (which suffers for his non-involvement). It is some of the most beautiful comic book art I have ever seen. It is worth having this for the art alone. Every panel should be framed. I love it so much. It's the kind of art that makes you walk with a spring in your step hours after seeing it.
Remender's writing? Not as much. He isn't bad but the things that irritate me are still going strong in this fourth volume. He has some great character moments. He has some really clever ideas. He knows how to make a global threat feel real. There is a lot to rave about in his writing. He is a solid writer with great ideas. Then why am I a bit sour on him? Because this volume is 100 pages of fight. It is also 100 pages of confusion. I followed the key story - Angel turned bad (like all X-Men eventually do) and is the new Apocalypse, who will end the world so mutants can take their rightful place as the rulers of the world. He has a World seed that was stolen from another dimension and is shit out by Celestials who are the most powerful beings in the Universe. We have a bunch of X-men and X-Men villains from that alternative reality running around. We have Alternative Iceman having godlike powers all of a sudden. We have the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse. We have a miniature world. We have Fantomex (who still needs a backstory so I know who he is!) and his weird ship. We have a clone of the original Apocalypse who is being raised in a virtual world. I mean I followed it but it is more confusing than a Doctor Who episode on acid.
Is it fun? Sure, I guess. Is the fact characters seem to die five times - irritating? Sure. Is the fact Psylocke can't bring herself to kill Angel to save the world - stupid? You bet.
Overall - I see the appeal of this run. Beyond the art - it is a thrill packed adventure. I just wished it had a more coherent story.
November 3, 2020
Yo recordaba que esta serie mejoraba en algún momento, y efectivamente así era, y el momento era este, la Saga del Ángel Oscuro, hacia donde Remender había llevado toda la historia de sus X-Force. Con Arcángel convertido de nuevo en el elegido de Apocalipsis, y el equipo se encuentra en la tesitura de intentar detenerlo, para lo cual tienen que recurrir ni más ni menos que a la Bestia Oscura... y a viajar a la Era de Apocalipsis.
Y sí, la Era de Apocalipsis es uno de mis escenarios preferidos, así que a partir de ahí... todo guay, claro. Remender nos presenta el futuro de la Era de Apocalipsis, nos habla del alzamiento y caída de Siniestro, de la muerte de Arma-X y de los continuados pógromos contra los humanos, mientras Magneto y Jean Grey continúan liderando la resistencia, y para ello cuenta con los lápices de Mark Brooks, bastante interesante, la verdad. En esta parte de la saga, conocemos el origen de las Semillas de Vida y de Muerte de los Celestiales, y vemos el enfrentamiento entre X-Force y la Legión Negra del nuevo Apocalipsis...
Pero esto es solo un preludio para el verdadero enfrentamiento, que tendrá lugar en nuestra tierra y en el que con Mariposa en manos de Arcángel, Masacre, Deathlok y Fantomex tienen que hacer frente a una idea de lo más interesante y a la que posteriormente sacarían partido otros guionistas en tramas que ya hemos visto en Patrulla-X: Tábula Rasa, un espacio de Montana en el que la tecnología del Mundo y las Semillas Celestiales crean un sistema evolutivo propio, con Arcángel y sus jinetes dispuestos a extender el nuevo sistema evolutivo de Tábula Rasa por todo el mundo...
Y lo dicho, no sé si será por la intervención de los personajes de la Era de Apocalipsis (el Rondador de X-Calibre es uno de mis personajes favoritos), pero es verdad que este tomo me ha encantado.
Y sí, la Era de Apocalipsis es uno de mis escenarios preferidos, así que a partir de ahí... todo guay, claro. Remender nos presenta el futuro de la Era de Apocalipsis, nos habla del alzamiento y caída de Siniestro, de la muerte de Arma-X y de los continuados pógromos contra los humanos, mientras Magneto y Jean Grey continúan liderando la resistencia, y para ello cuenta con los lápices de Mark Brooks, bastante interesante, la verdad. En esta parte de la saga, conocemos el origen de las Semillas de Vida y de Muerte de los Celestiales, y vemos el enfrentamiento entre X-Force y la Legión Negra del nuevo Apocalipsis...
Pero esto es solo un preludio para el verdadero enfrentamiento, que tendrá lugar en nuestra tierra y en el que con Mariposa en manos de Arcángel, Masacre, Deathlok y Fantomex tienen que hacer frente a una idea de lo más interesante y a la que posteriormente sacarían partido otros guionistas en tramas que ya hemos visto en Patrulla-X: Tábula Rasa, un espacio de Montana en el que la tecnología del Mundo y las Semillas Celestiales crean un sistema evolutivo propio, con Arcángel y sus jinetes dispuestos a extender el nuevo sistema evolutivo de Tábula Rasa por todo el mundo...
Y lo dicho, no sé si será por la intervención de los personajes de la Era de Apocalipsis (el Rondador de X-Calibre es uno de mis personajes favoritos), pero es verdad que este tomo me ha encantado.
July 22, 2017
What the heck? That was one of the weirdest graphic novels I have ever read! :) Alternate dimensions, the end of the world, characters turned evil, people brought back from the dead. Crazy sauce!
I strongly recommend The Dark Angel Saga if you are a fan of X-Men and the Apocalypse storyline. Archangel is actually the next Apocalypse, and he's teamed up with Dark Beast, Deathlok, the Blob, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (who are all bad ass). The Blob is the most disgusting. There is a scene where he lands on Fantomex and Fantomex literally becomes inserted into his asshole. I am not even joking and then Deadpool has to beat the shit out of him until Fantomex can escape. Fantomex: ":Koff: Oh :Koff: God...The smell--The taste! UNCLEAN!"
If you are a fan of Psylocke, you have to read this novel. She kicks ass in it. Also, if you are interested in learning about Genesis, one of the new X-Men students, this is where we are first introduced to him! :)
All in all, The Dark Angel Saga is a fun read with lots of amazing action. Wolverine has some fun blood and guts scenes and even Phoenix makes an appearance! I know...Crazy sauce...When they made this story, they really went all out!
I strongly recommend The Dark Angel Saga if you are a fan of X-Men and the Apocalypse storyline. Archangel is actually the next Apocalypse, and he's teamed up with Dark Beast, Deathlok, the Blob, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (who are all bad ass). The Blob is the most disgusting. There is a scene where he lands on Fantomex and Fantomex literally becomes inserted into his asshole. I am not even joking and then Deadpool has to beat the shit out of him until Fantomex can escape. Fantomex: ":Koff: Oh :Koff: God...The smell--The taste! UNCLEAN!"
If you are a fan of Psylocke, you have to read this novel. She kicks ass in it. Also, if you are interested in learning about Genesis, one of the new X-Men students, this is where we are first introduced to him! :)
All in all, The Dark Angel Saga is a fun read with lots of amazing action. Wolverine has some fun blood and guts scenes and even Phoenix makes an appearance! I know...Crazy sauce...When they made this story, they really went all out!
July 27, 2023
With Archangel fully corrupted, this book truly gave the impression of how the Age of Archangel might have come about.
So this is the culmination of the storylines that Remender has explored so far in this book. All the themes, setups, clues, they all point to these moments. And I think that's why the book is so good. It really is an amazing setup of plots setup by Remender, and paid off in an excellent way. Each branch of the story kind of falls into place at the right moment to affect the trajectory of the book.
I think a major reason why the books works so well is because Remender has such a great handle on the characters themselves. He found the voices of each and used them so well, that the book flows seemingly without effort, with each decision and dialogue choice perfectly in line with what the character should say/do. From Deadpool turning into the "heart" of the team, to the love triangle of Warren, Elizabeth, and Fantomex, to Wolverine striving to be a leader but kind of being one step slightly behind, the interpersonal play is excellent in this book.
This one is a modern day X-Men classic. And for good reason. I would say your enjoyment of the book definitely derives from the volumes before it, so if you are a new reader, do not start here. I wont spoil this one, as there is a ton of fun, awesome, fist pumping moments, but yeah, this is one that you can miss as an X-Men fan.
So this is the culmination of the storylines that Remender has explored so far in this book. All the themes, setups, clues, they all point to these moments. And I think that's why the book is so good. It really is an amazing setup of plots setup by Remender, and paid off in an excellent way. Each branch of the story kind of falls into place at the right moment to affect the trajectory of the book.
I think a major reason why the books works so well is because Remender has such a great handle on the characters themselves. He found the voices of each and used them so well, that the book flows seemingly without effort, with each decision and dialogue choice perfectly in line with what the character should say/do. From Deadpool turning into the "heart" of the team, to the love triangle of Warren, Elizabeth, and Fantomex, to Wolverine striving to be a leader but kind of being one step slightly behind, the interpersonal play is excellent in this book.
This one is a modern day X-Men classic. And for good reason. I would say your enjoyment of the book definitely derives from the volumes before it, so if you are a new reader, do not start here. I wont spoil this one, as there is a ton of fun, awesome, fist pumping moments, but yeah, this is one that you can miss as an X-Men fan.
March 18, 2023
Well, Apocalyse-flavored stories are inevitably dark, but this was pretty dark. But instead of a traditional Apocalypse, we have Archangel fulfilling the role of being the Apocalypse of this universe. And even with the help of Deathlok, this X-Force may not be able to find a way to stop Archangel's dark plans to aid with the evolution of Earth.
We had a bit more nuance with some of the bits involving Fantomex, which was nice. Deadpool continues to feel very underutilized here - he's mainly background noise and additional cannon fodder. The story is definitely front and center over the characters except for a bit of the intimate stuff between Psylocke and (Arch)Angel. And even that's not all that much.
We had a bit more nuance with some of the bits involving Fantomex, which was nice. Deadpool continues to feel very underutilized here - he's mainly background noise and additional cannon fodder. The story is definitely front and center over the characters except for a bit of the intimate stuff between Psylocke and (Arch)Angel. And even that's not all that much.
December 27, 2016
Remender does a great job wrapping up the first arc, bringing together events from all the previous volumes for a strong, surprisingly heart-warming and heart-wrenching conclusion.
As usual the characters and dialogue are the stars of the show, with this volume being backed up by easily the strongest story so far, that goes to surprisingly moving places from a book that I don't expect any depth from.
Unfortunately, as has been the case through this series the art is all over the place, it feels like every second issue has a different style which does detract from the overall cohesion of the book, particularly when it is going for a tighter plot line.
As usual the characters and dialogue are the stars of the show, with this volume being backed up by easily the strongest story so far, that goes to surprisingly moving places from a book that I don't expect any depth from.
Unfortunately, as has been the case through this series the art is all over the place, it feels like every second issue has a different style which does detract from the overall cohesion of the book, particularly when it is going for a tighter plot line.
July 13, 2018
Continuing the great x-read of 2017/2018... (and I am very far behind on reviews again so this batch will once again be short. One of these days I will get back to reviewing each volume as I finish them so they don't all sort of start bleeding together in my head as they tend to do.)
Such a consistently surprising and good book. The characters are so well-written, the plotlines are ridiculous in the right ways and always keep you guessing... Can't say enough good things about this particular series.
Such a consistently surprising and good book. The characters are so well-written, the plotlines are ridiculous in the right ways and always keep you guessing... Can't say enough good things about this particular series.
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