Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer Volume 1

Cyber Force (Reading Order) #6

by Mark Waid, Kenneth Rocafort

Two of Top Cow's most popular properties are back in a big way! Cyberforce, the original creation of Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/X-Men) which launched Top Cow and helped launch Image, and Hunter-Killer, Silvestri's most recent co-creation with superstar writer Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Amazing Spider-Man) return in the biggest Top Cow event of 2009. When two old enemies of the teams unite for a diabolical alliance, the teams must put aside their mutual distrust and join forces to stop them from getting control of unparalleled information banks. But in the end and far too late, they discover the goal is much, much more sinister. Collects Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1-5, and includes a cover gallery and bonus materials.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Ebooks

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm unsure what the backstory for this comic book team (teams?) is, and only chose it based on my love of pretty much anything Kenneth Rocafort draws and my usual enjoyment of what Mark Waid writes. When I first saw this, it seemed like a bit of a dream come true.
I think (and feel free to correct me in the comments if I'm wrong) that these are two Top Cow teams that have been smooshed together into one story for a mash-up book. But the honest truth is that I simply haven't read and/or heard of these guys before, so I don't have any idea. The only other Top Cow comic I'm aware of is Witchblade and I've only read one volume of that one. <--So. Not an expert in Top Cow lore.



I said that to say this, you don't have to know anything about these guys prior to picking this up. I certainly didn't, and I still found it pretty easy to follow.
But was it any good?



Eh.
It wasn't bad. But I think a lot of my enjoyment came from looking at the pretty pictures and not so much the actual story. Then again, this was the 1st volume of a brand new (to me) set of characters, so there was a lot of set up and backstory that I was trying to figure out. And sometimes it just takes a while for a new series to find its legs.



The gist is that there is this team of mutants that were created genetically in a lab (or maybe they were modified?) and now work for a villain, hunting down other escaped mutants. How they didn't figure out that their boss was a bad guy right away is beyond me because his name is Morningstar. <--the only way he could sound more villainous would be if he were named Devil McEvilson, right?
Right.
And then there's this other team of cyborgs (only less cyborg-y and more cyberneticish) that the first team is trying to hunt down.
At first.
They fight, they team up, they get their asses kicked, they come back stronger, they fall in love and have babies, etc..
Or something like that.



Not super-duper amazing but it's certainly not bad, so I think I'll keep reading this...as long as Rocafort is the one drawing the next volume. But unless volume 2 really blows me away, it will probably eventually be one of those titles that fall by the wayside due to its somewhat forgettable plotline.

[JL Shioshita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was surprising. Usually these types of crossover stories are pretty bland and predictable. Team A runs into Team B. They believe each other to be the enemy or have some sort of misunderstanding and fight. There's no clear cut winner (because you don't want to alienate fans of either team) and afterwards, they realize they're both on the same side, so they merge their forces to tackle the real threat. Cue happy ending. Now normally the scheme that brings the two groups together is pretty threadbare, but in this case, it actually worked. I bought into why these two super groups would run into each other. I even bought into the threat the villains posed, and their henious plot to rule the world worked as a device to bring the two groups together. But honestly, who cares. Read this for the art. Rocafort's style seems perfectly suited for these types of superpowered scifi escapades, and he delivers in spades.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice solid attempt at merging a spy thriller with comic super heroics in this crossover. Mark Waid's covert ops Hunter Killer team meets Marc Silvestri's Cyberforce. Waid's characters remain the stronger and more interesting as they track a joint government/industrial conspiracy that endangers millions. Nicely enough the tech behind the conspiracy is not too far removed from reality. I still find Sam engaging, and Ellis appears to have a grown as a character since his last appearance. Morningstar makes a fun villain. For me the story is stronger without the Cyberforce characters.

[Johan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find the whole Aphrodite/Cyberforce/IXthGeneration universe confusing. Timelines, storylines, rebirth, flashbacks, ... the more I read the less I understand. I have no idea how or where “Cyberforce Hunter-Killer” fits in the universe, but the upside is that it can be read as a stand-alone action comic. The story doesn’t end here for the team, but I no longer care.

[Oren Nero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art and nice story

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appeal Characteristics: fast pace, thrills, mystery

I've only read the first issue so let me start by saying this is a blend or cross over of two separate series I think. It's a mini-series dealing with these types of "special power" operative teams who must work together to over throw this crazy guy. That being said I'm really interested in a lot of back stories or maybe other worlds some of these characters inhabit. This has nothing to do with the story. Anyway, there is a "head" manipulator who has a few teams at each others throats. Anyway, there is a few world-building, "mutant" descriptions in the beginning to fill you in...and all I know is Ellis is the "key" or at least the vital force in trying to keep everyone from killing each other. What I will tell you (i'm trying not to include spoilers) is that I was interested in meeting or finding out about a lot of these characters. It reminds me of the Runaways, or the X-factor as all the main characters seem "younger" than the X-men or Justice League.

[Matt Sabonis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun enough story. The art is what really sets it apart; Waid's story is a fun enough diversion.

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid's reboot of Cyber Force as well as a crossover with his own Hunter Killer title. Very good actually. Good use of futuristic biotech. Much better than what WildC.A.T.S. or the original Cyber Force was trying to do. I need to go back and read Waid's original Hunter Killer series.

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Edición española del crossover Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer.

[Federico Lucifredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fair sequel to Hunter-Killer. Plot still interesting, the artwork is somewhat less impressive than Silvestri's original's, but the style is quite unique.

[Albert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful art - I just can't get myself into the cyberforce/hunter-killer universe