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Uncanny X-Force #17 - Opens A Window

5

The cover says it all: Archangel has taken over Betsy's mind, but there is still time for her to defeat him -- question is, will she succeed or ultimately fail trying?

The Good

Uncanny X-Force continues to be one of my favorite series coming out of Marvel, and it pains me a little bit that the current story arc "The Dark Angel Saga" is so close to its end. This can go one of two ways: either X-Force successfully defeats Archangel, or they don't, so which will it be?

At the end of the last issue we saw Archangel inject Psylocke with the light seed, ultimately brainwashing her into a mindless drone. The thing is, Psylocke is pretty powerful, and it won't be that easy to suppress her true identity. I think that's what I really liked about this issue. Rick Remender gives readers a glimpse at how powerful both Psylocke and AoA Jean Grey really are -- and it was fantastic. To be honest, this issue really made me miss Jean a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed her interaction with Psyclocke here. Jean enters Psylocke's memories in this issue in order to try to help her break Warren's grasp. I love everything about this flashback/memory to the Hellfire Club. The mood is captured perfectly through both the writer's dialogue as well as the change in colors. The panels featuring Psylocke's memories have distinctly lighter colors, and it really helps to differentiate between the scenes in the story.

The Bad

There was a lot of lead up to Psylocke being brainwashed by Archangel, but not a lot of time where she was actually brainwashed. Honestly, though, this is easily to disregard.

The Verdict

Its really hard not to love all of these characters. The decision to rope in the Age of Apocalypse characters was a brilliant idea, and phenomenally executed. I also thought it was great to see Psylocke fully capable of overcoming the "dark side." Sure, she loves Warren, but she was able to pull herself out of it and that was great. The story is action packed and will have you at the edge of your seat the entire time. I am definitely looking forward to the final issue, but also a little bit sad that the "Dark Angel Saga" story arc is almost at its end.

16 Comments

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entee

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Edited By entee

Can't wait to read this tomorrow. Great review Sara!

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Bestostero

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Edited By Bestostero

I've been enjoying this arc so much, it would just kill me if they write off Archangel's character in the end.

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treysome

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Edited By treysome

awesome review I'm really enjoying this arc

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CombatSpoon86

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Edited By CombatSpoon86

Love this book. I haven't enjoyed a story arc like this in a while. Great Job Remender, I can't wait until he writes Secret Avengers and then interconnects it with Venom and Uncanny X-force in the near future.

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kiss_lamia

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Edited By kiss_lamia

oh look revamp of lady mandarin outfit cool :P

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djotaku

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Edited By djotaku

This is the book I was looking forward to the most this week and it did NOT disappoint! Remender is doing an amazing job of it!

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Apothecary2

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Edited By Apothecary2

So much Deus Ex Machina here.

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218Comics

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Edited By 218Comics

Great review, amazing comic. In all the hoopla of the New 52, Incredible Hulk, Uncanny X-Men, etc... this stands out as one of the best.

The only thing that would make the Uncanny X-Force better at this point, would be the addition of Venom. I'd love to see the conversation of Deadpool and Venom trying to discuss a job.

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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey

It seems like of all the reviews that I read every week, when it comes to this book everyone says the same thing. Just how damn great the book is. It is right now my FAVORITE title of any monthly comic that comes out. What Remender did on this title has just gone and made everyone happy. How he's managed Deadpool and Fantomex, the 2 characters everyone was sckeptical about. How's he's thrown in Age of Apocalyspe in a "Where are they now" type story, making HOPE HOPE HOPE, that they bring it back, and by the way it was handled here I wouldn't doubt that it won't be. To much demand for it now I would assume. Remender brought life to a dead horse, because most the of the stories that followed AOA after the initial series ended were just................okay. Anyway. It's been a long time since I could barely wait for a story to end so I could see what happens, and dreading the ending at the same time because it will end. The last time was Mark Millars ending to his run on the Ultimates, and that took a full year to get the last issues. That was a major tease thinking the last issue was coming double sized, which it did, only to end with..............TO BE CONCLUDED. At least Remender is coming back.

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

That's Psylocke?

Damn'! °___°

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shrmntnk62

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Edited By shrmntnk62

This has been one of the best stories I have ever read. I agree with Sara, I can't wait to see how this ends but it's been so good I don't want it to end. Also I'm not sure how they can top this story with the next arch.

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TheGoldenOne

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Edited By TheGoldenOne
It was a pretty good issue.
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No_Name_

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Edited By No_Name_

@xhavoc86 said:

I've been enjoying this arc so much, it would just kill me if they write off Archangel's character in the end.

I know, right? :(

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NightwalkerRevan

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Edited By NightwalkerRevan

@shrmntnk62: I'm hoping they do something clever (afterall everyone expects Warren to be killed, I know I do) and go against expectations and have something else happen that allows him to survive in some way. Truth is, it wasn't until Uncanny X-Force that I really stated to like Warren, so I hope it isn't the end, but the result of what happens means he can't just rejoin the wider world as normal anymore.

Another interesting not was seeing how AoA X-Men enter 616, and I wonder if AoA the Jean that is returning (or is 616 Jean returning as well). Personally I'd rather AoA Jean was the only one to come back atm, she just has more potential then the main Jean atm.

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shrmntnk62

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Edited By shrmntnk62

I'd rather they not bring back a Jean at all, but if they have to do it I'd rather see AOA Jean sticj around.