X-Force #50

This was a satisfying, if slightly fast-paced, issue and a fine goodbye to an incredibly complex example of long-form storytelling. Read Full Review

50 issues is a rarity in comics today and there's no disputing that X-Force has crafted a rare legacy with its era-spanning run. Read Full Review

X-Force #50 is wall-to-wall action, but it doesn't dig deep enough into the character's psyches to make its ending feel earned. Instead, it's a rush to wrap things up while we wait for this era to end. Read Full Review

derbycomics

Mar 27, 2024

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. more

OverlordOfAllThings

Mar 27, 2024

We have reached the end of both X-Force and the end of the final story arc for this series. The issue started out strong, action and dialogue felt well-paced, but everything speeds up about halfway through the issue as a rush is put on events to conclude the story. Evil Beast's actions at the end don't really feel earned, as nothing he says or does before his demise makes me feel like he had a change of heart, even though he did repent and saved his friends. It also continues the trend of the villains destroying themselves without the heroes' involvement, so it makes one wonder why X-Force even had to become involved. Thankfully, the rest of the cast is given something to do in this final issue, and it is a treat to see Colossus and Ome ga Red team up to take down a sentinel. Laura also gets a chance to shine in the issue as well as she takes the lead in the field. The art, as always, is great. Thankfully, enough differences are kept between Evil Beast and Good Beast so there isn't a case of mistaken identity between the two characters, even when Evil Beast is out of his mecha armor. It is difficult to say how the series will be looked on in the future, but at the moment, when this last issue is still fresh and new, the story in its pages can be at least considered to have interesting ideas, as well as bringing up difficult questions on morality that will be good to reflect on long after the final page is turned. more

Screaming Enigma

Aug 17, 2024

This was far from a bad read, don't get me wrong. However, I really wish this was a lot better than it was. I found the strongest part of this issue to be the interactions between the two different Beasts. Other than that, the action here was good throughout. I just wish this was a stronger conclusion, considering that this went for fifty issues. Hopefully the conclusion of Percy's Wolverine run is stronger than this was, as it's going to end up going for the same amount of issues as this.

JBL Reviews

Mar 28, 2024

The ideas were fine, but poorly paced and written. I dislike the way older Beast was concluded. I would’ve preferred more definitive answers.

AmericanHealthcare

Apr 03, 2024

Rushed and underwhelming, but ultimately harmless.

Jawsh

Apr 08, 2024

OOF

Kenjamin

Jun 13, 2024

Art: 3.5/5 Story: 3/5 Total: 6.5/10

Federico Liguori

Apr 21, 2024

Percy can't stick the landing. He already did this rushed ending thing before.

Psycamorean

May 08, 2024

This was super underwhelming as the end to years of stories. We needed more pages here, somehow.