It's not just X-Force is a far better vehicle for Craig Kyle and Chris Yost's bloodthirsty approach to superhero comics. It's that unlike their run on New X-Men, Kyle and Yost are taking the time to explore their characters' reactions to their harrowing experience, instead of just lurching non-stop from slaughter to slaughter. I've enjoyed seeing them write a gripping story without resorting to killing off random cast members (if they keep this up, I might start caring who lives or dies in their books again).
This issue devotes a lot of time to the after-effects of the last arc, especially for Wolfsbane and Archangel. Or Angel. Or whatever we're calling him this week. Not only does this make their characters more believable, it answers some key questions about what's up with Angel and his blue-skinned metal-winged form. Kyle and Yost also address the previously unmentioned loose end of exactly what the hell Elixir is doing hanging out with them, and how that ties in with the covert nature of the team- in the process showing us a lot about X-23 and how she thinks. I'm still not entirely sold on Scott keeping all of this from Emma (seriously, is Emma of all people going to object on ethical grounds?), but at least they haven't forgotten that it's an issue.
On the art side, Choi and Oback are much more traditional than Clayton Crain, and I miss Crain's distinctive look. However the art in this issue is perfectly serviceable, and Oback wisely sticks with the dark color palette, which gives a feel of continuity.
The only problem here is the element introduced on the last page (the what, not the who). Without giving it away, I'm just going to ask if we really needed yet another long-discarded plot element from 10 years ago in this book? It's not like i was one that worked out all that well last time around either. But we'll see what they do with it. However, it's the only thing that keeps me from giving the writing 5 stars.
