X-FORCE #123
"Tick Tock"
Recommended (7/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Michael Allred
Colors: Laura Allred
Letters: Michael Allred & Blambot
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $2.25 US/$3.50 CAN |
This stands out as easily the most unique application of Marvel's "'Nuff Said" silent-comics concept we've seen. Milligan and Allred share with their readers some insight into the origins of Doop, X-Force's resident cameraman, and it's a surreal, even disgusting tale that nevertheless boasts an odd but appealing sense of humor.
A minor hygiene problem on Doop's part causes some major problems for the members of X-Force when they're sucked into the Dali-esque other-dimensional realm that looks like it's home to Doop's species. Doop must dive into himself and rescue his mutant colleagues, each of which face a distinct and rather... unique threat.
Allred really gets to cut loose in this issue. No rules apply, and his penchant for more unusual designs runs rampant through this issue. Even more impressive visually, though, are Laura Allred's colors. She combines what appears to be the coloring methods of yesteryear with more conventional computer techniques of today, along with some unusual digital effects as well.
Now, when I wrote that the team is transported to another dimension, that may not be entirely correct. Given the psychological nature of the various landscapes and threats that the team faces, it may be that they're inside Doop's mind. Or just inside Doop. Who knows? It makes for a weird but challenging and entertaining read. Milligan tells us things about the characters. For example, Edie's vision of having to search for her surgically removed tongue is bizarre and disturbing, but it also speaks to one of her greatest fears.
Can you believe that this title started out with Rob Liefeld art and conventional mutant super-heroics? Good guys versus bad guys? No other title better personifies the change in direction and the risks Marvel is willing to take in the name of good comics storytelling these days. This isn't going to appeal to everyone -- certainly not traditionalists -- but it's clever, odd and unique.
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