X-Cutioner's Song Part 8: X-Force #17

             What’s up, nerds? You know how it goes by now; we are deep in it now with part eight of the X-Cutioner’s Song, X-Force #17. This issue is written by, who else, Fabian Nicieza, with pencils from Greg Capullo, inks by Harry Candelario, letters from Chris Eliopoulos, and colors from Frenchie Buccellato (what a name), and opens with Stryfe standing over Apocalypse having laid woken him from his slumber at the end of last issue. “The time has come, Apocalypse. The devil-to-come must pay his due to the devil who made him, pay me master of time! And let your death be the coin of exchange!” This absolute banger of a monologue opens the fight and really sets the tone for what makes Stryfe great. We have little to no idea where he came from or what he’s planning but he’s over the top and fabulous. Apocalypse does not give him the satisfaction that he is looking for, so Stryfe precedes to beat the ever-loving piss out of Apocalypse while throwing a hissy fit. Stryfe blames Apocalypse for his abandonment as a child and his parentless suffering. Apocalypse tries to escape with the teleportation matrix we saw earlier but Stryfe is on him the whole way beating his ass. Apocalypse manages to get a single upper cut in, knocking off Stryfe’s helmet to reveal his face for the first time. And beneath the endless edges of stainless steel is a strangely familiar face. Stryfe has the same face as Cable. Apocalypse, much like us, is dumbfounded as Stryfe drives Apocalypse’s own blade through his chest as he falls into the teleportation matrix and disappears. Stryfe gains control over Apocalypse’s Dark Riders as he has taken the throne of the fittest mutant by defeating Apocalypse himself. We cut to Graymalkin as we see Bishop and Wolverine overlooking the earth with Cable. Clearly Cable and Stryfe look very different despite having the same face but there is some unknown connection. Here we get confirmation that Stryfe was the man who shot the Professor and more of Stryfe’s backstory. Coming from the far future Stryfe rebelled against both the oppressive New Canaanite regime and the Clan Chosen before the New Canaanite regime solidified its control and Stryfe fled to the past with his time traveling and teleporting robot Zero. Cable reveals that he was part of the Clan Chosen and came to the past when their rebellion failed. Cable also tells our gruff heroes that he too has recently learned that Stryfe has the same face as him, but that’s the extent of his information, they come from the same future and fight for opposite ideals.

We now move to the X-Mansion where we see the X-Coalition recovering from their tussle with the MLF. Rogue was blinded by the light powers of MLF member Strobe and Boom Boom broke her jaw, but they largely made it out unscratched. We move to the med wing where we see Beast trying to operate on the main site of the Professors Techno-Organic infection, his forehead. We also see in the Danger Room, a series of makeshift cells where the non-Cannonball and Boom Boom members of X-Force are being held. Rictor, Sunspot and Wolfsbane do some moralizing on the missions of their respective teams, Rahne falling deeper into moral grayness whereas X-Force endorses a much harder edged moral black and white. We also see the final reveal and shattering of Siryn and Multiple Man’s relationship as it is finally laid out that Theresa was dating one of Madrox’s dupes. As a result, he has all of the memories of the relationship but none of the feelings and, understandably, Siryn is quite upset. This little plot line is compelling and is deeply impactful for Theresa's arc but good lord is it really mean. Cut back to Stryfe’s base and we see him checking on his prisoners. As soon as he leaves, Jean and Scott begin to try and escape as they have realized that Stryfe is an immensely powerful telekinetic who has been suppressing their powers when he is in their presence. Smash back to New York as an unseen force blasts through the mansion’s walls, as the X-Men scramble to respond we see Apocalypse has arrived, gravely wounded. Warren is quite upset by this and attacks Apocalypse, who is responsible for his transformation into Archangel. But Apocalypse asks for the X-Men’s help defeating the madman Stryfe as the issue comes to an end.

              Hot damn, what an issue. Fabian is on top form here as we have paid off most of our major plot threads. Cable has been revealed as being framed, Stryfe is positioned as our ultimate bad guy and what a bad guy he is. Awesome speeches, even greater power, he managed to lay out Apocalypse, a mutant generally considered one of the biggest and baddest there is, positioning Stryfe as an even bigger threat. And the fact that Apocalypse has had to come to the X-Men for aid is a great moment of characterization and humility that furthers the Dark Angel saga. The little bits of moralizing between X-Force and the rest of the X-Men are heavy handed but the dialogue has been the through line of the series since before Claremont left. Who is right in that situation is gray and will continue to be so through much of the nineties with different writers leaning more towards the X-Force take on Xavier’s dream versus the X-Men’s take. The art also rules. Capullo is definitely following in Liefeld’s hyper-stylized and hyper-masculine aesthetic, but he is actually talented, so the art comes off natural and emotional as opposed to artificial and empty. The inks lend to these dramatic shadows which help accent Stryfe's more operatic tendencies. All in an all a banger little issue that accomplishes a lot. 9/10