X-Force #45 ends up being a surprising pivot from what came before. The Fall of X has turned things upside down for the heroes and villains and it's fun to see them race to gain the upper hand in this issue. Read Full Review

While Sage and Domino seek the key to mutant liberation, a prisoners desperate bid for freedom could doom countless others in X-Force #45. Read Full Review

X-Force has taken what were often cheap flat characters in unending overmuscled sexy action poses and gotten various lineups of the band back together with greater depth of character than ever before. Read Full Review

It's clear that years of slow rolling are coming to a head and no amount of further stretching the story can remove the tremendous excitement evoked in this very effective cliffhanger. Read Full Review

This series has been up and down, but this was pretty good!

This issue has a lot of focus put on Colossus, his brother Mikhail and the Chronicler. Narrated with the Chronicler's prose, you really get an understanding of all three characters, who they are, what they want and what they are willing to do to get it. A data page on Mikhail gives a very great explanation on how his powers work, and the Chronicler's written narration demonstrates how cruel his powers are for the subject of his writing. There's also a betrayal here that has been rumbling for a long time, and it plays out wonderfully here.
That being said, this issue is a set-up for the big finale, Sage and Domino gather information from an unexpected cameo character, but don't actually do any rescuing, and the captured X-Force members are likewise limited, appearing on just one page. Still, it is a very solid issue that builds tension well and sets up a conclusion that should have major ramifications for X-Force. more

This was a predictable yet satisfying advancement of the Mikhail/Chronicler plot which has been lingering for what felt like ages. Benjamin Percy teased Jun Wei a few weeks ago, so it wasn’t surprising to see her here, but I thought it was a pretty big cop out to introduce a random Orchi character for Mikhail’s target. Either way, I’m excited to see this plot line start wrapping up even though it looks like we may get another issue or two before a final resolution. I’m intrigued to see what Percy has in store when the rest of the team reunites and compares notes on Colossus, but what’s left for X-Force to do before the Krakoan Age ends? Robert Gill’s art was a bright spot, with some fun panels featuring Deadpool sitting by the pool and Sage/Domino seeking the help of Doctor Strange. more

Misleading solicit.