X-Force Epic Collection: X-Cutioner's Song (X-Force (1991-2002))

The second X-Force Epic Collection pretty much entirely revolves around the titular X-Book crossover event, and I had some trepidation about rereading it for the first time since its original release in 1992/3. The early nineties was not generally my favourite period at Marvel, and crossover events can vary in quality quite tremendously. Happily, I found that this one, at least, still holds up very well.The volume begins with the Blood & Metal two-parter, which delves into Cable's past to show how he fell out with his former allies and, more importantly, positions him against his mysterious archnemesis, Stryfe. Then it's time for the main event, with a twelve-issue story divided between X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor and X-Force. I think it was the right decision to place the whole crossover within the X-Force Epics rather than the others (see the recent X-Factor Epic, which only reprinted that book's three chapters with text summaries), because this really is an event that revolves around Cable.Beginning with his supposed attack on Professor X and building into a grand confrontation between him and Stryfe, the event makes good use of all three mutant teams involved, with them alternately clashing and teaming up as they chase both Cable and the truth. None of it is very subtle, of course - it's all huge guns, huger shoulder-pads and dialogue snarled through gritted teeth - but it's pretty fun for all that.The volume is rounded off with the inclusion of Stryfe's Strike File, summing up text profiles of many of the characters involved, and an issue of New Warriors that ties up a few New Mutants loose ends involving Magma, Firestar and Warpath. Extras include a Marvel Age article, trading cards, covers and an introduction from past trades, pinups and Greg Capullo cover art. It's a bombastic collection of a bombastic time in comics, and works pretty well for both whole-run collectors and on its own.

Today I just received the book and it's great. It conteins one of the best X Men crossovers. One of the best moments of X Force and Cable. A must read. Make Mine Marvel.

This epic collection consists mostly of the epic x-over it's named after. One of my favorite x-over stories so naturally I loved this book. Highly recommended!