X-Force Volume 1: New Beginning TPB [Paperback]

Peter Milligan (Author), Mike Allred (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | Series: X-Force (Book 1)

Adored by humans, reviled by their fellow mutants, X-Force does the dirty jobs that others can't, or won't. All they want in return is fame, money, sex, power and lucrative endorsement deals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Comics (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078510819X
• ISBN-13: 978-0785108191
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disturbed & disturbing mutants, January 9, 2002

By 

John Dennett "geek of all trades" (Longmont, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: X-Force Volume 1: New Beginning TPB (Paperback)

X-Force: New Beginnings collects the first five issues of Peter Milligan and Mike Allred's disturbing recreation of one of Marvel's X-Men spin-off titles.

X-Force originally began as just another way for Marvel to cash in on the late 80's X-Men craze, and about the seventh or eighth spin-off title at that. Through a long and unremarkable run, the book has been, well...unremarkable. About a year ago, as a part of Marvel's larger editorial gamble to revive interest in their characters, Milligan and Allred were given a title on life support and free reign to do as they pleased.

What the two have come up with simply never been done before. Taking Milligan's predisposition for disturbing, cynical and often downright psychedelic storytelling and adding Allred's almost childlike yet stylish pop culture sensibilities has created something that's hard to believe Marvel didn't reject on principle: A team of mutants calling themselves 'X-Force' (Prof. X and company never trademarked the name) is assembled by a rich young software magnate as a product marketing vehicle. They are media superstars constantly holding press conferences and chased by paparazzi, all the while battling for endorsement deals and air time. The missions they undertake are dangerous enough that team members die almost every time out but fame-hungry young mutants are easy to come by, and more importantly the ratings are good.

Enter Mister Sensitive, a.k.a. The Orphan. Given the leadership of the team by their coach and the board shortly after joining, he's clearly the only member with a conscience and seemingly the only well-grounded one to boot. How does he do it? Every morning before he leaves his house he polishes his handgun and loads a single bullet in the chamber. Every night when he returns home, he points it at his head and pulls the trigger.

Hopefully this gives you the tiniest glimpse into how twisted this book really is. And while there's no way I would recommend it to everyone, it's also as magnetic as car wreck on the side of the road that you find yourself slowing down for even as you curse the others that did the same before you. Although there are huge differences between the two series, Milligan and Allred's X-Force shares a similar tone with Ellis and Dillon's Preacher. Hard to believe Marvel publishes this near total indictment of the Marvel superhero universe. I'll keep buying, though.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rating will likely fluctuate a lot due to differing opinions, November 16, 2001

By 

Johnny Unusual (fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X-Force Volume 1: New Beginning TPB (Paperback)

When X-Force first started it was a bland spin-off comic that seemed to be created for the express purpose to help cash in on the X-Men's popularity. But when issue #116 hit everything changed. With new writer Peter Milligan and artist Mike Allred (best known for his groovy independent comic Madman) had created possibly one of the most controversial comic in Marvel's history, with self-centered characters and mature themes. The book focuses on a team of mutant celebrities/mercenaries.
Using their position on the X-Force for personal and financial gain, these mutants go on missions so dangerous; usually at least one of them doesn't come back alive (so don?t get to attached to any one character). When the team is almost all killed off (there are lots of replacements set up), a new leader named the Orphan takes over. Different from other members, he actually seems to care about people, but suffers from severe depression and plays Russian roulette with himself once a day, miraculously surviving each time. Also on the team is U-Go Girl, who wanted to be team leader and is even willing to kill the Orphan to get that position and the Anarchist, the most uncooperative member of all.
The Orphan changes the team in many ways. His superiors want him dead, but can't reveal their intentions to the public and must be secretive about it. The team itself, while not always agreeing with the Orphan's philosophy, respects him and defends him from his superiors. And U-Go Girl, the most selfish of them all, also seems effected by his appearance. When he cries after a team member is killed, she mocks him for it, then realizes that she can't remember the last time she cried.
The series is both original and unconventional, with a sharp biting satire. The members get away with anything, make it to the tabloids and lie about themselves and their past in order to stay popular. There are also lots of mysteries and conspiracies that make the series intriguing and involving. The rich creep who owns the team is making money on X-Force through both hiring the team out for suicide missions and making X-Force merchandise.
X-Force has been one of the most talked about comic series over the year and with its engaging characters and unique stories may stay that way for quite a while. And Mike Allred's unusual retro-art style adds to the bizarre look and feel to the series. Check this Trade out and you might not be disappointed (popular opinion is 50/50)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stop Watching Me!!! : Marvel Mutant Celebrities?!?, April 4, 2002

By 

Philip C. Crawford (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X-Force Volume 1: New Beginning TPB (Paperback)

"X-Force: New Beginnings" is one of the most unexpected re-launches in the history of comics! Not since Wonder Woman's non-costumed adventures of the late 1960's and Grant Morrison's surreal version of the Doom Patrol in the late 1980's has such a memorable and dramatic change affected a monthly comic book. Instead of the standard, clichéd depiction of Marvel mutants as vilified, hunted and persecuted, Milligan presents a team of celebrities whose adventures (and private lives) are the subject of constant scrutiny by the media. These stories are presented as satire; Milligan pokes fun at super-hero clichés and our societal infatuation with celebrities. His narrative is complimented by Allred's retro-1960s art style which pays homage to Silver Age comic books. This graphic novel will not appeal to the average Marvel fan-boy, but should have wide-appeal for fans of alternative comix, Vertigo comics and Allred's own "Madman Comics." Finally, a Marvel comic that is cool, hip, multicultural and polyamorous! And, of course, don't forget Doop!