Remender’s Uncanny X-Force filled a gaping hole in the X-Men comic line-up: It gave us a team that wouldn’t flinch at operating outside the law, using lethal force to deal with unrepentant threats to mutants and normal humans. With Remender’s run ending, Cable and X-Force appears to be setting itself up to slide right into that slot. I say “appears” because nothing has been spelled out yet. This issue reads like an issue-zero, introducing us to the figures who will presumably become Cable’s X-Force, while giving a few hints at what the major elements of the introductory story-arc will be.

While this book looks poised to help carry the torch of Remender’s X-Force, there are several points that make it more than a simple continuation or substitute. For starters, this isn’t necessarily a covert team. Within the first few pages, it becomes clear that this X-Force is not only on the radar of the mainstream Marvel Universe super-hero community, it is firmly planted in their cross-hairs. The “Good Guys” know about this team, and they are not pleased.

Secondly, the group dynamic is strikingly different from Remender’s team. Instead of a group of disparate characters brought together by necessity, this team feels like a smoothly-functioning whole. You get the sense that this is a group of professionals with a clearly defined chain of command and operating procedure. Part of that is no doubt due to the history that has been already been established between several of the team members. This isn’t just what they do, it’s who they are, and they’ve been at it for a long time.

Finally, it looks like this series is going to serve as a platform to explore the dysfunctional Summers family. I think it’s only a matter of time until Hope starts appearing on the cover.

There is one glaring problem with this book though: The art. It isn’t horrible, but it is not great. In fact, a few panels have me leaning towards saying “it is not good.” Perhaps I’m spoiled. In a universe without the interiors appearing in Uncanny Avengers and New X-Men, I’d probably give the art a pass. But with the premier issue of a book in the Marvel: NOW relaunch, I was expecting more.

With that being said, I’m cautiously optimistic about this title, and plan to follow it. The potential it shows for story and character development outweighs any lack in the art department. For now.