X-Force has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of the Marvel releases for the past year. That wonderful combo of Remender and Opena made for some genuinely exhilerating comics. But now 2 issues into this new arc WITHOUT iFanboy’s artist of 2011 and there is some definite trepidation to be had.

The first issue of this arc didn’t interest me in really any way. It felt oddly rushed and the pace seemed all over the place, plus the adjustment needed to get used to the art (as much as you can, more on that later). But then I got to this issue and drank full from the Remender Kool-Aid. The pace and the action was all well paced and exciting with some funny moments and some that genuinely had me gasp. Say what you will about the art (and I will) but I still feel Remender is on a roll.

Which brings me to the art. I have to admit that I have really enjoyed his work in the past and I really think that Tocchini is a fantastic artist when put on the right story. But when put on something as high action and intense as Remender writes, his kind of Watercolor-y, uncomplicated style feels… lackluster. It honestly does detract from the story, and there were times that I found myself losing focus on the awesome freaking story because I was busy looking at some of the weird faces that Logan was making. That being said, I can’t give the art a one for two reasons: 1)Tocchini has the unfortunate task of following one of the best artists in the biz. And 2)His art isn’t BAD when put on it’s own. It is intriguing and an interesting style. It just does no service to the storytelling here which is the big problem.

All that being said, I loved this issue. Remender is killing it, and as long as he is writing, I’ll pick it up. Hell, it could be written by Harold in a purple crayon and I’d still read it.