The art in this book is almost comically dark and gritty, and the story is almost comically ultraviolent, so what makes this book fail to teeter over into self parody? I don't know. It just doesn't. I think the ability to suspend disbelief that I have built up over my many years of comic book reading helps me deal with some of this books more excessive and heavy handed aspects. The gallows humor the characters themselves employ while dealing with gruesome situations also helps to give the book the balance it needs. And, at the end of the day, it's not all about eviscerating bad guys. For instance, in this issue, Rahne is reunited with her one true love. And after all that li'l gal's been through (she ate her own father while brainwashed, you know), doesn't she deserve a shot at happiness? Although, I doubt a book like X-Force is the place she should be if she's looking for a happy ending.