FIRST ISSUE: X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE

An admirable first issue must, above all else, contain such matter as will compel a reader to buy the second issue. At the same time, while provoking curiosity through mysteriousness, a good first issue must avoid being so mysterious as to be cryptic or incomprehensible. And, thirdly, it should introduce the title’s principals, preferably in a way that makes us care about them. Fourth, a first issue should include a complete “episode”—that is, something should happen, a crisis of some kind, which is resolved by the end of the issue, without, at the same time, detracting from the cliffhanger aspect of the effort that will compel us to buy the next issue.

X-Force: Sex and Violence No. 1 (of 3) written by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost and drawn by Gabriele Dell’Otto brims with flashy action and stunning art—full painted color, one of the most successfully achieved in this mode: faces are recognizable from panel-to-panel, f’instance; ditto bodies and other forms. Sometimes it seems there are too many full-head masks, obliterating all individuality whenever the bad guys show up; and maybe too many of these hooded hoods are dressed in shiney black wetsuits. But over-all, individual passages are so good we easily overlook such tiny carping reservations.

Domino is badly hurt in the opening scene, hoping Foley will heal her seemingly mortal wounds. Then Wolverine shows up and demands to know how Domino got herself so banged up. In a flashback, she explains that she needed money and got involved with the Assassins Guild for a fee, but she abandoned that scheme in order to rescue some girls that another band of criminals, the Hand, was importing as sex slaves. Then the Guild turned on her and beat the crap out of her for taking their money without performing the contracted-for service. End of flashback. After Foley heals her, Dom and Logan encounter the Guild again and after a smokingly violent exchange, Dom and Logan lock lips and meld bodily forms in a passionate embrace that proves Domino was right: Wolverine wants her “in a big way.” This is the “sex and violence” part of the series: violence is supposed to provoke lust among certain people, and it surely does here with Dom and Logan. But before they can yank their clothes off and begin furious fornication, the Claw shows up and demands a return of the money Domino was paid. We leave them all there.

The complete episode of Dom working with the Assassins Guild and then leaving them to rescue sex slaves displays her morally-motivated character — and the concluding battle with Wolverine at her side reveals her combat resourcefulness and, incidentally, wit, passion, and feminine form. Ending the issue with the Claw’s demand creates enough suspense to catapult us into the next issue. And the artwork is sumptuous.