X-Force # 17 - Not Forgotten: Part One

 This is my first X-Force comic, so unless I have the previous issues on X-Force, I don't know much of anything that's been happening before this. So far, Stephen Lang and Bolivar Trask has formed The Murant Response Division in an attempt to monitor and deal with mutant threats, which doesn't convince the U.N. 2 mutant were captured and are set up to attack civilians as a way to prove Lang's point until Wolverine and Co. rescues them (Wolverine really cut the SHIT out of them). But Surge was gonna die by her own uncontrolled powers and explode, forcing Archangel to fly her away from bystanders. X-23 and Boom Boom also shows up earlier in this issue, as they are taken in by H.A.M.M.E.R. after X-23 killed Leper Queen.  
 
I must say, the art, paint, effects and diaolouge was impressive. I also love the new black and silver outfit Logen and Co. was wearing. I understand that their was a ridiculous storyline before this, 'cause I'm thrown off by what had happened at the beginning, so I recommend getting this issue (since it's part 1) and get the next couple of issues while your at it if you enjoy this one. BTW, X-23 looks sick on the front cover.

Now that the worst crossover in comics in quite some time is over, X-Force writers Yost and Kyle can get the book back on track; that being the dark x-enforcers; the team that does the dirty work. This issue opens up with seeing where X-23 was attempting to get to in the previous issue. I have to say that the previous issue ending was quite perplexing, but then again the whole Messiah War seemed to be an afterthought or a crossover event Marvel quota for the month. Anyway, X-23 was successful in her attempts to get where she wanted but meets some out of the blue opposition by H.A.M.M.E.R. operatives; of course she has some "tactical action" first.
The problem with this issue was getting back into the groove of where Yost and Kyle were originally going. After 3 issues of useless adventures that did nothing to further the X-force storyline, we are instantly thrown back into the continuity, but without Vanisher (who is gone?). It would have been nice to have the beginning of this book happen at the end of issue 13, but...sigh. I nearly sold my whole collection of X-force 1-16 with the Cable mess on Ebay. However, by the end of this book Yost and Kyle have started to put the train back on the tracks and Choi and Oback rock this issue from cover to cover (especially that awesome last page, which was just a treat).
Back to the story: The plot thickens as Bastion, the dude that resurrected all those X-Baddies, is manipulating things at an UN conference. While Hellion, Surge, and Boom Boom all try to stay alive and Wolverine tries to reign in (Arch)Angel. A guest spot by Wolfsbane round out this issue.
If you had serious issues as to the direction X-force was going, I have to admit that the bad taste in my mouth has changed to neutral after this issue. I had forgotten how bloodly this title truly is due to the fact that Wolverine and (Arch)Angel get some quality time with a little "tactical action". A solid 3.5 out of 5. So remember relationships don't just change overnight, give Yost and Kyle a little more time to ask your forgiveness and check this issue out. I mean we all make mistakes...