Writer Benjamin Percy explained why Wolverine and Colossus need to join X-Force in a CBR exclusive interview.
Revealed in Marvel's April 2023 solicitations, X-Force #39 will welcome both Wolverine/Laura Kinney and Colossus/Piotr Rasputin onto the titular team of mutants. The synopsis for the issue, which features artwork by Robert Gill, reads, "COLOSSUS AND WOLVERINE JOIN X-FORCE! It’s a NEW ERA for X-FORCE, and a new era means new members! Be here as LAURA KINNEY, A.K.A. WOLVERINE, and PIOTR RASPUTIN, A.K.A. COLOSSUS, join the team. Let’s just hope one of them isn’t harboring a SECRET set to destroy their teammates…!"
In a CBR exclusive interview, Percy was asked what it means for these two characters to be a part of X-Force and what qualities they bring to the table. "I can't say too much because: spoilers," he answered. "But X-Force needs a Wolverine, and if Logan is walking away, they desperately need someone to take his place. The thing is, Laura isn't interested. The Chronicler and Mikhail are about to become a huge problem for Krakoa, and Colossus is caught up in the middle of this design."
Marvel's X-Force Has Brought About a Villainous Change for a Major Character
Throughout the course of both X-Force and Wolverine, which is also written by Percy, Beast/McCoy has taken a villainous turn as he secretly killed Wolverine after purchasing the right to do so at a live auction. He then interrupted Wolverine's resurrection process and has since been keeping a semi-evolved version of the character locked away, all while openly lying about the matter to Sage, Domino and more.
Percy said of Beast's turn, "This was always the plan. In my pitch, I refer to Beast and Wolverine as the head and the fist of X-Force -- the head of intelligence and the head of field ops. I also made mention of Heat and wanting to eventually put these two characters on a collision course that would feel somewhat equivalent to Pacino and De Niro. They respect each other, but they cannot abide by each other because their codes are so different. Eventually, one will have to take the other down.
"If you look at Issue #1 of X-Force, the very first scene after the cold open is about Wolverine and Beast. This is during the honeymoon phase of Krakoa. Beast is out harvesting plants and marveling at the biological wonders available to them. But his fascination blinds him to risk, and he is almost killed by a monstrosity the island has born. Wolverine saves Hank at the last second. Just as Logan is about to take the monster out, Beast pleads with him to 'let it be.' You can see, in this moment, the glimmer in both their eyes. Wolverine doesn't trust this place, and of course, he's going to walk away from it eventually. And Beast…well, he's all in."
X-Force #39 features cover art by Joshua Cassara and variant cover art by Geoff Shaw. The issue goes on sale April 19, 2023.
Source: CBR