In Marvel's House of X and Powers of X, X-Men founder Charles Xavier realized a new dream for mutantkind: a sovereign nation where mutants could live free from human persecution and violence. However, that existence has to be secured through treaties, intelligence-gathering and plausibly deniable covert operations. The latter two are the purview of the latest incarnation of X-Force, the mutant nation of Krakoa's answer to the CIA.
On Wednesday, X-Force goes into action with a new ongoing series by writer Benjamin Percy and artist Joshua Cassara that follows the exploits of both intelligence-gathering operatives like Beast and Sage and covert agents such as Domino and Wolverine. Logan's exploits will pave the way for a new solo series launching in February, also written by Percy, who's joined by artist Adam Kubert.
CBR spoke with Percy about X-Force's ranks, who they're accountable to, the missions they'll embark on with Wolverine, and the adventures Wolverine will have in his own title.
CBR: X-Force follows the adventures of the titular unit, which is essentially the intelligence and covert-operations arm of Krakoa, which raises questions about their mandate and accountability. What sort of rules govern their missions? And, ultimately, who do they answer to if something goes wrong?
Benjamin Percy: Something happens in Issue 1 — something jaw-dropping that will ripple across the entire line of X-books — that makes it clear why X-Force is necessary.
The Quiet Council endorses their creation, but with the understanding that they are engaging in deniable operations. Right now the mutants are strong-arming the world — by declaring sovereignty — but they’re also making diplomatic efforts and want to be thought of as a generous and positive force in the world.
X-Force is not merely a team of mutants; it’s the mutant CIA. And some underhanded operations will take place, involving surveillance, blackmail, bribery, assassination. They are not beholden to the same commandments as the rest of the mutant nation. The Quiet Council is happy to look in the other direction, as long as X-Force keeps their operations hidden in the shadows.
You mentioned previously that the intelligence arm of X-Force includes Beast, Jean Grey and Sage, and the covert-action arm includes Wolverine, Kid Omega and Domino. All of these characters have clear and differing views on the application of lethal force. So will the two divisions always see eye to eye on things? Is this a book where the morality is black and white? Or more shades of gray?
Black-and-white applies to Domino’s skin color alone. X-Force will absolutely be a storyline defined by shades of gray (or maybe we should say shades of red). The members are unified in their want to protect mutantkind, but they won’t always agree on the measures taken.
You're juggling a pretty large cast of characters inX-Force. Who are some of the ones you'll spotlight in your initial issues? And will this series features “mission specialist” style guest stars?
Team books are plagued by many problems, including thin characterization. That’s because of the crowded roster. X-Force is a procedural — like Law & Order — with an intelligence team and a wet work team. And though some stories will be split equally between the two, others will not. I want to constantly shift the focus and rhythm to keep things fresh and exciting and to mine the characters fully. Some stories will lean more into the analysts and some will lean more into the fieldwork. Some will spotlight one or two characters. And maybe the roster will change, depending on the mission. [...] You’ll just have to stay tuned. The only thing to expect is the unexpected.
What can you tell us about the initial adventures of the intelligence and covert arms of X-Force? Who or what are they up against?
No spoilers, but the initial response is defensive. Even though most of the world has signed the treaty and acknowledged mutant sovereignty, you can bet your ass there are plenty who aren’t happy about it. That includes all the shadow agencies out there — like Weapon X — that Xavier has disbanded and de-funded. But there are many insane and varied threats to come.
You teased that an event happens at the end of X-Force #1 that will ripple across the mutant world. Will this event have immediate repercussions for the other books in the X-Men line?
Bad shit is coming for us all.
Does what you're doing with Logan in X-Force tie into or pave the way for the Wolverine solo series you're working on?
There will be no questions of continuity with me writing X-Force and Wolverine. The books will feed into each other, yes, but they’ll also be different in their tone, style and scope.
Wolverine is a character that can be involved in almost any kind of tale. So what types of stories are you interested in telling in that book? What do you want readers to know about it?
The first issue is oversized. I’m not sure I’m allowed to say just how long it is yet, but know that it contains two separate stories that are extremely different in tone. One is a crime/adventure/mystery story that wrestles with memory and identity. The other is a horror/adventure story (with a dash of romance in it) that tackles questions about history and the toll and responsibility of immortality.
I mention this, because right out of the gates, the reader will understand that this is going to be a wild, complex, wide-ranging ride we’re taking them on.
Wolverine has been resurrected from the dead twice in less than a year. (It has been a year, right?) What kind of impact does that have on his psyche, and how will it impact his story in both X-Force and his solo series?
If you’ve read HOX/POX, then you know that the notion of resurrection — and the scars people carry with them even as their bodies are renewed — applies to the whole line of X-books now. I can’t go into much detail, but know that in X-Force, Domino is going to be struggling with some physical and emotional trauma—and seeking revenge as an antidote for it. And Wolverine will be a kind of sounding board for her, because he’s been through this thresher before.
Death and rebirth — of the mind and body — have always been a part of Wolverine’s legacy. That’s nothing new. But I will find fresh ways of exploring the many lives he’s endured (as well as the ones he’s taken).
I would have been thrilled to write these books at any time in my life, but hot damn if this isn’t a great time to be a mutant. Hickman has planted a rich garden and it feels like a thousand years of storytelling could grow out of it. X-Force is a really exciting offshoot of the paradigm shift. This is not simply a team or a “dark X-Men” book — we’re talking about the mutant CIA. And ahead of us we have some wild territory that is going to be both thrilling and morally knotty territory to navigate.
As for Wolverine…he’s my favorite character. He’s always been my favorite character. And you better believe I’m writing the hell out of this book.
X-Force #1, by Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara and Dean White, goes on sale Wednesday from Marvel Comics.
