[miketime]

Uncanny X-Force #7 June 2011
"Deathlok Nation Conclusion" pg 21
Inks over pencil and blue lines on Marvel Comics board
Pencils: Esad Ribic
Inks: John Lucas

The hordes of the Deathlok Nation continue to flood into our world, intent on killing Fantomex and protecting the super
soldier production facility known as The World…but why? With The World now infected by the Deathlok virus, and X-Force locked in heated battle with the most powerful warriors in the Marvel Universe, humanity’s hopes rest in the hands of one man, but who is Weapon Infinity?!

If ever there was a definition of a knock-down, drag-out brawl, then this issue is it. Uncanny X-Force #7 wraps up "Deathlok Nation" as the team searches for Father in an effort to eliminate the Deathlok threat. Rick Remender spends a few pages setting up the situation, but doesn't wait long before getting into the heart of battle.

Remender adds a layer of depth that has become the norm for this series. More remarkably, he succeeds in making the reader sympathize with Deadpool – a feat that can only be equated to a lifelong vegan taking a trip to the Outback Steakhouse.

The action is gorgeously rendered by Esad Ribic and his art team, but the dialogue steals the show throughout the issue. Each battle is supplemented with narration from its featured characters, the most resounding of which is Deadpool's. After an entertaining exchange that pits Fantomex against Deadpool, the fan-favorite mercenary is left at the will of Father, who plays up Wade's apparent insecurities. It's a quick and dirty distillation of the character, but it succeeds in showing why he's got such appeal when he's done correctly. Remender has Fantomex call out Deadpool on everything that's annoying about him saying, "You can't win my friendship with your quivering stream of desperation-banter." Zing!

Ribic's work in the issue is surprisingly adept at playing up the emotional aspects of these scenes, even amidst massive fights and characters wearing masks. Much credit is due to inker John Lucas and colorist Matthew Wilson, as their thin, precise line work and emotive color palette plays a huge part in the way that Ribic's art reflects Remender's words tonally, if not in action.