Interesting. I wish certain artists could do monthly calenders with just random comic book characters of their choosing.
One of the most heartbreaking superhero sacrifices. Okay, I’m a little biased… :’(
With The Shadow King’s tampering with her fragile psyche, he opened a gateway for her grief to flood from, and she was finally free from her pent up guilt and despair surrounding the deaths of Warren and Jamie (both at her own hand, no less) which she doesn’t physically have the ability to do normally. Since that happened, she had one goal and one goal only: avenge Jean-Phillipe. She was filled with an unyielding, insatiable rage, but then she gave it all up— to save the world.
She saw what she would become; what she does to the world. There was no chance for her to take her own life out of grief or as a scapegoat rather than dealing with the consequences of her actions. No, she just saw the results, and decided her death would make the world a better place… so she took it. X-Force was assembled so that they could eliminate threats to the world before they grew, and Betsy knows about this more than any of her team mates. She ended her own life before she could inflict this preemptive crusade, like a true warrior and hero. Whelp.
It’s wild that since X-Force was relaunched she has been the character that has been effected by their actions the most. This book is something special in that in the beginning you sort of root for this team because they have noble intentions. But then Remender’s stories became so much darker with terrible consequences and no one on the team seems to take into account what’s happening. For the most part Psylocke has been bearing a heavy burden in silence, but this is the culmination of her situation. Warren, Jean, Jamie, AoA characters, and now Betsy. The gravity of the situation is immense!
But for Remender to take Betsy full circle like this (I’m not convinced her story is complete) is simply amazing. It’s utterly shocking that her losing the ability to feel lead to a cold emotionless character and that revelation led to the scene above. The next issue should be really really good. I’m really surprised she has become and has been the central character in this book for this long.
I mean if you’re not reading this title you’re definitely missing out on, in my opinion, one of the greatest stories and runs ever.
American Vampire #29 and Uncanny X-Force #28
Whoa! There were awesome books this week. Pearl is such a bad ass. “Shh I’m tanning” as she watches a vampire burn. Such a good line. Pearl and Skinner also make a great team. I wouldn’t have that they would be working together, but it appears this story will have a few plot twists.
Concerning Uncanny X-Force there is one scene involving Psylocke that hits like a punch to the gut. Remender is a brillint mad man when it comes to this book. I can’t wait for the next issue. This book is so grim and dark it is ridiculous, but it’s definitely one of the best x-books. I’m glad the stories have been untouched by the Avengers vs. X-Men plot.
→ Psylocke by Phil Noto
Another reason I love Phil Noto? He takes extra effort to make Betsy look Asian.
Probably my favorite group of X-men. I would only need Nightcrawler on it and it would be perfect.
Agreed. I would look like to see Colossus without the Cyttorak powers though. I’m not a big fan of that change.
Psylocke’s Development in UXF
So Remender answered some questions over at CBR and someone was kind enough to ask a question that has been bugging me ever since I read it.
1) As for Betsy’s deal with Krokwell, where does that leave her? Is she unable to feel any pain, suffering, hurt, sorrow, or guilt? Will this cause her to become a more cold and distant person, much like what happened to her during the “Crimson Dawn” days? Is that what prompted her to make a move on Fantomex despite killing the love of her life just five issues prior to that?
Remender: Whatever you imagine “sorrow” to mean, Betsy no longer feels that. In my mind, that includes remorse, grieving, depression, and some, if not all, forms of guilt. As to where it is taking her, that would be telling. But it’s nowhere she’s ever been before and I think it’s a nice wrinkle for the character.
So this is really interesting because it’s yet another sacrifice Betsy’s has to deal with as a result of joining X-Force. Perhaps it’s not all that bad considering the kind of team X-Force is and what they do. Normally having one of my favorite X-Men be put through the wringer like this would upsetting, but Remender is crafting such a masterpiece it’s very hard not to enjoy the dark tone he’s created with this book.
I’ve mentioned a lot all of the hits Betsy has taken. It’ll be very interesting to see how this effects her performance on X-Force. One would think if you are unable to feel remorse or sorrow you would become better at assassinating. I’m not sure I’d like to Psylocke become that cold hearted. I’ve been saying I think Psylocke should have a huge year and I stand by that. But now I think there is a lot of uncertainty about what her future holds in the X-books.
Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Don’t care?
