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X-Force – Definitive Reading Order and Collecting Guide

X-Force comic books in a definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and reading order for omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated Aprul 2023 with titles scheduled for release through May 2024.

X-Force was born in an act of pure marketing. Over time, it became synonymous with the idea of a team of X-Men that aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Artist Rob Liefeld grew to be  one of the hottest artists in the industry as he drew the final year of New Mutants. Comics were reaching the early height of the speculator craze, and Liefeld wanted to take the team in a new, more X-TREME direction. Thus, New Mutants ended and X-Force was born – a team of proactive young mutants lead by Cable, for whom the ends always justified the means.

X-Force Vol03 - 0027 promo

Liefeld didn’t last very long on the title before defecting to Image, but X-Force as the proactive X-team has remained part of the X-Men brand ever since. Fabian Nicieza continued writing through Liefeld’s departure until issue #43, setting the tone and voice for many of the recurring characters.

Generally, the X-Force cast consisted of some combination of Cannonball, Boom Boom, Warpath, Sunspot, Rictor, Shatterstar, & Siryn, as mentored by Cable and Domino. The cast also sometimes included Feral, Dani Moonstar, & Karma. (Though Wolfsbane is associated with these characters via New Mutants, at the time she was appearing in X-Factor and Excalibur.)

In 2001, X-Force took a detour to reality TV-inspired, mature-readers X-Statix, followed by brief return by Liefeld and his familiar cast in 2004.

The title returned to popularity and acclaim in 2008 as a team of covert team killers lead by Logan and authorized by Cyclops. This team included connections to earlier incarnations with Warpath, Domino, Wolfsbane, & (eventually) Boom Boom, to which it added Wolverine (X-23) and Archangel. Elixir and Vanisher supported the team.

After that series ended with the “Second Coming” crossover, X-Force returned under the coveted “Uncanny” adjective. There may have never been a series more deserving! Rick Remender penned a fierce, all-time classic story that began as a hunt for Apocalypse but turned into much more. Remender brought Psylocke to the X-Force brand and turned her into its marquee star, along with Grant Morrison’s Fantomex and a team that included Wolverine and Deadpool.

In Marvel Now, Marvel launched not one but two X-Force titles at the end of 2012. Cable & X-Force was a familiar, 90s-tinged version of the team. A new volume of Uncanny X-Force lead by Psylocke and included Storm, Bishop, Spiral, Puck, & Fantomex. Both books were later consolidated into the darkly comedic X-Force (2014) with both Cable and Psylocke, as penned by Si Spurrier.

The title went on a brief hiatus from 2015-2018. The 2017 ResurrXion line replaced it with a familiar-feeling Weapon X title starring Warpath and Sabretooth. Marvel briefly revived the classic Cannonball & Boom Boom cast in 2018 for a 10-issue run by Ed Brisson that followed his Extermination mini-series.

In 2019, the entire X-line launched into the Age of Krakoa from the clean start of Jonathan Hickman’s House of X and Powers of X. This recast X-Force as a combination Krakoan FBI & CIA in a title anchored by Wolverine, Quentin Quire, Domino, and Forge, among others.

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Where to Start Reading X-Force

If you want to jump into X-Force, there are a few best spots to begin.

You can always simply start from X-Force (1991) #1! Even if you don’t know much New Mutants history, the title will catch you up on what you need to know as you go.

If you have an entire X-Men shelf available or are reading digitally, you should begin slightly earlier with Rob Liefeld firmly taking the reins of New Mutants in New Mutants (1983) #87 and continue reading through their transformation to X-Force. In some formats, like the Omnibus line, it will make more sense to start from New Mutants (1983) #98.

If you want to avoid the 90s crossover era but still enjoy the 90s team line-up, you can jump in with X-Force (1991) #70. This begins the “road trip” era of title, which features the team in lower-key adventures without Cable’s guidance.

If you’d like to read X-Statix, start with X-Force #116 and read on from there – but you’ll need to visit the Guide to X-Statix!

If you want to read this title’s transformation into Wolverine’s bloody kill-squad, pick up from X-Force (2008) #1. Some people may suggest you read the “Messiah Complex” crossover first, but it has no direct effect on the title and you won’t be missing anything. The crossover simply sets up a new status quo for X-Men titles.

If you want to read a run anchored by Psylocke and Wolverine with a major Angel story, pick up from Uncanny X-Force (2010) #1. You don’t need to read the “Second Coming” crossover that precedes it – it has nothing to do with this run.

If you want to read X-Force as the combined FBI and CIA of the Age of Krakoa, jump in by reading House of X/Powers of X and continuing to X-Force (2019) #1 by Benjamin Percy. Be careful, because the prior series by Ed Brisson is also referred to as X-Force (2019) in some guides and databases.

Major X-Force Collection Formats

If you don’t want to chase down every single issue or original trade paperback collection, you’re in luck! Lengthy periods of X-Force’s publishing history have been collected in a pair of easy-to-follow formats – oversize hardcover omnibuses and paperback Epic and Complete Collections.

Omnibus & Oversize Hardcovers

Click to expand a list of Omnibus & Oversize Hardcovers

Paperback Epic Collections & Complete Collections

Epic Collections comprehensively collect a character, series, or line of titles in numbered volumes pre-mapped by Marvel. The catch is that the volumes do not come out in chronological order, so the release of a Vol. 1 can be followed by a Vol. 9!. Marvel has gone back to print on many Epic Collections, so there is no reason to think that they will go permanently out-of-print like other Marvel collected editions.

Complete Collections are a paperback reprinting of large swaths of issues, sometimes recollecting two or more original trade paperback releases. They often collect additional issues that weren’t included with earlier collections. Unlike Epic Collections, Complete Collections are not typically reprinted by Marvel – and their lines are not always completed.

Click to expand a list of Epic Collections & Complete Collections

X-Force Reading Order

X-Force (1991) #1-115, -1, & Annual 1992-1999

Begins in August 1991, a few months ahead of the issues that are parallel to X-Men #1 – Uncanny X-Men #281,  X-Factor #71, X-Force #1, Wolverine #47, and Excalibur #55.

In 1991 Rob Liefeld relaunched the remainder of the New Mutants team as the militaristic X-Force, a more proactive and violent X-team.

In fact, most of the actual New Mutants had been jettisoned entirely – Cannonball and Boom Boom were the only pair remaining that preceded New Mutants #86, joined by Domino, Shatterstar, Warpath, and Feral – though Rictor, Sunspot, Moonstar, and Siryn would later appear.

After issue #115, the traditional X-Force team is shelved in favor of an all new set of characters which eventually become X-Statix. That cast and their stories have no connection to the existing cast or plots of the book. See Guide to X-Statix for collections of issues #116-129.

[Marvel Unlimited: main series, annuals, annual 1995, annual 1996, annual 1998 (link pending)]

in oversize hardcover…

Click to expand a list of Omnibus & Oversize Hardcovers

in a line of 2011 Marvel Premiere Classic standard-size hardcovers collecting issues #1-43…

Prior to the Epic collection line, it seemed that this would be the most-efficient and comprehensive way to collect large swaths of X-Force. Click to expand this section.

in standard-size collections by issue…

Crossover Era – #1-66 & Annual 1992-1997

New Mutants (1983) #95-97: X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda
(2011 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785155317 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901004 /  digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men #235-238 & 270-272; New Mutants (1983) #95-97; X-Factor (1986) #60-62.

New Mutants (1983) #99-100: X-Force: Shatterstar (2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785116332 / digital)
Also collects X-Force: Shatterstar (1995) #1-4

New Mutants (1983) Annual 7: New Warriors Classic, Vol. 2 (2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785142638 / digital)
Collects New Warriors (1990) #7-10 & Annual 1 and A-stories from New Mutants (1983) Annual 7, Uncanny X-Men (1963) Annual 15, and X-Factor (1986) Annual 6.

X-Force (1991) #1

#1-15 & Annual 1/1992: Under The Gun (Epic Collection Vol. 1) (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302904579 / digital)
Collects X-Force (1991) #1-15 & Annual 1, Spider-Man (1990) #16; and Wolverine (1988) #54. This collection has different contents than an earlier HC of the same name.

#3-4: X-Force and Spider-Man: Sabotage (1992 paperback, ISBN 978-0871359537
Collects crossover to Spider-Man (1990) #16.

Annual 1/1992 crosses over with the other X-annuals. Occurs after #11.

#16-18: X-Cutioner’s Song
(2011 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785156109 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302900304 / digital / 2019 “Milestones” paperback / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #84-86, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #294-297, X-Force (1991) #16-18, X-Men (1991) #14-16, and Stryfe’s Strike File (1993) #1. Previously collected in a 1997  paperback (ISBN 978-0785100256) without UXM #297.

#16-19: X-Cutioner’s Song (Epic Collection Vol. 2) (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920661 / digital)
Collects Cable: Blood & Metal (1992) #1-2, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #294-296, X-Factor (1986) #84-86, X-Men (1991) #14-16, X-Force (1991) #16-19, Stryfe’s Strike File (1992) #1, and New Warriors (1990) #31. Note that this includes different contents than versions outside of the X-Force Epic Collection line.

#20-26 & Annual 2/1993: Assault on Graymalkin (Epic Collection Vol. 3) (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302954024 / digital TBA)
Collects X-Force (1991) #20-26 & Annual 2, Cable (1993) #1-4, Deadpool: The Circle Chase (1993) #1-4, and Nomad (1992) #20

#25: X-Men: Fatal Attractions (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901059 / digital / 2019 “Milestones” paperback, ISBN 978-1302919726 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #298-300, 303-304, 315; X-Factor (1986) #92; X-Force (1991) #25; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2; X-Men (1991) #25. Note that the oversized hardcover version has different contents. A 1995 paperback (ISBN 978-0785100652) collected only the anniversary hologram cover issues (Excalibur (1988) #71, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #304, Wolverine (1988) #75, X-Factor (1986) #92, X-Force (1991) #25, and X-Men (1991) #25.)

#38: X-Men Milestones: Phalanx Covenant (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920548 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #305-306, 312-313, & 316-317; Excalibur (1988) #78-80 & 82; X-Men (1991) #36-37; X-Factor (1986) #106; X-Force (1991) #38; Wolverine (1988) #85; and Cable (1993) #16

#38: X-Men: Origin of Generation X (Phalanx Covenant) (2001 paperback, ISBN 978-0785102168)
The “Generation Next” crossover that launched Generation X; collects X-Factor (1986) #106, X-Force (1991) #38, Excalibur (1988) #82, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #316-317, X-Men (1991) #36-37, Wolverine (1988) #85, Cable (1993) #16, & Generation X (1994) #1.

Annual 3/1994: Collected in other formats, above. This fits after issue #41.

Here X-Force becomes Gambit and the X-Ternals #1-4 for four months as part of the Age of Apocalypse crossover, which does not interrupt the numbering.

#44-48: Cable & X-Force Classic, Vol. 1 (ISBN 0785184325) (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785184324 / digital)
Collects X-Force (1991) #44-48 and Cable (1993) #21-28. Annual 4/1995 comes before issue #47, but is collected in the next volume. Issue #48 crosses over to Uncanny X-Men (1963) #323, though that issue is not collected here. Read order is Cable (1993) #21, X-Force (1991) #44, Cable (1993) #22, X-Force (1991) #45-48 (Cable doesn’t appear in #48), Cable (1993) #23-28

#49-56 & Annual 4/1995: Cable & X-Force: Onslaught Rising [AKA Classic, Vol. 2] (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302909499 / digital)
The Annual is the first story in this sequence. Collects X-Force (1991) #49-56, Cable (1993) #29-31, X-Man #14, X-Force/Cable Annual ’95. Material from Annual 1995 is also in X-Men: Domino.

#57-61 & Annual 5/1996: Cable & X-Force: Onslaught! [AKA Classic, Vol. 3] (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916190 / digital)
Collects Cable (1993) #32-39, X-Force (1991) #57-61, Incredible Hulk (1968) #444, X-Man (1995) #18-19, and X-Force/Cable Annual 5/1996 (which is between #58-59).

Onslaught: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Onslaught for other collection options for issues #57-58.

#62-66 and X-Force/Cable Annual 6/1997: Not collected. The 1997 annual occurs between #64-65.

X-Men Milestones: Zero Tolerance does not collect X-Force issues from the event since they were not part of the direct crossover. A very early X-Men: Zero Tolerance TPB (ISBN 078510738X) in the old “Marvel’s Finest” trade dress collected X-Force #67-69.

Roadtrip Era – #67-101, -1, Annual 1998-1999

#67-84 & -1: Zero Tolerance (Epic Collection Vol. 7) (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302927110 / digital)
Collects X-Force (1991) #67-84 & -1.

#85-100, Annual 1998 (X-Force/Champions), & Annual 7/1999:
Armageddon Now (Epic Collection Vol. 8) (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302948306 / digital)
Collects X-Force (1991) #85-100, X-Force/Champions Annual ’98 (1998), and X-Force Annual ’99 (1999)

#99: New Mutants: Demon Bear
(2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190011 / digital / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912888 / digital)
Collects New Mutants (1983) #18-20, X-Force (1991) #99 and material from X-Force (2008) #7-10

The 1998 annual occurs around #85; all 1998 Annuals were shared between pair of titles. Annual 7/1999 occurs between #95-96.

#101: X-Men: Powerless (2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785146773 / digital)
Collects an indirect crossover through Uncanny X-Men (1963) #379-380, Cable (1993) #78, X-Force (1991) #101, Wolverine (1988) #149, and X-Men (1991) #99.

Counter X – #102-115

#102-109: Counter X, Volume 1 (2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785133049 / digital)

#110-115: Counter X, Volume 4: Rage War (2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785159735 / digital)
Also includes material from #102 Rough Cut

X-Statix – #116-129

#116-129: See Guide to X-Statix. Other than a very brief cameo to confirm the prior team was still alive and active during this period, this run has nothing to do with X-Force, its cast, or its typical “ends justify the means” modus operandi. Instead, it focuses on a newly-created team of reality TV stars. This continues directly to X-Statix (2002).

X-Force (& Liefeld) Returns

X-Force (2004) #1-6 (Oct 2004 – Mar 2005)

This series by original X-Force authors Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld reintroduced the core X-Force characters after many of them spent several years out of circulation in the Marvel Universe. This occurs around the same time as the launch of Astonishing X-Men. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-6: X-Force & Cable Volume 1: The Legend Returns (2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785114291 / digital)

X-Force: Shatterstar (2005) #1-4 (Apr – Jul 2005)

This story fits prior to the 2004 series. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-4: X-Force: Shatterstar (2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785116332 / digital)
Also collects Shatterstar’s introduction in New Mutants (1983) #99-100.

Wolverine’s X-Force (2008 – 2012)

X-Force (2008) #1-28 & Annual 1, X-Force Special: Ain’t No Dog (2008) #1, X-Force/Cable: Messiah War Prologue (2009) #1, X-Necrosha: The Gathering (2009) #1, & X-Force: Sex and Violence (2010) #1-3 by Kyle & Yost (Apr 2008 – Sept 2010)

Begins April 2008, in the wake of the events of Messiah Complex – parallel to Uncanny X-Men #495, the transformation of X-Men (vol. 2) into X-Men Legacy, and the launch of Cable (vol. 3), as well as Wolverine #63,  X-Factor #28, Wolverine: Origins #22, and after the final issues of Cable & Deadpool and New X-Men (Academy X).

A re-launched X-Force keeps the ends justify the means premise of the original, but gets away from featuring a younger team of mutants. This violent strike-team is sanctioned by Cyclops and lead by Wolverine, with core members Archangel and X-23, plus a rotating cast of Warpath, Wolfsbane, Elixir, Domino, and Vanisher.

The series is written by the continuity-obsessed team of Kyle/Yost, and remained a fan-favorite for its duration.

[Marvel Unlimited: main series, annual, Ain’t No Dog, Messiah War, X Necrosha, X-Necrosha: The Gathering, Sex & Violence]X-Force (2008) #7

in a set of five oversized hardcovers…

#1-11: X-Force Vol. 1
(2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785143239)

#12-13 & 17-20: X-Force Vol. 2
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785149590)
Also collects X-Force Sex & Violence (2010) #1-3 and material from X-Force (2008) Annual 1.

#14-16: X-Force/Cable: Messiah War
(2009 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785131571 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785131731 / digital)
Collects X-Force (2008) #14-16, X-Men: The Lives and Times of Lucas Bishop (2009) #1-3, Cable (2008) #11-15, X-Force/Cable: Messiah War Prologue (2009) #1, and material from X-Men: Future History – The Messiah War Sourcebook (2009) #1. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Messiah War (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922849 / digital). Collected without Bishop or Sourcebook issues in Cable: The Last Hope, Vol. 2 (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302913946 / digital) – see Guide to Cable for more information.

#21-25: X-Necrosha
(201o oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146742 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785146759 / digital)
An indirect crossover about the resurrection of dead mutants. Because issues don’t directly cross between titles, it is not essential to read the entire storyline to understand this title’s central portion of the event. Collects X-Force (2008) #21-25 and material from Annual 1, New Mutants (2009) #6-8, X-Men Legacy (2008) #231-233, and X Necrosha [AKA Necrosha X] (2009) #1, and X Necrosha: The Gathering (2009) #1, as well as some background material. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Necrosha (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923976 / digital) [which also includes material from New X-Men (2004) #32 and X-Force (2008) #11. All other contents are the same – I have personally verified this in a physical copy.]

#26-28: X-Men: Second Coming
(2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146780 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157052 / digital)
A direct crossover between all of the core X-titles. Wolverine’s team and their secret operation is a major topic! Collects X-Men: Second Coming (2010) #1-2, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #523-525; New Mutants (2009) #12-14, X-Men Legacy (2008) #235-237, X-Force (2008) #26-28, and material from Second Coming: Prepare (2010) #1. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Second Coming (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923976 / digital)

as recollected in paperback Complete Collections + Messiah War and Second Coming…

#1-13: by Craig Kyle and Chris Yost Complete Collection, Vol. 1
(2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785189664 / digital)
Also includes material from Annual 1 and X-Force: Ain’t No Dog (2010) #1

#14-16: X-Force/Cable: Messiah War
(2009 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785131571 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785131731 / digital)
Collects X-Force (2008) #14-16, X-Men: The Lives and Times of Lucas Bishop (2009) #1-3, Cable (2008) #11-15, X-Force/Cable: Messiah War Prologue (2009) #1, and material from X-Men: Future History – The Messiah War Sourcebook (2009) #1. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Messiah War (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922849 / digital). Collected without Bishop or Sourcebook issues in Cable: The Last Hope, Vol. 2 (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302913946 / digital) – see Guide to Cable for more information.

#17-25: by Craig Kyle and Chris Yost Complete Collection, Vol. 2
(2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190004 / digital)
Also includes X Necrosha: The Gathering (2009) #1; X-Force: Sex & Violence (2010) #1-3; plus material from X-Necrosha [AKA Necrosha X] (2009) #1 and X-Force Annual (2010) 1

#26-28: X-Men: Second Coming
(2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146780 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157052 / digital)
A direct crossover between all of the core X-titles. Wolverine’s team and their secret operation is a major topic! Collects X-Men: Second Coming (2010) #1-2, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #523-525; New Mutants (2009) #12-14, X-Men Legacy (2008) #235-237, X-Force (2008) #26-28, and material from Second Coming: Prepare (2010) #1. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Second Coming (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923976 / digital)

as originally collected by single issue or storyline…

#1-6: Vol. 1: Angels and Demons (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785135524 / 2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785129769 / digital)

#7-11: Vol. 2: Old Ghosts (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785138211 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785129776 / digital)

#7-10: New Mutants: Demon Bear
(2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190011 / digital / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912888 / digital)
Collects New Mutants (1983) #18-20, X-Force (1991) #99 and material from X-Force (2008) #7-10

Hulk (2008) #14-18: Hulk, Vol. 4: Hulk vs. X-Force (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785139843 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785140535 / digital)
The team battles Red Hulk. This fits here in reading order, but is not referenced at all. See Guide to Hulk for more information.

#12-3 & #17-20: Vol. 3: Not Forgotten (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785140191 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785135401 / digital)
This definitely collects #20, though neither the rear cover nor the solicitations make that clear. Also available in hardcover.

#14-16: X-Force/Cable: Messiah War (2009 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785131571 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785131731 / digital)
Collects X-Force (2008) #14-16, X-Men: The Lives and Times of Lucas Bishop (2009) #1-3, Cable (2008) #11-15, X-Force/Cable: Messiah War Prologue (2009) #1, and material from X-Men: Future History – The Messiah War Sourcebook (2009) #1. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Messiah War (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922849 / digital). Collected without Bishop or Sourcebook issues in Cable: The Last Hope, Vol. 2 (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302913946 / digital) – see Guide to Cable for more information.

X-Force: Sex and Violence (2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785149972 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785144342 / digital)
Collects X-Force: Sex and Violence (2010) #1-3, a series focusing on Wolverine and Domino. Though this was released after the title ended, it is best read here prior to Necrosha. Also collected in X-Men: Domino (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912260 / digital) – see Guide to Domino for more information.

#21-25: X-Force: Necrosha (20xx paperback, ISBN 978-0785163008)
A standalone paperback collection of this title’s participation in Necrosha. Also collects X-Necrosha [AKA Necrosha X] (2009) #1, and X Necrosha: The Gathering (2009) #1 – but, not material from Annual 1.

#21-25: X-Necrosha (201o oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146742 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785146759 / digital)
An indirect crossover about the resurrection of dead mutants. Because issues don’t directly cross between titles, it is not essential to read the entire storyline to understand this title’s central portion of the event. Collects X-Force (2008) #21-25 and material from Annual 1, New Mutants (2009) #6-8, X-Men Legacy (2008) #231-233, and X-Necrosha [AKA Necrosha X] (2009) #1, and X Necrosha: The Gathering (2009) #1, as well as some background material. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Necrosha (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923976 / digital) [which also includes material from New X-Men (2004) #32 and X-Force (2008) #11. All other contents are the same – I have personally verified this in a physical copy.]

#26-28: X-Men: Second Coming (2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146780 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157052 / digital)
A direct crossover between all of the core X-titles. Wolverine’s team and their secret operation is a major topic! Collects X-Men: Second Coming (2010) #1-2, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #523-525; New Mutants (2009) #12-14, X-Men Legacy (2008) #235-237, X-Force (2008) #26-28, and material from Second Coming: Prepare (2010) #1. Reissued in 2020 as X-Men Milestones: Second Coming (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923976 / digital)

You may also wish to purchase X-Men: Second Coming Revelations (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785150077 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157069 / digital), which contains companion stories to Second Coming. It does not prominently features any cast members from this title.

Uncanny X-Force (2010) #1-35, 5.1, & 19.1 by Rick Remender (Dec 2010 – Feb 2013)

Begins in October 2010, just after Uncanny X-Men #526, X-Men Legacy #238, X-Factor #207, and New Mutants #15, and along with the debut of Wolverine, Vol. 4, Daken, and X-23.

The Heroic Age starts at the same time as this title.

This Rick Remender penned series has topped fan-favorite lists since its first issue. Surprisingly, that’s not because of the hyper-violent team-up of  Wolverine, Archangel, Psylocke, Deadpool, and Fantomex. Instead, it’s largely due to Remender’s obsessive knowledge of X-Men continuity, which he uses to pluck lost characters and plots out of obscurity without forcing you to go back for a re-read.

The entire first 18 issues of the title work as a single meta-arc of The Dark Angel Saga, which is as operatic in scope as the classic Dark Phoenix Saga from 1980. [Marvel Unlimited] [Marvel Unlimited – Fear Itself mini-series]

Uncanny X-Force (2010) #2

as a single, oversized volume…

Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender Omnibus
(2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785185710 / 2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302922665)
Collects the entire series, including #5.1, 19.1, and material from Wolverine: Road to Hell (2010) #1. Note that this DOES NOT collect the three-issue Fear Itself tie-in, which was not written by Remender.

as recollected in a pair of paperback Complete Collections…

#1-19 & 5.1: by Rick Remender, Complete Collection Vol. 1 (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785188230 / digital)
This includes the entirety of the Dark Angel Saga from start to finish! Also includes material from Wolverine: Road to Hell (2010) #1

#19.1 & 20-35: by Rick Remender, Complete Collection Vol. 2 (2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785188247 / digital)

as originally collected…

#1-4: Vol. 1: The Apocalypse Solution(2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785148548 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785148555 / digital)
Also includes material from Wolverine: The Road to Hell (2010) #1.

#5.1 & 5-7: Vol. 2: Deathlok Nation (2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785148562 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785148579 / digital)

Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force (2011) #1-3: Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force / The Deep
(2012 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785157960 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157410 / digital)
While this three-issue limited series was released concurrently with Dark Angel Saga, it makes the most sense read here (especially since Fear Itself is disclaimed as occurring just prior to Schism). Illustrated by painterly artist Simone Bianchi. Also collects Fear Itself: The Deep (2011) #1-4, an entertaining prelude to The Defenders staring Namor, Loa, and Dr. Strange. See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Fear Itself for more information.

X-Men: Schism (2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785156680 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785156888 / digital)
Collects X-Men: Schism (2011) #1-5 and X-Men: Regenesis (2011) #1. This event reshapes the X-Men line. Wolverine plays a central role in Schism, while Psylocke makes a surprising choice in the Regenesis one-shot. According to writer Rick Remender, Schism occurs prior to the Dark Angel Saga (but on the whole, Schism can easily be read afterwards – aside from a panel or two of Archangel). [Marvel Unlimited – Schism, Regenesis]

#8-13: Vol.3: The Dark Angel Saga, Book 1 (2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146605 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785146612 / digital)
Ultimately, issue #8 is likely placed before Schism, but can easily be read here without adding any confusion.

#14-19: Vol. 4: The Dark Angel Saga, Book 2 (2012 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785158875 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785158882 / digital)

#20-24 & 19.1: Vol. 5: Otherworld (2012 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785161813 / 20xx paperback, ISBN 978-0785161820 / digital)
A story featuring Psylocke’s brother Captain Britain, as a lead-in to his joining the cast of the Remender-written Secret Avengers – see Guide to Secret Warriors & Secret Avengers.

Issue #19.1 launches a new alternate-reality series, Age of Apocalypse. See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Age of Apocalypse.

#24-29: Vol. 6: Final Execution, Book 1 (2012 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785161837 / 2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785161844 / digital)

#30-35: Vol. 7: Final Execution, Book 2 (2013 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785161851 / 2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785161868 / digital)

Marvel Now (2012 – 2015)

Cable & X-Force (2012)

Marvel launched a pair of X-Force titles at the start of Marvel Now – this one, which was lead by Cable and has some similarities to the 1991 team, and Uncanny X-Force, which was lead by Psylocke and similar to Rick Remender’s run. Since this was primarily a “Cable & Friends” title, it is covered in his guide. See Guide to Cable. [Marvel Unlimited]

Uncanny X-Force (2013) #1-17 by Sam Humphries (Mar 2013 – Mar 2014)

Uncanny X-Force relaunches as a team of hunters lead by Psylocke, featuring Storm, Spiral, Fantomex, Bishop, and Puck. Meanwhile, Cable leads a second team in Cable and X-Force. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-5: Vol. 1: Let it Bleed (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785167396 / digital)

#7-12: Vol. 2: Torn and Frayed (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785167402/ digital)

#13-17: Vol. 3: The Great Corruption (2014 paperback, ISBN ‎ 978-0785189855 / digital)
Also includes Cable & X-Force (2012) #18-19. Issues #16-17 are also collected with Cable & X-Force, Vol. 4: Vendettas (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785189466 / digital)


X-Force (2014) #1-15 by Si Spurrier (Apr 2014 – Apr 2015)

The two prior X-Force titles merge to create a cast of Cable, Psylocke, Fantomex, and Dr. Nemesis – plus Marrow! This run had a darkly comedic quality to it. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-6: Vol. 1: Dirty Trick s(2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190264 / digital)

#7-10: Vol. 2: Hide/Fear (2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190271 / digital)
Also includes material from X-Men Legacy #300

#11-15: Vol. 3: Ends/Means (2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785193913 / digital)

Deadpool vs. X-Force (2014)

See Guide to Deadpool. This is a retcon series mostly set around the time of New Mutants (1993) #98. [Marvel Unlimited]

Marvel Fresh Start & ResurrXion

Weapon X (2017)

See Guide to Weapon X. This could have easily been titled X-Force, especially with a bloody MO and a cast that included Warpath, Domino, Old Man Logan, and Sabretooth! However, it largely focused on subjects of the Weapon X program. [Marvel Unlimited]

Extermination (2018) #1-5 by Ed Brisson (Oct 2018 – Feb 2019)

Ed Brisson penned this series to put an end to the “All New, All Different” era of the teen X-Men team from the past, but it also focused on other time-traveling X-characters. That included Cable, which pulled the original 1991 line-up back into action and acted as a launchpad for the next X-Force series. [Marvel Unlimited]

Extermination [AKA X-Men Blue Vol. 6] (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302913571 / digital)
Collects Extermination (2018) #1-5 and Extermination stinger pages that lead up to this series.

X-Force (2018) #1-10 by Ed Brisson (Dec 2018 – July 2019)

A new volume penned by Ed Brisson spinning out of the events of Extermination, this features the classic 1991 line-up headlined by Domino rather than a Cable, Wolverine, or Psylocke-driven squad. However, Cable was a presence in this story – as was Rachel Summers. [Marvel Unlimited]

Shatterstar: Reality Star (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302915223 / digital)
Collects Shatterstar (2018) #1-5, which is likely set either prior to New Mutants Dead Souls or after Extermination, but necessarily prior to this series.

#1-5: Vol. 1: Sins of the Past (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302915735 / digital)

#6-10: Vol. 2: The Counterfeit King (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302915742 / digital)

Age of Krakoa (2019 – present)

X-Force (2019) #1-(ongoing) & Annual 1 by Benjamin Percy (Nov 2019 – ongoing)

This series is anchored by Wolverine, Beast, Quentin Quire, Forge, and Domino, roughly in that order of prominence. Jean Grey and Colossus also star. If you’re looking for members of the original 1991 cast, many of them appear in New Mutants during this period – see Guide to New Mutants & Young X-Men.The Age of Krakoa X-Force (2019) #1

All issues of this series are also collected in the Dawn of X and Reign of X anthology trades – see Guide to X-Men – The Age of Krakoa for collection information.

[Marvel Unlimited: main series, annual]

in oversize hardcover

#1-12: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 1 (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302945077 / digital)

#13-14: X of Swords (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302927172 / digital)
Collects X of Swords (2020) Creation, Stasis, & Destruction, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #(12?)13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2020) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4

#15-26: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 2 (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302950026 / digital)
Also collects Wolverine (2020) #13. Issue #20 is also a part of Hellfire Gala collections. See X-Men – The Age of Krakoa for collection information.

#27-(ongoing): pending collection announcement.

as originally collected in paperback…

To preface this run, you may want to read House of X and Powers of X (2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302915704 / 2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302915711 / digital)

#1-6: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 1 (2o20 paperback, ISBN  978-1302919887 / digital)

#7-12: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 2 (2o20 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919894 / digital)

#13-14: X of Swords (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302929978 / digital)
Collects X of Swords (2020) Creation, Stasis, & Destruction, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #(12?)13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2020) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4

#15-20: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 3 (2o21 paperback, ISBN 978-1302927219 / digital)

#21-26: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 4 (2o22 paperback, ISBN 978-1302927226 / digital)

Both Inferno (2021) by Hickman and X Lives / X Deaths of Wolverine by Percy fit here. See Guide to X-Men – The Age of Krakoa for collection information.

#27-33: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 5 (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302932664 / digital)

#34-38: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 6 (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302947675 / digital)

#39-42: by Benjamin Percy, Vol 7 (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302947682 / digital)

#43-47: by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 8 (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951542 / digital TBA)

X-Force: Killshot Anniversary Special (2021) #1 by Rob Liefeld (Nov 2021)

A Rob Liefeld retcon story. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1: Not collected

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Conn says

    Hey,
    First off I wanted to say that your lists have seriously helped me in collecting and prioritising my Wolverine/X-Force collection, so a huge thank you for that. I just wanted to bring your attention to a small error on your entry for X-Force Vol. 3: By Craig Kyle and Chris Yost Complete Collection, Vol. 2, you have it as collecting X-Force #14-25, but it’s actually #17-25, I only realised after recieving it in the post that it’s missing the Messiah War arch (slightly rare nowadays), which you need for the full story.
    So far in my endeavour to collect the best and most pivotal stories of Wolverine’s, I’ve collected:
    2003s run #1-72, Origins #1-50, Old Man Logan Vol 0-3, Frank Miller’s Wolverine, Logan, House of M, The Best There Is, Weapon X, Aaron’s Weapon X up to Wolverine Vs The X-Men, all things X-Force from Cyle/Yost to Uncanny X-Force (including the tie-in events Messiah CompleX, Messiah War and Second Coming) and finally everything pertaining to his death from Hunting Season to Death of Wolverine.
    I’d love to know if you think there is anything I should really try and get my hands on to round out my collection? I prefer to avoid team-focused, unless they’re very good, and retro titles, anything before 2003 usually, but I’m open if they’re very good.
    Sorry for the long post, but thanks again for such a helpful guide.
    Hope to hear from you.
    Conn

    Reply

    • krisis says

      Conn – Thanks so much for the catch! I should have known better, since Marvel doesn’t generally split up direct crossover issues into individual collections like DC (Black Vortex is a rare exception).

      Your Wolverine question is a big one! You should definitely see Aaron’s run on Wolverine through to the end for the whole story. Past that, I’ll shoot you an email with a longer reply.

      Reply

  2. eddieomac says

    COMMENT ON:
    X-Force vol.1
    #48-56: Not collected. #48 crosses over to Uncanny X-Men #323, so may not actually be a part of the collection above.

    So…

    #48 is most definitely included in Cable & X-Force Classic vol.1

    The order in the book goes:

    material from X-Men: Prime (1995) – 3 pages
    CABLE 21
    XFORCE 44
    CABLE 22
    XFORCE 45
    XFORCE 46
    XFORCE 47
    CABLE 23
    CABLE 24
    CABLE 25 – Double-Sized
    XFORCE 48
    CABLE 26
    CABLE 27
    CABLE 28

    Also includes:
    1 page “Previously…” page,
    1995 Fleer Ultra Cards – Cable, Domino, Cannonball, Boomer
    1 page recolored cover art to X-Force #44
    1995 Fleer Ultra Cards – Rictor, Shatterstar, Siryn, Warpath
    1995 Fleer Ultra Cards – Domino, Mother Askani, Cable, Deadpool
    1995 Fleer Ultra Cards – Grizzly, Stryfe, Tyler
    Cable #21, Page 10 art
    X-Force #44, Page 6 art
    X-Force #45, Page 1 art
    X-Force #47, page 18 art
    X-Force #48, page 15 art
    X-Force #48, page 17 art

    Great book.

    Reply

  3. JB says

    Missing X-Force by Craig Kyle & Chris Yost: The Complete Collection Volume 2 which collects; X-FORCE (2008) 17-25; X-NECROSHA: THE GATHERING; X-FORCE: SEX & VIOLENCE 1-3; MATERIAL FROM X NECROSHA, X-FORCE ANNUAL (2010) 1

    Reply

Trackbacks

  6. […] Simon Spurrier inherited a merged X-Force team that was a killer’s row – Cable, Psylocke, Fantomex, Marrow, Domino, and Dr. Nemesis as the science guy. His concept was amazing – an all-seeing supervillain using rapid evolution as his weapon and painting a target on mutants. What we got was a lot of talk – it’s Spurrier’s speciality, but it never felt right on this team of typically stoic warriors. The voices were always off. When we finally were embedded with some armed forces for a few issues with X-Force as the background villains the book was at its best. Visit the guide. […]

    Reply

  13. […] This week I have another update to one of the original Crushing Comics launch guides that I created back in August of 2010. Despite updating it many times over the years, I decided to tear this one down and re-built it from scratch to make it easier than ever to find the physical and digital collections you want – plus, I added over a dozen new collected editions! Welcome to my all-new, all-different Guide to X-Force. […]

    Reply

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