Domino and Colossus find the source of the world’s luckiest assassins in X-Force #8, by writer Benjamin Percy, artist Bazaluda, colors by GURU-eFX, and letterer Joe Caramagna. Percy gives readers an entertaining issue that plays with his the themes he’s set up so far while also containing a great action set piece.

The assassin from the last issue is about to kill a pro-mutant politician when Domino comes upon them. After a brief tussle, Domino is able to kill the assassin. Back on Krakoa, Cecilia Reyes autopsies the assassin, finding similarities to the supersoldiers who attacked Krakoa and something extra- this one has been enhanced with Domino’s DNA. Domino reveals that she found a four leaf clover after killing the assassin, meaning some of her luck has returned. That night, unable to sleep again, she meets up with Colossus and they discuss death and resurrection as a solution to their problems. Sage is able to find the train where the luck assassins are being made and Domino and Colossus infiltrate the train, destroying the soldier on board. Elsewhere, the council of XENO, the creators of the supersoldiers, declare war on mutants.

Percy keeps bringing up the psychological toll of what’s been happening to Domino and Colossus and it’s wonderful. Sure, it’s a bit depressing to see two characters be so down in the dumps, but it smacks of realism. They’ve both been through so much trauma that it makes sense they would be both not know what to do with themselves. The biggest surprise is how Colossus has been affected. Usually, Piotr is the rock other X-Men lean upon when they have problems. His unerring positivity and zest for life keeps those around him going, but here, all of that has changed. A lifetime of trauma has built up around him and he doesn’t know what to do with himself. Maybe death and a resurrection without all the terrible memories would be best is what keeps running through his mind and it’s heartbreaking to see him go through this.

Beyond that, Percy just uses a lot of really smart writing throughout to move the plot along. Sage is able to find where the soldiers are being made because of Domino telling her about finding a four leaf clover. It seems like a little anecdote to let readers know that Domino is getting her powers back, but it turns into an ingenious way for Sage to figure out where to find the place where these lucky assassins are being made. What follows is a running battle on a train that is so cool.

The art from Bazaluda really helps this scene. Each panel takes in the action that is happening in a train car as Colossus and Domino fight their way through. The shots are wide and not extremely detailed, but that doesn’t matter. Bazaluda’s pencils still illustrate the scene well. Plus, his work elsewhere in the issue is quite good.

X-Force #8 finds Percy playing with the same toys he’s brought with him, but it doesn’t feel like he’s repeating himself at all. In fact, it builds nicely on what he’s been doing in previous issues. There’s a lot of really smart writing in this comic. The art by Bazaluda is pretty good as well, making the script come alive. X-Force is a book that takes a look at the horrors that the guys who fight in the shadows have to face and doesn’t look away and it’s a stronger book because of that.

Grade: B+