Rasputin and the Chronicler have something terrible in store for Colossus as Beast, and Black Tom deal with the nesting homunculi in X-Force #24, by writer Benjamin Percy, artist Martin Coccolo, colorist GURU-eFX, and letterer Joe Caramagna. This one has a tragic aspect to it and reveals yet another facet of Mikhail Rasputin’s plan.

This story shifts between three set-pieces- Mikhail Rasputin and the Chronicler argue over how the Chronicler is controlling Colossus. The Chronicler is an artist, a writer trying to tell a story, and Mikhail wants him to get on with it, which he eventually does. In the Savage Land, Colossus works the land with his girlfriend Kayla, staying out later than her while she prepares dinner and makes a terrible discovery, which spurs Colossus to an action set out for him. On Krakoa, Black Tom hunts the homunculi in the Beast’s body, eventually using the salad that Beast ate to get him to retch them out. Beast thinks he sees another one and tries to attack Tom but then cuts out his own eye because he thinks it’s in there. In the Savage Land, Professor X comes to see Colossus.

Percy sets up this story expertly. The Chronicler is an interesting character, one whose power involves writing the life of someone. It gives him a measure of control over their actions, which Mikhail has used to manipulate Colossus. It’s also put him at odds with Mikhail. Mikhail wants results, not art, and the Chronicler can’t give him that. They’re two different kinds of people; Mikhail is trying to build a new Russian empire, and the Chronicler is a writer, telling a story to keep Mikhail happy and get the alcohol that deadens the pain. It’s a pretty cool little plot element that Percy built here.

Perch has shown Colossus painting throughout the series, and this issue shows readers exactly what he’s been painting, and it’s yet another part of Mikhail’s plot. It’s attention to detail like this that makes this book so good. Percy used the reader’s expectation of Colossus to make them think that he was painting because Colossus paints. It’s much more sinister than that, and it shows the kind of game Percy plays in X-Force.

Coccolo’s art looks amazing throughout. The scenes inside of Beast’s body are the meat of the issue’s action, and they are all pretty great. However, there’s also a lot of portentous emotion in this book, from the Chronicler’s desperation, Mikhail’s anger, and everything with Colossus. Coccolo captures it all and really makes the script sing. GURU-eFX’s colors make the whole thing that much better. His expert coloring has buoyed this book for ages and makes Coccolo’s art even better.

X-Force #24 sets up even more of Mikhail’s plan, and the whole effect of the issue is heartbreaking. Percy does a great job of putting the emotion out there, and Coccolo and GURU-eFX bring the whole thing to life. The way that Mikhail’s plan has unfolded is wonderful, and it will be fun to see where it all goes.

Grade: B+