As X-Force deals with the Eternal threat to Krakoa, Kraven gets ready to make his stand in X-Force #31, by writer Benjamin Percy, artist Robert Gill, colorist GURU-eFX, and letterer Joe Caramagna. This issue does more set-up, all while managing to be entertaining and do some character work.

This issue swings back and forth between Kraven and Krakoa. Kraven tries to get the Celestial God’s attention, but it doesn’t work. Back at his hunting lounge, he prepares for his Krakoa hunt as Deadpool pulls himself together. After a short battle, Kraven discovers that Deadpool can get through Krakoan gates, which will make getting to the island a snap. At Krakoa, Omega Red brings the mutant refugees to the island, something that Beast takes umbrage with. Sage shows Red the Shadow Room, a place he can do whatever he wants when he needs to. At the Green Lagoon, Beast and Sage discuss the refugees, disagreeing over what Red did, the rift between them growing.

Last issue’s Judgment Day tie-in banner really didn’t make any sense, and this one doesn’t really either. Beyond referencing the conflict and showing the Celestial, the chapter does the bare minimum when it comes to tying into the later conflict. Percy has a story to tell here, but one gets the feeling that he had to add something to make it tie into the big event. Luckily, it’s pretty unobtrusive. The name of this issue is set-up and character development, and Percy nails that.

From digging into Kraven’s head to adding more to the relationship between Red and Sage to showing just how terrible the Beast has become, Percy does what he’s done best in this book. X-Force often sees Percy splitting character and plot, and he does that here. One of the most interesting aspects of the book lately has been Beast and Sage falling out more and more. Percy giving Sage more to do is awesome, and seeing her call out Beast for his frequently fascist takes on things is a joy. Percy also shows Sage as a human being for the first time, as her role in X-Force, the things she sees and is party to, have driven her to drink. It’s the most development she’s ever gotten, and it fits her well. Her powers may make her like a computer, but she’s still a person. Every member of the team deals with their X-Force missions differently, and getting into Sage’s head is great.

Gill and GURU-eFX make an excellent team. Gill does an amazing job with his character acting in this issue, which is the real key to it. One of the best pieces of art in the chapter is how he draws the drunk Sage when she shows Omega Red the Shadow Room. Even without it being established by the dialogue, readers can tell that she’s inebriated. It’s such a great piece of penciling. As usual, GURU-eFX’s colors are gorgeous. His style takes Gill’s pencils and makes them so much better, like the best colorists do.

X-Force #31 is technically a Judgment Day tie-in, but Percy doesn’t let that stop him from telling his story. He sets things up well and does some smart character work. Gill, GURU-eFX, and Caramagna do an excellent job with the visuals and letters. This is a solid comic.

Grade: B