Set Description:
Before I ever started collecting Comics I grew to love the characters based off the Marvel Universe Series II collectible cards. In many ways I thought these were the coolest things in the world as they were close to what I enjoyed about Football cards but with much more interesting clothes. On the cards you could see a quick view of what they looked like and when flipped over a short biography detailing an origin or maybe there weakness and at the very bottom a Did You Know? type section. In-between you would see a mug shot of your character and a read out of their power levels on I think a 10 point scale. Being a completionist even as a child I happened to go through a comic store with my much older cousin Bobby when I saw a copy of X-Force #1 with one of those coveted cards inside. While looking at each of the comics and the different cards I noticed there were a few different ones and having seen it I jumped at the chance to buy 5 of the same comic with the different cards. Come to think about it this is probably where I began my love for variants. Anyways after pulling each of the cards and placing them in the baseball card binder slots I began to read my first X-Force or even New Mutant title ever.
What came next was what has held me ever since to my love of comics. Written and drawn by Rob Liefeld following his run with New Mutants and eventually taken over by Capullo and Nicieza and a few others. This was the start of the Black Ops team that would eventually bring me back to comics after a 10 year hiatus from collecting. Cable being one of my favorites and many of the New Mutants having grown on me this has quickly become the one constant series that I pick up. From this series through to the Uncanny X-Force to even Cable And the X-Force this continues to always find itself in my pull-list.
One day I would like to finish out this one as a way to pay it back for the enjoyment it gave me and with a few still not having a graded issue I guess in a way this will be my continuation of what Tnerb started with his New Mutants. The cool part about it also is that not too long ago after purchasing a comic from a seller on eBay I was given the Certification number and it turned out he was simply using the stock photo on his site as a reference and not the actual comic. No harm no foul but it did cause me to come into contact with another board member Blarfingar who at the time had the actual comic in hand. After apologizing for a simple mistake it was identified that we shared similar tastes and now have someone to compete against for the better set.
So which set holds out as the better Set, Since the Beginning or My X-Force is Better Than Your Force? I guess time will tell.
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| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
X-Force 2 |
| Item: |
X-Force 2 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0189383007
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Owner Comments
Published: September 1991
KEY ISSUE: the first Weapon X… Yeah what I said, but this ones Kane, and the second Deadpool which is slightly more Key
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld art
Rob Liefeld Cover
First off there are ONE HUNDRED and SIXTY FIVE of these graded with 121 9.8’s for the first printing with 17 SS’s and a single 9.9 out there. Needless to say there are quite a few of these readily available just none seem to ever be decently priced until I picked this one up from mycomicshop.com’s June Auction.
Story Title: The Blood Hunters
SUMMARY:
Port Menier, Anticosti Island, Quebec
Weapon X finds his quarry Deadpool. Deadpool has been assigned to obtain some Japanese software while it is en route to a NATO research facility in Manitoba. Weapon X, otherwise known as Kane, monitors the situation and then finally strikes and catches Deadpool off-guard. Tolliver's men escape while the two fight it out. Weapon X gets the upper-hand and Deadpool is cornered. Then, G.W. Bridge appears and wants to get Weapon X to help him bring in Cable for SHIELD. While talking, Deadpool escapes and Kane tells Bridge that he will not help.
Adirondack Mountains
X-Force decides to go through a training run in the woods of their new base. Cable says that he has Feral hiding in the woods and the team has fifteen minutes to find and contain her. They set out and Feral watches from the trees. She then pounces on Cannonball as he flies by. She steers his flying body to ram into Warpath, taking them both out. Boom-Boom uses her new wrist-launchers to surprise Feral and stuns her. Feral recovers and then takes out Boom-Boom and Domino. Shatterstar is finally able to match her ferocity when suddenly Cannonball flies into her to stop her. The team gathers around when suddenly Feral lashes out and slices Cannonball's stomach. Cable knocks out Feral and they all teleport back to their base.
World Trade Center
On the roof of the World Trade Center, Arianna Jankos' scientists finalize building their inter-dimensional teleportation machine. Black Tom has them turn it on while commenting that he has wanted to see his friend's "pug-ugly face" again. The machine stirs to life.
X-Force Adirondack Base
Cannonball lays in the med-lab recovering. Cable and Domino enter and all three discuss that Feral is almost to animalistic for to be contained and to work with the team. Cable continues to try to see what they need to do to deal with her.
World Trade Center
Black Tom waits while the machine continues to whir away. He spouts off that he is ready to finally see his friend again. Then, there is a giant explosion. The dust settles and the Juggernaut is seen and announces he is back and it is ready to kick some butt..
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
So I sent my original one in… not so much, decided to just go the Auction ebay way with this one after that debacle. Anyways finally got it and now pushs me to get that much closer to gaining the Merc with a Mouths first issue in New Mutants 98.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 3 |
| Item: |
X-Force 3 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1038658017
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Owner Comments
Published: October 1991
KEY ISSUE: To me HELL YEAH it is. Juggernaut fighting Warpath. So much awesomeness here that it even spills out onto the Spider-Man series. Seriously, this is how you cross series.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld art
Rob Liefeld Cover
Total of 20 graded at 9.8 with me owning one and eBay showing two and World Wide Comics having one also. There’s also one that has been signed and man does it look pretty. Gonna have to get this one signed maybe on the thigh or across Shatterstars feet. They are like size extra midget.
Story Title: Battle Cry
SUMMARY:
World Trade Center
Day three of the Jankos hostage situation and Siryn arrives on the roof, only to find the Juggernaut ready for a fight. Siryn attempts to attack and the Juggernaut basically knocks her off the roof. She flies to safety and is greeted by X-Force as they arrive. Cable offers X-Force's help and then the fight really begins.
Warpath leaps from the ship to hit the Juggernaut but instead they both fall over the edge toward the street below. The remaining members take out the guards on the roof. They then start their descent into the floors below.
Meanwhile, Black Tom goads both Gideon and Sunspot into fighting him. Gideon strikes first and is quickly taken out. Sunspot then steps in and while making a dent in the action, he is then beat when Black Tom uses his cane on him. The rest of X-Force enters and meets Black Tom. They prepare to fight him when he reveals that he has packed the building with plastique.
On the ground, Warpath and Juggernaut continue to battle in the streets. Spider-Man then appears and surveys the scene. He decides that he is probably better off letting Warpath fight Juggernaut alone since he is distracting him. He then starts to make his way up to the top of the World Trade Center when there is a giant explosion in the side of one of the towers...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
A few things about this one come up. One, that is one hell of a dysfunctional family. Between Siren and her Uncle Tom… did I really write that… I guess I did, and Juggernaut taking a monster size swing at here this family has some serious issues. Another unique thing about this one is the way Liefeld draws feet… take a look at the cover and tell me nothings wrong. Funny thing is I never cared as a kid as Liefeld’s ability to splash color on the page really made me enjoy it without caring. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I even noticed it. And finally a kind of sad piece, this one took place right around the initial destruction of the World Trade Towers and eventually the second time. Makes you think about the past a little in this one.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 4 |
| Item: |
X-Force 4 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1097004014
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Owner Comments
Published: November 1991
KEY ISSUE: Nope.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld Art
Rob Liefeld Cover
Total of 23 graded at 9.8 and a single copy at 9.9 owned by Hitman1099. With me owning one and eBay showing four easily available this isn’t a hard issue to find. There’s also one that has been signed and remains the loan OAK in its 9.8SS status. Gonna have to get this one signed along the Cable’s gun unless I really try to reach and go for Hitman’s lone 9.9.
Story Title: Sabotage Part 2
SUMMARY:
Below the World Trade Center
Warpath, Feral, Shatterstar, and Spider-Man take on the Juggernaut. They have been battling for some time in the streets below the ruins of the World Trade Center's tower. Domino lends a hand in the fight and tells Warpath to throw Shatterstar at Juggernaut. The Juggernaut still stands.
Inside the World Trade Center
Cable watches the fight below and keeps looking for hostages and Black Tom. Black Tom steps in the room and threatens Cable. Cable responds in kind with a blast to Tom, knocking him into an elevator shaft. Cassidy holds onto a cable for dear life and Cable looks down and fires his weapon at him, sending him screaming down the shaft. At the bottom, Deadpool emerges from the shadows and says that he is going to take Black Tom's body to Tolliver.
Below the World Trade Center
Meanwhile, the team outside is still fighting the Juggernaut. Above them all, a SHIELD helicopter holds G.W. Bridge who is recording everything the team is saying to try to use it against them as needed. While in the fight below, Siryn appears and grabs Juggernaut's helmet and flies off with it. He is stumped as to how she did this and he learns that it is because Shatterstar's blades were able to cut it as they are magical as well. Cable arrives and he is about to take out Juggernaut when Deadpool intervenes and secretly teleports Juggernaut away.
G.W. lands the helicopter and attempts to arrest Cable and X-Force. They are surprised to see that G.W. Bridge has betrayed them and is the one trying to bring them in. Cable teleports the team to their scout ship, leaving Spider-Man to take on SHIELD. While flying home, Cannonball and Cable discuss Cable's need to clear up questions that the team has about him as well as why G.W. Bridge and SHIELD are after them.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
This one was an amazing gift by Ronnylama. Knowing that I was lacking this one he quickly remedied this by sending me one along with a copy of #11 and Annual #1. Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar and I truly do appreciate this one.
As for the interior / story I have to say I enjoyed this one as a kid going through it almost like a flip book. Got to say Liefelds art really shined with me when I was younger and I have to say the space suit he wore during this time made him one hell of a bad ass. That and a 14 foot gun is cool as hell in a child’s eyes.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 5 |
| Item: |
X-Force 5 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0223349001
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Owner Comments
Published: December 1991
KEY ISSUE: Not really. This is the first time we actually see Tolliver aka Genesis who eventually turns out to be the son of Stryfe / Step-son to Cable.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld, Marat Mychaels, Brian Murray art
Rob Liefeld Cover
Currently there are a grand total number of 14 of these out there with 10 total having reached the high grade of 9.8, 1 having obtained the 9.6, and 3 being graded at 9.4. Of the 10 total that have been graded at 9.8, only 2 have retained there grade and been signed with one of those being presented here.
Story Title: Under the Magnifying Glass
SUMMARY:
Somewhere in Europe
Deadpool teleports into Tolliver's lair. He tows the bodies of Juggernaut and Black Tom to give to Tolliver. He offers them to Tolliver and Juggernaut wakes up. The Juggernaut thanks Tolliver for saving his butt but is more concerned with the health of his partner in crime. Tolliver says he will take Black Tom to a doctor and that after he is healed, they both will pay him back for his services rendered.
Manhattan
Dr. Karl Lykos walks home with groceries in hand. As he opens his door, he is greeted by the Toad and the Blob. They have captured Karl's girlfriend, Tanya Anderssen and threaten to harm her. Toad wants to use Karl to bring out Sauron. He plans to have Sauron join his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
X-Force's Adirondack base
X-Force is gathered in a large media room watching news coverage of the World Trade Center attacks[1]. On the report, Gideon blasts the team as being behind the hostage situation. As the team tries to figure out what to do, tensions in the team rise.
Warpath runs through the woods and thinks of past Apache tribesmen that have helped the Apache cause. He feels at peace with his ancestry. In the base's Danger Room, Shatterstar trains. His training session is interrupted by Feral who flirts with him and then leaves. Siryn watches their interaction from the control room above. She is greeted by Cable who offers her an official spot on the team. She accepts and understands that there will be difficult times ahead.
Washington, D.C.
Henry Peter Gyrich, Valerie Cooper and Nick Fury attend a meeting by G.W. Bridge. He explains that Cable and his team are a threat to National Security as well as the public at large. He is requesting to be given sanction to bring Cable in. Gyrich feels that he is not up to the job, but the others welcome his decision.
Manhattan
The Brotherhood of Mutants has chained up both Tanya and Karl in what the Toad calls a Genetic template reconfigurator. He explains that he knows of Karl's ability to take on the Sauron persona if he drains the life essence of someone. The Toad states that this is what Tanya is there for. Suddenly he throws the switch and the machine whirs to life. Karl screams and then rises up as Sauron, while Tanya is seen dying...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
This was one of several I picked up through a quick and easy ebay auction and one of the best priced I do have to say.
Following receiving this one, this past year (2013) I decided to crap this one out of its slab, through caution to the wind, and have Marat Muchaels sign and then regarded. I have to say I was nervous about having this one at Wizard World Austin but after getting this one back with his signature feel my blessings have been answered.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to get this one signed by him instead of holding out for Rob Liefeld was due to this having been his first break through into comics. Who knows, maybe one day he’ll be the next Neal Adams and I would have gotten in on the ground floor.
Either way this is still an amazing pick-up and maybe now I’ll chance the other one I own with getting Rob to sign it…
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| Slot: |
X-Force 6 |
| Item: |
X-Force 6 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0209696015
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Owner Comments
Published: January 1992
KEY ISSUE: Nope. I am always a fan of Stryfe and this is the first recorded appearance of Phantazia in the storyline, but she is obviously on the cover of X-Force #5…
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld Art
Rob Liefeld Cover
Total of 9 graded at 9.8 with me owning one and eBay showing not a single one out their. World Wide does have a moderately priced one as I but aside from that I think X-Force was losing steam with a fan base of CGC slab goers a this point. Their isn’t a Single CGC SS out their in exsistance so for me this one is on the top of my Liefeld to be signed list. Hopefully I can find his next stop after Alamo City and with the Pre-X-Force New Mutant Set I have him signing maybe get him to do a little signature here as this cover has a ton of potential for great placements.
Story Title: Under the Gun
SUMMARY:
Caracas, Venezuela
Stryfe talks to Zero about his role in the plans of the mutants. He states that he has a master plan that will soon come to light. He also explains that the other mutants who think they are the movers of the mutant world, are not.
Morlock Tunnels
The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants meets with Masque. They are trying to come to an agreement on forging an alliance of the Morlocks and the Brotherhood. Thornn stands up and says that the Morlocks will help as long as they let Thornn deal with Feral. They all agree.
X-Force headquarters
Domino and Cable relax from their time training. Domino again brings up the issue of Cable not telling Sam and Tabitha about his past. He gets a little upset and says that he will eventually but for now to just drop it.
Boom Boom and Cannonball are in the kitchen making sandwiches when they are interrupted by Feral. Boom Boom decides this is as good a time as any to confront her about her hurting Sam. Feral tells her to back off and she does not. Tabitha says her peace and then leaves. Feral screams after her that Boom Boom has made a terrible mistake.
Shatterstar and Warpath decide to spar in the woods around the base. Shatterstar expects to have better time training with a human than the interactions of the Danger Room. Siryn decides to officiate. Suddenly, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants attack and grab Siryn. Shatterstar takes on Sauron and the Toad tells the Brotherhood to attack...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
When Shatterstar was first introduced in the series coming from Mojo world and putting a beating on most of the original X-Force members I saw so much potential in the character. He was a bad ass sword wielding warrior born character who I though was everything Longshot should have been but yet wasn’t. He had come our Universe looking for the X-Men and instead found the next best thing and possibly even better with Cable and his Black ops team. When Marvel decided to kick me in the junk though by turning him gay was kind of a turn off for me. He lost that bit of luster and what I only conceived as a let’s jump on the gay band wagon trip. Fortunately he has been written well in the newer pages of X-Factor and while I didn’t like a large portion of his story-line I tend not to think of the character’s sexual orientation but his ability to continue and create a cool storyline.
Like #5 this was a part of the pick-up from that single ebay seller a few months ago. X-Force isn’t always for everyone. But it sure is for me.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 7 |
| Item: |
X-Force 7 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1038605014
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Owner Comments
Published: February 1992
KEY ISSUE: Nope but it certainly looks as if Cannonball is getting some personal time with Boom Boom… are it just looks like the story says and he’s close to death. Either way.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld art
Rob Liefeld Cover
Total of 15 graded at 9.8 with me owning one and eBay showing two and World Wide Comics having two with one of those being a Gold star sticker one… Maybe I should sell mine and get a Gold star…(Golden State) Or maybe I should get Senor Liefeld to place his SS on it??? I guess OAK tree here I come.
Story Title: Under the Knife
SUMMARY:
continued from last issue...
X-Force starts their battle against the new incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Shatterstar takes on Sauron in the skies while Warpath and Siryn take on the Toad, Pyro and Blob below. Shatterstar takes out Sauron and feels that he needs bigger guns to take down the rest of the group. He takes off looking for a weapon cache. Meanwhile, Thornn, Masque and Phantazia look for an entrance into the X-Force base. They soon find it and enter in the hangar. X-Force is waiting for them inside.
Outside
Warpath battles the Blob while Siryn knocks out Pyro with a sonic scream. The Toad jumps in and uses a new mutant resin that he is secreting biologically. He seals up her mouth and luckily Shatterstar arrives just in time with his weapons and shoots Toad.
Inside
The Brotherhood turns the lights off in the hangar. This puts out all of X-Force except Feral. She decides to take on her newly revealed sister, Thornn. Cannonball attempts to take out Phantazia but instead has his powers turned against him. Feral fights ferociously with her sister but is knocked out. Thornn vows to get revenge for Feral's past sins anyhow. X-Force decides to take the battle outside.
Outside
Sauron recovers and heads for the base. Cannonball flies directly toward him and Sauron prepares to strike. They meet and Cannonball is immediately impaled by Sauron's claws. Boom Boom freaks out and runs to Cannonball. Cable stops her and she screams out that Cannonball is not breathing and must be dead!
To be continued...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
Do you remember the times where comics came out once a month and could wrap there story up in a single issue… Yeah me neither but this was a shining example. One story told front to back… But then again Cannonball dying in this one and then coming back to life the next one is more like a continuation. Then again the To Be Continued at the end probably says this also.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 8 |
| Item: |
X-Force 8 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1240901010
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Owner Comments
Published: February 2000
KEY ISSUE: Yep, First Wild Pack Appearance, even if it is in a flashback
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld & Mark Mignola Art
Rob Liefeld Cover
This one is funny. According to the CGC Census there are only two that have been graded and I own both of them with one at 9.8 and one at 9.8SS Signed by Rob Liefeld. Now that I own the SS I’m gonna have to let go of the 9.8 now.
Story Title: Flashed Before My Eyes
SUMMARY:
Sauron gloats about killing Sam. Boom Boom's yelling causes Cable to have a flashback. We're given a glimpse of Cable's past for almost the rest of the issue. He's the leader of a team called Wild Pack. They're invading a Hydra research facility in search of a stolen component. After dispatching the goons, they get inside the lab. Hammer accidentally triggers a fail-safe and Baron von Strucker's image appears everywhere. He threatens to kill them so they quickly retrieve the device and body slide out of there. It turns out that they were working for A.I.M. Later on, the team goes their separate ways. Cable ends up time sliding into the future where he's actually from. He finds out from his computer, Professor, that there's a new possible awakening. The name of the possible High Lord, Sam Guthrie. Cable decides it is his duty to train Cannonball and heads back in time, six months to a year before his Awakening. Back in the present, Sam isn't waking up. Cable wonders if he truly was a High Lord. He vents his anger on Sauron, by blowing him away.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
As mentioned above this was a cool one to say I had graded on my own and one of my first CGC send off’s of an older comic to send and retain the 9.8 status. Although now I do plan to start sending more from this series I will most likely go the cautious route of pre-grading so that I don’t end up with a ton of 9.4’s and 9.6’s for which I am trying to avoid.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 9 |
| Item: |
X-Force 9 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1038658012
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Owner Comments
Published: April 1992
KEY ISSUE: No but the cover, and characters are enough for this to be a key in my book.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Rob Liefeld art
Rob Liefeld Cover
Total of 11 graded at 9.8with me owning one and eBay showing three so it’s fairly common and easy to find but certainly over priced a little. Anyways got this as a three part bid and hey who knew I would grab them each for a reasonable price. I do have to say that for this one not to have a signature series brother to go with it makes this one a priority for me to have signed.
Story Title: X-Tenuating Circumstances Part 2
SUMMARY:
Inside X-Force's Adirondack base
Cable carries the lifeless body of Cannonball to the base medi-lab. Boom Boom provides the covers and stops Sauron from pursuing. Thornn tries to take Boom Boom out and Domino steps in and saves her. Cable sets Sam in the medi-lab and cannot understand why someone he thought would be a 'High-Lord' would be able to die. He finally realizes that if Sam's destiny is such, then he would not have to brood over his body and it would happen whether he likes it or not. Cable sees Sauron following him and shoots him down.
Outside
Phantazia scrambles the groups' thoughts and they do not realize that the Blob is directly in front of them. He attacks and Shatterstar finally harms him when he cuts his mouth. He has never been hurt and is stunned. Rather than fight X-Force he gets scared and jumps off a cliff.
Inside
Feral battles Sauron. She starts to make a mark and then Cable steps in and shoots him from behind. This act ticks off Thornn and she starts slashing at Cable and rips up his face, revealing a bionic face underneath. Masque and Phantazia start to run away and Cable yells at Shatterstar to stop him. He does by stabbing Masque in the chest and lifting him off the floor. The battle seems to be won, and then Samuel Guthrie appears and asks what is going on...
To be continued...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
So this one brings up a funny point for me. I know I could have made it known earlier but seriously it just weighed on me after time. If your gonna have a bad guy mutant named Forearm with four arms being his power??? Why not call him Fourarm instead of the appendage below the elbow. Just didn’t quite understand that but its Liefeld’s character so he can call him Sally for all I care.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 10 |
| Item: |
X-Force 10 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0004154001
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Owner Comments
Published: May 1992
KEY ISSUE: No but anytime Stryfe is on the cover its always a good one.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Mark Pacella art
Mark Pacella & Dan Panosian Cover
Total of 10 graded at 9.8, with 2 of those being Signature Series and a solitary sole at 9.6 makes this a fairly common one at least if I do tempt to get a signature from Mr. Liefeld I can easily find another to replace it if it should drop a grade. Then again it would be an OAK, just not the OAK I like… more like a fern or weed, but a pretty weed.
Story Title: X-Tenuating Circumstances Part 3
SUMMARY:
Prologue
Gideon arrives at a mountain chalet and finally gets away from his facade of a life as a corporate businessman. He meets with others who call themselves High-Lords of the Externals. He announces to them that he has made a mistake in training Sunspot and he is not the next High-Lord, but that he is aware of who is. He says that he recommends that they send out Krule to retrieve Cannonball for them and this is so that they keep their involvement quiet if there are problems. Some of the group do not agree with his recommendation. He also states that he is going to take Sunspot out, since he is no longer needed and he has wasted too much time on him and he wasn't even the High-Lord.
MLF Safehouse
Weapon X takes on the MLF by himself. He questions his actions but keeps fighting them all and working his way toward his goal of defeating Stryfe. He reaches Stryfe and finds that he is waiting for him. Stryfe takes off his mask and reveals that he looks just like Cable. Weapon X is surprised and confused since he has seen Stryfe and Cable fight each other. Stryfe tells him that maybe Cable is him or that neither is what they seem. He gets knocked out by Stryfe and wakes up hours later...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
Stryfe or the cloned brother was always and continued to be a cool character throughout his being in Marvel. I really enjoyed seeing him lead the MLF, and to this day still think the X-Cutioner Song was an under rated event. I was especially pleased in seeing him return in the Messiah War story line and the way they portrayed what Cable’s true power had been like if he hadn’t been infected by the techno virus. Awesome cover awesome character. Not much more I can ask for.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 11 |
| Item: |
X-Force 11 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1183071014
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Owner Comments
Published: June 1992
KEY ISSUE: Yes, this is the first official Domino appearance as the previous one was Copycat and not Domino.
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Mark Pacella and Dan Panosian Art
Rob Liefeld Cover
While it isn’t as many as issue number 2 with the second official Deadpool sighting this one is rather high on numbers graded. Officially on the census there are a grand total of 32 graded as 9.8 of those 4 including this one graded as 9.8SS. Truly happy with the placement of the signature as so not to detract from the art itself.
Story Title: Friendly Reminders
SUMMARY:
Morlock Tunnels
X-Force enters into the catacombs of the Morlock tunnels. They bring with them the bodies of Sauron, Masque and their prisoner Thornn. The Morlocks are seen cowering in the shadows and upon realizing that the intruders are X-Force, they slink further back. Cable announces that he has come to warn them of what will happen should they further attack X-Force and throws the body of Sauron and Masque at them. He then releases Thornn to them and they leave.
X-Force's Headquarters
Shatterstar trains in the team's danger room of sorts. He does not realize that there is an intruder in the box above him. Deadpool watches him and learns his weaknesses in fighting after he has knocked out Siryn. He then crashes into the room and starts fighting with Shatterstar. Deadpool quickly takes him out. He then moves on to Domino.
Domino is studying up on her teammates when Deadpool makes his appearance. He knocks Domino around and continues to call her Vanessa. He reveals that she has been working as a mole for Tolliver and has been giving him trade secrets on the team but has stopped recently. They continue to fight and Deadpool threatens that she must start giving Tolliver what he wants or Tolliver will come after her. He then reveals that she is not really Domino and has just taken her persona.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Weapon X is shown on a giant screen and he tells Bridge that Cable runs both the MLF as well as X-Force. Bridge does not understand what Cable is up to and they agree that Cable must be brought in to find out. Kane states that he wants SHIELD to help, but keep quiet about their involvement. He then says he has gathered Weapon: PRIME to bring Cable in.
Tolliver's Austrian Castle
Tolliver enters the depths of his secret castle. He walks with Pico and enters a room where he is keeping a prisoner. He states that she has been there for more than a year and has not adjusted to their hospitality. The prisoner is revealed to be none other than the real Domino.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
This is officially the first issue of one of my more favored characters Domino. Have grown to really enjoy her as a character and now as a love interest of Colossus in the new Cable and X-Force series. Hopefully Marvel keeps that going as they are certainly more interesting than Kitty and him. Anyways really have to thank GACollectibles as well as Ronnylama with this issue. On my X-Force Set and the eventual Liefeld X-Force Set this is one of those issues that truly stands out in my collection.
Absolutely amazing.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 12 |
| Item: |
X-Force 12 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0905397010
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Owner Comments
Published: July 1992
KEY ISSUE: Nope!!! But who doesn’t like a good headlock every now and then?
Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld story
Mark Pacella art
Mark Pacella & Dan Panosian Cover
Total of 5 graded at 9.8 and a solitary sole at 9.6. So it’s pretty rare but again one that would be fun to get signed by Liefeld and made into an OAK.
Story Title: Traitors to the Cause
SUMMARY:
Prologue
In a Madripoor bar, an External by the name of Crule begins a bar fight since he is being cheated in a game of cards. He heads to the bar when Gideon enters. Crule is happy to see his old friend but upset that he only comes to find him when something is needed. Gideon and Crule fight and he eventually asks Crule for help in capturing the newly risen, High-Lord.
X-Force Headquarters
X-Force has learned of the betrayal by Domino and question her about it. Cable is willing to forgive her, but the rest of the team is still not trusting. Cable finally comes up with a plan and it is to use Domino in a plot to get to Tolliver.
SHIELD Carrier
G.W. Bridge introduces the team to Grizzly and tells everyone that they are going to bring down Cable. Grizzly says that he has a lot to blame Cable for and that his motives for joining the team are valid. They are heading for the X-Force base in the Adirondack Mountains and should arrive in sixteen hours and they head to get rested before they arrive.
X-Force Headquarters
Domino sits in front of a screen and talks to Tolliver. She explains that she has rigged the base to explode during a training session by X-Force and that they should all be killed in the explosion. Cable watches and plans to detonate the bomb to make Tolliver believe they are killed so that they can take the battle to him.
SHIELD Carrier
Rictor stands aboard the carrier and contemplates the battle ahead. Kane walks in and asks why he has not slept. Rictor tells him that he met Cable ten years ago and watched as he killed his father. He says that he has good reason to see him brought in and Weapon X grows angrier at Cable for all the pain he has caused people over the years.
Gideon's Office
Gideon and Crule enter his corporate home. They are greeted by Sunspot who begins to question Gideon's new associate. Gideon becomes enraged and beats Sunspot to a pulp. He then walks Crule around his home and says they will soon learn the reason that Gideon wants the High-Lord.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
I really need to go back and reread these. I’m sure I have a raw one just laying around the storage unit or the house with this one in. Was a huge fan of Guideon’s when he was first introduced into the Marvel world as he had this similarity to the Blood Sport guy with the bald head and pony tail whipped hair.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 13 |
| Item: |
X-Force 13 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0209696022
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Owner Comments
Published: August 1992
KEY ISSUE: For me, Yes, for the rest of the community No. Liefeld’s final touch of goodbye on the storyline here was on #12 so this one being a new crew joining in was a little sad for me and kept me on the edge of my seat on how they would continue to keep this an amazing series. Fortunately Fabian Nicieza maintained a great storyline
Fabian Nicieza story
Mark Pacella, Dan Panosian, & Steve Buccellato Art
Mark Pacella Cover
Only 5 graded at all, with all 5 of them obtaining the 9.8 status with me owning one. Currently though not a single one is on sale anywhere. Additionally their isn’t a Single CGC SS out their in existence so for me this one is gonna be another fun OAK to add when I can get around to finding an individual to sign and bless this one.
Story Title: Everything Hits The Fan – Nice way of saying that the $#@! Has hit it I guess.
SUMMARY:
X-Force Headquarters
Weapon: Prime scale the mountain X-Force has been using as their headquarters. They wait for Bridge to blow open the doors. When he does, they pour inside and X-Force jumps to attention. Bridge immediately goes after Cable. Each fight only one member of equal caliber, except Boom Boom and Cannonball both take on Rictor. Rictor tries to sway them to seeing that Cable is using them. Nobody believes him and Cannonball takes him out.
Cable, meanwhile, heads off to teleport the weapons out of the base so they can blow it up and make their escape. He talks to the 'Professor' and tells him to set the bombs that Domino setup to a 30 second delay that can only be activated by his voice command. He then heads back to join in the fight. Bridge thinks that Cable has left the team and ran off to save his own skin. Cable then shoots him and enters the fray.
Gideon's Ophrah Research Facility
Gideon inquires Mr. Joshua about their test subject. He advises that the test may not go as planned and may fail. He then states that their test subject, Sunspot, may die. Sunspot is then seen being hooked up to a machine and being electrocuted.
X-Force Headquarters
X-Force takes out each of the Weapon: Prime members out one-by-one and is almost surprised at how easy it was. Cable then heads to Domino and tells her that they must leave now and that he has called a SHIELD medivac unit to come and pick up the Weapon: Prime members. While they talk of their win, an explosion suddenly rocks the base. Cable is thrown off and does not understand how the bomb has been activated without his voice command.
The timer starts counting down from 30 seconds and Cable picks up Domino and runs into the tunnels. He does not have time to save X-Force and they have become separated. Cannonball suddenly yells at everyone to gather around him so that he can protect them all with his blast-shield. As soon as he flies to them the primary bomb detonates and the entire mountain base explodes.
Tolliver's Hideout
A news channel reports that they are not sure what has caused an explosion that registered a 3.5 on the the Richter scale, but that it may have been caused by an underground gas leak. It reports that authorities are en route to see if there are any survivors. Tolliver then celebrates with Pico and Domino about his mole, Vanessa's change of plans to set the bomb on a revised schedule and to the death of Cable...
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
Absolutely loved the simplicity of this cover. Reminded me of one of the first movies I had seen with my father, Terminator 2. Its funny when thinking back on it and the conversation of…”Don’t tell your mother” But looking at the cover alone this was one of those I simply had to pick-up the moment it became available.
Like #5 and #6 this was a part of the pick-up from that single ebay seller a few months ago. I think in total I was able to acquire 5 separate slabs at a fantastic price and when something like this pop’s up in a blue moon you just have to jump on it.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 14 |
| Item: |
X-Force 14 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1240462006
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Owner Comments
Published: September 1992
KEY ISSUE: Nope, not at all… but it does look amazing
Fabian Nicieza story
Terry Shoemaker, Al Milgrom, & Kevin Tinsley Art
Gregg Capullo & Harry Candelario Cover
Only 7 graded at all, with 6 of them obtaining the 9.8 status with me owning the only one that is currently holding the Signature Series banner. The other OAK is a 9.6 blue label. Currently though not a single one is on sale anywhere.
Story Title: Payback
SUMMARY:
Adirondack Mountains
Cable hangs over a waterfall, holding an unconscious Domino. He has been swept downstream and was barely safe from the blast of X-Force's old base. Upstream, X-Force is recovering from the blast that has destroyed the base. They were saved by Cannonball's blast-shield and most members of Weapon: Prime have gone missing. Kane tells Sam that he is still going to make them pay for Cable's sins and SHIELD suddenly arrives and tells X-Force to surrender. They ignore the announcement and begin destroying SHIELD's vehicles. On a mountainside, the External, Crule watches and waits to be able to get to Sam since he is no longer protected by Cable.
Downstream, Domino awakens to Cable blaming her for the loss of his teammates as she betrayed them to Tolliver. He bodyslides both of them to his secret base, Graymalkin. Professor greets him and states that he cannot teleport the team up to Graymalkin as they are surrounded by high electromagnetic signatures. He packs weapons and Domino into a ship and they take off to find Tolliver.
Meanwhile
X-Force continues to take out SHIELD agents as well as their vehicles. They begin to get the advantage when Kane pulls his gun on them all. Rictor jumps in and decides that since Cable is out of the picture, that he truly belongs with X-Force. Cannonball makes his way onto the IPAC unit and announces that the fighting is over and that X-Force is commandeering the IPAC unit. Rictor joins them and X-Force takes off.
Ophrah Research Facility
Two scientists discuss their experiment and how they are unsure of the effects if they continue. They feel that their solar absorption machine is going to kill Sunspot. They question if they should bring up their concerns to Gideon and choose to proceed instead. They engage the machine and Sunspot screams out in pain.
Over Newfoundland
X-Force tries to decide where they should go to outrun SHIELD since they are considered felons on the run. They all come to a decision that they should relocate to Camp Verde, New Mexico and Warpath's old reservation. This way no one will know where they are and they should be hidden enough. Suddenly, they are attacked by Crule who crashes through the IPAC window. He grabs a hold of Cannonball and says he will rip him apart to show that even an immortal can die.
Tolliver's Hideout
Domino takes Cable into an underground sewer beneath Tolliver's hideout. She tells him that Tolliver never installed alarms there since he was sure no one would try to enter. Cable blasts a hole in the door and says he is finally going to kill Tolliver. Pico is shown to be waiting for them and is ready with a whip. Cable simply shoots Pico and they enter the catacombs. Domino suddenly starts to apologize frantically and says she had no idea. Then, the true Domino is seen chained up and ready to be rescued. The intruder Domino starts to explain when Deadpool stabs her in the back and Tolliver is seen entering the room from the shadows.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
This one was signed at Comicpolooza by Greg Capullo who is an absolutely amazing man to meet in person. He genuinely enjoys seeing his fans and its absolutely amazing having this one be the only Signature Series issue out there.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 17 |
| Item: |
X-Force 17 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1240462007
|
Owner Comments
Owner's Description
Published: December 1992
KEY ISSUE: Part 8 of the X-Cutioner’s song series.
Fabian Nicieza story
Greg Capullo, Harry Candelario, & Steve Bucellato art
Greg Capullo & Harry Candelario Cover
A total of 17 have been graded with 7 having graded out at 9.8, 1 having earned 9.6SS (Mine), 3 graded at 9.4, 3 graded at 9.2, and 3 graded at 9.0. As for mine and the only true OAK of the list, there is currently a single issue having been graded out at 9.6SS. Signed by Capullo, this now stands out as the lone OAK of the group and only Signature Series book. May try to send this one off for pressing to see if I can bump up that one single grade.
Story Title: Sleeping with the Enemy (X-Cutioner's Song, Pt. 8)
SUMMARY:
Bani Maza
Stryfe confronts Apocalypse in his sleep chamber. Apocalypse does not know who Stryfe is and is unsure why he has attacked him. Stryfe states that Apocalypse has ruined his life from his birth and that he is destroyer of tomorrow. He then stabs Apocalypse with the sword that Apocalypse used to kill Stryfe at one point. Apocalypse stumbles to his teleportation matrix and disappears. Stryfe then turns to meet the Dark Riders who pledge their allegiance to him.
Graymalkin
Cable explains to Wolverine and Bishop that their true enemy is Stryfe. He has Professor show them Stryfe's past, in the distant future, and shows them that he has come back in the past to stop the ascension of the High-Lord. Cable tells that he came back to the past to ensure that the High Lord awakened and brings order to the future nightmare. He also tells that Stryfe wears his face and he does not know why.
X-Mansion
Sam watches over Boomer in the medical lab. He makes sure she is okay and then leaves. Havok meets him outside and tells him that he needs to check on his soldiers in the Danger Room as they are becoming restless. Havok then goes to check on Professor X and learns that Hank is going to perform surgery to remove the virus from his head. Sam then heads into the Danger Room. Siryn is angered by Multiple Man's indifference for what she and one of his clones had shared. Rahne apologizes to Sunspot and Rictor for detaining them. Sam then tells the team to remain patient that everything is going to work out.
Stryfe's Secret Base
Stryfe walks down a dark corridor and checks on his prisoners, Cyclops and Jean. He then heads off after seeing that they are still detained. Jean then turns to Cyclops and tells him that it is time for them to leave and they sneak out of their prison and head down the corridor.
X-Mansion
The mansion is suddenly attacked and the X-Men race to try to stop the intruder. They are all astonished to learn that it is none other than Apocalypse himself. Archangel quickly attacks and Apocalypse is unfazed by his attempt. He is amazed that Archangel is so fierce now and tells them all that they must team up to fight Stryfe... together.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
Another raw submission signed at Wizard World St. Louis and now returned into my X-Force collection. Hoping to get this one pressed in the near future or to find another to replace it and bump up that last .2 grade.
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| Slot: |
X-Force 18 |
| Item: |
X-Force 18 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0223365002
|
Owner Comments
Published: December 1991
KEY ISSUE: The final part of X-Cutioner’s Song and the seemingly death of Cable and Stryfe.
Fabian Nicieza story
Greg Capullo, Harry Candelario, & Marie Javins art
Greg Capullo & Harry Candelario Cover
A total of 10 have been graded with 3 having graded out at 9.8, 1 having earned 9.6, 5 graded at 9.2, and a lone OAK at 8.0. As for mine and the only true OAK of the list, there is currently a single issue having been graded out at 9.8SS. Signed by Capullo, this now stands out as the lone OAK of the group.
Story Title: Ghosts in the Machine (X-Cutioner's Song, Pt. 12)
SUMMARY:
Stryfe's Moonbase
Cable confronts Stryfe. Above them both, Jean and Scott are tied in to a time vortex machine that shows images of all their pasts. Stryfe tells Cable that he is a clone of him and not a person at all. Cable does not believe him and they battle on the surface of the moon.
Inside, The X-Men search for the Dark Riders and see that they have just escaped. While Iceman and Bishop go to join the others, Archangel goes off in search of a dying Apocalypse. Iceman tries to stop him but Bishop tells him to let him go.
Outside, Cannonball and Polaris see that Havok has made it through Stryfe's shield and they recover from the pain it brought them by trying to enter. They cannot do anything but watch as inside Cable and Stryfe fight to the death.
X-Mansion
Jubilee and Beast try to get Professor X to calm down as he has just awakened and is screaming. He tells them that he saw a vision on the moon and was telepathically linked in to each of them. He fears for the lives of Jean and Scott and realizes that they are the cause of some of this madness.
Stryfe's Moonbase
Archangel finds the dying Apocalypse barely holding onto life. Apocalypse is expecting him to kill him since he is now unfit to live, according to his own beliefs. Archangel tells him that he will not kill him and that his living is suffering enough for him.
Outside, Cable continues to fight Stryfe. Havok steps in and blasts Stryfe, burning his skin. Jean and Scott have enough distraction to free themselves and Jean forms a shield around the group. The machine begins to break up around them and Cable races to build a self-destruct unit. He throws the switch to Cyclops and tells him to press the button. Cyclops hesitates and the counter runs to zero. He yells at Cyclops to press the switch, and he does. There is a tremendous explosion and Cable and Stryfe disappear. Cyclops is left regretting what he has had to do again and wondering if he will learn the truth about Cable and Stryfe and which was his son.
Epilogue
In Nebraska, Gordon Lefferts opens the cylinder that Stryfe gave to Mr. Sinister. There is a whoosh of gas and air, but the contents of the tube are missing. Mr. Sinister is upset that Stryfe has tricked him and did not give him the Summers' DNA that he had bargained for. Gordan begins coughing and Mr. Sinister tells him to look after that as he leaves the building.
PERSONAL COMMENTS:
This one was a raw submittal that was sent to Wizard World Austin with my LCS Manager Earl from America’s Heroes Comics, Killeen, TX. I have to say I truly do appreciate everything he has ever done for me and having gotten this one and a few others signed by cover and interior penciler Greg Capullo I truly do owe him one.
Anyways this being an OAK, I am currently over the moon excited to get each on both this series for the X-Force as well as for the X-Cutioner’s Song saga.
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