In the latest issue of Marvel’s X-Force (No. 25), writers Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost seem to be wrapping up a bunch of dangling plot lines, putting to close much of what they started rolling in the first issue of the series. And all that has me reflecting on how much I’ve enjoyed this iteration of the team.

Now I know there are many folks out there who consider this a mindless action book — or just clump it with millions of other X-books out there. But, I contend that, so far, X-Force has proved to be one of Marvel’s most entertaining mutant comics.

Sure, the title is filled with action. And blood. Lots of blood. After all, this team has been “sanctioned” by Cyclops to do what no other X-crew has been able to do: kill bad guys with extreme prejudice. And while Kyle and Yost don’t explore the legal ramifications of hacking folks to death on a monthly basis, they do examine the emotional consequences of murder — especially with members like Warpath, Wolfsbane, and X-23.

For the last two years, we’ve seen how Warpath and Woflsbane have been transformed and mentally tortured by the act — even when it’s been a necessity — of killing “evil” people. And we’ve seen X-23, on the other hand, NOT be affected by her homicidal tendencies … and Wolverine’s concern over her cold bloodlust.

By the end of this month’s edition, much of the team is gone — kicked out or, having come to terms with their actions, choosing to leave on their on accord. I’m interested to see where the series goes now — after its inevitable tie-in with the X-Men’s newest gargantuan crossover “Second Coming.” Hopefully it’ll be as good as what’s been published to date.

We hope you will join us on Tuesday April 6th when we will dissect and discuss the powerful and challenging Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb.

For anyone planning to attend the discussion group, we ask three things:

1) Please make sure you have read the Crumb version
2) Please take a few extra minutes and read Crumb’s introduction and End Notes
3) Most importantly, please bring an open mind to the discussion.

We plan to examine a rather bold and exciting interpretation of what is regarded to many as a sacred text. We plan to examine Crumb’s Genesis as a work of literature that has been reinterpreted for a modern audience.

Here are a list of just some of the topics we’ll be covering:

How well is the work serviced by the use of sequential art?
Does the stylized art of Crumb overwhelm the text?
Does this version of Genesis provoke an emotional response from the reader?
How does Crumb’s interpretation affect your personal beliefs?
A discussion of Crumb’s interpretation of the Serpent.
Do the “Crumb females” hamper the reading experience?

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. To prepare for the discussion I have been examining two books concerned with the Book of Genesis: “Genesis”— a roundtable discussion of the importance and influence of Genesis in today’s society edited by Bill Moyer; and Testament – an historical over-view that details the creation of the Old Testament written  by famed archeologist  and historian John Romer.

We look forward to seeing you! And as always, just mention the Heroes Discussion Group when you buy your copy at Heroes and you’ll get 10% off the cost of the book!

Holy Cow, tons of new names for the HeroesCon 2010 Guest List today, including a bunch of old friends. David Mack is of course the bajillion-time Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling painter, writer, and cartoonist behind Kabuki, The Shy Creatures, numerous Daredevil arcs, and much more. He’s also one of our favorite guests–not only is he a WORKHORSE, showing up before the show opens and usually one of the last to leave each day, but he’s immensely popular with fans. Even if you’re not interested in meeting David in person, just hanging out near his table and watching him do somersaults and stand on tables and just generally act out is pretty funny.

No less talented, but much more understated, is Stephen King’s The Talisman artist Tony Shasteen. Tony is a sweet dude and impeccably coiffed, the guy is like a Paul Mitchell commercial. Many HeroesCon attendees probably met Tony in 2006 and 2007 when Rosario Dawson was a guest at the show, promoting Occult Crimes Taskforce, which Tony did the art for. Remember Tony? Guys? Well he’s still cool even without Rosario Dawson sitting next to him, trust me.

But that’s not all! Also new today is a laundry list of guests, just check out all these names:

Will Allred is the writer behind Bloodfire Studios Diary of Night. Greg Baldwin and Dave Guertin work together as CreatureBox Studios on books including Thoughts, Scribbles + Madness and Palindrome Robot Supply. Danny Donovan is one of the creators behind the Kogoshii comic from Zuda Comics, as well as the Honor Brigade comic among others. Micah Harris is the writer of Lorna, Relic Wrangler and the Heaven’s War graphic novel.

Cat Staggs is a prolific trading card artist who’s worked on like every trading card set ever, including Star Wars Galaxy and the new Iron Man II sets. And last but not least is colorist Matt Webb, who worked on John Byrne’s Next Men and Danger Unlimited back in the day, and these days often collaborates with fellow guest Joe Staton! Phew! So many great additions to the list!

Brand new today is an IDW-tacular update to the HeroesCon 2010 Guest List! Returning to HeroesCon this summer is our main man Steve Niles, who’s probably best known for 30 Days of Night, which he created with fellow guest Ben Templesmith back in the early days of now-major publisher IDW. Besides spawning a whole line of 30 Days Of Night comics, the original comic was adapted into a major motion picture, with the sequel Dark Days coming soon! Steve has also worked extensively for pretty much every major publisher, on books including Batman: Gotham County Line, Simon Dark, Freaks of the Heartland, and a ton more.

Joining Steve will be first-time guest Bob Schreck, one of the most influential and recognized editors in comics. Bob is probably best known recently for conceiving and overseeing the “All Star” line at DC, but he’s been a major figure in comics for over 20 years. From working at Comico in its heyday, to Dark Horse, then co-founding Oni Comics, then DC… whew!  These days Bob is Senior Editor at IDW Publishing, and is writing his very first comic there, the forthcoming Jurassic Park! Bob is sure to be a popular guest, not just with fans but with pros. Also returning this year is fellow IDW-er Jeff Webber, the director of the company’s e-publishing line. Jeff is a sweet dude and runs a mean panel–be sure and check out what IDW has planned for e-publishing–with the advent of the iPad this year, this is sure to be a huge new sector in comics!

Lastly but not leastly this week, our old chum Sarah Wilkinson returns to HeroesCon this year. Besides being a prolific illustrator and trading card artist for properties like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Spider-Man, Sarah is mondo popular as a convention guest and sketch destination. Be sure to get on her list early or you’ll cry salty tears all weekend!

Okay, more guests on the way tomorrow–we’re swamped this week getting our Free Comic Book Day announcements and advertising squared away, but there’s tons churning behind the scenes!