Cyberforce

Cyberforce (also rendered Cyber Force) is an Image Comics super-hero team created by artist Marc Silvestri and writer Eric Silvestri in 1992.^[1]

History

Production and publishing

Silvestri began by performing both the plotting and pencilling chores, but the series was subsequently drawn by other artists, including David Finch. The title was originally published through Homage Studios, a studio Silvestri shared with Jim Lee, as a four-part mini-series (Volume 1, 1992–1993). Soon afterwards, Silvestri formed Top Cow Productions and Cyberforce received a regular monthly series (Volume 2, 35 issues, 1993–1997), the first few issues crossing over with WildC.A.T.s for the "Killer Instinct" story. Since then, Cyberforce has been published by Top Cow.^[2]

In 2006, the series was resurrected with moderate success, written this time by Ron Marz and pencilled by Alex Milne, who was hired by credited penciller Pat Lee.

On October 17, 2012, Top Cow debuted the fourth volume of an ongoing Cyberforce series, which was part of the company's Top Cow Rebirth initiative, and funded through KickStarter.^[3][4] The first five issues of the comic are free. Silvestri provided concept art for the retooled series, which incorporates elements of cyberpunk, while Khoi Pham, who had been an exclusive artist for Marvel Comics for five years at that point, was hired to illustrate the series, which marked his first non-Marvel work.^[5]

CF characters

Ballistic

Ballistic made semi-regular appearances in the Cyberforce series, and subsequently appeared in a three-issue self-titled mini-series in 1995. She also co-starred in a single issue crossover with Marvel Comics' Wolverine in 1997.

Storylines and style

1992-97: Homage version

The original comic book focused on a team of mutants who had all been captured by Cyberdata, an enormous corporation with ambitions of taking over the world. Cyberdata was run by brilliant scientists who had created advanced cybernetics technology and had employed this technology to create "Special Hazardous Operations Cyborg" or S.H.O.C.s. The captured mutants were all used in the experiments that had led to the creation of the S.H.O.C.s, and had had their mutant abilities enhanced with cybernetic implants. The mutants escaped and banded together as Cyberforce to put an end to Cyberdata's plans.

2006: Resurrection arc

In the 2006 storyline, the team returns from their final mission and is confronted with a threat by their alien forebearers. The book also established a new look for the team, a new base of operations, and changes to the team's roster, including the return of Heatwave, Stryker and Impact. Impact was subsequently killed, later in the storyline. Other character arcs explored the romantic relationship between Ripclaw and Velocity.

2012: Rebirth version

In 2012, the new version, which incorporated elements of cyberpunk, was released. The first issue received a positive review from Benjamin Bailey of the gaming organization IGN, who thought the issue was good relative to its free price. He found the post-apocalyptic setting interesting and genuine and enjoyed the structure of the story. Though Bailey found the characters somewhat lacking, he stated that there was enough in the book to interest readers in the second issue, which he stressed needed to provide more character development. Bailey was also underwhelmed by Pham's art, which he felt was inconsistent, particularly with respect to his rendition of technology.^[6]

Bibliography

• Cyberforce Vol. I #1-4 (October 1992 - September 1993)^[7]
• Cyberforce Vol.II: #1-35 (November 1993 - September 1997)^[8]
• Cyberforce Vol.III: #0-6 (April 2006 - October 2006)^[9]
• Cyberforce Vol. IV: #1-Present (October 2012 - Ongoing)^[10]

Collected Editions

• Cyber Force Origins Volume 1 (collects Cyberforce Vol.1 #1-4,#0, and Cyberforce Annual #1)^[11]
• Cyber Force Origins Volume 2 (collects Cyberforce Vol.2 #1-8, and Cyberforce Origins #1 - Cyblade)^[12][13]
• Cyber Force Origins Volume 3 (collects Cyberforce Vol.2 #9-16, and Cyberforce Origins #2 - Stryker)^[14][15]
• Cyber Force Origins Volume 4 (collects Cyberforce Vol.2 #17-25)^[16]
• Cyberforce Volume 1 (collects Cyberforce Vol.3 #1-6, #0)^[17][18]
• Cyber Force Rebirth Volume 1 (collects Cyberforce Vol.4 #1-5)^[19]
• Cyber Force Rebirth Volume 2 (Collects Cyberforce Vol.4 #6-10)^[20]

Older Prints:

• Cyber Force The Tin Men of War (collects Cyberforce Vol.1 #1-4)^[21]
• Wildcats/Cyberforce Killer Instinct (collects WildC.A.T.S. Covert Action Teams #5-7 and Cyberforce Vol.2 #1-3)^[22]
• Cyberforce Assault with a deadly woman (collects Cyberforce Vol.2 #4-7)^[23]

1995-96: Animated series

A half-hour Cyberforce animated series was planned for the 1995-96 season on Fox as part of an hour block with a proposed Youngblood series.^[24][25] The series never got beyond planning stages with completed character designs and a model sheet was featured in magazines.

References

External links

• Cyberforce (1992) at the Comic Book DB
• Cyberforce (1993) at the Comic Book DB
• Cyberforce (2006) at the Comic Book DB