Warning: contains spoilers for X-Force #20!
There's been no lack of hype for the X-Men's Hellfire Gala, especially when it comes to its fashionable attendees, but now that the fateful night has arrived, it looks like X-Force got the short end of the fashion stick. Almost everyone in attendance got to go all out with mutant fashion statements, but while the team working security don't get that same opportunity, they do still have a new look with terrible uniforms for the night.
Marvel has marketed the Hellfire Gala as a sort of catalyst event that will usher in a new era for the X-Men and for the Marvel Universe as a whole. Taking place across twelve titles to be released throughout the month of June, the event is set during one night, but is strung together through multiple perspectives and stories. And although the impending events are of huge significance, garnering intense anticipation, one of the most immediately iconic things about the evening is the fashion. After all, who doesn't want to see their favorite characters reimagined in stunning gala attire?
Unfortunately, in X-Force #20, the team are assigned to security duty for the big event, and in turn, Beast, Wolverine, Sage, Domino, and Kid Omega are all fitted for matching uniforms. No Jumbo Carnation-approved, one-of-a-kind designs perfectly befitting their powers and characters. No, instead they get arguably the most boring outfits of any mutants in attendance. The creative team behind this issue (Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara, Guru-eFX, Joe Caramagna, and Tom Muller) do their best to bring a refined touch to the security detail, but their ensembles pale in comparison to every other mutant in attendance. It makes sense that they would be in uniforms to provide more practicality, since they have to be noticeable and remain on high alert, but it's still unfortunate that they don't get to take more advantage of the extravagance that defines the evening. Instead, they get clinging black body-suits (literally body-suits), bolo ties, and white pouches which at least reference X-Force history.
It wouldn't be all too surprising if characters like Wolverine and Beast preferred it this way, but it's hard to imagine the others aren't feeling at least a little left out by the black and white box they've been put into. While the only thing Wolverine is feeling left out of is the open bar, Sage insinuates she'd rather be enjoying the gala than protecting it, solemnly stating that she's "all dressed up with nowhere to go" and that her job is "to sit for a living." Kid Omega in particular is ill-served by his uniform, especially since he only recently got a new costume to signify his more heroic attitude as X-Force's telekinetic big gun.
Given how extreme other heroes' gala outfits are - with some, like Emma Frost, receiving multiple costume changes - the X-Force uniforms seem particularly plain. The intent is clearly that the mutant secret service don't draw attention to their presence; a task which will be made even more difficult by former team member Deadpool crashing the party, and the delegates from Terra Verde turning into terrifying plant monsters. Thankfully, X-Force are on the case, giving them at least a little excitement as the X-Men's era-defining party continues.