X-Force #-1

X-Force #-1 was published by Marvel Comics in July 1997 as part of a company-wide 'Flashback' event. During this month, Marvel released negative-numbered issues for many of its ongoing series to provide readers with origin stories or pivotal moments that occurred before the debut of the titles. This issue was crafted to shed light on the formative period of the mutant team, serving as a narrative bridge that offered deeper insight into the characters' motivations and the origins of their paramilitary dynamic.

The issue was written by John Francis Moore with artwork by Adam Pollina. The creative team aimed to maintain the gritty, high-octane aesthetic that had defined the X-Force series since its inception during the 1990s. By stepping back in time, the creators sought to flesh out the relationships between the original members, moving beyond the team's typical focus on tactical combat. It was received as a standard installment of the Flashback event, appreciated by collectors for its unique numbering and its role in consolidating the continuity of the X-Men offshoot franchise.