X-Force #117

Published in August 2001, X-Force #117 serves as a notable turning point in the series, arriving during a transitional era for the X-Men franchise. This issue features the work of writer Peter Milligan and artist Mike Allred, who took over the title to drastically shift its tone from a paramilitary superhero team to a satirical, celebrity-obsessed critique of modern fame. This run, frequently referred to as 'X-Statix' in spirit even before the official rebrand, moved away from traditional spandex tropes to explore the darker, more cynical implications of mutant media representation.

The design and aesthetic of this period were defined by Mike Allred's distinctive pop-art style, which utilized clean lines and bold, flat colors to distinguish the title from the gritty, hyper-detailed house style of the 1990s. This approach was highly intentional, designed to mirror the plastic, artificial nature of the fictional celebrity culture depicted within the story. While the shift in tone initially surprised long-term readers of the series, it was critically acclaimed for its subversion of comic book conventions and remains a hallmark of early 2000s experimental superhero storytelling.