X-Force #97

X-Force #97, published in December 1999, was part of the final stretch of the original X-Force series before the title underwent a massive creative shift. During this period, the book was navigating the aftermath of the High Evolutionary's influence on mutantkind, continuing the complex, often gritty tone established throughout the nineties. The story, written by John Francis Moore with artwork by Jim Cheung and Mark Morales, serves as a narrative bridge during a time when the X-Men line was heavily focused on the fallout from the Twelve storyline.

The visual design of this era reflected a transition toward the more sleek, modern superhero aesthetic that defined Marvel at the turn of the millennium. Jim Cheung, whose work would later become iconic in titles like Young Avengers, was beginning to refine the dynamic, clean-lined style that eventually made him a fan favorite. While issue #97 is often viewed by collectors as a transitional piece rather than a landmark event, it remains a notable example of the collaboration between Moore and Cheung, capturing the specific aesthetic tension of late-nineties mutant comics.