X-Factor #234 Review Thread

[Justin K.]

The Story:

The story starts off with what we saw in the preview, the horned woman Jezebel offers Isolationist the Apocalypse; not the mutant. Isolationist believes Jezebel is raising fals hope within him, viciously attacking her before she explains to him who she is. Jezebel gives Isolationist some words of wisdom before the story cuts to Polaris and Havok coping with their return to Earth. Lorna herself was drawn to the green around, Havok stating that jumping from a helicopter drew attention to the two as a crowd of civilians gather around.

Back at X-Factor headquarters, the team is shocked by Madrox being alive again. M, believeing Layla brought bak Madrox, attacks her. Siryn tries to intervene, but M flies off with Layla. Theresa lets M fly off with Layla, stating M would've killed Layla on the spot if she wanted to before asking if Layla really brought him back. Madrox stating Layla didn't do so, Theresa playfully punches Madrox and welcomes him back, the team forming a group hug around Madrox, although Madrox is unsure if it's Siryn, Shatterstar, or a dupe grabbing his butt.

Elsewhere, two costumed hero chasers known as Shutterbug and The Insignia are making a video. The project is cut short and things get bloody for the two before the camera cuts out, spoilers:

foreshadowing what Jezebel may or may not have in mind for this "Apocalypse" later on this issue.

end of spoilers

M takes Layla to the top of the Empire state building and asks Layla to explain herself. As M threatens Layla, Layla responds with mere sarcasm angering M even more. Laya eventually explains everything, stating it's harder for her to know what comes next and reveals spoilers:

that she brought back Guido because if she didn't, M would live with the guilt of his death after she brought Ballistique out of her coma, Ballistique being responsible for Guido being shot a few storylines back.

end of spoilers M accepts Layla's explanation and flies off.

Back at X-Factor headquarters, Havok and Madrox argue over leadership.. Havok doubts Madrox is really alive and believes him to be a dupe, until Madrox shows Havok his chest scar. Back in the frozen wasteland the Isolationist and Jezebel are located at,the two have decided their next act: spoilers:

to destroy not only every single mutant, but every single costume wearing super hero out there and that the plan has already been set into motion.

end of spoilers

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved the team finding out Madrox was alive again. Aside from M losing her temper on Layla, Theresa playfully welcoming back Madrox and the team gathering around him while creepy hilarity ensued was my favourite moment this issue. Layla's sarcasm towards M was very amusing too. To me, this issue was very personable and character focused and the team's interaction amongst each ther proved to be a great read. We got a great look at how everyone coped with Madrox returning, although my only complaint and question is when will X-Factor interact with the villain(s) themselves? Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this issue.

Leonard Kirk's art was complimented with great colouring and his art has been consistently enjoyable. While reading through this issue first time around, I was wondering who the hell the Insignia and Shutterbug are and what they have to do with the story due to how underwhelming they were as characters, but saw that they themselves were a subtle hint of what Jezebel and Isolationist had in mind for what they have planned; PAD's unique way of telling the story.

Overall, X-Factor was really fun this month and I can't wait for next issue!

This issue gets 5/5 from me.

[MartinRedmond]

This issue was a bit of a downer. I was enjoying the series more when it felt like one continuous ride. Mostly, I didn't really care that much about M's anger issues and this was what most of this comic was about. She really needs a psychiatrist.

[Valeria Kementari]

I liked the art. Didn't care for Summer's histrionics, but then again he is a Summers...

Lorna was truly the only worth part of this book.

[GokaiRed]

I really wish there was different art on this. The artist who has now left us was phenomenal, and just had a great knack for the stories being told of late. Kirk is okay, but a lot of the characters just end up looking strange, especially in group shots. Rictor never really looks the same from one panel to the next.

Aside from that though, the writing is still great, and more character-focused than anything else in the X line. I just hope we don't get too much more setup, as the storytelling recently has felt pretty decompressed compared to earlier stuff in this run of X-Factor. I often find myself getting a little tired of waiting for "the plan" (whatever it is for that arc) to finally come to pass.

[motherofpearl1]

This is the best X comic around at the moment.

[worstblogever]

I'm counting the dupe that grabbed Madrox Prime's butt as the latest appearance of "the gay dupe". I miss that one too much for it not to be him.

[Joffrey]

I'm still not sure about Havok and Polaris. Everytime leadership was brought up, it was far too on the nose.

[Celestin]

Havoc in his mind was a perfect leader of this team for how long exactly? Few days? Talk about big ego.

Aside that, it's interesting that Monet is suppose to be best friends with Layla in the future. Unless her actions did change it.

[gsnake007]

I know right him saying he had the team running like a well oiled machine which is bull because they were still grieving over jamie and havok saying your gonna take back leadership hell yes Jamie should be back in charge and havok should just be second in command and Monet and layla friends?! wow...

[.A²]

First of all, great recap/review thread Justin!

I thought it was an enjoyable issue, if ever so slightly disappointing in places.

The team being reunited with Madrox was a genuinely sweet moment that hit all the right notes. Kirk portrayed it beautifully. I hadn't been much of a fan of his until this issue, mainly because his style can sometimes seem a little sketchy in places, but it looks like now he's shifting towards more solid lines, which I much prefer. The colouring continues to be incredibly vivid, and that's excellent.

Alex and Lorna still aren't doing anything for me yet. Havok was overly dramatic and a bit of an arse to everyone. I felt like it was really arrogant for him to be mourning Jamie one moment and claiming that he ought to be respected for having made X-Factor his own, and then the next accusing him of being an inferior leader. If anything it just made him look a narcissistic brat (but that's his thing right? "I'll never be the better brother even though I'm great" ;; etc.) Polaris was a bit of a non-entity in a neckline even more plunging that anything M has ever worn.

The confrontation between Layla and Monet was long overdue, and played out very organically. I liked that Layla knew how to handle herself against Monet, but I don't find the idea of a friendship blossoming between them very convincing at all. Of course, it could just be that Layla sabotaged it from the start: if she was the one to comfort Monet during her hardships after Guido's death, then by that not happening, they won't become best friends. Or something like that.

I appreciate Terry getting a chance to shine recently. She's been in the background for too long, and it looks like this is the start of that being redeemed.

The idea of X-Factor going up against a threat to ALL superherodom right in the midst of AvX is too farfetched of a concept for me to really accept. I loved the inclusion of unsuccessful amateur heroes - there ought to be plenty of them running around the MU (insert obvious reference to the Avengers) - but if that's who Jezebel's targeting, then she's not really aiming high. I think the Isolationist was more sinister when he worked alone.

Finally as a minor point, I know it was only dropped in for laughs and to point out social prejudices, but I can't help but feel that PAD's being a little heavy-handed with Monet's religion. Unlike Rahne and Terry, faith has never been a significantly defining issue for Monet, but ever since she revealed herself as a Muslim her religion has been a constantly lurking presence. I just find it a little strange that something which is now being portrayed as somewhat of a core trait would remain hidden so long. It's a little like if Longshot suddenly revealed he was the Chief Rabbi of the Mojoverse and that bacon offends him. Regardless, perhaps she just saw how well it worked as shock-factor during the protest and has been playing it up since.

[coconutphone]

A super fun issue! Loved the reunion, loved Money & layla hasing things out (I really love the nugget that they'll be ebst frineds down the road) and I really enjoyed the Lorna 'missing the green' moment. Nice detail for a long-time space-faring character. The return of the gay dupe was hilarious.

Consistently an excellent book and this was no exception.

[Imraith Nimphais]

Yup...a nice "base ball at the mansion" issue.
I lovelovelove Milla's colour work, it is right up there with Martin's and others.
And I am in love with Jezebel.

[jarrod]

Alex's joke about Lorna's hair was the highpoint of the issue. Bright Lady be praised that these two joined and finally made X-Factor worth buying again. <3<3

[Swashbuckler]

I wonder if Jezebel is who Feral is working for!

[fortyseven]

Layla and Monet are going to become best friends while the other girls are on their roadtrip.

I would like it if Terry and Monet made up soon though.