The best thing I read last week left me happy and also heartbroken. With a 6 issue story arc properly titled The End of X-Factor, Mr. Peter David brings his decade long run to a close, and I still have to say it’s too soon. Luckily for us Peter David did have an end in mind for my favorite group of mutants and was able to give them a found farewell unlike some other titles where the end of the book means a one issue pseudo-wrap-up that leaves you scratching your head. In fact Mr. David replaces the letter columns of this last issue with an open letter to the fans/readers explaining the how’s and why’s of X-Factor coming to an end and specifically addresses how Marvel handled Peter moving forward after suffering a stroke.
Unlike the rest of the X-Family of titles that Marvel puts out which a large amount of people complain about are just stories of the X-Men dealing with 1 major crisis after the next (i.e. summer crossovers, companywide events) Peter David was able to keep X-Factor fairly separated from its mutant kin over the past decade to bring us enthralling murder mysteries that feel more noir film than your standard capes and tights superhero book. From the re-launch of this title I have been shocked in the ways that Mr. David has conveyed the lives of these characters so powerfully that I feel as though my pull list next month will be missing a handful of my friends. Though Jamie Madrox, a.k.a. The Multiple Man and leader of X-Factor Investigations will probably be glad for the respite, Peter David has made the last 10 years pretty hard on Madrox, throwing one obstacle after another in front of my favorite mutant and making sure the audience was damned well entertaining watching Madrox try to fight his way through.
If you were ever a fan of the characters involved in this series; Multiple Man, Layla Madrox(Miller), Strong Guy, Monet, Darwin, Polaris, Longshot, Rictor, Shatterstar, Siryn, or Wolfsbane I would recommend you grab at least issues #257 – #262 so you can see how all these characters end up as the leave the world of X-Factor behind. Bonus, not only does Mr. David change some of the status quo in the Marvel 616 as he leaves this title but he also fills in some of the missing pieces about some of our favorite mutants. No spoilers here but, have you ever wondered why Longshot and Shatterstar looked so similar over the years? The End of X-Factor arc is my favorite end of a run that I can remember reading.
Not to neglect the art work, which I heard over on a favorite comic book podcast of mine 11 O’Clock comics say is something a lot of reviewers shy away from, the art in this particular issue is great! Over the entire run of the book X-Factor has been handled by some of the best in the business and this issue is no exception. Neil Edwards pencils, Jay Leisten inks, Matt Milla colors, VC’s Cory Petit letters , and another superb cover by the wonderful David Yardin make this final issue another pleasure to peruse. The visual pacing, character’s emoting, energy blasts, all handled by pros but I have to say that the cover may be my new Holy Grail piece. Madrox flipping the sing on X-Factor Investigations to “Sorry We’re Closed” may be my new favorite image that I will love to hate for quite some time.
In the near future keep your eye out for the supremely talented Mr. Peter David. He does have a new as yet unannounced project coming out and I for one can’t wait!
