X-Factor #1

Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Ryan Sook
Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Jose Villarrubia


The first issue of this new ongoing series spins out of last year’s surprise hit mini-series, Madrox. In New York City’s Mutant Town Jamie Madrox (aka The Multiple Man) has assembled a small group of mutants (Wolfsbane, Strong Guy, Monet and Siryn) to be part of his private detective agency, X-Factor Investigations. Jamie encounters former New Mutant Rictor, perched on the edge of a building contemplating suicide after, like so many other mutants in the wake of House of M, losing his powers and becoming a normal human. In another part of town Siryn and Strong Guy follow up on a new case with disastrous results.

Since we started doing reviews here at Stumblebum Studios I think I must have reviewed just about every X-related ongoing title there is. I gotta tell you, most of them aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. This new X-Factor series is a rare exception to that rule, and X-Men title I actually want to read. This series opens with one of the strongest first issues I’ve read in a long time. Everything you need to know about the series is right here, not spread out across six or seven issues as the “team comes together.” As the series starts everyone is already together, with the exception of Rictor, but looking at the cover it’s obvious he’ll be joining up.

I’ve been a fan of Peter David since I first read his revamp of the original X-Factor in the 90’s. Several of the characters from that incarnation of the team have returned for the new series, making this book even more of a draw for me. Something about David’s writing that has always fascinated me is his way of finding new facets to explore in old characters, even characters he’s previously worked on. In X-Factor he is exploring the depths of the characters and examining their powers in ways never fully realized. He also delves into just what the “X-Factor” is, the rogue factor, the unpredictable element, and uses it to great effect, especially in the amazing cliffhanger ending, a truly unexpected twist that I didn’t see coming.

Another thing that makes this book worth reading is the amazing art team they’ve assembled. Ryan Sook has come a long way since I first saw his work on the first BPRD mini-series. Even then he was an incredibly talented artist, but he’s really come into his own since then, moving from a style very reminiscent of Mignola (I hesitate to say Mignola-clone) and on to something completely individual. From character and costume design to page layout and action, every panel is a feast for the eyes. Certainly having Von Grawbadger on inks has contributed to Sook’s leaps as an illustrator. And Jose Villarrubia is one of the best colorists in the business, perfectly complimenting the moody atmosphere and noir-ish style of the book.

X-Factor is definitely not your typical X-book and it’s for exactly that reason I recommend picking it up as soon as you can.

Special thanks go out to Jeremy Shorr, owner of Titan Comics for allowing us to use his advance preview books for review purposes.
 

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