This Week's Haul - 1/12/12 (Part 2)

Part 2! Check out part 1 (and an in depth look at the current philosophical paradigm of the X-Men) here.

***********SPOILER WARNINGS***********

X-Factor #230

I've been reading X-Factor consistently since it relaunched 80 issues and five specials ago (there was a renumbering in there too). It has been my most consistent purchase over the last several years and there are two major reasons for that. The first is writer Peter David, and the second are the incredible characters he has helped to shepherd and develop. Somewhat of a rarity in modern comics, David has been the only writer for all 80+ issues of the revival and this has allowed the title to develop a consistent feel and narrative, even amidst the revolving door of artistic talent that has drawn the book. While the high concept of the series has waxed and waned over the years (and it's a high concept which I love - Jamie Madrox and company running a mutant detective agency for the Marvel Universe with a slightly noirish tint) what has stayed steady is the incredible characterization and growth of an ensemble cast that has managed to turn perennial C or D-listers into absolute FAVORITE characters of mine. I never thought I would tell you that Rictor or Shatterstar would be some of my favorite characters in comics, but hey - they're awesome. While some story arcs are better than others, and I hold that the best arcs are the ones that really live in and embrace the core high concept, what ties the series together are the relationships at play - and those relationships keep me coming back issue after issue.

This particular installment has an unusual goal in that while it's the second part of a story, it's also clearly branded as a jumping on point for new readers as part of the line wide Regenesis banner. I think it succeeds pretty well given that you're jumping into the deep end of the pool no matter which issue of X-Factor you get. David is juggling multiple plot lines, some as old as several years ago, and he has consistently proven that they will all eventually build into each other and pay off for the longtime reader - but you're pretty much starting in the middle of something no matter what. This is also a book with a core ensemble of twelve characters (two new additions this issue!), another core character on hiatus but coming back this year, recurring guest stars, and a remit to interact with the Marvel Universe at large. It's a crowded book, and yet everyone gets a chance to shine and express themselves.

It's not a perfect issue - some of the humor felt off this time around, a bit too forced, or maybe the timing between writer and artist was off. When X-Factor is on it is laugh out loud funny, and this issue was more a knowing nod going "ah, I see what you were going for there." But there is some nice stuff, particularly between Layla Miller and Wolverine as they stand over the body of the presumed dead Madrox. Wolfsbane's reaction to Wolverine showing up was also a nice nod (given the last time they worked together she was driven into blood lust and made to eat her own father), and Logan's relationship with Rahne provides one of the clearest examples as to why he's decided that children as soldiers is a TERRIBLE idea and to open a school instead. I'm actually hoping Logan brings Rahne up to Scott as it serves a pretty poignant example of the cost.

In many ways X-Factor has been the X-group operating most closely within the ideals of Xavier's dream of actual integration ever, certainly more than the X-Men themselves, by deciding to set up shop in NYC and earn a living through their powers by offering a service to humans and mutants alike. Given that half the X-Men just basically took a hike from Utopia due to Scott's isolationist tendencies, it's nice to see Madrox's crew get the credit for walking the walk well before anyone else decided to. Madrox has been telling Scott where to stick it for awhile now. Too bad he's only vindicated once he's dead.

Next Up - 2 weird Spider-Man anthologies.