REVIEW: ‘X-Factor’ Issue 8

X-Factor Issue 8 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Mark Russell, art by Bob Quinn, colors by Jesus Aburtov and letter by Joe Caramagna.

This is Part 5 of the X-Manhunt crossover, following X-Men Issue 13. The government calls X-Factor to collect Professor X, putting them in conflict with the X-Men. And the Summers boys have a reunion.

Like the previous crossover chapter, X-Factor Issue 8 occurs immediately where X-Men Issue 13 ends. The X-Factor burst into the scene to take Xvaier and put him back at Graymalkin. But even though the X-Men want Xavier placed back in prison, the inhuman conditions at the old X-Mansion have become a non-negotiable. It takes very little time for negotiations to break down, and the action ignites again. The nerves are fried, and now that Xavier is in the X-Men’s hands, he’s not being released again. The battle is fast-paced and entertaining, much closer in concept to a cartoon than the brutality seen in the last two issues.

The conflict is split across San Francisco Bay, which used to be an island home of the X-Men, similar to Krakoa. As the larger groups battle it out, Havok faces off against Cyclops. This is much more physical and personal since the Summers boys’ powers don’t work on each other. But it is surprising how intense the brawl becomes. So much so that they can lose sight of what they’re fighting about. But the reader can get lost in that, too.

The constant passing of Xavier onto a different group and the subsequent conflict that inevitably ensues can cause the plot to forget why they’re all doing that in the first place. There is the possibility that that is done on purpose instead of a mistake in the writing. The teams are so focused on bickering and fighting among themselves that they’ve never asked Xavier why he is escaping and where he is trying to get to.

X-Factor Issue 8 submerges all the mutants present into the dark humor the book has contained. Russell is a hilarious writer with jokes that make you laugh reflexively. The X-Factor mutants being close to useless in a fight is still humorous eight issues in, with even experienced members of the X-Men struggling to coordinate and get off the ground.

Against the incredibly serious and brutal X-Men line-up, it’s not much of a contest. Angel is a significant surprise, having been changed during his time in the hospital, but everyone else in X-Force struggles against the well-oiled machine that is the X-Men.

On the other side, Alex and Scott take the opportunity to punch out their frustrations and pain on each other. Cyclops always has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Havok has been fired from X-Factor and dumped by Polaris. Their emotions are fraught, and the presence of Professor X makes their confrontation more uncontrollable.

The art in X-Factor is often ridiculously over the top, leaning into the zany comedy on almost every page. The best example of the madness in this series is the redesign of Angel. Not for the first time, Angel is upgraded via bio-mechanical means. Not just Warren’s wings can change, but his whole body, plus additional weapons. Angel’s capabilities now rival anything he has ever been capable of in his evolutions and machinations. Many of the looks in X-Factor Issue 8 have a ‘90s feel, primarily Angel and Cyclops, who has switched to his backup visor since Storm shattered his primary one.

The fight between Cyclops and Havok is much less comedic. Since their powers won’t work on each other, the battle devolves into a violent fistfight, leaving the Summers bloody. And while their abilities may not work on each other, that doesn’t mean they can’t use them in inventive ways to get the upper hand.

X-Factor Issue 8 shows just how colorful the X-Men are. The work of Aburtov helps give the visuals a 90s feel. The uniforms and powers are incredibly bright and vibrant, using rich primary colors that captivate the reader. The lettering is clear and easy to read throughout the issue.

Moving across the series has made an intense pace that makes it hard for the story to stop and take stock of what’s happening. This is more a criticism of the whole storyline than a specific issue. Still, there is a clear desire to keep pitting the various mutant teams against each other rather than advance the plot through dialogue.

X-Factor Issue 8 reveals just how far the mutants have fallen. It doesn’t matter now if there are friends or family in the other squad; here there is just violence, agendas, and hurt. It’s hard to know whether Xavier is responsible for this or whether it is the fault of so much collective trauma. The sat-pace and adventurous nature of the crossover has been energetic and entertaining. The individual book’s general feel and atmosphere still take over when the crossover migrates into them.

X-Factor Issue 8 is available where comics are sold.