Post by Cory W. on Jul 2, 2016 14:34:27 GMT -5
X-Factor by D. Golightly
Prelude - “Resurrectionary” (from X-Men Unlimited #50):
This short story is from a ways back and is a single scene no less, but is definitely worth checking out as a teaser for X-Factor. Dave does a great job of taking the past X-Men continuity at the site (the Hecatomb, the Lazarus Contract, Havok’s new role with S.H.I.E.L.D./X.S.E, etc) and spring boarding a new story from it. Cyphers’s back from the dead and, while his death and resurrection is basically explained by the previous story lines, his new status quo is very much a mystery to him and the readers. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. This issue serves as a nice “cold open” to Dave’s X-Factor series and really grabs your attention. Plus, bonus points for the story's title. I'm guessing the words "resurrection" and "dictionary" combined for a play on Cypher's resurrection and his omnilingualism power set? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I got from it.
Issues #1 and #2 – “The Collection":
Issue #1 serves as an introduction to the team and their headquarters. It also wastes no time sending the team off on their first mission. The first scene picks up nicely from the prelude, though you can tell some time has passed. Havok is serving as the X-Factor's handler, so to speak, and helps with the exposition. This is a natural role for him as a link to the past X-Factor and the site's current continuity. Dave chose four characters who have little to no history with the site (Cypher, Daken, Morph, and Xorn) to make up the new team, but grounds their history in M2K and mainstream continuity nicely. Daken and Morph steal the show as such sharp contrasts to each other. One's the deadly all business killer and the other is prankster smart-alec who likes annoying others. My guess is that they're either going to be constant foils to each other throughout X-Factor or they’ll become best buds in no time flat, but I'm not counting on the latter. Cypher has developed a rather harder edge since his resurrection and the evolution of his powers, and is even sporting some deadly new weapons to boot, but he's still a rather straight character. Xorn’s a very interesting character so far. While she’s clearly meant to be the big mystery character on this team, I’d have liked more from her or about her (like her perspective of the others or the perspective others have of her), but I suppose we’ll get to that. Overall, Dave establishes some very engaging and interesting takes on these characters.
No time is wasted getting to the first mission and the team quickly finds themselves in dire straits. Mesmero was a great reveal at the end of this issue, especially given his death in the Hecatomb and likely resurrection with the Lazarus Contract. Come issue #2, though, there isn’t really a mention of those connections. That’s a bit of a missed opportunity given the effect it had on Cypher (an obvious counter point), but nonetheless Mesmero is a good choice for a first villain. Daken takes a strong role in the second issue's opening and resolution. Xorn and Morph step up in meaningful ways to give him the time he needs to break Mesmero’s hold on some of the team and his captives, but in the end it’s Daken who manages to end the threat, free Mesmero’s captives, and save the day. Mesmero is killed as quickly as he's brought back from the dead, which is both a bit hilarious and kind of a let down, but hey... Maybe it was all an illusion? Doubtful, though. In the end, Cypher suffers a setback in confidence and leadership as he’s the only one unable to fight Mesmero’s control in a meaningful way. He’s even forced to attack his teammates! Havok’s little pep talk with him at the end was a good one, but you have to wonder how much Cypher buys it and if he’ll be able to rebound very quickly. At the moment, Havok very much is the rock this team needs to hold them together and possibly a good mentor for Cypher, but is still rather hands off. That's probably a good place for him while the other characters are established.
Viewed as a whole, the prelude and these two issues make a great start to this series. Dave very competently establishes X-Factor’s cast and their modus operandi, some mysterious to explore long term, some conflicts between the characters, begins and ends their first mission, and sets up another storyline. That’s a lot for two and a half issues, and it's all good stuff! I think the only things that I'd have liked to see would be more Xorn and maybe a different resolution with Mesmero at the end, but those are merely passing thoughts. It looks like a mysterious figure has already taken an interest in Xorn, so I'm sure we'll see more of her to come.
Looking forward to more X-Factor! Three and a half out five snowballs.
Prelude - “Resurrectionary” (from X-Men Unlimited #50):
This short story is from a ways back and is a single scene no less, but is definitely worth checking out as a teaser for X-Factor. Dave does a great job of taking the past X-Men continuity at the site (the Hecatomb, the Lazarus Contract, Havok’s new role with S.H.I.E.L.D./X.S.E, etc) and spring boarding a new story from it. Cyphers’s back from the dead and, while his death and resurrection is basically explained by the previous story lines, his new status quo is very much a mystery to him and the readers. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. This issue serves as a nice “cold open” to Dave’s X-Factor series and really grabs your attention. Plus, bonus points for the story's title. I'm guessing the words "resurrection" and "dictionary" combined for a play on Cypher's resurrection and his omnilingualism power set? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I got from it.
Issues #1 and #2 – “The Collection":
Issue #1 serves as an introduction to the team and their headquarters. It also wastes no time sending the team off on their first mission. The first scene picks up nicely from the prelude, though you can tell some time has passed. Havok is serving as the X-Factor's handler, so to speak, and helps with the exposition. This is a natural role for him as a link to the past X-Factor and the site's current continuity. Dave chose four characters who have little to no history with the site (Cypher, Daken, Morph, and Xorn) to make up the new team, but grounds their history in M2K and mainstream continuity nicely. Daken and Morph steal the show as such sharp contrasts to each other. One's the deadly all business killer and the other is prankster smart-alec who likes annoying others. My guess is that they're either going to be constant foils to each other throughout X-Factor or they’ll become best buds in no time flat, but I'm not counting on the latter. Cypher has developed a rather harder edge since his resurrection and the evolution of his powers, and is even sporting some deadly new weapons to boot, but he's still a rather straight character. Xorn’s a very interesting character so far. While she’s clearly meant to be the big mystery character on this team, I’d have liked more from her or about her (like her perspective of the others or the perspective others have of her), but I suppose we’ll get to that. Overall, Dave establishes some very engaging and interesting takes on these characters.
No time is wasted getting to the first mission and the team quickly finds themselves in dire straits. Mesmero was a great reveal at the end of this issue, especially given his death in the Hecatomb and likely resurrection with the Lazarus Contract. Come issue #2, though, there isn’t really a mention of those connections. That’s a bit of a missed opportunity given the effect it had on Cypher (an obvious counter point), but nonetheless Mesmero is a good choice for a first villain. Daken takes a strong role in the second issue's opening and resolution. Xorn and Morph step up in meaningful ways to give him the time he needs to break Mesmero’s hold on some of the team and his captives, but in the end it’s Daken who manages to end the threat, free Mesmero’s captives, and save the day. Mesmero is killed as quickly as he's brought back from the dead, which is both a bit hilarious and kind of a let down, but hey... Maybe it was all an illusion? Doubtful, though. In the end, Cypher suffers a setback in confidence and leadership as he’s the only one unable to fight Mesmero’s control in a meaningful way. He’s even forced to attack his teammates! Havok’s little pep talk with him at the end was a good one, but you have to wonder how much Cypher buys it and if he’ll be able to rebound very quickly. At the moment, Havok very much is the rock this team needs to hold them together and possibly a good mentor for Cypher, but is still rather hands off. That's probably a good place for him while the other characters are established.
Viewed as a whole, the prelude and these two issues make a great start to this series. Dave very competently establishes X-Factor’s cast and their modus operandi, some mysterious to explore long term, some conflicts between the characters, begins and ends their first mission, and sets up another storyline. That’s a lot for two and a half issues, and it's all good stuff! I think the only things that I'd have liked to see would be more Xorn and maybe a different resolution with Mesmero at the end, but those are merely passing thoughts. It looks like a mysterious figure has already taken an interest in Xorn, so I'm sure we'll see more of her to come.
Looking forward to more X-Factor! Three and a half out five snowballs.