Mark Russell Vol. 2: Know your enemies. Angel wins as a team leader. The team is dipping their toes in one world under the Doom and X-Manhunt crossover, revealing what or who is kept in a secret floor.
The series started momentum as two of the five issues had to be part of a different Marvel-wide crossover. It was impressive how they integrated into a larger storyline and what threads emerged from the issues, but to fully enjoy trade, we had to follow the macro stories that occur within the universe.
Amazing
The main critic of my enjoyment in Volume 2 was the “Social Media Super Team” subplot. Social media nature was more calm compared to issues #1-5, but I found everything to be outdated and uninteresting. The jokes didn’t land, and the satire was not fun to engage in.
While the overall storyline could be followed by casual fans, the X Factor was lore and required prior knowledge of multiple previous events and character arcs. Not a bad thing, but this X-factor iteration feels like a supplementary comic to the heavy hitter X-series comic, unable to stand on its own two feet.
In issue 10, the cast really raised me. Pyro may have been a stupid interpretation of the character, but he had his moment. The secondary character was memorable (well, I might not forget, but seriously, he was used completely multiple times and injected with Leviti). Granny Smite will continue to appear in Marvel’s universe, I know that. The right blend of cynicism and optimism, she was the character who initially rolled her eyes, but she really turned around as problem #10 ended. Havok and Polaris, who play adults in the room throughout the series, reminded me of how much I enjoy those characters.
Amazing
There was a great moment in the back half of the now cancelled X Factor, but the comprehensive story didn’t have the punch to move it from good to great. Some standouts include the conflict between the Summers Brothers.
Both writing and art were consistent and refreshing. Mark Russell had a solid grasp of the characters, each with a unique voice that never wobbles. I found myself smiling at the many kips and different interactions between the members. Bob Quinn handled the art duties of every issue, and a steady hand made it, so I was never taken from the world and never made a deal until the last page. The sacrifice made to ensure that guest artists were not used was the lull within the trade, which lacked dynamism and interesting layout. If you had to choose two because it was fast, good and interesting, the funny thing was often not left on the bystanders. I enjoyed his take on legacy characters that appeared throughout the series, including Juggernaut, Cyclops, and Angel.
This iteration of X-Factor may not be remembered as one of the classic storylines, but there is something here that gives the classic reputation of an underrated cult that has been given plenty of time. This is not the last time I’ll see many of the characters that have been redefined by this run. As it starts to appear in various pockets of the X-Universe, I follow closely.
‘X-Factor by Mark Russell Vol. 2: Know your enemy’s has more hits than misses
Mark Russell Vol. by X Factor. 2: Know your enemies
This iteration of X-Factor may not be remembered as one of the classic storylines, but there is something here that gives the classic reputation of an underrated cult that has been given plenty of time. This is not the last time I’ll see many of the characters that have been redefined by this run. As it starts to appear in various pockets of the X-Universe, I follow closely.
Fun, engaging characters and dialogue
Consistent art
An outstanding moment
Social Media Superheroes Feel 10 Years Too Late
It’s hampered by having to fit in Marvel events too
