The Nation X “event” (it’s not really an event) got its own miniseries, and now X-Factor gets its own one shot.  There’s absolutely no reason this issue couldn’t have been a part of that miniseries, but, hey, it’s more Peter David X-Factor so I’m not gonna complain.

Cyclops invites the team to tour his new pro-mutant island nation, which leads to a bunch of well-done interactions.  Shatterstar gets to flirt with other mutants (Iceman, Northstar, Boom Boom), and make his boyfriend Rictor jealous.  Strong Guy tussles with Rockslide.  Longshot and Dazzler bang.

Madrox is clearly displeased with the membership of Nation X.

He and Cyclops get into some philosophical debating until Layla Miller decides to tell Cyclops that she has seen the future and Utopia will fail. 

Then some giant lady called “Crone” attacks the island and also says that she knows the experiment will fail in the future.

The whole Crone thing is weird and doesn’t go anywhere.  It feels unnecessary, as if editorial told Peter David that if he’s writing a full issue there has to be at least one fight.  Other than that, this is a really fun issue.