I’ve really been enjoying the fact that nearly every issue of this X-Factor volume has been a full story. Each issue certainly ties to a larger, pretty complex narrative, for sure, but they also tell a full story with a beginning, middle and ending. Next issue will begin a multi-issue arc, but that’s cool, too.
This issue, in particular, is excellent. It’s also a callback. In X-Factor #87, “X-Aminations,” Peter David told a story about Doc Samson giving each team-member an individual session. He used it to build out the character work he’d been doing without the interference of an action narrative superimposed over it. It’s one of the best single-issue comics of all time.
Here, he does it again, in a story called “Re-X-Aminations.”
This is the kind of issue that must be read to be appreciated. An article about this issue can’t possibly do it justice, and there’s not a lot of really “important” developments in the overall storyline because, again, it’s just a character piece.
Guido is upset about having been forced to kill someone by Tryp, and wonders how much of it was the hypnosis and how much reflects on his own underlying rage. Layla reveals her concern that she is being manipulated via her precog powers as part of a larger plot–but doesn’t reveal who might be the master manipulator. Rictor is still upset about his M-Day power loss. Siryn is in love with Madrox and (correctly) doesn’t believe her dad, Banshee, is dead. Monet goes into her complex personal history (from the amazingly good Generation X series), and says she feels suicidal every day–haunted by her old Penance identity. Rahne is insecure about being a werewolf and Madrox is insecure about how his dupes keep f-ing with him and his relationships. In particular, how because of his dupes he now slept with two X-Factor women at the same time.
Quicksilver denies being evil but admits to complex motivations.
Another great issue!
