The return (or perhaps better word would be rebirth) of X-Factor in ‘All-New X-Factor’ #1 gave us a new X-Factor, a new conglomerate called Serval Industries, and a new pyscho experimenting on mutants. None of these are particularly new ideas but all of them were done quite well. Not only that, but they were able to carry through successfully into the second issue for another enjoyable read!
This issue? We didn’t get much on the corporate angle but we do continue on with the team of three breaking into where a few mutants are being held. Which mutants? Well long time fans of Quicksilver will recognize those who have been imprisoned from when he attempted to right the wrongs that his sister committed when she uttered the words “No More Mutants”. That’s right! We get a few who have been off the grid since he used his Terrigen Crystals he had stolen to try to re-empower some mutants that ended up being sent to limbo in order to not blow their tops.
Apparently someone figured out not only where they were but how to get them back.
We have a group of A.I.M. scientists apparently working for some mad genius (shocking I know) to harness these mutant’s energy and use it himself in all kinds of new and unheard of ways. There is a lot of good here with a future potential enemy brought up, A.I.M. referencing the larger Marvel Universe, and the fact that the mutants are all explained on why we haven’t seen them around. (Honestly I had forgotten about them all at this point so three cheers for writer Peter David finding a solid reason to bring them back and tie up a loose end from an old story line.)
The fight scenes? Wow. From escaping traps to fighting A.I.M., to fighting the big bad guy, artist Carmine Di Giandomenico just illustrates it all beautifully. This is one of my favorite books look wise that Marvel is putting out at the moment. It’s total eye candy and a ton of scenes from it really stand out as high quality pieces of work.
One of my favorite parts near the end of the book is when the new X-Factor has saved all of these mutants. Well they aren’t exactly grateful to Quicksilver whose technically at fault for their last year (give or take) of being imprisoned elsewhere to not blow up followed by the painful siphoning of their powers and the torture of being imprisoned and experimented on by the madman that was just stopped. So sure their free now, but if he hadn’t tampered with them in the first place they wouldn’t have been in this situation.
My only complaint? The issue comes to a close, pretty damn quick. You are reading along on the action, the consequences, and it was suddenly over. I felt there should have just been something more to tie up the book and lead into the next mission or some other piece of information to be teased before us. Maybe something with their new corporate sponsor as the cynic in me keeps telling me that they will eventually end up being the bad guys of the book (possibly collecting everything that X-Factor stops as their own future weapons.)
With the corporate take I’m really curious as to where this is going to be going and they are doing everything they can to keep me drawn in with great art and great writing!
ALL-NEW X-FACTOR #2
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
