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Gods, the titles for these things just keep getting worse,
don’t they? Ah, well. Let’s just get right into the thick of things.
Amidst a month of relaunches, and creative changes - and
the stability and sanity that is X-Treme X-Men, chugging along
as usual - I’ve decided to take a little look at a completed
miniseries, the recent X-Factor relaunch.
Well, relaunch isn’t exactly the best way to put it, since the
only connection this series has with the original one, no matter
which version you take a look at, is the name. In fact, I’m hard
pressed to really figure out why this was called X-Factor, other
than name recognition. That’s really my only complaint with the
series, actually. For those who have been reading this column,
you know that’s saying a lot.
This series gets right what The Brotherhood horribly
dropped the ball on. X-Factor was a story of everyday humans
and how they perceive mutants. Brotherhood tried for a more
realistic approach to the mutant terrorist angle, but it came off as
cliched and corny, almost certainly because of whom I believe,
and have reasonable back-up on, who writer X really was.
There is very few guest appearances in this title, and those
that there are, happen very quickly, in the dark, or heavily
obscured, or with bright lights. No wonder the Marvel Universe
public perceives the mutant populace with such fear. It’s like
they’re almost similar to UFO sightings, except very real, and
very scary to the common man. This helped put a lot of things in
perspective.
The writing and art on this title are both top notch, as well.
Every issue is written to be self contained, so you get a complete
story, for the most part. There are threads that flow through
each book, and build up to the last, which isn’t quite so self-
contained, understandably so. The other three can be read and
enjoyed for what they are, however.
Arthur Ransom’s art is quite well-suited for this book. Since
this title doesn’t deal with over-the-top heroic characters, an
artist that can draw more normal, everyday people is required,
and Ransom definitely fits the bill. His art is crisp, if a little
cluttered, but definitely with his own style. Aside from a few
clarity issues, his story flow is very nice, and easy to follow. I
was pleased to see that Marvel is giving him another project,
where his art looks even better.
This book is one of the best miniseries Marvel has put out in
the last decade. Easy to read, easy to follow, a good story, with
nice art, and actually goes somewhere, without seeming too
contrived.
I highly recommend the series for anyone who wants a more
‘real world’ look at the mutants, and is turned off by Morrison’s
sad attempt at it. The four issues shouldn’t be too hard to find,
yet, and if they are, here’s hoping Marvel TPBs this sucker
quick. They put Casey’s run on Uncanny X-Men out fast
enough, they can at least put out a quality series almost as fast.
That finishes us up for this month, I think. I needed to say
something good for a change, especially after the hate-fest the
last few months, regarding Morrison. Hope y’all liked the
change of pace.
Oh, and one final thought: just when I thought I had no more
respect left to lose for Ultimate X-Men, I hear Mark Millar is
working on the side for Rob Liefeld. Yikes.
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