X-Factor’s next missing mutant case begins in X-Factor #2, released by Marvel Comics on August 26. Brought to you by writer Leah Williams, artist David Baldeon, colorist Israel Silva, and letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna, X-Factor finds themselves exploring Mojoworld for the body of a missing mutant.
With the return of Northstar’s sister Aurora, who is still recovering from her death and resurrection, X-Factor discovers a mysterious package on their doorstep, leading them to Mojoworld looking for a missing mutant.
An adventure to Mojoworld, while at times violent and brutal, always lends itself to zaniness, humor, and commentary on mass media consumption. Baldeon’s art style, with its at-times exaggerated cartoony-ness, lends itself well to the story, particularly in his portrayal of Mojo.
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There is also some excellent panel design in which the artist, colorist, and letterer work together to create the media-inundated atmosphere for Mojoworld, particularly when the members of X-Factor are attempting, through the right amount of up-likes and down-likes, to be approved for entry into Mojoworld.
There are times where the cartoony nature of Baldeon’s style can be a little imprecise (there is a particular panel where Rachel’s neck is…quite long), but it lends itself to the wackiness of the issue.
Meanwhile, Silva’s colors really pop at times, like when Rachel shows what a badass she is and takes down Mojoworld’s encroaching army.
Images like this lend the issue gravitas in a story that is, overall, a little silly, but fun.
X-Factor #2 is far from a self-serious issue. Its creative team presents a fun, wacky story in Mojoworld. Some of the characterizations can be a little shallow at times, as members of X-Factor are either scowling and serious or quippy, although eventually, everyone gets a quip or two in. While it is great having a bunch of X-characters in different titles, where hopefully they’re individuality can be explored, this title demonstrates a potential problem with having so many X-titles…will they eventually just become a bunch of interchangeable mutants in out of this world situation who just scowl or make quips? It’s only the second issue, so we’ll see what happens. I hope this series provides readers with more than “another mutant title, but this time, they hunt for missing people.”
What did you think of X-Factor #2? Tell us in the comments below?
