Mark Russell is the best satirist working in comics today. In every book he’s written, from his excellent work with AHOY Comics to his DC books like One Star Squadron, Russell is always paying good on the idea of having comic books reflect the world outside your window. But even as a fan, I don’t think I was expecting the dark mirror Russell shines right back on comic book readers by the end of Marvel‘s X-Factor #1.
The premise of the book takes it back to its origins, with a corporate-style team made up of mutants. Led by Angel, the “whoever is available” team includes also-rans like Feral and Firefist, all sponsored by a businessman more interested than social clout than saving the world. Most of the run of the first issue is in this mode… And it feels like Russell is doing a pretty solid continuation of X-Statix, the Peter Milligan/Mike Allred book which similarly satirized fame.
However, there’s a lot more that’s going on here. And while I won’t spoil the last few pages, they might be one of the darkest views of superhero comics I’ve read in a mainstream superhero comic in… Well, maybe ever. Versus some of the lighthearted skewering you might find in a Deadpool title, or the all-in-good-fun take Al Ewing had a few months back with Roxxon Presents: Thor #1, X-Factor #1 does not hold back in its take about what we comic readers say we want from a superhero team book — versus what we actually care about.
Again, I’m bouncing around what actually happens. But if Russell is able to sustain this idea beyond the closing pages of issue one — and all experience shows that he will be able to do so — this might be the bleakest Marvel comic in a long time. And to have that in the opening months of Marvel’s celebratory “From the Ashes” launch for the X-Men books is surprising, at the very least. And brave, at the very most.
As for the art, Bob Quinn comports himself ably as a good partner for Russell’s words. The characters in particular have a nice flair to them. And while he might not be the commensurate comedy artist that Russell’s former collaborator Steve Lieber is, there’s still plenty to pick out and enjoy in the pages.
Overall, if you’re a fan of comics — or if you hate comics and want to them to do better — this might be the book for you. Here’s hoping these sell outs, sell out. And here’s hoping readers survive the experience.
X-Factor #1 Rating:
X-Factor #1 Official Synopsis:
FAME, FORTUNE, MUTANTS! From the ashes of Krakoa, a new mutant arms race sweeps the globe! International governments are building their own mutant armies. But only America’s X-Factor has the most powerful, most patriotic, most marketable mutant heroes to stem the tide and make the world safe for democracy! Join Angel, Havok, Frenzy, Feral, Pyro and more as they go from one death-defying mission to another. Who will die? Who will fall in love? Who will be the first to sell out? Like, comment and subscribe to find out!
