Top drawer X-book (mild spoilers)
This issue helps me to realise why I love this X-book more than any other X-book. Once again, Peter David blows me away with his consistent ability to generate utterly brilliant dialogue. His witty turn of phrase - sometimes caustic, sometimes laugh out loud - is on fine display here. The current issue also features some strong storytelling flair to go along with the trademark humour, with moments of high drama including Rictor in a homage to the Pit and the Pendulum (think of nasty split trousers), Strong Guy in a homage to Raiders of the Lost Ark (think of large rolling boulders), and Jamie Madrox in a homage to Westworld (think of homicidal robots). It's all fantastic fun, courtesy of the sadistic Arcade. It's also great to look at, with Valentine De Landro turning in some beautiful visuals highly reminiscent of Pablo Raimondi. Kudos to Marvel for giving us the same kind of artistic continuity in X-Factor that we have seen elsewhere in Captain America with Butch Guice, Mike Perkins and Steve Epting providing a seamless look to that book. The cliffhanger to this issue is also worth mentioning. The closing dialogue before the dreadful truth hits our heroes is just some of the best comic book writing I have ever read. Gripping. To the extent that I can't wait to read the next issue, and that is surely a sign of great writing. Highly recommended.
