X-Factor 262 review

It’s truly the end of an era. Peter David has been writing this series since House of M 8 years ago, and it’s consistently been considered one of Marvel’s best titles by fans and critics alike. I only started with issue 220 (the hard labor storyline) thanks to its connection to Kyle/Yost’s X-Force series, but every single issue I’ve read was good, even if not in my personal taste. This comic is bittersweet, in that it’s good but it’s also sad that this long-lasting series has come to an end.

As with the rest of The End of X-Factor, this issue focuses on individual characters instead of the team as a whole. It’s mostly about Jamie and Layla Madrox, the two characters that have probably changed the most over the series. It solves the problems that they had during issue 257 while giving the characters a quiet, yet satisfying ending. Theresa aka. Siryn aka. Banshee also makes a kind of awesome appearance. Fans hoping for an epic conclusion may be disappointed, but isn’t that what the Hell on Earth War was for? Sometimes it’s nice to end on a fairly quiet note rather than a rushed mess of a conclusion (aka. The rushed Red She Hulk 67 or this week’s Witchblade 169).

This issue also ends with a letter from PAD himself, explaining that his stroke had nothing to do with the fact that X-Factor has ended. Even if you’re not a fan of either Multiple Man or Layla, you should at least read his letter if you’ve enjoyed this series. As for the art, it’s simple but clean and colourful. Not much else to say about that.

The character focused nature of “The End of X-Factor” may not be for everyone, but for fans of the characters it’s a satisfying way to cap off each one’s storylines. Either way, I still recommend this to all X-Factor regulars … unless you don’t like the subject characters for some reason.

I’ll miss this series, and it’ll be interesting trying to find a replacement until PAD’s next series is announced about a month from now. Especially considering today’s news about DC’s further editorial stranglehold with yet another writer quitting, making me not want to try any other DC titles I’m not already reading. Maybe I’ll try something from a company I haven’t read from yet, or maybe I’ll try “The Star Wars”, based on George Lucas’s original script. I’ve heard the first issue is great. In any case, Thank you Peter David for this consistently good series, and sticking with it even after your stroke. Your dedication is inspirational.