Written by Peter David
Illustrated by Manuela LupacchinoLayla Miller. Jamie Madrox. Husband and wife. Lying murdered in their honeymoon suite. The moment you thought would never come is here, and not only are you a witness to it, but so is Jamie Madrox himself. We feel safe in saying that this is X-Factor as you’ve never seen them before in the first part of what has to be the trippiest arc in the history of Marvel.
X-Factor #227 ended quite suddenly, with an out-of-nowhere turn of the screw that left us here at Multiversity scratching our heads. #228 didn’t really answer any questions – at least, not the big one we were looking to have answered – but with #229 it looks like Peter David is getting back to business.
Follow the cut and see if we’ve been duped (I am so, so sorry).
Mechanically speaking, this is a good book. Like in most issues of Peter David’s X-Factor so far, the dialogue is sharp and witty – not necessarily as funny as some issues, but this is supposed to be one of the more serious moments. Madrox’s inner monologue, in particular, was in top form with this issue, really capturing that neo-noir character caught in a wholly different setting vibe that David established in the Madrox miniseries. The pacing, too, is excellent. People talk about PAD’s wit a lot, but so many neglect to mention that more often than not – X-Factor #227 notwithstanding – he plots out his comics perfectly. This issue is no exception. Dramatic opening, panic, plot complication, a moment of relative calm and investigation that establishes some exposition without overburdening the reader like I just did – everything that’s needed for a solid comic is there, and laid out in a smooth, orderly manner that’s easy and pleasant to read, rarely drawing the reader out of the comic.
Returning artist Emanuela Lupacchino fits into this straightforward approach to storytelling quite well; she is a very talented artist, but she doesn’t let her talent distract herself or – more importantly – the reader from the fact that there’s a story being told. We have great panel-to-panel motion that guides us effortlessly along the already tightly-plotted story, and her expressive characters capture the life that PAD injects their dialogue with. Lupacchino knows she’s a good artist, and so she doesn’t make the same mistake that other artists do and make each panel a monument to her ability, killing any sense of motion in the process. To properly carry PAD’s business-only approach to writing – technique-wise, not in regards to content – you need an artist who is just as dedicated to story composition. Lupacchino is that artist.
So, yes, technically, the structure of the issue is sound. Story-wise? I’m not sure. Since the beginning, Peter David’s current run on X-Factor has been an excellent example of how to pull of an ongoing comic series. There’s a nice synchronicity of stand-alone and long-form storytelling, with each “case” being a story itself while having moments that add to the overall plot. The vision of Madrox and Layla’s… eventful marriage has been one of those devices that keep popping up to remind us “Oh yeah, there’s something more going on here than just fun, slightly disconnected adventures,” and has long been a matter of speculation among fans of the book. With this story, we are finally getting some light shed on that long-dangling plot line, but I have to admit that I feel a bit cheated.
I don’t mean to spoil anything – so go ahead and skip this brief paragraph if those words make you feel nervous – but in this issue it’s revealed that Madrox and Layla’s deaths might be more complex than first believed. Of course, the “complexity” is accomplished through a plot device that has become somewhat cliche – especially in the realm of superhero fiction – and instead makes the new course of events flat, contrived, and a general turn-off to me. When I realized what was going on, I literally groaned aloud. That’s the problem when you tantalize readers with certain repeatedly-mentioned mysteries; if they’ve been nibbling at the bait for a while, and it turns out to be less interesting than expected, it’s much more disappointing than if they had just been let down from the start. Of course, when a writer holds onto that tension and finally drops the big reveal and the readers approve, it’s a massive payoff. It’s a lucrative gamble that many writers play, and it’s starting to look like it’s a gamble that David might have lost.
Despite my naysaying, we’re only into part one of this story. There’s plenty of time for PAD to turn things around and make me eat my words. Hell, I’m 95% sure that what bothered me about this issue is going to end up being a fake-out of sorts. Plus, as mentioned earlier, it’s a structurally sound issue. Even so, this issue just left a sour taste in my mouth, especially after the previous meandering issue and the clumsily ended one prior to that. I want to keep touting X-Factor as the underrated gem of the X-titles, but if PAD doesn’t pull a fast one soon, I’m not sure if I can continue to sing its praises. Sure, it’s just one ball, but it’s a big one to drop.
Final Verdict: 5.5 – Come again next month
