X-Factor #10

X-Factor #10

Marvel Comics 2020

Written by Leah Williams & David Baldeón

Illustrated by David Baldeón, DAvid Messina & Lucas Werneck

Coloured by Israel Silva

Lettered by VC’s Joe Carmagna

THE LAST DANCE!

At the Hellfire Gala, SECRETS WILL BE REVEALED! VENGEANCE WILL BE HAD. And someone’s number is up. You’ll never guess whose.

Not a very happy camper right now as I realise that this is the very last issue of the book. Which is downright stupid as this has the most diverse and interesting line-up and without a doubt the strongest, most interesting and sometimes off the wall writing of any X book except may The New Mutants. I mean heck the X-Men have to keep changing their line-up because it is the weakest X book out there and that should be the one that’s cancelled. I’m really quite passionate about this and I think it’s a huge mistake to not let Jean-Paul step up to the plate and lead this team. This is why I have a hard time with Marvel they cancel the good books and keep the ones they think are flagship titles without regard to what is actually the better series. Also I can’t remember seeing this promoted by anyone at Marvel to raise sales and keep this book around.

I am loving the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development through the dialogue, the character interaction and how they act and react to the situations and circumstances that they encounter flesh these characters even further and it’s utterly magnificent. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the story, the twists & turns and so much more is simply amazing to see play out.

I am rather enjoying the way that this is being structured and how the layers within the story continue to grow, evolve and strengthen depending on the avenues being explored. It is within these layers where the plot twists, some absolute amazing characterisation and the most unexpected moment plays out. Whether these work within the main arc or simply swirl around it it all adds depth and complexity to the storytelling. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is achieved exceptionally well.

The interiors here are absolutely amazing and while the creativity and imagination that’s on display thanks to the Gala outfits make for some truly memorable moments. I mean Prodigy wearing a dress much like we see with Billy Porter is stunning as is his dates formal attire. The linework is exquisite and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to create this level of detail work is phenomenal stuff. The use of backgrounds and how they work within the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the book is magnificently rendered. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling. The colour work is bloody brilliant to see. The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show a truly superb eye for how colour works.

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I’m serious with this being cancelled I find fewer and fewer reasons to support Marvel. I want interesting, complex stories featuring characters like Eye-Boy who has grown, evolved an is so much more powerful than anyone realises. This is and the New Mutants and the best X books on stands and now there’s one less. I just don't understand their thinking but it’s okay that’s one less book a month and more reason not read to more Marvel titles.