Four Panel Folly Comic museings.

Runner Up!: X-Factor #206

Nothing brings families together like a tank with a buzz saw.

Why it didn't win:
I had biased reasons for choosing it in the first place.
Features a pretty simple solution to a complex problem which has been going on for a while.

Full disclosure, there are many reasons to like this issue but my main one is simply because it features the entire “gang” back together. I'm a pretty big fan of this series, and have stuck with it even during... sigh... the dark times. X-Factor has been split up into different groups with different goals for a while now, and when they all assemble together at the end of this issue I couldn't help but be happy in the nerdiest of ways.

But let's get to those other reasons this issue is good!

HUMOR – Handled! Totally handled! Peter David writes some good humor in his comics. In fact, one of my favorite parts of X-Factor #206 was a car chase featuring Layla Miller, Shatterstar, and Banshee (formally Siryn). David injects action with humor and a genuine rapscallion feel to his characters. Which brings us to the next thing...

ACTION – You want explosions? Done. You want car chases? Done (check previous paragraph). You want nuclear bombs? Done. You want super powers and dudes punching things they shouldn't be able to punch? Done. You want tanks? There's a tank on the cover so that's done before anything else.

CHARACTERS – The different personalities of X-Factor are all larger than life and unique. This creates different tones and reactions to situations with different combinations of characters. For instance, the part of the issue featuring Guido and Monet is pretty direct to the point. If Madrox or Darwin were there, the events and exchanges would most definitely been more haphazard, and probably with a lot of self deprecation.

OTHER STUFF – X-Factor is a series which works so well for me. It's a character based action drama, in the same vein as some of Joss Whedon's best television work. The canon of the series is never too difficult to follow but its got plenty of twists and turns to keep everything interesting. I love, love, love Valentine De Landro's art for the series. X-Factor just seems to be made for his artwork.

Ok, now some of my complaints. This issue features a big battle, which has been coming for a long time since it is the battle which bonds the team back to each other. For all that build up, the battle could have been longer or at least bigger in a sense of action rather than emotional release. Plus I felt pretty frustrated with how nicely everyone got along right after the battle. For instance, Banshee has ever reason and right to hate Madrox for the rest of his life, but they hold hands at the end of the issue. Layla is still mysterious and has potentially been doing morally ambiguous things in her time away from the team, but she is welcomes back with open arms.

But, I'm just a sucker for this series. And I'm a sucker for all my favorite characters finally being back together. Oh well, ignorance is bliss.