X-Factor series takes humorous, clever turns

This chronic feature lets me review what’s recently passed my bloodshot pupils. So pull up a chair, break out the sarcasm filter and welcome to:

Mr. Zad’s X-Men comic critique

X-Factor, Nos. 1 to 4 (Marvel Comics, $2.99 each)

Legendary comics scribe Peter David revisits the plotlines from his 2004 five-part miniseries about the mutant Jamie Madrox (aka the Multiple Man) through a new series that continues the adventures of the team founded by former X-Men.

Readers quickly learn that Madrox, who has the power to create physically identical duplicates of himself, each based on an aspect of his personality, has set up a detective agency in the heart of Mutant Town (in the middle of New York City, of course).

He has help from Strong Guy, Rahne (Wolfsbane) Sinclair, Siryn, the powerless Rictor, Monet and the omniscient Layla Miller as he deals with rival agency Singularity Investigations and tackles cases in a wisecracking, Sam-Spade style.

Mr. David plays off the definition of “X-factor” throughout the issues to deliver an unpredictable and humorous story only occasionally weighted down by an X-Men world in which 90 percent of the mutant population has lost its power. Read the avalanche of books devoted to the “House of M” and its aftermath for more details.

The heavy circumstances that surround the current X-Factor group do not stop Mr. David from a clever course of plot development through cinema-noir visions injected with offbeat humor, which are perfectly propelled by the shadowy and sexy art of Ryan Sook.

Of all of the retooled X-Men splinter titles available, this one is the most fun and transcends the normal soap-operatic silliness usually associated with X-Men pulp.

Wolverine, Nos. 36 to 40

(Marvel Comics, $2.99 each)

What initially attracted me to the story arc “Origins & Endings” was not another revelation about the famed, adamantium-laced mutant’s complex life but the name Texiera, as in Mark Texiera, one of my favorite artists.

Unfortunately, he seems to be only the inker to artist Javier Saltares’ pencil work — and Mr. Texiera’s brilliantly hard-edged and realistic style is completely lost on the pages.

Alas, I am stuck with the hairy star of the X-Men comics and films on yet another mission to avenge his past and right the wrongs done against his mind and body.

This time, though, the clawed one’s memory has been fully restored, and he is ready to exact revenge against the Silver Samurai and the Winter Soldier. Although after readers slice through the cliched and violent plot of Daniel Way, they will not care.

Story Continues →