May 3 – X-Factor, Fantastic Four, and New Mutants

X-Factor Vol. 1 #97 by J.M. DeMattais and Jan Duursema (1993) The Polaris and Madrox subplots are interesting, but I can’t stand what’s being done to Rahne lately. Grade: B+ Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #611 / FF Vol. 1 #23 by Jonathan Hickman, Ryan Stegman, and Nick Dragotta (2012) The finale of the Hickman run

Mar. 22 – Punisher: Dead End, X-Factor, and New Mutants

X-Factor Annual #8 by Peter David and Terry Shoemaker (1993) It’s amusing, but I would have preferred leaving the Chalkers as having never met X-Factor. It is nice having a year where the annuals aren’t forced into an awkward crossover. Grade: B- Punisher Vol. 8 #7-8 by Rick Remender and Tan Eng Huat (2009) Unfortunately,

January 19, 2021: Incredible Hercules, Wolverine, X-Force, and New Mutants

X-Force Vol. 1 #14 by Fabian Nicieza and Terry Shoemaker (1992) Domino finally gets revealed to Cable as not being Domino, and Rictor rejoins the team (for the time being). Nicieza is picking up on the beats that Liefeld left and making them work better than before. Grade: B+ Incredible Hercules Vol. 1 #142 by

December 8, 2020: Captain Britain, Uncanny X-Men, and New Mutants

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #286 by Whilce Portacio, Scott Lobdell, and Jim Lee (1992) The storyline is still lame, and it still is a poor version of an X-Factor story from a few years back, but the replacement of John Byrne for Scott Lobdell improved the readability significantly. The only real takeaway from this arc

October 26, 2020: Nova, X-Factor, and New Mutants

X-Factor Vol. 1 #68 by Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio (1991) This storyline is a weird study on pacing and explanation. We get a lot of exposition to set things up, but when we get to the climax, things just start to happen, with the only explanation being a caption box attempting to justify it.

October 12, 2020: Exiles, X-Factor, and New Mutants

X-Factor Vol. 1 #64 by Louise Simonson and Whilce Portacio (1991) Like I said before, I’m always happy to see stories focusing on Iceman in this era. He’s by far the least developed of the X-Factor team. I’m also a fan of arcs that split up teams into smaller parts to provide better character moments.

September 15, 2020: Thunderbolts, X-Factor, and New Mutants

X-Factor Vol. 1 #59 by Louise Simonson and Terry Shoemaker (1990) Somehow, against all odds, Simonson’s run on X-Factor is beginning to pick up steam again. The series had been in a rough spot ever since the team’s return from outer space, but it is showing signs of life. This is a character-driven issue, which,