X-Factor #3: Bump the Feed

X-Factor #3 hits the ground running with a brawl that’s narrated by none other than Spiral doing her best impression of a YouTuber. Like most things in this series, its something that feels like it shouldn’t work…but somehow fits perfectly. From there, it just gets weirder as the story takes twists and turns through reveals and old friends.

Leah Williams throws a lot of information onto the page for a single issue. The mystery of the dead mutant is revealed as well as the how of the murder (though parts of the why may still be a mystery). While investigating, X-Factor learns more about the makeup of this new Mojoverse and the identity of the five top streamers, even running into some seemingly DoX forgotten X-Characters. The story does feel bogged down by all of this, like easily could. Williams’ use of pop culture humor and emotionally anchored dialogue help keep the issue light and enjoyable. Of additional note is the data pages. Williams’ use of the pages in this issue are my favorite in DoX so far. These pages add to the narrative, answer questions that could not have been revealed sooner without upsetting the story being told.

David Baldeon and Isreal Silva continue to prove that they are the perfect team for the book. Their style doesn’t skip a beat despite the outlandish and sensational aspect of the Mojoverse. They take what could otherwise seem outrageous and bring it to life in an enjoyable way. On a more character level, their designs and renditions of the characters continue to just work well in the story, even when I don’t want them to. The personality they give to the characters melds perfectly to make me feel connected to characters even if I don’t want to. (Daken’s swarmy and up to something, but disaster-himbo Daken is somehow endearing.)