X-Factor #4: Catastrophic Failures

Chapter 2 is underway for X of Swords, now with Leah Williams at the helm. The story picks up from the battle that concluded X of Sword: Creation. The narrative neither loses any of the tension nor strive to escalate. Instead, Leah narrows the focus, taking this cataclysmic danger and applying it to the individuals. While the events of this issue have a massive impact on both the X of Swords event and the very nature of the Krakoan nation, we see this on how it affects individuals.

This narrowed focus is perfect for Williams’ style of writing. She does a stunning job of condensing the conflicted emotions of several characters in limited panels. Ranging from guilt to grief to fear- Williams has no difficulty putting the fledgling X-nation through the wringer.  It is through the emotions that the stakes of the event are made clear, stakes that have been missing from the current era of X-Men. But even beyond the scope of the event, seeds are dropped of what’s to come. These seeds extend beyond the work Williams is doing with X-Factor and the mysteries of The Five and reach into characters and plots from Excalibur- – showcasing the collaborative nature of this event.

The art by Carlos Gomez is stunning, and the colors by Isreal Silva are beautiful. They make every scene visually pleasing. They manage to deliver burnt and boiled skin on one page and a humorous psychic eviction on the next, without missing a step, all while upholding the severe tone of the event.