X-Factor #5: Brutal Hearts and Impromptu Proms

X-Factor #5 covers a lot of ground. Fresh off the conclusion of “X of Swords,” this issue picks up the threads of the crossover and the events of issue #3. Leah Williams draws on the shared past of the two resurrected characters, Rockslide and WindDancer, to weave the two together. Rather than forcing them together, it appears that Williams leaned into the potential for chaos by providing us a party as a backdrop. The scene’s activity as a background allows for fun character moments and future plot teases to be intermingled without disrupting the story’s flow.

While the hints of things to come are intriguing, it is the character moments that push this issue to the next level. We get to see more of The Five interacting amongst themselves, as Hope and Proteus discuss philosophy and spirituality, as well as with X-Factor, with Williams acknowledging the shared history of Prodigy and Elixir with the recently resurrected. Williams further crafts the story into the greater world and continuity of the X-Men, filling the pages with characters not recently given the spotlight and providing them with enjoyable and relevant moments. But the most poignant scene goes to Emma Frost, showcasing that Williams understands the characters she choices to write.

David Baldeon and Isreal Silva continue to be a dynamite team on art, and they have plenty of moments to shine. Whether it’s crafting a distinct visual representation of Rachel psychically traveling back in time or making a sense of wonder appear on a rock face, Baldeon and Silva execute the story in a beautiful eye-catching way that makes the issue difficult to put down.