X-Factor #6: More Fun than a 19th Century Almanac

X-Factor #6 is a comic that can stick with the reader well past the final page (especially with a final page like that). The comic holds an odd dynamic. It holds an odd between almost absurd light-heartedness and skirting around several severe concepts. Either side may have failed on its own, but X-Factor #6 succeeds in using both to create a balance that stays true to the tone of the series so far.

Upon first read, the opening scene could feel almost too much. A hungover Lorna is judged by Rachel for drunk-dialing Havok the night before while Eye-Boy begs Prodigy to read to him with his calming voice and Kyle and Jean-Paul debate bagel bushes. Taken in context with the whole issue, Leah William’s choice of the odd and humorous sets the stage for the following dive into a comic heavy with unspoken concerns. Williams never says by name the mental health concerns implied in the dialogue, but that only serves to make them haunt behind the panel.

Williams continues to develop the bigger picture for X-Factor. Between the after-effects of Prodigy’s conversation with Cecilia Reyes and the subtly implied direction of Kyle and Jean Paul’s relationship, I’m left excited for future issues of this series. Throw in the final page and one of my favorite data pages yet, and I’ve already started counting down the days to issue #7 (28 days from this issue’s release…)

David Baldeon and Isreal Silva continue to be a killer team on art. If you’ve read my past reviews, I’m likely starting to sound redundant, but I only know so many ways to say amazing. Baldeon and Silva portray so much personality in every character, allow for every panel to land. Their fresh and creative portrayal of the various powers of the cast makes me want them to just guest in every comic a mutant power is used.