#xfactor25

X-Factor is finally getting good with this Apocalypse storyline. Before this, the only good Apocalypse storyline I had ever read was in Uncanny Avengers (which was a sequel to Uncanny X-Force which I haven’t read). From what I can tell, that whole storyline was sort of a rehash of this one, with Apocalypse mutilating a bunch of people to become his horsemen, and making plans to take over the world. That’s pretty much the only time Apocalypse works as a villain I guess, considering he’s pretty much invincible and you can’t have him directly fighting heroes because he shouldn’t really ever lose to them. This is basically why the Apocalypse movie was so ill conceived. The whole premise of Apocalypse only works if he’s tearing apart and brainwashing characters that you’ve grown to love over a very long time. Angel was one of the original X-Men. He’s been around since 1963. There’s a huge amount of weight attached to killing him, amputating his wings, bringing him back to life, and then grafting metal wings to his body. The continuity of the movies is so fucked up that there is no tension involved in Apocalypse creating his horsemen. All of the characters were brand new, so who cares if they turn evil? And then you have to fight Apocalypse and beat him before the movie is over. It’s boiling down the basic premise of a good Apocalypse story to the absolute bare necessities, from source material that barely works in the first place only when it’s set up properly. Sigh. I wonder if that Dark Phoenix movie is going to be a giant piece of shit. (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

Guys, this issue was great. Great action and drama, it really felt like the first big climax of the X-Factor series. And the artwork was stunning. Walt Simonson not only gives a ton of life to these characters who, let’s face it, are probably the least interesting X-Men, but also draws all the environments and structures with meticulous attention to detail. Look at some of these buildings he draws!!! So good. It feels like a climatic end cap, but I’m only about a fourth of the way through the Fall of the Mutants omnibus, and this isn’t even the last issue of X-Factor that’s part of the crossover. So let’s see what’s next!! (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

Way to impart a tender and meaningful lesson about life and death to these impressionable children, Scott. You fucking dick. (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

I was so into this god damn comic that I bought for five seconds that Warren actually killed Bobby. What a moron I am!! (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

It didn’t take much to flip Warren back to the side of the light. Just an ice dummy of Bobby getting chopped in half to make Warren think he killed him, and Warren goes right after Apocalypse. Man, this is by far the best issue of X-Factor yet. Really good writing by Louise Simonson!! (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

Scott and Jean get sucked out of Apocalypse’s ship and are thrown into battle against Apocalypse’s horsemen who are destroying New York City. Don't these two just want to make you puke all over the place or what. I guess we’re back together, aren’t we. Just going to forget about that whole wife and kid thing we had going on, huh Cyclops. You really couldn’t be happier, could you, you miserable so of a bitch. (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

Apocalypse!!! (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)

I’ve been trying to put my finger on something the whole time I’ve been reading this comic, and it just came to me as Apocalypse knocks the fuck out of Warren. You know who Apocalypse totally reminds me of? Inspector Gadget. Now just give me a second to explain. When you think about it, Inspector Gadget was basically as powerful as, if not more powerful than Apocalypse. He can do whatever he wants!!! He’s basically got subspace storage pockets in his hat, jacket, and the soles of his shoes, he’s nigh-impervious, able to absorb damage that would murder a normal human being, and he can conjure up any weapon he wants at any time, from bazookas, to c4, to the blades of a god damn helicopter that will chop your god damn head off. The only problem is his AI is about one divide by zero away from going full rogue at any point in time. He’s constantly on the verge of complete insanity!! He’s really the quintessential super villain. (X-Factor #25 – Feb 1988)