One Of These Days…Pow! Zoom!
Credits: Peter David (writer), Jae Lee (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Steve Dutro (letters), Glynis Oliver (colors)
Summary
By satellite, Wolverine explains to the other X-Men that Jean subconsciously contacted him, telling him her location. Cable recalibrates his instruments to teleport himself, Bishop, and Wolverine to the moon. Stryfe continues to taunt Cyclops and Jean on the surface of the moon as they grasp for air. At the mansion, Apocalypse drives the technorganic virus out of Xavier and kills it. He agrees to transport the rest of the X-Men to the moon. A strike team of Havok, Psylocke, Archangel, Iceman, Polaris, Cannonball, and Storm is selected to rescue Cyclops and Jean. Cable, Wolverine, and Bishop finally arrive on the moon, only to face the Dark Riders.
Gimmicks
This is part ten of the X-Cutioner’s Song. It comes polybagged with a Dark Riders trading card.
Review
More stalling. Professor Xavier is cured in this issue, so at least something happens, but the rest of the issue reiterates things that have already happened. We already know that Wolverine has deduced where Jean is, so having him wait around for “instrument recalibration” for a full issue is a waste (and why is Cable sitting around with the rest of them when he was supposed to be working on his teleporter?). Stryfe has already been taunting Cyclops and Jean for the last three chapters, so nothing’s really added to that story thread, either. This crossover really shouldn’t drag on for twelve issues, especially when X-Factor’s ongoing storylines are getting pushed further back with each issue. It does look nice, though. Jae Lee does an impressive job, dropping a lot of the unnecessary blacks and providing great versions of Apocalypse and Archangel.
My first issue of X-Factor! It made absolutely no sense, but it was X-Factor, and I was 12, and that was all that mattered. I still have fond memories of reeading and re-reading this comic, waiting for the next issue. I believe the next issue box hyped "X-aminations," and mentioned Madrox's greatest fear -- which I was convinced would be being in a hospital, because he was in a hospital in this issue. I think. It's been a long time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a flashback! Thanks dude!
The X-Factor issues of the cross-over were some of my favorites with David's trademark wit and Lee's amazing art. I love the little touches like the mini X-mansion on top of the panel when Apocalypse is waking up and the little Domino that Cable is carving out of wood. I wasn't familiar with her character at this point but it was fun to go back and see that it was her. As you mentioned Lee also does a great Archangel (and gives him normal long hair, unlike Peterson last issue) and Apocalypse, which David has a little fun with, "Are ye going to just stand there and look menacing?" There may not have been a lot of action but I still enjoyed the issue.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to the next issue of X-Factor which is one of my favorite single issues of all time. It's funny of thinking of Joe Quesada as a newcomer with how far he has come since then.