Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Marvel

    X-Factor #29

    Joshua HillBy Joshua HillMarch 16, 20084 Comments4 Mins Read

    xfact029picon.jpg

    One of my favorite recent discoveries has been that of X-Factor. The fractured reality that you are dealing in with these characters is something that is very hard to pen. However, Peter David has managed to put together a story that keeps me turning the pages month after month.

    xfact029.jpgX-FACTOR #29
    COVER BY: GLENN FABRY
    WRITER: PETER DAVID
    PENCILS: VALENTINE DE LANDRO
    INKS: ANDREW HENNESSY

    X-Factor 29 was no different, and in the wake of the X-Verse’s Messiah Complex (itself known as Divided We Stand), team X-Factor are the only solid mutant team in the world. (No, I’m not counting X-Force, because they’re all secretive and whatnot.)

    Now, I do have a complaint at the moment, and it is nothing more than a fanboy-ish cry for someone to listen to me, me, ME! But I’ll get to that in a second, because it is important.

    I feel compelled to give you a rundown of previous comics, but if I did that then … well, why are you reading this if you aren’t going to be reading the book at some point? Nevertheless, with Rahne Sinclair having left X-Factor – presumably to act as bait for X-Force – it wasn’t long before we would see a breakdown in team dynamics. Not that she was the heart or anything, but just the pebble that starts the landslide.

    So naturally we open the book with Rictor burning a letter from Rahne soon to be followed by his exiting the team for what he hopes is good. Guido has been sacked as sheriff of Mutant Town, which is not a huge surprise, although it adds for a humorous scene at the top between Madrox and Guido.

    And in a masterpiece of writing, and something that I have been hoping to see since the first time I could recognize a literary cliché, Peter David has foiled the miscommunication argument from the top.

    Let me explain.

    Inevitably in most TV shows or books where a couple is likely to have an argument. It’ll start with “I have something to tell you,” and then he’ll say “Yeah, I was expecting this,” but, he wasn’t, they’re on two different tangents, and naturally neither will actually name what it is they think the other is talking about. For once though, a writer has seen the stupidity of this and navigated around it nicely by allowing Monet to witness the miscommunication-fight (anyone got a better term?), compare it to “Three’s Company,” and diffuse Siryn’s anger; at least temporarily.

    I’ve made it three-quarters of the way down the page, which means I can stop attempting to fill with inexplicable summary and get to the real heart of this comic; Layla Miller.

    She is, possibly, and simply, one of the greatest comic characters ever devised. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, she’s always well drawn, cute and very much the tease-girl-next-door that would have likely been the fantasy of many a male if she was not a drawing (and even then…). But since the beginning of X-Factor 27 she’s been absent; stuck in the future with no real way of getting home.

    I’m a romantic at heart, and the idle flirting she put Jamie through, informing him that they would be married and that she was saving herself for her wedding night got me so tangled up in that storyline that I have to see it through. But Peter David continues to hold her back from being brought back. Its great storytelling and I won’t fault him for that, but as I said, this is nothing more than a fanboy-ish plea.

    How easily I could continue this ramble, but I won’t, for whose sake I don’t know nor care. This book is the epitome of the modern day comic, and is why I love them so much. You saw it coming, 5 out of 5; you will want to read this!

    5stars.jpg

    de landro exiting glenn fabry guido hennessy inks landslide madrox messiah complex miscommunication mutant team peter david recent discoveries rictor rundown sinclair team dynamics team x factor X-Force
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleRASL
    Next Article AAM/Markosia Sneak Peek: The Boy Who Made Silence #2
    Joshua Hill
    • Website

    I'm an aspiring author who just happens to also work on the web, reporting on the environmental research and science at Planetsave.com that makes sense of the climate change hype, reviewing fantasy books at FantasyBookReview, because I love fantasy books and want to tell you all about it. I also blog over at Life As A Human and at Extralife.

    Related Posts

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    Read More

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    Read More

    Marvel Comics for September 2025

    Read More

    4 Comments

    1. Everan on March 16, 2008 6:01 pm

      Eh, judging from the info on Marvel’s website, they won’t bring Rahne back. X-Force… really, come on. That aside, I enjoy this book a lot. The opening sequence itself (with Rictor burning the letter) was like a punch in the gut. Wow.

      Reply
    2. Baal on March 16, 2008 11:13 pm

      anyone else think Layla will come back old enough to marry Jamie without a guardian’s permission or him going to jail?

      Reply
    3. Matthew Peterson on March 17, 2008 1:28 am

      The last 5 reviews have earned 5 out of 5 stars…

      I suspect that we need to start reading some stuff we hate to break even…

      Reply
    4. Salieri on March 17, 2008 8:24 am

      The bad news: Layla is getting replaced by (SPOILERS) Longshot within the team’s roster. Whether this is permanent or temporary, I do not know.

      The good news: PAD announced recently that he’s writing a Layla Miller one-shot to go with July’s Quicksilver.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    June 20, 2025

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    4.0
    June 20, 2025

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    8.3
    June 17, 2025

    Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 Review

    7.7
    June 17, 2025

    Supergirl #2 Review

    6.0
    June 16, 2025

    Runaways #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT