"The Isolationist, Part 2: Natural Order"
Writer: Peter David
Artists: Pablo Raimondi, Brian Reber (colors)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
This is one of those issues of X-Factor that should get the series’ fans excited. Peter David continues to entertain with complicated criss-crossing stories, some humor, and a fair share of guffaws. Pablo Raimondi with colorist Brian Reber produce art that fits with the better parts of the series but maintains its own unique style.
The talent in the artists is best shown in the park scene that opens and closes the issue. Even though the art in X-Factor is typically more realistic than other comics, the artists had to be a bit horrified to read the script contained a scene filled with dozens of trees and bushes. It’s background, so it seems like something trivial, yet it looks like Reber tediously sat down and dotted the page with a variety of colors without making them bleed into each other (at least not noticeably). Meanwhile, Raimondi kept enough realism to separate his pencils and inks from what's found in typical comics, but it’s certainly not realism to the degree provided by Alex Ross.
My only complaint with the art deals with the scene where Monet and Theresa are at the anti-mutant/Christian cult concert. First, there’s a part where someone is spying on them with binoculars that can detect mutants; this is indicated by X-Men logos literally above the mutants’ heads. Within the same scene Theresa is shot in the head, and the manner in which this action is presented by the art, it looks like Monet gets shot through the head rahter than across it. Of course, I'm sure the creators (including David himself) were trying to make it seem like she was shot dead. On one hand, I feel like I shouldn't criticize such "bait and switch" storytelling move, but at the same time it seemed like a cheap trick just for shock value, even if it's the only cheap trick in the issue.
Right now, there are four different main plots and three different sub-plots. One of the main plots involve Madrox meeting Josef Huber who was shown in the previous issue as being somewhat crazy and possibly being someone that a dupe claiming to be the world’s greatest detective warned Madrox about. Huber argues that mutants should have their own lobbyist to represent their special interests in government, and that the lobbyist should push to get mutants protection under the Endangered Species Act. Meanwhile, Layla and Nicole (the girl from France) continue their drama, and Monet and Theresa are taken down during their assignment to rescue a kid (as the cover shows). And like in last issue, Rahne and Ric sleep together.
Then there are at least three sub-plots waiting to play out. Madrox separately slept with Theresa and Monet and last issue showed there was still tension among the three. The roaming dupes are going to be a recurring theme as well, as illustrated by one being brought up in reference to Huber. What interests me most is the last panel of the scene where Rahne and Ric maul each other again, which shows crystals forming on Ric’s back: a side effect to his exposure to Quicksilver which is almost as complicated as this issue alone. If you think that any one of these matters is a dead story that won’t be re-tapped, consider the fact that Theresa and Monet broke out of a French prison after crucifying an inmate.
This issue also advances the "Endangered Species" storyline. While in line at the comic shop, I heard someone complain how they’re only buying the X-Titles because of the "Endangered Species" story which they thought was going to be the focus of each issue, not just a back-up story. What’s nice about this issue in contrast to the other titles with "Endangered Species" tag is that this one fully incorporates the Endangered theme into its main story. Huber, who has not yet come out as evil, is advocating that they should push to get government protection by being declared (officially) an endangered species, like Grizzly Bears.
Those who like the series would give this issue 5 bullets, but I wouldn’t consider this issue to be on the same level as Watchmen or Wolverine Origins (the original mini-series, not the ongoing abomination) which is why I only gave it 4 bullets.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!