X-Factor #144 - "Points of View"

Writer: Howard Mackie    Pencils: Duncan Rouleau    Inks: Jamie Mendoza

   Y'know I've gotta hand it to Mackie, he's really improved. Maybe its just the thrill of seeing Havok after all these months, or maybe its the fact this is one of the best battles I've seen in years that has me re-reading this over and over, but in any case this issue's good.

   Mackie's got a knack for introducing his own characters and making them interesting even though he's not so good with the already established ones. Its a shame to see the likes of Polaris and even Forge being phased out of the book, but at least they'll have good company in the likes of Longshot and Dazzler. Anyway as I started to say, Mackie introduces a young woman by the name of Mary, who's one of a multitude kiddnapped by the Dark Beast in his zeal to expand his expirementing empire. As the story goes, she's been infected with the legacy virus, a la Moira MacTaggert variety. Not only does this turn the Legacy into a real potential epidemic, it clears up the problems I had with last issue. Our dopplganger has apparently been conducting the test for some years now, and these are not only the people that were taken by Fatale in the annual. Give him that extra bit of menace! The goodguys all go at it, with Havok throttling them all (Which is as it should be!)! Then as predicted they join forces when the truth comes out about the infected victims and go after the Dark Beast and Random who have grabbed Mary and split. Fatale takes another beating from Havok on the way (Again, this is how it should be!) and they more or less catch up with him. Unfortunetly they take out Random first, letting the Dark Beast make his get-away under the second distraction of a huge green growing cloud thingee (Don't ask!).

   First off let me just say that Duncan Rouleau is amazing! Action is what he was born to draw, and believe you me, it shows! His renditions of the X.U.E. are very slick and his Dark Beast all the more sinister. Mackie too, was 'on' this time, and it showed. Nothing spectacular, but nothing wrong, and I have to admit that's a welcome change. This was a fun issue, a big drag out slug fest that gets right down to the basics of comic books. And how could I criticize a book that's got such great characters? Although I don't have a clue as to who'll remain after the team re-shuffles, they've all got such underused potential that I'm always eager to read more. If you like your comics action packed, or just want a welcome change of pace from angsting mutants then I'd really recommend this issue!

"I would love to say this has been fun, but it was barely a diversion. Another time. Another place." - The Dark Beast, X-Factor #144

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