Marvel Comics

X-Factor by Peter David Omnibus Vol. 2 continues the government-team era with the odd chemistry that makes this corner of the X-line stand apart. Larry Stroman’s visual style and David’s character writing give the book a tone that is sharp, funny, wounded and much stranger than a standard team assignment. This continuation keeps the government-team concept sharp by refusing to make the characters too smooth. Leadership, ego, insecurity and loyalty keep rubbing against one another in ways that feel deliberately uncomfortable.

X-Factor by Peter David Omnibus Vol. 1 reinvents the team as a government-sponsored mutant unit led by Havok, with Polaris, Strong Guy, Multiple Man, Wolfsbane and Quicksilver bringing tension, wit and damaged chemistry to every mission. Peter David makes the book work through character voice as much as superhero action.