Marvel; January 1981
Cover by John Byrne and Terry Austin

Title: “X-Factor”
Synopsis: The Gladiator! The X-Men (apparently)! Captain America! Spider-Man! And, of course, the Fantastic Four! This one’s a battle royal.

Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: Byrne
Inker: Byrne

Review: As a kid, this issue was a major disappointment. This reviewer hadn’t yet gotten over John Byrne’s departure from X-Men, and it’s apparent very early on that Marvel’s merry mutants aren’t really guest starring this issue. But, in retrospect, it’s a very fun read. It lacks the depth and plot twists of Byrne’s best Fantastic Four stories, but this all out battle issue is well choreographed (something Byrne is generally very good at). Art wise, Byrne’s figure drawing and storytelling remain strong, but his detailed backgrounds are fast becoming a thing of the past; they aren’t essential, but are missed.

Grade: A-

Cool factor: It’s Byrne drawing the X-Men. Sigh.
Not-so-cool factor: Oh, those aren’t the X-Men.

Character quotable: “You waste words. Crush him quickly!” – Cyclops (wait, that doesn’t sound like Cyclops …)

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