X-Factor, vol. 1 by Leah Williams, David Baldeón, and Israel Silva
Marvel Comics
Publication Date: January 12, 2021
ISBN: 9781302921842
It’s a new world order for the mutants of Krakoa. A new combination of mutant powers has allowed the X-Men to cure mutants of death. But how do they decide who should be granted this cure? Longtime X-Men Northstar and Polaris lead a team of misfit mutants to investigate mysterious deaths for potential Resurrection.
In the expansive X-Men lineup, X-Factor, vol. 1 is a smaller-scale murder mystery full of diverse and engaging characters. While most of the mutants on the team are adults, there are also several teens who have appeared in previous teen-led X-books such as Generation X by Christina Strain and Amilcar Pinna and Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. Most of the main characters are queer, and while romance isn’t one of the main focuses of the book, Williams shows several of the characters in varying stages of relationships. Baldeón’s art and Silva’s colors perfectly bring to life Williams’s witty dialogue and intriguing scenarios. Ultimately, X-Factor, vol. 1 is one of the best entry points into the current stellar world of the X-Men.
Recommend this to fans of Leah Williams’s other works for Marvel: Gwenpool Strikes Back and The Amazing Mary Jane. Fans of the manga /anime series My Hero Academia will also find enjoyment in the mystery and superheroics in this book.
—Dakota Hall
Other Nominated Titles
- My Body in Pieces by Marie-Noëlle Hébert and Shelley Tanaka (translator) (April 6, 2021)
- Across the Tracks: Remembering Greenwood, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre by Alverne Ball and Stacey Robinson (May 4, 2021)
- Inkblot, vol. 1 by Emma Kubert and Rusty Gladd (April 13, 2021)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams will feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation will be listed as well. At year’s end, the team will use that list of nominated titles to select a final list and Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are also made available on The Hub.
