If you remember last issue, Armando (Darwin) was abducted by some goons and brought to a warehouse and restrained in some sort of liquid filled tank.
Well this issue has XFI hot on the trail of these abductors. Jamie, Monet, Longshot and Guido follow a lead that brings them to the warehouse where Armando is presumably held captive. Meanwhile, Rictor and Siryn are holding the fort at XFI HQ.
Writer Peter David labored through this issue with very little of his signature humor. This issue felt like it was just bridging the gap between stories. Taking the conclusion of the Secret Invasion Tie-In/She-Hulk Crossover (
which was really good IMO) and segwaying to the next X-Factor adventure.
Not much happened in this issue except for a killer final panel and a surprise visit that Theresa (Siryn) received.
As far as the art goes.. ugh. I was so excited to see Larry Stroman returning to this title a few issues back, but boy oh boy, he has been nothing but a disappointment. At first I thought that I might grow to love the art. It's just so different that I wasn't used to it. It's also very different from Stroman's previous work on X-Factor. His style has changed dramatically.
I respect the style, it's refreshing, edgy and funky.. but it might not be a good fit for X-Factor. The oversized dwarf women, the alien looking men. Stroman can draw some great dynamic action sequences, but there's just something not right about it. Peter Davivd's writing is so heavily grounded on realism and Stroman's fantastical artwork is the complete opposite. They just don't mesh together (anymore). I think the precedent set by Sook and Raimondi for Volume 3 has kept me from openly accepting Stroman's vision.
Maybe I just need more time?
Bottom Line: The writing/story was nothing exceptional and the art seems way out of place. This was a forgettable issue that will hopefully act as a calm before the storm of what's to come. C'mon PAD and Larry, find your groove!!
2 out of 5 stars. If your looking for a stand alone issue or a "hoping on" point, this isn't it.