Whoa! Talk about cliffhangers! We’ve only got two issues left before the big finale, and writer Peter David hits us with a doozy of a revelation. I’ll spoil what happens in the synopsis, but just know that this might not actually be the ‘End of X-Factor’. We still don’t know what PAD’s next project at Marvel is going to be…but it looks like he might be dropping hints already. And I’m quite excited. Beyond that, X-Factor #260 is a good issue and a nice exploration of Polaris. Unfortunately, she’s had very little time to make an impression, so her goodbye isn’t that strong. But PAD once again does a respectable job saying goodbye (maybe) to one of his cast members.

X-Factor #260

The guest appearance by Quicksilver is awesome though.

Comic Rating: 7/10 – Good.

I have made my peace with the X-Factor‘s cancellation. And I’ve come to accept that it’s no longer the title I once loved. X-Factor settled into a calm, gentle sort of quality over the past few years. The issues are always entertaining and consistently good, but never great, and rarely do they say or do anything new. PAD writes some great characters, the art has always been quality; it’s just that the premise and the stories have all been kind of mediocre. Especially when compared to some of the other comics out there right now, especially at Marvel. It turns out that Marvel NOW! really did shake things up for my favorite publisher. There are so many great books at Marvel these days that I really have to step back and accept that X-Factor just isn’t one of them. Not anymore. It’s good, but it’s not Marvel NOW! good.

Also, personally, I miss the private investigators angle. That was a great premise for this comic, but hasn’t really been around in forever.

I like Polaris. I was really excited to see what PAD could do with her in the pages of X-Factor, and I’m disappointed that he’s run out of time. He had the beginnings of some good characterization, but never really got around to giving Polaris any storylines. She was kind of just there being gruff and stuff. So when the time comes to say goodbye, it’s basically just Polaris sitting around being gruff and stuff. It works for the character, it works for the issue, and it works as a goodbye. Polaris’ farewell actually even ties in with a goodbye to X-Factor as a whole, so that’s nice. The issue also features a cameo appearance by Quicksilver, and that kind of works to wrap-up his X-Factor appearances from a few years ago. That’s an unexpected plus.

Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review.

When the end of the Hell on Earth War sent the members of X-Factor to all corners of the world, Polaris ended up back in New York City. Lucky her. But the communicators are no longer working, and nobody else remembers the War, so she decides to find a bar and get drunk.

No, she doesn’t mean that show!

The bartender tries to cut her off, and so Polaris uses her powers to throw the pool table through the front of the building, proving that she is dangerous, angry and isn’t dressed like that for her health. She demands more drinks, and the bartender complies while the cops are called. But when they show up, Polaris just mocks them and uses her powers to disable their guns. She’s too drunk to take anything seriously.

What sheemsh to be the problem, occifers?

Polaris angrily challenges them to pull the triggers (is she suicidal?), but the cops wuss out and leave the bar while Polaris orders another drink. I’m not quite sure what she’s going for, possibly she just wants to get into a fight, or to have someone end her misery. Polaris then starts drunkenly talking about the revelation that she was responsible for her parents’ deaths. That might explain why she’s a little suicidal. The SWAT team is called to deal with her – but then a licensed Avenger shows up.

Hopefully he won’t be wearing the bright blue in Avengers 2

Many years ago, shortly after the House of M, Quicksilver appeared in the pages of X-Factor as a madman. He’d messed with the Terrigen Mist crystals and developed the dangerous ability to re-power lost mutants. X-Factor faced off against him, then everyone went their separate ways. Between then and now, Quicksilver repented, got his normal powers back and rejoined the Avengers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t reading any of those comics, so I haven’t seen much of Quicksilver in years. But I’m glad to see he’s back to being a hero. I’ve always liked Quicksilver – especially Ultimate Quicksilver – and I prefer him as a good guy. I can’t wait to see him show up in The Avengers: Age of Ultron movie. That’s going to be awesome! I hope Joss Whedon uses Ultimate Quicksilver for inspiration.

Anyway, Quicksilver smooths things over with the bartender and tries to get Polaris to come back with him to Avengers HQ – even though he’s not a member of any current Avengers squad, but that’s not a big deal. Quicksilver explains that the Avengers will reimburse the bartender for the damages – which convinces Polaris that she should wreck more stuff!

Probably not what he had in mind

The two start fighting, and Polaris demands to know how Quicksilver smoothed things over with the Avengers after he was such a creep to X-Factor. Quicksilver explains – while dodging energy blasts – that he has turned away from their father Magneto, and is making up for his crimes as a member of the Avengers. Polaris doesn’t believe him, and opens fire with all of the police officers’ guns.

There’s the badass Quicksilver we know and love

Quicksilver tries to subdue his half-sister, even as Polaris tries to point out that it’s apparently easy for their family to be forgiven. Quicksilver is forgiven, the Scarlet Witch is forgiven…so what about her? But Quicksilver knocks her out before the conversation can go much further. The cops show up and arrest Polaris – against Quicksilver’s protests – and she’s locked in a drunk tank.

And that’s when PAD gets weird on us. A mysterious, glowing figure named Harrison Snow shows up and makes Polaris an offer…

Yeahbuwha!?

What the what!? A new X-Factor? Polaris recruited? Mysterious figure? What the heck is going on!?

Is X-Factor going to come back in a new form? Is that PAD’s secret project at Marvel? I have long held out hope that X-Factor was undergoing some kind of relaunch in Marvel NOW! Wave 2, could this be it? There are only two issues of X-Factor left, so what else could this Harrison Snow thing possibly be? I doubt the team is going to come together to fight some new version of X-Factor in the final two issues. More than likely, PAD will spend this time setting up the new incarnation – and hopefully returning Multiple Man back to normal. He really needs to get around to that.

So yeah, wow, what could this possibly mean!? I’m very, very excited to see what comes next.

As for this issue, I liked it. I definitely got more out of it on the second read through, which I need to do more often. PAD does a nice job of explaining, in a subtle way, why Polaris is really getting drunk. She’s got a lot to deal with, and drinking is the best option. That Quicksilver shows up is just icing on the cake, for both her and for us. Polaris gets to work out some aggression, and we get to wrap-up any outstanding Quicksilver plots from a few years ago. Plus, the two just work well together, and I liked their dynamic in this issue. PAD really worked the whole strained sibling relationship thing.

The art was also great. Neil Edwards was on pencils again, and sometimes the art was sloppy, but other times it was evocative of one of my favorite comic book artists, Bryan Hitch. That page of Quicksilver dodging bullets is one of them. Edwards has some great pages and scenes in this issue, with a lot of detail and character behind his work. The issue looks great for his efforts.

Now we just have to wait another month to find out what the heck is up with the new X-Factor!