Nation X: X-Factor #1 - Marvel

I enjoyed this book. Any chance to get another look at X-Factor . . one of my favorite X-Teams, is a plus for me. And with Peter David and Valentine DeLandro handling the creative chores, it really just seemed like an extension of their own book. I liked that all the characters got involved in this one. The premise of the book is that Scott extended an invitation to Jaime, and thereby X-Factor, his team, to visit Utopia. Scott really wants to gather all of the mutant family together in one place. He's hoping that Jamie, and thereby his team, will decide to stay and make this their new home. Well, we knew that wasn't going to happen, but . . it was nice to see the interaction of all of the X-Characters again. Jamie spends most of his time arguing with Scott about his plans. At one point Jamie even makes a dupe because he doesn't think that Scott is listening to him and he want to argue with someone that will. 'What the hell is he doing?', Scott asks. To which Layla replies, 'He's beside himself.' He tries not to tell Scott about their trip to the future, and what happens, but eventually they get to the point in the conversation that he has to. The funniest part though is the look on Jamie and Layla's face when they're walking around with Scott and coming down the steps is Eric, Emma and Namor. They already look larger than life, and just as foreboding. But then Eric says, 'Welcome to our Brotherhood.' I think Jamie didn't know whether to laugh or puke. Rictor is frustrated with Shatterstar the whole trip. He feels like he's flirting with everyone . . Jean-Paul, Bobby. I don't know what he thought when he kissed Tabitha. Guido plays football with Rockslide and Onyxx. Theresa spends most of her time contemplating. They have an interesting conversation with Dani and Allison. And speaking of Allison . . Longshot and her end up in bed . . twice! And Darwin has an interesting conversation with Charles. Also, the whole story is wrapped around the story of another mutant (?) . . an old lady that we first see in some scenes from WWII. She seems to be some kind of watcher, or scribe. She's always got a book that she's writing down events in. Anyways, she shows up on the island, and since nobody knows who she is they see her as a threat. Darwin is the first to act, when he takes her book. Which immediately makes her aggressive. Then Kurt, and Jean-Paul swoop in, trying to help Darwin, just as he was about to give it back to her. Jean-Paul takes off with Darwin and they end up dropping the book in the ocean. But, upon Layla's request, Namor goes in to help Darwin retrieve it. Eventually things get back to normal, and she gives Scott a warning. 'The book of the others, whence all knowledge comes. To know the past is to know the future. To learn from the past is to change the future. Would you change yours, Scott Summers. It is all here . . why this Utopia of yours will come crashing down all around you. How your enemies will bring you low. How destruction will come upon you, from without and from within. Would you like to see why Utopia cannot possibly work?' But Scott refuses to look because he doesn't want to see, or think about things that way. He wants there to be hope and promise. She also tells Jamie that he's a fool. In the end, X-Factor decides to head back home. But then Jamie extends an invitation to Scott . . to join them in Manhattan should the need ever arise. Like I said . . basically this was just an extension of their own book. But . . I liked it . . nonetheless. It'll be interesting if this ladies warning, or Jamie's arguments will have any type of impact on Scott's future decisions. Plus, the future of X-Factor is really up in the air right now also. I like this team because it has such a great cast of characters. Especially thier leader . . Jamie. He's an enigma. One I hope Peter explores further in the future.