90. X-Factor vol 1 #2 ... Marvel ...

Okay so the first issue was based on Marvel Girl aka Jean Grey's return from the dead and that naturally notch up huge sales. But as anyone who follows the muties closely, you will remember that the original 5 in their first run failed to make the numbers on the sales charts until they had to do reprints in the ongoing X-Men issues before the new X-Men boosted them to the top of the comics heap for years on end

So how does this second issue hope to prevent that slump like in the past?

Well, first is they introduced a new villain: Tower and some subplots that hint at even bigger villains than Tower is waiting in the wings ... and that maybe not everything is going according to plan even their intention to be mutant hunters in order to catch mutants and bring them in for rehabilitation and training

But without spoiling future issues, let's focus on this and it's basically a super strong guy who can grow to gigantic status. Think ... the bad guy Goliath, not the Hank Pym chap and you will have an idea of his abilities ... and the reason he clashed with X-Factor? Because he was hired to kidnap Hank McCoy aka the Beast ... and the reason he was hired to do so? Because of a scientist type character ... but we cannot delve any further to avoid spoiling a future review ... suffice to say, at the end of it all, the Beast is gone and Cyclops is pissed off ... and Jean Grey is confused in this brand new world she finds herself in because everyone has moved on and because of her ... they are now torn between their new concerns and her

Example: Cyclops left his wife and newborn babe to be there for her

Example: Angel left his girlfriend to mind the store while he is there for her

See? Soap Opera but without the power to back it up for the action scenes

While this is entertaining, you get the feeling that it may not be enough to carry the story forward unless a really good villain is forthcoming. Otherwise it will quickly slip to middle of the charts

Ratings: 7/10 (only because of the villain's fight)