X-Factor 30 - Inferno Prologue

Infectia sets out to seduce Iceman...

X-Factor #30

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Petra Scotese
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco

This is an issue with quite a lot going on over several different strands. Death/Angel continues his search for Candy Southern. A strange egg shaped creature is stalking the suburbs of Omaha. The kids are continuing to practice their powers through playing with Iceman in ways that Cyclops does not approve. Cyclops and Marvel Girl fly off to Dallas to confront Freedom Force about the last moments of the X-Men and Madelyne Pryor. But the main thread comes as Iceman and the Beast go out on the town to enjoy X-Factor's popularity only to encounter a monster pursuing Infectia.

The underlying concept of X-Factor may be that the original X-Men have grown up and are taking their mentor's vision to the next level but it's clear some have grown up rather more than others. Iceman is still very carefree, playing around with the younger mutants like an elder brother rather than acting like a teacher to sensibly develop their powers. Although he's been on several teams over the years (including the X-Men, the Champions and the New Defenders) it's only now that he's found true fame and popularity and willingly accepts the invitation to the Hard Rock Cafe to enjoy his adoring fans. Meanwhile the Beast's intellect continues to deteriorate to the point that he flees when a woman approaches him and later struggles to articulate what he sees in an alley and so Iceman won't listen to his warnings. Instead when Infectia runs in pursued by a monster Bobby rushes to defend her and accepts her word that the monster pursuing her is lying, rapidly succumbing to her charms though they don't yet kiss in this issue.

There are some fun moments in this issue and the best is when Bobby and Hank are about to leave Ship and are reassured by the living vessel that the kids will be looked after sensibly with "a nutritious dinner and then we shall view a film explicating the political situation in Central America..." Once they have taken off Ship suggests "Chiliburgers with French Fries. And Apple Pie for dessert?" plus a Rambo film. It's delightful to see how Ship is not a mere processor but has a real personality and cheekiness to it.

Unfortunately it's still not clear just why Infectia wants to get control of Ship and so this story is starting to drag out even though it offers many good individual moments. The multiple subplots are building steadily but it can be tricky to have too many on the go at once. Tension is building but there is only so long it can build for.