X-Factor #24 (Fall of the Mutants)

X-Factor #24 (January 1988)
Rating:  ★☆★☆★☆★☆
"Masks"
Writer:  Louise Simonson
Artist:  Walt Simonson
Inker:  Bob Wiacek

So I've been trying to figure out all week how I'm going to post these, because unlike other x-overs, there isn't really any coherent plot throughout the titles, rather simply a similar theme of changing up the status quo.  So I figure for now, I'll post all of the X-Factor reviews.  Interestingly enough, X-Factor is the only issue that really has tie-ins to it (other than Hulk #350 which leads into the Uncanny stories).  This is probably due to the fact that X-Factor is the only one that really takes place in New York where almost all the other Marvel titles take place.

This issue was the hardest and costliest of all of the Fall of the Mutants issues to collect.  It's also my favorite (at least of the X-Factor issues).  The reason is the same:  it's the first full appearance of the horseman Death!  Now this may not seem like a big deal, and I'm sure many of you aren't even aware of how this originally played out, but for the last 8 issues, there were hints of the mysterious 4th horseman of Apocalypse.  Angel was believed dead, having apparently committed suicide and Apocalypse could be seen prepping his newest horseman, promising the gift of flight.  When Death arrived to confront X-Factor, it was a momentous occasion.

Here's some interesting trivia as well.  Although most of us have always known him as Archangel, he actually didn't take on that moniker until the end of the Inferno saga.

The issue starts where the last issue left off.  The four remaining members of X-Factor, along with Caliban, arrive in a mysterious room, having just been teleported away from the young mutants they had been watching.  Caliban announces that he senses 5 mutants:  1 who is new to him, 3 who they have fought before (the horseman) and 1 who is familiar, but different.  Beast and Cyclops start tearing apart the room (and Beast keeps getting dumber and dumber as a result of his illness inflicted upon him by Pestilence).  Finally, Apocalypse appears and announces they are on his Ship, hovering above New York.

Apocalypse talks and talks (he really loves posturing), explaining how Xavier's dream has been foolhardy (yes, although Xavier is hidden from the general public, Apocalypse somehow knows about the mutants' former mentor) and the public fears and hates mutants more than ever.  He also reveals that he has been around since ancient Egypt, making him one of the world's first mutants.  He taunts X-Factor about their mutant hunting campaign and Angel's crippling and eventual suicide.

Apocalypse then brings out his three known Horsemen:  Famine, War, and Pestilence (another trivia - according to legend and the bible, Pestilence isn't a horseman - it was instead Conquest).  He opens a door to allow them to ride out and destroy New York.  X-Factor springs into action.  Marvel Girls slams War with a pile of rubble.  Famine emaciates Iceman.  However, he recovers and deactivates his power dampening belt (which helps him regulate his powers after Loki made them go wild) to go into overdrive and down Famine in a pile of frost.  Pestilence goes after Beast, hoping to finish the job.  Beast gets away, but his strength is so great that he crumples a steel pipe easily and knocks out Pestilence.  With the three horsemen defeated, X-Factor turns to Apocalypse.

Apocalypse then reveals his newest horseman, Death!

Cyclops is stunned at this apparent abomination of what Angel stood for.  Death removes his golden mask and X-Factor realizes that it isn't just an abomination.  It is Warren Worthington III, also known as Angel!  Angel declares that Warren is dead and he is now Death and he attacks.  Flying high above X-Factor, his wings hurl countless knives, each slicing Beast, Cyclops, and Iceman, paralyzing all three.  These knives are laced with a temporary paralytic.  He then confronts Jean and she tries to talk him down.  It seems to be working, but then his programming takes over and he takes her down as well.

All four of X-Factor (anybody notice how Caliban's missing?  well he'll come back into play) are strapped to tables.  Death/Angel dons his mask again even as Apocalypse asks X-Factor to join him in his war on the humans.  Cyclops, of course, refuses and Apocalypse once again opens the bay doors and his four horsemen speed off into the city to destroy and kill all they can.  Caliban suddenly shows up near Cyclops, unnoticed by all.  Cyclops begs Caliban to free him but Caliban instead runs to Apocalypse and pledges his service, if Apocalypse will make Caliban Death's equal.

I loved this issue.  I think if this had just had a better artist, this would have been a 10 easily.  It's a fantastic read, but the impact is so much more important when you read it in the context of the past 14 issues of X-Factor.  The feelings of betrayal are so incredible and you can tell by the dialogue and the expressions how betrayed and full of hatred Angel is.  He no longer cares for his friends as he feels they allowed and protected the humans who cut off his wings.  It comes full circle as Caliban, who appears to be more of a mascot, finally sees a way to take revenge on the Marauders who killed his people.

This is also the issue that really solidifies Apocalypse as a major player.  He has been around for a millennium and knows of the X-Men and X-Factor and it is apparent that he is a major threat to all of humanity, even if most of his horsemen are somewhat crap.

Also, the first full appearance of Death/Archangel is shocking.  We'd seen him in the shadows the previous issue but here you find out just how deadly he is.  Angel is no longer a weak guy with bird wings.  He really IS Death and you get the feeling that he will easily live up to his name.