Reading The X-Men: X-Factor #26 (Fall of the Mutants)

X-Factor #26 (March 1988)
Rating: ★★★★★★★★
Casualties
Writer: Louise Simonson
Artist: Walter Simonson
Inker: Bob Wiacek

This is generally considered the final Fall of the Mutants issue that follows the X-Factor storyline, although there is a tie-in after it in Fantastic Four. This issue wraps things up perfectly for me so I hate even getting involved in the FF issue. Why couldn't they have just left well enough alone?

X-Factor stands on Apocalypse's ship, overlooking various police and reporters. They quickly rush off as explosions continue to erupt all over New York, remnants from the battle with the Horsemen. Throughout several scenes, the police continue to make attempts to arrest them, even as X-Factor continues to offer assistance to quell the fires and disaster. Eventually, they take survivors to a hospital where Beast confesses to Trish Tilby that he was responsible for Ship wrecking the city. Finally, as Marvel Girl and Cyclops continue their exhausting effort to save people, the police arrive and announce that they are no longer wanted fugitives, but rather considered heroes. They pair return to Apocalypse's ship (since the X-Factor HQ was destroyed. There, Cyclops and Marvel Girl get jiggy with it. Iceman then arrives with new costumes. The issue ends as X-Factor is given a parade for their help in staving off disaster.

This is an excellent issue and although it could use a bit improvement here and there, it's definitely worth reading. Marvel Girl and Cyclops finally begin to patch up their relationship. You really can feel the desperation while X-Factor rushes from fire to fire, trying to save New Yorkers, and yet you feel hope as they are successful. Beast is a sad case in this issue as he has the reaction to the death as a child would. It's made worse by the fact that it was he who destroyed the ship's gyroscope. He feels incredible guilt and you really feel sorrow when he breaks down crying to Trish Tilby.

I also love how X-Factor finally becomes the mutant heroes that Xavier always strove for. They are finally recognized as such, even having a little girl exclaim that her family would be proud of her if it turned out she was a mutant. This issue makes for a great epilogue of the story (one that actually started 15 issues ago).