X-Factor #44 Writer: Peter David / Artist: Valentine de Landro

This month's X-Factor continues the trend of two different stories. On one end is the Madrox and Layla plot in the future. The other involves the rest of the team picking up a new job. Usually the only interesting part is the Layla one, but the rest of the team is actually fairly interesting this time around.

The main thing that makes the team's plot interesting is the return of Monet. Her appearance allows for some new interactions to the stale ones that have been bogging the team down for the last few issues. In particular, Darwin's reaction to her is the most entertaining and very humorous. Also, things are not as they seem with her return, and a twist at the end might provide a story rivaling that of Madrox and Layla's.

Speaking of the duo, they are still investigating the random disappearances of people in the future. Madrox might have a lead and apparently it's someone we all know. I think it might be Doctor Doom and if so, that would be awesome.

The interactions between these characters in the future is just as solid as the other ones'. Ruby asking Layla, "Did you do him?" was hilarious. Madrox reflecting on the pain of his loss and his subsequent embarrassment from crying was equally entertaining. I'm still a little creeped out and disappointed in the budding romance between Layla and Madrox, however. I wish she stayed the weird, little girl. Oh well. At least she's back and confusing people again, even if it is in a potentially, statutory way.

Some of the art is a little awkward this issue. First of all, Valentine de Landro draws Monet remarkably similar to the girl X-Factor was meant to protect. In most panels I couldn't tell them apart and had to use clues from the dialogue. As a matter of fact, even the panels that were just Monet were a little awkward. Some of the body positioning and posing was odd-looking. Most of the characters suffered from this. The art in the future panels was decent enough and rather enjoyable to look at though.

This series is really good. For a little while, Madrox's tragic stories were the only thing carrying X-Factor. Thankfully with this issue, though, Peter David provides us with some interesting threats to the rest of the team.