Walt Simonson's departure is sadly noticeable. Louise starts the run with a cute but odd story about trolls and gold. She then takes an unexpected left turn when the team is whisked away to a faraway planet where they must help warring factions repel the Celestials. X-Factor does not fit well in cosmic stories, and the Judgement War proves it.
There are some revelations buried in this otherwise forgettable period. I will lay out some spoilers. Baby Nathan develops the ability to create a telekinetic field to protect himself; Ship learns that it is a product of the Celestials; and we see the conclusion of the Jean/Maddie/Phoenix mind sharing thing. That is about it, so let's get to it.
There are some revelations buried in this otherwise forgettable period. I will lay out some spoilers. Baby Nathan develops the ability to create a telekinetic field to protect himself; Ship learns that it is a product of the Celestials; and we see the conclusion of the Jean/Maddie/Phoenix mind sharing thing. That is about it, so let's get to it.
[3-Stars] 41 - "Golden Boy!" X-Factor receives a call from London. They are no longer mutant hunters, but a mother calls them to find her mutant son who was kidnapped by trolls!
[3-Stars] 42 - "All That Glitters..." X-Factor versus the Troll Associates to save a young mutant with the power to change things into gold.
Note: Judgement War is a seven part story contained in issues 43-46 and 48-50.
[2-Stars] 43 - "Kidnapped!" Ship is controlled by an external entity taking X-Factor across the universe to a planet decimated by a war between the perfect "Chosen" and the deformed "Rejects".
[2-Stars] 44 - "Another World!" X-Factor is divided between the distant planet's warring factions. Beast travels with the Rejects while unconscious Jean is taken as a Reject prisoner. Archangel is captured by the Chosen, and amnesiac Iceman is convinced that he is a "Dueler" (second class citizens of the Chosen). Cyclops finds himself with the Beginagins, a group of Chosen and Rejects working together. Meanwhile, the Celestials continue their silent watch over the planet.
[2-Stars] 45 - "Arena!" Archangel proves his worth in the Arena. Iceman defends the honor of the Duelers by besting Archangel's captor, Lord Rask, setting the stage for a fight between the two X-Factor teammates.
[2-Stars] 46 - "Exchange" Beast finds Jean placing him at odds with the Rejects. Lord Rask learns that the heir to the Chosen has been committing a crime of harboring a baby, Nathan. He uses that information to his advantage.
[2-Stars] 47 - "Guardian" I am not usually a fan of fill-in stories, but I like this one. Archangel recalls an adventure in which he helps a young mutant boy overcome a manipulative father figure who runs a group of mutant street urchins. It is a dark story with themes more reminiscent of Cloak & Dagger, but it works with the brooding Archangel.
[2-Stars] 48 - "Common Ground!" Things heat up as the Chosen prepare for the much anticipated battle between Archangel and Iceman. The Rejects and the Beginagains meet as they prepare their assault on the city. They believe it is their last chance to save the world from the Celestials whose numbers slowly grow.
[2-Stars] 49 - "Power Struggle" Archangel versus Iceman! The entertainment is cut short when the Rejects and the Beginagains reach the Arena.
[2-Stars] 50a - "Judgement Day" Are the Chosen, Rejects and Beginagains ready to stand together to protect themselves against the Celestials' judgement?
50b - "Meanwhile, On Earth..." Loki attempts to recruit Apocalypse into the Acts of Vengeance turns into a battle between the two powerful villains.
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