X-Factor #2
X-Factor investigates a murder on Mojoworld in X-Factor #2, by writer Leah Williams, artist David Baldeon, colorist Israel Silva, and letterer Joe Caramagna. Going to Mojoworld is always a good time, and this issue plays it up, showing Mojoworld in a whole new light.
A mysterious visitor to Krakoa leaves a package in front of the Boneyard, headquarters of X-Factor. The next morning, Aurora shows up, and the team finds the box. Amazing Baby, Prestige's warwolf pup, gets at the remains inside, eating them. The team finds a pair of ballet slippers filled with unfamiliar sponsorships. The team discovers they're from Mojoworld and go there. Things have changed on Mojoworld, with the pursuit of rating exchanged for the pursuit of likes and streaming entertainment. Most of X-Factor is allowed to enter, all but Daken and Mojo confronts them. They interrogate him and split up. Polaris and Northstar are captured by streamers who want to fight them for fame, and the rest team shows up just as things are about to get serious.
Leah Williams knocks this one out of the park, yet again. A big reason for that is her new portrayal of Mojoworld. Much like our real world, the Internet and streaming have supplanted TV as a method of entertainment, and as always, entertainment in Mojoworld equals power. Of course, unlike the real-life Internet, Mojo still controls everything. It's a very interesting way of looking at Mojoworld, and it fits the aesthetic that has run through the Dawn Of X books- taking something old and making it new and fresh again. A streaming and Internet obsessed Mojoworld makes a whole lot of sense.
Elsewhere in the book, Williams keeps killing it with her characterization and dialogue. There's an easy-going banter between the team, one that's slightly out of character for some- Prestige is way more standoffish than she's been in a long time- but still very entertaining. Each character gets a joke or a clever line or some way to shine a little bit. This book is a lot of fun, and it's all because of Williams and her deft use of character and dialogue.
David Baldeon's art completely fits Williams' style. There's something both cartoony and hard-edged about it- his linework has a fluidity to it with just enough sharpness. The highlight of the issue is the full page splash introducing Mojo. Mojo is an inspired design, and Baldeon seemingly luxuriates in drawing him.
X-Factor #2 presents a brand new look at Mojoworld that's perfect- it's exactly the right kind of evolution for a place obsessed with entertainment. Williams keeps the whole thing nice and light with the dialogue, but it doesn't sabotage the book's tone at all. Baldeon's art is the icing on the cake. X-Factor #2 builds an intriguing mystery- what happened in Mojoworld and who was murdered- and keeps things light and exciting.
Grade: A-
