Back in the mainstream X-books, X-Factor is also concluding a two-part crossover with the Civil War storyline.

This is another rather peripheral tie-in to the wider storyline.  The Registration Act is in force, an obscure superhero is being hunted down in the area, and X-Factor decide which side of the fence they're on.  Curiously, the subplot from the previous issue, in which one of Madrox's duplicates turned up trying to get the team to register, seems to have fallen by the wayside.

However, that's not really the point of the issue.  Like most of the Civil War tie-in books, X-Factor is happily ploughing ahead with its regular stories as well - a perfectly sound strategy, since you might as well try to hook all of those extra readers while they're here.  And that's the more important part of the plot.  Quicksilver sets up shop in Mutant Town, under X-Factor's reluctant protection.  Meanwhile, relations with the X-Men break down entirely, as the team confront Cyclops over his decision to keep secret the cause of Decimation.

X-Factor is a title built on slow-burning subplots, but it's all the more rewarding when they finally get to their destination.  Of course, now that X-Factor know what caused the Decimation, they've got to do something about it - especially after spending an issue yelling at the X-Men for keeping it quiet.  I've got no idea where Peter David could be heading with that, especially given that the large scale of Decimation doesn't sit easily with the localised, noir tone of X-Factor.  But I'm interested, at least.  It's also nice to see that Quicksilver is sticking around, and not just being wheeled on for a cameo as I'd first assumed.

This is also the first issue to really touch on Madrox's position as team leader.  Starting with last year's Madrox miniseries, Peter David established the idea that Madrox never has to make any real decisions in his life, because he can just keep creating duplicates and go in every direction at once.  This was an interesting idea but also risked writing the character into a corner of paralysis.  As we see this issue, making him the team leader points to the way out.  He's got to provide a direction for the rest of the cast, and they don't have the same ability to duck the question.  Madrox is singularly unqualified as a leader, but that's precisely what makes him interesting in the role.

David was in danger of losing me a couple of issues ago, but even with a crossover hanging over his head, the book is back in its stride here.  Good stuff.

Rating: A-

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