X-Factor #211
Spoilers are a given!
Back in Vegas.....
Longshot slices and dices a zombie viking (called ZV from now on), only to be told by Madrox that he needs to act "appreciative". This leads the idiot to saying some rather amusing things, before the ZV leader decides to have them kill Shatterstar.
Fortunately, he rolls out of the way and follows up by slicing his attacker's legs off below the knee. He looks pretty rough here, with bleeding cheek and blood flying from his mouth as he shouts. Another ZV kicks him away and right into Madrox, producing several dupes because of the strength of the blow. Clearly, these guys are packing some super strength even with their rotted condition.
Meanwhile, Hela is torturing Pip for information. She's very interested in the man that made Pip that talisman, which extended her spell AND hid him from her sight. It turns out that Pip made a deal with Hela -- one year in human form in Vegas, living it up, and then eternity as her jester. But he got greedy and tried to duck out of their bargain when the time came to give up his party life.
Just then, a raven seen fleeing from Shatterstar's attack comes to Hela with news. She decides that X-Factor have become annoying and decides to have them killed for bothering her.
Back at the battle, Madrox dupes are swarming over one of the ZV. The panel is rather gruesome, with eyes being pulled out and skull smashing. His narration turns to Shatterstar, who is currently dueling against a sword-wielding ZV. He notes how Star seems to be having the time of his life, and worries about how much the whole Rahne-baby thing has shaken him up. The ZV Star had previously sliced up comes charging in from behind, apparently having decided that Star's new nickname is "Maggot". Banshee shatters his hammer with a scream, leading the charge as the rest of the time arrives to help.
At the same time, Layla is seen hanging by a volcano with a nearby couple. She tells the man to come closer, triggering an argument with the wife. Just then, the volcano erupts with REAL lava -- Layla yanks them both close, using her Doom-tech glove to protect them all from the lava flow. She then asks if they've ever read The Last Unicorn, quoting from it: "Never run from something immortal. It attracts their attention". She tells them to stay still, as a massive horde of ZV come charging past them.
The ZV Star was dueling backhands him, complimenting his fighting skills. But he points out his centuries of experience making him the better fighter.....
...when Guido repays a previous debt by smashing the ZV's skull to save Shatterstar. He's briefly annoyed by this, claiming he didn't need help. But he's pleased by the whole battle, telling Guido his priorities are out of whack if he doesn't agree. The horde arrives, much to everyone's horror (except Star, he's THRILLED). Fearing what's about to come, Terry takes the moment to apologize to Jamie about breaking his finger, taking his hand and telling him they can talk more later. It seems they've started to rekindle things a bit. Darwin jokes that Shatterstar should take the 500 on the right, to which Star corrects him -- there's 391 on the right side.
Desperate, Madrox tells them to all back off before they kick their asses. Surprisingly, the horde pauses and then....bows. Everyone is confused, but then Terry mentions the change in the weather. Thor has arrived, and Madrox notes that there's NO mistaking him for an ordinary super-being. Gods have some kind of aura, a presence that makes you just KNOW and he's clearly a bit flustered by the whole thing. Shatterstar, on the other hand, attempts to "greet" the Thunder God ("Hel-LO there. I'm --") before Madrox physically makes him go away. They give a brief summary of their situation and ask if Thor is there to help.
He hasn't decided.
---
YAY! Emanuela Lupacchino is back, and her art is as lovely as ever. I really liked her rendering of the action sequences. A nice, action-packed issue with plenty of small cool touches.
Back in Vegas.....
Longshot slices and dices a zombie viking (called ZV from now on), only to be told by Madrox that he needs to act "appreciative". This leads the idiot to saying some rather amusing things, before the ZV leader decides to have them kill Shatterstar.
Fortunately, he rolls out of the way and follows up by slicing his attacker's legs off below the knee. He looks pretty rough here, with bleeding cheek and blood flying from his mouth as he shouts. Another ZV kicks him away and right into Madrox, producing several dupes because of the strength of the blow. Clearly, these guys are packing some super strength even with their rotted condition.
Meanwhile, Hela is torturing Pip for information. She's very interested in the man that made Pip that talisman, which extended her spell AND hid him from her sight. It turns out that Pip made a deal with Hela -- one year in human form in Vegas, living it up, and then eternity as her jester. But he got greedy and tried to duck out of their bargain when the time came to give up his party life.
Just then, a raven seen fleeing from Shatterstar's attack comes to Hela with news. She decides that X-Factor have become annoying and decides to have them killed for bothering her.
Back at the battle, Madrox dupes are swarming over one of the ZV. The panel is rather gruesome, with eyes being pulled out and skull smashing. His narration turns to Shatterstar, who is currently dueling against a sword-wielding ZV. He notes how Star seems to be having the time of his life, and worries about how much the whole Rahne-baby thing has shaken him up. The ZV Star had previously sliced up comes charging in from behind, apparently having decided that Star's new nickname is "Maggot". Banshee shatters his hammer with a scream, leading the charge as the rest of the time arrives to help.
At the same time, Layla is seen hanging by a volcano with a nearby couple. She tells the man to come closer, triggering an argument with the wife. Just then, the volcano erupts with REAL lava -- Layla yanks them both close, using her Doom-tech glove to protect them all from the lava flow. She then asks if they've ever read The Last Unicorn, quoting from it: "Never run from something immortal. It attracts their attention". She tells them to stay still, as a massive horde of ZV come charging past them.
The ZV Star was dueling backhands him, complimenting his fighting skills. But he points out his centuries of experience making him the better fighter.....
...when Guido repays a previous debt by smashing the ZV's skull to save Shatterstar. He's briefly annoyed by this, claiming he didn't need help. But he's pleased by the whole battle, telling Guido his priorities are out of whack if he doesn't agree. The horde arrives, much to everyone's horror (except Star, he's THRILLED). Fearing what's about to come, Terry takes the moment to apologize to Jamie about breaking his finger, taking his hand and telling him they can talk more later. It seems they've started to rekindle things a bit. Darwin jokes that Shatterstar should take the 500 on the right, to which Star corrects him -- there's 391 on the right side.
Desperate, Madrox tells them to all back off before they kick their asses. Surprisingly, the horde pauses and then....bows. Everyone is confused, but then Terry mentions the change in the weather. Thor has arrived, and Madrox notes that there's NO mistaking him for an ordinary super-being. Gods have some kind of aura, a presence that makes you just KNOW and he's clearly a bit flustered by the whole thing. Shatterstar, on the other hand, attempts to "greet" the Thunder God ("Hel-LO there. I'm --") before Madrox physically makes him go away. They give a brief summary of their situation and ask if Thor is there to help.
He hasn't decided.
---
YAY! Emanuela Lupacchino is back, and her art is as lovely as ever. I really liked her rendering of the action sequences. A nice, action-packed issue with plenty of small cool touches.