I bought the final issue of X-Factor the day it came out, but didn't touch it for months, because I was in denial.

Denial that it was actually over. Denial that my favorite character, Siryn/Banshee, would most likely be relegated to Marvel limbo despite her being a god now. Denial that the book was ending after a run of stories I didn't enjoy as much as I have past X-Factor runs.

This version of X-Factor was my gateway drug into the Marvel universe, and it will always hold a special place in my heart, but not even nostalgia could get me to rate it higher than three stars. I disliked the way the team worked after Lorna and Alex joined it, I disliked the way some of the relationships evolved, and I especially disliked

Spoiler

Siryn being a deus ex fucking machina (LITERALLY! SHE WAS LITERALLY A GOD WHO FIXED SOMETHING) so Jamie and Layla could have their happy ending

. Just thinking about it makes me angry on so many levels.

I will probably re-read the earlier volumes when I'm missing Siryn something fierce, and also to wash away the taste of later volumes. (Shatterstar was the last and best addition to the team, end of discussion. And we do not speak of Darwin. Ever.)

I can't believe I didn't hear about how great this series was until THE FINAL ISSUE CAME OUT. So many laughs.

I'm not sure what to feel about this book. It's great to see Magneto be dangerous again, in a way that is truly scary. As much as I love the idea of Magneto joining forces with the X-Men (or just Cyclops & Emma, I guess), I've forgotten his past and where his heart truly lies when it comes to the protection of the mutant race. So, you know.

Thank you, multiple and varied panels of Magneto brutally killing people, I won't forget that is a part of who he is for a long, long time. (The scary thing is, I get it. I see your side of it, Erik. But I also see the brutal killings and terrorizing you do.)

While this is still one of the better Marvel books out right now, it hasn't quite lived up to the first arc. God Butcher/God Bomb was SO FANTASTIC that anything else feels like a bit of a disappointment.

Six weird, wonderful issues. I've never found Moon Knight appealing - lord knows I tried to read some older stuff - but Ellis worked magic in these six issues.