Factor X #4

Factor X #4 was published in 1995 as part of the Age of Apocalypse, a sweeping crossover event that reimagined the Marvel Universe after Legion traveled back in time to kill Magneto instead of Professor Xavier. This title explored an alternate reality where Apocalypse ruled North America, forcing the X-Men to operate as a grim, authoritarian paramilitary unit led by Havok. The series was designed to push the characters into morally complex territory, stripping away the traditional heroics of the X-Men in favor of a darker, survivalist narrative.

The issue features artwork and creative direction synonymous with the mid-nineties aesthetic of the X-Men line, characterized by high-contrast paneling and visceral character designs. Like the rest of the event, it was received as a bold departure for Marvel, succeeding largely because it allowed creators to definitively alter fan-favorite characters. The issue contributes to the event's reputation for tight continuity, functioning as a pivotal chapter in a story arc that remains one of the most widely discussed alternate timeline experiments in comic book history.