X-Factor #122

Published in March 1996, X-Factor #122 serves as a pivotal entry in the 'Onslaught' crossover event that defined the X-Men line during the mid-nineties. Written by John Francis Moore with interior art by Jeff Matsuda, the issue follows the team as they navigate the escalating geopolitical and superhuman tensions orchestrated by the titular villain, Onslaught. It represents a period of stylistic transition for Marvel Comics, blending traditional superhero team dynamics with the darker, high-stakes narrative tone that dominated the decade.

The visual direction of the issue reflects the era's lean toward more dynamic, often angular anatomy and dramatic staging, led by Matsuda's distinct approach to the team's costumes and environments. It was received as a functional installment in a sprawling editorial mandate, noted by readers of the time for its contribution to the slow-burn psychological threat posed by the Onslaught entity. The creative choices aimed to ground the team’s interpersonal drama amidst the larger, catastrophic scope of the crossover, cementing the issue's place as a quintessential chapter of the late-period X-Factor run.