X-Factor #142

X-Factor issue 142, released in 1998, serves as the final installment of the original X-Factor series. Written by Howard Mackie with art by James Fry, the issue brought a definitive close to a title that had chronicled the lives of the original X-Men and their successors for over a decade. The story focused on the team's dissolution in the wake of internal conflict and shifting editorial mandates, marking the end of an era for the Mutant-themed line of Marvel comics.

The creative direction for this final issue leaned into a somber, reflective tone, aiming to provide closure for long-time readers who had followed the team through its various roster changes. The art by James Fry captures the transition period of the late 1990s Marvel style, characterized by a move toward grittier character dynamics and streamlined aesthetic choices. While the issue was seen by many fans as a bittersweet conclusion, it was recognized for its attempt to tie up loose ends before the X-Factor brand was temporarily retired from its ongoing monthly status.