X-Factor #144

X-Factor #144 was released in early 1998 as part of the final stretch of the original X-Factor series, a title that had been a staple of Marvel's mutant-centric publishing line since 1986. By this point in the series' history, the book had undergone multiple creative shifts, moving from the original ensemble of the five founding X-Men to a government-sponsored team. This issue emerged during a period of significant transition for the X-Men franchise as a whole, as editorial teams sought to wrap up long-running subplots before the eventual cancellation of the series later that year.

The issue features the creative work of writer Howard Mackie and artist Jeff Matsuda, who were tasked with maintaining the internal narrative momentum of the team's dynamics during a time of diminishing returns for the title. The design and visual storytelling reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of late 90s superhero comics, characterized by dynamic, slightly angular character models and a grit that was common in the X-office at the time. While this specific issue is not widely cited as a definitive turning point, it serves as a representative artifact of the late-series era, documented by collectors as a transitional chapter before the team was disbanded and the title was briefly retired.