X-Factor #98

X-Factor #98 was published in January 1994 during the 'Fatal Attractions' crossover event, a period defined by significant shifts in the Marvel mutant landscape. Written by J.M. DeMatteis with interior art by Joe Quesada, the issue focuses on the emotional and psychological fallout for team members following the catastrophic events involving Magneto and the Earth's magnetic field. This era of the series was marked by a pivot toward character-driven narratives, distinguishing it from the more action-oriented titles of the time.

Joe Quesada’s pencils for this issue represent a distinct aesthetic shift for the title, emphasizing dynamic shadows and expressive character acting to convey the team's internal turmoil. The design of this specific issue was crafted to ground the high-concept superhero threats in the personal trauma of the protagonists, a hallmark of the mid-1990s X-Factor run. Critics and readers of the period noted the issue for its somber tone and its focus on the fragility of the team dynamic, cementing it as a foundational entry in the 'Fatal Attractions' narrative thread.