X-Factor prepares to end the Morrigan’s reign of terror in X-Factor #9, by writer Leah Williams, artist David Baldeon, colorist Israel Silva, and letterer Joe Caramagna. This issue has a lot of plot to get through, but it does in an efficient manner that gives every plot in the book time to breathe.

The issue starts out in Siryn’s memories, as X-Factor tries to find out how to get the Morrigan out of her. Eventually, with Eyeboy’s help, they find out how- only Shatterstar can separate the two. However, the team isn’t allowed into the Mojoverse, so they develop an ingenious plan, using Dazzler and other musically inclined mutants to infiltrate Mojo’s realm. Members of the New Mutants attack Mojo and get him to free everyone in the Mojoverse for exclusive film rights to the X-Men’s lives. Shatterstar is able to defeat the Morrigan, but she leaves a final curse for him and his lover, Rictor.

Williams shows why X-Factor is one of the best X-Men books out right now. This issue is overstuffed with plot, but it never feels that way. In fact, it feels like an amazing improv performance- it keeps upping the stakes of the story more and more, asking, “and then,” over and over. On top of that, every part of the book is interesting and well done, although the best part is the Mojoverse scenes- it’s so out of the blue and crazy, yet amazingly simple. Of course, Mojo would let in a band of mutants fronted by Dazzler with Lila Cheney. It’s a wonderful idea, yet another one in a book that’s been full of them.

On top of that, there are just so many wonderful little character moments in the book- a conversation about dinner between Northstar and his husband, Daken, and Prodigy sniping at each other, a little moment between Shatterstar and Dazzler that speaks volumes, and so many more. Williams has done an amazing job in this bookmaking the plot lines interesting while also serving the characters. It’s what has made this book so consistently good and makes it so sad that the Hellfire Gala issue is going to be the last, which the end of the book announces. There is at least one new X book that, compared to this one, doesn’t need to be published, and to lose it is sad.

Baldeon’s art is fantastic as usual. The scenes in Siryn’s memories look amazing, partly because of his pencils and partly because of Silva’s adroit coloring. It only gets better from there- every character Baldeon draws looks terrific, and the battle between Shatterstar and the Morrigan is a highlight. He does it in the style of an Irish tapestry, and it looks breathtaking.

X-Factor #9 is another standout issue of a standout book. Williams is a great writer- she knows how to balance plot and character perfectly. She sets a beautiful scene, and it all plays out wonderfully. As good as her writing is, Baldeon and Silva make it look amazing. Under their hands, it comes to life on the page. There’s only one more issue of this team together, and that’s a tragedy. X-Factor #9 is a triumph.

Grade: A