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Issue 50 of X-Factor has arrived and it answers a question that has long lingered from issue 1: Why does Layla Miller know stuff? Without spoiling the whole issue, I will say this Layla Miller heavy issue is quite a dozy. The members of the summers rebellion face a mega-Sentinel, Jamie Madrox tangles with a highly evolved duplicate, and the ancient Doctor Victor Von Doom reveals his masterstroke. Even with all this it’s the Layla Miller section that makes the issue one of the most talked about single issues of the year.

Writer Peter David has been working towards this well-executed revelation since he relaunch X-Factor in 2005. However, most fans who’ve been patient enough to stick with this slow-burner story find X-Factor to be the most rewarding book out in the X-line. In a recent X-Position with David, the writer admits to finding it surprising that no one figured out Layla Miller’s secret early. He points to a minor plot point in X-Factor 10 as major evidence about Miller’s abilities. So, if you want to try to figure out the mystery of Layla Miller before you read #50 pick up the trade with issue 10.

X-Factor will take a leap from issue 50 to issue 200 this December (Marvel you and your numbering gimmicks). Issue 200 starts a more basic detective story, where X-Factor is hired by Franklin Richards to find his mother the Invisible Woman. I hope the next 50 issues of X-Factor are just as compelling as the first 50, and have plenty more of Layla Miller in them.

-Jon

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