So as a huge X-Men nerd, I was reading some of the older X-Factor comics and I was like "Hmm, I wonder what Marvel's doing with these characters now?"

After taking a quick peek at some of the newer X-Force comics from the past year or so, I'm "Geez, this stuff is dark!"  It's only like a dozen issues and we've got suicidal zombies, massive third-degree burns, execution style murder, limb removal and danger pregnancies?

Did they just suck the fun out of the X comics when I wasn't looking or something?  For me, half of the enjoyment from reading those series were the quirky and odd interactions between characters when they were lounging around their headquarters with nothing to do.  Like in one of the X-Factors I was reading, as they're forming a new team, none of them are able to open a jar of mayonnaise with their combined powers until the human takes it and raps it against a counter.  

Excalibur was also great at the hilarious and wacky plotlines.  Like when they get threatened by a menacing bomb that looks and talks like Tweety-Bird.

I'm not saying I didn't like the apocalyptic crossover stuff, but when you just heap on the drama and darkness, you risk just overloading the audience and making the characters just kinda stereotypes.

As I think about it, it actually gives me a deep appreciation for how excellent a writer Amanda is.  She has a great balance of serious plot advancement, drama, tragedy, relationship stuff, and just the right about of funny little bits that give the story a bit of comic relief at the appropriate times.

*shrug*  A part of me thinks that maybe it's the new style capabilities that allow that kind of surrealism to take over to the point that it affects the writing.  A part of me also thinks maybe I should stick to Spider-Man from hereon in.