WARNING: The following contains spoilers for X-Factor #1, by Leah Williams, David Baldeon, Israel Silva and VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
The newest incarnation of X-Factor features an eclectic collection of mutants, including the super speedster Northstar. Although the new X-Factor has been tasked with solving the mystery of missing mutants, writer Leah Williams teases that another X-Men storyline has affected Northstar on a personal level.
Speaking to AIPT, Williams says that Northstar is still carrying the scars of the Age of X-Man storyline. She explained, "Jean-Paul is a gay man who was telepathically brainwashed into serving as Nate Grey’s secret police. In order to serve in that capacity; he was made to believe that his twin sister was dead, his husband Kyle never existed, and his sexual identity was entirely erased."
Williams continued, "Jean-Paul is canonically anti-establishment and proud of his identity as a gay mutant, so coming out of AOXM would have very clear implications on his emotional state. He’s angry and traumatized and has always been an agitator who pushes against the establishment. Asks a lot of questions. Instigates. So tracking down missing mutants is a righteous and natural fit for him, now."
Williams had previously written the Age of X-Man: X-Tremists series, where Northstar was a major character. From her comments, it seems she intends to explore Northstar's mental state and his new purpose working with X-Factor.
X-Factor is written by Leah Williams and drawn by David Baldeón. Issue #1 is now available for purchase and issue #2 is slated to release on August 26, 2020.