They’ve represented many concepts in the past, but in X-Factor #1, a wacky team of desperate mutants find a new boss: Uncle Sam.

X-Factor is a name within the X-Men world that has meant different things and served various purposes throughout the years, ranging from a mutant rescue squad, a government team, a private investigation firm, a corporate militia, and even Krakoa’s own version of CSI. This iteration seems to be a riff on the government team angle, but with an intriguing satirical edge.

After the fall of Krakoa, many mutants are —as depicted in various titles across From the Ashes— struggling to find purpose as they return to a world that still hates and fears them. While some want nothing to do with a spotlight, others are more duty-bound and want a gig to anchor them. That’s where the new X-Factor comes in: a government team whose masters are looking to not only utilize the strength of mutants however they see fit, but also help them become a marketable, ubiquitous IP equal to the X-Men. Surely nothing bad will come from this.

I’m not sure what I expected from X-Factor #1, but it did surprise me in one major way: this iteration is basically X-Statix in all but name. I love X-Statix! For the uninitiated, X-Statix is a cult favorite book featuring a team of mutants who are more concerned with becoming celebrities than actual superheroes. While the characters in this book aren’t quite as cynical as the ones you’d see in X-Statix, it still carries that same comedic energy, and that’s not a bad thing to me in the slightest. But that’s not all, because this version of the team also seems to borrow some aspects of Suicide Squad (or rather, the Krakoa-era Hellions) wherein every member is explicitly stated to be expendable. If one of the characters in this first issue happens to be a niche favorite of yours, let’s just say it’ll be best to not get too attached.

While I expect the tone of X-Factor to be a little divisive for various reasons, especially among those who prefer idealism over cynicism, I’m very much into it. Writer Mark Russell has earned a reputation for his offbeat superhero work and that definitely comes through here, with a mix of social commentary and broad comedy that makes for a very fun reading experience. I will say it perhaps runs the risk of becoming stale at a certain point, but that’s a discussion for another time. I also really enjoy Bob Quinn’s art here, matching the frenetic pace of Russell’s script with a cartoony energy that zips from scene to scene. If your prefer a funnier iteration of the X-Men, then X-Factor #1 is a great starting point to check out.