Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities MadroX and X-Factor Investigations

This was a great way to kick off the title. I wish I could have heard PAD's reading of it a few weeks.

I'm bummed about Rictor losign his powers, at with it his cocky 'tude. But it was good to see him again. And Siryn is getting to live up to her name.

The artwork is moody, but it fits. Yeah, they seemed a bit short, but I won't complain.

wow I missed the mini but I picked up the first issue and its one of the best things ive read since fallen angel.

also I think this team needs husk (does she still have powers?)

Wow -- so apparently "X-Factor" #1 has sold out! Good going David/Sook!! Who'dathunk a book fronted by The Multiple Man would be big? Now if only Sunfire could get his own title...

Dunno. She had a cameo, in-costume, in Day After, but nothing that said anything either way about her power-status.

This might be my pick for tightest script/best written piece of work PAD has produced in ten years--and trust, I'm a PAD fan.

Totally awesome. I can't wait for me. Talk about hooking in readers!

If anyone needed to be "deciMated" it's Paige Guthrie. Stupid, nonsensical powers wasted on an otherwise decent character (or at least she was before they paired her up with Warren of all people -- the heck was that all about-- talk about nonsense).

X-Factor #2 is supposed to come out next week. Now that's what I call service.

Well, #1 was a fortnight late, so...

I finally got to my local comic shop yesterday after being a way for a month-and-a-half, and X-Factor #1 and #2 were waiting for me in my pull box.

Truly awesome, probably the best comics I've read since I returned to comics back in March of this year (and how fitting that I read them just before the year ended.) Even better than Peter David's early-90s stories with some of the same characters! Now I've gotta look for the Madrox mini-series TPB!

If Peter David wasn't working for Marvel, I would read even fewer Marvel books than I already do. If his dropping Hulk helped X-Factor turn out this good, then I'm no longer upset that his second Hulk run ended so quickly.

Has anyone else gotten #2 yet?

I picked up issue #2 yesterday. I also noted that Sook is sharing the art chores already. The second artist (I can't recall the name dagnabbit) managed to maintain Sook's style for the rest of the book. It wasn't distracting, just discouraging.

As for the story, a fun read to be sure. Rictor's fall from the building ended as expected... And Jamie faced off against his delinquent dupe. Siryn and Guido talked with Layla Miller. Monet made her appearance, with a quaint joke about her codeletter.

I liked the tone of the book. It's not jokey, but still has a lighthearted feel to it. PAD really got across how arrogant Monet is, and I liked her relating to the rest of the crew.

The case Siryn worked on, and our sneak peek at Singularity (I'm sorry, but that name has to have something to do with Jamie being the Multiple Man,) have me hooked. I want to know more.

My only complaint is Layla. I'm not sure who suggested using her, PAD or the editor; but her constant "I know stuff" bugged me.

I liked Layla, but agree that the "I know stuff" will get annoying if used constantly. I hope that once the character gets established in the office, that line will be dropped.

Is she from another book? I thought she was a new character, although I am not up on all the mutants Marvel had.

Layla Miller is the dues ex machina character. She was created (literally) during "House of M" -- she's the personification of the side of Wanda that realized what she was doing was wrong and helped the heroes set things right. What she really is and what she's doing here needs to be addressed soon because her function as instigator and know it all bugs me and screams "lazy writing" to me. I'm sure David has something in mind...

This book is reminding me a lot of "Angel". Layla functions as Cordy's visions, Jamie's newfound lack of trustworthiness is akin to Angel/Angelus, Guido is Gunn - the muscle, Rictor is Wesley - fired from the council with nowhere to go, M functions as the standard Joss Whedon "team member whose selfishness and lack of genuine concern for what's going on allows her to say inappropriate and funny lines". And I almost expect David to make Rahne a lesbain a la Willow. This isn't a bad thing per se, it's just something I noticed (oh yeah, and Singularity = Wolfram & Hart)

X-FACTOR #2 Rictor, with his gas station heroics, is the star, for me thus far. I already knew that PAD had Jamie Madrox down cold, and now the ex-(?)mutant can be added to the list. A lot of thought appears to have gone into Siryn, but as yet I'm not sold on her take here. Same for Rahne. Layla is too much associated with HOUSE OF M (not a good thing, for me). M I think will be a good fit for PAD. Strong Guy gets funny lines and is obviously a character that PAD is fond of writing.

I really wish Polaris, Havok and Quicksilver (the rest of the 'old' PAD X-Factor) could be freed up to appear in this title. I guess they're a generation removed from the cast, as it is. Truthfully, I can't quite imagine Alex as a private eye-- though I can see Pietro and Lorna working for XXX.

Another great issue. I've been reading about Rictor since New Mutants and no one's ever made me care about him as much as I have in these two issues.

I'd like to see the rest of PAD's first X-Factor, too, but maybe not as cast. Some references now and then they're keeping in touch would be nice.

Still not crazy about Layla Miller, but I may be able to put up with her as long as they're not sending her on missions or letting her get kidnapped every few issues.

Definitely agree about Rictor Archane! He's never been more than a blip on my radar. I mean, seriously, the guy had a mullet. Need I say more...?

Then she'd be the new Jubilee! (Kidding, I kid... mostly...)

Thoughts on #1.

I was never a big Peter David X-Factor fan. Still I liked #1. Ofcourse, Rictor was a fave of mine and seeing him lose his powers I didn't care for. But atleast he is being used!

First issue was pretty good. I like when Peter doesn't do too much comedy.

Rictor started off as a Vibe rip off it seems. Then he had the Lifeld mullet. Then it got interesting when rumors of something going on between him and Shatterstar. Now he is powerless...the character is a survivor. Now I hope he sticks around.

I love PAD and I love Sook so I picked up #1 because... well, because it was the two of them, and then I picked up #2 because I enjoyed the first issue and I think I'll carry on getting it. That's not faint praise though sicne I have virtually never read any X-Men stuff and this is the first X book I've ever actually gone out and bought and as such i have almost no clue about any of the characters and what they're like and stuff. PAd had, so far, written them so that completely new readers can just dive straight in though. Sure there are things that i don't get but it's not a case of me sitting there and feeling like I have no idea what's going on (which to be honest can be a fault of PADs much as I love his writing).

That being said though can someone give me a basic run down of who the characters are and what they can do? Obviously I may be opening a whole can of worms here what with convoluted X-history but a potted history would be muchly appreciated.

The non-convoluted backstory (from what I remember):
Jamie Madrox (The Multiple Man): The mutant one-man army. His own best friend. Kinetic force triggers his ability to create "dupes", and he seems to have an unlimited supply. PAD depicted him in his previous X-Factor run as something of a prankster and a goofball, but also introduced a dark side. He was deeply affected by the time in his life when his parents died and he was completely alone with only himself for company. Spent years working with geneticist Dr Moira MacTaggart on Muir Island. She's dead now.

Guido (Strong Guy): Jamie's straightman and butt of many jokes, Guido used to be bodyguard to intergalactic rock star Lila Cheney. He's strong.

Rahne (Wolfsbane): Former New Mutant. Very religious background, was almost killed for it when her powers emerged. She has two modes - the "werewolf" mode and full on four-legged wolf. Used to be a lot more shy and demure. Had a very special bond with fellow New Mutant Danielle Moonstar (who was empathic with animals). The aforementioned Dr. MacTaggart was like a mother to her.

Siryn (I forgot her name): daughter of the mutant Banshee (who might've just been killed off in "X-Men Genesis"), she inherited her father's sonic abilities. Of note is that Banshee was in a long-time relationship with the ubiquitous Dr MacTaggart, making her and Rahne "sisters" of a sort. She and Jamie also have a past. She's also a recovering alcoholic.

The others I'm not too clear on in terms of backstory...

Rictor: Son of mexican gun dealers. Hung around with the original X-Factor (which was made up of the original X-Men). Went on to join the New Mutants, a team that included Rahne. Rahne and Rictor were an item, but that seems to be in the past. Was later a memeber of X-Force with Siryn (Thressa Roarke Cassidy) and his best friend, Shatterstar.

From Comicscontinuum:
After selling out more quickly than the first issue did, X-Factor #2 is going back to press, Marvel Comics announced on Tuesday.

Holy Canoli! Who'dathunkit?? I'm just glad to be able to enjoy a new title without the threat of cancellation hanging over its head.

That's great news to brighten my morning. Thanks, Drake.

One last bit of information for you, Bevis: Rahne's surname is Sinclair.

I don't know if any current X-Factor readers other than myself are also fans of PAD's first Hulk run from the late 80s through the mid-late 90s, but I thought I'd mention that the old guy with the long white beard and hair looks to me a bit like the presumably deceased Agamemnon from the Pantheon (although Aggy had a long white beard and a bald head.) Maybe it's just a coincidence and doesn't mean anything...or maybe PAD has plans. It wouldn't be the first time he would bring characters from one Marvel title he wrote into another Marvel title he's writing. Which makes me hope that maybe we'll see the new Scorpion and/or her mother in X-Factor (they appeared in Hulk during PAD's brief second run, in the House of M tie-in issues.)

It's good news that the title sold out. For Marvel, for readers, and for PAD.

Actually, he bore a suspicious resemblance to Bucky. And died in Hulk 425.

Actually not. I nearly didn't manage to get this issue.

And as for PAD: http://peterdavid.malibulist.com/archives/001018.html

Yes, I already knew that, which is why I referred to him as "presumably deceased."

Lots of dead characters are coming back to life, and I'm guessing Aggy's next in line. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right. Time will tell.