This week’s X-Factor #233 may feel all new but a little familiar as Havok and Polaris take charge of X-Factor Investigations. Alex and Lorna returned from exile in Shiar Space and Logan hooked them up with Madrox’s crew in #230. This issue the long suffering lovers are back just in time for the return of the Isolationist. It’s the best of both of Peter David’s X-Factor runs together. How about a comeback of the Nasty Boys?
If this makes you feel nostalgic here’s a link to my previous post on this X-Factor reunion and some great adventures from the early 90’s when Havok ran the team.
Marvel has not revealed any X-Factor members in any AvX fights. I’d be surprising to not see powerhouses like Havok and Polaris come to the aid of Cyclops and Magneto.
The Superhero Registration Act/Civil War and M-Day/The Decimation are critical moments in Marvel’s recent history. Peter David brilliantly takes the essence of those plots and twists them into a bizarre new world. Jamie Madrox is trapped in that dimension in X-Factor #231.
Last issue saw Wolverine give comfort to a grieving Layla and give Havok and Polaris roles on X-Factor Investigations. But this issue focuses on Madrox being hunted in a world with giant Iron Men and a mutated take on the mutant/human conflict.
Peter David delivers action and wit. Jamie is caught in a war between a vicious Tony Stark and a shocking version of Deathlok. The one liners and puns fly fast and hilarious. Madrox seems like a hybrid of Deadpool and Daredevil in Excalibur’sCross-Time Caper.
I’m thrilled to have Havok and Polaris on the team and look forward to the GLAAD recognized Rictor/Shatterstar romance evolve but this Madrox solo issue is fun and thrilling
Today Marvel recognized the creative teams of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade and X-Factor for their GLAAD Media Awards. Both are nominated in Best Comic Book category.
“We try very hard at Marvel to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds, all races, all religions and all orientations,” said Tom Brevoort, Marvel’s Senior Vice-President of Publishing and editor of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. “And to make sure that a reader of any stripe can find a character that reflects their experiences within our stories.”
“Usually when you say, ‘It’s an honor just to be nominated,’ that’s code for prepping yourself for disappointment,” says X-Factor writer Peter David. “But in this instance, it genuinely is an honor considering that X-Factor was nominated and won last year. Not a convention goes by where a fan or fans comes up to me to tell me how much Rictor and Shatterstar’s relationship means to them, and that always fills me with a sense of pride; and also a feeling of—to borrow a page from Spidey—great responsibility. I’m just glad that Marvel has consistently allowed me the latitude to explore these kinds of topics.”
X-Factor's Shatterstar and Rictor courtesy Marvel.com
Allan Heinberg is the writer of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade featuring gay teens Wiccan and Hulkling. X-Factor made an appearance in this series.
For today’s complete press release click here. For my previous posts about all the nominated books (and who I want to win and who I think will win) click here and here.
GLAAD, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, reveals the nominees for Outstanding Comic Book for 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards:
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, by Allan Heinberg (Marvel) Batwoman, by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman (DC Comics) Secret Six, by Gail Simone (DC Comics) Veronica Presents: Kevin Keller, by Dan Parent (Archie Comics) X-Factor, by Peter David (Marvel Comics)
All of these nominated books feature a gay or lesbian lead character or a gay character in the ensemble.
X-Factor's Shatterstar and Rictor courtesy Marvel.com
X-Factor won last year. Rictor and Shatterstar are boyfriends and co-workers at X-Factor Investigations. Rictor is a Mexican mutant who lost his powers but recently was repowered in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Shatterstar is a mutant warrior from another dimension – and wants an open relationship. Rictor wants them to stay monogamous.
Batwoman #1 from DC Comics
Batwoman is Kate Kane, lipstick lesbian socialite of Gotham City and caped crusader by night. The fan favorite crime fighter is the star of her own DC Comics New 52 series.
Kevin Keller is the front-runner. Archie Comics showcased an openly gay character in an all-ages book. Kevin is serving openly in the military with an African-American boyfriend. The partners were featured on gay wedding ceremony cover. Archie Comics didn’t just publish the story but gave Kevin’s story a big marketing push and it made huge mainstream headlines.
I experienced an enjoyable sense of Deja Vu this week from X-Factor #230. It’s a reboot event and some mutants are left without a team for post-Schism dodgeball! Rogue (via writer Mike Carey) brought Havok, Polaris and Rachel Summers back from deep space. Rachel signed up to teach at the Jean Grey School. Havok and Polaris seemingly had no place (or X-title) to call home until this week when Logan brings the long-suffering lovers to X-Factor Investigations.
I could help but think back to the aftermath of the Muir Island Saga when a second X-Men title was born (and the original X-Men left X-Factor for these books) and X-Force, Excalibur regrouped back in the early 90’s. I was an ignorant youth back then when I thought ‘they just put all the leftover characters in this other title that doesn’t have anybody!’
X-Factor #71 courtesy Marvel.com
Havok, Polaris, Madox, Wolfsbane, Quicksilver and Guido (I’m the Strong Guy so call me Strong Guy) became the mutant team working for the U.S. government. I was a huge fan of Peter David from The Incredible Hulk so I gave this team of what I thought were leftovers a try – and it was perfect.
Peter David and Larry Stroman took these refugees from every corner of the mutant-verse to create a team that was compelling and often hilarious. David transformed background mutants into major characters I cheered for and cared about.
This X-Factor faced Mister Sinister’s Nasty Boys, Helle’s Belles and even went up against the Hulk and the Pantheon in the “War and Pieces” crossover with The Incredible Hulk. The government team were part of the X-cutioner’s Song crossover with their mutant cousins. Joe Quesada later became the artist and co-created Random, an X-Factor enemy turned ally.
X-Factor Visionaries Peter David Volume #1 courtesy Amazon
There’s a good reason why they call it X-Factor: visionaries because Peter David is brilliant at taking the oddest assortment of characters and evolving them into a compelling “family” you want to be part of.
