Tag: X-Factor

X-Factor Reunion

X-Factor #250 courtesy Marvel
X-Factor #250 courtesy Marvel

    Once upon a time there were 5 original X-Men (including Jean Grey fresh from her Phoenix cocoon!) in a book called X-Factor. Fans of the title have been on a long strange trip with a wide diversity of team members, leaders and twists in the team’s mission.

   Peter David took over the book in the 90’s and X-Factor became the government sponsored mutant team with Havok, Polaris, Quicksilver, Madrox, Wolfsbane and Guido (the Strong Guy!)

  The team evolved with different writers and new members (including Forge, Mystique, Sabretooth) but the title came back to Peter David where X-Factor evolved again.

  Jamie Madrox founded X-Factor Investigations. The mutant detective agency was born out of the House of M: Decimation and this has been the book’s concept since then. M, Layla Miller, Longshot, Shatterstar and Rictor, Siryn (now Banshee) joined Jamie’s team.

  On January 16 the title reached a huge milestone and kicks off a new arc! Marvel shared Clay Mann’s variant cover for X-Factor #250 featuring past and present members of the team in all its variations.

Hell On Earth kicks off in X-Factor #250 on January 16th.

By Editor

Top Comic Book Picks for 11/7/12

Daredevil: End of Days #2 courtesy Marvel

Daredevil End of Days #2 The final story of The Man Without Fear? Last issue delivered two shocking deaths. Four powerhouse creators crafted some of the most brutal images ever in a book. I could almost feel the punches! What will Bendis and Mack do in this issue? What does Matt Murdock’s dying last word mean?

Iron Man #1 Deadly tech is on the black market. Tony Stark suits up in brand new armor to get it back before Extemis becomes a terrorist weapon. Kieron Gillen and Greg Land launch a brand new series propelling Iron Man into the Marvel Now.

Manhattan Projects #7 A top-secret Cold War era meeting that brought the Americans and Russians up against the mad scientists of the Manhattan Projects! Jonathan Hickman’s epic of weird science and twisted history will entertain and warp your brain!

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive #2 Captain Picard faces a new enemy so fearsome he may consider an alliance with – the Borg? Star Trek Television/Movie Producer Brannon Braga co-creates this brand new adventure.

X-Factor #246 A behind the scenes, day in the life at X-Factor Investigations! Peter David puts Pip the Troll in the spotlight. This could compete with the Doop-centric issue of Wolverine and the X-Men as the most hilarious and unique issue of the year!

LGBT in the Marvel NOW?

Astonishing X-Men #51 courtesy Marvel

Northstar made Marvel history, generated a ton of media attention and sold a lot of comic books. Jean-Paul’s wedding to Kyle Jinadu in Astonishing X-Men #51 was a huge success story. But will Northstar and Kyle’s story continue in the Marvel NOW? What about other GLBT characters in the relaunch?

Faithful followers of this blog have been sharing their concern over the fate of GLBT characters in the upcoming relaunch. So based on their suggestions and a Marvel NOW tally of announcements so far here are some great characters that will hopefully survive and thrive in the relaunch.

Striker: Several members of the soon to be departed Avengers Academy will graduate and appear in the recently announced Avengers Arena but Striker is missing from those kids.

Wiccan and Hulkling’s romance was a fan favorite element of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Wiccan does appear on the cover of the an upcoming Marvel Now Point One issue. Anole is a background character as a student of the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men. The romance of Rictor and Shatterstar has been a fan favorite storyline in Peter David’s X-Factor which sure seems like it’s ending with the current Breaking Points arc.

X-Factor’s Shatterstar and Rictor courtesy Marvel.com

One fan’s idea is a team of all GLBT characters. A storyline in which GLBT heroes use their powers to patrol and prevent bullying could have strong potential. I think it’s important to have more than just an all-gay cast. I remember how much I enjoyed Anole and Rockslide’s team up in the X-Men: Manifest Destiny series. Wiccan and Hulkling have always had the support of their straight friends in the Young Avengers.

Hopefully there will be more Marvel NOW announcements about books with GLBT characters. (I really hope Marjorie Liu’s Astonishing X-Men run continues and Peter David on X-Factor.) The publisher has shown a commitment to showing diversity in the Marvel Universe. It is the comics business. Publishers are willing to invest in GLBT characters and stories if readers invest in the books. You have the power.

By Editor

 

X-Factor #243 Polaris Exposed

X-Factor #243 courtesy Marvel

Lorna Dane is one of the great tragic heroines of the Marvel Universe. Peter David reveals the truth about the biggest mystery of her life in Day 3 of Breaking Points in this week’s X-Factor #243.

Polaris is the daughter of Magneto. Her mother’s death has haunted Lorna until now. The search for the truth unleashes Lorna’s magnetic fury against her own teammates. Peter David is on fire writing this soap opera packed with drama and great characterization. This issue is tense as Polaris is pushed and pushes back in her obsession to learn the truth about her parents.

Polaris has a history of shock and loss: the airplane crash that killed her mother and the man she thought was her dad, the revelation that the evil Magneto was her real father, being possessed by the mutant Malice, the loss of her mutant powers twice and being dumped by Alex Summers at the altar.

Uncanny X-Men #50 courtesy Marvel

In a series of mind games and magnetic manipulation – M and Longshot finally reveal the truth. It’s worse than Lorna thought!

I LOVE this cover. Polaris was co-created by Jim Steranko. This David Yardin cover beautifully captures the Steranko vibe and how Lorna has been torn and twisted between Havok and Magneto.

The ending of Breaking Points Day Three leaves Lorna and Alex at a major turning point. Havok is joining Uncanny Avengers. I’d like to see Polaris survive and thrive in the Marvel NOW. Back in the early days Lorna chose Alex over Bobby Drake. With the original Iceman coming into the present in All-New X-Men maybe Polaris will have a second chance? I’d love to see Lorna heal the pain, start fresh and become a strong heroine and mutant champion.

By Editor

Top 5 Comic Books for 9/5/12

Hawkeye #2 courtesy Marvel.com

Earth 2 #0 The first issue of this series has been the best. The epic and tragic final battle between Darkseid and the big trinity (Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman) was just the beginning of this alternate world. DC promises this “zero” issue reveals the origin of this world’s most tragic villain.

First X-Men #2  Legendary Neal Adams continues his untold tale of an X-Men before Professor X founded the school. What happens when Wolverine and Sabretooth recruit Magneto for their mission against the government?

Hawkeye #2 Matt Fraction and David Aja reteam on a new series starring Clint Barton. The premiere issue was a pleasant surprise – a “slice of life” superhero book? Young Avenger Kate Bishop becomes Clint’s partner in stealing from the rich.

True Blood #4 The series that shows what happened when vampires came out came a hairy twist! This issue is for fans of Alcide the werewolf!

X-Factor #243 What happened to the mother of Polaris? How was Magneto involved? What does it do to the tragic romance of Havok and Polaris?

By Editor

X-Factor: Origin of Polaris?

X-Factor #243 courtesy Marvel

Peter David is rewarding longtime X-Factor fans for their devotion. The writer is dangling plot threads and long running storylines together in Breaking Points. The first chapters have been excellent regardless of how long you’ve been reading the adventures of X-Factor Investigations.

This week’s chapter is the most anticipated one for me! Marvel teases that a long-buried secret will a member of the team insane.

One of the most tortured couples in Marvel Comics history is Havok and Polaris. The couple recently returned from Shi’ar space and Wolverine placed them with X-Factor Investigations in the book they starred in back in 1990’s also under Peter David’s watch.

Alex Summers will be starring in Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers. The younger brother of Cyclops will lead the hybrid team of X-Men and Avengers that will be the first book of the Marvel NOW! relaunch. Will Lorna be joining him? Will there even be an X-Factor title?

  Breaking Points appears to be Peter David’s opportunity to wrap up his storylines but is it the end? Lorna’s relationship with Alex and her connection to Magneto will be explored in the storyline. David tells Marvel.com why fans are so obsessed with the Lorna and Magneto and makes a vow.

 

Uncanny X-Men #50 courtesy Marvel

“Probably because there have been aspects of Lorna’s background that have been left dangling for literally decades. It’s not just Magneto himself; it’s the entire story behind the demise of her mother and father, and whether Magneto had anything to do with it. All of this will be answered.”

Back to the insanity tease…Polaris has been possessed by Malice, became crazy jealous during Chuck Austen’s run (remember Alex and Nurse Annie?)and a pawn of far too many mind games. Will Lorna learn the truth and lose Alex again?

For more of his interview and plans for other members of X-Factor here’s the Marvel.com link. I’m loving the David Yardin cover for X-Factor #243 featuring Marvel’s tortured mutant lovers.

By Editor

 

Top 5 Comic Book Picks for 8/1/12

Avengers vs X-Men #9 courtesy Marvel.com

Avengers vs. X-Men #9 The last Avenger standing is…Spider-Man? The embattled heroes stage a raid on the X-prison and the true nature of the Phoenix Force is revealed.

Earth 2 #4 Green Lantern, Flash and Hawkgirl against the ancient evil crawling out of the planet. Plus the debut of the Atom-Smasher!

The First X-Men #1 The legendary Neal Adams reveals a secret chapter Wolverine and the X-Men long before Professor founded the team.

Hawkeye #1 The Avengers’ archer in a brand new series by Matt Fraction and David Aja with Young Avenger Kate Bishop under Clint’s wing.

X-Factor #241 Is this the beginning of the end? Havok is on the way out. Strong Guy is ticked. All the book’s long running plotlines are coming together in Breaking Points. The big payoff for Marvel’s odd mutant detectives starts here!

By Editor

X-Factor Reveals Magneto/Polaris Connection

X-Factor #243 courtesy Marvel

  Longtime X-Factor fans should prepare to be rewarded for their devotion. Peter David promises bring to dangling plot threads and long running storylines together in Breaking Points.

  One of the most tortured couples in Marvel Comics history is Havok and Polaris. The couple recently returned from Shi’ar space and Wolverine placed them with X-Factor Investigations in the book they starred in back in 1990’s also under Peter David’s watch.

  Alex Summers will be starring in Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers. The younger brother of Cyclops will lead the hybrid team of X-Men and Avengers that will be the first book of the Marvel NOW! relaunch. Will Lorna be joining him? Will there even be an X-Factor title?

  Breaking Points appears to be Peter David’s opportunity to wrap up his storylines but is it the end? Lorna’s relationship with Alex and her connection to Magneto will be explored in the storyline. David tells Marvel.com why fans are so obsessed with the Lorna and Magneto and makes a vow.

 “Probably because there have been aspects of Lorna’s background that have been left dangling for literally decades. It’s not just Magneto himself; it’s the entire story behind the demise of her mother and father, and whether Magneto had anything to do with it. All of this will be answered.”

 For more of his interview and plans for other members of X-Factor here’s the Marvel.com link. I’m loving the David Yardin cover for X-Factor #243 featuring Marvel’s tortured mutant lovers.

By Editor