X-factor # 13

[Gunslinger]

This issue was WOW!
Just WOW!
To me it felt better from the X-aminations issue.
I mean light years better!
I really laugh,which didn't happen quite awhile.
So WOW!
PAD rulez!

[Bird Flu Man]

This issue was WOW!
Just WOW!
To me it felt better from the X-aminations issue.
I mean light years better!
I really laugh,which didn't happen quite awhile.
So WOW!
PAD rulez!

I'm really looking forward to reading the Quicksilver examination. His was my favorite of the original X-Aminations issue.

[Xeero]

Yep, as always, X-Factor was the book I read last as the main event book/meal course. I thought it was really a fun read and each interview just got better and better than the last one. M finally openning up was probably my favorite scene and I loved that Rictor joke Jamie said, HAHA! This was the book I've been wishing to come out sooner and newsarama was making it worse by having those darn interviews and articles for X-Factor weeks before the issue even came out! :mad:

The art was okay, I totally miss Sook, but I'll take what I get when it comes to this book, the writings always top-notch. Can't wait for next issue.

[capjr]

I signed on tonight simply to say that this book was absolutley amazing. I picked it up because of the fond memories I have of the old X-Factor issue and the pure goodness of JoeQ's cover and was blown away...


Kudo's to PAD and the team for putting this together....


O, and his examination of Pietro was great. I still enjoy him as a character and I am beginning to believe that outside of Hine(SoM IIRC), PAD is the only creator to truly get this character.

[RogueSmurf6]

Indeed! A fantastic issue full of wonderfully complex character examinations. Not to be too spoilderific, but I think Monet is the stand out character this time around. They each get their shot, but she actually reveals something new. The rest just sort of flesh out what PAD has been doing with them, though Wolfsbane also adds something rather crazy. Quicksilver's is probably the most fun.

The art was superb! Magical even! Madrox looked wonderfully quirky, Pietro was kind of cartoonish, Layla was adorable and Rahne didn't look like a photoshopped dog head on a human body! Kudoes all around. It was an act of genius to get the guy who did the Madrox LS onto X-Factor. Honestly, I gotta say it's even better than Sook's work on that first issue. This is just a beautiful comic.

[Xeero]

wow, only four reviews for this book?

[Clem]

Doesnt Madrox find it slightly disturbing that he'll have known his bride since she was a little girl? Kinda icky no?

I love the way Pietro is in complete denial (like most of the team) of his actions and new powers. Any normal person would say "so you give them twisted versions of their old powers", while Pietro just says "sod off...they get what they deserve". The magnificent b*stard.

[Terram]

Madrox finds it horrifying.

[Michael Hawk]

wow, only four reviews for this book?
Thought aobut picking it up but got New Excalibur instead. Might get it later this weekend.

[S'Cipio]

wow, only four reviews for this book?

My regular comic shop sold out before I got there :eek: (No, I don't keep a pull list) So I had to wait a few days and find a copy at an alternate shop.

Well worth the wait! I enjoyed it. Pietro was spooky-evil, but still left me laughing. I really hope Peter David does more with him. I really enjoyed him in David's original X-Factor run, and could totally identify with him in House of M.

-S'Cipio

[Clem]

Madrox finds it horrifying.

I dunno, if he wanted to make the best of it, he could always use it as an opportunity to raise the perfect bride. Make sure she ate right, kept in shape, was well educated. And he's always got Monet and Siryn to bang in the meantime.

[Xeero]

Thought aobut picking it up but got New Excalibur instead. Might get it later this weekend.

HOW DARE YOU?!?!? :mad: :mad: :mad:

But how was that? A good read? Wanted to pick that up, myself. :D

[Terram]

When the Wrecking Crew goes MST3K on your group, you know you have a respectability problem.

[RogueSmurf6]

When the Wrecking Crew goes MST3K on your group, you know you have a respectability problem.

Yes, that was actually rather hilarious now that I think about it. They just tore into everything wrong with New Excalibur...basically how useless and pointless they are. Wrecking Crew ruled in that issue! Buy it for them alone. Of course, they were aided in their deconstruction of the title by some mystical voice in Juggernaut's head...

[bob_at_york]

This was an awesome issue. It was at the top of my stack. First, the art was AWESOME!! Everything about it was great. Second, loved how PAD showed he knows his history when it comes to the characters. Especially when he used M. When you think about it she has been through a lot. whether it was her life with Emplate or the fact that most of her friends have died. I am having trouble remembering... when did Rahne get to see the future? Was it something Trypp did? I loved how Samson mentioned how he thinks of Pietro every time he is at a bank machine. Loved how they refernced the jar. Last but not least... it almost looked like they were setting up the issue to reveal that somebody else was the guy talking with them. No point in hiding Samson again is there?

[strathcona]

This was an awesome issue. It was at the top of my stack. First, the art was AWESOME!! Everything about it was great. Second, loved how PAD showed he knows his history when it comes to the characters. Especially when he used M. When you think about it she has been through a lot. whether it was her life with Emplate or the fact that most of her friends have died. I am having trouble remembering... when did Rahne get to see the future? Was it something Trypp did? I loved how Samson mentioned how he thinks of Pietro every time he is at a bank machine. Loved how they refernced the jar. Last but not least... it almost looked like they were setting up the issue to reveal that somebody else was the guy talking with them. No point in hiding Samson again is there?

I agree with everything in this post. I especially liked the new art. The original artist was nice and all, but it was too dark and there a few things that bugged me (like Rahne).... I love the new art though. Thought he was good on the Madrox mini... even better here.

I also agree about the Sampson thing. I kept thinking that it might be a different person, but I couldn't think of anyone that fit. I guess they kept him hidden just as an homage to the original.

[LobsterJ]

so looking forward to this issue. i only had two comics out that i buy this week so i didnt go to my shop. i was sorely tempted to get this issue. PADs x-factor was one of the few bright spots of the 90s.

[bob_at_york]

I also agree about the Sampson thing. I kept thinking that it might be a different person, but I couldn't think of anyone that fit. I guess they kept him hidden just as an homage to the original.
I thought maybe Prof. X... but that didn't really fit. There was one panel that made it look like the guy had short hair. That is what made me wonder if it was truly Samson.

[Xeero]

I thought maybe Prof. X... but that didn't really fit. There was one panel that made it look like the guy had short hair. That is what made me wonder if it was truly Samson.

I know which panel you're talking about. There was also one panel when Sampson is talking to Layla and you do not see Sampson at all, and I kept wondering, "Wait, wasn't he just moving a piece in the last panel" :confused: Artist mistake, I'm sure.

[bob_at_york]

I know which panel you're talking about. There was also one panel when Sampson is talking to Layla and you do not see Sampson at all, and I kept wondering, "Wait, wasn't he just moving a piece in the last panel" :confused: Artist mistake, I'm sure.
I am at work so I can't break out the issue but I don't think that was it. Side view of the guy, just a silouette. Is that the right spelling?

[redjb]

This was an awesome issue. It was at the top of my stack. First, the art was AWESOME!! Everything about it was great. Second, loved how PAD showed he knows his history when it comes to the characters. Especially when he used M. When you think about it she has been through a lot. whether it was her life with Emplate or the fact that most of her friends have died. I am having trouble remembering... when did Rahne get to see the future? Was it something Trypp did? I loved how Samson mentioned how he thinks of Pietro every time he is at a bank machine. Loved how they refernced the jar. Last but not least... it almost looked like they were setting up the issue to reveal that somebody else was the guy talking with them. No point in hiding Samson again is there?

Rahne seeing the future happened off pannel last issue. I don't have the issue in front of me, but as I recall she said she could still smell future-Tryp, and then attacked him. He struck back and Madrox said "what did you do to her?" or something like that, then tryp showed Madrox the future... It was a pretty small scene.

I agree that M's revelations were the most surprising, but that's largely due to the fact that she hasn't had as much of a storyline as the others have, especially Rictor and Siryn. Also, she is the character I know the least about. I am still foggy on exactly what her powers are. (I've only read one issue of Gen X and a couple of books that she guest starred in, such as new warriors an uncanny x-men.)

Early on in the series I complained that they were not referencing the characters' historys enough, so I am glad they are doing it now. As a fan it feels good when you get what you want from a book. Thank You.

I think hiding Samson was meant as an artistic homage to the Vol1#87, rather then some shocking reveal. As such, I don't mind that they did it that way.

My only confusion is how this all fits into Civil War. Doc Samson has been seen working very closely with the Pro-Reg side, which is where I would expect him to be given his Hulk history. I assume that the "Jen" he referred to was She-Hulk. So X-Factor has come out vowing to aid anti-reg heroes, Siryn even referenced it in her session, but Samson still agrees to work with them? Okay it's not so far fetched since he is a pychiatrist by profession, and this was a job. He could also being keeping tabs on them in case they actually do something against the regestration act (which they haen't, except for the Aegis thing...). But isn't Peitro a wanted man? Why, as an agent of SHEILD, would Samson have a friendly talk with him instead of trying to arrest him? For that matter, why hasn't SHEILD sent in a unit of 'cape killers" to try and take him in?

Still, good book, maybe the last one left...

[Somebody]

II also agree about the Sampson thing. I kept thinking that it might be a different person, but I couldn't think of anyone that fit. I guess they kept him hidden just as an homage to the original.
It was done, I believe, to keep the focus squarely on the character being X-amined. You're looking at them through Samson's eyes this way, as opposed to scenes between Samson and whomever.

And it's "Doc Samson". No "p" as in Percival. :)

I am still foggy on exactly what [M's] powers are.
Super-strength/speed, invulnerability and telepathy.

[Xeero]

She has superspeed? I didn't know that.

You also forgot flight.

[Gunslinger]

My only confusion is how this all fits into Civil War. Doc Samson has been seen working very closely with the Pro-Reg side, which is where I would expect him to be given his Hulk history. I assume that the "Jen" he referred to was She-Hulk. So X-Factor has come out vowing to aid anti-reg heroes, Siryn even referenced it in her session, but Samson still agrees to work with them? Okay it's not so far fetched since he is a pychiatrist by profession, and this was a job. He could also being keeping tabs on them in case they actually do something against the regestration act (which they haen't, except for the Aegis thing...). But isn't Peitro a wanted man? Why, as an agent of SHEILD, would Samson have a friendly talk with him instead of trying to arrest him? For that matter, why hasn't SHEILD sent in a unit of 'cape killers" to try and take him in?



X-Factor are registred like all mutants.but they are against the act!
In the Civil WAr tie ins Cyclops said that Pietro is their problem as long he stays in Mutant Town!

[bob_at_york]

She has superspeed? I didn't know that.

You also forgot flight.
I don't think she has superspeed unless you count how fast she can fly.

[Somebody]

She has superspeed? I didn't know that.

You also forgot flight.
Knew I was leaving out something.... Standard "flying brick" powers + telepathy at the end of the say though.

[Xeero]

Well, according to Wikipedia


Known Powers: M is superhuman in essentially all aspects.

Superhuman Strength
Invulnerability: Highly resistant to injuries due to her seemingly possessing a denser musculature then most beings, but it is possible she attains this ability from another basis.
Healing Factor: M possesses a regenerative quality allowing her to heal and recover from wounds. The effect also has the added benefit of making her more resistant to toxins and disease, and possibly the aging process.
Enhanced Senses: M possesses telescopic and night vision and more acute hearing. It is possible her other senses are enhanced also.
Enhanced Agility: her agility is greatly enhanced, far more than peak human.
Flight: ability to psionically levitate and move herself in the air by force of will.
Superhuman Speed and Reflexes: her speed and reflexes are greatly enhanced, far more than a peak human.
Telepathy: ability to read minds and project her thoughts into the minds of others.
Sibling-Merge: Monet and all her siblings are able to merge into different combinations with different powers, although it seems easiest for the twins Nicole and Claudette.
Known Abilities: formidable hand-to-hand combat knowledge.

[redjb]

X-Factor are registred like all mutants.but they are against the act!
In the Civil WAr tie ins Cyclops said that Pietro is their problem as long he stays in Mutant Town!

That explains then X-Men not taking him in, but SHEILD is not the X-Men. And I don't think that Samson wouldn't work with/for them because or their anti-reg stance, I just think it's weird and should probably be explained/explored...

[Dardis]

But isn't Peitro a wanted man? Why, as an agent of SHEILD, would Samson have a friendly talk with him instead of trying to arrest him? For that matter, why hasn't SHEILD sent in a unit of 'cape killers" to try and take him in

What, exactly, has Peitro done ? He's out with the heroes due to World-Changing (which strangely doesn't seem to be illegal), and the Inhumans want his head, but had he actually broken any Flat-scan laws ? Hell, for all we know, he registered.

[Mick]

And I don't think that Samson wouldn't work with/for them because or their anti-reg stance, I just think it's weird and should probably be explained/explored...

X-factor are registered. They're not breaking the law. The rest is political differences. Why would Samson let that get in the way of his work?

[motteditor]

I am at work so I can't break out the issue but I don't think that was it. Side view of the guy, just a silouette. Is that the right spelling?

Just to be pedantic and answer your question, Bob, it's silhouette.

I enjoyed the issue, but again not quite enough to jump back on board. I wish I were liking the title more, since it's got many of the elements I like, but it's just not clicking for me. Maybe this could be my first book I plan to collect in trade, see if I enjoy it more that way.

[Terram]

Referring to Civil War Files:

Quicksilver is considered dangerous, being a threat to reality and triggering wars between the US and Inhumans; but is officially in the custody of X-Factor, who all went along with registration.

Being a crazy mutant messiah isn't illegal.

[bob_at_york]

Just to be pedantic and answer your question, Bob, it's silhouette.

I enjoyed the issue, but again not quite enough to jump back on board. I wish I were liking the title more, since it's got many of the elements I like, but it's just not clicking for me. Maybe this could be my first book I plan to collect in trade, see if I enjoy it more that way.
thanks... I didn't know you weren't buying this book. I thought you were.

[Marchie77]

Doesnt Madrox find it slightly disturbing that he'll have known his bride since she was a little girl? Kinda icky no?



werent ALL brides little girls once?

[Marchie77]

I think my favourite moment was the Rictor examination, followed closely by M... needed a better ending though... I guess it leads into the next issue, but id have preferred to see a conclusion mirror the original as the rest of the book did... maybe with Len filing a report for SHIELD, letting them know that x-factor are more likely to break themselves than be broken

gorgeous art

got the quesada cover... whoot!

[Xeero]

got the quesada cover... whoot!

Damn you! :mad:

But anywayz, although I liked the Rictor interview (because he's such a great character), I felt his to seem rather... forced.

[Dalarsco]

werent ALL brides little girls once?
Yes, but usually eitehr the grooms was a little boy at the same time or didn't know her back then.

[Mundungus]

I heard Joe Q did a variant cover for this issue. I didn't have enough money to pick it up, can someone post it?

[mrorangesoda]

I heard Joe Q did a variant cover for this issue. I didn't have enough money to pick it up, can someone post it?

Here you go-
http://i10.tinypic.com/4c7ta9s.jpg

[Effect]

Great issue. I just hope the whole Layla and Madrox situation doesn't just get tossed away. As weird as it is its also very interesting and would love to see it played out in some way.

[NielsBohr]

Saved this ish for last. Worth it. As a show of support, I'm going to pick up the variant cover if there're any left at my LCS. This series can't be praised enough.

[Mundungus]

Man, from the looks of that cover Samson definitely looks like he got quite the headache.

[Terram]

Great issue. I just hope the whole Layla and Madrox situation doesn't just get tossed away. As weird as it is its also very interesting and would love to see it played out in some way.
PAD probably has the strongest track record of fulfilling "future prophecies" in comics. I put a lot of weight in these sort of things in his comics. If he wrote Days of Future Past, I'd half expect we'd already be there.


...Oh wait.

[stasisbal]

I loved this issue as well, this title continues to impress me. Pablo was much better on art than I expected. I think there are a lot of artist that couldn't have pulled off all those facial expressions so well (and thats pretty much the majority of the book).

Personally, I find this to be the most interesting of all the X-books right now. They are all good (more or less), but I look forward to this one the most every month. Astonishing redeemed itself last issue, which was great, but that comes out so sporadically and has been paced so slow, brings the quality of each read down. Each X-Factor has stood on itself very well while still advancing larger threads.

What gets me most excited is the relation with the upcoming Silent War. Love the Inhumans. Madrox, Layla, and Pietro are all supposed to play a part in that, and while they are low key, they are some of the more interesting characters in all of the Marvel U.

[RogueSmurf6]

Really? Madrox is in Silent War? :confused:

[stasisbal]

Really? Madrox is in Silent War? :confused:

Had me double guessing myself for a minute, but yea, from an interview w/ Hine a week or so ago.

NRAMA: What other characters will we see play a part in future issues of Silent War?

DH: The Sentry and various other members of the Avengers. Madrox and Layla from X-Factor.

[RogueSmurf6]

Kickass! Now I guess I gotta pick it up...I can't wait for Madrox and the gang to actually interact with the rest of the Marvel universe!

[motteditor]

thanks... I didn't know you weren't buying this book. I thought you were.

I was, but I dropped it a few months ago. I liked it, but I guess I just didn't feel like I was enjoying it enough. Couldn't get over my issues with Li'l Deus, and I felt like I was spending more time bitching about that than enjoying the rest of the title, and was pissing myself off.

[bob_at_york]

I was, but I dropped it a few months ago. I liked it, but I guess I just didn't feel like I was enjoying it enough. Couldn't get over my issues with Li'l Deus, and I felt like I was spending more time bitching about that than enjoying the rest of the title, and was pissing myself off.
relax man... it is good!

[Peter David]

I was, but I dropped it a few months ago. I liked it, but I guess I just didn't feel like I was enjoying it enough. Couldn't get over my issues with Li'l Deus, and I felt like I was spending more time bitching about that than enjoying the rest of the title, and was pissing myself off.

I actually address those who dismiss Layla in the way that you do in #13's letters page. Kind of a shame you'll miss it.

PAD

[strathcona]

Looking at the Joey Q cover, I'm actually glad I got the other one. His art used to be great (X-Factor, Ray, Azreal era). I'm not too fond of what I see here.

Mott, I can't believe you don't like Layla. She's a great character. I dislike HoM as much as you, but I can't hold her first appearance against her. PAD has turned her into a great character.

My favourite part of this issue was the Rictor one for some reason... just really worked for me. I was worried that the M one wouldn't be all that great, but I loved how PAD actually refered to her past with Emplate..... Just with there'd been a footnote about it though.

[motteditor]

I actually address those who dismiss Layla in the way that you do in #13's letters page. Kind of a shame you'll miss it.

I actually did buy this issue, but I hadn't yet read the letters page. I'll take a look.

Again, I wish I could say more what I'm not digging about this title. I really enjoyed the Madrox series and I was looking forward to getting this series. It's got most of the things I like in my comics: team format, no Wolverine or Spider-Man, attention to continuity. But for some reason, I just couldn't get into it as much as everyone else seems to. That's kind of why I phrased my criticism the way I did; I think it's more an issue with me (and my frustration with Layla and everything that character entails stemming from the godawful HoM and Dismembered) than a criticism of your writing. I was amused by the cliffhanger and it will probably get me to at least flip through the next issue in the store while I try to decide if I'm going to buy it. Also, like I said, maybe I'll try it in trade. I've only gotten monthlies so far (aside from back issue collections), but maybe that format might work a bit better for me with this title.

Oh hell, let me go read the letters page right now: LOL at Rafael Soto's comments. I think that was supposed to be a compliment too. Re: Andrew Shaw's letter -- Moonstar and Shatterstar are A-list and Rictor isn't? How's that work?

As for your comments, I don't think your anologies work, Peter. In both Serenity and Pirates, we'd seen very little on the universes, so it felt more like there was simply some new aspect being unveiled than a deus ex machina. I'd also argue Tia Dolma and Mr. Universe didn't play as large a role in the tale as the protagonists, unlike Layla in HoM.

Marvel, on the other hand, has a massive history with more characters than you can shake a stick at (and we were promised, IIRC, that we'd see everyone in HoM). We've seen them overcome impossible odds time and time again, including alternate realities and mind control/brain washing. Having set up a story with the only way out of it being introducing this new character -- whose whole raison d'etre was to have the power to free the established heroes -- was poor storytelling, IMO. Layla was far more of a deus ex machine device (is that redundant?) than the new characters in the two movies.

And while I don't know whether other critics of Layla feel the same way, my feelings also stem from the fact that I think the whole HoM and Dismembered before it was a complete misunderstanding of Wanda and the Avengers. My anger from that story bleeds over into the character, whether that's fair or not. (Again, not a critcism toward you; just trying to explain the source of *this* fan's negative reaction.)

[tbumpkins]

I was able to catch up with the last 4 issues of X-Factor this break, since I get sporadic shipments of comics to school. #13 was a blast to top it all off and kick start the next year. All the sessions were great in their own right. Particularly loved Layla's, its the parts that she's not just "knowing stuff" where I think she might be my favorite character in the book. And surprisingly Madrox, for actually going with his dupe's promiscuity. And I kinda wish Rahne would pick up on some of Theresa's comic insight to know the flexibility of comic timelines :p

As for art, absolutely love Raimondi here. He handled a "talking heads" issue fine. Thought he really came through in Rictor, Layla, and Pietro's.

X-Factor surpasses being the only x-book I get, but moreso its one of my favorite Marvel books each read. Hope the numbers are healthy enough that it keeps on going for some time. (And I'm still hoping for Deadpool to stop by. With his random 4th wall breaking, he'd be the only one to agree with Theresa right now :D )

[Peter David]

I actually did buy this issue, but I hadn't yet read the letters page. I'll take a look.

Again, I wish I could say more what I'm not digging about this title. I really enjoyed the Madrox series and I was looking forward to getting this series. It's got most of the things I like in my comics: team format, no Wolverine or Spider-Man, attention to continuity. But for some reason, I just couldn't get into it as much as everyone else seems to. That's kind of why I phrased my criticism the way I did; I think it's more an issue with me (and my frustration with Layla and everything that character entails stemming from the godawful HoM and Dismembered) than a criticism of your writing. I was amused by the cliffhanger and it will probably get me to at least flip through the next issue in the store while I try to decide if I'm going to buy it. Also, like I said, maybe I'll try it in trade. I've only gotten monthlies so far (aside from back issue collections), but maybe that format might work a bit better for me with this title.

Oh hell, let me go read the letters page right now: LOL at Rafael Soto's comments. I think that was supposed to be a compliment too. Re: Andrew Shaw's letter -- Moonstar and Shatterstar are A-list and Rictor isn't? How's that work?

As for your comments, I don't think your anologies work, Peter. In both Serenity and Pirates, we'd seen very little on the universes, so it felt more like there was simply some new aspect being unveiled than a deus ex machina. I'd also argue Tia Dolma and Mr. Universe didn't play as large a role in the tale as the protagonists, unlike Layla in HoM.

Marvel, on the other hand, has a massive history with more characters than you can shake a stick at (and we were promised, IIRC, that we'd see everyone in HoM). We've seen them overcome impossible odds time and time again, including alternate realities and mind control/brain washing. Having set up a story with the only way out of it being introducing this new character -- whose whole raison d'etre was to have the power to free the established heroes -- was poor storytelling, IMO. Layla was far more of a deus ex machine device (is that redundant?) than the new characters in the two movies.

And while I don't know whether other critics of Layla feel the same way, my feelings also stem from the fact that I think the whole HoM and Dismembered before it was a complete misunderstanding of Wanda and the Avengers. My anger from that story bleeds over into the character, whether that's fair or not. (Again, not a critcism toward you; just trying to explain the source of *this* fan's negative reaction.)

Of course they played huge roles. Tia Dalma continually points our heroes in the correct direction, provides pivotal exposition available nowhere else, and sets up the entire third movie. The resources of Mr. Universe are the entire means by which Mal and company get the word out about what happened with Miranda. The stories simply don't work without them; they were necessary, and so the writers invented them.

What you're basically saying is that, because the Marvel Universe has been around for a long time, modern day writers forfeit the right to come up with new characters on whom stories can hinge. Obviously I can't agree with that. Your criticism might have some merit if Layla existed only for the length of HOM and then vanished. But one of the points of making her a regular in "X-Factor" was to guarantee that that was not the case. It's all in your point of view: I see HOM as the storyline that introduced Layla Miller into the Marvel Universe. You are allowing your admitted dislike for the very premise to focus upon Layla, whom you see as emblematic of the storyline, and I don't think it's especially reasonable or fair.

PAD

[S'Cipio]

Layla is the Jamie Maddrox of the new X-Factor: the character I didn't expect to care much about who suddenly grabs my attention.

I didn't ever expect to see Layla again, because a line in the House of M story led me to believe that she was an artificial creation of Wanda, put there by the Scarlet Witch simply to give her friends a chance to beat her if they seized upon it. (They're her friends. If the *really* don't want all their wishes to come true, she gives them a chance to escape back to reality.) With the world back to normal (at least until the next crossover) I expected her to be gone. Wanda wouldn't need her anymore.

That was a great surprise to see her suddenly walk into Jamie's office and claim, "I know stuff".

Most of the uncomfortable moments in X-Factor have come from Layla, mostly springing form the Wednesday Adams side of her personality.

-A 12 or 13 year old telling Jamie confidently that they will get married. Project yourself in to Jamie, and imagine your discomfort.

-Her efficiently dealing with a corpse on the floor.

-Jamie surprised to see that a dupe had slept with both Monet and Theresa, then worriedly looking at Layla. "Did we...."
"No, I'm saving myself for when we're married."
There I don't know whether to feel relieved or discomfited again; which is probably how Jamie felt.

-Peitro's deadly serious moment when he tells Samson that he'd happily squash Layla like a bug. Double discomfort there, because I always like Pietro and this interview gave me a real glimpse of what he's become. Can he be saved? I'd like him to be, but I don't know if he can. The point is, he doesn't want to be saved. To him, he is the saviour.

-S'Cipio

[Punchy]

That was fantastic.

Nice work PAD.

[jedifish]

I actually address those who dismiss Layla in the way that you do in #13's letters page. Kind of a shame you'll miss it.

PAD

Bwa ha ha. I forgot about the letter page. That was classic. Good thing you are my favorite 2nd string writer and Pablo is one of my favorite 2nd string artists on my favorite 2nd string series. :D

By the way, I was very pleased to see Pablo Raimondi makes his return. I loved his art on the Madrox mini-series and I think it's a perfect fit here.

Just an excellent issue. I loved the introspection into each of the characters, especially M. And her and Siryn both having the hots for Jamie was funny stuff. Man, there was so much cool stuff in each interview. People need to check this out.

[Myst]

Great comic book. One of the few times that my expectations were met, after looking forward to a comic book for months.

Just beautifully done. Some subtle touches, and a great degree of consistency and flow from that earlier X-Factor team. For example, while I was reading I said to myself, it's darker, not as much "fun" as XF #87 -- and then I turned the page and Maddrox is saying to Samson, things aren't as much fun as they used to be. Where's the mayonaise jar? so to speak. The character was reflecting the reality that I was experiencing both as a reader and an observor of what is happening in the Marvel Universe.

This X-Factor is darker, not as much "fun" as the earlier version. But times have changed in the Marvel U. Times are darker, times are harder for mutants (what's left of them).

Regarding some of the excellent comments I've read from others in this thread:

Samson's professionalism -- he's a doctor, he can't decide not to treat patients based on their personal beliefs. Since he's already established a doctor-patient relationship with these people, (like Pietro), it wouldn't be ethical for him to call in the law, even if they were unregistered.

Characterization in genreal -- wonderful. Interesting, yet logical and consistent.

Monet -- I don't quite understand the critics. I realize that her story was changed from her intended origin, but once that happened, as bizarre as it was, I've been waiting for years for a writer to deal with her horrid experiences. She was stuck as Penance, her own brother "feeding" off her in an almost sexual kind of way (sucking the marrow from her bones), making it analagous to sexual abuse and incest, as much as the total loss of her independence and control. That Monet didn't turn into Sybill is why Monet is so strong, and a truly calm and competent and mature young woman. She's still functional, she's still in control of herself. But she's barely holding onto the facade sometimes, and her experiences harrow and haunt her. Monet in XF #13 was more real to me than she's ever been before, at least since the retconned Penance stuff.

Rhane -- one of my favorite characters. At last, some further insight into her character. So much potential. I also want to see her take a more girl-wolf form. But we shouldn't surmise because she doesn't that somehow the artist has it "wrong" or the writer and editor don't know her history. I think Rahne is deliberately taking the form that she takes now, for psychological reasons. Her hair is cropped again. She is shown consistently wearing grubby, grungy clothes. She likes to turn into a classic "Wolfman" type lycanthrope, like someone from the Quist family in THE HOWLING. It means something. And the "future" that Tryp showed her perhaps deliberately played on this current psychological and emotional depression she's in.

Loved the part about "father figures" too. It's so true! The three girls in X-FACTOR all have father issues. In Rahne's case, it's interesting that Charles Xavier has taken a kind of "father figure" role in her life, as has Magneto, and the first let the murderer of her mother back in his good-graces, and back in the X-Men, and the latter --well -- the world views him as a mass-murdering monster. So Rahne is looking for the "good father" as one father figure after another seems to betray her and/or disappoint her.

Monet found the "good father" in Sean Cassidy -- and feels his loss more keenly than Cassidy's actual daughter, Theresa, who is in desperate denial. But deeper still, Theresa hasn't really had much of a relationship with her own biological father. She was raised thinking Tom Cassidy was her father. So, what is Theresa in denial about -- the death of her dad, but also the pain of finding out her father is really her cousin, and her real father never knew she existed. And once he found out, he didn't seem to have any time for her.

Okay, this is soap-opera stuff, but sophisticated, intelligent, well-written soap-opera. The stuff of novels, actually. PAD can write an X-FACTOR prose novel any day.

Quicksilver -- Doughnuts? I laughed out loud. (I thought, Pietro dude, you've had this ultra-high metabolism and burned off all those calories in the past, you'd better watch those sweets.) Pietro was chilling but still lovable. How can that be? (Picture Jon Lovitz answering, it's WRITING.) Seriously, PAD generated a sense of caring for Pietro at the same time the character was giving me the shivers. It seemed Samson was trying to understand Pietro and not judge him. But at the same time, he was starting to get a little disturbed by him, too. Loved the art -- Alan Davis had the same vision of Quicksilver -- tall and lean, with that angular face. Someone commented the art for Pietro seemed almost "cartoony" and I thought, yeah, that's true. Almost like Quicksilver isn't completely convinced, or for-real, in the context of his newfound belief system. Like he's playing a part, trying to convince himself that what his sister did can have some meaning.

Some of the angst stems from recent storylines and preceding issues, like that of Strong Guy, and Maddrox too, although their troubled childhoods were referenced. Strong Guy was so perfectly in character. Rictor and Samson had the most confrontational interaction. I liked the reference to why he is called "Rictor" and not Julio.

And I'm glad to see Rictor getting closer and closer to that moment when he's identified as gay in a comic book. It sometimes takes Marvel a while -- but when they decide to do the right thing, and identify characters confidently and accurately and stop all the silly debates and fights -- it can be an awesome and historic moment.

Layla is still Layla, in X-FACTOR #13. She still likes to float around in that bubble of mysteriousness; I'm thinking a little progress was made by Dr. Samson. I dunno. Is she really that much of a player in a great game, or does she just think she is? I'm very fond of the character, and I'm especially interested in her conflict with Quicksilver. Why does she hate him so much? It doesn't necessarily mean Pietro is going to do a "bad" thing in the future, but he gets in Layla's way, in some way. Is this good for the average citizen of Marvel Earth, or bad? I don't have a clue.

The art was great. Perfect for the tone of the story. I bought the Quesada cover, and I love it! I mean, Leonard Samson is a gifted therapist, but X-FACTOR gives him a headache! LOL!

[motteditor]

Of course they played huge roles. Tia Dalma continually points our heroes in the correct direction, provides pivotal exposition available nowhere else, and sets up the entire third movie.

Right, but I think there's a big difference between getting exposition and Layla's role in HoM.

The resources of Mr. Universe are the entire means by which Mal and company get the word out about what happened with Miranda. The stories simply don't work without them; they were necessary, and so the writers invented them.

I think your point works a little better here, but I think there's still a large difference between the role Layla and Mr. Universe played. Mal and Co. seek out Mr. Universe because they can use his resources to solve their problems (and because of Firefly's failure, we have no way of knowing if Mr. Universe always would have been introduced, thus making his larger role in the movie seem less out of nowhere, a la Book's role). In HoM, the heroes aren't even aware there is a problem until Layla shows up and starts undoing it.

What you're basically saying is that, because the Marvel Universe has been around for a long time, modern day writers forfeit the right to come up with new characters on whom stories can hinge. Obviously I can't agree with that. Your criticism might have some merit if Layla existed only for the length of HOM and then vanished.

I don't think I'd put it that way. I think if Layla had been introduced before House of M that story would have been stronger. It is the coming out of nowhere and then being the solution of the story's dilemma that makes her a deus ex machina, after all.

I'm trying to think of some other examples where a new character was introduced and the story hinged on him/her in the same fashion and I'm failing at the moment. There wasn't anything of that nature (that I remember) in Age of Apocalypse or Busiek's first story in v.3 Avengers.

But one of the points of making her a regular in "X-Factor" was to guarantee that that was not the case.

I don't know; I feel like that's saying we're retroactively making sure she's not a deus ex machina.

I see HOM as the storyline that introduced Layla Miller into the Marvel Universe. You are allowing your admitted dislike for the very premise to focus upon Layla, whom you see as emblematic of the storyline, and I don't think it's especially reasonable or fair.

Right, and I admit it's not especially reasonable or fair (and that's part of the reason I stopped posting in the X-Factor review threads when I was reading the book, as I felt I was derailing them with criticisms that weren't really anything you could do about). But I don't think I'm the first person to hold a character's first story against the character or to react emotionally to a story, the latter of which is Marvel's goal. They just inspired the wrong emotion in me this time around and unfortunately my enjoyment of your title is suffering because of that.

I imagine if Ben Reilly were ever brought back, for example, that there would be a number of fans who wouldn't give the character a fair shake (or the book he was in) because of the Clone Saga.

[Godspeed]

love the current x factor

[S'Cipio]

I don't think I'd put it that way. I think if Layla had been introduced before House of M that story would have been stronger.

I'm sticking with my original theory, based on comments made in the HoM story. Marvel couldn't introduce Layla earlier, because she was created by Wanda as an escape route in the new reality.

Now, being Layla and knowing that about yourself, how do you live your life having made the transition to the normal world?

(Of course, Mr. David may weigh in here and tell me I'm completely off base. But that's sure what I thought I saw.)

-S'Cipio

[jedifish]

I imagine if Ben Reilly were ever brought back, for example, that there would be a number of fans who wouldn't give the character a fair shake (or the book he was in) because of the Clone Saga.

You should probably avoid FNSM #14 then.

[bob_at_york]

You should probably avoid FNSM #14 then.
I haven't read FNSM in a couple of months but I thought about saying the same thing.

[RogueSmurf6]

I think Layla may still be a creation of Wanda, or at least her new 'I know stuff' powers...that's why she's at odds with Quicksilver. I'm not a big fan of that 'horns and breathing fire' thing...but that just means her 'I know stuff' powers are not her mutant powers...they're something more.

[motteditor]

You should probably avoid FNSM #14 then.

I wasn't saying I was one of those fans. I pretty much ignore Spider-Man, clone or no clone, and can't remember the last time I bought any Spider-Man issue at all. I was just trying to pull out an example. Did PAD bring Reilly back? I swear I was just trying to come up with a random example.

[Peter David]

I'm trying to think of some other examples where a new character was introduced and the story hinged on him/her in the same fashion and I'm failing at the moment.

Off the top of my head? The Silver Surfer. We never saw him before, yet he was closely involved in the defeat of Galactus. Him, along with an indisputable deus ex machina: The ultimate nullifier. If that story came out now, it'd be crucified. But it came out when it did and it's a classic.

PAD

[Au revoir]

Loved, loved this issue.

First off, the art was gorgeous (aside from Raimondi's Rictor--there's something weird about the way he looks). All the characters are very distinctive from one another (despite my previous critcism, there should be no confusing Rictor/Multiple Man this time around). The facial experessions were great; the surroundings and coloring is very clean, yet I still sense the noir-feel.

I really enjoyed the line about Rictor ever being in Madrox's bed. I really wish he could've been a fourth angle to this love triangle. Siryn and Layla's sessions were the most telling to me. I'm growing to like Siryn for the first time. I'm glad to see her accent was noticeably absent.

I've really been loving M. It's nice to see that Emplate still haunts her and I wonder how the Penance in Loners will affect her (if at all). I can see Madrox's betrayal to really take a toll on her. She hides her pain in a different way than Siryn in that it is amplified because she keeps it in. There's a certain sweetness in denial.

For the first time, I'm also interested in Rahne. The two read heads of the team were in need of convincing me their importance, and Tryp's visions of the future seem to be providing a lot of interesting potential.

Finally, there is the letter's page. I have no problem with plot devices because in reality...there usually is one in a story. Its not that concept I have a problem with, but the writing of House of M and Layla Miller during HoM itself. There, she was not interesting nor did she really click as working for me.

She wasn't weak because she was a plot device, she was weak because she wasn't written as anything stronger than that.

Alternatively, she works now. ;)

[runaway]

I enjoyed the issue a lot, although i think most of the new reveals would've worked better as subplots in a bigger storyline.
The team is big, and three pages weren't enough for most of the interviews, so I think a character or two shouldn't have appeared in this issue (but it's hard to choose which one when every interview was so good).
and, I loved the art. I remember how happy I was when I heard that Pablo Raimondi, who drew Madrox (that IMO worked better than X-Factor) is the new artist.

[Shoeface]

Best comic I read last week.

I still miss Sook but Pablo's art is great, Madrox is quickly becoming one of my favourite characters in the Marvel U and PAD is becoming one of my top writers.

So, y'know, congrats to the creative team.

[reenold]

This book, this series... it is one of the best things that happened to Marvel in a long time.

It is not because the story or characters are different, really. It is still in the classical area of superhero comics. But it takes characters and events from the terrible House of M and Son of M and puts them to much better use as well as into new depths. It is also coherent, deep, full of intelligent humor, not shying from mature topics. Not to mention the believable dialogues and people acting like actual human beings.

Truly wonderful job, Peter David!

[motteditor]

Off the top of my head? The Silver Surfer. We never saw him before, yet he was closely involved in the defeat of Galactus. Him, along with an indisputable deus ex machina: The ultimate nullifier. If that story came out now, it'd be crucified. But it came out when it did and it's a classic.

Yeah, that's a good example, though it's a little hard for me to respond since it's something I didn't read as a new comic, but rather as back issues after being more or less aware of the story. And while I enjoy reading MU's earlier stories, my appreciation of them is different than how I appreciate stories I collect today. You may well be right that the story would be crucified if it came out today, which would hardly make it unique. As others have pointed out, would All-New X-Men have even had a chance online?

On a completely different note, I don't know if you remember this, but we sort of went to the movies together one time in the mid-'90s. I'd gone to the Big Apple Con and was supposed to go to the movies with a group of people, the only one of which who showed up was Elayne Riggs (though she was using a different last name at the time). I didn't have tickets (and was really uncomfortable in NYC), but you were kind enough to spend five minutes to give me directions to get to the Zeigfield. I often think about that when I get one of your books.