X-PLORING THE X-FACTOR WITH PETER DAVID

[MattBrady]

Perhaps one of the most anticipated Marvel announcements of this summer’s convention season was the return of both X-Factor as an ongoing series as well as the announcement that former X-Factor writer Peter David would be writing it (with Ryan Sook on art).

The November-debuting series owes more to David’s Madrox miniseries which concluded earlier this year, and, the positive retailer and fan reaction to, allowed for the launch of the new series. That said, the lineup of the team will run along the lines of Madrox: Jamie Madrox, Rahne Sinclair, Siryn, Monet, Strong Guy, and Rictor.

It’s a unique lineup for what promises to be a unique book. We caught up with the writer for a quick chat about the new title.

Newsarama: First off, when did it become clear that sales and reception on Madrox were good enough to warrant a continuation of the concepts?

Peter David: For me? About thirty seconds after Andy Schmidt told me that we were a "go" for X-Factor. That's really what it comes down to. If Marvel weren't satisfied with the numbers, there would be no X-Factor series.

NRAMA: Why X-Factor rather than an ongoing Madrox series?

PD: Personally, as far as I was concerned, the Madrox limited series was X-Factor. We just weren't calling it that at the time.

NRAMA: So once it was clear that X-Factor was going to be a reality, did you have to pull over to the side of the metaphorical road and work up thoughts on where you’d go if things continued, or had you already figured out where Jamie and company would be headed if Madrox was well received?

PD: Initially I did not. But once House of M, and its aftermath, "Decimation," arrived on the scene, I knew some rethinking was going to have to be done. So in concert with Andy, and after extensive consultation with Brian [Bendis], I tweaked the direction and several aspects of the group's priorities and mission.

NRAMA: X-Factor’s connection to House of M and owing part of its existence to “Decimation” was mentioned at various panels over the summer season – can you clarify that a little?

PD: I wouldn't say it "owes part of its existence" to House of M. It's more that House of M introduced some angles to the group's raison d'etre that I personally think improves upon it. Candidly, though, I'm not sure how much I can safely say at this point. If I going into specific detail as to the elements of X-Factor that tie in with “Decimation,” then I risk giving away specifics that Marvel doesn't want revealed yet. There are too many people going to too much work for me to feel comfortable going into detail.

NRAMA: Fair enough - speaking of the team then, why does a multiplying man need help in the first place? Is this case where he literally can’t trust himself?

PD: Why did Doc Savage need the fabulous five? Why does Superman need the Justice League? Why did Holmes need Watson - indeed to such a degree that he declares he would be "lost without my Boswell." Why do fools fall in love? Who put the ram in the ramma lamma ding dong? And who *unh* who wrote the book of love? These and many other questions are simply imponderables best left to philosophers, intellectuals and scoundrels.

NRAMA: Ho-kay. So – they’re all working for XXX Investigations now, or do they officially call themselves X-Factor?

PD: The latter.

NRAMA: The characters you picked to work with - some are familiar; some are relatively new to you and the team. Can you take each and - figuratively - pick them up and look them over and explain briefly what they add, and why you, creatively wanted them to be a part of the team?

PD: Basically, I went for characters who I thought would provide interesting contrasts for one another. The core of drama is conflict, so you want to have characters whose differences will provide that conflict. For instance, you've got Rahne who has this scrappy animal mentality, and still carries a bucketload of self doubt with her. She serves as a great foil to Monet, who is polished, high-faluting, and thinks that she's better than anyone - although that, in turn, covers her own insecurities.

The two of them become interested in Rictor...except Rictor is interested in Siryn. Rictor is dark, brooding, and feeling he's lost control of his life. Siryn, as a recovering alcoholic, is all about control, and works to impart this to Rictor, plus we're tinkering with Siryn's power slightly in a way that I think is really cool. Except the question becomes, does Siryn teach Rictor self-control...or will he erode hers? As for Jamie, unexpected developments with his ability threaten to make his power more unpredictable than ever, while Guido has to display vast inner strength that he might not possess, even though you just assume to look at him that he's the strongest guy around.

NRAMA: Was there anyone you wanted to get your hands on, but couldn?t?

PD: Osama bin Laden.

NRAMA: Probably would’ve changed the book a little… moving along then – in a universe with numerous mutant teams, what makes this one “X-Factor,” rather than say, “the X-Men investigating mysteries?”

PD: Because I'M WRITING THEM, BUCKO! You got A FREAKIN' PROBLEM WITH THAT? HUH? HUH? DO YA? HEY! I'M WALKIN' HERE!

NRAMA: Uh, no...sir?

PD: I mean, seriously. Go back and read my run on the previous X-Factor. Was there any question that they were different from the plethora of mutant groups back then?

In this case, they will be different again...but in a different way.

NRAMA: That said, with this following Madrox, will it will be a touch more…noir-ish than the miniseries? How would you describe the tone of the series?

PD: It will have that same noir tone, but less--how best to put it--less self-consciously noir.

NRAMA: So where do things start in the first arc? What lights the fuse?

PD: An attempted suicide.

NRAMA: From there then…what kinds of stories will we be seeing in the coming months? What threats/investigations is X-Factor suited for better than any other?

PD: It's going to be an interesting contrast. First of all, they'll be dealing with a lot of "ground level" threats. The intrusion of mutant-related problems into normal, every day life. For me, that keeps the series more "grounded" rather than just trying to deal with the latest mega-threat. But that doesn't mean the mega-threat does not exist. That will be coming courtesy of their polar opposite, Singularity Investigations. Whereas X-Factor is down and dirty and scrappy, SI is the security agency to the rich and powerful. Their paths will cross as of issue #2, each trying to protect their respective clients and SI totally prepared to steamroll over X-Factor. But we will learn that not only is there more to SI than meets the eye, there's also more to X-Factor. Put before us is a fascinating notion: That X-Factor is destined to undo the results of the Decimation. Or maybe not. And SI may have to work against X-Factor...or in concert with them.

There's a fundamental theme to X-Factor that arises from the Madrox series: Namely that no one is ever what they appear to be. That there are always layers, always more things to discover. And the unexpected is always there to thwart expectations. Just when Jamie thinks he's got a bead on his new status, it changes. Just when readers think they have a bead on our team or the team's opponents, they will discover that, no, here's this aspect that they didn't know about or hadn't considered.

The issue that everyone remembers from my previous X-Factor run was #87. Why? Because it was 22 pages of upending people's perceptions - I can't tell you how many people read that and said to me, "NOW I totally 'get' Quicksilver!" - My goal with the new series is to do that to some degree with every single issue. That at least once, maybe twice each
issues, readers will hit a point in the story where they say, "Whoa. Okay. I have to reconsider what I've seen up until this point." Every issue will feature some aspect of the unexpected, the unanticipated, the element that throws things for a loop: In short, the X-Factor.

[Grasshopper]

I wish there was more of the art to look at. Sook's art is mighty fine. Look forward to it. Is it going to be monthy?

[Pikachu007]

Dunno about the rest of you, but I'm sold!

[SpyGuy]

Originally posted by MattBrady
The issue that everyone remembers from my previous X-Factor run was #87. Why? Because it was 22 pages of upending people's perceptions - I can't tell you how many people read that and said to me, "NOW I totally 'get' Quicksilver!" -

Definitely looking forward to this series and the upcoming trade collection (hopefully, "collections") of PAD's original X-FACTOR run.

It's a shame that Quicksilver won't be a part of this current incarnation, however. As PAD stated above, he seemed to be the only writer who managed to give the character any depth and considering that Pietro is Marvel's answer to the Flash, that's a tremendous waste of potential.

[Marchie77]

issue 87 WAS totally the bees knees

[halflingsinger]

This may sound odd to some people but I really think that, if the penciler for X-Factor leaves, Marvel should bring back Larry Stroman.

Why? Well, first of all, his art is quite unique and I love it. But besides that, it's kind of dark and would be a perfect fit for what Peter David is doing with the title these days.

Food for thought...



Also, folks, you should check out a really great "labor of love" comic site. You'll truly be blown away: www.sequart.com

[GimpNelly]

Soooooo excited about an X-Team book ('sides Exiles and Ultimate, of course) that I'll actually enjoy reading!

[skaly]

So I have to read House of M and Decimation to get the setup for this book?

Okay. But if it were any other writer...

[RAB]

Originally posted by halflingsinger
This may sound odd to some people but I really think that, if the penciler for X-Factor leaves, Marvel should bring back Larry Stroman.

Why? Well, first of all, his art is quite unique and I love it. But besides that, it's kind of dark and would be a perfect fit for what Peter David is doing with the title these days.

Food for thought...



Also, folks, you should check out a really great "labor of love" comic site. You'll truly be blown away: www.sequart.com

...very excited about this one. PAD's original X-Factor was a personal favorite, with Stroman and Quesada handling the art.

What has Stroman been doing in recent years? The last thing I remember was "Tribe" from Image back in the mid-90's....

[Tiger47]

Originally posted by SpyGuy
Definitely looking forward to this series and the upcoming trade collection (hopefully, "collections") of PAD's original X-FACTOR run.

It's a shame that Quicksilver won't be a part of this current incarnation, however. As PAD stated above, he seemed to be the only writer who managed to give the character any depth and considering that Pietro is Marvel's answer to the Flash, that's a tremendous waste of potential.

Isn't there supposed to be a surprise member?

[fistofkhonshu]

Originally said by Peter David
In short, the X-Factor.

Excellent! Ladies & Gentlemen a true writer at heart! OK I'm sold, Sook's art just rocked on the Spectre series, PD's always been a favorite so I'm there. DAMMIT I'm never gonna get out of debt...

[fistofkhonshu]

Originally posted by Tiger47
Isn't there supposed to be a surprise member?

Yeah didn't you see the earlier story about marvel revamps? Its gonna be Ultimate Jesus!!

[Stalzer2002]

Sounds awesome. A great writer with a great cast. I can't wait!

[Ace]

You know what was great?

X-Factor 87, that's what.

[fedres]

I like Sook's art, so I'll check this out when it hits the stands. Although the cover image-not as strong as the Spectre stuff. I thought it was Sean Phillips at first (I like him too, just very different than Sook)!

But connecting this book to Madrox so strongly (and also House of M and Decimation) is sucking any enthusiasm I have for this title right out of me. I hope some is left for when I see the book on the shelf.

[Severance]

I thought I read somewhere that the surprise member would be Layla from 'House of M'

[Defunkt]

If the Madrox mini is any indication of what X-Factor is going to be... I am SO happy!

Very true about the Madrox mini , it read and felt like an XF book. I am also for Larry Stroman making his way back to comics...

[BlakSun]

Originally posted by fedres

But connecting this book to Madrox so strongly (and also House of M and Decimation) is sucking any enthusiasm I have for this title right out of me. I hope some is left for when I see the book on the shelf.

Out of curiousity, why don't you like the Multiple Man?

[Michael C Lorah]

Hard to say much at this point, besides it looks like a fun series and PAD has clearly given a lot of thought to the dynamics of the characters. Should be tons of good times!

[Posco]

Peter David & X-Factor - I was already sold. After all his run was one of the best runs of any writer on a X-book. (And he managed that even with the meddling of the editors at the time). And now I learn that Monet is a member of the team. That´s overselling :-) I always hoped she would return to a series after Gen X was cancelled.

The only thing I hope for is that David isn´t forced to use the "write for the trade"-style. I would prefer a less rigid format.

Christian

[Rawle Austin]

PAD's original X-Factor run was class so have to check this out.

Ryan Sook's smooth pencils look great, a perfect combination with PAD's writing.

Growler


Read Comics International! www.comicsinternational.com

[Big B Wolf]

Looks like I may be picking up an X book regularly, has hell frozen over?

[Darkling]

Wow, I'm so excited for this, this might be my new favorite X-Title.

[BlueThunderArmy]

I wasn't planning on picking this up, but the interview has convinced me to give it a try. Sounds like PAD's got some good concepts.

The art looks like a cross between Quitely's X-Men and Allred's X-Statix, and better than the both of them.

[Grendel Prime]

I love Ryan Sook's art. Really I do. But someone really needs to sit him down and tell him that super heroes in black leather and street clothes is SO two years ago. Although, the style may have been more of PD's idea with his whole recent "noir" fascination than it was Sook's. Regardless, this is a post-Matrix world, and in my opinion X-Factor should embrace the new concept of color and spandex. Syrin in anything other than the green with those yellow and black wings is just wrong.