X-Factor #2

X-Factor #2 (Vol. 5)

I am testing the different pictures, videos, and text entries. Thanks!

© The Weirding, 2020

The Dark Angel Saga Begins

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

X-Factor #204 - Second-Printing Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

X-Completely Lost

I've already gone-off on Siege, but I'm not done there - not by a longshot (ha! - cuz... of... nothing) - but I need to remind you that I also have all the series and tie-in issues for the last three X-events, and I've yet to read a single one because I don't know where the hell to begin!

As I said about Utopia, I opened my Uncanny X-Men subscription issue to find I was reading the second or third chapter in a larger "event" about which I knew nothing until I got the issue. I mean, I'd heard about it, even posted about it here (which is the main reason I'm holding some of the PRs until closer to the actual release of the book), but I didn't know how it was going to go down or anything until the issue was in my hot, little hands. And I was pissed-off!

You don't do that to a subscriber; that is so fucking unprofessional! If you're going to do a crossover event with another title, you still bear the responsibility of giving the subscriber a full story every issue - whether that means a stand-alone story or the continuation of a larger arc within the title - you don't send out half of a book!

But, dirty pool aside, I honestly don't know where to begin with anything. I read New Mutants #9 and 10 so I would be caught-up on their story when I read #11 (Siege tie-in), only to open #11 to find out that an entirely other story had taken place sometime between issues #10 and 11! That is, I think... I have almost the entire run of the original New Mutants, but where do you draw the line, you know? I need to go back 20 years and read from there to know WTF is going on now!?

So over it. So completely over it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

X-perience the X-Factor

For whatever reason, X-Factor never performed as well as the other X titles. X-Factor showcased a lot of talent in its day and even had the distinction of being the only (to my knowledge) title on which husband and wife, Louise and Walt Simonson, worked as a team.

Part of the problem back then is that X-Factor was comprised of the original X-Men and Uncanny X-Men was the hottest title on the planet (regardless of the universe in which it resided). Claremont did not write X-Factor and I'm sure everything X-related had to go through him (well, his editors). Similar to the whole late-night talk shows guest list situation, it was something of a power struggle; Uncanny was sure to get the better storylines, villains, and so on. I don't know that this happened that way, but that is how it's done, so I figure it's a safe assumption. Whether or not this was to blame, X-Factor never came into its own. It came close under the Simonsons' reign, but still fell just short - but not for lack of trying.

A major part of the Mutant Massacre mega-crossover, they "killed" Angel and turned him into Arcangel to stay in-step with the dark vigilantism of all the other comics superheroes of the late 1980s and 1990s. They collected some mutant "members" (the mutants they "rescued") who dressed like Indiesin models and had their own misadventures (am I the only one who remembers Boom Boom?). Nothing really worked.

The entire premise of X-Factor was stale to start with: The original X-Men working as a sort of private investigation and police force, hunting down mutants and teaching them how to use their powers. Obviously, they were doing what Professor X had done for them... before they died. Yes, pretty much all of the members of X-Factor, all of whom were the original X-Men, were either (at that point in continuity, in one of the universes) dead or assumed dead and no one knew they weren't. Except that X-Factor was all over the news, plastered on the sides of city buses, rounding the talk show circuit... I mean, if you had eyes or ears in the late 1980's Marvel Universe, you had heard about X-Factor.

Yet no one figured it out. Hell, no one even questioned it!

Like Clark Kent's magical glasses, a bunch of dead people with powers similar to the original X-Men were on the news, discussing the threat mutantkind posed to humanity, and how you needed to call them so they could hunt the mutants down and put them somewhere they could do no harm. And though everyone was against the Mutant Registration Act and all the people who supported it, yaddayadda, none of them bothered to investigate X-Factor. I mean, here's a team of mutants, talking about hunting down other mutants and imprisoning them (as far as anyone else knew), and none of the teams who actively campaign against such even brought-up their name!

Finally, in Uncanny X-Men 215, Wolvie picked-up Jean Grey's scent. Mind you, X-Factor was all over the Morlocks' tunnels during the Mutant Massacre and all over the news, condemning the actions of the killers, etc. - you know, like 20' to either side of them, but the X-Men never even thought to wonder about them...

Worst of all, when the X-Men finally did learn who X-Factor was, it was like, "Feh." I mean, the X-Men basically shrugged collectively and that was the end of it! Marvel was keeping them all separate so they could run more of those mega-mutant crossover events (every summer for 4-5 years) without having to deal with niggling details like continuity or previous history.

Now Peter David's writing the title - easily one of the better writers in Comicdom - and the same problems seem to be hounding it. The truth is that the characters are just plain, old-fashioned boring. The whole thing is too familiar, to boot; X-Factor is interchangeable with at least 2340297894 other comic book teams and they have never established themselves as anything different.

Marvel says #45 is the jumping-on issue. As a recovered X-fanboy, I'd like to see the title do well - heck, I'd love for it to do well, so I'd have something decent to read! - but I'm just not sure X-Factor will ever take off.

X-Factor #45 is on stands today.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Deadpool Podcast

That’s right True Believers, in the latest edition of the Mighty Marvel Podcast, fan favorite host Jeff Suter chats with the man getting inside the head of everybody's favorite mercenary, Daniel Way.

Deadpool’s been around looking for something to do and Daniel Way is the guy keeping him busy. What role is Deadpool going to play in his Secret Invasion debut? Well you’ll just have to listen to find out! Not only does Daniel answer Jeff’s questions, but he answers YOUR questions! Did you ask a question and want to know if it got answered? Be sure to jump on the Mighty Marvel Podcast train and enjoy!

Go download and listen to this latest Mighty Marvel Podcast right here!

Also don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes so you don’t miss any of the hot interviews coming from the House of Ideas and you can always look for future podcasts on Marvel.com.

DEADPOOL #1 (JUL082316)
DEADPOOL #1 VARIANT (JUL082317)
Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Variant Cover by ROB LIEFELD
Parental Advisory… $3.99
FOC—8/21/08, On-Sale—9/10/08

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

X-Force #6 - Sneak!

Archangel has returned, the Purifiers have turned on each other… but is this enough for X-Force to defeat their sworn enemies? X-Force #6, from the acclaimed writing due of Craig Kyle & Chris Yost and artist Clayton Crain, features the epic conclusion to Wolverine’s first mission with his new team. But will everyone survive the x-perience? With the Purifiers using Angel’s stolen wings to equip their army, the war between mutantkind and Bastion’s forces just got a lot more personal!

X-FORCE #6 (JUN082389)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Pencils & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
50/50 Bloody Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—8/7/08, On-Sale—8/27/08

















© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Longshot's a Skrull!? X-Factor #33 Sneak

Longshot has returned — but he’s a Skrull!

Join Jamie Madrox and the rest of X-Factor as they get caught up in the chaos of Secret Invasion in X-Factor #34! After last issue’s Skrull revelation, Darwin, the Evolving Boy, X-Factor and She-Hulk must battle their greatest threat yet! With fan favorite and Award-winning writer, Peter David (She-Hulk, Dark Tower: The Long Road Home), She-Hulk and Jazinda, daughter of the infamous Super Skrull, are going to lend a helping hand! Legendary X-artist Larry Stroman delivers stunning interiors as X-Factor and She-Hulk learn to put their differences aside and combine their forces!

Will X-Factor and She-Hulk be able to work together without any altercations? And what does a certain Skrull have planned for the team? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this Secret Invasion tie-in… X-Factor #34!

He Loves You Part 3
X-FACTOR #34 (JUN082364)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by LARRY STROMAN
Cover by BOO COOK
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—7/31/08, On-Sale—8/20/08















© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Archangel and X-Force #5 Variant

A villain civil war has erupted, a horseman of Apocalypse has returned and everyone's favorite mutant dark-ops team is struggling to keep the lid on. Marvel is pleased announce that X-Force #5 has sold out at Diamond (although copies may still be available at a retail level). Everyone is clamoring for more Archangel, and to satisfy overwhelming demand Marvel will be going back to print with X-Force #5 Second Printing Variant. This issue will also feature a stunning cover by superstar artist Clayton Crain.

Bastion has complete control of Stryker and his Purifiers. It's up to Risman to use his army of Archangel wannabes to take control back from robotic menace. Also, Warren isn't playing nice anymore and he's got both Stryker and Risman in his sights. Can the X-Force team of Wolverine, X-23, and Warpath put an end to it all? Find out the answers to these questions and more as X-Force #5 Second Printing Variant hits store shelves!

X-FORCE #5 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY088374)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Pencils & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—8/14/08, On-Sale—9/3/08

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

X-Factor's Layla Miller - Sneak Peek!

Here you go guys, a one-shot featuring X-Factor's Layla Miller, and we have a couple pages of interior work (sans dialogue) to go along with it. From Marvel Comics:

She was lost to us in MESSIAH COMPLEX, now see Layla Miller in her very own extra-sized one-shot! That's right, the girl "who knows stuff" triumphantly returns this August in… X-Factor Special: Layla Miller! After sacrificing herself in the pages of X-Men: Messiah Complex, Layla Miller has been stuck in a dystopian future. Join fan favorite and Award-winning writer, Peter David (X-Factor, She-Hulk, The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home), as he picks up right where Messiah Complex left off with Layla Miller incarcerated in a mutant prison camp. With beautifully stunning interiors from artist Valentine De Landro (X-Factor, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), Layla Miller is going to find herself smack dab in the midst of the Summers Rebellion! With the help of some old and new faces, the liberation of mutants rests on the shoulders of Layla Miller! Plus, a devastating truth is revealed, drastically impacting the future of the Marvel Universe! And check out the special variant cover from new rising star artist Boo Cook!

Since her departure from X-Factor, Jamie Madrox, the Multpile Man, has imagined seeing Layla Miller in his head. Now see her for real in X-Factor Special: Layla Miller, a must have for all X-Factor fans!

X-FACTOR SPECIAL: LAYLA MILLER (JUN082396)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by BOO COOK
Rated T+ … $3.99
FOC—7/31/08, On-Sale—8/20/08

I have no idea how this will fit into continuity, but you probably need not worry, as they will likely ret-con it later. Seriously though, this may be one of those one-shots casual fans will pass-up that later becomes highly collectible because Layla becomes more important later down the road.














© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Peter David, She-Hulk, and X-Factor

Now this is exciting for several reasons:

• Peter David is a great comics writer
• X-Factor and She-Hulk are two of the coolest, underrated characters (team) in the MU
  
• He is apparently writing both and they are about to meet
• I have sneak previews of both

So, instead of making this a super-long post that will fill the entire front page, I am going to include the press release in this post and then each sneak preview in its own post, following. Just click on the links to see them (but since they are on The Rundown, they will open in the same window; you might want to right-click and choose "open in new tab").

This is from Marvel Comics and it's 2324884 days in the making official:

The status-quo shattering "He Loves You" begins in July as Secret Invasion puts X-Factor on a collision course with She-Hulk! Beginning in July's She-Hulk #31 and X-Factor #33, writer Peter David brings both his acclaimed series together for a story that delves into the Skrull religion, evolution and features the return of some beloved X-characters! Just how has the Skrull infiltration gone deeper — and more successfully — than anyone imagined?

In X-Factor #33, featuring the return of legendary X-artist Larry Stroman to the team he helped make famous, Darwin and Longshot make their long-awaited returns! As X-Factor moves into their new digs, they'll find themselves embroiled in conflict with She-Hulk — and like her cousin, she won't go down without a SMASH!

Then, in She-Hulk #31, She Hulk's Skrull partner, Jazinda, comes under scrutiny for her possible role in the invasion ravaging Earth! What did she know about the Skrulls' plans? And might she have aided her fellow people in replacing some of the world's heroes?

Follow the links above for sneak previews of both She-Hulk #31 and X-Factor #33!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

X-Factor #33 - Sneak Peek!

Featuring the return of fan-favorite and former X-Factor artist, Larry Stroman! X-Factor 33 hits stands July 16^th. #34 (the conclusion to the title-spanning "He Loves You") will be released August 20^th.



























© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Archangel Returns!

How interesting - though not serendipitous - that Ernie and I have been discussing this whole 1985 event and they are reintroducing Archangel. Marvel is obviously trying their best to recapture some of their former glory, and while I understand that - would even applaud it, were it done well - I'm not sure how I feel about this whole thing.

Angel was a cool, though one-dimensional, character who was never fully explored and developed. In the original crossover event that CHANGED THE MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER (Mutant Massacre), Angel was no more.

For X-tinction or X-termination or X-amination Room 911 - one of them - he was brought back with a thoroughly 1990s makeover: no more the Heavenly allusion to the angelic, now he was the Hellacious incarnation of brook-no-bullshit vigilante - the "Dark Angel." Excepting the Cyberpunk wings, Archangel was basically Wolverine and Punisher... and the 1990s Captain America and Superman and... well, they were all vigilantes in the 1990s.

But there was something interesting about Archangel, for the moment he was "hot" and they actually employed the property to move units: he almost developed a personality! Unfortunately, whoever was writing X-Factor at the time chose instead to keep him silent, brooding, moody, and mysterious (like Wolvie and Punny and Supes and Bats and... ah, they were all silent and brooding in the 1990s)... and it just never happened.

That was either Ann Nocenti or Louise Simonson, I think, but you can't blame them - whoever it was - because I'm sure they were told to do that because all the hot properties who were moving units in the market at that time were just the same and X-Factor was on its last leg.

So I won't be buying-in for this, but here's to hoping Archangel pulls it together and actually becomes someone. This is from Marvel and it is high-flyingly OFFICIAL:

Marvel is pleased to announce that X-Force #4 has sold out at Diamond and, due to popular demand, will return with X-Force #4 Second Printing Variant. The red-hot series, whose first three issues—and their second printings—sold out quickly, continues with the return of fan-favorite Archangel… but is he an ally to Wolverine's new X-Force?

The acclaimed writing due of Craig Kyle & Chris Yost, teamed with rising star artist Clayton Crain, have launched one of 2008's hottest new series, as the deadliest X-Men join forces for a covert mission against an enemy that may be too much for them to handle! With a new cover featuring the stunning interior art of Crain, this issue is a must-have for X-fans!

If you missed the first three issues of this sold-out series, make sure to check out X-Force: Legacy of Violence, collecting X-Force #1-3 and sporting what may be the most unique cover of the decade!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Messiah Complex 7 Sells Out, New Printing!

That ol' Messiah Complex is really burning up the charts, huh? Every chapter has sold-out! That's pretty damned good, even for an X-title. This is an official Marvel press release:

Marvel is proud to announce that X-Factor #26, featuring Messiah CompleX Chapter 7, has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). This marks the seventh straight sell-out for the comic book event of the season, which has shocked readers with the appearance of a new mutant, the return of Cable and the formation of an all-new, all-different X-Force.

To meet the overwhelming demand for this issue, Marvel is going back to press with X-Factor #26 Second Printing Variant, featuring the interior art of fan-favorite Scot Eaton on a new cover!

“I am so proud that Messiah CompleX is doing so well,” said editor Nick Lowe. “The writers and artists have put in so much work to knock your socks off and it seems to be working (though I hope your feet don’t get cold). Trust me when I say, the best is yet to come!”

David Gabriel, Marvel’s Senior Vice-President of Sales and Circulation added, “Sales on New X-Men and X-Factor have more than doubled since this started. With new titles launching out of this event such as X-Force, Cable, X-Men: Legacy and Young X-Men, as well as saying good bye to some old favorites, we'll have an entirely new invigorated X line up for 2008!"

Hailed as am “undeniable success so far” by IGN.Com, and with buzz continuing to grow, Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on X-Factor #26 Second Printing Variant and all chapters of Messiah CompleX. The X-Men have never faced a war like this before and when it’s done, not everyone may survive the x-perience!

Don’t miss a single issue of Messiah CompleX!

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 1 of 13
X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX ONE-SHOT NEW PRINTING (SEP078124)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MARC SILVESTRI
Wraparound Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$3.99
On-Sale—NOW!

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 2 of 13
UNCANNY X-MEN #492 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (SEP078145)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by BILLY TAN
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—12/05/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 3 of 13
X-FACTOR #25 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (OCT078038)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by SCOT EATON
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—12/12/07

MESSIAH COMLPEX – PART 4 of 13
NEW X-MEN #44 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (OCT078075)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—12/19/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 5 of 13
X-MEN #205 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (NOV078022)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—12/20/07, On-Sale—01/16/08

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 6 of 13
UNCANNY X-MEN #493 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (NOV078021)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—12/20/07, On-Sale—01/16/08

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 7 of 13
X-FACTOR #26 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (NOV078080)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by SCOT EATON
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—1/10/08, On-Sale—1/30/08

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 8 of 13
NEW X-MEN #45 (OCT072137)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—12/19/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 9 of 13
X-MEN #206 (OCT072139)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated A …$2.99
On-Sale—12/28/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 10 of 13
UNCANNY X-MEN #494 (NOV072179)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—01/04/08

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 11 of 13
X-FACTOR #27 (NOV072181)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—01/09/08

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 12 of 13
NEW X-MEN #46 (NOV072183)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—12/20/07, On-Sale—01/16/08

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 13 of 13
X-MEN #207 (NOV072185)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—01/03/07, On-Sale—01/23/08

X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX POSTER (AUG072315)
24x36 Color Poster…$6.99
On-Sale—NOW!

MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: X-MEN – MESSIAH COMPLEX (OCT072141)
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—12/28/07

X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX - MUTANT FILES (OCT072142)
Written by ERIC J. MOREELS, CHAD ANDERSON, STUART VANDAL, DAVID WILTFONG, SEAN MCQUAID, CHRIS BIGGS, MICHAEL HOSKIN, MIKE FICHERA, RONALD BYRD & MADISON CARTER
Cover by SCOTT KOLINS
Rated T+ …$3.99
On-Sale—12/28/07

Messiah CompleX Ch. 3 - Sold-Out!

I told you most of the press releases I got toward the end of last week had to do with titles selling-out and this one is no exception. I guess I really missed the boat on collecting these Messiah CompleX X-over issues, but I'm okay with that; that's just how collecting goes, you know. I have gotten incredibly lucky and picked up some massive issues on a whim, and gotten incredibly unlucky when I've passed on titles I knew, in my head and heart, would one day be worth a small fortune. Still, I'm 33, and if selling my entire collection tomorrow meant I could buy my dream home, I really couldn't make that decision without some serious thought... pathetic, isn't it?

This is an official Marvel press release:

Marvel is pleased to announce that X-Factor #25, featuring Messiah CompleX Chapter 3, has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). This marks the third straight sell out for the comic book event of the season, as Messiah CompleX has proven a hit with fans, retailers and critics alike. This third chapter, by acclaimed writer Peter David (She-Hulk) and artist Scot Eaton (X-Men: Endangered Species One-Shot), shows just how far the X-Men will go to ensure they find the new mutant!

To meet the demand for this issue, Marvel is going back to press with X-Factor #25 Second Printing Variant, featuring a new cover by Eaton!

"I'm growing more and more pleased with Messiah Complex each week," said Jesse Schedeen of IGN.Com after reading X-Factor #25.

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on X-Factor #25 Second Printing Variant and all upcoming Messiah CompleX chapters, as the first three issues of this event sold-out quickly and buzz continues to grow! Just where—or when—are Madrox & Layla? Will the X-Men be torn apart from within? And what do the Purifiers have planned? Find out in Messiah CompleX, the first major X-Men event in over ten years and don't miss these upcoming chapters!

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 1 of 13
X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX ONE-SHOT NEW PRINTING (SEP078124)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MARC SILVESTRI
Wraparound Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$3.99
On-Sale—11/28/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 2 of 13
UNCANNY X-MEN #492 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (SEP078145)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by BILLY TAN
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—11/15/07, On-Sale—12/05/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 3 of 13
X-FACTOR #25 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (OCT078038)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by SCOT EATON
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—NOW!
FOC—11/20/07, On-Sale—12/12/07

MESSIAH COMLPEX – PART 4 of 13
NEW X-MEN #44 (SEP072236)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by J.SCOTT CAMPBELL
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—11/21/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 5 of 13
X-MEN #205 (SEP072238)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by J.SCOTT CAMPBELL
Rated A …$2.99
On-Sale—11/28/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 6 of 13
UNCANNY X-MEN #493 (OCT072133)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—12/05/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 7 of 13
X-FACTOR #26 (OCT072135)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—11/20/07, On-Sale—12/12/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 8 of 13
NEW X-MEN #45 (OCT072137)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—11/29/07, On-Sale—12/19/07

MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 9 of 13
X-MEN #206 (OCT072139)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—12/06/07, On-Sale—12/27/07

X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX POSTER (AUG072315)
24x36 Color Poster…$6.99
On-Sale—NOW!

MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: X-MEN – MESSIAH COMPLEX (OCT072141)
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—12/06/07, On-Sale—12/27/07

X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX - MUTANT FILES (OCT072142)
Written by ERIC J. MOREELS, CHAD ANDERSON, STUART VANDAL, DAVID WILTFONG, SEAN MCQUAID, CHRIS BIGGS, MICHAEL HOSKIN, MIKE FICHERA, RONALD BYRD & MADISON CARTER
Cover by SCOTT KOLINS
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—12/06/07, On-Sale—12/27/07

The X-Men Return to X-Factor!

One of the jewels of my collection (personally, not financially) is my X-Factor run. It doesn't start at #1, but it has fewer holes than Lindsay Lohan, and it runs all the way through to the end, if I recall correctly (I really can't find anything in that closet). I didn't pick it back up when they restarted the series only because I'm pretty far removed from the whole X-anything by now. Still, I literally grew up with all those X-folk and have the comics to prove it! I thought you might like this official Marvel press release:

The X-Factor Investigations faces dangers from all sides and in X-Factor #23, it’s about to get worse for this team of private investigators! Written by the acclaimed Peter David and featuring the lush pencils of Pablo Raimondi, the penultimate chapter of “The Isolationist” answers the question on the minds of fans since last issue’s shocking final page: is Layla Miller going to survive? Unfortunately for her, that answer hinges on the decision of a special guest-star who would like nothing more than to see her dead-and now it may happen! Meanwhile, the X-Men pay X-Factor a visit, but the last time they met it didn’t end well. Why are the X-Men back? And what does it mean for X-Factor? One thing’s for sure-it all leading up to this fall’s massive Messiah Complex event!

This issue also includes the next thrilling chapter of the acclaimed Endangered Species storyline, as Beast seeks to keep mutantkind from disappearing. So when he enlists the aid of Forge and his futuristic technology, the Beast hopes to bring about a better future…but that may not be possible!

Luke Paton of SilverBulletComics.Com gushed that X-Factor is a, “a success from start to finish” and added, “Endangered Species itself is greatly enjoyable.”

With sell-outs for every chapter of Endangered Species, Marvel advises retailers to check their orders on X-Factor #23 and upcoming Endangered Species tie-in issues. It’s X-Men, X-Factor and possible X-tinction-all in X-Factor #23!

X-FACTOR #23 (JUL072196)
Written by Peter David
Pencils & Cover by Pablo Raimondi
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC-8/23/07, On-Sale 9/12/-7

R.I.P. X-Men's Dave Cockrum, Creators' Rights

I must have missed this due to the holidays and all the work I've been doing elsewhere -- and the fact that I eschew news programs. This is the first day I've even looked at more than just the headlines, and I even bothered to read a few stories. And, as usual, I am now angry and upset by all the injustice and general bullshit that goes on around me, no matter what I do. I feel powerless and impotent and it angers me, but since I can do nothing about it, it does me no good, and I digress...

Former X-Men penciler, Dave Cockrum, recently passed away. Some of the younger readers may not know this, but Cockrum co-created and helped develop some of the X-Men with which they are most familiar, including Storm and Nightcrawler. Cockrum also worked on a lot of the Shi'ar/Dark Phoenix storyline with Claremont (which was also very popular in its day) and was off and on the title around that time until Romita, Jr. took over the reigns toward issue 200.

(Just to clarify, Romita, Jr.'s run lasted for about 20 issues before Marc Silvestri took over and he was on there for a good three-four years before turning things over to the still too impressive Jim Lee. Romita took over penciling Daredevil with former X-Men editor, Ann Nocenti, as writer; X-Factor was released during his run on X-Men, and Excalibur came about right around the time of his departure, though he had nothing to do with either title. X-Factor focused on the original Uncanny X-Men (Cyclops, Jean Grey/Marvel Girl/Phoenix/Dark Phoenix, Iceman, Beast, and so on) and Excalibur took up the stories of Elizabeth (Psylocke) and Brian (Captain Marvel) Braddock, "little" Phoenix, and Nightcrawler.)

Most industry folk are dismissive of this whole "X"-craze -- and rightfully so; it was definitely a marketing ploy to get all of our, and our parents', money, and it was shockingly effective. But none of the series were bad and when you get right down to it, there was no other way to do it -- the X-Men family had simply grown too big even back then for one title to tell everyone's story. And Cockrum was directly responsible for this "newfound" X-People popularity (which was nearly two decades old by then).

[Aside: After the highly successful Mutant Massacre crossover, Marvel began doing an annual summer event, and right around here came the whole Inferno storyline which featured a daemon name S'ym, who looked very similar to an aardvark whose name is being withheld for his protection. Meanwhile, in one of our favorite independent titles, many Marvel characters were being channeled by one Normal Roach, resulting in such incarnations as Moon Roach, Wolveroach, and more. This is important for what follows:]

Though Cockrum was co-creator of many of the most popular X-Men characters -- many of whom later appeared in their own titles, mini-series, and even motion pictures -- he never received fair compensation for his contributions and talent. This is why people like Dave Sim, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, and others, are so vehement about creators' rights within the industry (Miller went all Dave Sim on us in Sin City: Hell & Back like #7 or so about all of this, because DC had refused to allow a baby to be put in a microwave or something). And for all the crap Sim gives us superhero guys for drawing like Neal Adams, he intentionally neglects to mention that Adams was the forerunner of this entire movement! Adams fought for, and got, a lot his original artwork back. 

The story goes that he saw a lot of it setting around some DC editor's office and found out the guy was selling it at conventions and to private collectors for the company's profit, throwing a lot of it away, and something -- I forget how the story goes exactly, right this minute -- and that's what started the whole Creators' Rights thing. So, like I've said time and again, you have to take a lot of what is published by Sim and really everyone -- no matter what they are talking about -- with a grain of salt, because these guys are just like the rest of us: they get mad and say things they don't completely mean, and that can be completely misconstrued, or aren't fully supported by the larger context in which they should reside, etc.

But they are very right to be so upset and vociferous in their opposition to The Big Two over this. Unfortunately, what it resulted in was Image Comics, which single-handedly blew the bottom out of the entire industry and is the reason so many of us today are former collectors and aren't more actively pursuing roles within the industry as a whole.

But anyway you cut it, Cockrum and many, many, many other creators in this all too small (and dwindling, I might add!) field got a bad shake and I'm extremely saddened to hear of his passing, however belatedly. Thank you, Mr. Cockrum, for all you did for the X-Men and comics, in general. While he was not financially compensated for what he did for the Marvel Entertainment Group, and is rarely noted as an artist of interest by any but we historians (which is pretty odd, since he was immensely popular in his time), much like Claremont, those cats what made that flying alien with the cape, Frank Miller, and scores of others, his contributions forever changed everything and there's no way to escape that.

And in a cynical world filled with too much hatred and corruption as it is -- where the rich get away with murder, rape, and all other manner of Evil on a daily basis -- a world where a man's success is only measured in terms of his finances, and celebrity can be measured by the number of sex tapes in which one's appeared, maybe it's a little pie-in-the-sky, but I'd like to think that Cockrum died knowing that his payoff is greater than any amount of money could ever cover. 

No matter what else ever happens, Dave Cockrum changed our superheroes forever; some of the men and women we kids grew up with for going on three or four generations now -- characters who helped shape our outlooks, viewpoints, sense of justice and injustice, helped to instill our morals, and introduced us to the "real world" through high-impact lenses -- characters our own kids will grow up with, came directly from him.

So even if you don't know his name, Dave Cockrum changed your life.

R.I.P., Dave Cockrum. Our deepest-felt condolences go out to his family and friends.