You Could Be Reading X-Factor! Issue 17!

[PastePotPete]

What are you doing here on the internet?? You could be reading Peter David's X-Factor right now!

We got a thread about who Storm should be "be with" but no X-Factor threads? Come on!

I'm not going to state categorically that this is the best book Marvel is publishing right now but-- Okay, I am. This is the best book Marvel is publishing right now. And Marvel publishes a COUPLE good books. Like, as many as three or four!

If you haven't read issue #17--

I'm going to SPOILERS the story with SPOILERS...

We start out last Christmas at the home of the undersecretary of defense. There is a bizarre attempt on his life and the assassins leave a calling card with a note- "We want our powers back - The X-Cell"

Meanwhile Jamie is still on a quest to collect all of his prodigal dupes. He finds the next one drunk on the streets of Detroit. The reasons why this dupe is drunk are intriguing however, and a bit depressing. Jamie's conversation with this dupe builds to a terrifying and violent conclusion. This may be the first dupe to outsmart Jamie, but in a way you won't expect.

Meanwhile, Rictor and Rahne are having an argument in Mutant Town. Rictor puts a foot in his mouth. It's one of those "Oh no you di'int!!!" moments. Suddenly, a scream! Someone's in trouble. Rictor and Rahne spring to the aid of a young man in an alleyway. They subdue his attackers and the young man runs away. That's when they discover the 'attackers' are actually federal agents. Whoops.

Jamie is called back to X-Factor, but before he gets in his front door he notices that things are not quiet on the streets of Mutant Town. Suddenly, armed federal troopers throw him into the back of a limousine for a meeting with Val Cooper. She wants Jamie to investigate this X-Cell. She also lets him know that Rahne and Rictor attacked federal agents who were apprehending the leader of X-Cell.

Final page: the leader of X-Cell is talking to a shadowy figure. "I need your help" he tells the shadowy figure. The shadowy figure is revealed to be...

an X-Factor regular who keeps getting scarier and scarier.

Okay, so I didn't spoil everything. Because I want you to READ THE BOOK. Hell, I even left some hilarious scenes with Layla Miller and Strong Guy out of my synopsis.

This is a thread where you can discuss what you thought of the issue. And if you're a fan of the book, please tell other people on this thread why you love it and why they should be checking it out.

If you're not a fan of the book, or tried it and stopped buying, please tell us why. We will then carefully reason with you, changing your mind completely over the course of several well-worded and clever internet missives. The Internet: where fans are easily swayed into liking things.

My thoughts on the issue: Another great one. The scene with Jamie and his dupe was different from all the past dupe encounters in a scary and thought-provoking way. The little bonus scene with Layla and Guido was laugh out loud funny. This was a great beginning for the new story arc.
HOP ON BOARD NOW! READ THE BOOK!

[Pro]

Because I want you to READ THE BOOK.

No need to twist my arm, it's my favorite series. Probably going to get it in the stores friday in the netherlands. Can't wait.

[loopdodgers]

Another solid issue by PAD. But does anyone know if Raimondi will be back after this arc. This fill-in artist, while not intolerable, was a definite step down in quality for the artwork.

[Greg Anderson]

Yeah, I was planning on making this damn thread myself, you people taking so damn long!:mad:

But anyways, this was a highly entertaining issue, I'd say the best one so far after #13. And finally, we get to see Rictor, Rahne, Layla, and Guido again, I was getting very iffy for not seeing them for a last two months. I was about to open up some of my old issues just to see them again.:D

But well done, once again. My only complaint was that I wish the other dupe had a different shirt than Jamie did, but ah well, what can you do?:rolleyes:

[The Cool Thatguy]

What'd Rictor say to Rahne?

(about time she got somethin' to freakin' do in this series)

[Radical_dreamer]

What'd Rictor say to Rahne?

(about time she got somethin' to freakin' do in this series)

That basically she wasthe only woman of x-factor who wasn't good enough for Madrox to sleep with. He did sleep with Monet, Theresa AND Layla (well he will in the far future at least and Rahne knows that)

Snap indeed.

[Greg Anderson]

That basically she wasthe only woman of x-factor who wasn't good enough for Madrox to sleep with. He did sleep with Monet, Theresa AND Layla (well he will in the far future at least and Rahne knows that)

Snap indeed.

Heh, for some reason, I'm expecting Rictor to come out saying that he was hoping Jamie had a clone to sleep with him also.:p

[The Cool Thatguy]

That basically she wasthe only woman of x-factor who wasn't good enough for Madrox to sleep with. He did sleep with Monet, Theresa AND Layla (well he will in the far future at least and Rahne knows that)

Snap indeed.

So, yet again, we have a subplot with Rahne having a secret crush on a cast member.

Good Lord, WTF is it with writers and Rahne? It's like that's the only damn plot she can ever freakin' have!

[blinkinrogue]

hmmm i thought this issue was much weaker compared to the last issue, which was very, very good.

Uhhh... correct me if im wrong, but Madrox seemed to not have absorbed the memories of that dead dupe, or maybe he has not reacted to what he absorbed yet?????? i expected since that dupe was hiding a big secret that absorbing his memory would visibly rattle madrox...

[Radical_dreamer]

So, yet again, we have a subplot with Rahne having a secret crush on a cast member.

Good Lord, WTF is it with writers and Rahne? It's like that's the only damn plot she can ever freakin' have!

I dont actually think she likes Madrox. I just think she's a bit insecure. I mean a guy hits every woman that moves sees right through her. That'd be hard to take for anyone....but yeah i do agree Rahne is a bit...underused in this book. She's lost her new first issue edge. I would have preferred Nocturne in her place like PAD had first intended.

[The Lucky One]

I dont actually think she likes Madrox. I just think she's a bit insecure. I mean a guy hits every woman that moves sees right through her. That'd be hard to take for anyone....

It's a nice moment in and of itself; I think it's even better when one remembers PAD's original X-Factor run, when Rahne was (because of her genetic tampering in X-Tinction Agenda) hitting on every guy with a pulse. Jamie rejected her advances then too, and (unlike Havok and Guido) he was the one who was actually single and close to her age, so it hurt more. Even though she wasn't fully in control of her actions then, I'm sure she remembers it, which probably makes Jamie's recent "rejection" of her (by not trying to sleep with her) all the more biting. Subtle but nice moment on PAD's part.

Uhhh... correct me if im wrong, but Madrox seemed to not have absorbed the memories of that dead dupe, or maybe he has not reacted to what he absorbed yet?????? i expected since that dupe was hiding a big secret that absorbing his memory would visibly rattle madrox...

I wondered about that too. Jamie's powers have changed so much recently, it's hard to keep track of them. In the past, if a dupe died before he absorbed it, he wouldn't get their memories. I know it's different now, but it's too early for us to tell if he immediately got the dupe's knowledge, or if it'll take a while to process. In the MadroX mini, it took him almost an hour of sitting alone to process a dupe's knowledge, IIRC.

-D

[Faded]

Wow, awesome issue! Khoi Pham certainly isn't my favorite X-Factor artist, but K.P. did an adequate job (and has done one of the better Wolfsbanes). However, some of the faces were a little akward, like when Jamie was crying. It seemed like the tears were just drawn on top of any random face.

Layla is an adorable little cupcake. I'm seriously in love with this character now. Overall an interesting set-up for X-Cell, a plot I've been looking forward to since its been announced. Hopefully the teases of Jamie's mystery will be explained sooner rather than later. I'm a little anxious to see what the fallen dupe really knew, but as a lingering thread I'm becoming a little impatient. :o

Oh, and for anyone whose read Civil War: Battle Damage Report, I hope its a typo that M was missing from the lineup. Did anyone else notice? :mad:

[Greg Anderson]

This is from a post I wrote on newsarama...

No, he didn't and can't absorb the dupe's memory we just met after he died. I don't have the issue at hand, but I remember reading that he was only able to absorb the memories of the dupe from issue 12 because he was a recently created dupe. The dupe we met in this recent issue was an old dupe, and he was created before Jamie's powers seem to go berserk.

[blinkinrogue]

what is damage about? maybe M doesnt want to be associated with anything that has damage attached to it? hehe...

[Faded]

what is damage about? maybe M doesnt want to be associated with anything that has damage attached to it? hehe...

It's a handbook covering heroes/villains/whateva involved in Civil War. There's an entry on X-Factor, but our darling M is suspiciously missing. The handbook does contain some spoilers for future stories, so I hope its a typo and not a hint at things to come.

[Greg Anderson]

It's a handbook covering heroes/villains/whateva involved in Civil War. There's an entry on X-Factor, but our darling M is suspiciously missing. The handbook does contain some spoilers for future stories, so I hope its a typo and not a hint at things to come.

Augh, gosh darn it!:mad:

[madrox1977]

Another great issue, loved every bit of it, the art while not up to usual standard is good, the story brilliant. Can't wait until the next issue to see more of x-cell.

Glad Rahne n rictor were back in the issue, even if Ric was a bit of an arse to her, but surely Rahne could tell him about the whole future vision thing or at least i hope she will in the near future. Layla continues to crack me up, will be interesting to see her interact with the french orphan that terry and monet bring home from paris.

[Arilou]

So, yet again, we have a subplot with Rahne having a secret crush on a cast member.

Good Lord, WTF is it with writers and Rahne? It's like that's the only damn plot she can ever freakin' have!

Well, to be fair, the last time It was more said cast-member having a crush on HER....

[UncannyAsianGirl]

Nice summary, but you left out the smelly armpits bit! :evilangry

Definitely one of the funniest moments in the issue. Heck, Layla gets a lot of funny lines in this issue. She messes around with her catchphrase. :D

And Guido with his, "Are you expecting an army?"

Madrox watching Dupe!Madrox get shot down was so sad... :(

I also liked the banter between Rahne and Rictor. The talk about statistics was great, and the "I told you so" moment was hilarious.

Also, Jamie's comment to Val, about looking down to find the leader of X-cell was just plain silly as well. She's a high-ranking official, and he just snarks at her. It was great. :p

[Volk1]

Finally, finally, finally some Julio-Rahne interaction!!! I've been waiting all series for this....Ric comes off as a pryck, but I think there's more to it than that. I'm hoping he still likes Rahne, and he was hurt that he thought (or thinks) she has feelings for Jamie, hence his comment.

Well, I'm hoping this is the case, because I really like them as a couple. His love for her was, I can't believe I'm saying this, so cute:o in New Mutants.....I just really want that back now that they've matured.

Oh yeah, Layla is funny and if she was in New X-Men I think she would be queen.

And Jamie is a riot and Val Cooper is annoying!:evilangry

[Post-It]

Finally, finally, finally some Julio-Rahne interaction!!! I've been waiting all series for this....Ric comes off as a pryck, but I think there's more to it than that. I'm hoping he still likes Rahne, and he was hurt that he thought (or thinks) she has feelings for Jamie, hence his comment.

Well, I'm hoping this is the case, because I really like them as a couple. His love for her was, I can't believe I'm saying this, so cute:o in New Mutants.....I just really want that back now that they've matured.



I agree. I never understood why the New Mutants never produced a long term couple as every other team has. Its almost a given in comics that when you spend long periods of time with someone in death situations you bond. Aside from Meltdown and Cannonball nothing happened. I always wanted Moonstar and Warpath to get together in a mutant version of of Romeo and Juliet, with the Hellions and New Mutants both angry.

[Hi-Fi]

Fun issue, but definetily a step down from last issue. The art didn't help it. Best part was seeing Rictor and Rahne interacting again and, of course, Layla Miller.

[The Cool Thatguy]

Well, to be fair, the last time It was more said cast-member having a crush on HER....

No, actually the relationship was mutual, even if it went no further than some kissing. As as of yet, almost every last personal plot she's had is her in a romantic situation. So very tired of that, really...

[Grunty]

Another great issue.
The dupes death was really sad, like someone said here before.

Layla not knowing "everything" was intresting. Which makes me wonder where her limits of knowing are. Madrox seems to get used to her knowing stuff the most.
Of course the scene with Guido and the sudden apearance of "the army" was funny as hell.
Rictor and Rahne had a nice dialoge.

It seems like M and Syren are still on way back home since we haven't seen them here.

About X-Cell, its a shame we didn't saw how many they actualy are, i somewhat get the feeling Cal. will be the ONLY prominent member.
By the way how many evil people that look like 12 year olds are running around in X-factor? First that girl from HYDRA and now that boy who is leader of the X-cell group.

I also still hope that Marrow won't be part of X-cell since her character got enough damage in the Weapon x series. Isn't it strange to hope for a character to not apeare?

[MakeshiftHero]

Madrox watching Dupe!Madrox get shot down was so sad... :(
. :p

So true. I was yelling "NOOOOOOOOO!!!" in my mind while I was reading this. Here was the one and probably only chance that Jamie had of being a real detective, and not just a good one but "worlds greatest detective", also he knew about his TRUE sorce of powers and about his new versions of his dupes and this new thing called Uber. It was very sad and agrivating at the same time. Argghhh:( :mad: Madrox should have absorbed him...

[blinkinrogue]

but i thought when a dupe dies, jamie absorbs them????? i wonder if his dupe, if left unabsorbed, rots or something....:eek:

[MakeshiftHero]

but i thought when a dupe dies, jamie absorbs them????? i wonder if his dupe, if left unabsorbed, rots or something....:eek:

When Jamie told his dupe about that hapening to the one that was caught in the explosion his detective dupe said "That' probably because he was a dupe you made since your powers started going wonky. Oh...I know why that happened, too.

So I think his detective dupe was created a long time ago before his powers got all "wonky"

[Greg Anderson]

When Jamie told his dupe about that hapening to the one that was caught in the explosion his detective dupe said "That' probably because he was a dupe you made since your powers started going wonky. Oh...I know why that happened, too.

So I think his detective dupe was created a long time ago before his powers got all "wonky"

Jeez, I do remember mentioning that myself, but no one likes to listen to Greg.:rolleyes:

[Pyro]

I liked the issue, but once again I was disappointed with the art. It wasn't bad, and I liked seeing the older outfits again, but it just makes this series even less cohesive artistically, whereas the writing, on the other hand, is as cohesive as can be. Great story. Disappointing art. Why can't PAD get a steady artist on any of his books?

[UncannyAsianGirl]

Jeez, I do remember mentioning that myself, but no one likes to listen to Greg.:rolleyes:

I listened to you, I didn't post my advanced summary because of you. :o I thought you were gonna hate me...:(


... :p

Hey, MakeShiftHero, but think of it this way, if Madrox reabsorbed Detective!Jamie, he would've become as nutty, alcoholic and manic-depressive as he was. I'd prefer snarky!Jamie any day. =D

[Alex A Sanchez]

This fill-in artist, while not intolerable, was a definite step down in quality for the artwork.

I liked the issue, but once again I was disappointed with the art... Great story. Disappointing art.

It saddens me that so many people don't recognize good comic book art when they see it. Khoi Pham is the best artist to draw this series so far- he did a phenomenal job. (Sook may be an exception.) He's easily the best at storytelling, his characters actually look like they are talking, and the pages are alive and vibrant with energy. Look at how dynamic everything seems contrasted with Paublo's static statues.

Take page 8 for example: the despair, helplessness and suddeness of the moment were captured brilliantly- you can almost feel the bullet wounds.

However, some of the faces were a little akward, like when Jamie was crying. It seemed like the tears were just drawn on top of any random face.

Jamie is seen crying in four panels: two were brilliantly and realistically drawn, one of them looks rushed (and it probably was- this IS a filler
artist).


While I enjoy Ramani a lot, I wish Pham could stay on as the regular artist.

[steve2275]

art :)
dosent layla ever take her shoes off:p
could call the ice cream smelly socks

[DasPoppen]

So is Raimondi coming back anytime soon? I think he is the perfect artist for X-Factor.
This book needs a regular artist to stay on for more than four issues. The constant changes are annoying.

[Alex A Sanchez]

This really has to do with issue #16, but:

"Are we going to see Sinister in Endangered Species?" Schmidt: "Sinister is out and about. He's definitely lurking around, and there is a plan for him."

from[/URL] here (http://www.newsarama.com/WWLA_07/Marvel/x_men.html).

All of the evidence from up high says that it was Sinister who was lurking around last issue.



And for the record, this issue was fantastic!!! I loved it so much, one of my favs of the series.

[MartinRedmond]

Peter David can do no wrong. :]

[loopdodgers]

It saddens me that so many people don't recognize good comic book art when they see it. Khoi Pham is the best artist to draw this series so far- he did a phenomenal job. (Sook may be an exception.) He's easily the best at storytelling, his characters actually look like they are talking, and the pages are alive and vibrant with energy. Look at how dynamic everything seems contrasted with Paublo's static statues.

Take page 8 for example: the despair, helplessness and suddeness of the moment were captured brilliantly- you can almost feel the bullet wounds.



Jamie is seen crying in four panels: two were brilliantly and realistically drawn, one of them looks rushed (and it probably was- this IS a filler
artist).


While I enjoy Ramani a lot, I wish Pham could stay on as the regular artist.

I don't know. The first scene we see, where that little girl receives the elephant was really well drawn. After that, I thought the art quality declined throughout. I thought the action scenes in particular were poorly done. Maybe it's just because Khoi is a filler, but I'm not feeling it. Personally, I wish Sook would return. But, Raimondi is definitely great on this title, IMO.

[Alex A Sanchez]

I don't know. The first scene we see, where that little girl receives the elephant was really well drawn. After that, I thought the art quality declined throughout. I thought the action scenes in particular were poorly done.

Drawing is more than just putting a lot of detail into an illustration or being very realistic. Notice how the "camera" is constantly moving around the characters to give us dynamic shots, and the panels are arranged to keep the eye moving forward. These are just good comic fundamentals. Raimondi's "camera" tends to stay in one spot.

And the action scenes in this issue were what make Pham such a good artist- look how everything moves! The lines have energy, I dunno how to explain it. Contrast this issue with the last: Page 4 pannel 5- Jamie's jacket looks stiff, like its being held up with a wire frame underneath. It should look like wind resistance is pulling it back.

Also, there's a ton of great perspective work being done here (in issue #17): Page 17- this was anything BUT rushed.

But, Raimondi is definitely great on this title, IMO.

I agree- and the title is better off if he returns, simply because a comic looks bad when a new artist takes over 5 issues after the last "new" artist began.

[DDM]

X-Factor #17 is another great story building with the strange conspiracy group, the X-Cell who believes the US government is responsible for the mutants lost powers.

Why is Jamie Madrox's secret so horrible that his detective dupe kills himself by getting himself killed by police? I know we'll eventually learn. Will Jamie eventually learn since his dupe is dead?? Or not?

I love the artwork. I hope he is the permanent X-Factor artist.

Danielle Moonstar is perfect for this book too which makes me wish she was part of the cast.

10/10

[MakeshiftHero]

Hey, MakeShiftHero, but think of it this way, if Madrox reabsorbed Detective!Jamie, he would've become as nutty, alcoholic and manic-depressive as he was. I'd prefer snarky!Jamie any day. =D

Yeah that is a good way to look at it, but I thought the reason why the dupe wanted to die was because of the captain he couldn't take down, I'll go reread it for a 4th time to make sure I didn't miss anything, because I don't think learning about his powers would have made him all crazy. I think the detective dupe was all one massive tease of "whats to come" story wise about Jamie. Man that David can really hook ya into the character.:D

[Atom_basher]

ANYONE who says the art in this issue was in any way BAD has issues

[Greg Anderson]

ANYONE who says the art in this issue was in any way BAD has issues

Big time...

[Madrox84]

It sounds like a cool issue, i should be getting a copy on Monday.

[creaky]

It saddens me that so many people don't recognize good comic book art when they see it. Khoi Pham is the best artist to draw this series so far- he did a phenomenal job. (Sook may be an exception.) He's easily the best at storytelling, his characters actually look like they are talking, and the pages are alive and vibrant with energy. Look at how dynamic everything seems contrasted with Paublo's static statues.

Take page 8 for example: the despair, helplessness and suddeness of the moment were captured brilliantly- you can almost feel the bullet wounds.



Jamie is seen crying in four panels: two were brilliantly and realistically drawn, one of them looks rushed (and it probably was- this IS a filler
artist).


While I enjoy Ramani a lot, I wish Pham could stay on as the regular artist.

I agree with this. I had to warm up to the art first - I dislike frequent artist swaps - but reading it again, it IS nice and dynamic and Pablo's stiffness and use of shadow always got on my nerves, even if I liked his stuff overall.

The issue was entertaining and interesting while propelling the plot forward. I wish more books were like that.

Best part of the issue: "I know it because you have a locater-beacon on your com device."
"Oh. Right."
"Doofus." <33

[steve2275]

ANYONE who says the art in this issue was in any way BAD has issues
i have issues
not with :p the art tho

[CmX]

Danielle Moonstar is perfect for this book too which makes me wish she was part of the cast.

I totally agree, but isn't she possibly appearing in a future issue of the Avengers Initiative series ?

Either way I think PAD could work wonders with Dani.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Either way I think PAD could work wonders with Dani.

I LOVE B-list characters, because the people who work with them really seem to feel for them and they haven't had much opportunity to be mucked with by poor writers. Dani would make an excellent addition to the team.

Okay, so how many people were STOKED to see a return to form for Guido? "Kid... I got an image to protect. I can't be eatin' no ice cream with a name like that." LOL- this is the Guido I love. I think I cheered aloud when I read this scene.

I always love seeing Pietro around. It seems like PAD is working to redeem the character via Rictor. Good ol' Ric is the one preaching to Rhane how things are not always what they seem, and he is proven right. Will 'Silver ever be accepted by the good side again?

The frightening thing about the son of Magneto is that he has always been well intentioned, but as we've seen in the past, he is capable of great evil (I just got done reading East of Eden, so I see a striking resemblence to Calib Trask). PAD's written him in the past with murderous intent, and we've all seen just how powerful a man with superspeed can be.

In this issue, we also have some classic Jamie/Val interaction that reminded me of days of old. I also loved the Jamie/Layla stuff over the phone. As smart as Layla seems, she just doesn't have the tact an adult would in dealing with a crying person- not once does she ask if Jamie is okay, or what was bothering him. No, she rambles off about herself, as one would expect a 14 year old to do. Awesome stuff.

And finally, a question: Is "Steve" from the opening scene supposed to be a Madrox? He looks like Jamie.

[Cthulhudrew]

Yeah that is a good way to look at it, but I thought the reason why the dupe wanted to die was because of the captain he couldn't take down, I'll go reread it for a 4th time to make sure I didn't miss anything, because I don't think learning about his powers would have made him all crazy.

Actually, it was because of that. He says so himself. He says that all the information he learned is what drove him to the brink, and didn't want to share it with Jamie. He considered suicide, but couldn't bring himself to do it (which is the point where Jamie mentions he'd get the info anyway, and the detective Jamie poo-poos the idea, like Greg pointed out).

As Jame-Prime notes- detective Jamie was good enough that he could have gotten the police captain himself another way. This was a Police Assisted Suicide.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Actually, it was because of that. He says so himself. He says that all the information he learned is what drove him to the brink, and didn't want to share it with Jamie. He considered suicide, but couldn't bring himself to do it (which is the point where Jamie mentions he'd get the info anyway, and the detective Jamie poo-poos the idea, like Greg pointed out).

As Jame-Prime notes- detective Jamie was good enough that he could have gotten the police captain himself another way. This was a Police Assisted Suicide.

Lets not forget that part of his intention may have been to die IN FRONT OF JAMIE PRIME. He have been trying to warn Jamie not to seek out this info, or motivate him in some other way we don't yet understand.

[Volk1]

[COLOR="Green"]I LOVE B-list characters, because the people who work with them really seem to feel for them and they haven't had much opportunity to be mucked with by poor writers. Dani would make an excellent addition to the team.
Totally agree. B-Z listers are always primed to be dusted off and given a fresh start, a la what Carey is doing for Lady M. I love seeing old, yet fresh faces making an impact. That's one of the wonders for me reading comic books, starting to love a character when they finally get a chance or when they don't get the chance but you know the potential is there.

Okay, so how many people were STOKED to see a return to form for Guido? "Kid... I got an image to protect. I can't be eatin' no ice cream with a name like that." LOL- this is the Guido I love. I think I cheered aloud when I read this scene.I'm not into Guido, but if PAD can get him back to that stage you love him, then kudos. Nothing like seeing a character act and behave the way you want them too. It's just a joy. :cool:

I always love seeing Pietro around. It seems like PAD is working to redeem the character via Rictor. Good ol' Ric is the one preaching to Rhane how things are not always what they seem, and he is proven right. Will 'Silver ever be accepted by the good side again?That's interesting. But redeem? I still don't know what PAD has in store for Pietro, so I don't know if he's going to steer him down that "evil" path like you said or maybe he will be redeemed...

...but through Julio? I'm still so eager to see what kind of pact he and Pietro made, if at all. I can't see Julio becoming evil, but I'm kinda anxious to find out the culmination of the two's talk in that office.

But there's that dilemma brewing; does Rictor become selfish in a way and risk his losing his teammates for power? Or does he remain selfless and acts heroic, distancing himself from Pietro because of his "semi-evilness."? I don't think PAD is going to let me down with the resolution.

In this issue, we also have some classic Jamie/Val interaction that reminded me of days of old. I also loved the Jamie/Layla stuff over the phone. As smart as Layla seems, she just doesn't have the tact an adult would in dealing with a crying person- not once does she ask if Jamie is okay, or what was bothering him. No, she rambles off about herself, as one would expect a 14 year old to do. Awesome stuff.
Just another example of great characterization by PAD. Layla is not Bendis' chracter anymore. She's all PAD's and it's been that way for a long time.

[Alex A Sanchez]

That's interesting. But redeem? I still don't know what PAD has in store for Pietro, so I don't know if he's going to steer him down that "evil" path like you said or maybe he will be redeemed...

...but through Julio? I'm still so eager to see what kind of pact he and Pietro made, if at all. I can't see Julio becoming evil, but I'm kinda anxious to find out the culmination of the two's talk in that office.

But there's that dilemma brewing; does Rictor become selfish in a way and risk his losing his teammates for power? Or does he remain selfless and acts heroic, distancing himself from Pietro because of his "semi-evilness."? I don't think PAD is going to let me down with the resolution.


Okay okay okay- I have been without Internet in my residence for a few weeks now, so I've been dying to reply to your post. Did you read Issue 3 of the Silent War? It features Lalya, Jamie and Pietro, and it is set in Mutant Town. I think its actually pretty important for X-factor fans to read, since it is developing relationships important to this book (particularly Layla and Pietro's). ALSO, it gives us a clue about the direction that Pietro's character is taking. Personally, I don't like it, and seeing as how all of the X-books have closer inter-editing these days, it looks like PAD will be following the characterization presented in this issue.

I haven't looked yet- there might be a separate thread discussing Silent War 3. I'm going to submit this post now, then look for it.