X-Factor 23 and E.S. 11 completely spoiled

[frog]

Short version: Both Pietro and Beast are cracking up and mutants are all in deep trouble.


X-tremely longer versions:

X-Factor:
The issue begins with Pietro dragging Layla out of the river. He gives thanks for her survival as God wouldn’t be cruel enough to let someone else do in his “nemesis” and calls himself “son of the demon”.

The next scene is at X-Factor headquarters. Cyclops and Beast have just walked in, and Cyclops tells Madrox he would not have come had Beast not convinced him they needed to set aside their differences. They start to trade insults as they are surreptitiously being observed by Huber, who thinks that they are all clueless and only he knows what is really going on.

When Huber has everyone’s attention he proposes his idea for a Million Mutant March to the White House to demand protection as endangered species. Cyclops starts to protest that the government has never been an ally of the mutants but Huber manages to strike his interest despite this.

We go back to Pietro and Layla, now in a dark room with machinery of some sort. Layla comes to, sees Pietro and says “I wasn’t dreaming? What is this place? What’s wrong with you?” Meanwhile Pietro is thinking that Layla reminds him of his own child and is having trouble forcing himself to kill her, though he thinks he must do it to atone for his failure as she is the devil in God’s sphere. Layla appears not to know Pietro’s intentions but as he no longer has his power she is able avoid him when he lunges at her. Pietro’s arm is magnetically stuck to a large metal cog while Layla flees.

Layle opens the door to find she was inside the hug of a carousel, at which point she says that things make a little more sense now. Pietro comes chasing after her, thinking that if he fails he’ll hit rock bottom and then he doesn’t know what he’ll do. Layla leaps off the carousel and warns Pietro not to look behind him which of course he immediately does. We can’t see whatever he sees but his face looks surprised as he says “Wanda . . .” and then he screams her name as Layla continues to flee.

As the scene returns to X-Factor Huber is thinking that his mind control powers are not perfect so it is lucky that no one present is a telepath. Judging by facial expressions, the only characters he has not won over are Beast and Rictor. Rictor speaks up, saying that what Huber proposes sounds too easy and too good to be true. Huber responds by telling him that it is natural that Rictor would look a gift horse in the mouth considering all he has gone through. At this point Cyclops and Hank say they think the idea is wonderful, but they don’t sound like themselves – it’s very obvious that they are under mental control. Huber tells them to spread the word to their people as the march ought to take place in a few weeks and everyone enthusiastically agrees but Rictor. Huber muses that Rictor’s lack of powers shouldn’t give him immunity to influence and thinks he’ll look into it if Rictor doesn’t die.

The next scene is at a swanky Las Vegas hotel. The “Purity Singers” and their parents are being escorted to an elevator to the penthouse floor by one of their guards, Solo. As they board he radios Clay who is waiting on the top floor to make sure everything is clear but does not get on the elevator with the family. While the family is bickering inside the elevator gives a sudden lurch and they all fall to the floor screaming. Suddenly the father realizes that they are falling … up! Clay realizes something is wrong, forces open the doors on his end and finds the elevator shaft empty.

We then see Monet hauling the elevator by its cables as she and Siryn fly through the air. As the blurb said they literally take an elevator! Meanwhile Clay is phoning someone to say that Monet and Siren took the kids just as was expected and that should keep them occupied a while longer. The scene switches to show that Huber is receiving the call back at X-Factor headquarters. Beast and Cyclops have apparently already left and Rictor doesn’t appear to be present. As Huber hangs up Madrox comments that all is going well, unaware of Huber’s machinations to keep Monet and Siryn away. Then Madrox’s phone rings. Huber hears Madrox saying “Layla! Where the hell have you been – she tried to what?!” and thinks that this does not bode well.

We then see Layla standing by a road with a borrowed cell-phone explaining what Nicole did to her and tells Madrox that a Mr. Huber wanted her dead but the name didn’t ring a bell to Layla which is never good. Madrox tells Layla it won’t be a problem finding Huber as he eyes said individual with new suspicion. Huber thinks that X-Factor has served its purpose of connecting him with more influential mutants out of the range of telepaths, but it’s a shame as he’s become somewhat fond of them despite them and other mutants making his life living hell.

As Madrox stands for the confrontation Huber suddenly appears to armor up like Colossus to the shock of everyone present and then gives a red blast from his eyes that knocks Guido through the wall to the outside. Rahne attempts to take Huber down but Huber bamfs away to appear behind Madrox, hurls him out the hole in the wall and then sends Rahne after. As all this is happening Huber tells them that it didn’t have to be this way, though they were all going to die it would have at least been quick and merciful in the presence of their fellow mutants. Huber thinks that X-Factor doesn’t understand how he’s been manipulating events all along by supplying the X-Cell with weaponery, arranging for Monet and Siryn to be away and being a silent partner in Singularity Investigations. Madrox demands to know why Huber is doing what he is and Huber replies “Because you’re driving me mad.” Madrox and his duplicate, Guido and Rahne all rush at Huber but Huber opens a portal doorway that strands them in some cold, snowy uninhabited looking place.


Endangered Species Chapter 11:
Beast goes to Forge and finds that all mutants from alternate timelines have retained their powers, however Forge thinks this is coincidence. Forge did scan future time lines previously known to have mutants through various artifacts and found no mutant traces anymore. Either the futures don't exist any longer or have changed.

At this point Beast really begins to lose it, insults Forge's work and knocks Forge into the equipment when Forge tries to protest and offer further help. Beast then leaves through a closed window. He's definitely getting a complex.

Beast then returns to Dark Beast, says "the future is shaped by what we do here now" - emphasis on we indicating he truly considers himself teamed with Dark Beast at this point.

Beast decides that working with either mutants or the depowered is useless and wants look into the parents of mutants in the hope of isolating chromosomes to build a X-gene. Dark Beast thinks it would be hard to find the right humans since mutation occurs so rarely but Beast says he knows where to look.

[Schmakt]

wow. that was quite the synopsis...

I'm glad Layla gets some face-time... I'm looking forward to reading this; thanks for the play-by-play!

[Pro]

Both stories sound great. Can't wait 'till friday ..

[frog]

wow. that was quite the synopsis...

I'm glad Layla gets some face-time... I'm looking forward to reading this; thanks for the play-by-play!

I thought it was a fantastic issue and it left with me with a lot of questions.

I want to know if Pietro really saw anything and how Huber managed to come by Cyclops, Collosus and Nightcrawler's powers. Huber must be planning on gathering all mutants in one place via the million march (how can he call it that when there are only a few hundred mutants left?) and killing them in one fell swoop.

Also, if Endangered Species really occurs before current events in X-Men as Carey said, I'm surprised any of the X-Men are speaking to Beast at all!

[Nyssane]

Ugh, damn me for being a Clay fanboy. :( Now I'mma have to get the issue.

[Beast]

I thought it was a fantastic issue and it left with me with a lot of questions.

I want to know if Pietro really saw anything and how Huber managed to come by Cyclops, Collosus and Nightcrawler's powers. Huber must be planning on gathering all mutants in one place via the million march (how can he call it that when there are only a few hundred mutants left?) and killing them in one fell swoop.

Also, if Endangered Species really occurs before current events in X-Men as Carey said, I'm surprised any of the X-Men are speaking to Beast at all!
Sounds like a good issue. Thanks for the play by play, Frog.

Nice to see Forge again. Even if it's just a cameo in the ES back-up story. :)

[streator]

sounds like a good issue.

anyone have a scan of the page where pietro screams wanda?

or of huber armoring up?

[Omega Alpha]

X-factor was excellent. Isolationist's plan turned out to be something completely different from what i even considered. Pietro and Layla were great.

But ES was DUUUUUUUULL. It's a major disappointment so far. This one was the same as every other: Beast thinks of something that could work, he visits someone, this person shows that it's not possible, he gets angry, and then thinks of something else that won't work either.

[Hi-Fi]

It was a great issue. Layla + Pietro = LOVE.

[Deus ex Chris]

X-factor was excellent. Isolationist's plan turned out to be something completely different from what i even considered. Pietro and Layla were great.

But ES was DUUUUUUUULL. It's a major disappointment so far. This one was the same as every other: Beast thinks of something that could work, he visits someone, this person shows that it's not possible, he gets angry, and then thinks of something else that won't work either.
I agree on all fronts. X-Factor was great, and Endangered Species continues to be a waste of paper.

[Pro]

Beast thinks of something that could work, he visits someone, this person shows that it's not possible, he gets angry, and then thinks of something else that won't work either.

I like the interaction between Beast and Dark Beast but yea for the most part there doesn't seem to be any progress in the story. It could have been summarised in a single panel. Beast:"I tried everything from the high evolutionary to magic but nothing worked and it pisses me off royally".
I hope the ending will have a big payoff.

[frog]

I like the interaction between Beast and Dark Beast but yea for the most part there doesn't seem to be any progress in the story. It could have been summarised in a single panel. Beast:"I tried everything from the high evolutionary to magic but nothing worked and it pisses me off royally".
I hope the ending will have a big payoff.

The fact that now all future timelines appear to have no mutants was interesting - previously Bishop didn't think there was anything to worry about because he came from a timeline with plenty of mutants.

Beast can knock around Dark Beast all he wants, but belting Forge one when he was just trying to help wasn't cool.

It seems to me that some foreshadowing is going on in the art. Beast was wearing a trenchcoat very similar to Dark Beast's in the previous issue, and the art in this issue shows a large hologram of Dark Beast's visage looming after Beast as he talks to Forge. I'm beginning to wonder if he isn't actually going to become Dark Beast or merge with him somehow.

[Mephistologist]

Wow I sure do hope we find out what Pietro saw in the next issue.

[Porcelain]

I thought it was a fantastic issue and it left with me with a lot of questions.

I want to know if Pietro really saw anything and how Huber managed to come by Cyclops, Collosus and Nightcrawler's powers. Huber must be planning on gathering all mutants in one place via the million march (how can he call it that when there are only a few hundred mutants left?) and killing them in one fell swoop.

Also, if Endangered Species really occurs before current events in X-Men as Carey said, I'm surprised any of the X-Men are speaking to Beast at all!
I think that's his power - he collects others whether he wants to or not & his control over them appears to be either degenerative or lacking the necessary experience to truly handle them (glimpsed by him going mad hearing all the voices). So he wants to kill them all so he won't keep getting random powers.

[Pro]

The fact that now all future timelines appear to have no mutants was interesting - previously Bishop didn't think there was anything to worry about because he came from a timeline with plenty of mutants.

Agreed, that is an interesting revelation because in this manner Marvel eradicates any alternate timeline complexities in one blow. they simply do not excist anymore. There is the problem though that many futures we've seen have already been shown to be alternate future timelines and thus shouldn't really be affected by Wanda's actions because their history deviated from the earth 616 timeline long before Wanda depowered all mutants.
I wonder why before changing time caused timelines to diverge creating alternate future timelines but now it seems Wanda's spell has irrevocably altered the future.

I'm beginning to wonder if he isn't actually going to become Dark Beast or merge with him somehow.

Agreed. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Beast kills Dark Beast after the two find out how to repower mutants and thus losing the last of his humanity and becoming evil Beast himself.

[Joe Acro]

The fact that now all future timelines appear to have no mutants was interesting - previously Bishop didn't think there was anything to worry about because he came from a timeline with plenty of mutants.
Say what? That makes no sense at all.

[frog]

Say what? That makes no sense at all.

I'm not sure what you don't understand. Forge had artifacts from future timelines previously known to have large mutant populations. After M Day he made a machine using the artifacts that could scan those same timelines for the presence of mutants and did not find any - the implication being that the timelines changed or ceased to exist at all.

[Joe Acro]

I'm not sure what you don't understand. Forge had artifacts from future timelines previously known to have large mutant populations. After M Day he made a machine using the artifacts that could scan those same timelines for the presence of mutants and did not find any - the implication being that the timelines changed or ceased to exist at all.
I'm having trouble wrapping my head around M-Day (a 616-specific event) affecting alternate timelines. It doesn't make sense to me.

[frog]

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around M-Day (a 616-specific event) affecting alternate timelines. It doesn't make sense to me.

I guess it means that Wanda's effects went a lot further than anyone intially realized. I think this makes her more dangerous than the Phoenix.

[Faded]

Ugh, damn me for being a Clay fanboy. :( Now I'mma have to get the issue.

LOL, you've gotta support the series at all times! Anyway, I think Clay is here for the rest of the arc so you BETTER. Besides, why wouldn't you pick up the NUMBER ONE TITLE NOT TO FEATURE UNUSCIONE?!?

ANYWAYS ...

This was an EXCELLENT X-Factor issue.

The Isolationist showdown I thought was great. But where's Rictor?! Hopefully we'll get more Rahne characterization before she heads off for X-Force.

The Pietro/Layla scenes were sublime and I really hope we get more of a showdown like this. I really loved Pietro's narration and getting into that crazy head of his.

Cyclops looks so sexay under Raimondi. Hell, even his Beast looks great. I loved their cameo and the continued tension between Madrox and Cyclops (and their teams).

The brief Monet/Siryn moments involving Clay and those little bastards was sweet, bringing together an overall great issue for the whole cast.

The ES chapter I thought was one of the best ones so far, but that's not really an accomplishment. The art was much brighter and more engaging than it usually is, and there were some topics I found interesting. However, its really coming off as a checklist of ways you CAN'T undo Decimation -- either to really hammer it in stone or to mislead us -- and its almost like a handbook with more, but generally less interesting art. The execution to this chapter was well done, don't get me wrong, but its just an uninspiring overall package.

That aside, Beast is such a jerk! And not a witty one either! It'll serve him right if gets the axe in MC.

[Joe Acro]

I guess it means that Wanda's effects went a lot further than anyone intially realized. I think this makes her more dangerous than the Phoenix.But wasn't the whole point of the Uncanny House of M tie-in to stop Wanda's reality-shift from affecting other realities? It seems Meggan died for nothing.

[frog]

ANYWAYS ...

This was an EXCELLENT X-Factor issue.

The Isolationist showdown I thought was great. But where's Rictor?!

Nicole was absent too. I wonder where she went after she hit Layla.


The ES chapter I thought was one of the best ones so far, but that's not really an accomplishment. The art was much brighter and more engaging than it usually is, and there were some topics I found interesting. However, its really coming off as a checklist of ways you CAN'T undo Decimation -- either to really hammer it in stone or to mislead us -- and its almost like a handbook with more, but generally less interesting art. The execution to this chapter was well done, don't get me wrong, but its just an uninspiring overall package.

That aside, Beast is such a jerk! And not a witty one either! It'll serve him right if gets the axe in MC.

Beast is really acting out of character in E.S. His moment in the X-Factor story was much more in keeping with his usual self. That's why I think he seems to be turning into Dark Beast.

[Daithi]

Cable isn't from an alternate future! :evilangry

Well I don't really care that much but the ES story was boring. X-Factor was great as usual though.

[Faded]

Nicole was absent too. I wonder where she went after she hit Layla.

Yeah, but Ric was actually in the Isolationist scene so I thought it was weird he wasn't with them in the snowy area the big I transported them to.

But I want to know what Nicole is up to as well. I totally forgot about her, sneaky little...sumthin'!!!


Beast is really acting out of character in E.S. His moment in the X-Factor story was much more in keeping with his usual self. That's why I think he seems to be turning into Dark Beast.

I thought he was impersonating Beast at first until I saw them reunite.

Good theory, he really does seem to be losing his mind and probably his own self-identity.

[Mikl C]

Xfactor was awesome!
What did Quicksilver see? I got confused.
What the hell is that guy? How did he get x-powers? Hm!!
3.5/5

Endangered Species: the answer isn't here! Buyt maybe..
S
T
F
U
ALREADY
LAMEST STORY OF ALL TIME
0/5

[The Cool Thatguy]

I guess it means that Wanda's effects went a lot further than anyone intially realized. I think this makes her more dangerous than the Phoenix.

That, or her recreating reality affected the artifacts.

[jmc247]

There seems to be something wrong with Pietro's brain.

[The Cool Thatguy]

There seems to be something wrong with Pietro's brain.

That's really more of a constant than something that's just showing up now ;)

[Nyssane]

LOL, you've gotta support the series at all times! Anyway, I think Clay is here for the rest of the arc so you BETTER. Besides, why wouldn't you pick up the NUMBER ONE TITLE NOT TO FEATURE UNUSCIONE?!?

I've been meaning to read it. :( It's just... I only like Madrox... I don't want to have to read all the Siryn and M bullcrap.

[littleredhat]

There seems to be something wrong with Pietro's brain.

Blackbolt's creepy brother put a tentacle monster in it. See Silent War #6

[ExodusCloak]

But wasn't the whole point of the Uncanny House of M tie-in to stop Wanda's reality-shift from affecting other realities? It seems Meggan died for nothing.

Meggan death wasn't in vain. She stopped the wave from doing any more further damage...didn't Roma say that if the wave continues it could reach ascension?

Come to think of it Wanda warped reality twice....the first time was the Chaos Wave...the second time was no more mutants...so Meggan was already dead when Wanda warped the Universe(s) for the second time.

[Joe Acro]

Meggan death wasn't in vain. She stopped the wave from doing any more further damage...didn't Roma say that if the wave continues it could reach acension?

Come to think of it Wanda warped reality twice....the first time was the Chaos Wave...the second time was no more mutants...so Meggan was already dead when Wanda warped the Universe(s) for the second time.I guess it could be the reversion that screwed up everything, but it still seems fishy.

I like The Cool Thatguy's theory.

[ExodusCloak]

I guess it could be the reversion that screwed up everything, but it still seems fishy.

I like The Cool Thatguy's theory.

Yeah, Claremont wrote this as well...this is the second time she warped reality..

http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newexcalibur08page20ra5.jpg

[Kid Icarus]

Two things I do not like about the no more mutants in the future plot:
1. Why would not a single mutant keep their powers in the future, while over 200 hundred kept them in the present. Wouldn't the mutants who have their powers now, still have their powers in the future? I mean one future that they specifically showed was that of days of future past. That's not that far in the future. Most of the X-men were just old. Why would they suddenly lose their powers?
2. So are the worlds in Exiles completely seperate form 616 and aren't alternate futures? This confuses me, because all of the exiles kept their powers and they are sill visiting worlds that have mutants...
I dunno I just don't like this idea at all.

[ExodusCloak]

Two things I do not like about the no more mutants in the future plot:
1. Why would not a single mutant keep their powers in the future, while over 200 hundred kept them in the present. Wouldn't the mutants who have their powers now, still have their powers in the future? I mean one future that they specifically showed was that of days of future past. That's not that far in the future. Most of the X-men were just old. Why would they suddenly lose their powers?
2. So are the worlds in Exiles completely seperate form 616 and aren't alternate futures? This confuses me, because all of the exiles kept their powers and they are sill visiting worlds that have mutants...
I dunno I just don't like this idea at all.

Those are alternate future timelines like AOA...it was 616 Wanda who caused the warp...so in the AOA timeline, no one could have been aware of this meaning that there was no Emma and Dr Strange to protect them from it. Hence the reason why the mutants in alternate timelines lost their powers.
616 is it's own reality...which has alternate timelines. Exiles jump into alternate realities which have their own alternate timelines as well.

Wanda's warp did however crack the alternate realities...I don't think she depowered all the mutants in those alternate realities though.

Think of it like many orbs...which are realities. And each orb has millions of pathways which are alternate timelines.

[caney]

But where's Rictor?!

I think he's being ignored by the Isolationist because he's a human. But I bet Rictor saw through all the BS somehow and is coming up with a plan to stop him. He probably got away from all his mind-controlled teammates after Scott and Hank left.

[drwho]

This story seemed rushed to me. I felt like there was a lot more that could be done with this story. I maybe incorrect, but the impression I got from the issue was that maybe the storyline was rushed because of Mesiah Complex. I honestly was hoping to read more of this storyarc and that it was developed further. I did like the interaction between Layla and Quick Silver. Nice to see Huber connected to Singular investigatoins showing that they could still be a threat.

[Grunty]

Oh man Quicksilver is sinking more and more in terms of sanity and... well lets say layla makes a joke out of him.
Also it seems she still knows stuff which was shown when she tricked Quicksilver.

By the way i wonder why Quicksilver was holding his chest when he ran out of the maschineroom? Did he harmed his arm (which is strange since his sleve was still alright), or did his shoulder wound still hurts (personaly i hope it does :evilsmile ).

Did you guys notice that everytime you tell someone to not look behind them they will always do? I think there was even a short story in the bible, about a woman who got told by an angel to run and not look behind her, but instand of hearing what the angel warns her, she turns around and becomes stone.

However intresting that he says "Wanda" before being hit, as if he tries to pray to her for help.

By the way what was that inpression of Guido when they listend to Huber?
He looked like a fanboy there.
Also seems like Rictor has a little advantage with being depowered here. He doesn't has to feel the pressur of being part of an "endangered species" on himself unlike the others, so he has a bit of an outside view on things.

On the other hand maybe the crystals in his back make him able to evade Hubers influnce. Quicksilver was protected from Laylas knowledge thanks to them, maybe Rictor is now protected from Huber.

Terry and Monet had theire little moment here, not really bad but also more or less only so they had something to do in this issue. Still its okay if you ask me.

Smart PAD, getting two flies with one hit. Not only did he explained how X-Cell could get theire hands on that high-tech stuff, but it also how these guys could get together (Huber most likely manipulated to do so).

In the end the question remains what the Isolationist exactly is, not only are his 'path ability so strong that he has to medicine to handle them, but now he can use other peoples powers like Mimic, Rogue or Pan too.

Okay so Madrox, Madrox, Rhane and Guido are somewhere in antartica, Monet and Terry are flying around an elevator and Layla is somewhere in a park. Looks like Rictor has to deal with Huber alone now.

Endangered species:
Not much to say except that AOA is not a alternativ future but an Alternativ reality which means it should have been completly immune to 616.

But on the other hand this could mean that the reason why Forge doesn't get signals is not because they are not in that future anymore but because Wandas reality changing is still activ and prevents them from seeing what happens in other realitys.

[Mikl C]

SALT!
lol
the bible story is about Lot's wife, who turns into a pillar of salt!
[/catholic schoolboy]

[Polaris Rocks]

Oh man Quicksilver is sinking more and more in terms of sanity

I don't think he is insane or crazy, but I do think he is very desperate after he has lost just about everything.

[ExodusCloak]

Endangered species:
Not much to say except that AOA is not a alternativ future but an Alternativ reality which means it should have been completly immune to 616.

But on the other hand this could mean that the reason why Forge doesn't get signals is not because they are not in that future anymore but because Wandas reality changing is still activ and prevents them from seeing what happens in other realitys.

Isn't it still an alternate timeline off 616 though. Just like Here Comes Tommorrow. Xavier died which caused a new future to emerge. I mean the Official Handbook of Alternate Universes refer to Here Comes Tommorrow as an alternate universe...when it's just an alternate timeline where one event never happened and a whole new future was created. Heck Marvel have even have numbered a Earth for HoM which is also regarded as an "Alternate Universe".

[Grunty]

Isn't it still an alternate timeline off 616 though. Just like Here Comes Tommorrow. Xavier died which caused a new future to emerge of. I mean the Official Handbook of Alternate Universes refer to Here Comes Tommorrow as an alternate universe...when it's just an alternate timeline off 616.

Yeah but as far as i can remember AOA plays in the exact time as the normal X-men books would have if not for the change of time, basicly it was the same as House of M. And i never heared anyone calling House of M an alternativ future so far. Okay maybe in 10 years people will start making this mistake but so far bot are not actual altnativ futures but realitys. Which became alternativ universes after they got sepearated.

Wait a sec... could there really be an alternativ universe with House of M? Will there be a mini-series telling us that in 10 years? As far as money goes most likely to happen (alread happens in some way right now with House of M avengers).

[Keith_Martineau]

I think they really are suggesting that Wanda's powers exhibited such power as to eradicate mutants across multiple realities. The fact she could effect other realities as well was hinted at in the Uncanny House of M tie-in, as well as Exiles.

[Monty_Cristo]

Did you guys notice that everytime you tell someone to not look behind them they will always do? I think there was even a short story in the bible, about a woman who got told by an angel to run and not look behind her, but instand of hearing what the angel warns her, she turns around and becomes stone.



look in the background. there's a silhouette of someone who looks like Wanda (see the tiara?). that's why Quicksilver was distracted.

[ExodusCloak]

Yeah but as far as i can remember AOA plays in the exact time as the normal X-men books would have if not for the change of time, basicly it was the same as House of M. And i never heared anyone calling House of M an alternativ future so far. Okay maybe in 10 years people will start making this mistake but so far bot are not actual altnativ futures but realitys. Which became alternativ universes after they got sepearated.

Wait a sec... could there really be an alternativ universe with House of M? Will there be a mini-series telling us that in 10 years? As far as money goes most likely to happen (alread happens in some way right now with House of M avengers).

HoM was unique in the sense that it was an altered reality which resulted in a completely new reality with a new Earth (Earth-58163) where the events of 616 didn't necessarily have an impact on the characters of 58163. eg Emma didn't show any sign of having her Diamond Form.
So wouldn't AoA be the same...the word is...divergent timeline isn't it? The Days of Future Past timeline was similar as well right?

[Grunty]

look in the background. there's a silhouette of someone who looks like Wanda (see the tiara?). that's why Quicksilver was distracted.

Nope that's just a shadow of one of those wooden horses behind him, the pointy things that you might have confused for the headress are the ears of that wooden horse.
Or did i got that wrong?

[Monty_Cristo]

Nope that's just a shadow of one of those wooden horses behind him, the pointy things that you might have confused for the headress are the ears of that wooden horse.
Or did i got that wrong?


it's open to interpretation i guess. why do you think he blurted out "Wanda?"

[Grunty]

it's open to interpretation i guess. why do you think he blurted out "Wanda?"

Okay friend of mine was so kind and scan me that page in so we could clear possible missunderstandings.

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/5026/horseheadstl8.jpg

So you mean the dark shadow on marked read on the left is something that reminded Quicksilver of Wanda right?
But if you compare it to the horsehead circled in on the right you might see that they have the same shape.
Its a horsehead.

Still i guess we have to ask PAD when he shows up again why Quicksilver said wanda.

[Pro]

I don't think he is insane or crazy, but I do think he is very desperate after he has lost just about everything.

Anyone who thinks he needs to kill someone to get in God's good grace again is certifiably insane.

[Greg Anderson]

Best line in this issue belonged to Beast in response to Cyclops and Jamie's tension and argument...

Look, if it would help, you two line up, I'll get a ruler, and we'll settle this right now...

HAHA! :D

[Monty_Cristo]

Okay friend of mine was so kind and scan me that page in so we could clear possible missunderstandings.

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/5026/horseheadstl8.jpg

So you mean the dark shadow on marked read on the left is something that reminded Quicksilver of Wanda right?
But if you compare it to the horsehead circled in on the right you might see that they have the same shape.
Its a horsehead.

Still i guess we have to ask PAD when he shows up again why Quicksilver said wanda.


i know it's a horsehead. but Pietro saw it as Wanda.

[Faded]

I've been meaning to read it. :( It's just... I only like Madrox... I don't want to have to read all the Siryn and M bullcrap.

The recap pages are usually enough gold to permit your 2.99!

Errr...and Madrox is still rather central to it all!

I think he's being ignored by the Isolationist because he's a human. But I bet Rictor saw through all the BS somehow and is coming up with a plan to stop him. He probably got away from all his mind-controlled teammates after Scott and Hank left.

Maybe! I guess he can steal mutant's powers, but I wonder what would happen if Rictor used his MARROW-ish terrigen crystal spikes on his back on ol' Hubby.

[Pro]

Maybe! I guess he can steal mutant's powers, but I wonder what would happen if Rictor used his MARROW-ish terrigen crystal spikes on his back on ol' Hubby.

Good point! Remember what happened when Quicksilver used his terrigen powers on Strong Guy.

[Novaya Havoc]

Endangered Species is the dumbest thing ever. I'd much rather read 4 pages in every marvel comic about Jubilee's chest enhancements. I'd even read Ghost Rider for that.

I do totally love X-Factor though! Total bridge issue, but Layla and Sy are still my faves. Love em both. <3 <3

I wanna know how Ric is immune to the Isolationist.

<3 for PAD!

[Nyssane]

Ben, don't re-use the same lines from your blog. That's just cheap.

But yes, ES has GOT TO GO. I can't stand reading anymore about Beast and his lame discoveries. I don't even read them anymore in the books that I do get.

[Faded]

Speaking of Ric's immunity, I wonder if its a follow up to a seemingly throwaway line he made during Morrison's run when Darkstar died.

Siryn: "Weird . . . Rictor has some kind of natural psychic defenses against Weapon XII's infection..."

[Pro]

Speaking of Ric's immunity, I wonder if its a follow up to a seemingly throwaway line he made during Morrison's run when Darkstar died.

Siryn: "Weird . . . Rictor has some kind of natural psychic defenses against Weapon XII's infection..."

I don't recall that but that sounds like something PAD would pick up on.

[Novaya Havoc]

Speaking of Ric's immunity, I wonder if its a follow up to a seemingly throwaway line he made during Morrison's run when Darkstar died.

Siryn: "Weird . . . Rictor has some kind of natural psychic defenses against Weapon XII's infection..."

Ooo! Good eye, Faded! Good eye! Makes mucho connection sense!

But now you reminded me of poor Laynia. :(

[Faded]

Ooo! Good eye, Faded! Good eye! Makes mucho connection sense!

But now you reminded me of poor Laynia. :(

I knew it would, sorry comrade! :o

I had a feeling M, Ric, Sy, and Jamie's X-Corporation background would come up again someday, and maybe...just maybe, my hunch was correct with this one.

[kate-pryde]

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around M-Day (a 616-specific event) affecting alternate timelines. It doesn't make sense to me.

I don't understand that either, unless it's some sort of it's pre-destined to happen and nothing can stop it. But that doesn't make sense since we've seen many futures hundreds and even thousands of years into the future that have mutants.

In the previous chapter, Beast said that Cable was from an alternate future.
He's not and Beast would clearly know that since he spent so much time with baby Nathan Christopher. Why would Cable living in an alternate future affect him any differently than those that have visited alternate timelines?

[Alphaxman]

This issue was great. I love Beast line to Scott and Madrox. Pablo makes the men so handsome I could just eat them up. I can’t wait to see how this all ends, but I am getting tired of most of these villains having these multiple powers.
By the way, I growing to like PAD version of Monet even thou she’s nothing like herself back in GexX days.

[rilokyle]

Obviously this issue was great as usual. I loved that Layla was in the forefront, and I was blown away by Huber's revelation that he's been effing with X-Factor since the get-go. I still have no idea what PAD is planning with Huber, so I cannot wait for the next issue.

One question though: where was Nicole in this issue? I wonder what her deal is? I'm thinking maybe she was "influenced" by Huber. Hmmmmmm.

Oh, and Pablo's art was outstanding as usual- but what else is new? He's the real deal.

[Novaya Havoc]

I don't understand that either, unless it's some sort of it's pre-destined to happen and nothing can stop it. But that doesn't make sense since we've seen many futures hundreds and even thousands of years into the future that have mutants.

In the previous chapter, Beast said that Cable was from an alternate future.
He's not and Beast would clearly know that since he spent so much time with baby Nathan Christopher. Why would Cable living in an alternate future affect him any differently than those that have visited alternate timelines?

The less said about Endangered Species, the better.

[Monty_Cristo]

This issue was great. I love Beast line to Scott and Madrox. Pablo makes the men so handsome I could just eat them up. I can’t wait to see how this all ends, but I am getting tired of most of these villains having these multiple powers.

it's probably just the one power; mimicking the powers of others. he had metal skin like Colossus, telepathy like Xavier, and optic blasts like Cyclops.

[rilokyle]

it's probably just the one power; mimicking the powers of others. he had metal skin like Colossus, telepathy like Xavier, and optic blasts like Cyclops.

I wonder HOW he mimics their powers though. At first I thought that he could mimic the powers of people he puts under his control, but then I realized that Colossus was not in this issue. HMMMMMMMMMmmm.

[Alphaxman]

I wonder HOW he mimics their powers though. At first I thought that he could mimic the powers of people he puts under his control, but then I realized that Colossus was not in this issue. HMMMMMMMMMmmm.

Well I hope he has a limit on how many powers he can have at one time.

[Cthulhudrew]

Wow I sure do hope we find out what Pietro saw in the next issue.

I was under the impression that what he saw was the bar with holding the golden ring on the carousel that smacked him in the head. His exclamation "Wanda" was sort of a riff on the old cartoony "Mommy?" or "Oboy!" sort of exclamation that characters utter right before they get their lights put out- the equivalent of Wile E. Coyote's signs right before he falls down into the canyon.

[Cthulhudrew]

Double post. :(

[Cthulhudrew]

I guess it means that Wanda's effects went a lot further than anyone intially realized. I think this makes her more dangerous than the Phoenix.

This is the sort of thing Immortus wanted her for in her Dark Wanda phase- to wipe out other timelines/realities. Darn you, Immortus, for showing her the possibilities!!!

[Cthulhudrew]

Second double post! Darn you forums!!! And Wanda! And Immortus!

[Greg Anderson]

I was under the impression that what he saw was the bar with holding the golden ring on the carousel that smacked him in the head. His exclamation "Wanda" was sort of a riff on the old cartoony "Mommy?" or "Oboy!" sort of exclamation that characters utter right before they get their lights put out- the equivalent of Wile E. Coyote's signs right before he falls down into the canyon.

Yeah, I was thinking something along these lines myself.

Also, he was talking about following his "God's" order. He could have been talking about God himself, or maybe he's hallucinating Wanda as his "God." So when he said Wanda, it could have been sort of like him saying, "Oh God..."

[Pyro]

Love Love Love Raimondi! Love PAD bunches as well! Love Layla and is glad she's alright. Too bad she spent the issue being chased by crazy ol' Pietro. She seems to be knowing less and less lately. I can't wait till she's a force to be reckoned with again. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later. Despite how familiar we are with her, we still know next to nothing about her. At least half the stuff we know about her were lies, and I still have no idea whether or not she is/was/never was a mutant. I still luv her tho.

Anyway, back to the issue. Great moments for everyone... Except perhaps Rahne. She didn't get a moment, IIRC. I wish Pietro wasn't always the perpetual insane loser of the x-books. He needs to move on. M and Teresa are always up to shenanigans (is that an Irish word?--- it sounds Irish). I can't believe Huber is behind everything. Seems a little rushed how he was revealed to have always been behind the scenes, but perhaps we'll get more details next issue. I'm not surprised aat the grand connection though, because practically everything PAD's written since the Madrox mini has been connected. I'm only concerned that the title might not have much of a future if PAD ties up everything. I don't know. I'm not trying to start a rumor or anything, but it's usually not a good sign when everything is being tied up. Hopefully we've still got tons of X-Factor ahead of us though.

[Lobsterdom]

I actually wouldn't be surprised if Beast kills Dark Beast after the two find out how to repower mutants and thus losing the last of his humanity and becoming evil Beast himself.

I AM THE ONNNEEEE!!!!!
That'll be a brilliant ending to the series.
So Beast is posing innocent until MC right now? Creeepy.
But really, the fact that the same character from alternate dimentions co-existing in one timeline is rather unhealthy I say...wouldn't be surprised if it had some effect on them somehow.

Endangered Species is the dumbest thing ever. I'd much rather read 4 pages in every marvel comic about Jubilee's chest enhancements. I'd even read Ghost Rider for that.

BWAHAHAHA I refuse to see the last sentence thankyou.:D

[Jack Flash]

I was kind of underwhelmed. E.S. really stinks. It's made me hate Beast in a way that rivals my hatred of Lifeguard.

The main issue was a bit too predictable. I want to get back to the pregnancy storyline. I want to get back to Monet/Siryn focus. I'd like to see where Rahne and Ric are going. I'd like to see Strong Guy gone. Madrox versus Cyke was a bit off. But I guess that's cuz they were under the influence of Huber.

Huber's shown to have Cykes power, Jean or Charlie's telepathy, Nightcrawler's Bamfs, Colossus's metal and someone's teleportation ability? Bodyslide tech?

[Don Quixote]

So, what happened to Pietro there? Did he get clattered by a carousel horse, thinking it was Wanda for some crazy reason? Oh who cares, I think he's just about done, for the timebeing.

I'm actually eager for this storyline to be over. Not sold on Huber at all. Especially not if we're going to get a 'Lost in the Arctic' issue, thanks to his unlikely array of powers.

So does he want this march to happen so he can mimic, or leech powers from all the mutants there? He somehow already seems to have half of the X-Men collected.

Beast's turn in Endangered Species was a bit sudden. He's spent 10 issues wandering around following red herrings, but now he's so utterly convinced he's right that he's throwing all his morals and principles out of the window?

[Pyro]

I think I may be the only person enjoying Endangered Species. I like seeing the different explanations and effects of M-Day explored and Beast's descent into madness because of his desperation to reverse it. Oh well, that's just my opinion.

[frog]

I think I may be the only person enjoying Endangered Species. I like seeing the different explanations and effects of M-Day explored and Beast's descent into madness because of his desperation to reverse it. Oh well, that's just my opinion.

No, you aren't the only one. Someone ran a poll earlier and those enjoying it came just slightly ahead. The ones that don't are just hollering louder than the rest of us.

[Pro]

I think I may be the only person enjoying Endangered Species. I like seeing the different explanations and effects of M-Day explored and Beast's descent into madness because of his desperation to reverse it. Oh well, that's just my opinion.

The story is okay, but far from perfect. The repetativeness of trying to find an answer at the beginning of each chapter and then failing at the end of it is getting to be annoying. Even though i understand what they're trying to show it seems redundant. But i do like the interaction between the two beasts and 616 beast slowly seeming to shed his humanity in his quest to save mutantkind.

[ExodusCloak]

I think I may be the only person enjoying Endangered Species. I like seeing the different explanations and effects of M-Day explored and Beast's descent into madness because of his desperation to reverse it. Oh well, that's just my opinion.

I'm enjoying it...I only thought the Kavita Rao issue was a bit slow and a bit pointless because we already knew that the Gene was deleted...the others seem to be entertaining though. It's a futile quest but entertaining nonetheless. I can sort of understand the change in Beast...who better to drive yourself insane then your doppelganger. They know how you think, they know how you react. They know how to push your buttons. Doopelgangers are bad news. They're living proof of the lengths you'd go to achieve your goals.

[Rubicant]

The only comforting thing from this part of ES is that Forge confirmed that the Scarlet Witch's reality warp only affected the 616 continuum and didn't affect the multiverse as a whole. At least that means she didn't do a Jaspers-type warp whose effects bleed into the whole of reality.

[Beast]

I think I may be the only person enjoying Endangered Species. I like seeing the different explanations and effects of M-Day explored and Beast's descent into madness because of his desperation to reverse it. Oh well, that's just my opinion.
Nope, I love it also. I've been wanting to see Beast & Dark Beast together again since X-Men: Unlimited #10 all those years ago. Seeing them having to put their dislike for each other behind themselves and work together for the greater good. Mad props to Mike Carey, Chris Yost, and Christos Gage for how well it's playing.

[Volk1]

Speaking of Ric's immunity, I wonder if its a follow up to a seemingly throwaway line he made during Morrison's run when Darkstar died.

Jean Grey: "Weird . . . Rictor has some kind of natural psychic defenses against Weapon XII's infection..."

Hey Faded, fixed it! Good eye but it was actually everyone's favorite dead biyatch Jean Grey who said that cuz she was all up (i)on his head. ;)

Plus, I think someone, somewhere else said that the block didn't have anything to do really with his mutant powers so that is just AWESOME that PAD picked up on this.

Now my STRAIGHT Rictor is gonna save the worldz!!!!!:)



The only thing that sucked about this ES story was the confirmation of Sugar Man still being powered. He sucks so much....even North Star would tell him to hurry up.:rolleyes:

[Beast]

Well, Rictor's also got those terrigan crystals growing on his back along his spine. So that could have something to do with it as well. We'll have to wait and see if PAD is refrencing continuity, or not. :)

And yeah, it sucks that they brought Sugar Man back. One of the best things about Excalibur: Genosha was Callisto putting that character down for good. Mike Carey got an earful over that from me when I met him. ;)

[Cthulhudrew]

No, you aren't the only one. Someone ran a poll earlier and those enjoying it came just slightly ahead. The ones that don't are just hollering louder than the rest of us.

I like it myself, I just wish I could get more than a smattering of them. I only regularly pick up X-Factor, and I did get one episode from WWH/X-Men, but most of the others I've just had to glean from the reviews of other issues. It would be nice to get them all collected together at some point- it would probably also read somewhat less choppy for some of the complaints that I've seen.

[frog]

I like it myself, I just wish I could get more than a smattering of them. I only regularly pick up X-Factor, and I did get one episode from WWH/X-Men, but most of the others I've just had to glean from the reviews of other issues. It would be nice to get them all collected together at some point- it would probably also read somewhat less choppy for some of the complaints that I've seen.

I think that Marvel will surely collect the issues into a trade book.

[Cthulhudrew]

I think that Marvel will surely collect the issues into a trade book.

I hope so- I really am enjoying what I'm seeing of Carey's Beast/Dark Beast interactions here.

[Beast]

I think that Marvel will surely collect the issues into a trade book.
Yeah, it's already been confirmed as being collected in a trade.

And yes, it does read a lot less choppy in one sitting, then it does in serial chapters.

[Mikl C]

No, you aren't the only one. Someone ran a poll earlier and those enjoying it came just slightly ahead. The ones that don't are just hollering louder than the rest of us.

Actually about a third hated it, a third didn't care, and a third liked it :p
And I'd say the numbers of those enjoying it has gone down since they keep doing the same thing issue after issue.

[Greg Anderson]

Hmm, did Huber say he was behind everything happening? Because I actually think he's behind the things that happened post issue 13 and on. Hmm, can't wait till this story is completed, then I can read it all.

[Alphaxman]

I think the backup stories are ok. I could take or leave it. But it is great to see Beast and Dark Beast interacting. And the Wonderland storyline pick up. I hated that all those mutants died and the X-Men didn’t know a thing. Wouldn’t Cerebra pick up a large group of mutants fall off it scans in one area?

[UncannyAsianGirl]

Hmm... so most people are in agreement that Huber's some sort of power mimic, ala Everett or Calvin? Maybe he's got some sort of connection to them?

I wonder where he got his crazy powers of telepathy and hypnotic suggestion? If he's able to hear the minds of the X-Factor people when he's all the way in the Arctic (or was it the Anarctic?), he must have leeched it off one very powerful telepath. Obviously he doesn't have the control, otherwise the voices wouldn't bother him so much.

And those teleporting powers, do they seem reminscient of any mutants that we know? As for how the X-Factor crew are going to make it back home, yea... maybe Ric steals a jet or something?

At any rate, they'd have to be home before the start of Messiah Complex, since apparently they're playing quite a role in the whole thing. Just look at the November solicits (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11657), they're mentioned in not only X-Factor, but X-Men as well. (Heh, Jamie and Layla drawn by Bachalo, anyone? Should be interesting. :p)

And hmmm... didn't Beast just find out about mutant kind's future(s)? How would what they do be any different? Unless... Forge or Cable or whoever builds a time machine and actually sends them through. There was a big machine in the [Wizard World Chicago preview images (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11558) with Layla and Madrox, right? Maybe that's what that thing is... It does look a whole lot more complex than Forge's alternate reality scanning rig, and they do get sucked through some swirling vortex on the cover of X-Factor #25...
http://images.comicbookresources.com/cons/wwc2007/marvel/xmen/X-Factor-25.jpg
http://images.comicbookresources.com/cons/wwc2007/marvel/xmen/2-Eaton-X-Factor.jpg
Oh, Pro... you know how you mentioned that Layla looks older in one of the previews? Someone has the same theory at Newsarama, you could be on to something...

As for Endangered Species, I'm a bit put off by Hank's recent behavior too, but the guy's having everything he previously believed in being torn apart in front of his eyes. He's the type of guy that thinks that science can fix everything, and so far he's finding out the hard way that it can't. He made the analogy before, it's like having someone/something you've always believed in and depended on(like a parent) fail you/betray you.

If you can't tell, I'm one of the people that likes it too. ~_^ And Hank is one of my favorite character, believe it or not.

I know the plot's been redundant/cyclical so far, but wait until you read next chapter's, they go to Ma Guthrie's farm, and you'll see just how different Beast is from Dark Beast. =O

[Greg Anderson]

Nice, thanks for the post, UAG. Can't wait for 24 and that cover for 25 looks highly trippy. You know I'm there! :cool:

[Hi-Fi]

Ooooh, I think you're on to something, UAG!

[Monty_Cristo]

Hmm... so most people are in agreement that Huber's some sort of power mimic, ala Everett or Calvin? Maybe he's got some sort of connection to them?

I wonder where he got his crazy powers of telepathy and hypnotic suggestion? If he's able to hear the minds of the X-Factor people when he's all the way in the Arctic (or was it the Anarctic?), he must have leeched it off one very powerful telepath. Obviously he doesn't have the control, otherwise the voices wouldn't bother him so much.

And those teleporting powers, do they seem reminscient of any mutants that we know?

he mentioned teleportation technology at one point.

[Don Quixote]

Oh, Pro... you know how you mentioned that Layla looks older in one of the previews? Someone has the same theory at Newsarama, you could be on to something...



I don't know about that. Layla's age seems to fluctuate slightly depending on who draws her. She certianly doesn't look any older in the preview page, and I don't think she's supposed to be older in that cover image, either.

I wouldn't rule it out, but I don't see it on the evidence there. And I'd prefer her to stay exactly as she is. Layla's great.

[Affinity]

Amazing issue! As usual.

Raimondi art looking grrreeeeat.

[Pro]

must have leeched it off one very powerful telepath. Obviously he doesn't have the control, otherwise the voices wouldn't bother him so much.

His telepathic powers strongly remind me of the Gamesmaster, the one who was behind the Upstarts. His power was described as omnipathy and he too was driven mad by the constant barrage of voices from all around the world.

Oh, Pro... you know how you mentioned that Layla looks older in one of the previews? Someone has the same theory at Newsarama, you could be on to something...

Not sure i said she looked older in one of the previews, though i do expect that vortex thingy they get sucked into deals with them traveling to the future. What was the newsarama person's theory?

OMG, i only just noticed Layla's Hello Kitty umbrella in that preview. That's so cute ..

And reading that CBR panel discussion with Quesada just reminds me how i loathe him being chief editor .. He pushes all the wrong buttons with me ..

Aside from the “pesky” marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane, he also mentioned that the X-Men lost their edge by being too popular – they weren't the outcasts that they were meant to be. In Quesada's view, the elimination of many mutants has helped this.

Eliminating the mutant race did squat for making the x-men outcasts. On the contrary the government lets them get away with things other superhumans get send to jail for. What the hell does he mean decimation made the x-men outcasts? If he had wanted to do that he should have left the mutant race intact and seriously push the envelope with the superhuman registration act so the x-men would have no option but to oppose the government. Maybe Messiah CompleX will change my mind .. (or maybe he should just offer me a job out of the blue, that would help :p).

[UncannyAsianGirl]

Oh, the Newsarama person's theory is that somehow Layla would get aged in Messiah Complex. Here's the thread, (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=128857) and I think he could be on to something. I could have sworn I saw you say something similar, I guess I just misremembered then? :o

I'm sure Messiah Complex's going to awesome, I'm not so sure about the fallout, since I'm not so excited about what we've seen so far.

Heh, good luck on being hired out of the blue. I know that you wanna pitch a mini or whatever on Amalgam, what else? :p

[Pro]

Yea he's asking the same questions that made me think Layla is going to age quickly real soon, i just hadn't thought of the idea of sending her into the past instead of the future. I'm quite curious about the issue featuring the vortex cover.

I know that you wanna pitch a mini or whatever on Amalgam, what else?

Oh plenty of ideas, too many actually. I'm more of a conceptualiser than a full fledged writer i think. Just tell Mike to mail me on that Mystique/Destiny thing if he wants to bounce around some ideas :p

[xmanson]

Layla is getting SORASed?

[Faded]

Hey Faded, fixed it! Good eye but it was actually everyone's favorite dead biyatch Jean Grey who said that cuz she was all up (i)on his head. ;)

Plus, I think someone, somewhere else said that the block didn't have anything to do really with his mutant powers so that is just AWESOME that PAD picked up on this.

Now my STRAIGHT Rictor is gonna save the worldz!!!!!:)

LOL! It was! I said Siryn because it would totally be perfect for this thread, but alas, how would she know?

I really do hope your favorite BI guy Ric does his thing-thing and turns out to be the real hero of the story. Its gotta be something crazy...there's no way Ric starts growing crystals on his back, Huber finds Ric to be an interesting specimen, his friends are in danger, and it doesn't all come together in a crazy fashion!

Hmm... so most people are in agreement that Huber's some sort of power mimic, ala Everett or Calvin? Maybe he's got some sort of connection to them?

Is this UAG the fan or UAG the insider talking talking?! Everett would be amazing if he were making some form of a return here, if not in New Warriors!.

I wonder where he got his crazy powers of telepathy and hypnotic suggestion? If he's able to hear the minds of the X-Factor people when he's all the way in the Arctic (or was it the Anarctic?), he must have leeched it off one very powerful telepath. Obviously he doesn't have the control, otherwise the voices wouldn't bother him so much.

Hypnotic suggestion could be coming from our very own Siryn, who got a power upgrade when X-Factor started!

As for how the X-Factor crew are going to make it back home, yea... maybe Ric steals a jet or something?

LOL, I was about to say the same thing!

At any rate, they'd have to be home before the start of Messiah Complex, since apparently they're playing quite a role in the whole thing. Just look at the *image*, they're mentioned in not only X-Factor, but X-Men as well. (Heh, Jamie and Layla drawn by Bachalo, anyone? Should be interesting. :p)

Oh, I LOVE IT! I'm happy that I'll hopefully get to see Bachalo draw more and more characters from other books (and hopefully some Rogue, too!). His Layla should be awesome. Its too bad Pablo doesn't seem like he's in the x-over thus far.

I know the plot's been redundant/cyclical so far, but wait until you read next chapter's, they go to Ma Guthrie's farm, and you'll see just how different Beast is from Dark Beast. =O

!!!!!
SPOILERZ!!!!

[Alex A Sanchez]

I want to know ...how Huber managed to come by Cyclops, Collosus and Nightcrawler's powers.

Don't forget Forge- he uses Forge's power as well.
It looks like this guy is powerful enough to be a major villain on the scale of Magneto or Exodus. That makes him the 3rd giant supervillain to appear first in X-Factor: Apocalypse, Exodus, and now the Isolationist.

I just find it hard to believe that Marvel has never had their own version of Amazo after all these years.



But ES was DUUUUUUUULL. It's a major disappointment so far. This one was the same as every other:
I thought this was the best one so far: the future timeline stuff was cool, and we are left with the mystery: Who does Beast have in mind (i.e. human parents we are going to have a mutant kid).

Wouldn't the mutants who have their powers now, still have their powers in the future? I mean one future that they specifically showed was that of days of future past. That's not that far in the future. Most of the X-men were just old. Why would they suddenly lose their powers?

Maybe all the mutants get killed in that timeline- someone like the Isolationist is out to kill them, now that they are endangered, it is easy.

[UncannyAsianGirl]

Oh plenty of ideas, too many actually. I'm more of a conceptualiser than a full fledged writer i think. Just tell Mike to mail me on that Mystique/Destiny thing if he wants to bounce around some ideas :p
Heh, I'm not that close to Mike. :o
Layla is getting SORASed?
Huh? What does that mean?
Is this UAG the fan or UAG the insider talking talking?! Everett would be amazing if he were making some form of a return here, if not in New Warriors!.
The fan. I'm not that much of an insider really, the only real "insider" info I have is from Mike himself regarding X-Men, and I've already just about given almost all of that out.
LOL, I was about to say the same thing!
Great minds and all that. =P
Oh, I LOVE IT! I'm happy that I'll hopefully get to see Bachalo draw more and more characters from other books (and hopefully some Rogue, too!). His Layla should be awesome. Its too bad Pablo doesn't seem like he's in the x-over thus far.
Yea, more Rogue is definitely welcome, she's been KO'ed far too often lately. And any renditions of X-men by Bachalo are bound to be fun. ^_^
!!!!!
SPOILERZ!!!!
I'm guessing you want Endangered Species spoilers? Do you want the New X-Men ones too?

[Faded]

Yea, more Rogue is definitely welcome, she's been KO'ed far too often lately. And any renditions of X-men by Bachalo are bound to be fun. ^_^

He has to make up for not being the one to do that Finch cover! Or Unuscione's reemergence!

I'm guessing you want Endangered Species spoilers? Do you want the New X-Men ones too?

Yes ma'am, yes please!

[frog]

Oh, the Newsarama person's theory is that somehow Layla would get aged in Messiah Complex. Here's the thread, (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=128857) and I think he could be on to something. I could have sworn I saw you say something similar, I guess I just misremembered then? :o



That's interesting. If Layla is somehow quickly aged this might trigger Rahne's departure from X-Factor for fear that her dream of killing Madrox and Layla on their wedding night might be about to become reality

[Monty_Cristo]

Don't forget Forge- he uses Forge's power as well.
It looks like this guy is powerful enough to be a major villain on the scale of Magneto or Exodus. That makes him the 3rd giant supervillain to appear first in X-Factor: Apocalypse, Exodus, and now the Isolationist.

I just find it hard to believe that Marvel has never had their own version of Amazo after all these years.

Super-Adaptoid

[Alex A Sanchez]

Huber's shown to have... someone's teleportation ability? Bodyslide tech?


And those teleporting powers, do they seem reminscient of any mutants that we know?

FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE!!! Am I the only one who read that panel? Right before he sends Jamie, Guido and Rahne into the artic, he says that he's using a mechanical teleportation device created ala Forge's powers (only not in those exact words).


So does he want this march to happen so he can mimic, or leech powers from all the mutants there? He somehow already seems to have half of the X-Men collected.

My prediction of the story: It seems that Huber can't control his ability to absorb mutant powers. He's probably absorbed so many telepaths that he can hear every mind in the world. He's isolated himself in the artic so that he can't come into contact with any more mutants. Even so, the voices are driving him mad, so he comes up with this 'Million Mutant March' in order to gather all of the mutants into one place so that he can kill them all and finally be at peace. He targeted Scott and Jamie, because they are leaders in the mutant community who have enough influence to gather all of the mutants together.



Hypnotic suggestion could be coming from our very own Siryn, who got a power upgrade when X-Factor started!

Except that Siryn's power doesn't work on other mutants (something that was also revealed when X-Factor started).

[Pro]

FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE!!!

Forge is a great character yes. So does anyone know how huber teleported x-factor to the artic?

[UncannyAsianGirl]

FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE FORGE!!! Am I the only one who read that panel? Right before he sends Jamie, Guido and Rahne into the artic, he says that he's using a mechanical teleportation device created ala Forge's powers (only not in those exact words).
Hey, sorry, no need to get all snippy though. :eek: I've only read the issue once (last week as a preview, but I do own an issue) and haven't read it again. I was planning on re-reading it but hadn't by the time I wrote that post, so don't get so frustrated. :p
My prediction of the story: It seems that Huber can't control his ability to absorb mutant powers. He's probably absorbed so many telepaths that he can hear every mind in the world. He's isolated himself in the artic so that he can't come into contact with any more mutants. Even so, the voices are driving him mad, so he comes up with this 'Million Mutant March' in order to gather all of the mutants into one place so that he can kill them all and finally be at peace. He targeted Scott and Jamie, because they are leaders in the mutant community who have enough influence to gather all of the mutants together.
Yea, that seems plausible, and it was sorta along the lines of what I was thinking too. I didn't get the impression that he wanted to gather them for their powers. While I did forget about the portal thing, I did remember him saying something about how he'd finally have silence, or something to that effect. I just wonder if someone (Rictor perhaps?) will contact Scott in time to tell him that Huber's a fraud.

So, I've said my piece about your predictions, what do you think of mine? :D

[Volk1]

I wish Huber can be explained how he got his powers. I hate it when shit isn't revealed!!!!!!! *is impatient* :o


I love backstory. I need to know PAD! I need to knoooooooooooow...:(




I really do hope your favorite STRAIGHT guy Ric does his thing-thing and turns out to be the real hero of the story. Its gotta be something crazy...there's no way Ric starts growing crystals on his back, Huber finds Ric to be an interesting specimen, his friends are in danger, and it doesn't all come together in a crazy fashion!I forgot about the crystalz! :eek: I'm scared.

Ric's totally gonna save the day. Rahne's then gonna fk the crap out of him before she leaves to X-Force!

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

I just wonder if someone (Rictor perhaps?) will contact Scott in time to tell him that Huber's a fraud.

Cyke and Hank left, what, hours prior to the fight? I doubt we'll see or hear much from either.

[worstblogever]

I could be wrong... but the discussion Beast and Dark Beast have in Endangered Species about "normal humans who produce mutant children" seemed to indicate something. Dark Beast says its random, you can't know where to find such a person, but 616 Hank tells him he knows where to find some...

Anyone else getting the feeling that Beast is going back to the farm to see Ma and Pa McCoy and do something really, really twisted to them to preserve the mutant species? Taking samples from them without their consent, or the like?

[Pro]

Anyone else getting the feeling that Beast is going back to the farm to see Ma and Pa McCoy and do something really, really twisted to them to preserve the mutant species? Taking samples from them without their consent, or the like?

I think he's heading for the Guthrie house. If there is any baseline human who cranks out mutants every time she gets preggers it's ma Guthrie.

[frog]

I think he's heading for the Guthrie house. If there is any baseline human who cranks out mutants every time she gets preggers it's ma Guthrie.

Yes, the solicit for the issue indicates that a visit to the Guthries is next.

Somewhere there is a list with a brief sentence about where Beast is searching in each chapter of Endangered Species but I can't remember where I saw it before.

[Pro]

I'd be interested in seeing the Guthries putting up a fight instead of going like :"Oh sure here take my DNA". There's a couple of mutant kids still living at home i think. It would add a little more excitement to Endangered species instead of it being yet another futile visit.

[worstblogever]

I think he's heading for the Guthrie house. If there is any baseline human who cranks out mutants every time she gets preggers it's ma Guthrie.

Huh. That's slightly less cool. Especially because Pa Guthrie's already dead, and Ma Guthrie has started dating the local sheriff. Unless someone forgot in continuity that only half the most fertile mutant family ever is already toast.

Still, could that mean Beast's gonna dig up Pa Guthrie, and attack Ma Guthrie while the young-uns spaz out and try to fight 'em off? Probably.

I still would've preferred Hank going to a place of darkness where he snuck into has parent's bedroom to sample from them. That would have been twisted.

[frog]

Huh. That's slightly less cool. Especially because Pa Guthrie's already dead, and Ma Guthrie has started dating the local sheriff. Unless someone forgot in continuity that only half the most fertile mutant family ever is already toast.

Still, could that mean Beast's gonna dig up Pa Guthrie, and attack Ma Guthrie while the young-uns spaz out and try to fight 'em off? Probably.

I still would've preferred Hank going to a place of darkness where he snuck into has parent's bedroom to sample from them. That would have been twisted.

That wouldn't make sense. The McCoys only had one child and radiation is supposed to be what started Beast's mutation. The Guthries are a much better bet, even if only one parent is still alive.

[worstblogever]

I guess I just wanted the more twisted level of desperation. Still, digging up Sam's dad and getting caught would create some interesting conflicts between Beast and Husk/Cannonball back at the mansion for time to come.

[Pro]

That wouldn't make sense. The McCoys only had one child and radiation is supposed to be what started Beast's mutation. The Guthries are a much better bet, even if only one parent is still alive.

For exactly the reasons you just described the Guthries are the way to go.
Only one son mutated due to radiation versus a woman whose entire offspring has mutations for no apparent reason except genetics. Which will offer more information regarding how mutation is expressed in offspring?

Ma mcCoy would have been interesting though especially if two beasts were to ring her bell. "This guy? Oh he's my evil twin from another dimension .. "

[worstblogever]

Actually, back when Dark Beast masqueraded as 616 Beast, he did he research about Hank McCoy before walking into the Xavier Institute by "visiting" with his counterpart's parents. Dark Beast met 616 Ma and Pa McCoy, albeit while pretending to be their kid (dyed blue, instead of grey).

[Beast]

Having read spoilers for the next chapter, I don't think you'll be disappointed worstblogever. :)

[worstblogever]

Having read spoilers for the next chapter, I don't think you'll be disappointed worstblogever. :)

Sigh. You tease! BAH!

Thanks for not spoiling, incidentally, but damn, way to mess with a brutha's head.

[Crimson]

I don't think ES is going to read well in trade... every chapter ends with "I should go here!" and when every chapter is only 5 pages long that would get annoying in one sitting.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Forge is a great character yes. So does anyone know how huber teleported x-factor to the artic?


So, I've said my piece about your predictions, what do you think of mine? :D

I think you are right about the time travel piece. It will be exciting, if that is the case. I mean, the X-men have never traveled in time to achieve a goal, right? Its always been hapharazrd, or else it was someone traveling to the present time.

[Pro]

I'm finally getting excited about messiah Complex. Madrox and Layla are dead smack in the middle of the storyline which i think is great.

[Mikl C]

Actually, back when Dark Beast masqueraded as 616 Beast, he did he research about Hank McCoy before walking into the Xavier Institute by "visiting" with his counterpart's parents. Dark Beast met 616 Ma and Pa McCoy, albeit while pretending to be their kid (dyed blue, instead of grey).

And nearly CHOPPED THEM UP with an AXE!

[sephirothskiller]

I'm finally getting excited about messiah Complex. Madrox and Layla are dead smack in the middle of the storyline which i think is great.

I ditto that!!

[Don Quixote]

I'm finally getting excited about messiah Complex. Madrox and Layla are dead smack in the middle of the storyline which i think is great.

I just want to know if Layla knows any stuff about Messiah Complex. She's been busy dealing with Pietro, and Nicole threw her off her game.

I wonder if the mutant baby will be as out of the blue for her as it is for everyone else. And if it's not, I wonder what reasons she'll give for not mentioning it before.

[Vicious X Assassin]

Didn't enjoy the issue as much as the last 2... but the Quicksilver/Layla scenes were the highlight of the issue for me.

Beast's comment between Cyclops and Madrox was pretty funny.

With this issue, I'm feeling more and more that the preg. issue was just something Nicole was doing to mess with Layla. (prob. just got the test out of a trash can)

Looking forward to next issue. Escaping the Artic, Rictor v. Huber, maybe Layla will get her revenge on Nicole as well, and prob. interaction between M and Siryn and the twins. Then its MC after that.

[Don Quixote]

With this issue, I'm feeling more and more that the preg. issue was just something Nicole was doing to mess with Layla. (prob. just got the test out of a trash can)


I think the pregnancy is real. The consequences PAD said Jamie would be facing for his actions. Both girls have let him off pretty lightly, considering he two timed them, even after realising what had happened when he was drunk.

Still don't know who it is. The only sign so far has been Monet throwing up. But that could be a red herring.

[worstblogever]

Still don't know who it is. The only sign so far has been Monet throwing up. But that could be a red herring.

Wait, you mean she ate some bad red herring, or... I keed, I keed. I still wonder about Hulk battering around both Monet and Siryn in WWH:X-Men. If it does turn out either of them are pregnant... it just makes you wonder.

The lesson to learn is if your Aunt Flo is late for her monthly visit... please, don't fight the Hulk for the baby's sake.

[worstblogever]

And nearly CHOPPED THEM UP with an AXE!
I didn't say that Dark Beast liked 616-Beast's family... the only thing that may have kept him from "whacking the flatscans" is that it would only risk exposing him as an imposter.

I'm intrigued to see Dark Beast deal with the 616 Guthries, since the whole family worked around him in NYC, including the size-changing "Amazon", Elizabeth Guthrie, who doesn't have a 616 counterpart. It's like... in his world, they're dumb fanatical rednecks following a quest for mutant supremacy. In Marvel 616, they're lovable rubes at the least, and freedom fighters at best.

Odds are, Dark Beast's true feelings about them won't factor in too much. The story's about 616-Beast, not the one from Marvel 295.

[HotRod_Tim]

Issue #23 was a huge issue for people who've been following the series on a monthly basis for a while now. I mean, the fact that most of what's happened to this team has been set up by The Isolationist, who (with this issue) has become a very well-liked villain for me. His mysterious "influence" powers are very cool and the fact that he has a hand in everything and might even be working with Sinister is astounding. Top notch ish, especially the fantastic art once again by Pablo Raimondi.