X-POSITION: Peter David's "X-Factor"

[andy khouri]

Peter David drops by X-POSITION to answer your questions about “X- Factor.” What are the secrets of Madrox's powers? Will we see more Quicksilver? And which musical most influenced this comic? These answers and more, right here.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16939

[RoguishGurl]

I wonder which New X-men will join. Probably Julian or Mercury.

[Novaya Havoc]

This close-up panel of Longshot is stunning in its raw beauty.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg


I'm excited for Layla to return.

[frog]

The "X-Factor: The Quick and the Dead" one-shot was great, and it was nice to see a fresh spin on Quicksilver. Regarding his powers, however, did he have them accessible the entire time like Iceman had following M-Day (mentally blocked), or did the Terrigen crystals just affect him enough for so long that they eventually restored his powers to a safe level? And do you plan revisiting Quicksilver again any time in the near future? He still has quite a bit of unfinished business with certain members of the team, and it would be awesome to see a confrontation again. Thanks.

I do plan on revisiting Quicksilver at some point in the near future, and perhaps those questions will be definitively answered. At the moment, I think it more appropriate to leave it open to interpretation. Isn't that more realistic? Even common? Some people look at the development of life on this planet and see a divine hand guiding everything. Others see the same events and believe it to be explainable scientific happenings. At the moment, that's where we are with Quicksilver. He sees it as a gift from God. Others will see in another way, and believe it to be a precursor for the return of all mutant powers. Much better to let things play out than just offer up an easy explanation. Life is never that easy.

This is very interesting. I wonder if we will see any of the X-Men or other mutants finding out Quicksilver is repowered and wanting to study him.

[La Fea]

I'm still holding hope for Wind Dancer!!!!

Its been fun Shaun!!! You've been a great guest host!

[Timberoo]

I don't like the art on that preview. I loke X-Factor, but I may drop it if this is the new permanent artist.

[RafiShai]

That Longshot close up panel... My God.

I mean, is that even human!? I mean, mutant?! I wanted to scream Skrull, but even skrulls aren't that ugly.

What the hell made them pick this guy for art duties?!

[ejulp]

That art is uh...its um, interesting?

Is the tone of the series changing THAT drastically?

[ChristosSoter]

I really want Cessily to join. I hope she does!!!

[Joe Franklin]

That art is uh...its um, interesting?

Is the tone of the series changing THAT drastically?

I sure hope so. I want X-Factor to become a mutant superhero comic book just like it was on PAD and Stroman's 90's run. I have not bought an issue of X-Factor since Sook left the book because it was a detective comic book instead of a superhero comic book. I'm so excited that X-Factor has an amazing new artist, and is going to go more the way of a mutant superhero comic book.:cool:

[Slung]

What the frickin hell happened to Stroman??? His art goes from stylistically surreal to horrifically fugly. Just so we're clear:

This is his new X-Factor crap.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg

This is a interesting, albeit "unique" art from a few months ago's rise and fall:
http://www.earth-2.net/images/news/2007/11/2007-11-15/what-if02.jpg
http://www.earth-2.net/images/news/2007/11/2007-11-15/what-if06.jpg
http://www.earth-2.net/images/news/2007/11/2007-11-15/what-if03.jpg

[Slung]

And again.

Stroman's new X-Factor:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033004_col.jpg

Stroman a few month's back on Black Panther:
http://www.playbackstl.com/images/stories/paneldiscussion/0208/blackpantherannual01preview2.jpg
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/BPANN5.jpg
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/BPANN7.jpg

See the difference?

[fitditz]

I don't want any New X-Man to join to get butchered by the art. I love my X-Factor but I'm so turned off by the art.

[Joe Franklin]

What the frickin hell happened to Stroman??? His art goes from stylistically surreal to horrifically fugly. Just so we're clear:

This is his new X-Factor crap.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg

This is a interesting, albeit "unique" art from a few months ago's rise and fall:
http://www.earth-2.net/images/news/2007/11/2007-11-15/what-if02.jpg
http://www.earth-2.net/images/news/2007/11/2007-11-15/what-if06.jpg
http://www.earth-2.net/images/news/2007/11/2007-11-15/what-if03.jpg



Different inkers?

Al Milgrom was the perfect inker for Stroman in the 90's. The guy inking Stroman on X-Factor #33 has not meshed well with Stroman's style so far,but maybe he just needs a little time to adjust?

[La Fea]

Yeah his art looks a lot better with moody shadows and stuffs. The art from that What If was great fun. Now its just funny looking.

[Slung]

Yeah his art looks a lot better with moody shadows and stuffs. The art from that What If was great fun. Now its just funny looking.

Good call. And wouldn't moody shadows fit better with the book anyway?

[chickrockguitar]

1. Is a former New X-Man still going to join X-Factor? I remember that it was unofficially confirmed by several writers and editors...
Yes.

2. Will Layla return to X-Factor?
Yes.

Oo. Wonder who the New X-Man is....
And, Layla! Yay!

[Pro]

Al Milgrom was the perfect inker for Stroman in the 90's. The guy inking Stroman on X-Factor #33 has not meshed well with Stroman's style so far,but maybe he just needs a little time to adjust?

Agreed. Milgrom was the perfect inker for Stroman. Milgrom's inking was tighter, more angular than the current inker.

[Flâneur]

I sure hope so. I want X-Factor to become a mutant superhero comic book just like it was on PAD and Stroman's 90's run. I have not bought an issue of X-Factor since Sook left the book because it was a detective comic book instead of a superhero comic book. I'm so excited that X-Factor has an amazing new artist, and is going to go more the way of a mutant superhero comic book.:cool:

So ... you want X-factor to not only be poorly illustrated but more generic too. Gotcha.

[psycwave]

Wait.....THAT GUY IS REALLY THE PERMANENT ARTIST?!?!?!:eek::frown: :mad: :evilangry:

[broodjeork]

I don't want any New X-Man to join to get butchered by the art.

if it would be that or limbo.
it would be a difficult choice

still my bet is on mercury joining x-factor.
im just wondering when.

[Joe Franklin]

So ... you want X-factor to not only be poorly illustrated but more generic too. Gotcha.

The opposite my friend, the former 32 issues of X-Factor were not my thing.
I like superhero comic books, not crime novel comic books.

[Kid Icarus]

The opposite my friend, the former 32 issues of X-Factor were not my thing.
I like superhero comic books, not crime novel comic books.

Maybe you shouldnt be reading a noir book then...
this ain't yo 90's

[streator]

has he given any clues as to which former new x-man is joining the book?

using that terminology it could be a lot of different people, not limited to the latest "new x-men" series.

[broodjeork]

has he given any clues as to which former new x-man is joining the book?

using that terminology it could be a lot of different people, not limited to the latest "new x-men" series.

well a couple of x-positions ago pad wrote:"the future is difficult to predict, its like predictibg how liquid mercury will flow" or something like that

thats the only hint i know of so far.
other than that i would love to see mercury in x-factor:biggrin:

[Joe Franklin]

Maybe you shouldnt be reading a noir book then...
this ain't yo 90's

I was born in 1973, so I have been looking at and reading comic books for almost 30 years. I am no where near trapped in the 90's my friend. I'm in my mid 30's kid.

[Flâneur]

The opposite my friend, the former 32 issues of X-Factor were not my thing.
I like superhero comic books, not crime novel comic books.
My point being that the market is flooded with generic superhero books but X-factor avoided being that for as long as possible. It set itself up as noir and there's nowhere near as much as that on the market. Wanting it to be more of a superhero book is wanting it to be more generic, regardless of whether standard superheroics are your thing or not.

[Hi-Fi]

Everything sounds interesting. It doesn't look as interesting, though.

I hope Julian or Cessily join.

[fitditz]

Everything sounds interesting. It doesn't look as interesting, though.

I hope Julian or Cessily join.
well put, i agree on all points

[ToxicTeen]

Interesting X-Position. I wonder who will be answering questions next week since CBR didn't say which X-creator is going to appear next week plus I forgot who I was going to send my questions to again...:redface:

[Joe Franklin]

My point being that the market is flooded with generic superhero books but X-factor avoided being that for as long as possible. It set itself up as noir and there's nowhere near as much as that on the market. Wanting it to be more of a superhero book is wanting it to be more generic, regardless of whether standard superheroics are your thing or not.

I understand your point, but since I don't like noir detective comic books, I am happy for the change in X-Factor's roster, and art style. I will start buying X-Factor with #33 because of the changes made.:cool:

[blehbeh]

If that PAD Mercury hint turns out not to be true for the former New X-Man joining the team, I'd be thinking more along the lines of the kids that AREN'T on the Uncanny X-Men #500 cover.

Prodigy, Trance, Loa, Indra, Match, Onyxx, Bling, Ernst and Martha....or Blindfold and Wolf Cub (I think one of the 2 will be dying).

I would personally love Prodigy on the team. His powers (or "skills" now) would be perfect.

[Michael P]

He'd make an interesting "replacement" for Layla, especially once she gets back.

[Sunbird]

I was going to be all geeky and say that this wasn't the first time that PAD had used 24601, but X-Factor 90 wasn't written by him. Oh well.

[Alex A Sanchez]

well a couple of x-positions ago pad wrote:"the future is difficult to predict, its like predictibg how liquid mercury will flow" or something like that

thats the only hint i know of so far.
other than that i would love to see mercury in x-factor:biggrin:

How many people here knew that Quicksilver is another name for Mercury? Seeing as how PAD just wrote a Quicksilver mini, this hint may have been a clue about our favorite speedster.


Regarding Stroman's art: Christina Strain was a waaaay better colorist for Stroman's style. We need her back on color duty. Otherwise, Stroman's stuff looks fantastic! How AWESOME is that gunshot panel? *drool*

[frog]

How many people here knew that Quicksilver is another name for Mercury? Seeing as how PAD just wrote a Quicksilver mini, this hint may have been a clue about our favorite speedster.



You are probably right about this.

[Naela]

Regarding Stroman's art: Christina Strain was a waaaay better colorist for Stroman's style. We need her back on color duty. Otherwise, Stroman's stuff looks fantastic! How AWESOME is that gunshot panel? *drool*

Yeah the colours are just totally flat, its not really helping Stroman at all.

[podmark]

My interest in X-Factor has been steadily rising lately. That said I'm not digging Stroman's preview art. Hopefully the art won't kill my interest in the book.

I'm happy that PAD will be adding a New X-Men. Personally I'm not as convinced that clue is as relevant as it was months ago. It may or may not have been a clue. Prodigy would fit this book very well, and keep me very interested.

However isn't the cast getting kind of bloated? Madrox, Siryn, Monet, Rictor, Guido, Layla, Darwin, Longshot, NXM, and probably Val Cooper in guest spots. That's nine, with a two character jump after losing Rhane. In the past I never found X-Factor all the well paced for a large cast. Makes me wonder if everyone is long term.

[Anna]

I wonder which New X-men will join. Probably Julian or Mercury.

IIRC, there was a hint dropped that it would be Mercury.

[La Fea]

If Ernst joined I'd just die. That'd be so hot.

I want Julian or Sofia to join (of course), but also Ernst.

Again, that'd be so hot.

[broodjeork]

How many people here knew that Quicksilver is another name for Mercury? Seeing as how PAD just wrote a Quicksilver mini, this hint may have been a clue about our favorite speedster.
[/I]

probably, but we can still choose to believe wat we want about hints.
though i wouldnt mind if prodigy joined instead. he knows lots a stuff.

an other thing, i wonder how long longshot is going to be optimistic. it would be fun to see the others crack down on his optimisim(if thats spelt correctly)

[frog]

an other thing, i wonder how long longshot is going to be optimistic. it would be fun to see the others crack down on his optimisim(if thats spelt correctly)

Isn't his optimisim directly related to his power?

[MartinRedmond]

Larry is the best artist on the X-Books right now and the colors are great. You can always read the over rendered vomit inducing X-Force book instead you know.

[Pro]

Isn't his optimisim directly related to his power?

Not so much his optimism as his motivation.

[B. Kuwanger]

I was excited to hear Stroman was back and also going on an X-book, but this preview art was really not what I'd expected. I'm concerned.

[Legend437]

I love X-Factor and things that are coming, but good gosh that art is horrible in my eyes. Eyes, face, how the bodies are drawn, it just looks like mish mash. I enjoyed this artist in the 90's, but man his art has taken a turn for the worse, I'm a bit worried for this book now...

[Brett P]

How many people here knew that Quicksilver is another name for Mercury? Seeing as how PAD just wrote a Quicksilver mini, this hint may have been a clue about our favorite speedster.

Ooh, clever!

As much as I love my NXM, I too worry that the cast is becoming too bloated what with Longshot and Darwin joining ontop of Layla already coming back.

As far as Mercury is concerned, Lowe has already said they were going to be looking at her in the "Manifest Destiny" mini which concerns the move to San Fran which assumedely means she is making the move and therefore unlikely to be the addition...I also think she'd feel out of place amongst this group. I still think Hellion is the likely candidate what with his feelings towards the X-Men


Regarding Stroman's art: Christina Strain was a waaaay better colorist for Stroman's style. We need her back on color duty. Otherwise, Stroman's stuff looks fantastic! How AWESOME is that gunshot panel? *drool*

No taking Ms Strain away from Runaways please! Need her to make Ramos tolerable...if that's possible...

[Blade X]

My point being that the market is flooded with generic superhero books but X-factor avoided being that for as long as possible. It set itself up as noir and there's nowhere near as much as that on the market. Wanting it to be more of a superhero book is wanting it to be more generic, regardless of whether standard superheroics are your thing or not.

Except for SIN CITY (and one or two other books), MOST noir comics DO NOT sell. So it is quite understandable why X-FACTOR MIGHT start to turn more into a generic superhero book.

That being said, I'm in favor of the book being somewhere in the middle and be an amalgamation of a detective book (minus the noir) and a straightforward action packed superhero book.

And for the record, I liked the noir aspects of the book, but I can see how that might not be appealing to many fans. Hell, at times, I got sick of the noir feel of the book.

OMT, Larry Stroman's art looks GREAT for this book.

[Alex A Sanchez]

No taking Ms Strain away from Runaways please! Need her to make Ramos tolerable...if that's possible...

HA hA! Okay, fair enough: we need her more on Runaways than on X-Factor. Didn't she color Mary Jane Loves Spider-man at the same tiem she was coloring Runaways? If she can do both, Stroman's art would love her around.

[La Fea]

Except for SIN CITY (and one or two other books), MOST noir comics DO NOT sell. So it is quite understandable why X-FACTOR MIGHT start to turn more into a generic superhero book.

That being said, I'm in favor of the book being somewhere in the middle and be an amalgamation of a detective book (minus the noir) and a straightforward action packed superhero book.

And for the record, I liked the noir aspects of the book, but I can see how that might not be appealing to many fans. Hell, at times, I got sick of the noir feel of the book.

OMT, Larry Stroman's art looks GREAT for this book.

I'd assume Marvel predicted X-Factor would become the cult favorite that it is rather than a huge blockbuster which is what gave it room to be something different but potentially less lucrative.

[La Fea]

ALSO the team behind the What If? story should return to aid Stroman.

[Blade X]

I'd assume Marvel predicted X-Factor would become the cult favorite that it is rather than a huge blockbuster which is what gave it room to be something different but potentially less lucrative.

I hate to break it to you, but Marvel had no way of knowing that X-FACTOR would become a cult favorite. However, I do think that Marvel knew this book would not be a huge blockbuster because of (a) the dark shadowy noir art and (b) the book is not a typical superhero book (or a typical X-book for that matter). that being said, if sales of XF keep falling and the book doesn't sell well in either the tpb or digest format, Marvel would cancel the book in a heartbeat because making a profit is a hell of a lot more important then keeping a cult favorite book around.

[La Fea]

I hate to break it to you, but Marvel had no way of knowing that X-FACTOR would become a cult favorite. However, I do think that Marvel knew this book would not be a huge blockbuster because of (a) the dark shadowy noir art and (b) the book is not a typical superhero book (or a typical X-book for that matter). that being said, if sales of XF keep falling and the book doesn't sell well in either the tpb or digest format, Marvel would cancel the book in a heartbeat because making a profit is a hell of a lot more important then keeping a cult favorite book around.

I said predicted because I think that's what they were aiming for.

If they didn't think it could succeed in some manner, I doubt they would produce it at all.

PS What's with this "hate to break it to you" crap? STFU. lol.

[Hi-Fi]

I hate to break it to you, but Marvel had no way of knowing that X-FACTOR would become a cult favorite.
I hate to break it to you, but Marvel had a way of knowing. They released the Madrox mini a year before X-Factor, and the mini, which was basically the basis for the book, quickly became a cult favorite.

[pryde15]

I said predicted because I think that's what they were aiming for.

If they didn't think it could succeed in some manner, I doubt they would produce it at all.

PS What's with this "hate to break it to you" crap? STFU. lol.

That line just seems like a way to establish inferiority.

[La Fea]

That line just seems like a way to establish inferiority.

Oh, I didn't know.

I only break hearts. </3

[just another user]

I seem to be in the minority here, liking the art, but I do admit that I prefer the Black Panther and RAFOTSE panels that Slung posted.

[DeniseXfrost]

This close-up panel of Longshot is stunning in its raw beauty.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg


I'm excited for Layla to return.
That's just painful to look at....and yes I do hope Mecury or Julian would join the cast.

[pryde15]

I think the art might look better if they had a different colorist.

[Joe Franklin]

I think the art might look better if they had a different colorist.

The inker needs to be replaced over the colorist. The inks don't match Stroman's style very well.

[Bamf25]

This close-up panel of Longshot is stunning in its raw beauty.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg


I'm excited for Layla to return.


Longshots looks syndromic in that closeup, since when did he aquire a genetic disorder?

[Blade X]

I said predicted because I think that's what they were aiming for.

If they didn't think it could succeed in some manner, I doubt they would produce it at all.

PS What's with this "hate to break it to you" crap? STFU. lol.

seems like I touched a nerve.

1. Marvel doesn't put out books to appeal to and sell to a small cult readership. They put out books that they THINK can make a boat load of money and/or have decent sells. Hell, there's a reason why cult favorite books like NEXTWAVE and THE ORDER are no longer being published.

2. I wasn't trying to offend you when I said "I hate to break it to you". However, since you just told me to "STFU", I will now try to offend you every chance I get :evilangry: You're on my list jackass (and yes, that was a joke).

[pryde15]

seems like I touched a nerve.

1. Marvel doesn't put out books to appeal to and sell to a small cult readership. They put out books that they THINK can make a boat load of money and/or have decent sells. Hell, there's a reason why cult favorite books like NEXTWAVE and THE ORDER are no longer being published.

2. I wasn't trying to offend you when I said "I hate to break it to you". However, since you just told me to "STFU", I will now try to offend you every chance I get :evilangry: You're on my list jackass (and yes, that was a joke).

Then why state I hate to break it to you in the first place? No matter how you look at it, saying that just makes the comment come off as snide.

[Blade X]

That line just seems like a way to establish inferiority.

Or it could be a way of "keeping it real".

[pryde15]

Or it could be a way of "keeping it real".

There are multiple ways to "keeping it real". However the way you said it just came off with snark.

[Blade X]

Then why state I hate to break it to you in the first place? No matter how you look at it, saying that just makes the comment come off as snide.

Hey, what can I say, I'm unintentionally arrogant and snide.:smile:

[La Fea]

seems like I touched a nerve.

1. Marvel doesn't put out books to appeal to and sell to a small cult readership. They put out books that they THINK can make a boat load of money and/or have decent sells. Hell, there's a reason why cult favorite books like NEXTWAVE and THE ORDER are no longer being published.

2. I wasn't trying to offend you when I said "I hate to break it to you". However, since you just told me to "STFU", I will now try to offend you every chance I get :evilangry: You're on my list jackass (and yes, that was a joke).

Oh I love lists, sweetheart!

BUT ANYWAY X-Factor is a decent sell. Its not where Uncanny is, but its enough. And a cult favorite. This was not denied.

Don't be so sensitive! I guess I should apologize that *I* hit a nerve.

HEEHAW. :wink:

[jarrod]

I hate to break it to you, but Marvel had a way of knowing. They released the Madrox mini a year before X-Factor, and the mini, which was basically the basis for the book, quickly became a cult favorite.
Yep. Cornell basically did the same thing with Wisdom and CB&MI:13.

[Blade X]

I hate to break it to you, but Marvel had a way of knowing. They released the Madrox mini a year before X-Factor, and the mini, which was basically the basis for the book, quickly became a cult favorite.

But it wasn't a huge seller. Marvel was hoping that an ongoing X-FACTOR series written by PAD would sell better then a solo MADROX mini series, and they were right. Remember, their are more people (comic fans) out there who would be willing to buy an ongoing X-FACTOR series written by PAD and starring 3 characters from his popular run on the original XF series, then their are people who would by a solo MADROX mini series.

[Blade X]

Oh I love lists, sweetheart!

BUT ANYWAY X-Factor is a decent sell. Its not where Uncanny is, but its enough. And a cult favorite. This was not denied.

Don't be so sensitive! I guess I should apologize that *I* hit a nerve.

HEEHAW. :wink:

Crap, I accidentally clicked on the wrong smiley in my response to your post. I meant to click on the :evilsmile: instead of the :evilangry:

I don't get sensitive, I get EVEN.:evilsmile:

Yep, XF is a decent seller. I just hope the book continues to sell well after all of the crossover stunts have ended.

[Joe Franklin]

Yep, XF is a decent seller. I just hope the book continues to sell well after all of the crossover stunts have ended.

Stroman has added at least 1 new reader. I added X-Factor to my LCS pull list because of the Stroman art. :cool:

[Arrogantcur]

Longshots looks syndromic in that closeup, since when did he aquire a genetic disorder?

:eek:

Longshot fans deserve better than that.

[Alex A Sanchez]

1. Marvel doesn't put out books to appeal to and sell to a small cult readership. They put out books that they THINK can make a boat load of money and/or have decent sells. Hell, there's a reason why cult favorite books like NEXTWAVE and THE ORDER are no longer being published.

Warren Ellis canceled NEXTWAVE himself when Stuart Immoen was moved to Ultimate Spiderman. Ellis didn't want to do the book without the original creative team. He said that if everyone's creative schedule frees up again that the series will continue.

[Alex A Sanchez]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg


This is THE best drawn action sequence in the book since it began- and it's only preview art! This is including the Madrox mini.

[Blade X]

Warren Ellis canceled NEXTWAVE himself when Stuart Immoen was moved to Ultimate Spiderman. Ellis didn't want to do the book without the original creative team. He said that if everyone's creative schedule frees up again that the series will continue.

Ellis would make a great politician, because he sure knows how to BS. Ellis didn't cancel NEXTWAVE, Marvel did. It's a shame that Ellis can't man up and admit that NEXTWAVE was canceled because of low (and falling) sales.

[Blade X]

This is THE best drawn action sequence in the book since it began- and it's only preview art! This is including the Madrox mini.

I agree. That scene looks cool as hell.

[jester1436]

Ellis would make a great politician, because he sure knows how to BS. Ellis didn't cancel NEXTWAVE, Marvel did. It's a shame that Ellis can't man up and admit that NEXTWAVE was canceled because of low (and falling) sales.

Oh lol, and you said "unintentionally."

[worstblogever]

I will agree that something on Strohman's X-Factor stuff looks amiss compared to his other recent work. Even the facial expressions on the characters fighting Longshot and Darwin look... well... bizarre. But that close up panel of Longshot does look like either

a) He's been afflicted by a witch doctor with a shrunken head.
b) He's been afflicted with a combination of accelerated aging and Down's Syndrome.
c) He's been replaced by a wrinkly sock puppet.
d) All of the above.

Now, I will say that there is some great rendering of figures in action, perhaps with a bit of exaggerated poses and boy types... but the faces? I'd be lying if I said I thought they were aesthetically worthy of mainstream comic book work. Maybe for the villains I could pass it. But when our protagonists, the characters look downright fugly and it's not protrayed in a "Ben Grimm" lovably fugly way... that's not a good thing.

[Omega Alpha]

Ellis would make a great politician, because he sure knows how to BS. Ellis didn't cancel NEXTWAVE, Marvel did. It's a shame that Ellis can't man up and admit that NEXTWAVE was canceled because of low (and falling) sales.

Well, you know why he can't admit the book wasn't canceled due to low sales? BECAUSE IT WASN'T CANCELED DUE TO LOW SALES!

[_Jayme_]

I'm excited that it will have more action (or so it looks), but the art is not hot at all. X-Factor is my favorite title right now. PAD will have to do miracles to overshadow the art.

[_Jayme_]

Double post.

[Joe Franklin]

Ellis would make a great politician, because he sure knows how to BS. Ellis didn't cancel NEXTWAVE, Marvel did. It's a shame that Ellis can't man up and admit that NEXTWAVE was canceled because of low (and falling) sales.

Not True friend. Both Ellis and Joey Q both stated that Nextwave was no longer going to be published because Immonen was moving on to Ultimate Spiderman, and that the Immonen/Ellis page rate was too expensive to continue with both of them being on Nextwave. Ellis stated that he would not work on Nextwave with any other artist other then Immonen, and so he gave up Nextwave himself. Marvel was going to continue to publish Nextwave with another artist, but Ellis said no, not Marvel.

[Imraith Nimphais]

:eek:

Longshot fans deserve better than that.

yes HE does...:biggrin:

[Blade X]

Oh lol, and you said "unintentionally."

Make no bones about it, I was definitely being INTENTIONALLY snarky in my last post. I have little tolerance or compassion for any writer who can't admit that his book was canceled due to low sales.

[Blade X]

Well, you know why he can't admit the book wasn't canceled due to low sales? BECAUSE IT WASN'T CANCELED DUE TO LOW SALES!

Yes it was.

Look, I enjoyed NEXTWAVE as much as anyone else, but I would be lying to myself (and others) if I said that the book wasn't canceled due to low sales.

[Joe Franklin]

Yes it was.

Look, I enjoyed NEXTWAVE as much as anyone else, but I would be lying to myself (and others) if I said that the book wasn't canceled due to low sales.

Read this, and the truth will set you free my friend.

http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=3149

[Blade X]

Not True friend. Both Ellis and Joey Q both stated that Nextwave was no longer going to be published because Immonen was moving on to Ultimate Spiderman, and that the Immonen/Ellis page rate was too expensive to continue with both of them being on Nextwave. Ellis stated that he would not work on Nextwave with any other artist other then Immonen, and so he gave up Nextwave himself. Marvel was going to continue to publish Nextwave with another artist, but Ellis said no, not Marvel.

Don't get me wrong, I'm quite aware of the reasons/excuses Ellis and Quesada gave for NEXTWAVE being canceled. I'm just saying that those reasons/excuses were BS, and seemed (to me) to be nothing more then spin in order to keep Ellis from looking bad by having his much hyped and critically acclaimed book canceled.

That being said, there is a kernel of truth to what Ellis and JQ said about Ellis and Immonen's page rate being to high to keep them on the book. The thing that many people never seem to mention (except Ellis did say it at least once) is that the book wasn't SELLING WELL ENOUGH in order to keep both of them on the book. And it's a safe bet that if Ellis continued to write the book without Immonen, the sells on the book would have continued to fall and would MOST LIKELY end up being canceled a short time later (most likely by issue #18).

[Joe Franklin]

That being said, there is a kernel of truth to what Ellis and JQ said about Ellis and Immonen's page rate being to high to keep them on the book. The thing that many people never seem to mention (except Ellis did say it at least once) is that the book wasn't SELLING WELL ENOUGH in order to keep both of them on the book. And it's a safe bet that if Ellis continued to write the book without Immonen, the sells on the book would have continued to fall and would MOST LIKELY end up being canceled a short time later (most likely by issue #18).

Even with the bad sales figures, Nextwave was still going to be published if Ellis wanted to work with another artist, which he didn't.

So you are wrong about Nextwave being canned due to the low sales figures.

Marvel was still going to continue with it, despite the low sales figures.

The only thing the low sales figures did was get Immonen pulled from the book as the regular artist.

[Blade X]

Read this, and the truth will set you free my friend.

http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=3149

Like I said in my previous post, I read those comments from Ellis before. I'm just saying that he is spinning things in a manner so that he does not come off looking bad. And when I say "looking bad" I mean him coming off to fans and TPTB at Marvel as a writer who's books don't sell well.

[La Fea]

Anyweh [channels Mel B], I wonder what tomorrow's special edition of X-Position is gonna be like!

[Joe Franklin]

Like I said in my previous post, I read those comments from Ellis before. I'm just saying that he is spinning things in a manner so that he does not come off looking bad. And when I say "looking bad" I mean him coming off to fans and TPTB at Marvel as a writer who's books don't sell well.

Do you know Ellis personally?

On what authority do have to claim him a liar?

Do you work for Marvel, and have inside information about the editorial staff's publishing decisions?

[Blade X]

Even with the bad sales figures, Nextwave was still going to be published if Ellis wanted to work with another artist, which he didn't.

So you are wrong about Nextwave being canned due to the low sales figures.

Marvel was still going to continue with it, despite the low sales figures.

Whether or not that would have been the case, it's a safe bet that the book would have still been canceled regardless if Ellis wanted it canceled or not. Trust me, Marvel doesn't cancel successful selling books. Hell, CABLE & DEADPOOL was selling better then NEXTWAVE when it was canceled, and I'm pretty sure that both Fabian and the various artists on that book were getting a lesser page rate then Ellis and Immonen were getting.

[Blade X]

Do you know Ellis personally?

On what authority do have to claim him a liar?

Do you work for Marvel, and have inside information about the editorial staff's publishing decisions?

No, I don't know Ellis personally.

I NEVER called Ellis a liar. However, I did say that he was spinning things.

No I don't work for Marvel or have any inside info on publishing decisions. However, I am long time reader who knows that MOST (NOT ALL) books that are canceled are due so MAINLY because of low sales.

[Pach!]

No, I don't know Ellis personally.

I NEVER called Ellis a liar. However, I did say that he was spinning things.

No I don't work for Marvel or have any inside info on publishing decisions. However, I am long time reader who knows that MOST (NOT ALL) books that are canceled are due so MAINLY because of low sales.
lol if you're saying that MOST (NOT ALL) books are canceled MAINLY because of sales, than you also know that some books aren't. So why are you assuming they are lying when you are alos admitting to the possibility that the book wasn't canceled due to sales.

[Joe Franklin]

I am long time reader who knows that MOST (NOT ALL) books that are canceled are due so MAINLY because of low sales.

And Nextwave was not.

[Blade X]

lol if you're saying that MOST (NOT ALL) books are canceled MAINLY because of sales, than you also know that some books aren't. So why are you assuming they are lying when you are alos admitting to the possibility that the book wasn't canceled due to sales.

Because NEXTWAVE was selling like crap when it was canceled (around 20,000 copies). If the book was selling around 30,000 copies when it was canceled, then I would say it was not canceled due to low sales.

[worstblogever]

Because NEXTWAVE was selling like crap when it was canceled (around 20,000 copies). If the book was selling around 30,000 copies when it was canceled, then I would say it was not canceled due to low sales.

It was announced that it would be cancelled when it was in the 25,000 range. People jumped ship to put it at 21,000+ by the time issue #12 came out.

I've seen you claim books with 21,000 were in no danger of being cancelled due to low sales, though, Blade X. Black Panther comes to mind. I'll leave that where it is, though, because, straight from the website of Warren Ellis... BOTH of you are correct, in a roundabout way.

http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=3149

Okay. I just this second got the go-ahead from Nick Lowe to talk about this. So here we go:

Sales on the singles are okay, if not great. Sales on the first collection have apparently been terrific.

We were on such a roll with NEXTWAVE that I was actually into the idea of doing a second year, which is highly unusual for me and work-for-hire properties. So Marvel sat down and looked at the numbers, as they wanted to do a second year too.

What they found was that, at our current sales levels, they could afford for me to write it, but not for Stuart to draw it. Stuart, as a Marvel-exclusive artist, commands a fee commensurate with his astonishing talent. I’m WFH-exclusive too, but they just send me whisky and loose women and I’m fine. So, basically, I could continue to write NEXTWAVE, but we’d need to find another artist. This, to me, was just wrong. I mean, Stuart would obviously be given a far better job that had actual readers attached to it, but it still seemed a bit like the numbers were conspiring to fire him for doing his job too well. Everyone at Marvel pitched in to try and make it work, but the numbers were just against us.

So NEXTWAVE #12 will be the final issue of the ongoing series.

(To clear up a common misconception: NEXTWAVE was always pitched as an ongoing series. However, my original intent was to do 12 and then pass it on to someone else. This got garbled, somewhere down the chain of communication, and so the first issue or two got solicited as “part xxx of 12″.)

However. The numbers game changes when you posit things in terms of limited series.

NEXTWAVE #12 will be the last issue of the ongoing series: but there will be more NEXTWAVE to come, presented as a sequence of limited series.

This was all worked out some months ago, so I had plenty of time to work the final NEXTWAVE sequence into a conclusion of sorts. #11 even features a twelve-page spread that you’ll have to buy six copies of the comic to assemble into its full splendour. Everyone wishes I’d thought of that eight or nine months ago.

That was the news. Return to your duties.

– W



So, in review...Ellis had Marvel tell him Stuart Immonen was too good of an artist to be used on a book with only 25,000 units moving. They wanted him on a higher profile book, and thus, pulled him from this specific project due to low sales. Ellis, in turn, decided he would not continue the series with the artist who helped make it great, in spite of the fact that it was thought it could continue and still produce 20,000-25,000 units with another artist. Considering the team was made up of D-List and C-List heroes fighting villains you never heard of and wasn't officially in Marvel continuity, that's decent enough.

This should be more of an eye-opener for the fact that Marvel has artists it feels are "too good" for books that do low sales, and editorially pushes them towards their top sellers, than anything. It's not shocking, but it's still a good point of reference for the fact that it happens in the industry more than we might want to admit.

So, feel free to keep arguing cause & effect, chicken & the egg. Did it end because Marvel said it had low sales and pulled the artist out from under Ellis, effectively cancelling it?

Or rather than go back and forth about it for another week, just both parties in this debate can concede that there's some truth to the other's argument.

I'm all for the latter. Especially since this thread isn't about Nextwave... it's about Peter David's X-Factor (vol. 3). Let's try to recover from this thread drift.

[Blade X]

It was announced that it would be cancelled when it was in the 25,000 range. People jumped ship to put it at 21,000+ by the time issue #12 came out.

I've seen you claim books with 21,000 were in no danger of being cancelled due to low sales, though, Blade X. Black Panther comes to mind. I'll leave that where it is, though, because, straight from the website of Warren Ellis... BOTH of you are correct, in a roundabout way.

http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=3149





So, in review...Ellis had Marvel tell him Stuart Immonen was too good of an artist to be used on a book with only 25,000 units moving. They wanted him on a higher profile book, and thus, pulled him from this specific project due to low sales. Ellis, in turn, decided he would not continue the series with the artist who helped make it great, in spite of the fact that it was thought it could continue and still produce 20,000-25,000 units with another artist. Considering the team was made up of D-List and C-List heroes fighting villains you never heard of and wasn't officially in Marvel continuity, that's decent enough.

This should be more of an eye-opener for the fact that Marvel has artists it feels are "too good" for books that do low sales, and editorially pushes them towards their top sellers, than anything. It's not shocking, but it's still a good point of reference for the fact that it happens in the industry more than we might want to admit.

So, feel free to keep arguing cause & effect, chicken & the egg. Did it end because Marvel said it had low sales and pulled the artist out from under Ellis, effectively cancelling it?

Or rather than go back and forth about it for another week, just both parties in this debate can concede that there's some truth to the other's argument.

I'm all for the latter. Especially since this thread isn't about Nextwave... it's about Peter David's X-Factor (vol. 3). Let's try to recover from this thread drift.

1. You have written one of the most diplomatic and fair and balanced posts I have read in a long time.

2. Where in any of my posts have I said that books selling 21,000 copies a month were in no danger of being canceled?

3. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone bought up the low sales of BLACK PANTHER. My THEORY on why that book hasn't been canceled yet is because Hudlin (who is one of the top dogs at BET) was responsible for the recently announced BP animated series being aired on BET. In other words, Marvel doesn't want to piss off Hudlin by canceling his BP series. Especially since the new BP series is reported to be based HEAVILY off of the first 6 issues of Hudlin's BP run. I also believe that Marvel wants to have a BP series out when the show premiers this fall. I STRONGLY believe that if the show flops and/or sales do not pick up on the book after the show has aired, Marvel will definitely cancel the book. And before someone brings up the low selling AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL,X-MEN:FIRST CLASS,and all of the MARVEL AGE books, I should point out that the reason those books keep getting published is because they sell well in digest format outside of the direct market.

4. Yep, popular big name artists are usually put on the top selling and/or A-list books. It's a damn shame, IMO.

[Fatguy]

This close-up panel of Longshot is stunning in its raw beauty.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/previews/marvelcomics/xfactor/33/XFACT033021_col.jpg


I'm excited for Layla to return.

WOW. That is some damn ugly art. What's with Longshot's mouth?? It looks like it was sewn shut at some point! He looks like a doll or a scarecrow. And what abour random dude in hat, in the first panel? Ears below the eyes, bizarre dimensions, and is that his TONGUE sticking out? Or does he have a zipper on his face? :confused: And then there's his friend, who apparently has a death talon for a right hand.

For god's sake, where have all the pupils gone?!?!?!?

This....is bad. Very bad.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Continuing with the thread hi-jacking...


For all of the readers of NEXTWAVE whom may care, look at the letter column of the issue where the winners of the coloring contest were announced.

I won second place :biggrin:

As soon as I get my scanner up and running I can post my entry. I STILL have not recieved my prize :frown: . I mean, I bought an entire extra copy of the book just to enter that contest, and they can't even give me my hand-colored copy.

[Sentinel K]

Continuing with the thread hi-jacking...


For all of the readers of NEXTWAVE whom may care, look at the letter column of the issue where the winners of the coloring contest were announced.

I won second place :biggrin:

As soon as I get my scanner up and running I can post my entry. I STILL have not recieved my prize :frown: . I mean, I bought an entire extra copy of the book just to enter that contest, and they can't even give me my hand-colored copy.

I noticed that.

I think Matt (K.I.N.G.) got his prize.

[Anna]

OMFG! Is that Ricochet Rita with him?

[CmX]

Hell, CABLE & DEADPOOL was selling better then NEXTWAVE when it was canceled, and I'm pretty sure that both Fabian and the various artists on that book were getting a lesser page rate then Ellis and Immonen were getting.

Yeah but Cable was going in a much different direction he wasn't even in the damn book for the last ten issues of the series or so it was a matter of time before it was scrapped and besides Marvel gave both characters a fresh start by giving them both a new series after it ended. Nextwave, not so much.

[CmX]

OMFG! Is that Ricochet Rita with him?

No it's She-Hulk's partner, she's a skrull her name escapes me at the moment.

[Seikun21]

No it's She-Hulk's partner, she's a skrull her name escapes me at the moment.

Jazinda I believe. Daughter of the original Super Skrull, Kl'rt

[La Fea]

WHERE'S MY SPECIAL EDITION X-POSITION????

[/caps for emphasis]

[Arrogantcur]

WOW. That is some damn ugly art. What's with Longshot's mouth?? It looks like it was sewn shut at some point! He looks like a doll or a scarecrow. And what abour random dude in hat, in the first panel? Ears below the eyes, bizarre dimensions, and is that his TONGUE sticking out? Or does he have a zipper on his face? :confused: And then there's his friend, who apparently has a death talon for a right hand.

For god's sake, where have all the pupils gone?!?!?!?

This....is bad. Very bad.

I say team up David & Nauck again, if Nauck's available.

[Blade X]

Yeah but Cable was going in a much different direction he wasn't even in the damn book for the last ten issues of the series or so it was a matter of time before it was scrapped and besides Marvel gave both characters a fresh start by giving them both a new series after it ended. Nextwave, not so much.

You do know that the decision to cancel C&D was made MOST LIKELY made long before Cable was written out of the book. Hell, that's the MOST LIKELY reason he was written out of the book in the first place.

What does Cable and Deadpool getting their own solo series again have to do with NEXTWAVE not getting a new series?

[CmX]

You do know that the decision to cancel C&D was made MOST LIKELY made long before Cable was written out of the book. Hell, that's the MOST LIKELY reason he was written out of the book in the first place.

What does Cable and Deadpool getting their own solo series again have to do with NEXTWAVE not getting a new series?

Shut up CC sucks.

[Alex A Sanchez]

I say team up David & Nauck again, if Nauck's available.

See, I really really wanted to like Nauck's art on Young Justice. He was too much of a J. Scott Campbell impersonator for me to take seriously. I didn't care that he started off drawing like a clone, it's just that I was hoping he'd find his own style by 20 issues into the book (I left around the time they did that Old Justice 50 gazillion part crossover).