X-Factor #35 --Discussion and Spoilers

[RickyD410]

http://www.uncannyxmen.net/covers/previews/2008/sep/XFACT035_cov.jpg
X-Factor #35
By Peter David and Larry Stroman

Summary:

It starts off with Darwin. Inside a human test-tube. A sinister man named Mr. Maru is standing either on top of him, or next to him. I dont know, it changes with the angle (hooray for Stroman). He says this procedure that theyre about to embark on will change the way the entire world views mutants. Unfortunately, Darwin might have to die in the process.

Cut to a hospital, Madrox, M, and Rictor meet with Lieutenant Weiss. They found Darwin's father the day that he was reunited with Darwin. He has a bullet in his brain, but is somehow still alive. The incredibly stupid Lieutenant doesnt seem to believe that psychics exist in the Marvel U, and scoffs when Monet tries to discover what happened to him. Either way, she cant, cus he's suffered way too much brain damage.

Back at XF Investigations, the real Longshot shows up. Guido tries to kill him because he thinks its the Skrull again. But as Longshot points out, if he was a skrull, and he can choose to look like anyone he wants, why would he look like the someone whom X-Factor already knows to be a skrull? Guido is still really confused, but Siryn (who looks like a fat medusa/little mermaid hybrid) convinces him to put Longshot down.

Anyway, Longshot came to Detroit because he saw his picture in the paper (actually it was the Skrull) and he was confused because he knew that he wasnt in Detroit then. So he went to hire the help of a detective agency to find out why. Siryn tells him that Madrox is at a hospital, and suddenly Longshot has a hunch that he needs to be there too.

Cut to Darwin again, we see Mr. Maru kill a man as he attempts to do the same thing that Darwin is there to do.

On the way to the hospital, Longshot explains to Strong Guy why he and Dazzler arent together anymore. Basically, the love that was once there isnt, because Longshot lost all his memories. And faking that love just made it hurt even more. And aparently, Longshot has that Gambit power that makes girls fall all over him (I didnt know that). And that annoyed Dazz a bit.

At the hospital, Monet wants to jump Longshot's bones. And... so does Lieutenant Weiss (yipes). Longshot gets a psychic reading off of Armando's father. He sees the last moments of his conscious life. He sees them walk away from XF Investigations, and he sees Mr. Munoz shove Darwin in a van where he's tied up and put in a bag. Mr. Munoz wants his $500,000 that he was promised for delivering his son to The Karma Project, but the men just shoot him and drive away. His last vision is of the Van's license plate.

Longshot tells Madrox what happens, and in a fury, Madrox punches the wall and creates a dupe. The dupe asks Jamie to watch his mouth, and while Jamie calls Terry to run a search on the plate number and the name of the project, Jamie's dupe promply smothers Darwin's father with his pillow.

Review:

Hooray for the return of X-Factor Dupe!! That was, as usual, unexpected and pretty cool.

The art sucked. Every person looked fat and ugly. Everything was clear and understood, but I doubt we could if there were any fight scenes. The angles were very weird and there was lots of unnecessary shading.

I didnt really see the need for Longshot in this ish. I dont know much about him, but he kinda reminded me of Layla from HoM: he just automatically knows how to move the story along. He randomly knew to go to the hospital. And at the hospital, I think if PAD wanted to, M could have done the exact same thing. PAD didnt need to say there was too much brain damage, he could have just had M read Mr. Munoz's mind. That scene was pretty well done, but I think M could have done the exact same thing.

All in all, it was an ok ish... The art was terrible, and that took alot away. Also, I'm probably a little biased, because I really dont like Longshot OR Darwin very much. Not much happened in this ish except for Longshot shows up, and we learn what happened to Darwin. Other than that, people kind of just stand around.

Not one of X-Factor's best issues. It needs Layla Miller back right now. Immediately.

[Pach!]

Yes it definitely needs Layla back.. and Raimondi or Sook or Calero. Anyone would be great at this point.

[Beast]

Longshot's memories were starting to come back at the end of DBTS.

Guess he didn't get anything more than a few residual memories.

The explaination works well enough, they're no longer together and Pad can play with Longshot.

I guess the 'Charm Power' is just Longshot's luck power allowing him to easily Get Lucky. :biggrin:

[Novaya Havoc]

I do not appreciate this sexist propaganda.

[worstblogever]

I do not appreciate this sexist propaganda.

It was the boyfriend's half of the breakup, to be sure. But you know what? Longhost's gonna get his own *ss in a sling. Why? Scope this:

Who does he dish to about his dirty laundry with Dazzler?

Strong Guy. Who does Strong Guy keep on speed dial to gush at?

Lila Cheney. Who tours with Lila Cheney, and helps her sub-par concerts become fabulous?

Dazzler.

So how long before Longshot shooting his mouth off comes back to haunt him?

Feasibly, not long. And when Ali grabs him by his mullet and rams him face first into a wall, well, that will be the day the sexism gets reversed.

Patience, Dazzler fans. If we all think very hard, PAD might just write such a scene. I hope.

[worstblogever]

I didnt really see the need for Longshot in this ish. I dont know much about him, but he kinda reminded me of Layla from HoM: he just automatically knows how to move the story along. He randomly knew to go to the hospital. And at the hospital, I think if PAD wanted to, M could have done the exact same thing. PAD didnt need to say there was too much brain damage, he could have just had M read Mr. Munoz's mind. That scene was pretty well done, but I think M could have done the exact same thing.

All in all, it was an ok ish... The art was terrible, and that took alot away. Also, I'm probably a little biased, because I really dont like Longshot OR Darwin very much. Not much happened in this ish except for Longshot shows up, and we learn what happened to Darwin. Other than that, people kind of just stand around.

Not one of X-Factor's best issues. It needs Layla Miller back right now. Immediately.

Making M unable to do her thing via telepathy made Longshot's psychometry upon the check that was written and found with Mr. Munoz a necessity, though. And Longshot explains why he came to Detroit... he saw the Skrull Talisman impersonating him in the newspaper, and being shot at by Jazinda. Once there, him needing to go to the hospital? Longshot often has had a sixth sense that guides him like that. It's part of his luck power, and the psychometry, really.

Which means, in one issue, not one, but two of Longshot's often forgotten powers were used. Which means someone did their research.

[Beast]

It was the boyfriend's half of the breakup, to be sure. But you know what? Longhost's gonna get his own *ss in a sling. Why? Scope this:

Who does he dish to about his dirty laundry with Dazzler?

Strong Guy. Who does Strong Guy keep on speed dial to gush at?

Lila Cheney. Who tours with Lila Cheney, and helps her sub-par concerts become fabulous?

Dazzler.

So how long before Longshot shooting his mouth off comes back to haunt him?

Feasibly, not long. And when Ali grabs him by his mullet and rams him face first into a wall, well, that will be the day the sexism gets reversed.

Patience, Dazzler fans. If we all think very hard, PAD might just write such a scene. I hope.
Or he's simply stirring the pot with Dazzler fans?

[Flinkman]

i'm a Dazzler junkie & i found that scene to be totally hilarious.

[worstblogever]

Or he's simply stirring the pot with Dazzler fans?

Nah. I get the impression that after the She-Hulk "slut" joke in the same conversation, that PAD will make light of characters regardless of fan reaction, or his own love for the character. I mean, they're comic characters, not your lord and savior. Why take them that seriously? Have some fun with it.

Longshot's a bit full of himself. But he'll get his, I'm sure. Hell, Strong Guy got kicked in the nads by She-Hulk during "He Loves You". I'd hardly say this is a case of a writer who's got an axe to grind with women . He makes Shulkie look strong all the time.

I'd give PAD credit for at least acknowledging there WAS a breakup. That takes more stones than a lot of writers have about this stuff. If Longshot doesn't narrate the breakup from a neutral standpoint... well... we kind of know Longshot's an egotist. It's in character.

And most importantly, it makes it clear that Longshot & Dazz? ARE DONE.

Thank all that's holy for that.

[RickyD410]

Making M unable to do her thing via telepathy made Longshot's psychometry upon the check that was written and found with Mr. Munoz a necessity, though. And Longshot explains why he came to Detroit... he saw the Skrull Talisman impersonating him in the newspaper, and being shot at by Jazinda. Once there, him needing to go to the hospital? Longshot often has had a sixth sense that guides him like that. It's part of his luck power, and the psychometry, really.
I understand his luck/sixth sense powers. I just dont like it very much.

The psychometry was pretty cool though. I didnt really understand that he used the checkbook, and not Mr. Munoz himself, cus he was standing over Mr. Munoz's body when it all happened.

Like I said, it was a very well done scene, I just think we could have had the exact same thing with M, as long as PAD didnt write in the brain damage bit.

Which means, in one issue, not one, but two of Longshot's often forgotten powers were used. Which means someone did their research.
Well if anyone would go all out, it'd be PAD. And it is good that he shows he knows so much about his characters. Its comforting.

Also, I just realized that Darwin is no longer dark skinned in this ish. He's pale again. Didnt he change back at the end of #34? Why is he pale again?

[Beast]

Nah. I get the impression that after the She-Hulk "slut" joke in the same conversation, that PAD will make light of characters regardless of fan reaction, or his own love for the character. I mean, they're comic characters, not your lord and savior. Why take them that seriously? Have some fun with it.

Longshot's a bit full of himself. But he'll get his, I'm sure. Hell, Strong Guy got kicked in the nads by She-Hulk during "He Loves You". I'd hardly say this is a case of a writer who's got an axe to grind with women . He makes Shulkie look strong all the time.

I'd give PAD credit for at least acknowledging there WAS a breakup. That takes more stones than a lot of writers have about this stuff. If Longshot doesn't narrate the breakup from a neutral standpoint... well... we kind of know Longshot's an egotist. It's in character.

And most importantly, it makes it clear that Longshot & Dazz? ARE DONE.

Thank all that's holy for that.
I pretty much agree with you in every aspect. Bravo and well said.

[worstblogever]

I understand his luck/sixth sense powers. I just dont like it very much.

The psychometry was pretty cool though. I didnt really understand that he used the checkbook, and not Mr. Munoz himself, cus he was standing over Mr. Munoz's body when it all happened.

Like I said, it was a very well done scene, I just think we could have had the exact same thing with M, as long as PAD didnt write in the brain damage bit.


Well if anyone would go all out, it'd be PAD. And it is good that he shows he knows so much about his characters. Its comforting.

Also, I just realized that Darwin is no longer dark skinned in this ish. He's pale again. Didnt he change back at the end of #34? Why is he pale again?

He's been forced to hang out with too many white people again and has begun accidentally using his power to "adapt" and blend in, would be my guess.

Either that, or inconsistent colorists' palette.

[hermitdude]

I liked the writing, as always. The return of crazy Jaime brought a little smile to my face. Once again though the art annoyed me to no end. The mutants were the only ones who looked human...to a degree. The color choices seem a little off on everything, but that might win me over eventually. If I have to choose between this or pornfaces in uncanny I'll take the pornfaces.

[worstblogever]

I liked the writing, as always. The return of crazy Jaime brought a little smile to my face. Once again though the art annoyed me to no end. The mutants were the only ones who looked human...to a degree. The color choices seem a little off on everything, but that might win me over eventually. If I have to choose between this or pornfaces in uncanny I'll take the pornfaces.

I call it the "pornface vs. potato-head" debate. :redface:

[DarkCrisis]

Yea the art was just awful. I seriously thought M was some random man at point.

[Leirus]

I call it the "pornface vs. potato-head" debate. :redface:

Arr that is a though one !!

[Pro]

The psychometry was pretty cool though. I didnt really understand that he used the checkbook, and not Mr. Munoz himself, cus he was standing over Mr. Munoz's body when it all happened.

Psychometry is reading the emotions and images others leave on objects, like a psychic fingerprint. Longshot can read the fingerprints, but he can't read a person since that would be telepathy, which is a different power :).

[eurazn]

It was the boyfriend's half of the breakup, to be sure. But you know what? Longhost's gonna get his own *ss in a sling. Why? Scope this:

Who does he dish to about his dirty laundry with Dazzler?

Strong Guy. Who does Strong Guy keep on speed dial to gush at?

Lila Cheney. Who tours with Lila Cheney, and helps her sub-par concerts become fabulous?

Dazzler.

So how long before Longshot shooting his mouth off comes back to haunt him?

Feasibly, not long. And when Ali grabs him by his mullet and rams him face first into a wall, well, that will be the day the sexism gets reversed.

Patience, Dazzler fans. If we all think very hard, PAD might just write such a scene. I hope.

If he doesn't, can you please write this issue? Brilliant. Especially the part about his face being rammed into a wall :evilsmile:

I'd give PAD credit for at least acknowledging there WAS a breakup. That takes more stones than a lot of writers have about this stuff. If Longshot doesn't narrate the breakup from a neutral standpoint... well... we kind of know Longshot's an egotist. It's in character.

And most importantly, it makes it clear that Longshot & Dazz? ARE DONE.

Thank all that's holy for that.

For the most part, I'd agree. But the egotist part? I always saw LS being written as a naive alien who didn't understand human reactions to things, which always seemed to absolve him from any responsibility for his actions (or inactions) and their consequences, as with his love triangle with Dazzler and Rogue back in the day. I'll try to keep the faith and hope his comments come back to bite him in the butt, then.

[orkoni1]

Longshot has psychometric powers which allow him to see event that happened to ppl or at specific locations so that wasn't a power that Monet has so she couldn't help there. And yes Darwin's dad could have been written as having certain amount of brain damage so that M could end up reading what she cood from his mind, but I guessing they wanted Longshot on this series anyway.

So I'm glad that Longshot and Darwin are on the this series now (hopefully for a long time), even if some don't.

[MakeshiftHero]

Yea the art was just awful. I seriously thought M was some random man at point.

It's really hard to get excited about, and enjoy, one of your top 3 favorite books when it looks so bad.

I think I'm going to have to get my roommate to read it to me out loud and do voices for the characters that way I can enjoy the story and don't have to get angry due to the art.

[The Lucky One]

And aparently, Longshot has that Gambit power that makes girls fall all over him (I didnt know that).

I think what you mean to say is, Gambit has that Longshot power. :wink:

I'm a bit surprised that people are interpreting Longshot's comments to Guido as arrogant; that honestly wasn't the vibe I got. I'm always happy to acknowledge the human foibles in my favorite characters -- Rahne's sanctimonious and judgmental, Madrox has no drive and won't make use of the power he has, Dani is prideful and kind of a bitch sometimes -- that's a big part of what makes them interesting. But that just wasn't the read I got from the conversation at all... to me it read like a guy very neutrally explaining why a relationship failed. It's not like he called Dazzler a bitch, he just admitted that she called him a slut. If anything it's her that comes across as petty and jealous, not him.

I will grant that it's unusual for Longshot to be aware of the effect he has on women... usually he's blissfully clueless. But PAD seems to be shooting for a Longshot more similar to the end of the original miniseries, confident and take-charge rather than puppy dog-ish. And again, it's not like he bragged to Guido about his prowess with women -- he was stating it pretty matter-of-factly.

If Longshot doesn't narrate the breakup from a neutral standpoint... well... we kind of know Longshot's an egotist. It's in character.

No offense, wbe, but since when? Longshot's default settings are either the "perfect man in an imperfect world" mold, or cluelessly naive. Either way, though, when was he an egotist? That one time he saved X-Force and admitted his powers were way more powerful than Domino's? It just doesn't wash.

It was the boyfriend's half of the breakup, to be sure. But you know what? Longhost's gonna get his own *ss in a sling. Why? Scope this:

[Blah blah Lila Cheney slander]

Patience, Dazzler fans. If we all think very hard, PAD might just write such a scene. I hope.

Seriously, man... impartial much? :wink: He doesn't say anything bad about Dazzler, there's nothing that could get him in "trouble," if you want to call it that.

Two thumbs up from me. So far we're getting a Longshot rather different from what we've seen lately, but that's not a bad thing. We'll have to wait and see how things develop.

-D

[worstblogever]

No offense, wbe, but since when? Longshot's default settings are either the "perfect man in an imperfect world" mold, or cluelessly naive. Either way, though, when was he an egotist? That one time he saved X-Force and admitted his powers were way more powerful than Domino's? It just doesn't wash.



Seriously, man... impartial much? :wink: He doesn't say anything bad about Dazzler, there's nothing that could get him in "trouble," if you want to call it that.
-D

Dirty laundry is dirty laundry, and he probably shouldn't have aired it with Strong Guy of all people.

And by definition, Longshot has been engineered by Mojo to be the center of attention, and to showboat. Egotistical, by nature, as a genetically formulated performer in the Mojoverse. He has moments of sacrifice, where he thinks of others, to be sure, but the only time Longshot was ever down on himself was when his powers were on the fritz during Inferno. Other than that, he's always been sort of smug, really.

[CMBMOOL]

I must say, for a man like Longshot to know his power over women, he must be one Lucky man to even make M jump for him. :biggrin:

[Petes Pants]

Longshot will never be anything resembling a perfect man with that hair (or Larry Stroman drawing him).

And seriously, what is the deal with the colorists on this book? I feel like a brown magic marker should be packaged with every issue.

[sneggz]

So, are Longshot and Darwin going to fight over Monet?

[Greg Anderson]

Hmm, I'm guess I'm alone in enjoying the art. I felt this was Stroman's better issue compared to the last 2 (which I didn't mind) but I really enjoyed looking at the art in this issue. And writing, I felt this issue was amazing. Also much better than the last issue. Every page was a delight for me, and the scene with Strongman, Longshot, and the detective was hilarious. I'm surprised Rictor didn't automatically get entice by LS, although maybe him attacking LS was a way to cope a lil' feel. :biggrin: :wink:

I must say, though, this is actually the first time I've complained about this, but I could definitely see how certain people are annoyed of M's skin being altered. She was much darker than this and now she's the same complextion as LS. What the heck?

I suppose there may be a slight love triangle? Darwin wants M, M wants LS, LS wants...?

And damn, what an ending!

[Greg Anderson]

So, are Longshot and Darwin going to fight over Monet?

Damn, I was typing my idea on that when you posted that! :redface:

[The Lucky One]

And by definition, Longshot has been engineered by Mojo to be the center of attention, and to showboat. Egotistical, by nature, as a genetically formulated performer in the Mojoverse. He has moments of sacrifice, where he thinks of others, to be sure, but the only time Longshot was ever down on himself was when his powers were on the fritz during Inferno. Other than that, he's always been sort of smug, really.

I'm still gonna have to ask for some examples, buddy. Opinions are opinions, but to me there's a difference between being a movie star and automatically being smug. 1) He wasn't engineered by Mojo... that's probably pretty important to remember. He was created by Arize with a desire to rebel, not by Mojo with a desire for fame. And 2) he was an entertainer, a stuntman who was forced into the spotlight; he did seem to enjoy parts of it, true, but making the best of a situation thrust on you is pretty far removed from actively seeking it out. Yes, he was technically the center of attention, but I would think a Dazzler fan of all people would recognize that craving the spotlight doesn't automatically equal arrogance or smugness. Many celebrities ARE that way, of course, but there are plenty who aren't.

Honestly, this is meant in jest, but you have to admit the irony of defending Dazzler while claiming another character being in the spotlight automatically equates with smugness. :smile:

-D

[worstblogever]

I'm still gonna have to ask for some examples, buddy. Opinions are opinions, but to me there's a difference between being a movie star and automatically being smug. 1) He wasn't engineered by Mojo... that's probably pretty important to remember. He was created by Arize with a desire to rebel, not by Mojo with a desire for fame. And 2) he was an entertainer, a stuntman who was forced into the spotlight; he did seem to enjoy parts of it, true, but making the best of a situation thrust on you is pretty far removed from actively seeking it out. Yes, he was technically the center of attention, but I would think a Dazzler fan of all people would recognize that craving the spotlight doesn't automatically equal arrogance or smugness. Many celebrities ARE that way, of course, but there are plenty who aren't.

Honestly, this is meant in jest, but you have to admit the irony of defending Dazzler while claiming another character being in the spotlight automatically equates with smugness. :smile:

-D

Irony? Yeah, it's like all that stuff Alanis Morissette sang about.

Wait, nevermind, none of those things were ironic.

Point being, though, neither one of them is the bad guy in this scenario, and in their own ways, they're both delightful little egomaniacs. They're both performers. It's why they had a romance, because they have that in common.

But, like most celebrity relationships, neither one could deal with the idea of the other being more loved by the masses, in the end, causing a breakup.

And, inevitably, one seems more likely to dish to whoever will listen about the "real" reason behind the breakup, causing more drama.

Now, "right and wrong" in this scenario don't exist. It's like when Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt broke up. Comic book fans can go out and start getting, "I'm with Ali" or "I'm with uh... Longshot. With the Mullet" T-shirts and try to make it into one, but it's not quite so black and white.

I stand behind Longshot being a bit of an attention craving showboat (in the bulk of his appearances, like ever), and crossing a bit of a line by discussing personal details with Guido Carosella, of all people. He's not evil for this, though. He's just a guy being a tad insensitive. That childlike naive nature of his is coming out here, because he's sort of spilling his guts like a kid in a junior high after a breakup.

And this, however, does not mean I consider Dazzler, in comparison a saint. I'm very real about this. Until Dazzler starts telling all the X-Women that "mullet boy has a tiny wang", though, she's still taking a bit of the high ground.

[LawGiver]

I have seen a lot of arguments on this board since I joined but I have to admit this is the GAYEST ONE OF ALL!!!

Longshot?

Longshot?

Seriously?

We're getting snarky over an alternate universe mountain man with a Kentucky mullet? This is what is spurring this? This guy:

http://www.kniese.id.au/images/jokes/KingMullet.jpg

[frog]

Oh no, I've seen the future. Longshot is going to marry Monet and then they'll start adopting. :eek:

As long as they don't adopt the X-babies, I suppose.

[Novaya Havoc]

I am more offended by that man's denim shorts than I am by his hairstyle.

[Greg Anderson]

I am more offended by that man's denim shorts than I am by his hairstyle.

LMAO! :biggrin:

[metalgorgomon]

Okay.. I really like this issue. A lot!

This is by far one of my favorite X-Factor issue for like several months.
Probably cause I'm one of a few who don't mind Longshot?

I thought PAD wrote a great Longshot here. Loved his interaction with Strong Guy throughout the issue, especially during the headquarters scenes.

I don't think Longshot bragged about the girls or Dazzler at all. He told what happened with Dazzler from an innocent/neutral point of view, IMO.

And the bit with Longshot-Monet-Rictor was just hilarious..

Also Love the psychometry being used again.
I find PAD kinda went a 'little' overboard with the 'charm' stuff though. I know that Longshot is a beautiful man, even perfect man (certainly not in a real world with the mullet though), but charming everybody he met??

Aside from the art (still don't like Stroman's art here), this is one solid read for me. Looking forward next issue.

[Greg Anderson]

I find PAD kinda went a 'little' overboard with the 'charm' stuff though. I know that Longshot is a beautiful man, even perfect man (certainly not in a real world with the mullet though), but charming everybody he met??



Well, seems he didn't charm Strongman and Rictor so much. Rictor, I'm surprised of. :tongue:

[metalgorgomon]

Well, seems he didn't charm Strongman and Rictor so much. Rictor, I'm surprised of. :tongue:

Oh yeah..perhaps Rictor just hates mullet to the guts. Oh wait.. didn't he and shatterstar..?? He probably knows that he cannot date an ex's dad..:biggrin:

And what's with the detective?? Offering to give Longshot his phone number and all.. Is he... ???

[Sunbird]

Irony? Yeah, it's like all that stuff Alanis Morissette sang about.

Wait, nevermind, none of those things were ironic.
Arguably the entire song was ironic, as all the things listed were not ironic, but were described as such, which is itself ironic (in the technical sense of the term).

Which has nothing to do with X-Factor.

[Slung]

Well, seems he didn't charm Strongman and Rictor so much. Rictor, I'm surprised of. :tongue:

Hmmm...now that you mention it, I'm sort of disappointed that PAD didn't take this opportunity to out Rictor a little more. That would have been fun.

[SayOcean]

Maybe rictor is nervous about meeting the Maybe alternate parent of his former lover

I havent picked up the issue yet but seriously whats with all the Longshot hate? Really? Most people dont like him cause he has a mullet??? that seems like a weak reason for hatred. And Im another one who doesnt think longshot has ever been egotistical hes like anya from buffy the vampire slayer he just doesnt understand us sometimes

[RickyD410]

Well, seems he didn't charm Strongman and Rictor so much. Rictor, I'm surprised of. :tongue:
Actually, Longshot says he has power over those of the opposite sex. So even if a man is gay, he still wouldnt be attracted to Longshot, since he is still a man.
And what's with the detective?? Offering to give Longshot his phone number and all.. Is he... ???
And the lieutenant is actually a woman, who had a sex change to become a man. At least, thats my take. Cus like Longshot said, his power only affects those of the opposite sex.

About Longshot, if he does stick around, I'm really hoping he gets a haircut and a costume change. Quickly.

[Greg Anderson]

Well, even if LS's powers only work against women, that scene with the gay detective was still hilarious.

[escapegoat]

I really enjoyed this issue, thanks to Longshot. PAD's done a great job writing him and seems to be the only writer who's been able to do so ever since the original Longshot mini-series. It's great to see he's not being written as some clueless putz stuck in a permanent perpetual mind-wipe.The points that The Lucky One made earlier on Longshot are dead on in regards to his ego. Longshot is not full of hiimself, but instead confident because of his luck power - even when he isn't using it. And thanks you PAD for making good use of his psychometry. It's obviously gonna make him a valuable asset to the team now that they've seen it put to use. I'll be curious to see how PAD's gonna factor in the flip-side of Longshot's luck power, if he'll acknowledge it. Maybe we'll be seeing Rictor or Strong Guy be a lot more unlucky over the next few months. It would make for a great confrontation down the road when they discover the luck's flip-side.

And yeah, the scene with the gay detective was hilarious :biggrin:

[Blackroom]

About Longshot, if he does stick around, I'm really hoping he gets a haircut and a costume change. Quickly.

Now there is a CBR art project!
While pretty much all of his X-Associates have undergone a kaleidoscope of wardrobe changes, Longshot is still rocking the leather jumpsuit and mullet look that was hip back in the 80's, but is a little dated by now. I've always liked the character but if anyone could stand a makeover, it's him.

[The Black Guardian]

Okay.. I really like this issue. A lot!

This is by far one of my favorite X-Factor issue for like several months.
Probably cause I'm one of a few who don't mind Longshot?

I thought PAD wrote a great Longshot here. Loved his interaction with Strong Guy throughout the issue, especially during the headquarters scenes.

I don't think Longshot bragged about the girls or Dazzler at all. He told what happened with Dazzler from an innocent/neutral point of view, IMO.

And the bit with Longshot-Monet-Rictor was just hilarious..

Also Love the psychometry being used again.
I find PAD kinda went a 'little' overboard with the 'charm' stuff though. I know that Longshot is a beautiful man, even perfect man (certainly not in a real world with the mullet though), but charming everybody he met??
Agreed.
And what's with the detective?? Offering to give Longshot his phone number and all.. Is he... ???
And does it say about the disco queen that she's unaffected? Hmm...

[Joe Franklin]

Hmm, I'm guess I'm alone in enjoying the art.

The Stroman art is the only reason I am buying X-Factor.

I normally don't buy comic books with very little super hero action in them like X-Factor has, but I love Stroman's unique art style.

[The Black Guardian]

I, too, am a fan of Stroman. However, I think his work on this book could have used a strong inker.

[Joe Franklin]

I, too, am a fan of Stroman. However, I think his work on this book could have used a strong inker.

Sibal is a very good inker(see Action Comics), but his fine inking style does not mesh well with Stroman's pencils. Stroman needs an inker who can draw very well himself, like Al Milgrom or Sal Buscema, so that they can add more detail to Stroman's work.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Well, even if LS's powers only work against women, that scene with the gay detective was still hilarious.

Wait-- Larry Stroman has powers? Wtf?

[Alex A Sanchez]

I SOO wish I was able to write this review- my opinion of the issue was very different from Ricky's. I loved this issue, and I think it has been the best one since before the Isolationist story. Guido finally has a worthy foil (Jamie is too bitter to work well with him any more, the fun chemistry was lost), and the mystery is a good one.

I'm loving Longshot and how he making a huge impact upon the team (Darwin seems more like a background character in comparison).

Even the art team has stepped their game up- let's home the momentum continues.

[CENTER]

Summary:

It starts off with Darwin. Inside a human test-tube. A sinister man named Mr. Maru is standing either on top of him, or next to him. I dont know, it changes with the angle (hooray for Stroman).

The man was clearly on top of the glass bubble containing Darwin. The angle changes intentionally as the guy stands up. If your mindset was receptive to enjoying the comic rather than preparing to criticize it, you would have noticed this.


Back at XF Investigations, the real Longshot shows up. Guido tries to kill him because he thinks its the Skrull again. But as Longshot points out, if he was a skrull, and he can choose to look like anyone he wants, why would he look like the someone whom X-Factor already knows to be a skrull?

This part was absolutely hilarious!! Darwin + Strong Guy = X-Factor is fun again! Again, these two made the issue for me- I was laughing out loud the entire time, "Shut 'im up! He's makin' my head hurt!".


Longshot tells Madrox what happens, and in a fury, Madrox punches the wall and creates a dupe. The dupe asks Jamie to watch his mouth, and while Jamie calls Terry to run a search on the plate number and the name of the project, Jamie's dupe promply smothers Darwin's father with his pillow.

Review:
The art sucked. Every person looked fat and ugly. Everything was clear and understood, but I doubt we could if there were any fight scenes. The angles were very weird and there was lots of unnecessary shading.


Waaait... you're not making sense?? You say the art sucks, yet you are making arguments in support of the art being good: everything was clear and understood (check), Stroman's strength is his action scenes, so you don't have to worry about that (check), funky interesting angles (check), unorthodox shading (check). There's another guy who used to use "unnecessary" shading to balance out the whites and blacks in the inked page- his name was Jack Kirby. I'm not sure if you have heard of him. I'm sure that a lot of fat people are taking offense to your assessement of the issue: drawing fat people does not make the art suck.

All that being said- there were some pretty downright crappy faces drawn in this issue. Page 15 panels 2 and 3!?!?! Omg :eek:



I didnt really see the need for Longshot in this ish.


He's a new, regular character- that's why he's here. The plot doesn't need Guido either, but his presence makes it all the more ejoyable. Their personalities are what makes it fun.



All in all, it was an ok ish... The art was terrible, and that took alot away. Also, I'm probably a little biased, because I really dont like Longshot OR Darwin very much. Not much happened in this ish except for Longshot shows up, and we learn what happened to Darwin. Other than that, people kind of just stand around.


Not one of X-Factor's best issues. It needs Layla Miller back right now. Immediately.


Your complaint about the issue seem to stem from biases you held before even reading it: you don't like Darwin, Longshot, and Stroman and you do want Layla. Now honestly, if you knew that someone else didn't share your biases, do you think they would enjoy the issue more than you did?

There was some fantastic character interaction in this issue- I thought it was one of X-Factor's best issues.

[jackolover]

At least this book had a Skrull reference in it, not like Incredible Herc #121 after the SI logo went.

What is Peter David doing in this book? At the end, one of Madroxes dupes suffocates the comatose client, and instead of him dying, he brings him back to life. Does this guy Mr. Munoz have mutant powers too?

And what is with this Longshots 'Venus' powers? He is the male version of the siren singer who makes all genders attracted to him. That is so creepy. And Longshots psychic ability to 'read' objects in a psychic sense, is such a handy tool in the detective game. X-F Investigations should hold onto him, but certainly, they will have to spray him with perfume or something, so the girls don't outright jump him every 2 seconds.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Artwise:

The overall product feels rushed. Some of the faces were terrible, and others were just inconsistent. The color pallet has improved, although it doesn't look like much time was put into the shading.

However, there are some definite highlights:

- The angles on the opening sequence were terrific. The whole thing was rendered rather nicely as well.

- All of the Guido/Longshot scenes- particularly the page where Guido first answers the door. Guido is the most consistent looking character in the book. He looks awesome; always.

- Monet's body language when hitting on LS.

- The glope that the prisoner turns into: how cool is that stuff!!!

- LS's dad getting shot- nice action.

- The Detective. I love his expression/body language when he tells Longshot to call- golden!


Story/character wise:

Highlights--

- I want to see Guido and Longshot in a bar. Now. Guido's used to picking up chicks, imagine how pissed he's be to have LS steal his thunder.

- We all see the Darwin/M/LS triangle coming. And poor Rictor is out in the cold- before these two showed he it was looking like he might have had a chance to get close to her.

- Love the added layer of the plot: we get one story that we thought was over, and find out that it is only begining. We still don't know the motivation behind the villians, but I have a feeling that it will be controversial.

[Grapeweasel]

Jeebus, this was one UGLY looking comic.

[timbox]

I liked the Monet and Longshot meeting, but I will not tolerate that gushy behavior from Monet for very long. She needs to toughen up and shrug off that Longshot appeal and give him some bitchy attitude.

[AcesX1X]

I have seen a lot of arguments on this board since I joined but I have to admit this is the GAYEST ONE OF ALL!!!

Longshot?

Longshot?

Seriously?


Embrace change. Otherwise, I think you're going to be very unhappy in X-Factor threads for quite a while.

[PaStella]

I really liked the script, but the art was hardly tolerable.

And honestly, someone tell Longshot (or Marvel actually) to change his haircut. Every superhero does change style, costume, hairstyle every now and then, why not him?

[madrox1977]

Loved this issue, really dont mind Longshot being a part of the team [for however long he sticks around], if only to have someone for Guido to bounce his humour off. Saying that though, i do agree that he needs an image change and its well past time to get rid of the mullett.
Art wise i liked the issue, but then was always a fan of Stroman's as i have pointed out before. Loved the return of the X-factor dupe, nice to see him again, particualry as didnt see it coming as he was polite when he first appeared berating Jamie for his language. Be interesting to see how this story arc pans out.

[Hi-Fi]

This was pretty fun! Dare I say Longshot was awesome? Yes, I do! And the return of crazy Dupe! Ok, my faith in X-Factor is restored.

That said... ugly, ugly, ugly art. Seriously, it's not working. It really isn't.

[preppistonpav]

I've never really read anything with Longshot, but from what I read about his history, he didn't seem like someone who would be a good fit as a member of the X-Factor detective agency. His powers are a perfect fit, yeah...but he seemed too cosmic/fantasy. Kudos to PAD, though, for the way he was written in this issue. Yeah, he seems sort of "othered" from the rest of our cast...but in a way that fits. Really, I shouldn't be suprised; it seems like PAD has the mutant ability to focus on the aspects of the characters that really work, while making the less-than-stellar aspects seem not so important (like Monet's past, for example).

As far as his looks goes, yeah, the mullet isn't really that fantastic. When he appeared on the doorstep, I at first thought he was wearing a hoodie - and that wouldn't be that bad of a look on him. It allows him to keep the haircut without looking ridiculous in every scene he's in.

Of course, with Stroman's art, does the mullet really look that silly? :)

-Pav

[Alex A Sanchez]

When he appeared on the doorstep, I at first thought he was wearing a hoodie - and that wouldn't be that bad of a look on him. It allows him to keep the haircut without looking ridiculous in every scene he's in.

Jamie was wearing a hoodie walking in the hospital- Longshot was wearing a blanket to keep dry from the rain.


Of course, with Stroman's art, does the mullet really look that silly? :)


I agree. In the 90's Stroman drew characters in 80's clothing (He designed the Nasty Boys) and it went well with the bizarreness of all the character designs.

[AcesX1X]

my heart is beaming with joy at all this Longshot-love. You are all so full of absolute amaze, I just.....I can't express it in words.

[streator]

does longshot look exactly like the skrull longshot did? same uniform & everything?

[Alex A Sanchez]

my heart is beaming with joy at all this Longshot-love. You are all so full of absolute amaze, I just.....I can't express it in words.

http://www.alexsanchez.net/host/cbr/guido-ls.png

BFFs.
Especially now that Guido is more bitter, he works well with the cheeriness of the Lucky One.

[broodjeork]

ok, something completly different now.

it was said a while ago that one of the new x-men would join the cast of x-factor.
the first time that this was mentioned by pad was before the summer break. not that long after new x-men stopped. after that its been said by pad again somewhere that a new x-men would join

now im wondering, when will it happen?

[streator]

ok, something completly different now.

it was said a while ago that one of the new x-men would join the cast of x-factor.
the first time that this was mentioned by pad was before the summer break. not that long after new x-men stopped. after that its been said by pad again somewhere that a new x-men would join

now im wondering, when will it happen?

i think he meant darwin.

[broodjeork]

í hope not :(

[jarrod]

Guido and Shot make a good pair. LOL @ cassanova.

[RickyD410]

The man was clearly on top of the glass bubble containing Darwin. The angle changes intentionally as the guy stands up. If your mindset was receptive to enjoying the comic rather than preparing to criticize it, you would have noticed this.
On page 2, yes, Mr. Maru is clearly standing on top of the test-tube thing. Its shaped like a dome, and he is balancing on it.

On page 11, we see the dome the second time. Only this time, its no longer a dome. Its a sphere that towers above Mr. Maru's head. It was inconsistant, and I didnt understand how at one point it was on the floor with people working all around it, and the next time it towers above everyone. The man was standing the entire time. I was definitely receptive to enjoying the comic, but I thought the art was terribly ugly. I wasnt prepping for a Discussion thread. I read it, and when I saw there was none, I decided to write one.

Waaait... you're not making sense?? You say the art sucks, yet you are making arguments in support of the art being good: everything was clear and understood (check), Stroman's strength is his action scenes, so you don't have to worry about that (check), funky interesting angles (check), unorthodox shading (check). There's another guy who used to use "unnecessary" shading to balance out the whites and blacks in the inked page- his name was Jack Kirby. I'm not sure if you have heard of him. I'm sure that a lot of fat people are taking offense to your assessement of the issue: drawing fat people does not make the art suck.
I made sense. Its just that you seem to enjoy all the things that I dont. I know I said the art was clear and understandable, which it was. But that doesnt make it good. I could draw a sequence using stick figures and you'd understand it, it would just look terrible. I was saying it was clear now, but if there were any fight scenes, it most likely would not be understood. You say funky interesting angles, I say confusing angles that make everyone look even more awkward than they already are. Just because Jack Kirby makes his shading work, doesnt mean that Stroman can. I didnt like his shading. I'm happy you did, but I thought it was very ugly. I never once said that drawing fat people is bad, or that I have a problem with obese individuals, but when Monet St. Croix needs to go on a diet, then we have a problem.

Your complaint about the issue seem to stem from biases you held before even reading it: you don't like Darwin, Longshot, and Stroman and you do want Layla. Now honestly, if you knew that someone else didn't share your biases, do you think they would enjoy the issue more than you did?
Not exactly. I've stated multiple times that one of the things that makes PAD's writing so strong is that he does great things with B and C-list characters. Just because I didnt like Longshot and Darwin before, doesnt mean I expect to dislike them forever. I didnt like Layla, Monet, or Rictor before X-Factor either, and now look at them. I'm saying I didnt like what was done with them in this issue.

I'm happy you enjoyed the issue so much, but I didnt. I never said you had to feel the same way.

[Swashbuckler]

I really enjoyed this issue a lot. Longshot was perfectly characterized and I'm glad hi slast appearance was referenced and a little filler info was given about Dazzler. I also loved that he used his psychometry powers. It was a nice touch. His interaction with Guido was perfect, but I wasn't all into his "women throw themselves at me" gift. I mean, I know it was a thing for him back in the day, but M should be immune at least. She's smarter then that. Rictor needs to become entranced. I wonder how it works. Is it pheromones? If it is, it would affect women and men who are attracted to other men (explaining the cop).

[The Lucky One]

I mean, I know it was a thing for him back in the day, but M should be immune at least. She's smarter then that. Rictor needs to become entranced. I wonder how it works. Is it pheromones? If it is, it would affect women and men who are attracted to other men (explaining the cop).

With respect, I wouldn't say it's really a smarts thing. I'm not going to get all "affairs of the heart" here, but since when have really smart people been immune to hormones? That oil tycoon, J. Howard or whatever his name was... do you think he married Anna Nicole Smith because he was an idiot? I'd say it was probably for one or two other reasons. :wink: And M let Jamie seduce her, I don't think she was exactly thinking with her head on that one. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde is a genius too and she still fell for Longshot.

As for the nature of Longshot's power over women, you could make a case either way, but I believe it was originally simply presented as a combination of his extreme outer beauty and women subconsciously picking up on his inner attractiveness. Remember that at the time he was created, David Bowie was considered really hot, and Longshot's look reflects that. Think of it this way: Christian Bale doesn't have any pheromone powers, he's just really hot, and women are attracted to him because of that. Well, within the Marvel Universe at least, Longshot is Christian Bale times a hundred.

-D

[Greg Anderson]

Think of it this way: Christian Bale doesn't have any pheromone powers, he's just really hot, and women are attracted to him because of that. Well, within the Marvel Universe at least, Longshot is Christian Bale times a hundred.

-D

Heh, my mom found Batman to be hotter than Bruce Wayne when she watched The Dark Knight.

[Push You Down]

Yea, why would M be immune to Longshots power? That makes little sense. Smarts have nothing to do with it.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Ha ha ha- holy confused, Greg! I don't get it?? I'm feeling really dumb here now..

The man was standing the entire time.


No he wasn't. Look at how close he is when Darwin first opens his eyes. His hand is on the glass. Then his head gets smaller as his torso remains the same size. And then his head gets really small and his legs are huge. The action is told in the angles-- but then again, angles confuse you so it doesn't surprise me that this was missed.

I know I said the art was clear and understandable, which it was. But that doesnt make it good.

Umm... actually yes, it does. It's one of the most basic criteria for good comic art: clarity. It is not the only criteria, but it is a crucial one.


I could draw a sequence using stick figures and you'd understand it

Have you ever tried to do this with a complex script? It's actually a lot harder than it sounds. Try it sometime.

I was saying it was clear now, but if there were any fight scenes, it most likely would not be understood.

And I'm telling you that Stroman's fight scenes are better/clearer than his standing around/talking scenes. I've actually seen them, I'm not just hypothesizing here.


All that being said, thank you for taking the time to write a summery. In the end, I do understand that you find the art to be ugly, and it seems a lot of people agree.

[RickyD410]

No he wasn't. Look at how close he is when Darwin first opens his eyes. His hand is on the glass. Then his head gets smaller as his torso remains the same size. And then his head gets really small and his legs are huge. The action is told in the angles-- but then again, angles confuse you so it doesn't surprise me that this was missed.
Ah. I see now that we've been talking about different pages this entire time. I knew he was kneeling close to Darwin on page 1. I understood THOSE angles (which dont confuse me when drawn correctly, thank you very much). I'm talking about the shape of the test-tube on pages 2 and 11, and the fact that they dont match.

[Kid Icarus]

Ricky has good taste
Stroman makes me cry
But I made it throught the issue
and halfway enjoyed it
by which I mean the written half...

And Darwin wasnt the New X-men Joining
cuz after he was unveiled
someone asked if an actual New X-men was still joining
and PAD was like yessir

[RickyD410]

Ricky has good taste
Stroman makes me cry
But I made it throught the issue
and halfway enjoyed it
by which I mean the written half...

And Darwin wasnt the New X-men Joining
cuz after he was unveiled
someone asked if an actual New X-men was still joining
and PAD was like yessir

I wonder if this arc will introduce the NXM as well. Its bringing Longshot and Darwin to the team... maybe they'll pick someone else up as well?

BUT WHO??

[Don Quixote]

Ricky has good taste
Stroman makes me cry


Stroman makes my eyes bleed. I've dropped X-Factor, simply because I find the art so disagreeable.

I don't know why this book has so much trouble keeping artists in place. Raimondi was perfect for the book, and Sook's art in the early issues was great as well.

[Kid Icarus]

I wonder if this arc will introduce the NXM as well. Its bringing Longshot and Darwin to the team... maybe they'll pick someone else up as well?

BUT WHO??

I wonder if the Mercury story in manifest destiny
would be about her joining...
er
maybe not
since she is already in SF
It will probably be Lionetta

[RickyD410]

I wonder if the Mercury story in manifest destiny
would be about her joining...
er
maybe not
since she is already in SF
It will probably be Lionetta

Haahahahaha. Maybe Trance? She did just show up in a Wolverine One-shot. Maybe a little mini Monet?

[The Lucky One]

Shifting gears, who thinks Jamie needs to just give up the whole fake name thing?

News flash, Jamie: you're the only one using an alias. All of your teammates still call each other by their real names... hell, even you call them by their real names. You also have on your team:

-A 7-foot-tall mountain of muscle with an incredibly distinct hairstyle and goggles, who used to be a participant in nationally televised press conferences as part of X-Factor;
-A beautiful, rich socialite who has been featured in numerous fashion magazines, including Vogue;
-And now Longshot, who was broadcast worldwide sacrificing his life with the other X-Men during Fall of the Mutants... oh, and every woman (and gay guy, apparently) who ever saw him thinks he's the most attractive person in the world.

Time to pack it in with the whole "John Maddox" thing, Jamie m'boy.

-D

[jarrod]

And... Val's already found them anyway. Who's he hiding from exactly now?

[Red Savina]

Shifting gears, who thinks Jamie needs to just give up the whole fake name thing?

News flash, Jamie: you're the only one using an alias. All of your teammates still call each other by their real names... hell, even you call them by their real names. You also have on your team:

-A 7-foot-tall mountain of muscle with an incredibly distinct hairstyle and goggles, who used to be a participant in nationally televised press conferences as part of X-Factor;
-A beautiful, rich socialite who has been featured in numerous fashion magazines, including Vogue;
-And now Longshot, who was broadcast worldwide sacrificing his life with the other X-Men during Fall of the Mutants... oh, and every woman (and gay guy, apparently) who ever saw him thinks he's the most attractive person in the world.

Time to pack it in with the whole "John Maddox" thing, Jamie m'boy.

-D

Yeah, and I believe they were also in the paper for their stance on registration.

But I suspect with registration his real name is probably easily Googled and he probably doesn't want his new hometown to know he's a mutant.

[RickyD410]

He said it himself, theyre trying to keep a low profile.

And if that detective is representative of all of Detroit, then it shouldnt be too hard. The guy doesnt believe in psychics. I doubt he even knows what a mutant is.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Ah. I see now that we've been talking about different pages this entire time.

Ahhh, that explains it!


And Darwin wasnt the New X-men Joining
cuz after he was unveiled
someone asked if an actual New X-men was still joining
and PAD was like yessir

Hey that's right! I remember that. I reeeeally hope it's a female- there are too many men on this team at the moment. Theresa's taken for the moment and Monet's already got 3 guys fighting for her (this is assuming that Jamie's been taken out of the equasion). Fresh flesh is needed.


I don't know why this book has so much trouble keeping artists in place. Raimondi was perfect for the book, and Sook's art in the early issues was great as well.

I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but Jae Lee (!) was the original artist slated for this book (that would have probably pleased everyone here). He was pulled when the Dark Tower deal went through.

Sook left because he decided that he was not able to keep up with the schedule. Callero was only intended as a temporary artist until a permanent one was found. I have no clue why Raimondi left. Pham, De Landro and Olivetti were all fill-in artists.

Shifting gears, who thinks Jamie needs to just give up the whole fake name thing?

News flash, Jamie: you're the only one using an alias. All of your teammates still call each other by their real names... hell, even you call them by their real names. You also have on your team:

-A 7-foot-tall mountain of muscle with an incredibly distinct hairstyle and goggles, who used to be a participant in nationally televised press conferences as part of X-Factor;
-A beautiful, rich socialite who has been featured in numerous fashion magazines, including Vogue;
-And now Longshot, who was broadcast worldwide sacrificing his life with the other X-Men during Fall of the Mutants... oh, and every woman (and gay guy, apparently) who ever saw him thinks he's the most attractive person in the world.

Time to pack it in with the whole "John Maddox" thing, Jamie m'boy.

-D

LMAO!! Prolly the best post in the thread- this might have been better in the general X-Factor thread, but w/e.

The Government sponsored X-Factor were celebrities! And apparently so is M. And how do you forget Guido? He's the one who got the country using the word "Gee-Chees".
It was a good idea plot wise to go underground- the problem is that these are the wrong mutants to go underground with.

[Red Savina]

Jae Lee still needs to happen.

Its not too late. He should redraw the entire series for abanonding us.

[Greg Anderson]

Jae Lee still needs to happen.

Its not too late. He should redraw the entire series for abanonding us.

Wow, Jae Lee for real? That'd be awesome!

[Pro]

I don't know why this book has so much trouble keeping artists in place.

Because it's one thing to be a good artist, another entirely to draw up 22 pages in a month every month. Few artists can keep that up for a long time without needing a change of pace. Try it for a change. 22 pages per month for a year. 22 pages of a quality that isn't going to have people throw ashes on their heads and wallow in agony about an artist raping their childhood or similar such overexaterated responses. See if you're still going to complain as much after that.

I know i can't or i'd be the one drawing x-factor right now :).

[ANewHope]

This issue put me to sleep the first time I read it. I literally put the comic down at 11:00 pm and went to sleep.

And although Longshot's psychic recall was a cool ability, I still dont care about him as a new character on the team. And Darwin... pfft...

Stroman continues to show why he should find another profession.

Not happy with this at all...

[justinkos91]

I finally had the guts to get X-factor, even though Stroman drew it and I hate his art, but I only did it for the story. Story doesn't suck, the art does. I don't know whether to feel ripped off or satisifed. Good story, but bad art? :redface: Well the story was mediocre, can't wait till Stroman's gone though. He ruined Siryn and Monet for me :frown:

Anything but Stroman please. Time to bring back memories of a better X-factor...

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/justinkos91/SirynandMonet2.jpg

[RickyD410]

I finally had the guts to get X-factor, even though Stroman drew it and I hate his art, but I only did it for the story. Story doesn't suck, the art does. I don't know whether to feel ripped off or satisifed. Good story, but bad art? :redface: Well the story was mediocre, can't wait till Stroman's gone though. He ruined Siryn and Monet for me :frown:

Anything but Stroman please. Time to bring back memories of a better X-factor...

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/justinkos91/SirynandMonet2.jpg

hahaha. I love that scene!!!

[worstblogever]

I was reading back issues of X-Force, and something occured to me...

There is some X-history in Michigan.

I mean, not too long ago, Destiny's Diaries were destroyed in Flint. That's not going to have too big an impact on the X-books. But, there was a mutant with some pull who was supposed to be operating primarily out of Detroit, in a psi-shielded facility...

Sledge.

The same guy who had Risque, Blob, Mimic, and Warpath working for him. So, I can't help but wonder, if the toad-like favor trader is going to end up reappearing, and hiring X-Factor Investigations?


It'd be a huge continuity nod. It's not like anyone else has plans for Sledge right now. And what else is there in Detroit for X-history?

[RickyD410]

That would be pretty cool. And PAD does know his continuity very well. It'd be interesting.

[That JonoGuy]

I was reading back issues of X-Force, and something occured to me...

There is some X-history in Michigan.

I mean, not too long ago, Destiny's Diaries were destroyed in Flint. That's not going to have too big an impact on the X-books. But, there was a mutant with some pull who was supposed to be operating primarily out of Detroit, in a psi-shielded facility...

Sledge.

The same guy who had Risque, Blob, Mimic, and Warpath working for him. So, I can't help but wonder, if the toad-like favor trader is going to end up reappearing, and hiring X-Factor Investigations?


It'd be a huge continuity nod. It's not like anyone else has plans for Sledge right now. And what else is there in Detroit for X-history?

Sledge written under PAD would definitely be a good thing. Both Siryn and Rictor have history dealing with him too.

And you just know a Stroman drawn Sledge would be Awesome.

[worstblogever]

Sledge written under PAD would definitely be a good thing. Both Siryn and Rictor have history dealing with him too.

And you just know a Stroman drawn Sledge would be Awesome.

A little bit, yeah. Siryn and Rictor showed up to "save" Warpath from him, which Sledge played it pretty cool during.

And Stroman drawing Sledge would be appropriate, since he's already been portrayed as a fat-bottomed toad. It would play to his style. :redface:

[Novaya Havoc]

I finally had the guts to get X-factor, even though Stroman drew it and I hate his art, but I only did it for the story. Story doesn't suck, the art does. I don't know whether to feel ripped off or satisifed. Good story, but bad art? :redface: Well the story was mediocre, can't wait till Stroman's gone though. He ruined Siryn and Monet for me :frown:

Anything but Stroman please. Time to bring back memories of a better X-factor...

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/justinkos91/SirynandMonet2.jpg

You make me miss Raimondi. Quit it. I'm going to like, cry and shit.

[Jack Flash]

i am a little down on X-factor. Pre-Losing Layla, this was a top notch book. It had killer art. Fantastic drama. Interesting characters. layers of intrigue. Now it's poorly drawn (I used to like Stroman, but now I can't get it). it focuses on ehhh characters. It's just a freaking mess. She-Hulk shows up and is totally blech. Then Rictor dissapears basically. Then Monet, who's power is to be "perfect". fawns over Longshot? Piss effing poor.

i give it 2 out of 10. and that's generous. sad cuz this used to be a good book.

[Alex A Sanchez]

Wow, Jae Lee for real? That'd be awesome!

Read my post just above the one you commented on- I heard it directly from PAD's mouth when I was at WonderCon the year before last.

But, there was a mutant with some pull who was supposed to be operating primarily out of Detroit, in a psi-shielded facility...

Sledge.

Who/what/why/when/where (well not literally "where", you obviuosly explained that already)?
Did this take place in X-men, X-Force, etc?

[Jack Flash]

Read my post just above the one you commented on- I heard it directly from PAD's mouth when I was at WonderCon the year before last.



Who/what/why/when/where (well not literally "where", you obviuosly explained that already)?
Did this take place in X-men, X-Force, etc?

X-Force. ....

[Dr Ray Palmer]

I've dropped X-Factor, simply because I find the art so disagreeable.

Unfortunately, I'm in the same boat. I wanted to keep buying this book, but after a couple of issues of Stroman I just found the art so distractingly unpleasant that I can't make myself buy it. I think the straw that broke the camel's back was a panel where Jamie's eyes were drawn approximately 14 inches apart, plus I couldn't tell who many of the characters were supposed to be, what was going on in some of the panels, and flinched every time I saw Monet because she was so very, very ugly.

This was one of my favorite books for a couple of years -- many months it was by far my favorite book that Marvel published -- but storywise I felt things get really derailed by all the crossovers and hasn't recovered yet. The art was what finally pushed me away, though. :frown:

[Dizzy D]

I am more offended by that man's denim shorts than I am by his hairstyle.

Don't pick on the nevernude.

[Dermie]

I have had little exposure to Longshot before this, but I enjoyed his introduction to the cast here. As others have already commented, I'd like to see what affect he has on Rictor when Ric isn't swept up in a "he must be a Skrull" hostile reaction. I also want to see Jamie's gay dupe meet Longshot and see how that goes! :tongue:

[Brett P]

LOVE Longshot here! Love Darwin! Love Madrox for the first time in a while! Love the dialogue! And I even love the art! It's just so unique.

X-Factor is back to being my favourite monthly title. Or atleast battling it out with Amazing Spider-Man :)

[Lobsterdom]

Terrific read as usual.
I'm really enjoying the new addition to the team, which hasn't happened since Layla joined. Monet should take Longshot to a hairdresser though.:biggrin:
And, believe it or not, Mr. Stroman's art has completely grown on me. Its stylized, its new. I love how the editors always choose artists who make you want to look at the detail in each panel. This suits the series, which isn't all about tense and action, very well. Thumbs up.