X-Factor #235 spoilers

[darknessatnoon]

This storyline seems to be a misguided attempt to critique Kick-Ass.

[1derer]

I was a big fan of the Havok-Madrox interactions. The arc as a whole seems pretty interesting, but if we're getting a focus on Shatterstar then I'm surprised that we aren't seeing more Rictor and Layla so far; they're the people he's closest to.

This storyline seems to be a misguided attempt to critique Kick-Ass.

Only if you ignore things like "the content of the book".

[darknessatnoon]

Only if you ignore things like "the content of the book".

Among the content is there not a story about amateur "superheroes" getting slaughtered in the line of duty?

[MrStytch]

I have to admit, despite my 'NOOOOOOOOOOO!' gut reaction when I heard X-Factor was once again being saddled with Havok and Polaris, I really did enjoy the interplay between Madrox and Havok this issue. Got a funny feeling that Havok might struggle a bit more to fit in with X-Factor Investigations than a lot of fans would expect. Granted he's led X-teams before but it'd be just like PAD [who delights in throwing plotline curveballs, I think] to have him flounder in regards to the investigation side of things...

[dkostus]

Among the content is there not a story about amateur "superheroes" getting slaughtered in the line of duty?

I think there are actually guys doing this in Seattle. Some idiot named Phoenix Jones... so I'm guessing Peter David is referencing that.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2011/10/11/...tle-hot-water/

[redjb]

I'm surprised so many people have issue with the "this is a job for the police" bit. It's a decent twist in a genre all about people who take matters into their own hands (vigilantes). It reminded me of a scene from an episode of Dr.Who a few years back ("Blink", the one with Carrie Mulligan and the Weeping Angels) where a guy is watching a horror movie and yells at the screen "why doesn't anybody go to the police in these things?". It's worth explaining that sometimes, although typically in the detective genre when people hire a P.I. it's to either avoid the police or get a second opinion.

I think the scene was more about showing Havok adjusting to what X-Factor is and how they work. The only time we saw him leading this group he was on a mission for Val Cooper, his old comfort zone. Havok leads mutant strike forces and superhero teams. X-Factor is a private investigation business. He is going to struggle with adjusting. The scene shows that without having someone just come out and say it. I think Jamie's "arrangement" is a good idea for making that work.

The thing that did bother me about Havok in this book was "I didn't know he was superstrong." "He's not." Even though Longshot has been in X-Factor for a bit, and even though Havok has been on a team with Madrox, Guido, and Rahne before, Longshot is still something of an enigma to the others and Havok doesn't know the others too well. Except for Havok and Longshot! They were in the X-Men togeather back when there were only 8 X-Men and they hid from the world pretending to still be dead. It was explained when Longshot first joined X-Factor that he lost his memories and that explains some personality changes and relationships altering, but Havok would still know ALL of Longshot's abilities very well. Aside from Polaris, Longshot is the guy on the team Alex should be most comfortable with. The line was probably meant to show Havok's surprise, but it came off like he doesn't know Longshot at all. Even his reaction to Longshot passing out after touching the camera was a bit off. "Oh, this again." would have been a more accurate response seeing as Havok has seen Longshot go through this before (I think it was Uncanny X-Men 230, the Christmas issue where they played Santa with the Reavers' stolen treasures).

I do understand PAD's reluctance to reference past continuity too much, especially a scene from a single issue thats about 20 years old now, but I am concerned about Havok and Longshot being portrayed as strangers. Of coarse I made similar complaints about Rictor and Rahne in the early issues and that turned out fine...

[1derer]

Among the content is there not a story about amateur "superheroes" getting slaughtered in the line of duty?

Yup. And if reading about a single plot point in a book you haven't actually read is what you require to make up plot interpretations, there you go. But dkostus already got it right.

[Leirus]

I think there are actually guys doing this in Seattle. Some idiot named Phoenix Jones... so I'm guessing Peter David is referencing that.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2011/10/11/...tle-hot-water/

Oh, there is a real life superheroes movement, all over the world. Well, mostly all over america, thank god.

[Dr. Sonic]

I thought the issue was a great jumping-on story for new X-Factor readers. And I agree that it is more a reference to Seattle real-life superhero business rather than a critique of Kickass.

[darknessatnoon]

Yup. And if reading about a single plot point in a book you haven't actually read is what you require to make up plot interpretations, there you go. But dkostus already got it right.

Is Polaris still dressed like an idiot?

[Dr. Sonic]

Is Polaris still dressed like an idiot?

I'm afraid Polaris' costume has not changed much of late. Personally, I would mind her going back to the purple threads she sported back in the 80's.

[blanchett]

I have to admit, despite my 'NOOOOOOOOOOO!' gut reaction when I heard X-Factor was once again being saddled with Havok and Polaris, I really did enjoy the interplay between Madrox and Havok this issue. Got a funny feeling that Havok might struggle a bit more to fit in with X-Factor Investigations than a lot of fans would expect. Granted he's led X-teams before but it'd be just like PAD [who delights in throwing plotline curveballs, I think] to have him flounder in regards to the investigation side of things...

I wonder if he's heading towards a breakdown. The interview on marvel's site said that Polaris was still struggling with her traumas while Havok was apparently over the brutal death of father at the hands of his brother, months of solitude and torture and the death of Lilandra on his watch.....I didn't buy that.

[sweetdumbass]

Is Polaris still dressed like an idiot?

Alex made fun of her hair-color last issue. It's only a matter of time before they're through, she actually sided with Madrox over him on a leadership issue. Talk about sending a clear message..

[jarrod]

Once again Havok and Polaris are single handedly making X-Factor worth buying, despite Jamie Sue.

Longshot and Guido helped a little.

[MartinRedmond]

X-Factor is worth buying. Even when it has nothing to say, it's still the best comic out there.

This issue wasn't spectacular, but I had a good laugh and I love the last few pages. The X-Treme Studios villain has rainbow speedlines when he attacks, hott. I love it. Great cover and upcoming cover.

So happy Havok is only there as a strawman!!! :D


Also, how are they going to build that HQ with only 100 000$??? Is it in CAD?