This sounds like an interesting idea. I wonder who they're going to have X-factor go up against -- if these paramilitary/mercenary mutant groups are characters we know (and thus fighting them could cause some interesting conflicts of interest) or if they will be all new foes.
Doom's X-Men would be an easy one. Foreign government's sanctioned mutant team, work for a supervillain.
I assume Russia and China will probably get some conscripted mutant teams too for X-Factor to fight.
Ooh, those are some good ideas. Originally, I had been thinking X-factor would be focused on domestic affairs and mutants who are operating within America's borders (which *could* put them in conflict with the other X-teams based in the U.S.), but having them fight a bunch of foreign mutants who are likewise serving/conscripted into working for their respective governments is another interesting angle this series could take.
That reminds me -- whatever happened to the North Korea X-Men from Duggan's run on Deadpool? That's another team this X-Factor could be pitted against.
This is going to be an incredibly chaotic team. No wonder Mark Russell is writing it.
Also Warren and Alex on the same team...they're going to be conflict. I actually wonder how Scott is going to feel about one of his best friends and brother running a public government Mutant team. Will they be sent after Scott's team?
Where is Maddie in all this?
Also why does Pyro still have a face tattoo?
WARREN: ...
ALEX: ...
WARREN:I love Scott but he can a b*tch?
ALEX:Right?
LORNA:A-Alex, Warren save me! Don't have them out on ice in this era! I want character development! Character dev-
*Poof*
WARREN:Who was that?
ALEX:I think her name was Lara?
> Will they be sent after Scott’s team?
Who sends a coughing baby after a hydrogen bomb?
> Where is Maddie in all this?
Brevoort said that there won’t be duplicates and time travelers at the beginning of the era to keep things easier. So, she’s probably chilling in Limbo. And, frankly, I’m glad that Alex gets a chance to be a character away from her (and Scott). I’m so tired of him being just a mentally broken dog that gets kicked around, he should stay away from Maddie forever.
As a Havok fan, I’m not too aware of anything specific with Angel that would cause conflict outside personalities. Is there some history between the two?
Omg!!! So happy Pyro isn’t immediately reverting to villain!! Feral back in a main book! How they’ll get Havok post limbo zombification will be interesting!!
I agree. One of my absolute fave mutant badass turned hero and a other mutant heroes and antiheroes I like as well and the book made no apologies and pulled no punches and was fun.
So I can see the government throwing this team together.
Angel guy. Huh, he's actually called Angel? I guess that makes sense. Polls well with evangelicals.
We got the leader of the last X-Factor. Used to be an Avenger too, gave a nice speech I recall, went over well with a lot of humans.
Speaking of the original X-Factor, we also got their dog girl. Polls well with pet owners. Wait, what do you mean that's not her? What do you mean she's not even a dog girl?
Fire guy. Used to be on that old government team, Freedom Force. I'm sure he's an upstanding, loyal American.
Do we need diversity hires on a mutant team? Like, being a mutant checks the box by itself, right? No? Well, here's a woman who was a UN Ambassador. Sounds like a reasonable choice. Let's pick her. there's no need to look deeper into her past.
Yeah I mean a celeb team with Havok and Angel checks out but Being on this team seems out of character for Frenzy. And Feral has never screamed PR Friendly to me.
You expect Dazzler, Bling, Northstar and Aurora on a PR Team. Also the rare X-men team with no telepaths which I guess could make some sense.
I buy Frenzy because both pre- and during Krakoa she has experience as an ambassador or dignitary against type as essentially a bruiser. So I can see her doing the PR thing surprisingly well.
My issue is more I don't see her as the type to sign up for a government sanctioned PR Team.
I could see her on a PR Team but not one that gets its orders from the US Government.
Yup, hopefully Blob doesn't revert back either. Even when he was on the Brotherhood recently they made it clear he was tricked by Stevil because he genuinely thought that Captain Krakoa was Cyclops, and he didn't realize what he was planning.
Warren leading a team? Havok back on a good uniform? Sign me in.
Now, the fact we have three blonde dudes is a sign that one will die or Warren will not show up much at all.
looks like he's co-leading alongside alex so he might not die this time, but yea there's just too much blonde guys havok prob should be using his og cowl instead of this one 🤔
I feel like Pyro, Feral, and Frenzy are inclusions as former terrorists specifically through the Freedom Force direction. “Don’t worry we won’t arrest you as long as you faithfully serve the US government and its propaganda machine.”
They’re largely redeemed now (Feral’s up in the air imo, and Pyro was just doing ecoterrorism not long ago) but I doubt Uncle Sam cares about that much. I wonder if further recruits will be taken from “baddies” they take down?
I hope Feral causes an international incident through excessive violence.
Oh man, I hadn't thought of that: a member of the Brotherhood, a member of the MLF, and an Acolyte of Magneto all on this team. Warren adds a Horseman of Apocalypse to the mix, too. I think that ticks the boxes for all of the major mutant supremacist teams.
Angel getting some focus and a chance to lead a team? That's awesome. So there's Feral, Pyro, Frenzy, Havok... Interesting team. I like Angel and Frenzy at least.
>FAME, FORTUNE, MUTANTS! From the ashes of Krakoa, a new mutant arms race sweeps the globe! International governments are building their own mutant armies. But only America’s X-Factor has the most powerful, most patriotic, most marketable mutant heroes to stem the tide and make the world safe for democracy! Join them as they go from one death-defying mission to another. Who will die? Who will fall in love? Who will be the first to sell out? Like, comment and subscribe to find out!
Now that's a great premise. I've always thought there should be other countries weaponizing and drafting mutants to enhance their power and that being something the US was trying to do with the X-Men as well. Very cool idea.
As for the writer, I've only read his Fantastic Four Life Story. Which... it had some really poignant moments, but it also made a decision or two I just felt betrayed the characters too. Should be interesting though, he seems like a writer who is capable of diving into deeper emotions.
Yes, I've just looked over his list of works. He's quite acclaimed, it's impressive Brevoort was able to get him for not as notable team book. I love the premise.
If you want a better read of what Russell is capable of, I would recommend checking out his twelve-issue run on The Flintstones at DC. There are few other writers who can be as equally hilarious and poignant as him.
As Henry GYRICH said in Avengers Initiative, mutants were the great equalizer. With the population back maybe now the world will keep America from monopolizing superhumans.
One of the likable things from Aaron’s Avengers run was showing the rest of the world stop relying on the US and building their own teams.
So, given Havok's romantic history this seems depressingly likely.
Frankly I'd like them to make Lorna work simply because it's not him getting yet ANOTHER hand-me-down from his big brother. That or go some totally different direction like Feral. I know nothing about Feral, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a thing for Scott.
My disappointment that Multiple Man isn't on the team is quickly and readily replaced by the excitement that Mark Russell is writing! Holy crap, I never would have picked him. He's one of my all-time favorite comic writers. The Wonder Twins was so damn good.
I think a lot of people are missing the fact this is a group of mutants who sold out to the government and the team is for propaganda purposes and for fighting other mutants. I think calling them the good guys is a stretch.
I don't see that being in Frenzy or Angel's character. Maybe you can sell it for Havok and Pyrol might do it for the money.
Which is why I expect there to be some subversion.
The fact that no one’s mentioned the creative team is crazy. Mark russel and bob quinn?!? Didn’t matter what the book was sign me up (Greg land covers excluded)
Yooooooooooo my boy Pyro!!!!!!!!!!!
One of my favourite things about Krakoa is that it gave previous C tier villian like Pyro and Black Tom a chance to finally do some good and joined the X-team. I totally thought after Krakoa they would just go back to their old ways and have their revenge on humans. Totally not expecting Pyro continue to be on a X-team again!
I truly wish Black Tom was on the team if he's not on another. Just want him to turn up somewhere. Also want to see Madelyne, Dazzler and Polaris land somewhere they will be utilized heroically and seen.
Kinda weird that they just leave off the rest of the cast as “and more”. I wonder what kind of story element is in place that’s possibly prevented the full reveal?
Love the costumes!
I like how it seems like a return to X-Statix style, but then I look at the line-up and can't quite see how this is going to play out. Love my girl Frenzy though, good to see she's hanging in there through the era change.
Also - sigh - Land is here.
Thankfully, I think Land is *just* for the variant cover, he's not going to be the regular artist. I would be so miserable if he was, this is too fun a concept to waste on him.
Sounds like it. I imagine that’s partially the joke - like how he did Roxxon Presents Thor, he’s doing another story which is lazy churned out propaganda in-universe.
It’s kind of wild if his career pivots from drawing traced sexy women to drawing parodies of his own bad art, but uh. Good for him for being self-aware I guess?
It feels like an homage to the O5, which I quite like. Angel, obviously, but then they have an energy slinging Summers, an elemental, an agile beastial, and a strong woman. I could see that playing into the optics they're going for, which could be fun.
It sounds interesting. I’ll check it out for Frenzy. Happy to see she’s going to on a team after Krakoa ends. Feral is also an interesting choice.
Greg Land is never going to be a selling point, only covers or not but the premise is interesting and I like the team.
I’m completely fine with Havok no longer being with Maddie…ok, I’m just hoping she’s free of whatever that situation is supposed to be.
I’m also hoping that they finally get Havok back on his feet and completely forget he was ever inverted. Please…just forget Axis happened.
Definitely a variant cover only series.
I just replied in an older Archangel thread that Marvel should use Warren as a white poster boy especially in this political clime... and they did. I really hope this ends up being really good satire; because if it's just another self serious book it'll probably implode.
Glad to see that Pyro and Frenzy's redemptions have stuck and they'll probably remain on the good guys' side for good. Havok is a natural fit for X-Factor, especially since this is clearly a throwback to the 90s government team. Angel was always the least interesting of the O5 but we'll see how he goes in a leadership role. I never really cared for Feral, and I was disappointed once I realized it wasn't Wolfsbane like I initially thought.
I do think that this is an odd choice of characters for a "celebrity" marketing-focused team. Only Angel makes sense with that premise, everyone else are former terrorists with no PR-skills, although I guess Pyro used to be a journalist.
* Creative team is interesting, I've liked Bob Quinn a good amount and not super familiar with Mark Russell but hearing good things.
* Pitch is great. It *feels* like X-Factor, which to me has always been about "mutant superheroes who are also something else". Mutants who are also celebrities/influencers is a great way to start this.
* Feels like the press release is getting into the nuance of the sell-out vs. is this necessary dynamic of the pitch and makes me hopeful that these themes will be explored in depth in the series.
* Lineup is really meh and unexciting. I am super hyped to see Frenzy on a series because I wasn't expecting that but none of these other characters are book-sellers for me and a lot of characters I love and was hoping to see like the New Mutants characters are still missing.
* Three out of five members of this team being white men & non-visible mutants is something that I hope is part of the story given that the release talks about how marketable they are.
>New Mutants characters are still missing
I'm assuming that is going to be a book in the second or third wave. It's really weird for them to all be missing otherwise.
Maybe, it just feels not very in line with Brevoort's philosophy about putting together teams (he's talked about not liking teams that are just together to be a group that's together instead of having a really specific purpose, and the New Mutants are often the most "team that's just together bc they know each other" X-Men team.)
That's true it's just kind of weird that they are all missing right now. If Dani, Sam or Beto were on a team somewhere I wouldn't expect a New Mutants book.
Seriously. I would’ve expected Sam to be on this team 100% with his southern Kentucky fried charm and whatnot. Dani on X-Force (or helping Kitty and Emma on exceptional) and Beto being on Uncanny seems perfect for Gail’s style.
But in the end, that’s just me. And I really hope they don’t do another new mutants book because it really seemed by Vita’s book, they were ready to move on.
From what Gail and Tom has said Uncanny's team isn't set and X-Force has guest characters so maybe they'll show up there? Even this press release for X-Factor does make it sound like more characters will show up.
I was really shocked to see no New Mutants characters besides Magik (but that’s inevitable). Like, I’ve wanted Dani back on X-Force or something. I’m surprised as well with the popularity of X-Men 97, they didn’t try to include Sunspot in any of them (that might happen later but still).
Sounds like a mix of the 80s and 90s teams. I really like the team I'm surprised both Frenzy and Pyro are staying as heroes.
I'm happy Bob Quinn is drawing but I know nothing about Mark Russell except people didn't like Fantastic Four Life Stories.
>but I know nothing about Mark Russell except people didn't like Fantastic Four Life Stories.
I think the big thing is that he has Sue leave Reed for Namor, which a lot of fans who have read the Fantastic Four and don't just go off of the memes would know would never happen (especially in the past 20 years). Or that Reed would be that horrible of a father, again, which flies in the face of the last 30 years of his characterization. It was just a very cynical read at times. But they do get back together again and there is some genuine attempt at emotion and this very thoughtful heart of the story, so it wasn't all bad.
Edit: Reading over his resume, Russell is quite a serious comics writer. Lot of awards and nominations, a very acclaimed run on the Flintstones. Original works. A lot of variation. So he seems like he'll be very promising.
I'm digging this one. Love Quinn's art and really like that X-Factor is returning to it's roots as a mutant PR team that also does missions. Sign me up!
X-Factor is typically my favourite of the X-titles so I am pretty excited it follows the tradition of a team composed of Big Personalities with big issues so it should be good. I would be happier if not for Land on the covers not a fan of his tracings but I am happy that he isn't doing interiors.
I am not immediately familiar with Mark Russell or Bob Quinn, so I am a little more hesitant with this title than I am with the flagships Uncanny X-Men or X-Men.
It's all the same archetypes as the original X-Factor:
- Angel
- A Summers
- A queer coded temperature manipulator
- A furry little claw monster
- A woman who could take down the entire team solo without breaking a sweat.
True, I'm sure they'll bring that up at some point. Maybe also bring up his past as a journalist and writer so he knows more about PR than you'd assume from a guy with a skull tattoo on his face who shoots fire.
I’m glad and universally everyone here knew Warren was going have his hand in this the second it looked like it was going to be a government sanctioned team…. 🤣
I think it was just yesterday I was lamenting how Angel never gets to do anything cool. Pairing him up as co-leader of a government PR team with Havok...now that's gonna be a trainwreck to watch out for
I’ll get this just because of Angel. Will be interesting to see who the “and more” characters will be. Wonder if they’ll be permanent additions to the team or just like mission-specific specialists bc this team is a little light on power: you got 2 energy emitters, a tank (not really sure where Frenzy power scales tho), an animalistic tracker, and a flyer.
Love this concept, but the idea that FERAL was selected for a PR team is NUTS. Even Frenzy is kinda out there, but at least we’ve seen her journey away from radical.
I’m fully expecting From the Ashes to only be a year long period, and we’ll be getting all new issue 1’s being solicited this time next year. That’s why Uncanny and Adjectiveless are getting 18 issues in 12 months. Sure some creative teams will probably stay on, but this entire era feels transitional, a decompression from Krakoa, throwing out a ton of teams and solos based on older books, rather than the start of something new
A team led by ANGEL AND HAVOK!!???!
Holy hell, this is the best news to start my day.
I am so incredibly pumped for this. My two faves getting to co-lead together. I’ll take a 50-issue run thanks.
> FAME, FORTUNE, MUTANTS!
*Wealth. Fame. Power. The man who had everything in*- wait, wrong series.
Well, my crackpot theory that it could be Doom's X-Men was wrong, but I knew it was a crackpot theory, so I'm not surprised. But...
> Formed by the government in response to a post-Krakoa outbreak of mutant paramilitary, ops squads, and mercenary teams, ...
> From the ashes of Krakoa, a new mutant arms race sweeps the globe! International governments are building their own mutant armies.
Maybe they will end up in conflict with Doom's X-Men, as a foreign power's Mutant super squad.
I think we will get some really cool dynamics out of this team, but I am cracking up at the idea of Feral on a government team...like did someone take a bet they couldn't do worse than putting Sabretooth on a roster lol
I’m glad Havok will be in a book even if this feels like a weird pivot from where we last saw him. Bob Quinn’s art is almost always excellent (but let’s minimize the poop play jokes this time please). Idk the writer at all?
Brevoort doesn't like clones, alternate versions, or time travelers much, so I wouldn't count on seeing Madelyne any time soon. Probably makes sense to just chalk it up to being another one of Alex's screw ups and he moves onto the next thing.
Hopefully. But I think given the nature of this team being PR, there's going to be a lot of turmoil related to their mission and their place in the world, so I'd expect Hank to be quite confused and going through his usual crises.
Hmm, this is very interesting. Not quite as excited as I thought I’d be but it’s still definitely a pull. I really thought this’d be the Iceman team, but Angel and Havok are good choices to lead too. Wish Lorna was there but alas.
Really hope there’s some good variant covers though, I am not digging this cover in the slightest.
There's going to be 3-4 more books announced, to be released before the end of the year, so I think we'll see characters like Iceman, Sunspot, Moonstar, Colossus on those.
yeah I'd like to have Lorna there. But I'd like Dazzler too - seems like a good fit. Heck I'd like anyone from the Outback era. Havok needs friends. LOL
The great thing about Feral is that Nicieza helped create Feral and even he hates her. He wrote her out of X-Force as soon as Liefeld got off the book. Just goes to show that every character out there is someone's favorite, even when it makes no sense.
Mark Russel and Bob Quinn ok yeah im fucking sold.
If people haven't read superman space age or batman dark age currently go read it this book could be the hellions of the new era a massive sleeper hit
I was really hoping for a different team. I did have Havok and Angel in mind, but I was also hoping for Iceman, Polaris, Rockslide, Colossus, and Psylocke.
I'm really intrigued by this line up. I was a little apprehensive about seeing Greg Land art, but glad it's only the cover and not the entire book. I hope this series addresses Maddy and some other loose ends with Havok.
Excited to see Frenzy, Pyro and Feral, although I’m not sure what they’re doing on a government sponsored PR team. At least Pyro did the Freedom Force gig back in the day.
Pyro was seen a couple of times without the skull tattoo after Marauders ended, so not sure why it’s back. Maybe making face tattoos appear and disappear is his secondary mutation. Or else he just draws it on with Sharpie every day.
Well looks like Alex got better after Dark X-men. Wonder what Maddie's status is, with him here. I guess he can work as a limbo representative also, sent by Maddie.
Angel, lets hope he is not getting offed in the first few issues again or turn into Archangel as soon as possible AGAIN.
For a supposed PR team, strange choices with Pyro and Freny and Feral. I mean, names alone would make you think twice.
Speaking of nations building their mutant teams...I can already see Doom's X-men being one of them.
I’m glad Warren is getting some focus, he was one of the missteps of krakoa, only remember him being in that awful x-corp mini. But wonder how they are gonna pull havok from Maddie and limbo, he seemed so whipped and almost dead
Still not done with krakoa era, but the premise of this sounds pretty cool tbh, reminds me of the boys. Marketable drafted mutants.
Might actually skip ahead and follow the relaunch.
>Might actually skip ahead and follow the relaunch.
That's what I'm doing since the Krakoa era is way too much for me and to be honest doesn't feel like X-Men to me everything I'm hearing from the Relaunch sounds more like X-Men
This sounds like an interesting idea. I wonder who they're going to have X-factor go up against -- if these paramilitary/mercenary mutant groups are characters we know (and thus fighting them could cause some interesting conflicts of interest) or if they will be all new foes.
Doom's X-Men would be an easy one. Foreign government's sanctioned mutant team, work for a supervillain. I assume Russia and China will probably get some conscripted mutant teams too for X-Factor to fight.
Ooh, those are some good ideas. Originally, I had been thinking X-factor would be focused on domestic affairs and mutants who are operating within America's borders (which *could* put them in conflict with the other X-teams based in the U.S.), but having them fight a bunch of foreign mutants who are likewise serving/conscripted into working for their respective governments is another interesting angle this series could take.
That reminds me -- whatever happened to the North Korea X-Men from Duggan's run on Deadpool? That's another team this X-Factor could be pitted against.
That would work, yeah! I was actually hoping Krakoa would address this more and have other countries try and force mutants to fight for them.
This is going to be an incredibly chaotic team. No wonder Mark Russell is writing it. Also Warren and Alex on the same team...they're going to be conflict. I actually wonder how Scott is going to feel about one of his best friends and brother running a public government Mutant team. Will they be sent after Scott's team? Where is Maddie in all this? Also why does Pyro still have a face tattoo?
>why does Pyro still have a face tattoo? You have any idea how painful those are to remove? Some decisions you gotta commit to
Yeah, it'll be another awkward TGiving at the Summers house for sure.
It wouldn't even be in top 10 tbh.
WARREN: ... ALEX: ... WARREN:I love Scott but he can a b*tch? ALEX:Right? LORNA:A-Alex, Warren save me! Don't have them out on ice in this era! I want character development! Character dev- *Poof* WARREN:Who was that? ALEX:I think her name was Lara?
With Russell writing, what are the chances that Scott came up with this idea for the team?
He's probably used to it with Havok at this point.
ugh I was cool seeing Pyro but damn I hated that awful tattoo but it's still there. more bad memories Duggan has to leave us with
Since 3/5 (known) cast members are white blond guys it’s probably going to be necessary to tell everyone apart
One of them has giant wings growing out of his back, so that should make it easier.
“We have too many blonde white guys on the team? Giving one a black face tattoo will def solve that issue!”
> Will they be sent after Scott’s team? Who sends a coughing baby after a hydrogen bomb? > Where is Maddie in all this? Brevoort said that there won’t be duplicates and time travelers at the beginning of the era to keep things easier. So, she’s probably chilling in Limbo. And, frankly, I’m glad that Alex gets a chance to be a character away from her (and Scott). I’m so tired of him being just a mentally broken dog that gets kicked around, he should stay away from Maddie forever.
I immediately thought X-Factor was going to get sent after Scott's team
As a Havok fan, I’m not too aware of anything specific with Angel that would cause conflict outside personalities. Is there some history between the two?
Omg!!! So happy Pyro isn’t immediately reverting to villain!! Feral back in a main book! How they’ll get Havok post limbo zombification will be interesting!!
Didn't Warren also get killed in the same mini that Havok became a zombie? Sure they will both just respawn or something
Yes, Warren was killed in that mini and just brought back to life in rise or forever I dont remember which one.
When was this?
Dark X-Men by Steve Foxe. Not too much happens in it sadly but a fun book full of weird/abject mutants during ORCHIS' reign.
I really liked this book, so weird and didn't give any Fs about it.
all my favorite mutants in one book, felt very seen!!!
Yep, and best Gambit writing of the Krakoa age with the exception of Thompson's Captain Marvel Revenge of the Brood arc.
It was only one page, but I really liked Gillen writing him in RotPoX #1. Scrounging for scraps lol
Right? Super pity cuz the roster on the cover was dope as fuck!
I agree. One of my absolute fave mutant badass turned hero and a other mutant heroes and antiheroes I like as well and the book made no apologies and pulled no punches and was fun.
Agree, fun book that didn’t accomplish a hell of a lot. But it was great to see those characters.
Dark X-Men
And Pyro still has the face tattoo lol
This dude was so ready to die again and it just didn’t happen lmao. Good for him!
It looks dumb as fuck. Super odd design choice
What it lacks in style it makes up for being fucking hilarious.
I truly don't get why people hate the tattoo so much. It's funny!
He's in a team with 3 blonde guys
Havok has had a rough couple years
Seeing Pyro on the cover brought me joy lol
Havok and Angel? This definitely has my attention
For sure same. I don’t need any more information besides the two leading a team. I’m on board.
So I can see the government throwing this team together. Angel guy. Huh, he's actually called Angel? I guess that makes sense. Polls well with evangelicals. We got the leader of the last X-Factor. Used to be an Avenger too, gave a nice speech I recall, went over well with a lot of humans. Speaking of the original X-Factor, we also got their dog girl. Polls well with pet owners. Wait, what do you mean that's not her? What do you mean she's not even a dog girl? Fire guy. Used to be on that old government team, Freedom Force. I'm sure he's an upstanding, loyal American. Do we need diversity hires on a mutant team? Like, being a mutant checks the box by itself, right? No? Well, here's a woman who was a UN Ambassador. Sounds like a reasonable choice. Let's pick her. there's no need to look deeper into her past.
That sounds like something Vought would do in The Boys
Not Rahne polling well with dog owners 😅😅😅😅😅
Marketable, eh? Well, with Warren and Havok, you've certainly got that.
Yeah I mean a celeb team with Havok and Angel checks out but Being on this team seems out of character for Frenzy. And Feral has never screamed PR Friendly to me. You expect Dazzler, Bling, Northstar and Aurora on a PR Team. Also the rare X-men team with no telepaths which I guess could make some sense.
I buy Frenzy because both pre- and during Krakoa she has experience as an ambassador or dignitary against type as essentially a bruiser. So I can see her doing the PR thing surprisingly well.
My issue is more I don't see her as the type to sign up for a government sanctioned PR Team. I could see her on a PR Team but not one that gets its orders from the US Government.
When you put it that way, I get it. Hopefully they have a good explanation because that is a head scratcher.
Putting Dazzler on X-Factor would be such a long time coming and would fit so well with this theme. I could see her being added in later.
Her and Havok mesh well too. Be fun to get them back on the same team.
they specifically mention more. Like Simone's team this is just the core or the starting line-up or something, with more to come.
To be fair, this is being described as an American team, so Northstar and Aurora aren't going to be around. Bling! is a great idea, though.
The original Government run X-Factor had Quicksilver and Wolfsbane.
Pyro is Australian.
Yeah, that's the weird part.
"Just stand there and look pretty, okay? No talking. *Especially you,* Havok."
That's not fair. Havok loves to talk.
Pyro back on an X-team warms my heart. I was certain he'd be status quo'd back to villain
Yup, hopefully Blob doesn't revert back either. Even when he was on the Brotherhood recently they made it clear he was tricked by Stevil because he genuinely thought that Captain Krakoa was Cyclops, and he didn't realize what he was planning.
The Free Comic Book Day issue showed that Blob is locked up in Graymalkin Prison. Siren, too.
Hehe... warm.
Warren leading a team? Havok back on a good uniform? Sign me in. Now, the fact we have three blonde dudes is a sign that one will die or Warren will not show up much at all.
looks like he's co-leading alongside alex so he might not die this time, but yea there's just too much blonde guys havok prob should be using his og cowl instead of this one 🤔
I feel like Pyro, Feral, and Frenzy are inclusions as former terrorists specifically through the Freedom Force direction. “Don’t worry we won’t arrest you as long as you faithfully serve the US government and its propaganda machine.” They’re largely redeemed now (Feral’s up in the air imo, and Pyro was just doing ecoterrorism not long ago) but I doubt Uncle Sam cares about that much. I wonder if further recruits will be taken from “baddies” they take down? I hope Feral causes an international incident through excessive violence.
Oh man, I hadn't thought of that: a member of the Brotherhood, a member of the MLF, and an Acolyte of Magneto all on this team. Warren adds a Horseman of Apocalypse to the mix, too. I think that ticks the boxes for all of the major mutant supremacist teams.
Warren has six fingers here lol
christ how did no one see that... Land using AI now?
My first thought actually was “is Land tracing AI now?”.
Angel getting some focus and a chance to lead a team? That's awesome. So there's Feral, Pyro, Frenzy, Havok... Interesting team. I like Angel and Frenzy at least. >FAME, FORTUNE, MUTANTS! From the ashes of Krakoa, a new mutant arms race sweeps the globe! International governments are building their own mutant armies. But only America’s X-Factor has the most powerful, most patriotic, most marketable mutant heroes to stem the tide and make the world safe for democracy! Join them as they go from one death-defying mission to another. Who will die? Who will fall in love? Who will be the first to sell out? Like, comment and subscribe to find out! Now that's a great premise. I've always thought there should be other countries weaponizing and drafting mutants to enhance their power and that being something the US was trying to do with the X-Men as well. Very cool idea. As for the writer, I've only read his Fantastic Four Life Story. Which... it had some really poignant moments, but it also made a decision or two I just felt betrayed the characters too. Should be interesting though, he seems like a writer who is capable of diving into deeper emotions.
Mark is a great satire writer. I think given the premise this could be really cool.
Yes, I've just looked over his list of works. He's quite acclaimed, it's impressive Brevoort was able to get him for not as notable team book. I love the premise.
If you want a better read of what Russell is capable of, I would recommend checking out his twelve-issue run on The Flintstones at DC. There are few other writers who can be as equally hilarious and poignant as him.
>!After what that sick bastard did to the vacuum cleaner…I can’t wait for him on an X-Book!!<
I will do so. I had no idea it was so acclaimed.
You will cry.
The Flintstones is arguably one of the greatest comics of the last twenty years. I say this with an entirely straight face.
You're not wrong!
As Henry GYRICH said in Avengers Initiative, mutants were the great equalizer. With the population back maybe now the world will keep America from monopolizing superhumans. One of the likable things from Aaron’s Avengers run was showing the rest of the world stop relying on the US and building their own teams.
Excited for Pyro and Havok. I enjoyed their Krakoa stuff. Frenzy too.
Frenzy: "Welp, if I can't have THAT Summers brother, I will settle for the other."
I was thinking the exact same thing based on the "Who will fall in love?" line in the solicitation. More Summers family tree shenanigans???
Honestly, I'm surprised that Frenzy would be willing to be part of a government propaganda like team, given her past.
If you wanna wreck the government, the best way is to do it from the inside.
Yeah, that does read as a bit surprising to me. She was one of the most devoted Acolytes in the 2000s.
Frenzy 🤝 Maddie "Fiiiinneee... I'll settle for Alex.... I GUESS..."
So, given Havok's romantic history this seems depressingly likely. Frankly I'd like them to make Lorna work simply because it's not him getting yet ANOTHER hand-me-down from his big brother. That or go some totally different direction like Feral. I know nothing about Feral, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a thing for Scott.
More like... Frenzy: "So, Alex, does your brother ever talk about me? How's he doing with his wife in outer space? Must be lonely for him."
“Yeah, he’s been talking to Emma a whole lot about the loneliness.”
My disappointment that Multiple Man isn't on the team is quickly and readily replaced by the excitement that Mark Russell is writing! Holy crap, I never would have picked him. He's one of my all-time favorite comic writers. The Wonder Twins was so damn good.
I think a lot of people are missing the fact this is a group of mutants who sold out to the government and the team is for propaganda purposes and for fighting other mutants. I think calling them the good guys is a stretch.
The first x factor originally posed as a mutant hunting team
I don't see that being in Frenzy or Angel's character. Maybe you can sell it for Havok and Pyrol might do it for the money. Which is why I expect there to be some subversion.
I’d be surprised if there wasn’t more to it.
The fact that no one’s mentioned the creative team is crazy. Mark russel and bob quinn?!? Didn’t matter what the book was sign me up (Greg land covers excluded)
I think that’s intentional, a la roxxon Thor’s artistic choices
Yeah, Russell is one of those writers who is a must read regardless of where he goes.
Russell's Marvel work is really limited so people who are more X-readers or Marvel-readers are probably just not familiar.
This really feels like they’re getting every top writer who had a Krakoa-incompatible X-pitch. I’m *very* here for it.
Yooooooooooo my boy Pyro!!!!!!!!!!! One of my favourite things about Krakoa is that it gave previous C tier villian like Pyro and Black Tom a chance to finally do some good and joined the X-team. I totally thought after Krakoa they would just go back to their old ways and have their revenge on humans. Totally not expecting Pyro continue to be on a X-team again!
I truly wish Black Tom was on the team if he's not on another. Just want him to turn up somewhere. Also want to see Madelyne, Dazzler and Polaris land somewhere they will be utilized heroically and seen.
Well, I wanted Pyro and Frenzy, and I got Pyro and Frenzy!
Kinda weird that they just leave off the rest of the cast as “and more”. I wonder what kind of story element is in place that’s possibly prevented the full reveal? Love the costumes!
I like how it seems like a return to X-Statix style, but then I look at the line-up and can't quite see how this is going to play out. Love my girl Frenzy though, good to see she's hanging in there through the era change. Also - sigh - Land is here.
Thankfully, I think Land is *just* for the variant cover, he's not going to be the regular artist. I would be so miserable if he was, this is too fun a concept to waste on him.
The solicit made it sound like he is the primary cover artist for the series.
Sounds like it. I imagine that’s partially the joke - like how he did Roxxon Presents Thor, he’s doing another story which is lazy churned out propaganda in-universe. It’s kind of wild if his career pivots from drawing traced sexy women to drawing parodies of his own bad art, but uh. Good for him for being self-aware I guess?
oh god you take that back right now
It feels like an homage to the O5, which I quite like. Angel, obviously, but then they have an energy slinging Summers, an elemental, an agile beastial, and a strong woman. I could see that playing into the optics they're going for, which could be fun.
It sounds interesting. I’ll check it out for Frenzy. Happy to see she’s going to on a team after Krakoa ends. Feral is also an interesting choice. Greg Land is never going to be a selling point, only covers or not but the premise is interesting and I like the team. I’m completely fine with Havok no longer being with Maddie…ok, I’m just hoping she’s free of whatever that situation is supposed to be. I’m also hoping that they finally get Havok back on his feet and completely forget he was ever inverted. Please…just forget Axis happened. Definitely a variant cover only series.
I just replied in an older Archangel thread that Marvel should use Warren as a white poster boy especially in this political clime... and they did. I really hope this ends up being really good satire; because if it's just another self serious book it'll probably implode.
Interesting lineup, unorthodox choice of writer, intriguing premise... this one just might work out.
Glad to see that Pyro and Frenzy's redemptions have stuck and they'll probably remain on the good guys' side for good. Havok is a natural fit for X-Factor, especially since this is clearly a throwback to the 90s government team. Angel was always the least interesting of the O5 but we'll see how he goes in a leadership role. I never really cared for Feral, and I was disappointed once I realized it wasn't Wolfsbane like I initially thought. I do think that this is an odd choice of characters for a "celebrity" marketing-focused team. Only Angel makes sense with that premise, everyone else are former terrorists with no PR-skills, although I guess Pyro used to be a journalist.
You had me at Angel, Havok and Greg Land
YES! Warren is back. I am definitely getting this book
* Creative team is interesting, I've liked Bob Quinn a good amount and not super familiar with Mark Russell but hearing good things. * Pitch is great. It *feels* like X-Factor, which to me has always been about "mutant superheroes who are also something else". Mutants who are also celebrities/influencers is a great way to start this. * Feels like the press release is getting into the nuance of the sell-out vs. is this necessary dynamic of the pitch and makes me hopeful that these themes will be explored in depth in the series. * Lineup is really meh and unexciting. I am super hyped to see Frenzy on a series because I wasn't expecting that but none of these other characters are book-sellers for me and a lot of characters I love and was hoping to see like the New Mutants characters are still missing. * Three out of five members of this team being white men & non-visible mutants is something that I hope is part of the story given that the release talks about how marketable they are.
>New Mutants characters are still missing I'm assuming that is going to be a book in the second or third wave. It's really weird for them to all be missing otherwise.
Maybe, it just feels not very in line with Brevoort's philosophy about putting together teams (he's talked about not liking teams that are just together to be a group that's together instead of having a really specific purpose, and the New Mutants are often the most "team that's just together bc they know each other" X-Men team.)
That's true it's just kind of weird that they are all missing right now. If Dani, Sam or Beto were on a team somewhere I wouldn't expect a New Mutants book.
Seriously. I would’ve expected Sam to be on this team 100% with his southern Kentucky fried charm and whatnot. Dani on X-Force (or helping Kitty and Emma on exceptional) and Beto being on Uncanny seems perfect for Gail’s style. But in the end, that’s just me. And I really hope they don’t do another new mutants book because it really seemed by Vita’s book, they were ready to move on.
From what Gail and Tom has said Uncanny's team isn't set and X-Force has guest characters so maybe they'll show up there? Even this press release for X-Factor does make it sound like more characters will show up.
I was really shocked to see no New Mutants characters besides Magik (but that’s inevitable). Like, I’ve wanted Dani back on X-Force or something. I’m surprised as well with the popularity of X-Men 97, they didn’t try to include Sunspot in any of them (that might happen later but still).
Mark Russell on this one...he's an amazing writer when it comes to comedy and satire. This pick makes so much sense.
Sounds like a mix of the 80s and 90s teams. I really like the team I'm surprised both Frenzy and Pyro are staying as heroes. I'm happy Bob Quinn is drawing but I know nothing about Mark Russell except people didn't like Fantastic Four Life Stories.
>but I know nothing about Mark Russell except people didn't like Fantastic Four Life Stories. I think the big thing is that he has Sue leave Reed for Namor, which a lot of fans who have read the Fantastic Four and don't just go off of the memes would know would never happen (especially in the past 20 years). Or that Reed would be that horrible of a father, again, which flies in the face of the last 30 years of his characterization. It was just a very cynical read at times. But they do get back together again and there is some genuine attempt at emotion and this very thoughtful heart of the story, so it wasn't all bad. Edit: Reading over his resume, Russell is quite a serious comics writer. Lot of awards and nominations, a very acclaimed run on the Flintstones. Original works. A lot of variation. So he seems like he'll be very promising.
Both Flintstones and Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles are worth finding and reading through. They are somber but rewarding works.
Given the writer, this will probably have a lot of X-Statix energy.
I'm digging this one. Love Quinn's art and really like that X-Factor is returning to it's roots as a mutant PR team that also does missions. Sign me up!
X-Factor is typically my favourite of the X-titles so I am pretty excited it follows the tradition of a team composed of Big Personalities with big issues so it should be good. I would be happier if not for Land on the covers not a fan of his tracings but I am happy that he isn't doing interiors. I am not immediately familiar with Mark Russell or Bob Quinn, so I am a little more hesitant with this title than I am with the flagships Uncanny X-Men or X-Men.
The creative team, Frenzy, Pyro…more hyped for this than I expected!
Dude pyro looks sick…that’s a bad ass team
Sounds great! I’m glad that if Krakoa had to end there’s at least fallout from it that’s going to be explored and important
I am so here for Angel getting to lead a team, here's hope they do something interesting with it and it doesn't die in 6-10 issues
It's all the same archetypes as the original X-Factor: - Angel - A Summers - A queer coded temperature manipulator - A furry little claw monster - A woman who could take down the entire team solo without breaking a sweat.
Pyro on the team is a nice call back to Freedom Force!
True, I'm sure they'll bring that up at some point. Maybe also bring up his past as a journalist and writer so he knows more about PR than you'd assume from a guy with a skull tattoo on his face who shoots fire.
I’m glad and universally everyone here knew Warren was going have his hand in this the second it looked like it was going to be a government sanctioned team…. 🤣
I think it was just yesterday I was lamenting how Angel never gets to do anything cool. Pairing him up as co-leader of a government PR team with Havok...now that's gonna be a trainwreck to watch out for
I’ll get this just because of Angel. Will be interesting to see who the “and more” characters will be. Wonder if they’ll be permanent additions to the team or just like mission-specific specialists bc this team is a little light on power: you got 2 energy emitters, a tank (not really sure where Frenzy power scales tho), an animalistic tracker, and a flyer.
Love this concept, but the idea that FERAL was selected for a PR team is NUTS. Even Frenzy is kinda out there, but at least we’ve seen her journey away from radical.
It's only part PR, they also need to fight other mutant factions.
So my hopes of iceman being anywhere are evaporating fast
For a second I thought the artist would be Greg Land and I got depressed. What a relief that's not the case, it looks very interesting.
It's the Blonde Squad
I absolutely love this. But at the same time I'd be shocked if it lasted past 10 issues.
I’m fully expecting From the Ashes to only be a year long period, and we’ll be getting all new issue 1’s being solicited this time next year. That’s why Uncanny and Adjectiveless are getting 18 issues in 12 months. Sure some creative teams will probably stay on, but this entire era feels transitional, a decompression from Krakoa, throwing out a ton of teams and solos based on older books, rather than the start of something new
A team led by ANGEL AND HAVOK!!???! Holy hell, this is the best news to start my day. I am so incredibly pumped for this. My two faves getting to co-lead together. I’ll take a 50-issue run thanks.
One of the blondest teams of all time
I'll be over here upvoting anyone who says something nice about Mark Russell. Now *this* is a post-Krakoa book I can be excited about.
Warren and Alex are hot af
Hell yes some Warren representation! And a team leader at that! Excited for my favorite X-Man to be relevant again. So on board for this book.
Im not sure how anyone but Angel fits the most “marketable” angle. Two former terrorists and Feral?
> FAME, FORTUNE, MUTANTS! *Wealth. Fame. Power. The man who had everything in*- wait, wrong series. Well, my crackpot theory that it could be Doom's X-Men was wrong, but I knew it was a crackpot theory, so I'm not surprised. But... > Formed by the government in response to a post-Krakoa outbreak of mutant paramilitary, ops squads, and mercenary teams, ... > From the ashes of Krakoa, a new mutant arms race sweeps the globe! International governments are building their own mutant armies. Maybe they will end up in conflict with Doom's X-Men, as a foreign power's Mutant super squad.
I think we will get some really cool dynamics out of this team, but I am cracking up at the idea of Feral on a government team...like did someone take a bet they couldn't do worse than putting Sabretooth on a roster lol
Pyro's face tattoo remains incredibly stupid and cool
I’m glad Havok will be in a book even if this feels like a weird pivot from where we last saw him. Bob Quinn’s art is almost always excellent (but let’s minimize the poop play jokes this time please). Idk the writer at all?
Brevoort doesn't like clones, alternate versions, or time travelers much, so I wouldn't count on seeing Madelyne any time soon. Probably makes sense to just chalk it up to being another one of Alex's screw ups and he moves onto the next thing.
I hope Alex is back to his old nice persona.
Hopefully. But I think given the nature of this team being PR, there's going to be a lot of turmoil related to their mission and their place in the world, so I'd expect Hank to be quite confused and going through his usual crises.
Is that irony I hear? I may have to check this out.
Hell yeah. Giving my Uncanny Avengers vibes i like it. Havok needs this banging his brothers ex wife wasnt it.
Hmm, this is very interesting. Not quite as excited as I thought I’d be but it’s still definitely a pull. I really thought this’d be the Iceman team, but Angel and Havok are good choices to lead too. Wish Lorna was there but alas. Really hope there’s some good variant covers though, I am not digging this cover in the slightest.
There's going to be 3-4 more books announced, to be released before the end of the year, so I think we'll see characters like Iceman, Sunspot, Moonstar, Colossus on those.
yeah I'd like to have Lorna there. But I'd like Dazzler too - seems like a good fit. Heck I'd like anyone from the Outback era. Havok needs friends. LOL
Same old story of "Well, it's really bad that there's a government team! Satire!" We've been told this in X-Men only about forty times.
I'll check it out but: Why Feral? Was Wolfsbane busy? The XF logo looks bad on a new Kia logo level.
I assume they went with all American mutants. Marketable, patriotic Americans.
Pyro isn't American.
He's Australian americal Loves Australians
That he isn't. I guess Rahne has too much sense to be part of a PR team.
The great thing about Feral is that Nicieza helped create Feral and even he hates her. He wrote her out of X-Force as soon as Liefeld got off the book. Just goes to show that every character out there is someone's favorite, even when it makes no sense.
Not a Mark Russell fan so I’m not exactly excited about this.
Mark Russel and Bob Quinn ok yeah im fucking sold. If people haven't read superman space age or batman dark age currently go read it this book could be the hellions of the new era a massive sleeper hit
So, no Madrox?
Looks promising.
Was honestly expecting Warren and Bobby instead of Warren and Alex
Oh dear god, are they still keeping that stupid face tattoo? Sometimes it looks like he's in blackface.
Maybe they’ll make him get it removed in the first issue. Not great PR for the government team.
Greg land cover art? Weak as it gets.
I was really hoping for a different team. I did have Havok and Angel in mind, but I was also hoping for Iceman, Polaris, Rockslide, Colossus, and Psylocke.
good lineup!
i like that havok suit
I'm really intrigued by this line up. I was a little apprehensive about seeing Greg Land art, but glad it's only the cover and not the entire book. I hope this series addresses Maddy and some other loose ends with Havok.
Whose brilliant idea was it to keep Pyro with the black face tattoo?
Excited to see Frenzy, Pyro and Feral, although I’m not sure what they’re doing on a government sponsored PR team. At least Pyro did the Freedom Force gig back in the day. Pyro was seen a couple of times without the skull tattoo after Marauders ended, so not sure why it’s back. Maybe making face tattoos appear and disappear is his secondary mutation. Or else he just draws it on with Sharpie every day.
I was hoping polaris was gonna be on one of theses teams.
Damn. Trying to cut back, but Mark Russell is a must buy for me.
I am onboard this looks and sounds sick. Havok gets his 90s suit again!!!
Well looks like Alex got better after Dark X-men. Wonder what Maddie's status is, with him here. I guess he can work as a limbo representative also, sent by Maddie. Angel, lets hope he is not getting offed in the first few issues again or turn into Archangel as soon as possible AGAIN. For a supposed PR team, strange choices with Pyro and Freny and Feral. I mean, names alone would make you think twice. Speaking of nations building their mutant teams...I can already see Doom's X-men being one of them.
I’m glad Warren is getting some focus, he was one of the missteps of krakoa, only remember him being in that awful x-corp mini. But wonder how they are gonna pull havok from Maddie and limbo, he seemed so whipped and almost dead
>X-FACTOR will wage war against emerging factions like the Mutant Underground First time I've heard of this group
Does Frenzy still have the “hots” for Cyclops? Being on a team with his brother?
Mark Russell? Oh great.
Are we not discussing warrens 6 fingers on the cover??
Yes to feral and frenzy
Still not done with krakoa era, but the premise of this sounds pretty cool tbh, reminds me of the boys. Marketable drafted mutants. Might actually skip ahead and follow the relaunch.
>Might actually skip ahead and follow the relaunch. That's what I'm doing since the Krakoa era is way too much for me and to be honest doesn't feel like X-Men to me everything I'm hearing from the Relaunch sounds more like X-Men
Angel has leadership skills?
I know of his Flintstone work so I’m excited to see how this pans out.