So they've announced the return of X-Factor as part of the All-New Marvel Now books. The Ugly American Report covered the price hike of the new series to $3.99 and the excellent Ryan Lee's feelings on the new series (seriously go read it). His column inspired me to give my feelings on the new book, which come purely from a story point of view, and take a chance to re-evaluate my Marvel pull list as we move towards All-New Marvel Now.Re: X-Factor
I was a fan of the previous X-Factor volume and writer Peter David and I was unhappy when the series came to an end recently so the idea of a new series naturally peaks my interest. Sadly, it seems the story doesn't. First of all, they have dropped most of the characters that I was invested in from the X-Factor Investigations era: Layla Miller (she's just a brilliant character), Jamie Maddox (the heart of the previous era) and Monet (who improved greatly as a character under David). They have also gotten rid of gay couple: Shatterstar and Rictor so they have eliminated a storyline aspect that has won the book GLAAD awards and that added to my enjoyment of the book. They still have longtime X-Factor member Polaris and we will see the return of her half-brother and former team member Quicksilver. I find their relationship and Pietro's character intriguing (Peter David has done some good stuff with him before) but I don't think that will be enough to keep me on board.
New team member Gambit can be an interesting character in the correct hands but I've never been all that invested in him. The remainder of the new team members leave me flat: Doug Ramsey, Warlock and Danger. Warlock and Danger are kind of similar characters to me and I didn't like the origin of Danger which added to the "Professor Xavier is a jerk" run of storylines in Marvel Comics. Peter David has a history of changing my mind on characters but this would be an uphill struggle from the start. The corporate sponsored team premise reminds me of an ill-fated favourite of mine Wildcats 3.0 so I think I'd be, rightly or wrongly, subconsciously measuring the series against it. I'd certainly be measuring against the previous series. Honestly, I don't know if I'll even pick up issue one.
Fate of the rest
I dropped 5 books I have started with Marvel Now and Marvel have decided to end 4 so I am down to 3 books. I am only staying on these books for the creative team or for the current storyline so we'll see how long they last:
All-New X-men - DROPPED
Avengers - DROPPED
Avengers Arena - ENDING
Fearless Defenders - ENDING
Indestructible Hulk - KEEPING Until Mark Waid leaves
New Avengers - DROPPED
Thor: God of Thunder - KEEPING for the current creative team
Superior Spider-man - KEEPING until Peter Parker returns
Thunderbolts - DROPPED
Uncanny Avengers - DROPPED
X-men Legacy - ENDING
Young Avengers - ENDING
Of the All-New Marvel Now books announced, apart from maybe trying X-Factor, I will check out the new Daredevil book as he is my favourite superhero. Nothing else appeals to me. That's a lot of books dropped but there plenty of independent books and collections to spend my money on so it is not all bad.
