LOSING THE X-FACTOR: DROPPING MARVEL NOW

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.

FIVE COMICS I AM READING (MARVEL) NOW

X-men: Legacy (Vol. 2)

Remember Charles Xavier's son? The chap with the funny hair who caused the Age of Apocalypse? Well they gave him his own series. Living up to the title, David Haller aka Legion must deal with the death of his father and whether he should try to follow "Xavier's Dream" or go his own path. He also has to deal with a “legion” of personalities with different superpowers who could take over his mind if they get the opening. Si Spurrier has crafted an interesting journey and has redeemed the character for me. It also helps that the series has some of the most interesting covers out at the moment.

 

                                     Avengers Arena

The premise is that Arcade has kidnapped a bunch of super-powered teenagers and is demanding that they fight each other until there is one character standing. It seemed very Lord of the Flies, Hunger Games, Battle Royale... and so on. It didn't seem like my sort of book but I gave issue one a shot. Dennis Hopeless won me over with a mixture of great characterisation and a feeling that anything can happen. Death is the end and can occur at any time. Arcade has become a badass and Hopeless and Walker have created a bunch of great new characters (I would love to see a book about the Braddock Academy). Another series with great covers.

                              Indestructible Hulk

I was never much of a Hulk fan but Mark Waid has taken an interesting idea that fits the character of Bruce Banner and has run with it. Thinking of his legacy and realising that he can't cure the Hulk problem (for now at least), Bruce Banner has decided that he wants to be known for his inventions and not for random property destruction. He has done a deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. to accomplished this and surrounded himself with a cast of scientists who seem to have secrets. Waid nails the character and has created an interesting supporting cast. I wasn't always a fan but Leinil Yu is doing great work on the art side in this book. Also, Walt Simonson has stepped in for a Thor story. What more do you need?

                                Superior Spider-man

Like the Hulk, I never really read Spider-man. I have always liked his rogues gallery though. My favourite of these was Doc Ock. With Otto Octavius taking Peter Parker's place, this book is the one for me then right? Well not at first. It took a Comixology sale to get me to pick up issue one. Once I had read it, and understood what the premise was, I was hooked. Otto Octavius wants to prove himself to be a better Spider-man than Peter Parker, a Superior Spider-man. The interactions with the other Spider-villains is interesting as Otto has a history with some of them too. Dan Slott seems to be building to something great with another one of my favourite Spider-villains too. I like it. This storyline also has the side-effect of the very funny interactions in the Avengers books. Those people are beneath him.

                                        Hawkeye

I don't think I need to say much about this book. Hawkeye. Greatest sharpshooter known to man. He then joined the Avengers. This is what he does when he's not being an Avenger. That's all you need to know. Matt Fraction writes. David Aja and Francesco Francavilla draw. Matt Hollingsworth colours. More great covers.