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Questions about X-Factor v2... (Peter David)

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kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#1: Apr 10th 2013 at 4:19:40 PM

Hey there. Anyway, I'm sort of interested in reading through Peter David's X-Factor. I've been doing an Archive Binge through Avengers recently, and am just about caught up; I was going to do the same with X-Men, and I plan to at some point, but for now, I just want to read through one single series. Not through an entire franchise like I did with Avengers. However, I've heard good things about David's X-Factor, and I have read through his run on V1; I also tend to prefer Team Books over Solo's, so that gets it another point in it's favor. But I'm not sure if I need to read other X-books to understand what's going; I don't want to be part of the way through the run, only to find out that I need to read another series for something to get properly explained. So, is it fine to just go through X-Factor on it's lonesome, or would I need to read other X-books also? (And just an FYI, in case anyone asks; I have read House Of M, which, due to the whole Decimation event, may well be required reading, but I only read it because it was also an Avengers event too.)

Tiamatty X-Men X-Pert from Now on Twitter Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: Brony
#2: Apr 10th 2013 at 4:30:17 PM

It ties in with Messiah Complex, so for that arc, you'd need to read the other X-books. But that's the only one that really comes to mind. PAD's mostly kept it self-contained, though it draws on tons of history. Oh, and also, Wolfsbane leaves at one point to be added to the cast of X-Force, and the events of that series do have some effect when she returns. But it's not a big problem.

X-Men X-Pert, my blog where I talk about X-Men comics.
Heatth (X-Troper) Relationship Status: In Spades with myself
#3: Apr 10th 2013 at 4:42:56 PM

X-Factor have always been one of the most isolated books of the X-Franchise. They usually stay fairly apart from the current mutant situation, which is kind of the point. There may sometimes be comments about what is going on on the other books, but usually it is not needed to read those.

There are some exceptions, though. For starters, the current run starts immediately after House Of M, so a good deal of its early stories is about them dealing with the events of Decimations. Also, one ofthe main characters was created in House Of M main book*

. Fortunately, it seems you already have that covered. Another thing I can remember is they were part of the Messiah Complex X-Family Crossover. This particular crossover was kinda written as a huge story being told across multiple books, so reading only the X-Factor issues is not enough for you to know what they are doing in there. To make it worse, there is a some important changes that happened in this event, so you can't skip it either.

But, yeah, aside that, it is a fairly stand alone series, so you can read it with no worry. You will need to read Messiah Complex, however, which might be troublesome if you are not familiar with the then situation of the X-Books. Also, I would recommend reading a couple of Decimation books*

to have a better notion of what is happening with the mutants at the time, although it is not required. Also, the mutant situation changed quite a bit during the period, so know what is going on on the other books in the meanwhile helps. No need to read anything, just some asking around here should be enough.

PS:Ninja'd

edited 10th Apr '13 4:43:20 PM by Heatth

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#4: Apr 10th 2013 at 4:55:47 PM

Thanks to both of the above posters.smile Again, I'm not sure if I want to read through yet another franchise so soon. I might change my mind, but if not, I think I'll just go with X-Factor, and read everything else later. Also, about Messiah Complex; I'll check out the X-Factor part of MC first, and then see for myself if I really need to read anything else. I might just go with a Wikipedia article or some-such if I feel the need. But again, thanks for the input.wink

Heatth (X-Troper) Relationship Status: In Spades with myself
#5: Apr 10th 2013 at 5:14:06 PM

[up]No, you see, MC doesn't work like that. The story told in the X-Factor issues for the even is not just about them, it include events with the other characters as well. In the same token, events with the X-Factor cast happens in other books. You can't really just read part of the event. It is just not complete.

For example, the X-Factor are introduced to the event in Uncanny X-Men 492. Their own issue, X-Factor 25 is a direct following from that. At the same time, X-Factor 25 include stuff happening with Wolverine and Storm that doesn't have direct connection with the X-Factor at all.

edited 11th Apr '13 7:17:48 AM by Heatth

C0mraid from Here and there Since: Aug, 2010
#6: Apr 10th 2013 at 5:18:01 PM

IIRC the X-Factor trades skip the Messaih Complex issues entirely, they certainly skip over a few crossovers.

Am I a good man or a bad man?
Heatth (X-Troper) Relationship Status: In Spades with myself
#7: Apr 10th 2013 at 5:22:33 PM

If you want to avoid having to read the whole story, I suggest skimming through the other books while focusing on what the X-Factor characters are doing. Hell, in fact, you may only focus on Madrox. His own subplot is of great importance to the X-Factor, but it is somewhat tangential to the whole MC thing. The other X-Factor members are doing other stuff as well, of course, but I don't think it is really all that important so you won't really miss much. Missing what Madrox is doing, however, completely mess up with the understanding of many things that follow.

So, I suggest you to read the first issue of Messiah Complex, to know what the whole thing is about, and they skim through the other books until you see Madrox, then read whatever he is doing. With that you won't need to bother with the whole story while still not missing things that are vital for the X-Factor series.

[up]I would imagine so. But they don't try to sell as it is the whole story, do they? Missing Madrox and Layla going to the future is kinda big.

edited 10th Apr '13 5:24:37 PM by Heatth

C0mraid from Here and there Since: Aug, 2010
#8: Apr 10th 2013 at 5:26:43 PM

Is that the Messiah Complex crossover? They have that bit. So do we see more of that future's Cyclops etc? I read it thinking it was a standalone time travel story.

Am I a good man or a bad man?
Heatth (X-Troper) Relationship Status: In Spades with myself
#9: Apr 10th 2013 at 5:34:57 PM

[up]In MC Madrox and Layla goes to the future and explore the place a bit. Madrox comes back before the event ends but, as you know, Layla does now. The future Cyclops bits are much latter in the main X-Factor book.

Btw, I just remembered. There is at last one one-shot spin-off. Be sure to not miss that, kkhohoho.

C0mraid from Here and there Since: Aug, 2010
#10: Apr 10th 2013 at 5:38:43 PM

Ah, okay. That was the hardest crossover to miss, it left significant gaps for a few characters.

There are two specials I believe, a Layla and a Quicksilver one.

edited 10th Apr '13 5:39:18 PM by C0mraid

Am I a good man or a bad man?
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