Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihlts.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihlts!tjarks From: tjarks@ihlts.UUCP (Tim Tjarks) Newsgroups: net.comics Subject: X-Factor review (and spoiler) Message-ID: <679@ihlts.UUCP> Date: Wed, 6-Nov-85 09:18:39 EST Article-I.D.: ihlts.679 Posted: Wed Nov 6 09:18:39 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 7-Nov-85 06:08:28 EST Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 46 I read the first issue of X-Factor yesterday, and I did not enjoy it. Put aside for a moment the issue of whether or not Jean Grey should have been resurrected, for there are far worse things to be found in this comic. What I really find distasteful about X-Factor is the premise for bringing the group together. They band together once again to rescue young mutants from persecution at the hands of the mutant-haters, that's all very well and good. But to do this, they work under the guise of a "mutant control" agency. The scheme basically works like this, and use an analogy just so it become clear to everyone just how ridiculous the concept is: Suppose there is a small group of civil rights workers in the Deep South in the 60's. Some members of this group are white or blacks that can pass for white. These members go on television with ads saying, "Have you got problems with uppity coloreds in you neighborhood? Call this number and we'll come take care of them for you." When this group gets a call, they come take the "uppity colored" to a place of safety and soak the caller for a large fee for "disposing" of the problem. Then they are very pleased with themselves for rescuing another persecuted black, and taking the bigots for large sums of money. OK, now substitute "mutie" for "colored" and "normal human" for "white" in the above paragraph and you have X-Factor. Does anyone believe that this kind of action really improves the conditions for mutant-kind in general? Of course not. The X-Factor commercials would just encourage increased mutant hatred. The art and dialogue in X-Factor are below the standard of most of today's comics (unless you consider Secret Wars I the standard, in which case X-Factor is right on par). Also, none of these characters are the least bit likeable any more. Scott is a jerk for leaving Maddy, Jean and Warren dreamed up the scheme above, Hank has reverted to his personality from X-Men #1, and you hardly even notice Bobby is there. And then when they are in costume they don't want people to know they are associated with X-Factor. Which of course explains why they have huge X's across the costumes. There is nothing to recommend about X-Factor. If I ever do any regular reviews like Jerry and Jeff do, I now have my example of a Z rating. Tim Tjarks, ihnp4!ihlts!tjarks