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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